second hand store pricing

This is a bit of a spin off vent about the Value Village retailer reviews thread. I am a huge thrift store shopper. I love finding interesting vintage finds, re-doing furniture and projects and getting kids clothing for way less. I am fairly impartial on where I go, i.e. Salvation Army, Goodwill, Value Village, garage sales and indie thrift stores in towns.

But recently the pricing at these stores has changed.

Case in point, today at VV, I pick up a pair of Old Navy shorts for kids. Asking price (used) $4.99.
You can currently get them on sale at Old Navy for $5 + use a discount coupon and get them brand new cheaper.
I stood there actually wondering what store I was in.

Isn't the point of thrift stores to be thrifty? Like when you donate to Goodwill they use the money to benefit people that need it. As does SA. But even depending on their location their prices haven't been too kind. There's two different Salvation Army locations that I visit and both have such drastically different pricing it's insane. One you can get 3 pieces of kids clothes for $2. In another, not a chance...

I have been shopping at VV since I was a teen and I remember being able to get kids t-shirts for .99
Now I know inflation and costs go up, but I feel like overall margin has creeped up to uncomfortable levels. I know this has often been discussed in terms of VV doing it, but when it's starting with other stores, I feel like this really defeats the purpose of buying second hand.

I'm wondering 'who' decides on pricing for items because everything has gone up and God forbid the people that actually need to shop at second hand shops are being ripped off. I think that's what pisses me off the most. I thrift b/c I can save money on kids clothing and housewares, but I am fortunate that I pay normal price for these items. I am naturally a saver so I try to save where I can.

But if I had to shop there...this is what gets under my skin. It's like they lost their way.

i hear you-i saw a pair of shoes at value village 19.99=i thought forget it -i got a pair of expensive shoes on kijij for 5.00-excellent deal

Last week I went to VV for a pair of jeans, I came across a great pair in my size look at the tag 49.99!! Im not kidding! 50 dollars for used jeans, I know my brads and they were only silver. sure they're 100 brand new but come on 50 dollars.

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Originally Posted by tmlskk01

Last week I went to VV for a pair of jeans, I came across a great pair in my size look at the tag 49.99!! Im not kidding! 50 dollars for used jeans, I know my brads and they were only silver. sure they're 100 brand new but come on 50 dollars.

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Holy Cow!! That's ridiculous!!

I just started shopping at VV a few years ago and thankfully haven't come across anything ridiculously priced....yet (at least in my opinion). I think the most I've spent on jeans there was $14.99.....for a brand new, tags still intact pair....which would have retailed around $100......so I didn't mind paying the $15 for them. I think that's the most expensive pair I've ever seen too......usually they're all around $9.99......which I think is pretty decent. I can't buy jeans in a store for that much.....and not with a 34+ inch inseam.

I went to VV about 3 weeks ago and they had a storage tub there and since we are moving checked out the price $12.99 WOW, we just bought the exact same tub same colour size everything brand new for $7.49 at CT, I wrote them a complaint because there was other things I saw like a broken clown priced at $6.99, And there response was all their money goes to proceeds blah blah blah, Well if you lowered the prices more people would buy there and also buy more so it is beneficial to lower the prices

OUch!!! This is why I shop GT clearance racks...always cheap and never know what your going to find.

You all would have loved my charity garage sale....all clothes were 25c each or 5 for a $1!

I find Value Village extremely expensive for used stuff especially when they get the stuff for free. The VV closest to me always has a line up for donations every weekend and it's still overpriced. I just don't get it.

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Originally Posted by Ami1984

I went to VV about 3 weeks ago and they had a storage tub there and since we are moving checked out the price $12.99 WOW, we just bought the exact same tub same colour size everything brand new for $7.49 at CT, I wrote them a complaint because there was other things I saw like a broken clown priced at $6.99, And there response was all their money goes to proceeds blah blah blah, Well if you lowered the prices more people would buy there and also buy more so it is beneficial to lower the prices

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I think they were feeding you a line...as far as I know, Value Village is privatedly owned. What they do is buy donated items from local charities at a bulk price (probably by weight). They then price it to what they think they can get for it. They like to emphasize that they help local charities, but they are really only in it for the profit.

