FAQ

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ARE PROVIDED TO ASSIST YOU WITH DONATING TO EVOLVE CALEDON AND AIDING YOUR ONLINE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE WITH US.

IS EVOLVE CALEDON GOVERNED OR OPERATED BY THE TOWN OF CALEDON? 

Although Evolve Caledon is located in Caledon region it does not fall under one of the Town of Caledon’s umbrella of services. Caledon Community Services (CCS) is an independent, not-for-profit community service organization in Caledon and Evolve Caledon is its retail operation.   

HOW DO I KNOW I AM GETTING FAIR PRICES WHEN I SHOP AT EVOLVE CLOTHING?

 To demonstrate our commitment to helping our Caledon community, we are also offering a price match opportunity. If you present a lower, regular-priced item from a store, we will match that price and beat it by 5%.  (Pop-up venues, fundraisers or flea markets excluded from this offer.)  Simply provide a photo as proof that shows the price tag of the competing item and the store from which it is available.  See instore for further details.  We invite you to visit our website and check out our price lists.  

*Please note that only regular-priced items qualify; this offer doesn’t apply to discounted or clearance merchandise.

DONATING FAQ

WE EXIST TO GENERATE REVENUE FOR CALEDON COMMUNITY SERVICES AND THE PROGRAMS THEY PROVIDE.  PLEASE CONSIDER THESE TIPS WHEN DONATING TO AID US IN ACHIEVING THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULTS.   

 

I’LL JUST PUT EVERYTHING IN THIS BOX/BAG.  WON’T THE DONATION CENTRE STAFF FIGURE IT OUT? 

Do your best to keep items together.  Sometimes boxes from the same donor get separated and unpacked at different times.  For example, if each box contained part of a dish set, breaking it up would make it less appealing and therefore less valuable.   

Safely package any harmful items by wrapping them securely or keeping them separate.  Unwrapped or unsheathed kitchen knives, ice skates or other sharp objects in a bag of clothing can cause serious injury to both you and the staff.    

Properly pack donated goods to ensure that items don’t go missing, become stained or broken.  It is always unfortunate when a box is unpacked to find a lovely item in pieces because it wasn’t carefully wrapped.   

Please tape or fasten a bag with any remotes, controllers, or necessary cables/cords to working/acceptable electronics or small appliances so they don’t get separated.  Failure to do so may render a good donation unusable if components are missing. 

 Package your donations into two separate categories if possible: textiles and household goods.  This enables your donating process to flow more efficiently and safely.   

Place jewelry in small sealable bags to prevent damage, tangling and loss.    

  

BUT SOMEONE WILL BUY IT WON’T THEY? 

Please consider whether you would buy this item.  Are pieces missing or damaged? Would you give it in its present condition to someone you know?  If not, kindly dispose of it in your household garbage/recycling or take it to the recycling facility for a weight-based disposal fee.  Please respect the decision of staff regarding the undesirability of your donation.  They know best what will be unappealing to shoppers.   

I HAVE A BUNCH OF CLOTHES AND OTHER WEARABLES THAT ARE TOO WORN.  WHAT CAN I DO WITH THEM?  

Although we don’t sell these items in our store, it doesn’t mean we aren’t interested in them.  We can resell these worn household textiles, clothing, footwear, accessories, and stuffed toys as salvage to textile recyclers and receive money for them, adding to the revenue we generate.  We kindly ask that the items are clean, dry, free of grease and bodily fluids, placed in a separate bag from your other donations and clearly marked “SALVAGE”.  Informing the receivers that the goods are intended for salvage is appreciated.  The only textile items that are NOT salvageable are pillows and cushions.    

WHY CAN’T YOU JUST DISPOSE OF IT FOR ME?  

Disposing of your unusable goods incurs a fee for us and impedes our ability to process donations efficiently and get more inventory out for sale in our store.  

Respect the decision of staff regarding the acceptability of your intended donations.   

I THINK I DONATED SOMETHING I DIDN’T INTEND TO.  CAN I COME AND LOOK FOR IT?   

Check pockets of clothing, luggage, purses, and wallets carefully for money, jewelry, and personal identification.  Carefully check the contents of boxes and bags before bringing them to ensure they are slated for donation.     

Sometimes we are able to recover an accidentally-donated item but due to the volume of donations we receive, the chances are remote.  For safety reasons, staff cannot allow the public to enter the facility to search.  We will take your name, number and a description of the item and do our best to recover it but unfortunately, we can’t make any promises for recovery. 

  MY ELECTRONIC DONATION ISN’T ACCEPTABLE.  WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT?  

Electronics recycling is free at any Region of Peel Recycling Centre.  

ARE THERE ANY KINDS OF BOOKS YOU DON'T ACCEPT?

We don't accept encyclopedias, textbooks, discarded library books and any books that may have water, smoke or mold damage/odours.   Books with odours are unwanted by customers and the smell can quickly transfer to other donations and spoil them.

 THIS BABY FURNITURE IS LIKE NEW.  WHY CAN’T YOU TAKE THIS ITEM?  

Although baby items are often gently used, we are still unable to accept them according to Health Canada guidelines. We don’t want to be liable for the unknown condition or possible wrong usage of these items if we were to sell them.  Perhaps a friend or family member can benefit from your generosity and give that item a second life.    

IF YOU CAN’T ACCEPT THIS DONATION, DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS FOR ME?  

Just because we are unable to take your donation doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t be interested. 

Other options include: 

Freecycle Freecycle: Front Door 

Put the item at the curb and mark it “FREE”   

Sell it on Facebook Marketplace     

 

DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS OF EXCHANGES? 

All sales are final.  

DO YOU OFFER A SENIOR’S DISCOUNT? 

You don't have to be a senior to enjoy some extra savings.  Join us on every Thursday for Thrifty Thursday to receive a 15% off discount off your purchase!   A minimum purchase of $5.00 must be made to qualify.  Please note that some exceptions apply.