Australian thrift store Goosey Goosey Gander under…
An uncommon pricing coverage at a small-town South Australian thrift store has left discount hunters scratching their heads.
A member of the favored Facebook group Op Shopping Australia posted a picture taken in Burra, exhibiting a window signal at a store called Goosey Goosey Gander.
“$5 entry refundable on purchase, regular customers free,” the signal read.
The nameless poster wrote: “Well this is certainly something I’ve never seen before – second-hand store charging entry fee. Daughter just stopped by Burra, SA and came across a store called Goosey Goosey Gander. Must be making a tidy profit taking $5 per each person who doesn’t buy anything (imagine the tourists).”
The model successfully means that anybody who spends money inside gained’t be out of pocket, but window-shoppers and vacationers who depart empty-handed will lose $5 (AUD) each.
Most commenters had been up in arms at the news.
Goosey Goosey Gander is charging prospects a $5 entry charge “refundable on purchase’.” Op Shopping Australia / Facebook
“This is so dumb!” one lady named Claire wrote. “So you pay $5 to go in. If you buy one thing for $3, do they just offer you $2 back? And if you don’t buy something, they just keep the lot? That is a big fats hardcore NO from me.
“Op shops get their stuff for free and already sell it at ridiculous amounts. The audacity to CHARGE just to step foot inside … this has triggered me more than it should.”
“I beg your finest pardon????” another wrote.
But not all had been against it.
One lady, who labored at an Angus and Coote store, said she wished she may do the same. “Pretty good idea really. Save them dealing with stupid time wasters. Wish I could do this in our store,” she wrote.
The proprietor of Goosey Goosey Gander, Russell, told news.com.au the backlash from “keyboard warriors” doesn’t replicate the opinions of his prospects or the group.
“They’ve had their entitlement nerve hit,” he said.
Social media had a combined response to the unusual expense. REUTERS
“You’ve got to react to what’s happening your own business, so this was just a reaction to what was happening to our business and what was coming in the door.”
“We’ve received a lot of theft and also a lot of people transferring stuff around.
Russell said guests who are looking the store to “kill time” with no intention to buy truly “involves a cost because it’s carefully laid out and curated”.
“They want to come in for nothing, spend half an hour or get out of the rain or get out of heat. We’re just not providing that service anymore, that free entertainment,” he said.
“We’re not Ikea or Woolworths, we have 200 square meters in here.”
Russell said while it’s uncommon for the charge to not be refunded, all proceeds from it are directed to a local volunteer-run historic web site, Burra Railway Station.
“Customers don’t have a problem with it, that’s why the shop is doing slightly better,” he said.
“We get a lot of good feedback from our core customer base, but because they’re happy most people don’t go on to social.”
The Burra Community Management Committee awarded the store for their customer support and presentation at the organisation’s 2024 business awards.
Stay in the loop with the latest trending topics! Visit our web site daily for the freshest lifestyle news and content, thoughtfully curated to inspire and inform you.