Giving volunteers huge deals on potentially expensive stuff (some over $1000) seems against the spirit of "volunteering" at a store whose proceeds go to the Children's Hospital.
Now that I think about it, this may even be against some IRS regulation governing non-profits.
> I gather they pay normal rates for whatever they take.
Well, what's "normal" is the question. At the store I frequent, the volunteers themselves set the rates.
The charity shop in question wasn't selling stuff for $1000. I suspect you'd be hard-pressed to find something for $100.
Of course this approach is open to abuse. But I suspect pricing was usually on the "low end of normal". There are multiple volunteers, all donating their time so the charity gets some income. I don't think there's much risk of there being excessive abuse.
I'm pretty sure the IRS isn't interested. If the store wanted to give stuff away they could.
Now that I think about it, this may even be against some IRS regulation governing non-profits.
> I gather they pay normal rates for whatever they take.
Well, what's "normal" is the question. At the store I frequent, the volunteers themselves set the rates.