Here are some questions that we have been asked:
Why not open a thrift store?
Answer: In short, we would be come part of the problem instead of being a solution to the problem. Inevitably we would encounter all the same issues that other thrift stores experience: lack of space, employee fatigue, competing for thrift store shoppers and so on. What we want to do is to be a used goods distributor that moves large quantities of sorted, clean, working/functional items to various non-profit organizations. In other words, we want the stuff to move as fast as possible to a greater number of organizations. In turn, the items we distribute will gain a greater exposure to the public and have a better chance of being reused.
Note as of April 17, 2012
We opened our Warehouse Thrift Center in Palm Springs at the beginning of March, 2012. Have we moved away from our intial ideal? Not exactly. Even though this does give the general public access to our services we continue to focus on being a solution to the problem in the following way:
We sell or attempt to sell the majority of our stock in bulk. Our desired buyers are resellers. They need to buy at a low price in order to resell it. The benefit of this is that we don't get overwhelmed with stock and because most of it will be resold in other locations, more people will get exposed to it and therefore it will have a greater chance of being resused or repurposed. We don't expect to attract every person who thrift shops. But if we attract sellers, who know what their customers are looking for...then we'll play our part of preventing items going to waste.
What about tax deductible donation receipts?
Answer: We are not a non-profit organization and therefore cannot give out such receipts. But keep this in mind:
A donation receipt is only good for those who itemize their taxes. In other words, if you take the standard federal income tax deduction you cannot receive any tax credit for your donations. Also, if you do not file or pay taxes, such as those on Social Security, then it is not necessary to receive such a letter.
If you itemize your deductions, you can right off up to $250.00(this may change from year to year but that is the current amount for 2008/2009) without a donation letter.
NOTE: This is per our research and we do not claim to be tax advisers or experts on this subject. We do, however, feel this is important information to help you decide if you want to partner with Green & Free.
How does Green & Free make an income?
Our source of revenue are the items of value that we find along the way in storage units, homes and donations we receive to redistribute. So far we have donated approximately 40-60% of the items we have received. Another 15-30% has been recycled or disposed of properly and of the remain percentage of items we have sold them to fund our services. One of our goals is to be a company who gives financially to the local organizations and to that end we will be giving a percentage of our net income in such a way.
Are you "pro" thrift stores?
I can answer that with a YES! We are definitely for our local non-profit thrift stores. We want be a part of the solution to the problem that exists. When we take items to these locations we do so PURPOSEFULLY. Our goal is to give to these stores what they actually put on their shelves to sell. We want to give them clean, working items that will help them meet their goals as an organization. Not all stores have the same policies as to what they will and will not sell. We want to give them what they will sell and prevent unnecessary waste.
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