| Q1. |
Are you only interested in very large quantities? We would like to make a donation but presume that a small quantity would not be of interest. |
| A1. |
Not at all. In Kind Direct is interested in donations of all sizes. As long as the goods are in new condition and can be transported, then we would be keen to hear more. Generally we do not accept second hand goods, other than pentium computers which are then refurbished and distributed to our network of charities. |
| Q2. |
Do we have to deliver the donation to you? |
| A2. |
You can, but it isn't essential. In Kind Direct works with DHL to ensure that we can collect donations from all locations and in quantities ranging from cartons to lorry loads. However, we encourage donor companies to deliver their donations to our warehouse in Oxfordshire if possible, as this keeps our costs down.
In some cases donors ask us to arrange the collection but are then happy to make a cash donation to cover the logistics costs involved in getting their goods to the warehouse. |
| Q3. |
What types of charities will be getting our donation? |
| A3. |
In Kind Direct works with thousands of charities engaged in all types of work. We sort your donation in our warehouse and then describe what is available on our online catalogue. Charity workers all over the UK browse the site and request from us what they need in their work.
We regularly send donors reports with details of all the recipient organisations, their location and their aims and objectives. Some companies then use this information for both internal and external PR purposes. |
| Q4. |
How can we be sure that the goods are not being sold? |
| A4. |
We understand and take extremely seriously the fact that donors do not want their donated goods being sold by charities in competition with their own products.
To safeguard donors' interests we therefore contractually oblige the recipient charities to agree not to sell, barter, trade or raffle the goods. Agreement to this undertaking is required each time they request any of the items on our list. The charities must also keep records as to where the items go.
In addition, we conduct spot checks and are vigilant in investigating any possible breaches of these rules. |
| Q5. |
Your donation form looks time consuming to complete. Do we need to list every single item we are giving? |
| A5. |
Completing the form should be a simple and straightforward exercise. Often donors attach computerised details as the information comes directly from their system following write offs. It is easiest if you are able to list the products on offer and the number of cartons or pallets so that we know what to expect, and the original retail value for our audited records. But we don't want this to deter the donation. If values are not available then you can give us a general idea and we will inventory the donation when it arrives in our warehouse. It would help if you could provide us with your catalogue of products and price list.
If for any reason the information which we ask for on the donation form is not readily to hand then we ask that the form should simply be sent to us as it stands. We don't want to deter donors from getting involved by creating additional work for them. |
