When I worked at Home Depot, instead of sending things back to a manufacturer, we would have to put it in the compactor. It was required by the manufacturer and the employees could not take it. It's call a "field destroy"...

I think they get more back when they send in the required proof that it did not sell than if they sold it for pennies, Sad but true.

I once had a conversation with a Joann's regional manager about this. I asked why they couldn't give things they couldn't sell to charity. He said that would cause jealousy among charities, because one charity would find out that the other had gotten things. Certainly he could have thought of something more believable than that!

Dayle

At my Jo'Anns even the smallest pieces get the sissor shred before they go to the dumpster. I saw one of the girls doing this one day , and she said it was their policy. When asked about just donating she repied "oh no , all donations have to have Corperate approval". So no mattter what they take sissors and cut up into small pieces before putting in the dumpster. Such a shame ! As so much of what gets tossed could find use !

sadly this is the norm now....even at Hancocks....after it hits a certain % off if it does not sell, into the dumpster it goes! So sad...BUT they are a business and that means they need to make MONEY..not give their stuff away!

It still does...I was watching it happen at a Joann's last year. I even made the comment about what a waste. Broken items get written off and dumped in the trash...I don't know about ribbons and such.

I remember stores selling books for very low prices without the covers. I think they cannot donate things and get money back from the supplier so they destroy the things rather than donate--more profitable. It's all in the name of profit.
Sue

Many stores' policy here is after something is marked down 80-90% it is given to GW. I regularly see new clothing and craft items in bins there. As far as something that is broken, the store doesn't want the liability in case of injury. The stores may also have to follow the manufacturers' guidelines as far as disposal, too. As far as something looking perfectly good, it really may not be. Suppose those ribbons were a return item form a heavy smokers home. would you really want the store to try to sell them or donate them? After trying to get smoke out of fabric myself, i would pitch rather than deal with it

Our Goodwill gets things from Target. You can still see the Target marks on them.

Because, unfortunately, people will try to return the items to the store. I've worked in retail and if an item can't be put back on the floor it has to be destroyed because people will return it saying it was damaged and want money back for it. Sad, but true.