Sue Ryder Reviews 

223
•
TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

2.4

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 46 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Customers frequently complained about rude staff members who abruptly refused donations, making people feel unwelcome and wasting valuable time and effort. Consumers also mentioned that various goods and second-hand furniture were heavily overpriced, causing frustration with pricing policies. Some reviewers were happy with the welcoming atmosphere and described the local store employees as exceptionally friendly and helpful. Visitors appreciated discovering a great range of affordable donated items while experiencing smooth and efficient service during their visits. People noted that certain branches offered a pleasant shopping environment with dedicated team members supporting the charity's cause.

What people talk about most

Staff

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with staff, as opinions are divided regarding their... See more

Product

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about product, with consumers praising the brilliant stock of donations,... See more

Service

Customers had mixed experiences with service, as some reviewers praised the friendly and helpful staff during... See more

Price

Users describe ambiguous interactions with price, as opinions on pricing are deeply divided. On one hand,... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Contacted branch to donate several items of furniture. Completed form, sent photos as requested so they knew exactly what was being donated. All good and collection confirmed. Received text messa... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Just taken two boxes of new books to Sue Ryder in Kingsway Gloucester. I wanted to donate to Sue Ryder as i believe in the work they do, however after sorting the books putting them in the car and dri... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

It has taken me a long time to consider posting this review as I have donated a considerable amount of money when two of my friends died in their care. My mother came out of hospital with terminal ca... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Normally Sue Ryder have welcoming staff who are polite and grateful for any donation received. Unfortunately on taking in a donation today I was greeted by a very rude and unprofessional lady who woul... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Charity
  2. Hospice
  3. Thrift Store

Written by the company

We are here to make sure that everyone approaching the end-of-life or living with grief can access the support they need. For more than 70 years, we have been a source of strength and support for anyone living with a life-limiting illness or grief. Sue Ryder supports people through our hospices, palliative care hubs and via our online bereavement support services. We also have almost 400 charity shops across the UK, helping to raise vital funds so no one has to face death or grief alone. Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. We are a safe and reassuring hand you can reach for. From providing care and support for someone at the end of their life to helping someone manage their grief, we know there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need. Sue Ryder campaigns for everyone who is approaching the end of their life or grieving to have access to the right support, at the right time. And we seek to break down the barriers to talking about dying and grief - so we can all be better prepared and better equipped to be there for each other. We can make a positive difference during even the darkest of times. Whether in the last months, weeks or days of life, or living with grief, we help people live the best life they possibly can. We are there when it matters.


Contact info

2.4

Poor

TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

223 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 96% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 week

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2.4

All reviews

(223)

46 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Appalling service from the keighley…

Appalling service from the Airedale centre keighley branch in West Yorkshire.

Terrible service, the volunteer lady practically forces customers to buy items. I was asked to place them down on the counter whilst looking around as they don’t seem to have any baskets. I never said I was going to buy them all. The lady was impatient and scanned all of them ready for me to buy when I returned. I later returned the same day as some of the items did not fit. She would not refund and claimed it could not be done despite the fact I had a receipt in my hand. I’ve never heard of such rubbish. This isn’t the way to make sales by forcing items down customers throats. Probably not the best business strategy. I wont be visiting again and a complaint has been sent as I’m now lumbered with a load of rubbish which doesn’t fit. I had to visit another store the next day to which the staff member mentioned the volunteer could have refunded me however she chose not to. Don’t visit

In response to the below:
I have put a complaint in about the above as I wasn’t treated very fairly. Therefore my Google and trust pilot review is justified.

2 July 2021
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi SK,

I'm sorry to hear you have had a poor experience with our Keighley shop. I notice you also left a similar review on the Google listing, so I have sent a message to ask for some further information as we would like to follow up with your directly and send our apologies.

I have shared this feedback with the Regional Area Manager, so a member of our team will be in touch soon once we have your contact details.

Many thanks and apologies once again,

Kate

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Not great

Not great. Immaculate sofa bed only a couple of years old complete with mattress. Retails for well over £1000. Collection people couldn't be bothered to take legs of (probably a 5 minute job) and left it stood on its end telling me I'd have to rebook it in. They also complained about having to get the furniture out of the house, isn't that what they are supposed to do?! Basically the same as turning down £500 for less than 30 minutes of hard graft. Useless.

16 June 2021
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi David

We apologise for the poor service you received today, that's not the standard we expect at all. I'm going to send a request for more information via Trustpilot, as if we can get the shop details I'll pass to the area manager to review.

Best wishes, Rhi

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Website needs to be updated.…

Having checked the items Sue Ryder shops do not accept I travelled quite a distance to Shinfield today to donate four Electrical hair appliances which I had purchased during lockdown but which were not suitable for me. There was not mention on the website that hair appliances are not acceptable, but I was told they couldn't be accepted because of blood etc., which would be on them. I think the website should definitely be updated to add these items as not acceptable. I always support Sue Ryder as my husband died in their Nettlebed hospice bujt today I was made to feel very upset, espcially as today would have been his birthday.

