i have to be honest the people at this shop were very unkind and unhelpful - they mocked the items that i brought in to sell (high quality foreign brands they couldnt recognize), going so far as to show them to other customers to grimace and make fun of really inconsiderate and rude - and based on what i know from former employees theyre all treated like crap at this store go get your vintage stuff elsewhere - half of this stuff isn't even vintage tbh... read more

Sofia was super helpful. also a super funny butters shirt. #weinersout . shoutout butters south park

vast clothing selection, I always find unique steez here. amazing prices almost nothing over 20 dollars. workers are chill, and helpful overall amazing local thrift store read more

Kayla is absolutely one of the greatest people I've met at Avalon! The location is perfect to go and grab a bite to eat after shopping. The clothing they put into the store is very nice because anyone will be able to find good quality items. The store is clean and sectioned off in a way that makes shopping easy for customers. :) read more

I think they have great sales. They have some pretty cool styles. The employees have gotten much nicer over time. read more

This place is the best for a fun find to spruce up your wardrobe! Awesome prices! I was amazed at the selection!!!

Worst experience of my life ,Had been a loyal customer for 20years (Oakland store) called yesterday was told today they were buying be there between 11/12:30 .Showed up at 11:05am sign on door stated not buying today went inside to inquire as to why,a condescending rude fellow said owner said too much inventory,then I was told owner was in hospital,Maybe they are in financial trouble Had a 350$ vintage avinonex leather coat Worn 3 times if that isn't a product that is usable for resale at this time of year ??I THINK THE EMPLOYES ARE LAZY AND RUDE BY THE WAY THE GUY TOLD ME TO GO TO THE THREE OTHER RESALE SHOPS IN THE AREA I WOULD SUGGEST EVERYONE SHOP AND RESELL ELSEWHERE read more

I was in Squirrel Hill this past week for an appt. And since I had extra time I stopped into this store. I used to frequent it so often in younger years. It was fabulous. The entire store has changed a lot. Much more aesthetically appealing. But it still had all the great buys. A beautiful Kate Spade shirt was hanging there in perfect shape for only $15. Had to give it a try on. So glad that even though things change, one can still find a great deal in a favorite store. read more

awesome vibe, service and offerings. Love this place. Will return, one of my favorites now. read more

I've shopped at Avalon in the past. I've often found items I like. Now, I'm on the other side of the fence. I wanted to sell some items. I bring a large bag of good items in (I went through them checking for stains, tears, etc.). I'm not expecting them to buy the whole bag (although that would be nice), but more than two or three would be a step in the right direction. Well, the first time I came in there were lots of rules. I get that there has to be rules, but when the sales associates are only standing behind the register, they could go through a few more for the convenience of their customers. Of the many items I brought in, they took two. UGH. The second time I went in, I got smarter. I left the bag in the car and asked if they were selling. The door sign said they were, but the folks at the register said they were not. This was really disheartening and was in-line with the other reviews. There were at least three people working. I left there and went to a competitor in a nearby neighborhood. They really appreciated me coming in and took the time to not only review the items, but also talk about the items and how they would definitely be available for more bags as I continue to go through my closets. This was terrific customer service. I have already recommended others to go to the other store. If Avalon were my store (which it isn't) I would have someone stationed to look at items all day and then one on register, and a third moving about the floor to straighten and restock. I was in retail for many years-this is very doable. read more

I went to Squirrel hill for a day out and came across this store. Fun clothes and what not but the staff is rude and just doesn't even notice you're there unless you say something to them. Overpriced as well. I wouldn't recommend unless you desperately need a specific item read more

Very rude staff, crowded building, unorganized clothes, required masks but didn't provide them, and overall terrible experience. Save your money. read more

My husband and I lived in Squirrel Hill for two years and I used to LOVE Avalon Exchange. I got some great designer pieces and used to run down the street to purchase as soon as something would post on Instagram. I was in the area yesterday and decided to pop in for old times sake. No one greeted me, or anyone, who walked through the door. As I flipped through my go-to designer rack the one employee took a call to store from someone who was looking for the manager. The employee was incredibly rude to the person on the phone stating that the manager wasn't in the store and ended it with "I mean I wouldn't just assume that we are going to buy your clothes". When he hung up, it became apparent that the manager was sitting right there the whole time as they all laughed and joked about the interaction the just had! It was incredibly off putting. I had a few things I wanted to try on and had to stand at the counter for a minute until they were all done playing around to ask for a fitting room. I probably won't be back given my latest experience. The quality of things they have pulled in recently has decreased and I honestly think it's reflective of the poor experiences they are providing given other reviews on here. There are other designer consignment stores in Pittsburgh who I have regularly purchased from and trust more for buying and selling. read more

