# Value Village - Are you fucking insane? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 5, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878 "2003-06-05T17:30:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/41 "2003-06-06T13:52:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > **Yes, I also frequently bring up items to the counter so that they can remove taped on price tags that are about to absolutely ruin the finish of a wood piece or musical instrument. In one case I had to point out to a Goodwill store manager how the beautiful mint condition Dr. Seuss “Bartholomew Cubbins and the Five Hundred Hats” hard bound edition with intact dust jacket had been devalued by more than half BECAUSE SOME MORON FUCKING IDIOT HAD APPLIED THE ADHESIVE PRICE TAG DIRECTLY TO A PROMINENTLY ILLUSTRATED AREA OF THE COVER ILLUSTRATION!** I wonder if vinyl-static sticker or low-tack adhesive technology is cheap enough yet to compete with the ‘crappy paper tag with super-sticky adhesive’ that leaves paper and glue residue when you try to remove. Too many used goods stores (or new goods discounters) use those damn paper stickers which are impossible to get off, and leave marks/residue when you do get them off, ruining the finish on the item. :mad: It’s a pleasure when stores use nice sticker which just peel off the item, leaving no trace - these stickers always seem to have some plastic (or other polymer) coatings on them, so I guess they ain’t cheap enough. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/42 "2003-06-06T14:17:02Z")
Forgot to reply to this: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mojo \* > \*\*I’m not sure if you’ve seen [these Atari joystick thingys](http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=321721), I got one as a present and it’s given me all the nostalgia without having to deal with the crappy RF switchbox. \*\* Yes! I have seen those advertised on the net. However, I have yet to see them ifor sale n Canada (I cannot justify spending $20US for _shipping_ to Canada that most of these places charge over the internet). As soon as I see one here, I’m picking it up! ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/43 "2003-06-06T14:38:15Z")
Zenster… that’s a nice looking pen… a sterling Parker pen in a ciselle pattern is a wonderful thing… even if it is a ballpoint. 🙂 I don’t frequent the thrift stores that much as they rarely have anything I’m looking for although many have my number in case interesting items (pens) come in for sale. I do however, volunteer my professional services to the Salvation Army antique store by doing pen appraisals for them. This benefits us both as I get to take a first look at any (fountain) pens that come in and they can then get a better price on any items I don’t buy… I get a great discount for my services. Sometimes it’s nice to get valuable items for a few cents on the dollar but on the other hand, you have to live with yourself afterwards. I need that peace of mind of knowing that I haven’t ripped anyone off. I feel a little guilty for snagging a Parker 51 sterling fountain pen and pencil set from the antique mall a few weeks back as the vendor could have easily made ten times what I had paid but the mall does have a no haggling rule (and the manager is a complete asshole about this). And rules are rules… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/44 "2003-06-06T17:55:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bernse \* > \*\*Maybe they do that in addition to donating, but I _know_ donations are a big part of it. They have drop off boxes all over the city for people to leave stuff. > > This is in Canada, also. \*\* The difference between Value Village and Goodwill is that Value Village is a [for profit company](http://www.valuevillage.com/whoweare/history.php) that [“partners”](http://www.valuevillage.com/charity/)"with charities for it’s goods. Goodwill is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide employment and training for people with barriers to getting jobs. They claim that [a large percentage](http://www.goodwill.org/index_gii.cfm/1639/) of revenues go directly to meeting this mission vs. the much smaller percentage that goes to charity in the case of Value Village. If you wanna good deal, go wherever you want to, but as far as helping a “charity” goes, Goodwill’s probably the better bet! ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/45 "2003-06-06T18:19:48Z")
We don’t have a Good Will here, although we do have a Sally-Ann. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/46 "2003-06-06T18:33:31Z")
**SirRay** , you do not know how it broke my heart to see them ruin that Dr. Seuss book. The adhesive sticker was smack in the middle of the lavish color jacket illustration. Removing it was going to tear the paper off without a doubt. They had instantly dropped the value from nearly one hundred dollars to less than fifty. It was criminal. Sadly, these morons had it under the counter and did not need to tag it in the first place, but that did not deter them from ruining it. **Feynn** , what part of “no haggling” don’t you understand? [wink] I’m glad you liked my catch of the day. Oh, how I wish there had been a fountain pen in that set. You’re a pen expert. Did Parker ever make a fountain pen in that same ciselle pattern? Also, what is the history behind the pattern? I have always been enchanted by its appearance and am stoked about having added it to my Mont Blanc, Cross, Parkers and Koh-i-noor Rapidographs. Good on your for evaluating donations and educating the store’s personnel about the items that cross their path. I always point out items of significance or hidden damage to vintage pieces so that they realize what their correct value should be. I cannot begin to list the incredible treasures I have found in thrift stores. I’m happy to say that many managers give me price breaks because of the help I give them. ---
**Author:** ![Aguecheek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Aguecheek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aguecheek)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/47 "2003-06-06T19:48:49Z")
I don’t know where you are, **bernse** , but when I lived in Waterloo, there was a Goodwill just down the street from me. Funny enough, the Sally Ann was out in the middle of nowhere. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/48 "2003-06-06T19:58:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bernse \* > \*\*Forgot to reply to this: > > Yes! I have seen those advertised on the net. However, I have yet to see them ifor sale n Canada (I cannot justify spending $20US for _shipping_ to Canada that most of these places charge over the internet). > > As soon as I see one here, I’m picking it up! \*\* Bernsie my love, I think the Urban Outfitters down the street is selling them. I betcha I could ship it to you for far less than a commercial outfit would. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/49 "2003-06-06T21:06:18Z")
Perhaps the person doing their pricing thought, “Ooo, a _computer_!” and just slapped a random price on that Atari? As mentioned, people sometimes are that dumb. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2003, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/50 "2003-06-08T15:06:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > \*\*Bernsie my love, I think the Urban Outfitters down the street is selling them. I betcha I could ship it to you for far less than a commercial outfit would. \*\* Just saw this! Thanks for the offer! While I do indeed _want one_, I’m not going to go out of my way for it. I’ll pick one up if/when I happen to see it in a local store. Thanks very much though! I really appreciate it! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/51 "2003-06-08T16:09:26Z")
I love the thrill of the hunt at the variety of charity places around here. I don’t get to go into them much because the kiddies tend to go bonkers, but the last time I was in Goodwill, I picked up a Liz Claiborne cardigan for a whopping $1.00 and a set of stainless steel mixing bowls (that are what I wanted anyway) for $2.00. Me very happy. ---
**Author:** ![Flowerchild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/858c86/32.png) [@Flowerchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flowerchild)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/52 "2003-06-09T05:31:36Z")
So, Value village is like an overpriced goodwill? ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/53 "2003-06-09T06:07:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flowerchild \* > \*\*So, Value village is like an overpriced goodwill? \*\* Kinda sorta. The one I go to has a lot more stuff than the Salvation Army store next door and is better lit. Kinda like a K-Mart with used stuff. And I usually find stuff much cheaper than it would be elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878/54 "2003-06-09T06:09:08Z")
But, I’ll note, it seems to vary by store (just by the posts on here). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-village-are-you-fucking-insane/179878.md?page=2)