19 May 2021
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Pam

We are so sorry for your loss, and for your experience on such a hard day.

Our apologies that we could not accept your donations today- this is to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and we will update the website accordingly. We will pass this to the area manager to ensure staff have the correct training regarding appliances.

Best wishes, Rhi

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Stow on the Wold shop.

While on holiday I visited the Stow on the Wold shop and the manager Annette went beyond her normal duties. I cannot praise her enough for the effort she made to help me. I would not hesitate to use this shop again. Thank you.

18 May 2021
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Peter

Thank you for your lovely review, and we hope to see you again when you next visit.

All the best, Rhi

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Almost new but not good enough

Last year we bought a £1600 corner unit which was, sadly, too firm for our comfort. At only 15 months old, and in near perfect condition, we offered it as a donation so someone else could enjoy it. The collection guys arrived, checked it, and said as there was a slight mark on one of the cushions, they would not accept it. We were horrified. My husband sponged the mark, which totally removed it, but we were still told it was not good enough. He was made to feel as though we were trying to offload something old, dirty and unsaleable instead of a very nearly new and virtually perfect corner unit. The footstool was still in original packing having never been used. It was a horrible and humiliating experience. Sad, too, to think of an almost new piece of custom made furniture going to landfill. Are we to understand that the only furniture they will accept is either brand new or no more than a week old, fresh from Furniture Village, otherwise you will be made to feel horrible ? And yet I have seen sofas offered for sale with seats so badly stained it's embarrassing just to look at them. It was a really upsetting experience for both of us and not one I would ever care to go through again.

17 May 2021
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Anne

We're so sorry for your poor experience with our furniture colelction team, that's not the standard we expect at all. I'll message you for more information, such as location, so I can pass this to the area manager to reivew.

Best wishes, Rhi

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Love the sofa!!

Love the sofa!!! Beautiful colour 😀

17 May 2021
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Thank you so much for your kind review!
Best wishes, Rhi

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Furniture collection Corby store

Had sofas collected today from Shane and Damien from the Corby shop.
The customer service was second to none. I had regular updates from the day before collection till a couple of minutes before they arrived.
Both are very well mannered and polite.
Shane explained I could loan a sofa of them till my new ones were delivered,I never knew this service existed, I declined but happy to pass information on to friends.
Thank you to both guys.

10 May 2021
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Julie

Thank you for taking the time to leave your lovely review! We hope you enjoy your new sofa!

Best wishes, Rhi

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Had a terrible experience in this store…

Had a terrible experience in this store today after using the store for years and years, I explained that I had spent 20 on aboard game that was incomplete and was really disappointed, they did howver have another one so I asked the manager if she could do anything on the price as they had had it along time and I wished to complete the previous one I had bought. The manager then tried to accuse me of not buying the other one there and said there is nothing she is willing to do, I found this very rude and completely against great customer service which I am a shop manager myself and would never treat anyone like that. Left the store feeling really hurt. I would not expect this kinda of service. I will be following this up with a complaint to head office as I do not believe managers should act in this way .

3 May 2021
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Jamie,

I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience in one of our shops today. I'm going to request more information via Trustpilot so we can investigate this for you.

Best wishes, Rhi

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Awful

Awful. Mirrored bedside tables I paid £170 for arrived smashed and damaged. All of the edges have black dots where the mirroring effect has come off. Terrible quality to send something labelled as “brand new” out. No customer service phone to call.

Update: customer service got back to me via email. They have offered me a refund but said they will not be collecting the damaged goods on this occasion. This is absolutely fine with me as I am young and able to get my goods to the dump. I wonder what inconvenience this would cause to the elderly or somebody with no means for transport.

16 February 2021
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Emma

So sorry to hear your items arrived damaged, that's not the standard we expect at all and we will be bringing this up with the couriers.
We usually run a customer service number, but with our teams working from home due to corona virus we are running on email only temporarily. Our apologies for the inconvenience.
We can also arrange to collect the items if needed, please email sales@sueryder.org.

Best wishes, Rhi

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

2 damaged items

Received a damaged chair the first time I ordered and sent it back for an exchange to receive another chair with the same damage. Both times the box was damaged and barely taped together with the bubble wrap not secured around the chair adding marks in transit.

1 February 2021
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Rebecca

I'm sorry to hear both chairs arrived damaged, that's not the standard we expect at all. Please email sales@sueryder.org who can sort out a refund or exchange for you.

All the best, Rhi

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Great service and quick delivery and the tray table is perfect. Would definitely buy from Sue Ryder again.

30 January 2021
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Lainey

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a positive review! So glad you like your table. Have a lovely day.

