Red-faced charity shop workers mistake VERY explicit sex toys for door knobs in awkward blunder
CHARITY shop staff were mortified after accidentally selling very raunchy sex toys as door knobs.
The volunteers at an RSPCA branch were flogging the toys, complete with large purple rhinestones, for just £2.
It was only after a giggling customer spotted the kinky chrome sex aids that staff realised.
The customer pointed out to the shop assistant, who was in her 70s, what they were and they were immediately taken off the shelf.
The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “I was looking through the bric-a-brac when I spotted two items of an adult nature priced at £2.
“I asked the shop assistant if she knew what they were, and she said she thought they were ‘tiny little door knobs or knobs for a draw or a cabinet’.
“I explained what they actually were, not without blushing bright red, and that it would be a good idea to put on rubber gloves and put them straight in the bin, which she did.
“Her colleague, who was quite a bit younger, came out of the staff room, saw the items, and shouted, ‘oh my god!’ which made us all laugh.
“I suppose if it raises awareness of the need to educate volunteers in these shops then it has done some good.”
The RSPCA shop was in an undisclosed North Yorkshire village.
A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “We’re glad this good faith mistake has given people a little laugh and hope this goes to show there are some brilliant bargains – and unexpected surprises – to be found in charity shops.
“We’re enormously grateful to everyone who supports RSPCA charity shops by shopping, donating or giving up their time volunteering.
“It all helps to make a huge difference to help animals rescued from cruelty and neglect. Even if we do occasionally find some slightly unusual delights among the items we receive.”
Unbelievably, this isn’t the first time that sex toys have turned up in a charity shop.
Workers at Barnardo’s in Swansea were horrified to be handed a bag of the cheeky items last year.
Bosses at the children’s charity said they were “not quite the sorts of toys we’re looking for”.
It also asked the public to remember that people of all ages worked in the shop as volunteers.
A spokeswoman for the outlet in Gorseinon, Swansea, said: “Could those of you who kindly donate please be mindful that we are a children’s charity.
“As such we have a range of ages on our wonderful volunteer team.
“We therefore ask that you refrain from donating your used and unused marital aids!
“We would like to remind you that the branch has CCTV so that these items can be traced back to their owners. Thank you.”
A Barnardo’s spokesman added: “We’re always hugely appreciative of donations from the community but it’s fair to say that these items aren’t quite the sorts of toys we’re looking for.
“This winter, frontline staff at Barnardo’s will be helping struggling children and families across Wales by providing them with essential items like food and clothes.
“The money raised from our shops helps us to carry on this vital work so please do donate any clothing or children’s toys you can to your local Barnardo’s store.”