British Heart Foundation Furniture & Electrical Stores Reviews 

I collected 13 bags of clothes , 2 bags of books and electrical items. I arranged a collection. I waited in all day and the time slot passed that I had been given. The van then turned up didn’t ring the doorbell bell just shoved a note through the door and drove off. Must have wanted a flyer on a Friday afternoon. All the effort of getting the bags ready and put beside my front door now going to have to move them all again! Honestly don’t bother just go to a charity that actually wants your things like the Salvation Army. So disappointed will never ever ever donate or shop here again!!

Arranged collection of a few items I didn't have time to sell before moving. Thought it would be better to give to charity then let them go as freebies.

Delivery window was useless. Got a text to say they'd arrive soon and watched them sat in the same place for an hour on the map (must have been lunch break). Drivers arrived late, were grumpy and rude because they had to walk down the drive way as van was too large to drive up it. They struggled to communicate with me and when they did it was to tell me that one IKEA sofa didn't have a fire label (ok, no idea why that is but can't be helped now). They then pointed to a slight spot of discoloration on a mattress less than three years old. It's where the spot washer had left a watermark from being cleaned, barely visible. They refused to take it and I ended up having to tip a perfectly usable sofa and mattress. I guess some charities aren't that "in need". On a side note, I've been in-store and seen what they sell. It's filthy, covered in grime and looks like it's been raided from a crack den. Very odd double standards.

I'd rather suffer a heart attack then deal with them again.

Picked up a beautiful armchair and leather settee. Staff are lovely. Pop in now on every visit to Southend just to browse and pick up the most beautiful selection of cushions

Arranged for a collection of top quality items, when Dave and his assistant arrived he went to pick up the boxes then saw the stepper ( excellent condition) and said “ we can’t take that there’s no room in the shop “ it’s a small item that easily fits under the bed or into a cupboard. Extremely disappointed as they both left immediately without even an apology. The items I was donating are worth £100’s of pounds, my philosophy is, if I paid good money for them so will someone else. Perhaps the British Heart Foundation shouldn’t be so picky. I telephoned another charity who are more than grateful for free gifts. BHF…Shame on you.

After supporting this charity for a number of years I was absolutely disgusted by the way I was treated when there van arrived to collect a large selection of extremely good furniture that we had offered too them. The introduction from the driver that he was desperate to urinate and where was the toilet to then suggesting we only take new furniture as we have to sell it in the shop was totally disrespectful to both myself and my wife. Absolute no consideration for the peoples feelings that we’re donating perfectly good items to the charity. This experience has left me certain that I will no
longer be submitting to the charity in the future

I booked an assessment for a house clearance -Nottingham. The person was an hour and a half late, took photos etc and the next day I received a quote of £8000! The manager said they’d need 5 vans, and wanted to charge for the missed revenue from other jobs on the day, for each van. I kid you not. The manager actually agreed that their business/costing system didn’t lend itself to house clearances. It was totally bizarre and massively time wasting. Do not book a ‘house clearance.’ I got it done for £1500 from an efficient company, who distributed to charities and recycled ethically.

This was my first time donating furniture to this charity shop, and it will definitely be my last.

The collection window given was between 7am and 1pm. By 12:30pm no one had arrived, so I called the shop. I was then told the van was full and there would be a delay — first an hour, then half an hour — and that I would receive a call half an hour before arrival. I was also told twice that once the drivers left the shop, they would come straight to my address.

In reality, the drivers arrived an hour and a half later and did not come directly to me, as promised. They went elsewhere to deliver items first, causing further delay. By this point I had spent the entire morning and half my afternoon waiting, with the furniture moved into the middle of my room to make collection easier.

When they finally arrived, they refused to take the item. Photos were taken and sent to the manager, who rejected it due to defects. This was extremely disappointing, as a week earlier I had visited the shop in person, shown photos, fully described the item, and was assured it was suitable for donation. It is a vintage piece, and its condition was clearly explained in advance.

I would have been disappointed but understanding if the item had been refused promptly. What is unacceptable is waiting all day, being repeatedly reassured, and only being told after a very late arrival that the item would not be collected.

This was a donation — given for free to be resold — and ironically, I originally bought this very item from the same shop years ago in worse condition than it is now. The lack of communication, organisation, and consideration was upsetting and left me feeling completely let down.

I will not be donating to this shop again

We could not fault the help and service given by the team from the Leicester store. We had to change our collection date at short notice and it was accommodated without question.
The lads who came to pick up our furniture were so friendly and polite a real credit to the service offered
Thank you so much!

I booked a generous donation collection online and the process for this was unnecessarily long and complicated.
They do insist on a phone call, so eventually this was organised but the customer service was unbelievable.
I understand that the woman I spoke to was very likely an unpaid volunteer but BHF should have at least a basic minimum level of professionalism?
The first few minutes of the overlong phone call consisted of her trying various ways to actually pull up my details, despite my having a reference number which BHF provided, plus name of course, address, postcode...
Anyway, eventually she found it but bizarrely she brought up the fact that I was donating a single item and BHF expect a collection. Well why does the website allow you to book donation of one item if it's not allowed?! Seriously, how about sorting out the website to block this in the first place, instead of kindly donators like myself having to put up with incompetent staff telling me over the phone that they don't like it?!
After begrudgingly accepting this (it's amazing how picky a charity can be), the next few minutes of the call consisted of her trying to get me to bring my kind donation to their shop! I appreciate she may have had some sort of mental difficulties and I'm all for being inclusive in the workplace but seriously, why on earth would I even go to the trouble of booking a collection if I had the means to deliver my large donation myself?!
Still, she continued to try and talk me out of it and eventually gave in but at no point was any form of gratitude expressed! It's like, who is doing who a favour here?! But not even just two words 'thank you' were spoken. Perhaps some training is needed for even something as fundamental as this as well?!
An awful experience and next time I'll just go to freecycle after all. I just thought I'd try and help out a charity but it's clearly not appreciated.