Years ago, you could find some great deals....there were brand names that were high end that the sorters wouldn't know about, but I think they now have a list of "good" brands and tag those with high price tags. Anyone ever see lululemon merchandise at VV? It's almost 75% of new...delusional, as far as I'm concerned. I think the Salvation Army thrift store is a much better place to shop if you are looking to helping a charity.

Value Village is a for-profit business that has arrangements with the several charities, including the Canadian Diabetes Association.
All donations are weighed in bulk and the charity gets 10% of that value.
Everything else is profit for the store.

http://www.valuevillage.com/download...ePressKits.pdf

In our area we have Bibles for Missions and Christian Benefit Shops, both these stores have really low prices.

I used to frequent VV at least once a week until this past fall. I'd been cleaning out the basement and closets in the house and decided to put the freeze on going there for a while (we had A LOT of stuff :) ) I could not believe what a change in the prices there was last month when I ventured back there in search of summer things. Outrageous. I don't have anything else like it on this side of the city, so when I need something it is still the first place I look. When we lived in the maritimes there was Frenchy's. Ahh, how I do miss that place :)

My hubby's sisters & mom shop alot at Frenchy's, they get amazing deals, they are in Nova Scotia..

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Originally Posted by MamaF

I used to frequent VV at least once a week until this past fall. I'd been cleaning out the basement and closets in the house and decided to put the freeze on going there for a while (we had A LOT of stuff :) ) I could not believe what a change in the prices there was last month when I ventured back there in search of summer things. Outrageous. I don't have anything else like it on this side of the city, so when I need something it is still the first place I look. When we lived in the maritimes there was Frenchy's. Ahh, how I do miss that place :)

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I know, MillieH, I had 3 nice ones in Halifax I used to frequent (one had the best shoes, one had the best kid's clothes and one had the best adult ones) and a couple of times I got to make a "Frenchy's Run" to the valley.........every tiny town there seemed to have one. There were even maps with their locations on them. Sigh. Value Village can't top Frenchy's!

The pricing structure comes from corporate and people are in such a hurry most stuff is priced by brand name

I used to shop at VV when we lived in Ottawa. I preferred it over the local SA because it was better organized...easier to find what I was looking for. But I always found their prices high. Where we live now there is a wonderful little SA. It is well organized and super cheap. Can always find great deals there...like unopened vacuum bags for $1 a box!

My first shop at a VV when they had 50% off day a few weeks ago and got 3 items. I would say most of the items there are way overpriced and you really really have to go through a lot to find anything that may be good or of a brand name of some sort.
So I got the following:
Ralph Lauren Sport Nylon and lined Navy Blue Bomber jacket (appears new)=9.99/5.00
Prada Black Shirt with lining and secret pockets inside(authentic as far as I can see...washed it and it's like brand new)=6.99/3.50
Juicy Couture long sleeved camo-green t-shirt (front has the words "JUST JUICY" stamped in sparkly mauve/pink (appears new)=8.99/4.50

I agree, VV is definitely overpriced! I only shop there now when they have their 50% off sales.

This is prime reason why I love shopping at Winners. They have all brand names there for at least 50% off or more and its brand new. I have also noticed in some malls that Tommy Hilfiger has crazy sales. Just last week I went there and there was a rack for clothes at 60% off last marked price. I got a blazer for myself for $30 regular price over $100... plus I receive their coupon books weekly and with that you can take a chunk off as well. For kids, I love going to Tommy, they have kids clothes for $5 to $20 and $20 being winter jackets on sale. Amazing deals. Same with Abercrombie and Fitch. You'd think heck that store has nothing below $50... wrong... I bought my girls 2 outfits each in there (shirts, skirts and sweater) for $100 all. You truly can find great deals on brand new clothes that is a brand name. I noticed also in wal mart recently their prices for none brand names crazy high. I can buy Guess dress in winner for girls for $15 where in Wal Mart nowdays dresses are $25+ its crazy.

