Barnardo's Reviews 

Swindon branch of Barnados
A positive experience overall helpful and cheerful staff, easy access and good range of items for sale.. will recommend to others and visit regularly.

I would avoid buying anything from this website, as much as it pains me to post this.

Communications from Barnado's 'customer support' has been abysmal:
- no delivery information has been shared
- 2 false despatch emails sent to me (possibly in error, who knows)
- it took a week for the bed to reach the courier's warehouse
- when I asked for the courier's phone number, Barnado's sent me a phone number that's not manned (well done, team!)
- over 25 emails and 5 phone calls later, I'm still waiting for my bed to be delivered.

NO ONE has been forthcoming with delivery information. It's been a shambles, and it's hard to believe that this is an organisation that wants to raise money.

Yes, the website says that larger pieces of furniture 'may take longer than 2-3 days to be delivered' but 10+ days with NO INFORMATION?? This is definitely the Ryanair of charities.

Like many charities, Barnardo's sell items on online marketplaces, such as eBay UK.

After buying an item which was sent for collection to a local Argos, I was unable to pick it up in time. I asked for a refund, but the returned item was lost in transit. Barnardo's refused to contact Royal Mail, as the sender, let alone assist me in any way whatsoever, even though the managed returns process is their responsibility, and that of the postal carrier. eBay simply looked at the incorrect tracking, and would not refund me.

Don't buy from Barnardo's online, or donate to this dishonest, borderline criminal organisation who pose as a charity in the UK. Lest we forget, a more compelling reason not to donate to Barnardo's is because of their widespread failings to look after children, leading to government action in the form of national inquiries, in both the UK and Australia, that uncovered widespread physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of children in their care over many decades.

Always use the Leven store. Checked on the website for opening times. Says open on Sunday until 4. Came down to donate clothes at 11.45 and it was closed. Update website maybe.

Had an experience with a really entitled and rude Barnardos street fundraiser in Holborn yesterday afternoon. I was CLEARLY in a hurry and I had already been accosted by them a couple of hours before. The guy who tried to stop me when I was running late for something should have used discernment and initiative to see that I was in a hurry before trying to approach me.

I briskly told him "no no" because A. I'd already told them no that day and B. Again... I was in a hurry.

He responded with "so unfriendly!!"

YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO OUR TIME. If you can't use your good sense to see that people are in a hurry and probably don't have time to talk (knowing that we're just going to be asked to spend money we probably don't have to spare) is your own problem.
I already donate to charity of my own volition, and to be quite honest... I find Barnardos questionable. I'm not willing to give money to this particular organisation, especially with people like THAT representing them.
Very irritating. My feelings have definitely been confirmed by other people's reviews.

All good again bought online and as described brand new in box and well packaged with a good p&p thank you.

Very self serving staff, do not listen to doctors recommendations they go by assumptions from non medically trained staff, absolutely do not have children’s best interests at heart, which frankly is disturbing as I am intrigued to know these people’s motivations

Left horribly upset after enquiring about fostering. Insensitive with regards to a sensitive issue which resulted in my husband and I withdrawing from the process .

I just donated 2 shopping trollies full of books, toys, games at Milngavie shop. The manageress was so rude and obstructive. First of all wouldn't let me in the shop with the trolly even although I've used that method before (it's in a pedestrian precinct so some distance from nearest car park). When I said I had a 2nd load she barked that she needed my gift aid card rightaway. She didn't know the value of the donation so how they can possibly work out gift aid amount? When we came back with 2nd load she was even worse and when I offered the card again she barked on front of customers that she didn't need it. Will never donate to Barnardos again and will never buy from them either. No wonder such a low star rating

Having had my MRI Scan @the hospital nearby .Noticed the store closed to where I'd parked .Will go in &have a look .
Lady constantly chatting on the phone in the background &another lady .Found some baby items for my niece &small toy reduced. Volunteer lady served me ,she was lovely . Noticed hadn't reduced item ,ticket was underneath to see it .Asked the lady still talking on phone to sort for her ,manager . Instantly looked perturbed to have to come of the phone .Explained and said would she reduce ,sort error .Most rude ,wrongly priced ,should be full price .Spoke nastily and I commented on her arrogance . Couldn't believe she was the manger with this attitude to a customer who this wasn't my fault .
She bashed to till and looked very angry.Stood waiting for ages & commented that the volunteer lady whod served me ought to be the manager.
She was a wonderful asset to the shop &I was shocked how she was in this role .Made me feel terrible because of this simple mistake ,we both squirmed as she stood there at the till point .Nearly walked out ,but stood there to show she wasn't intimidating me .Which quite frankly she was !!
Terrible manger Barbados how come she's actually employed there ...really .She's very full of her self gratification ,and position .So bad so wrong ,not manager at all material ...

Checked opening hours for Barnardos, Castlepoint, Bournemouth. Clearly states 6pm closing, as does the opening hours at the door.

Arrived at 5.41pm and extremely rude lady shouted 'closed'. When I pointed out the time, 5.41pm, she barked that they close the doors at 5.45pm to clean. Fair enough, but 1) is was 5.41pm and 2) change your published closing time to 5.45pm to avoid frustration and wasted journeys.

Truly nasty shop manager. Avoid.

