Jumble sales

These have been around since Victorian times, featuring in novels by writers such as Agatha Christie (Miss Marple series) and E Nesbit (Five Children and It).

They're a popular form of fundraising for local good causes, such as clubs and societies, scouts and guides, churches and schools. You could describe them as being like a half-day temporary charity shop, sometimes with refreshments provided.

Generally, prices charged are much lower than in charity shops - often only 5p-50p. On the other hand, the quality of goods sold is usually below that of charity shops.

Many jumble sales rely on house-to-house collections.

Some charity shops organise periodic jumble sales to get rid of poorer quality clothing donations which can't be sold in their shops.

A comparison between typical charity shops and jumble sales
	CHARITY SHOPS	JUMBLE SALES
Event	no	yes
Advertising	no	yes - newspapers, notice boards etc
Duration	permanent	short-term - eg half-day
Duration	permanent	short-term - eg half-day
Premises	high street shop	rented hall
Shopfitting/equipment	professional	folding tables
Changing rooms	yes	no
Refreshments	no	yes
Refreshments	no	yes
Staff	2 or 3	10 or more
Admission	free	charged - eg 20p
New goods	some	none
New goods	some	none
Quality of goods	higher	lower
Prices of goods	higher	lower
Haggling over price	no	yes
Prices marked	yes	no
Prices marked	yes	no
Method of payment	various	usually cash only
Receipts issued	yes	no
Atmosphere	formal	informal

Jumble sales

A comparison between typical charity shops and jumble sales

CHARITY SHOPS

JUMBLE SALES