Guidelines for Donations

We accept the following items:

  • Antiques and fine furnishings
  • Artwork
  • Antique, precious and costume jewelry
  • Books – old classics as well as current best sellers
  • China and serving pieces
  • Collectibles
  • Fine glassware, silverware, brassware and copperware
  • Fine housewares and lamps
  • Quality Dolls (American Doll collectibles, etc)
  • Clothing and accessories for infants, kids, teens, and adults (see guidelines)
  • Toys, games, puzzles (only if brand new and unopened), etc.
  • Sporting goods and exercise equipment
  • Books, videos, DVDs, CDs, records, tapes.
  • Housewares & linens
    Musical instruments
    Costumes
     

We do not accept the following items:

  • Undergarments, socks, or girls/women’s swimsuits unless brand new
  • Infant or child car seats and cribs
  • Mattresses and bed pillows
  • Large electrical fixtures such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dishwashers
  • Automobile tires

Clothing donations must be:

  • In excellent, “like new” condition, freshly laundered. (Dry-clean-only items must look and smell clean.). Current fashions or vintage (early 70’s or earlier), without stains, tears, pilling, obvious signs of wear, or odors of any kind.

Non-clothing items must be:

  • Wiped clean, in working order, with no missing or broken pieces, or odors of any kind.

We are grateful to you for thinking of Stowe's kids by making donations to the BeStowed Resale Shop, however please keep in mind:

  • Many of the donations we receive don't make it in to the shop. We have a small space, little storage, and a constant stream of donations so we can keep only those items that are in the very best condition.
  • We are a primarily volunteer operation, and everything we don't keep must be removed by volunteers - either as trash (broken or heavily stained items, for example) or to other organizations such as the Salvation Army or the Stowe Recycling Center. You can help us out by looking over your donations carefully and limiting what you bring us to the best of what you have.
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  • Our "mantras": A small stain is still a stain. A small tear is still a tear. "Useable" doesn’t always mean "saleable". Items that have been stored in attics, basements, or garages often do not make it in to the shop - either because of odors, dirt, or because they look "tired".
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  • One of the best ways to learn about what we accept is to visit the shop before bringing in your donations. Or, call ahead to make sure that we are open and can accept your donation.  We're always happy to answer your questions.