Oh gracious, something donated that shouldn't have been

[DawnM]

long story short, an item my foster son's grandmother gave to him accidentally got taken to our local Goodwill with the donation box.   I will be going to check later this week to see if they have put it out and buy it back, but I fear they take things to a central location and disperse from there????   Anyone know?

It isn't anything we thought was important, but the grandmother asked me this week if he liked it and said she would love to have a picture with it and him......OY!

I hope I can get it back.   It is literally in a box and we donated about 10 boxes, in addition to I am sure everything else boxed up and taken in this week, so I don't see any way to get it back without waiting to see if it will be put out.

[mommyoffive]

Can you call the store and ask?   What was it?  Can you just get something like it and take the picture?   I would think if you took it to a store not the drop boxes all around town they sell it from there.  

Or just send her a bunch of other pictures and thank you note for the item.

[DawnM]

no, it would take way too long to see if they would allow me to sort through their boxes and I don't think they would let me in there.   It is an item of clothing, so I doubt they would even bother to look for it if I asked.   I will need to stop by myself and look on the racks. 

And nope, can't buy anything like it.....it is quite outlandish to be honest, not our style, but apparently it was a family piece.   GAH

[JustEm]

Hope you can find it. But if not just be honest with her that it accidentally ended up in a donate box.

[Kassia]

Ugh, that's tough.  I hope you find it.  😞  

[bolt.]

I don't think you should be giving up on the possibility of catching it or searching for it at the drop off location. There is no sense in embracing defeat before you try just because you think they won't be able/willing to help. For one thing, they work for a charity -- there are probably at least a few exceptionally big-hearted people on staff. For another thing, unintentional donation mistakes happen all the time. They aren't going to be surprised or treat you like an idiot. The "foster kid's gift from grandma" story is compelling. I think they may help if they can. If they can't or won't, okay, but let them be the ones to tell you. Don't just not try.

[happi duck]

Another vote for going in person sooner than later.  Ime, the donations go out in that same store very quickly.

When my sister died someone donated stuff that was earmarked for someone else.  I found out the next day and it was all for sale and mostly gone by the time I got there.

[Arctic Bunny]

Alternatively, they may have so many donations that it is taking them ages to go through, and you tell them how many/what boxes you dropped off and they let you go through it. 

[DawnM]

38 minutes ago, Arctic Bunny said:

Alternatively, they may have so many donations that it is taking them ages to go through, and you tell them how many/what boxes you dropped off and they let you go through it. 

 

I don't even remember what the boxes looked like, they were sitting in DH's car for weeks before they were dropped off.   He said he got Halfway home and remembered I told him NOT to drop them off yet......😩

[RootAnn]

My DH would be trying to find the item/box, but I'd suggest just telling the truth. If it wasn't to his taste anyway, it is best that it was donated. There may be hard feelings if they think you did it on purpose, but then again, maybe this will keep hideous family hand-me-downs from coming to you from here on out.

[Arctic Bunny]

2 hours ago, DawnM said:

 

I don't even remember what the boxes looked like, they were sitting in DH's car for weeks before they were dropped off.   He said he got Halfway home and remembered I told him NOT to drop them off yet......😩

Aw, I’m sorry! 😞 

[happi duck]

If you go and can't find it perhaps be prepared with a flyer describing the item and ask if the flyer can be put in the break room.  I wouldn't do this for a normal mistake but I would in this situation.

[gardenmom5]

dont wait until they put it out - go now, tell them what happened and ask.  let them know to be on alert - they will be able to tell you if it's taken to a different location or not.

[Kanin]

7 hours ago, DawnM said:

And nope, can't buy anything like it.....it is quite outlandish to be honest, not our style, but apparently it was a family piece.   GAH

Could you say that it got stained or ripped or something? To save their feelings? And maybe take a picture of him with something else they gave?

[katilac]

1 minute ago, Kanin said:

Could you say that it got stained or ripped or something? To save their feelings? And maybe take a picture of him with something else they gave?

I don't think that works when it's a family piece like it would for a recent, store-bought item. 

OP, I would both call and go in person to check the racks. They may not look for it, you may not find it, but at least you will be also to say you did everything possible.