Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed the decline in KAR's Gladrags shop over the last few weeks? It used to be a pleasant shop having items that were pressed and well displayed and not to crowded, in fact it always had the appearance more of a boutique with some good labels. Now it is packed full of creased and sometimes torn items as I found out today. Whether it is a change in management or not I do not know, but whoever is now in charge certainly does not have much if any retail or merchandising knowledge.

It would appear that they also know nothing of staff relations as the staff look about as happy as the stock. They need to consult the staff more and find out what has happened and how this can be turned around. Come on KAR you have done much better, let's go back to a winning regime.

Would you like to go and volunteer your services then Poppy? Its impossible to press everything. A lot of stock was mouldering in the back room and its not earning money sitting there. The new manager is trying to run 2 shops as there is a staff shortage and a few toes may have been stepped on. More power to their elbow I say after all the aim is to raise money which I think they do. I support them as much as I can. Several friends and myself have bought some beautiful things over the past week. Anyway its fun to have a rummage.

What a lot of people do not realise is that the charity shops and indeed organisations such as the Library are run and staffed completely by Volunteers - i.e. people who give of their time and efforts totally unpaid or rewarded. So please either volunteer to give a few hours to any of these organisations or refrain from making scathing comments about those who are trying to help.

Thank you for your feed back Poppy, I shall pass it on to the manager (if she is not already aware of this posting)
Deniz1 is correct in that we have quite a bit of old stock that needs moving, and the rails are full because it is the half price sale this week, so there are bargains to be had.
Poppy did you point out the torn items to the volunteer, so that item can be removed from the shop, as sometimes clothes with marks, or torn can slip through.

So, what does a volunteer do at Glad Rags?
ALL donations come to the area at the back of Glad Rags, it is sorted out for Glad Rags, the 2 Girne shops and the centre there are many generous people who donate their stuff to us, Thank you to those who do give their donations to us. Every bit helps in our aiming to raise as much money for the animals in our care.
Donations for the 2 shops goes to the shops.

Glad Rags clothes are then sorted hung on coat hangers, labelled and priced and steamed if required. Clothes are then put into the shop as required, the shop also needs to be tidy and of course our customers need serving.
All this Poppy can be difficult to do as you may be the only volunteer on for the morning/afternoon as currently we have volunteers on holiday, off sick and of course occasionally volunteers may have something on on the day they work and may not be able to work. So any one reading this who likes clothes and has a morning or an afternoon spare, join us.
LL

Poppy, I'm a little confused re your last remark "come on KAR you have done much better, let's go back to a winning regime" The "let's" means "let us", so can we assume from that you used to assist in GRs at some time in the past. If you did then you will be aware of just how difficult running three, not two shops can be (remember KAR now run House and Home) particularly in the holiday periods when all Charity Shops are desperately trying to cope. If you haven't assisted in the past, then I would respectfully suggest that perhaps you volunteer your services, and see what its really like at "the coal face" whilst coping with customers, heat, sorting clothes, displaying clothes whilst keeping a permanent welcoming smile on your face. You sure as hell don't get that it 90% of the clothes shops in Girne, and the staff there are PAID.

Poppy I think in that very negative post you are trying to undermine someone. Do you have a hidden agenda I wonder.
I met the new manager of the KAR shops recently and she was smiling and enthusiastic and yes she has had past retail experience. She was brimming with new ideas and full of enthusiasm, good luck to her I say.
I take clothes down to KAR as they are my charity of choice and recently I had a beautiful dress from Gladrags. Brand new still with labels on and all for TL25! Every little helps the animals and I have to say that if the shop is more crowded then that is more potential income for the charity.
Instead of negative comments why don't you volunteer and if you have retail experience then offer advice not criticism on an anonymous forum. Everyone welcomes positive feedback so try to balance your negatives with positives is my mantra.

Having customers also counts, I believe; Poppy may not be a volunteer but with out Poppy and other customers there would not be any money coming into the shops and then the beloved dogs would suffer. We all know that the dogs need as much from us humans, especially as we are in the TRNC. May be the Poppy person wrote Let's as they felt part of KAR charity shops as they frequently shop in them?

Firstly can I say to all the volunteers can I say sorry, there was no way I was having a go at you. I think you all do a fantastic job and I am sorry I had not considered holidays and staff shortages when making my original post.

I am also sorry my mail came across to a lot as it did. We all know six people can read something and each will have a different interpretation of what it says.

All I was trying to say was that in my view the shop was not as enticing as it has been previously.

I did not know there was a new manager and I suppose my views could be upsetting and for this I am sorry. I wish her good luck in her venture.

Lastly there was no ulterior motive it was purely an observation on my part and I am sorry for the upset it has caused.

I would think of volunteering but I don't think they would want me now.

Don't give them your name, Pike!

I am sure they would want you Poppy. It takes a big person to apologise.

I visited Glad Rags for the first time today, came away with 2 dresses and a top for the bargain price of 19tl. I shall definitely be returning.

Go on Poppy, and ask to speak to the new Shop Manageress, you'll be welcomed with open arms I'm sure. Deniz1 is absolutely right. Good on you!!

I'm a volunteer there and I'd be happy for any extra help on the team, especially someone who's not afraid to hold their hand up if they have offended people. We are stretched as a team at the best of times, but July and August are a nightmare as most of us go to the UK for a break and we have no cover. We can only do our best.
Come along and join us if you have a few hours spare, you would be more than welcome. Especially if you want to do clothes steaming in a little back room in these temperatures

I reckon this is a Happy Ever After Ending!
To who ever is giving their time to help in a Charity shop in the heat of a Cyprus summer and all that entails deserves thanks from everyone.
Then again it is not that muich better in the Cyprus Winter months.
As long as money is taken to help each deserved cause it is worth it and the more the merrier in number of volunteers.

BBB's other half.

Poppy if you are thinking of volunteering, come along and have a look, have a chat to our manager, we don't bite ...... honest

The invite goes out to anyone who may be thinking of giving a few hours to help the animals.

LL

I went to the Karakum shop earlier today and had a first class experience. The lady who served me was friendly, charming and extremely helpful.
I left with a fabulous evening suit and a few other items, total cost in their current half price sale just over 60 TL.

I actually have some experience of running retail shops (not fashion I admit) and I can't see how the experience could be improved.

Well done KAR.

And that was my better half, thank you for your kind words, yes she is charming and friendly.