Best wishes, Rhi

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful Advent Calendar and Photo Frame

I bought some wooden advent calendars and a picture frame for a Christmas gift from
Sue Ryder. Everything was beautiful and made with care. Exceeded expectations. Prompt and accommodating delivery. Well packaged. All for a brilliant cause. Definitely would order again.

30 November 2020
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Melissa

Thank you so much for your lovely review, so glad you are happy with your purchase. Merry Christmas!

best wishes, Rhi

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

First time ordering from the sue Ryder…

First time ordering from the sue Ryder shop online as I’m a little cautious about second hand items the reason I don’t buy them but realised when looking for a peace of furniture I seen that sue Ryder had a online shop that sold brand new items. So decided to give them a go. So I ordered a chair to go with my dressing table and it arrived damaged. The box it arrived in the cell tape was barely holding it together and the chair had bubble wrap around it but it wasn’t sealed. The velvet looked like it had been scrapped on the back of the chair and legs had marks on also. Couldn’t be bothered arranging a return. But £45 went in the bin. Not sure if I’d order again now.

Sue Ryder seemed to report my post so reposted.

20 November 2020
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Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Nay

I'm sorry to hear your chair arrived broken, that's not the standard we expect at all. I will private message you now for your details, then we can sort out a refund or an exchange for you, no need to waste £45!

best wishes, Rhi

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Sue Ryder is not all it's cracked up to…

Sue Ryder is not all it's cracked up to be, as the ratings show. I write now about the Bereavement Website. I was on there for two years after my wife died, and contributed regular for over an hour every day.
Of late there has been arguments and dissension and pettiness which, I believe, has not been dealt with adequately by management. Because I raised the issue of the pettiness I was banned for a week. I have since closed my account. So many are helped on this site, but to ban someone and threaten a complete ban if I don't behave is unacceptable. There are other excellent websites for the bereaved, and I would suggest going there first. The last thing a bereaved person wants is to read of arguments and dissensions on such a site.

After posting this comment and having read the reviews, I see that Sue Ryder do have problems with management. That certainly applies to the bereavement site. There have been many complaints on the site about hospice arrangements.

19 November 2020
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi John

We are very sorry to hear that you were unhappy with the online community recently and moderation against you. We always strive to moderate in a fair way. Our community guidelines are there to ensure that the site remains a safe and supportive place for everyone. Posts that break the guidelines may be removed and people who break the guidelines after repeated reminders may have their accounts temporarily suspended.

We encourage people to give feedback and raise issues and would never take moderation action against someone for doing so.

Best wishes, Rhi

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

All for helping charities but be wary of this one

All for helping charities. I recently bought some chairs from the eBay site for Sue Ryder furniture. Whilst the chairs were great, one leg was faulty. I emailed and raised a return on eBay but nothing was done about it. I won’t buy again from the Sue Ryder eBay shop as this put me off. Be wary if you order as the items faulty and you won’t get sent the spare part.

30 October 2020
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Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi GK

So sorry to hear your item was faulty. I'm going to private message you for more information, if you can pass me your order number and contact details in that message we'll sort out a return for you. Sometimes eBay's returns system can take a couple of days to pass on the message to us so we can try and speed it up this way for you.

Best wishes, Rhi

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Poor doesn’t cover it

Macclesfield branch - Poor doesn’t cover it. Bearing in mind that I was kindly donating good quality home items and just placing them in the storage they leave outside the store, I was met with such disdain you would think I had committed a criminal offence?! What was my crime, you wonder? I was, obviously, donating too many items?? Yes that old classic being too kind to charity problem. Aaahhh - ! How dare I!! How awful of me!! How ridiculous and ungrateful of them!! A man stood outside the shop, watching me put my items in, obviously waiting in anticipation to pounce on that audacious third item attempt. He approached me and mumbled that I can only donate two items; no apologises, no but thanks so much for your kind donation- nothing like customer service, and no signage to tell anyone either!! - I am the enemy, a more than two items donor, don’t forget! I was spoken to like a piece of dirt. We ended up having an argument, you know, with me donating good stuff for free for them to benefit from etc; and as I tried to express how I thought maybe his attitude left a lot to be desired he retaliated with that it was indeed mine, a kind donator - a regular donator’s attitude that was the issue??!! Whhhaaatttt? How and why?? Anyhow, was then approached by his colleague as I sat in my car, who was also no doubt going to tell me the massive error in my ways. So,again, I just reaffirmed my view that maybe they should be grateful and have a better attitude Etc etc. I called the store when I got home to make it clear once again that I was disgusted with their attitude and got no apology, nothing. They put the phone down on me. I have written a complaint to the CEO. I realise that we are in difficult times. But why does that give the green light to suddenly treat people like rubbish? Guess what guys, it really doesn’t. You still have to be civil and grateful! One day we will be back to normal and we will remember how people treated us! Be warned! I will give my items to a grateful and worthy charitable organisation in future. Sue Ryder’s doesn’t deserve help when they treat people like rubbish.