Cute clothes, but the prices are too high, and I've noticed them only get higher over time. The younger crowd of sales associates are not the most friendly. For a place that tries to encourage diversity, they are very exclusionary. Also, the music is way too loud. I'd prefer not to have to yell to ask for a dressing room. read more

I have been coming to Avalon for years. Sometimes you can find cute clothes and the new location is nice but I think they have the worst staff of any establishment in Pittsburgh. Their staff is so rude it's almost funny (another review said the staff seem like caricatures of kids who think they are really cool, which is true). When I was in there, they were blatantly making fun of one of the job applications they had just received v loudly across the store at each other which was really uncomfortable and 2 male employees (one who is directly on their IG page so maybe he is the manager?) were not wearing masks and let a woman completely shop/check out without a mask. On a busy Saturday afternoon. I am not a complainer but this is still the law for people's safety and I could not find a place to relay this message directly to Avalon. Really disappointing. read more

This store is fantastic! You will find anything you need. Staff is friendly and clothes are good quality. Look no further!

i'm truly bless in highly favor. i have more than enough i got tried of giving my items away for free so i was directed to avalon exchange and i greatly apprecate the love u gave me for the items that u could use.thanks for apprecating good quility i hope u stay in bussines for some time. theresa carroll independent. read more

Such a GREAT store with so many fabulous things and very helpful staff who are an inspiration with the way they dress themselves which gave me a lot of style ideas. I absolutely LOVE buying luxury brand clothes from a second hand retailer like Avalon Exchange because I don't like the big corporate brands and don't want to give them my money. I prefer to support smaller businesses like this one. read more

While the new location is bigger and cleaner, the employees aren't very nice at all. The quality and selection of clothes has gotten worse since they moved. At their previous location, they offered clothes from a wide range of eras and styles, which also opened up Avalon's clientele a lot more than their current and predictable demographic. It seems like being condescending, judgmental and whispering behind customers' backs is their entire vibe. I hope the staff learns in time that being rude and 'selectively nice' is never in style. Buffalo Exchange, Clothes Minded, and Highway Robbery are all around a much better experience and their employees are consistently friendly and respectful. read more

Staff is rude and unwelcoming and isn't "high fashion" enough to be that condescending.

This place has gone way downhill over the years. The dollar sale is nowhere near what it used to be... The current staff are impolite, unpleasant, and uptight. Just flat out rude and stuck up. The clothes selection is poor and overpriced, not even reasonable. This is a real disappointment as I used to love this store. Save your time, money, and self-respect, go to goodwill. read more

I have shopped here for like 15 years and I've left several reviews about how I love the clothes but the employees ruin the experience because they have a history of being so rude. WELL this all changed today! BROOKE IS AN ANGEL. Absolutely amazing experience as a customer today. She made me and my friend feel so special and we left with the biggest smiles, she really made our day. Such a great hire! Keep it up!! read more

Avoid these thieves like the plague: We brought in a bag of men's clothing including an expensive leather jacket that were in pristine condition, only worn several times, and from top designer names. After going through the clothing, the clerk said she was interested in buying them and to leave them there so they could be examined more carefully. She assured we would receive a call back in 40 minutes with a quote to purchase. After waiting an hour, we called back and were told to come back later for the quote which wasn't ready yet. They refused to quote a price over the phone. As it was close to closing time and we couldn't get back there in time, we let the clerk know we would come by the next day and get the quote and then decide if we wanted to sell. When we arrived today, less than 24 hours later, the clerk quoted a paltry price of $36.75, representing 25% of what they will sell the clothing for at the store. Their website, checked today, clearly says they pay 30% for a direct buyout. When we pointed this out they were nasty and unaccommodating and said "that's our policy". We decided we'd do better donating the clothing to someone needy who could use them and taking a tax deduction instead. When we asked for the bag of clothing back, they claimed it was lost and they couldn't find it because we had kept it there overnight, despite the fact we'd called and told them we wouldn't be able to come in until the next day and the clerk assured us that was fine. The clerk blamed us because the store lost ( more likely stole) our clothing. They said it would take weeks to find the clothing if it already wasn't lost. We had no choice but to pick the lesser of the evils- take their horrible price so at least we didn't donate the clothing to Avalon. I'm sure we'll see the leather jacket in the window with a price tag for over $100 any day now. This review will hopefully help others understand what a lowlife business this is, and how greedy the owners are. I can only hope Avalon Exchange donates some of the clothing that they're unable to sell to the needy as they thrive by false advertising online, lying to customers, making a buyout as difficult as possible, and cheating sellers with ridiculous low prices, while turning the merchandise around for outrageous inflationary pricing. There are far better ethical shops in town where one can spend their money. read more

