Value Village- Yet another reason to NOT shop there!

[itsjustmebub]

urgh VV is so incredibly annoying these days. We want to sell you stuff but NO! you cannot buy it!!

[nightlite]

I just got back from a day of thrift store scouring and it made me think of this thread. We're supposed to believe that VV has notoriously higher prices than say Goodwill or Salvation Army. Well I thought so too. Then I went to all 3 stores today and (aside from their BOGO card member sale today) the prices on a LOT of various things from VV were a hell of a lot cheaper than both the Goodwill and Salvation Army I went to. Especially for furniture and housewares and misc knick nacks.

I think the thing that became pretty obvious really fast is that all second hand stores are catching onto the "Oh that's a vintage/retro item therefore let's mark it up for the hipster that will come in here and pay for it". I saw pots from the 70's that I used to be able to get for $2 for $7.99 + . So it's getting harder to find - God help me for this term - the 'cool' finds.

Another thing I wanted to mention was that the price discrepancies in the 2 different Salvation Army locations was staggering. In one I could get my kids new jeans + for $3 for several pieces. In another, not even close. It was really surprising and yet I should have figured b/c again, different real estate location, different tenant rent and different customers all make for different pricing.

But I just wanted to share b/c I too thought VV was getting a tad steeper, but I was pretty let down by the pricing of Goodwill and SA today.

[breylormom]

I have gotten some good deals at VV in the past...but then they started pricing things higher and higher. I found that I could get things cheaper at a discount or liquidation store, or during a good sale. I haven't been to VV in almost a year. I think the last time I was there was for children's books, which were $0.99 each with buy 4 get one free deal. Not bad when you buy new for about $10 per book. But now we have Kobo's and download books from the library at N/C.

[aldiba]

I found 3 paderno pots (varying sizes) all in fair condition, prices ranging from $29.99, $39.99, and $49.99!!!!!!!! I know some Paderno's go for around $100 but geeze! I really never expected to see those prices. It was pretty funny because everyone looked at them, looked at the prices and walked away lol. My mom was tempted to get the $39.99, but in the end we put it back and managed to walk out of there with nothing . . . a first for us lol!

Most likely will stop by on Monday to see if there's anything good on for the sale.

[seylz_gurl]

I found 3 paderno pots (varying sizes) all in fair condition, prices ranging from $29.99, $39.99, and $49.99!!!!!!!! I know some Paderno's go for around $100 but geeze! I really never expected to see those prices. It was pretty funny because everyone looked at them, looked at the prices and walked away lol. My mom was tempted to get the $39.99, but in the end we put it back and managed to walk out of there with nothing . . . a first for us lol!

Most likely will stop by on Monday to see if there's anything good on for the sale.

i have paderno pots and if you bought all 3 used pots it would be about what a new set would cost you on sale at Home Hardware. if you/your mom are looking for Paderno they have road shows at Home Hardware about 2xs a year and you can get a set for about $170 and they sometimes have the individual pots on sale as well.

[alwaysdaddysgirl]

The only thing I go to vv for is for vintage clothing and I am always looking for used dance slippers for my daughter. It is ridiculous. I have asked the price of an item, was told to go to a cashier who called a manager, waited for the manager and then was told it would have to be reprocessed and it would be put back out in about 4 days! I saw a picture with a scratched frame for $90. I can buy a similar picture picture at winners for $50! Plus you also have to pay tax since it isn't a charity. For their prices I buy new unless I want vintage.

Bought some dollarama items priced at 1.25 that vv had priced at 0.99. They were cute garden stakes and I like them but not impressed when I saw original price.

All my donations go to SA.

[aldiba]

i have paderno pots and if you bought all 3 used pots it would be about what a new set would cost you on sale at Home Hardware. if you/your mom are looking for Paderno they have road shows at Home Hardware about 2xs a year and you can get a set for about $170 and they sometimes have the individual pots on sale as well.

Looks like we made the right decision then! Normally what's included in a set?

We have bought a smaller pot when a local store was having a sale (50%) and its really fantastic! I'd love to get a set for my parents (and myself) at a good price, thanks for the tips about HH!

[Karabana]

I haven't bothered to shop for clothes at any 2nd hand shops in yrs. bc when I went to my 1st Talize @3 yrs ago., & saw the prices I thought, um, this is all used, not new, & they're asking what for it? R i g h t, I don't think so.

[lucy16076]

much too pricey for used stuff...goodwill has better finds & online too!

[keeko1]

I am not sure how they decide what prices to put on things but I bought DS 2 IDENTICAL west 49 hoodies. Both same size, both same design but one was green and the other blue. One was 4.99, the other was 2.99. WTH is that about?? LOL

Maybe one was newer or had minor loose threads...

[French Lady]

Used to work for VV so I can tell what I learned while working there.

They have a system for pricing items, but the employees doing the pricing are pressured to meet tough quotas, so there are bound to be mistakes. Also, sometimes the employees just don't know what they're handling, so mistakes happen that way.

The store I worked at was very dirty. I saw janitorial equipment, but never saw evidence that someone had cleaned overnight. The stalls for trying on clothes would get filthy, and the only thing I had to clean up was a broom and dustpan when I could grab a few seconds to do it.

Some customers are very considerate, but too many just don't care. They throw the clothes etc everywhere. I spent a lot of time picking up clothes from the floor.

People seemed to think we were a daycare centre. They would leave their kids to scatter the toys all over the floor while they shopped. Of course they wouldn't pick them up before leaving.

VV does give money to charities and send stock that's not selling overseas, but they are basically a retail outlet out to make money. It was a tough place to work. I would never again work for them full-time, just maybe as a part-time job to make some extra cash.

Shoplifting was common, but VV was putting very little into preventing it. There were no detectors at the door, and the cameras were a joke.

[wildfirejessi]

I buy books and purses often from VV.

[walkonby]

IMHO I never batted an eye at buying used clothes, furniture etc. since as a kid that was pretty much all I knew ( large families do what they have to ), but I agree even i was taken aback at the prices, way too high for used stuff.
However, since the whole bedbug " epidemic " , I will not chance bringing something home ( especially in furniture) , just not worth the risk to save a couple of bucks.

[saddlebag]

i stopped at a local VV a few days ago and left empty handed...holy smokes...the prices were insane...i can buy new clothes cheaper than their donated second hand clothes

[rmary00]

I think childrens clothes are totally worth it to buy at vv.
I usually only go on sale days (30-50%off)
I got all my sons onsies (on sale days) at 0.50c each and sleepers at $1 each. brand names too such as carters, pekkle, jordan, gap, old navy. He has officially grown out of all his 0-6m clothing and I had over 20 onsies and 10 sleepers which came up for $25!

It all depends on what vv you go to as well.
I live in toronto and see a different prices across the 3 stores i visit.
They have always retagged items for me if the price tag was not there as well.

I do agree with the fact that womens and mens clothing is insanely priced.
But again I have found higher end named clothing that VV staff might not know about. I found a couple Splendid tops each reg priced $65 on for $5.99, Citizens of Humanity Jeans regular price well over $200 for $7.99 and a TON of BCBG items from blazers to blouses.

everything has it's ups and downs..i see more ups