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About Us
The first Vinnies Shop was established in 1926 and continues today in Ascot Vale.
Our shops provided clothing, household items, including crockery, cutlery, glassware, vases and collectibles to help to stock our stores.
The money raised through our shops is filtered back into our good works that assist people get back on their feet.
Why we exist
Our Vinnies Shops exist to provide a shopping experience which allows customers to buy goods from our shops with every dollar spent going back into the local community. We’re also able to provide direct assistance to those experiencing disadvantage through the provision of gift vouchers that are used to purchase items during tough times.
In Victoria we provide millions worth of material aid and support to the community.
How are items priced?
Donations received at store are sorted and prepared for sale by an army of volunteers. Our volunteers price each item at rates that are both affordable and accessible. Pricing is based on the condition and quality of each, individual item.
Our volunteers receive training and instruction on pricing and when in doubt, store managers are available for guidance. Our volunteers know the importance of making sure items are priced affordably, however they also understand that we have a responsibility to price our goods at a rate that allows us to help many people as possible.
It is important that we honour the donations we receive and price items based on their quality and ‘market value’. When we receive a rare or unique item, we thoroughly research its potential value. We never want to over-price items, but we are mindful of fair value and careful not to under-price unique and valuable items.
Where does the money go?
Vinnies Shops adopt a very local, grass roots model of assistance. In addition to our shops, Vinnies has thousands of members across the state volunteering their time to provide support and assistance through our Home Visitation service. This allows us to specifically meet the welfare and emergency relief requirements of the immediate community.
Each of our Vinnies Shops has a close connection to these volunteers, often working closely to provide clothing, food, furniture and financial assistance to people experiencing disadvantage. Their ability to provide this welfare assistance is a direct result of profits generated from the sale of goods in store in that local area.
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