Value Village

There’s something about thrift stores in Skagit County — pretty much every one I’ve visited is very clean and well-​organized. And this Value Village is no exception. The aisles and shelves are clearly marked so that items are easy to find, and while there’s a good selection it’s not over-​crowded in terms of «stuff.» The staff is very helpful and friendly. When there was a long line forming at the register they quickly opened another one. They also have a huge Halloween section full of both new and used items. My only beef about this (and pretty much all VV’s the past few years) is that the prices are way too high. These are used items, the majority of which (I assume) have been donated; I wish prices would reflect that better.

My experiences with Value Villages over many years are all over the board, even with same locations over time. My experiences at the Mount Vernon Value Village have been for specific reasons and maybe that’s why I haven’t run into scenarios that other reviewers speak of. I’ve found the store to be well-​lit (albeit too bright and sort of harsh light for my taste), tidy aisles, and friendly check out person. I’ve got some good deals. Overall, I find Value Village way too pricey for a thrift store and for the folks who «need» to shop at thrift stores as opposed to folks who shop thrift as a choice. Generally better prices are found at GoodWill on colored tag days and especially on $ 1.29 tag days. A person can buy a decent brand new shirt on sale at Old Navy for less than a used off-​trend shirt at Value Village. I feel fair about three stars right now but that may change over time.

I feel like I can always find something I like at Value Village. I don’t bother looking for clothing because I don’t like the prices. Found some great educational books for my preschooler at just $.69-.99. Also some cute pretend can foods for her pretend grocery store.

This Value Village is Terrible! They claim to «help» local nonprofits when instead they steal from them and crushes the spirits of the youth. I’m the founder of a local nonprofit youth center in Friday Harbor and they ripped us off. I purchased a really nice and very unique panting/​poster for hanging in our center. I was pushing my mom in a wheelchair and couldn’t grab it as I was walking out. I meant to go back but by the time I got my mom back in the car and the wheelchair stowed I completely forgot to go back and grab it. Now I live in Friday Harbor and don’t get off the island that often, this trip began at 4 am to catch the early boat off the island. It was 10 pm by the time I got home and realized that the picture wasn’t in my car. I called Value Village the very next day and explained the situation as well as told them I am on an island and wasn’t exactly sure when I would be able to get off again to pick it up. I also told them I had a couple friends over there that I was going to try to have pick it up for me. They told me that was totally fine. They had it there, put my name on it, phone number and also the names of the people I said might pick it up.
I was so excited by the find I showed pictures of it to the youth at the center, they all loved this painting/​poster (It was the Starwars Blue Harvest Family Guy poster, but in like a painting. Very unique) because we cater to the youth on the island that are more the «nerdy» or «geeky» type and love that type of thing. We provide a safe place where they can be free to be themselves and proud of who they are. They were so excited to have this piece of artwork as part of the center. I made several more phone calls to Value Village because of my friend’s work schedule and the fact that she wasn’t able to get there right away. I had already paid for it, so they told me it was totally fine and they had it there safe and sound.
Today I got a call from my friend who informed me that when she arrived there they said it was there too long and they had put it back on the shelf and naturally it was sold once again. So they sold an item twice and took it away from excited youth. Now granted they have «offered» to give me my «money back» if I get off the island and bring a receipt in. Not that the money can bring it back or restore the excitement of the youth at this loss. They didn’t even give me a call or any option or any heads up. They just sold an item that had already been purchased. Purchased by the founder of a nonprofit youth center while pushing his mom in a wheel chair because I couldn’t get off the island again soon enough for them??? It was bought and paid for! I was In Contact with them! They had my name and Phone Number! They sold it again without giving me a call or any heads up or anything. And I got the unfortunate job of having to tell the youth at the center that were so excited for it that it is gone.
Refunding my money would simply be the «ethical» thing to do because they have now sold an item twice. I’m not a lawyer, but I believe that is highly illegal. But sadly refunding my money will not bring the item back nor is it something that appears to be easy to replace. And it definitely will not restore the joy that these youth had at the thought of seeing it hung here at the center. It would have gone quite nicely with our poster of the world done in Super Mario format. So in closing I am very disappointed in how they handle themselves and the fact that they would do this.

I was a bit too generous with 3 stars. After really thinking about it, I don’t think this Value Village deserves 3 stars in comparison to several other VV.

I know thrift stores will never be as pristine as a department store. That’s pretty much the nature of selling used items, but woah … this place was gross. While trying on pants I found an eclectic variety of items in the pockets, ranging from cigarette butts to candy wrappers. I went to try on a t-​shirt only to find it wreaking of B.O. stench and soiled to the point that I can only assume it was worn by someone very sweaty for several days and never washed.
I nearly vomited.
If it had stopped there they would have gotten two stars out of me, but it didn’t. When it came time to check out, and the woman at the register was taking hangers out of some shirts, I watched her physically (though accidentally) rip a tag off one of the shirts I wanted. She picked up the shirt and told me they can’t sell anything without a tag. I picked up the tag off the counter and handed it to her, plainly stating that I had just seen her accidentally remove it. She looked at me like I had insulted her mother, said shortly that she would ask her manager and walked off. About 5 seconds later she was back, said that the manager said no and didn’t say another word to us, or even make eye contact again.
It just sucked, and I wanted that shirt!
I’ll probably go to the Goodwill across the street next time.