I took two big bags of clothing and books to the branch on Wheatley hall Road, Doncaster. All the items were in really good order, a few were new, never been worn. The assistant was very unpleasant, (“leave them there”) and no thank you! I was tempted to take them back but will never donate again instead. Manners cost nothing!

This lady told my Children to leave the store when they had done nothing and swore at them. Keep in mind these children are 7-9. This was at sutton coldfield. Dont recommend.

The shop regularly turns away donors without looking at the items, items in the shop are overpriced, they seem to forget they are a charity selling used items and people who shop there cannot afford retail or close to retail prices, i saw the same over priced T-shirt in the window for 3 months! if they priced the items at lower rates, they would have a higher turn over and would not need to turn away donors, it would be a win- win for the charity and for customers who want to donate and who cannot afford shoes and clothes for their children, or items for their homes, but I think the staff don’t want to deal with the work that is required to sort and price items; they are rude about children looking or touching toys even if the children are well behaved. About the only good thing about this store is the pricing of the books and dvds, consequently, those move out fast.

Ordered a mirror wall art online brand new. Was sent with royal mail. It was cheaper than other places I had seen it. Very well packaged. Arrived quick. Would not hesitate to buy from here again. Only descovered to buy from here by putting a picture in google to see who sold it and this was the cheapest. Thank you.

I had some folding tables, the shop arranged for the driver to collect them. He called me 3 times but his phone was not working. I called him same problem. He said he want now becoming to collect as his busy else where. I had got them out of the garage ready. Im just going to put them in land fill as it's clear, charities don't want to be bothered in collecting things they can sell.
Don't bother trying them, they mess ypu around then dont turn up

Unit 27 Wavertree Road Retail Park
One of the best served Barnardos outlets,well stocked,great turnover of fresh goods,always something for everyone clothes, electrical,furniture
Been visiting and surporting this
branch for years Sandra and Dave and the rest of this excellent team they could not be more friendly helpful with great customer service
Well done guys see you soon
BKJ Liverpool

Deeply Disappointed – This Is Not What a Charity Should Represent
I’m writing this with deep disappointment after an upsetting experience on 20/06/2025 at the Barnardo’s charity shop in Unit 3, The Reach, Battery Road, Thamesmead, SE28 0NY.
My six-year-old son, who is autistic, was quietly looking at the toys displayed at children’s level. He wasn’t loud, didn’t damage anything, and was simply curious, like any child. Instead of receiving patience or kindness, he was sharply told by a staff member, “Don’t touch, you’ll break it!” in a cold and dismissive tone.
Both of my children burst into tears as soon as we left. They cried all the way home asking, “Mummy, why was that man so mean?”
That one moment destroyed their sense of safety in a place we trusted.
We have been loyal supporters of Barnardo’s..both as donors and customers. It hurts even more because we believed this shop stood for compassion, inclusion, and support for families. But what we experienced was anything but that.
We will no longer be donating to or shopping at this branch. The way my children were made to feel..ashamed and unwelcome..will stay with us.
To treat any child, let alone one with additional needs, like a nuisance is unacceptable. And from a charity that claims to help people, it’s devastating.
Barnardo’s, please remember: your actions, your words, your attitude…these all carry weight. You didn’t just lose a sale. You lost a family who truly believed in your mission.
We expected care. Instead, we were left hurt and heartbroken.

I cannot thank Tracey enough from the Barnardo's branch in Kempston, we'd gone in for a mooch about as we'd heard there was a wide selection of wedding dresses available.
After having looked through, trying a few on and not quite finding a dress I'd liked on. Tracey went out of her way to look through stock that hadn't yet made the shop floor, looking through for my size and asking if I liked the potential dress. After much time I finally did say 'yes to the dress' but this truly wouldn't have been possible without the support from Tracey! I cannot thank you enough again!

What an appalling customer service staff this company has! The lie about condition of goods adverting them as in working order then send you defective items! I bought a Wii console from the Barnardo's EBAY store, advertised as "POWERS ON WORKING" When i receive the order the balance board would NOT power on! and was all rusted! clearly unchecked and NOT tested. The abuse & false accusations that flowered from a person named JAZZ were disgusting! firstly saying its my problem for not reading the item description about the board being untested? BUT! this was not the case! It clearly states at the very beginning of your description "Wii console and balance board power on and work" Then JAZZ Makes another very serious accusation against me! saying.. I am abusing the EBAY returns policy & lying about reason for return & i would have to pay the return postage myself. For false reason for return!

Even though i provided a screenshot of their own item discretion showing their was no mistake on my part! And still JAZZ continued to make false accusations against me! You will see for yourself in the screenshots i have added, everything i have said and done are honest and accurate!

Even when i pointed out the companies mistake JAZZ continued ton be offensive!

I will NOT be giving you the opportunity to make more false accusations against me with ebay! I wont be returning the goods Via EBAY returns policy has you made it very clear you will do everything in your power not to issue my refund.

But believe me when i say this! This will be dealt with at your head offices in the form of a formal complaint! I have already issued a bank charge back providing full evidence of your crime for the money you wrongly took from me and refused to give this back.

I couldn't believe what i was hearing in your replies!

Just because your registered as a charity does not give you the right to deceive customers and lie about product condition by advertising them as working when they are CLEARLY untested donations! And refuse refunds & make very serious false accusations! I will escalate the matter legally if I have to believe me, if appropriate action & resolution is not taken promptly.

EBAY ITEM NUMBER 12-12794-41337