17 October 2020
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Louise

I'm sorry that you experienced poor service in our Macclesfield store. Although we do currently have to limit donations, as we store them for 48 hours, this should have been explained to you with a thank you and/or apology as we appreciate your donations and the time it takes to drop them off to us.

I'll pass this to the area manager to review.

Best wishes, Rhi

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

SUE RYDER HAVE VANS

SUE RYDER HAVE VANS, BUT CAN'T DELIVER. Oh but they are happy to COLLECT? Yes, I bet they are.

(Retail Sales Manager, name deleted)
(number deleted) emailed me today, and said........

Dear Mr Harber (you see, I have nothing to hide)

Thank you for your email and feedback regarding the Chesham store.

In answer to your points made, at the Chesham store we do not have a Sue Ryder van to do any deliveries so we use a local man with a van who is then available for any customers who require his services. Obviously some customers find this really useful and some customers prefer to make their own arrangements.

We can gladly book you in for a collection of your sofa and thank you for thinking of us. Any collection is on the discretion of the driver as before we can collect any furniture we have to ensure that any sofa for example has a fire label attached (trading standards), there are no rips or tears or any upholstery exposed and the item is not stained so we can then sell this item in our stores.

Unfortunately we have 2 separate vans in operation so it wouldn't be as simple as swapping them over.

Hope this answers everything for you, and again thank you for your email and hope we see you again in the future.

Kind Regards

Retail Sales Manager

SO
You HAVE vans...and people, but not for DELIVERY, THIS aspect you thought it a good idea to farm off, and you (SR) are HELL BENT of defending this position. BUT you say you would....

"Gladly book you in for a collection of your sofa and thank you for thinking of us" ARE YOU SURE?, I only ask because you go on to say "Any collection is on the discretion of the driver as before we can collect any furniture we have to ensure that any sofa for example has a fire label attached (trading standards), there are no rips or tears or any upholstery exposed and the item is not stained so we can then sell this item in our stores"
-------------------------

Well I wouldn't lose any sleep over it if I were you, because I'm simply going to find ANOTHER charity to donate my items to, and as for a sofa? YOUR LOSS

Your loss of a £75 sale, and your loss of a donation that would have given you ANOTHER £100+, and ALL BECAUSE you were prepared to come COLLECT my donation, but couldn't get your head around the simplicity of DELIVERY. Delivery/collection ...within 4 miles of store.

8 October 2020
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Today I brought some donations to the…

Today I brought some donations to the Sue Ryder shop in Farnham, I could see the poor manager was overwhelmed with donations and running of the shop with very little support, I imagine the volunteers are still shielding. She was as always, very pleasant, cheerful and grateful. Lovely shop and lovely manager

7 August 2020
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a kind review!
You are right- a lot of our volunteers are still shielding, so our shops are opening shorter days and fewer days a week currently so our amazing teams don't end up exhausted! We hope to reopen as normal again once it's safe to do so.
Thanks for supporting us, best wishes
Rhi

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Sue Ryder Charity Shop Newport Rd Cardiff

I used to love this shop, would always find good products at good prices. The store was always clean and well presented and the staff were always helpful and friendly. I'm not sure of the gentleman's name but I think the lady was called Wendy and they worked well together. However, it seems the gentleman is now over at the St Mellon's branch which although is still great, the actual building is rundown which is a shame and Wendy is now at a different charity shop altogether.
Well, now there is a new lady working there probably the manageress and what a difference! She is constantly moving the store around (it wasn't broke before so why fix it?), there are always piles and piles of donations stacked nearly up to the ceiling in bags by the counter and the prices are sky high! The last time i was in there, I found an item which was actually a really good price, but when I took it to the till she ripped the tag off and exclaimed whilst shaking her head and wearing a dismissive face "No, no that's not the price sorry, no sorry that's way too cheap. I'm not saying you (me) put it on but I'm not selling it for that price!"....Well she may as well have accused me of pricing it as that's what it felt like! In front of other customers too! Anyway, she's not accepting donations now either. I understand the need to raise funds but maybe if she stopped over pricing everything, she would sell more, leaving more room out the back for more donations! She seems more concerned with the sound of her own voice singing as soon as people enter the store and by talking down to the volunteers there!

4 June 2020
Unprompted review
Sue Ryder logo

Reply from Sue Ryder

Hi Bex37

We're sorry to hear of your concerns about our Cardiff shop. In regards to donations- all of our shops have been closed since March so we are currently not accepting donations as we have no way to sort or store these until we reopen. We're sorry to hear your review of other aspects of the shop and manager, and will pass it to the Area Manager to investigate when the shops reopen.

All the best, Rhi

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