Savers

Love shopping here. My 15 year old daughter can choose from over 30 – 50 pair of jeans in her size — try doing that at the mall. She usually can find at least 6 pair that she likes. We were there on Saturday — came out with 3 beautiful sweaters, one brand new top from The Gap, a book, a pair of jeans and a brand new scarf with tags still on it from Kohl’s. My daughter also found a pair of 9 West pumps for under $ 10 — excellent condiiton. total was under $ 25.00. LOVE this location — really nice people, great selection.

Let me start out by saying that I love savers, not sure what I do more, buy or donate there, I have one right by my work in Arlington Hts that I go to all the time, the store is nice and well organized. The other day I was meeting a friend for dinner in Schaumburg and I decided to check out Savers there, on Golf Ave, I also have 2 things to return (exchange, since you can only exchange within 7 days). The location is horrible, there is NO parking, took me 20 minutes just to find a parking spot, but I was determined, since it was the last day for me to exchange my items. After finding a spot, I had to drag everything across the parking lot to the store, the minute I stepped into the store, I was very disappointed, and the store was dirty and not inviting. I looked around for a while, just couldn’t find anything that I wanted, I grabbed a few things, and came to the register. After waiting in line, I was told that only one person takes returns and I had to wait in line again for Jason. Right away, I was told that I can’t use my coupon that I received for a donation just a day ago, because the difference between what I was returning and purchasing was less than $ 10, but the fact that my original purchase was a lot more than that and my exchange was over $ 10, no one took into the consideration. Then he tells me that he will not be taking my items back, because according to him, the tags are not correct, all the items were bought within the last 7 days at the Arlington Hts location. I proceeded to tell him, that I don’t know how these stores label the items, since I don’t work there and this is how I bought the items. And I was not going to lose more money by not returning them within the 7 day period, and that I already wasted 40 minutes between parking, dragging these items into the store and trying to find something else. Then he tells me that he can call the Arlington Hts store and they can check if these are the items that I purchased (not sure how they would do that) after seeing my happy reaction and a relieve in my eyes, he changed his mind and tells me that he will take my items back, but will not give me back any of my receipts… since he is already doing this HUGE favor for me…
Needless to say, I will NEVER go back to this Savers and if this is a place that takes my donations, resells them, then refuses to do an even exchange if a coupon was used or let the customer use another coupon, $ 3 in my case in their pocket, and then make is impossible to return things… just left with a VERY bad taste of the company as a whole…

This place is very expensive to be a second had store. Are the kidding us or is there something i do not understand about thus place?

My review is not for the employees, they were fine, but I do question the judgment of the managers. I get it, this is a for-​profit organization, but still, it’s a thrift store. I’ve been looking for kitchen chairs for my boyfriend and his brother for weeks now, trying to find something affordable for two young 20’s, and finally I found something nice, clean, and a set of 4 matching chairs. I was happy! Until I heard the words «you have to get the full set»… I don’t want the full TWO HUNDRED DOLLAR set, just the chairs! The full set includes a corner bench, a straight bench, a high chair and one other piece– you seriously couldn’t separate that? You’re a thrift store, not a consignment store, get over yourself –_​– evil Charlotte hopes the set never sells. Hmph

Savers is a thrift store. The stuff they don’t sell is given to 3^rd world countries. Every city determines where proceeds will go. Chicago Savers supports epilepsy foundation I believe. Savers is an upscale thrift-​store.

I have no idea who is in charge of pricing the items here, particularly the clothing, but I’m pretty sure that person is not aware the clothes they’re pricing is USED… And generally not in great shape. Which is fine, considering this is a thrift store, but the prices definitely don’t reflect that… I paid less for some brand new tops next door at TJ Maxx than I would’ve for used tops here! Wrinkly, worn out 20-​year-​old Ralph Lauren polo shirts are priced at $ 8-​$ 12, and even higher, faded XXL shirts from vacation spots of yore are upwards of $ 6 (seriously?), etc. That sort of pricing for used clothes is intended for places like Plato’s Closet or Clothes Mentor, where the clothing is screened and selected before it is put on their racks, meaning the styles are current and the quality of the clothing is used but in good condition: no tears, holes, pilling, stains, etc. Those stores do not accept clothes in poor condition.
That is not the case here. All clothes are donated. A used but in good condition top from Express being sold at Clothes Mentor will set you back around the same amount as a faded and dated top here. It just doesn’t make sense. This is a thrift store, not a consignment shop.
I don’t get this place. This place only gets an additional star from me because it is pretty clean and organized.

They’ve ample stock, just not very good quality nor at the bargain base prices thrifters are accustomed to from shopping at Goodwill or Salvation Army stores. I gave them a 3 because they did have a nice shoe selection as well as cute costume jewelry. I’ll drop in from time to time, but most likely will stick to the Salvation Army on Nerge.

I went here with my daughter on her suggestion. Savers is a thrift store. Honestly, I’m not sure who they support, but I do think it is along the lines of the Salvation Army Stores.
They have a huge selection glasswares, clothing, etc. I did see a few things that looked possible, but nothing jumped up at me and said I had to have it. Some of the clothing they had out didn’t look clean. Too bad.
If you want to donate, I’m not sure where the drop off is. There were a few bags that someone dumped in the front doorway, but I can’t fathom that this would be how they want it done.

Neat, clean and organized. I love thrift shops but when the prices are padded because it is privately owned I have a concern. Many items were very over priced. $ 8 for a women’s wrinkled up tee shirt that had seen its day just because the label said Crazy Horse? No way! That was just one example in many. Walking past the shoe section I noticed dirty women’s gym shoes for $ 12. Huh? No thank you!

Cue the beat because I have been Thrift Shop’in! Suddenly, Hoffman Estates/​Schaumburg has turned into a thrift shopping paradise. Plato’s Closet and Clothes Mentor have new competition in the form of Goodwill (see my separate post on my experiences there) and Savers.
Savers did not disappoint. I first went here to donate clothes. Note-​you have to drive around to the back of the building to donate. There I was quickly met by a well-​bundled gentlemen who thanks us for our donation. In Northern Illinois, the proceeds head to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Armed with my five dollar gift certificate for donating, I drove around to the front, parked, and headed in. The store was clean, well-​lit and very well organized. There were even Italian-​made, Ferragamo shoes for $ 10! I ended up finding a PS3 Rock Band Guitar for $ 5. I was thrilled since these normally cost far more new.
The reason for the four stars is that when I got home, the Guitar didn’t work even after new ‘batteries’ (True Lies reference). I am going to head back later today or tomorrow and see if I can return it. If so, the place gets a five; if not, it remains four stars.