I will only shop at VV on 50% off days, and even then I am choosy. I have noticed a huge price increase too. I saw a Suzy Shier top I liked there for $9.99, but I will not pay that for a used top, especially when I know I can easily get a top at SS for $10 that is brand new. That was my first time being there in a while. I was really surprised by the prices. I would much rather shop at Goodwill or SA.

Thats a great find. But yes, Id be vary of authenticity of those prada and juicy couture stuff. I have fake stuff at home and no one can tell the difference between real and fake. I am told daily what a great bag I have and they are all handmade and have "Made in Paris" stamps inside... and really I am told I am lying that they are fake when I tell people they are fake. There is absolutely no difference between real and fake anymore. Same logos, same looks, same stiching, same stamps inside. But for $3.50 who cares if its real or not :) great finds

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Originally Posted by greencanuck

Value Village is a for-profit business

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I was so shocked when I learned this! I really wanted to stop shopping at VV, but I find they often have the best selection because their stores are huge and have good parking (so it's easy to donate).

Still, I'd rather buy secondhand, so that I save money and save something from landfill.

I used to shop there at times but I have been in there in the last yr and I could not find much that was worth it. I have found things new for cheaper on sale end of season or clearance.

I also make an effort to donate my items to either SA or Bibles for missions because I know that most of he money (if not all of it) goes towards charity not profit and lining someone's pocket.

I agree, VV is overpriced for "used" merchandise...especially if you know how to shop (like MostarkaGirl says--Winners etc) you can often find brand new for the same price or LESS than VV!

I used to shop at VV a lot, but for the past year or so I have only shopped at VV on 50% off sale days--mainly due to their price increases--and it bothers me that they exclude the housewares and/or books from their sales. I understand they are for profit, but they are still selling used merchandise, and the prices should reflect that fact, imho.

I too often find better deals at the outlets (Gap, Children's Place, etc) and Winners without sacrificing quality and brand. I mean why bother searching through isles and isles of used stuff to find a few 'treasures' so that I can take it home and discover a stain I missed and then wash it to get rid of that awful thrift store smell--only to realize I didn't save very much $$ after all? It just doesn't make sense. :shrug:

value village prices have become RIDICULOUS in the past years! when i go i wanna get discount clothing for my daughter since she grows so quick! for a pair of shorts its 4$ for that price it should be a outfit. Ive started sticking to goodwills, my neighbors closet, and other such second hand stores where the prices are actually affordable.

I completely agree.... I, too, find Value Village is overpriced. I find some things at Goodwill overpriced too but during their 50% off days, like today, then the prices are good. The SA prices near me are usually okay although I've sometimes picked up an item thinking it would be cheaper and was surprised by the price. But normally the prices are decent. I've only started thrift shopping recently but so far love Goodwill and SA.... I also got some great deals through garage sales!

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Originally Posted by krempy

and it bothers me that they exclude the housewares and/or books from their sales. I understand they are for profit, but they are still selling used merchandise, and the prices should reflect that fact, imho.

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OMG don't even get me started on that. I dropped in today as I was next door at Dollarama and I left just so PO'ed at the pricing of some stuff in there. Certain pieces of art. A used soap dispenser. Wooden crafts and shelving for way more than they should be. The best is when you find an item from Dollarama at VV and it costs more. I'm like honestly people.

Today again it was yet another pair of shorts (I don't know why it's me and the shorts) and they were $5.99, visible worn and used and from The Children's Place and I was like I can buy these new for less. I honestly felt like taking a picture and writing a formal email complaint to them. It's really getting absurd and it's really turning me off of going.

I walked into VV the other day and laughed my head off at the prices. I think I lasted maybe only 3 minutes in that store! Never again!

I have always called Value Villiage, Rape & Pillage. They are gangsters!

I will only give my hard earned dollars to St. Vincent D'Paul, Salvation Army or Goodwill.