My experience speaking to the staff was good - however the guys they sent to collect items were very lazy and left half the stuff - my sofa bed was in good condition, desk, and book shelf was all in good condition - they made up some poor excuse regarding the items being bought from ikea and being unable to sell - the stuff from ikea were in excellent condition and very stable - I believe they just didn’t want to put in the hard work to carry the stuff downstairs.

Booked a furniture collection with the BHF in woking. The collection drivers arrived and were impolite, dismissive and rejected collecting a 2 seater sofa for minimal issues which were previously disclosed (water stain on the cushion + the cushioning of the sofa being uneven). They were then rude and handled the rest of the collection with little care. I have heard of multiple people having similar experiences and I think it is such a shame for people of the public who are wanting to support this charity instead of dumping their items

I booked online and by phone on Friday to request a sofa and chairs donation. Advised them that I needed it quick and they have collected today. Two women from the Rotherham branch, good communication throughout the process. Two very efficient women. To comply with regulations, they do check the condition and fire labels. I had a very positive experience, this is the second occasion that I have used them.

Thank you very much. To the British heart foundation. For picking up my aunties furniture. 2 lovely young men came. Both very polite and pleasant. Thank you Josh and reece, you did a fantastic job. !!!

Shrewsbury Furniture & Electrical:
Brilliant service from staff in the shop and the two people collecting. The entire process was seamless and faultless; as well as friendly. With the new approach to collecting, I was kept informed every step via text and email, and this is a real game changer - meaning I didn’t have to wait in all day. 10/10 to an utterly brilliant charity!

Absolutely shocking experience.
I would never donate to the BHF again.
The collection men were so rude and I felt abused and so was my beautiful furniture. My lovely oak tables and 10 chairs (old charm)which I had looked after for 30 years were kicked apart and shoved into a van with no protection. I just hope they are in saleable condition when they arrived at the warehouse.
And they drove off without a Thankyou.
I’m so angry and upset.

Going to the shop the staff was nice but cause i had a dark brown tv stand they wouldnt take it didnt think it matter as long as it sells to customers

Booked for them to collect a good quality oak extening dining table and chairs. Photos sent beforehand, the right labels on the chairs - all as required.
There was a (hardly noticeable, honestly) small patch of wear on the tabletop (it's 12 years old, mind), which i had improved by applying beeswax. For a 12 year-old table, which had been used (obviously) but looked after (and with a tablecloth would make no difference anyway), AND they were getting for nothing - it was pretty good deal for them!
Driver turned up, bearly spoke when I greeted them, examined the surface of the table close-up, and just said "No, we don't want that. We'll just take the chairs".
They were told to leave.
I phoned the local hospice charity, who also have a furniture shop, and they were over the moon with it. Afterall, if they sell it and get £50, it's cost them nothing and surely that's better than nothing.
No problems at all with them, and it looked beautiful in their shop window.

I have donated plenty of good furniture and other items to BHF over the years, but with their rotten attitude lately, I will not be giving them any more.
I'd rather take it to the tip.

The delivery team is really rude and unkind. I intended to make a donation. They discarded the mattress because of a small threaded sign and on that basis they refused to collect the bed frame. Both were bought last year. And they were two separated items. So I’m not sure how refusing one could be a reason to disqualify the others. Extremely unpleasant experience. Would never contact them for any kind of collection or donation. In my experience they have zero respect for the time of the person who intends to donate a furniture. I need to add that they have photos of the items beforehand and I called them the day before. I was reassured that the important thing is not to add to the items that are needed to be collected. So again why not collecting the bed frame if the mattress is not up to your standards.

The bhf is a great place to buy good secondhand furniture and I would recommend them to anyone, however the delivery service are the reason for the one star rating. I tried to donate new single beds and other stuff but that didn’t happen because the delivery people only waited for 5 minutes and left. I tried to example I was not ready because I am crutches and they came 7:20 am in the morning without calling me first. I rearranged a collection and the site gives you two options when the collection can be done. This time I was ready from 6:30am no one turned up. I called the shop and explained that I was waiting for the delivery men but the female on the shop floor who answered the call was extremely rude and bare faced lied and tried to drag me into an argument about the truth. I declined the invitation. She said they made three attempts but no one answered the door I have cctv to prove otherwise. Her whole attitude was so unprofessional, unpolished and implied I was lying. This was not customer service but a thug on the phone. I’ve always donated rather than selling my stuff but dealing with people like that leaves a bad impression on the British Heart Foundation.

Went into the shop in Staines-upon-Thames today to drop 3 brand new winter coats, 2 ladies and 1 man's, all very warm coats.
Today the temperature is 7 degrees dry and frosty.
The lady behind the desk said she wouldn't take them as it's now Spring Summer stock.
I've worked in retail management for over 30 yrs and fully get the change in season stock and transitioning to the next season BUT it's mid January its freezing , February March possible being our worst weather and we are in a cost of living crisis.
The other charity shop more than happy to take the coats.