School Uniform Gmach Fee

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SRB ↓

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 2:16 pm

Hi. I run a uniform Gmach out of my home for my kids elementary/middle school. For the past 3 yrs, the uniforms at my Gmach were free. It’s now a bigger project and I want to charge a fee - not to make money but in order to not be taken advantage of - in terms of my time and inventory. My question is, how to charge and how much? The girls skirts sell new $45, jumper $48, shirts $32.

What do you think is a fair price for good condition but used uniforms?

Thank you!

amother

Smokey

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 2:18 pm

Someone who is coming to a gmach for uniforms typically really needs it. I would charge maybe $3-5. I don't think it's fair to charge more. If you can't handle doing it maybe someone else can take over.

amother

Ballota

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 2:21 pm

I don’t know but once the local gemach started charging a fee, I stopped donating my uniforms. I KNOW no one’s making money off of it, but I’d rather someone get it for free than have to pay for it. I can’t say that it’s the right attitude, it’s just the way I feel.

We have local giveaway groups and I post it there instead.

amother

Apricot ↓

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 2:27 pm

What would it look like for you to be taken advantage of?

amother

Candycane ↓

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 3:14 pm

If you don't want to do it, contact the school and ask them to find someone else to take it over.

I would be very upset if someone charged me to get something from the gemach.

Plus, charging 5 dollars makes me feel more like a chesed case to be honest.

I know I'm taking someone's outgrown thing. But our uniform gemach is so nice and respectful that I don't feel like a taker.

mha3484

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 3:16 pm

Our uniform gemach is free for used items and $5 for items with tags on still. It runs 3x a year in the summer once in June, Once in July and Once in August and that's all.

renslet

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 3:17 pm

Can you make limits to not be taken advantage of. One gemach that I've seen allows 3 dresses per kid, two skirts etc (I'm making up but it was something like this)
Maybe you could set a time limit and also how much each child could take.
It's tricky to charge.

amother

Mintcream

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 3:25 pm

amother Apricot wrote:

What would it look like for you to be taken advantage of?

Same question? Do you feel you are being taken advantage of?

amother

Chicory ↓

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 3:28 pm

I know ppl who do this they take a few in sizes more and less just in case. And just throw out what they don’t need.
(For example their dd is a size 7 jumper. But the six just skins her knees and looks so cute now. And she might grow. So they will take size 6, 7 and 8 jumpers just in case)

Even $3 will make ppl take only what they need do the rest can be left for others.

Otherwise you can have a limit. Like 3 skirts per child in school. And 4 shirts. And 1 sweater.

This way a girl gets a nice amount but others can also get.

Do you iron the skirts first. I know one place that charges and the cost goes to pressing the skirts to make them look fresh in the Gemach.

amother

Iris

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 3:30 pm

What would the money be used for?
If you don't want to be taken advantage, you can keep track of who you give to and make sure nobody exaggerates or put a limited amount available per child.
It's tricky to charge. Ppl that go to gemach usually do because they don't have money.
It doesn't feel right.

↑ SRB ↓

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 3:54 pm

Hi. I’m the OP. Thank you so much for your thoughtful replies. To answer your questions and give more a a picture - the Gmach is in Los Angeles. Most ppl who come to the Gmach can afford a small fee, I know them basically. They just figure, why pay at the store if Sarah has for free. There are a small percentage of ppl coming who honestly can’t afford and these are often referrals from the school admin. Perhaps, if I get a school referral, I could waive the fee?

Yes, I’m restructuring the whole operation. It’s moving location (out of my home) and I’m getting more school parent volunteers to help out.

amother

Daylily

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 3:56 pm

amother Candycane wrote:

Plus, charging 5 dollars makes me feel more like a chesed case to be honest.
.

This

↑ SRB

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 4:08 pm

I hear you. So what about me calling it a “gently used uniform store”? The fee goes to upkeep - hangers, cleaners fee, racks, and PTA stuff which basically goes to the students.

Success10

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 4:13 pm

Gemachim charge a small upkeep fee. It’s normal in my opinion.

amother

Cantaloupe

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 4:20 pm

SRB wrote:

Los Angeles mom here. Very interested if it is for my kids school.... some schools have a gemach and charge a minimal amount which I am fine with but I am not one of the "rich/ take advantage of every free thing" mindset but many do here. I know people who do take advantage of things just because it is free...

amother

Almond

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 4:28 pm

Can you fundraise to cover costs? Getting used uniforms is not ideal and even $5 per item for people who are struggling adds up..

amother

Garnet

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 4:31 pm

I live in Israel and the clothing gemachs usually charge 1-10 shekel per item. It's understood it's to cover electricity, laundry where necessary etc etc.
It would be a nice gesture to have a system where someone referred by the school doesn't pay.
Another option is to leave a donations box by the counter that people can choose how much to pay.

amother

Leaf

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 4:39 pm

My kids are in YSV in Monsey. The uniform exchange charges one dollar per piece and it goes as tzedaka to the school.

amother

↑ Apricot ↓

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 4:42 pm

SRB wrote:

I'm a little confused. In my child's school, the gemach is billed as a way to make "shidduchim" between people who have uniforms to give away and those who need them. The (very thoughtful and generous) woman who runs it does so out of the goodness of her heart to do a chessed and help both parties.

I'm assuming that you're feeling taken advantage of because women could pay but are choosing not to. But why should you expect people to pay for new uniforms instead of putting someone else's to good use? Do you want uniforms piling up in landfills instead of going to new homes where they can be used again?

In terms of the fee, what would go towards? If you are paying rent and utilities for the separate location, that makes sense. But if you are charging for your time in running it, could you instead recruit more volunteers? It seems like this is a cause that people are willing to help out with. And how much time are we talking about specifically?

amother

↑ Apricot

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 4:44 pm

SRB wrote:

My question is, how to charge and how much? The girls skirts sell new $45, jumper $48, shirts $32.

What do you think is a fair price for good condition but used uniforms?

Adding that this question sounds like you're selling them on ebay and are trying to maximize your profit. But the people giving you their used uniforms are presumably doing so under the assumption that you are serving the community by helping uniforms get reused.

I would be very turned off if I donated my uniforms to the "gemach" and it turned out that the person running it was trying to make a profit off of them.

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