If i could give this place less than 0 stars i would. I do not understand the policy of their hours of selling and open hours. They only sell a certain amount of hours that they are open and i was told many different hours by different workers to come sell my clothes. I've wAsted so much gas and time coming all the way out to this store to sell my things and they have never even been looked at I've been told they won't buy them bc their "buying hours" are over. This is also not available information anywhere on their site or social media accounts. DO NOT COME HERE. read more

Staff is unfriendly- and whispering to each other while I was standing there... I will never step foot in the store. Horrible customer service ! read more

I was in town from Los Angeles with my two teenage sons, and a local friend suggested we check out this store. The clothes were not overly expensive, but the selection was kitschy and predictable - more boring then fashionable. Goodwill sells Disney World tee-shirts for half Avalon's price, if that's what you consider fashionable... I understand that the selection in a vintage store can be hit or miss, but the attitude of the sales people is likely to be unchanged from day-to-day. The staff when we were there were unhelpful and in one case extremely rude. The young male sales clerk when we were there on the evening of May 16th was standing in the back of the store loudly making insulting remarks about customers to a giggling female coworker. One customer had an "ugly 90's haircut." Another shopper - who bought five items - had baggy jeans on that reminded him of when he was in high school and would wear loose clothing to hide merchandise in when he went shoplifting. Another shopper was wearing chains and jewelry that looked "stupid." I notice that other Avalon customers have also remarked about the rudeness of the staff at various times. Maybe more attention needs to be paid to hiring good people and properly training them. read more

Brought in 3 huge bags of clothes only for them to take 5 items... staff wasn't that nice and they barely spoke to me. Felt kind of judged to be honest... not cool read more

The place is not as bad as people said here. The clothes are generally in good condition, probably most people selling clothes here are students who didn't wear the clothes long before they have to move to another place. You can find some designer clothes here at a fair price. And the stocks are renewed fast. Though you do have to wait in the cashier. And there's one time the cashier said a leather jacket I want was wrongly priced and offered a new price $40 higher. I'm kind of pissed off by this, but there's nothing I can do. It's a place you can actually find things to buy, though you probably won't enjoy the service there. read more

It's hit or miss at this place especially if you want to sell your stuff. If they do take what you have they offer far lower prices than other similar shops. They're also kinda pricey for some of the things they carry; which most of the time you can get brand new elsewhere at better pricing. I'd like to say I've had pleasant experiences here but I never have. The staff often have pretentious attitudes and appeared bothered but the presence of shoppers. It's always been this way as long as they've been around. read more

Since I hadn't been to this location in years but, I totally love the Avalon Exchange in Cleveland I decided to rediscover this location. Unfortunately, this location is pretty much a total disappointment. The store is a lot smaller than the one up in Cleveland. The main reason why I'm disappointed is that the selection of clothes is very subpar. Most of the clothes here look extremely worn and are not what I would wear. I have shirts that are 20 years old that still look like new. The men's section is really lacking as it is only one rack of clothing and one shelf row of shoes. Meanwhile there are four rows of women's clothing and a whole wall of shoes. Also the prices for a lot of things like anything designer including hand bags is ridiculous! I bought my daughter a like new full leather small pink Coach purse at the Avalon in Cleveland for $14. A purse slighter bigger at this location was $42 and it wasn't even leather! Skip this location and go to Gabes, Macy's during a "One Day" sale, Marshall's, Ross, Stein Mart, TJ Maxx or the Grove City or Tanger Outlets instead. You'll find much better clothes, trust me. read more

Okay...le'ts get something straight...I am not cool. For a used clothing store that claims to take used clothing they stink! While bringing some clothes to sell recently, I was met by a hipster who pleasantly gave me a form to fill out which stated, in not so many words, that they only take "hip clothes" and the picking was at the discretion of the clerk. Out of 10 items, he picked one. Paid pretty well (about $12), but felt like a tool as I walked out with my below par clothing (some items originally cost me $50+) under my arm. The clothes: Smelly as if shoved in a washing machine with a ton of cleanser. Hipster stuff to the roof...if your a female. Men's selection is very small, and unless you want pants that cut off the circulation in your....you know, you will find it hard to spend that well earned credit. Also jeans cost between $12 (fine) and $50 (not fine). The staff: Cooler than me. Last time I was in, they stupidly giggled behind my back while alternating CD's over the speakers over and over. I also think they have a face piercing minimum (you see, you need to be cool to work there). They are presumptuous and could give a crap if you buy or not. With REAL used clothing stores like Goodwill that sell the EXACT SAME CLOTHES for a tenth of the price, shopping at Avalon will do nothing for you except make you feel bad about what you wear and what you should be wearing. read more

I have tried going in this store multiple times, and I just don't get it. It seems that the prices are determined by the staff, and Avalon accepts only certain kinds of clothing. But these clothes are usually worn and in awful condition. I have seen a few cute things, but they often have holes or are just too old. I agree with the others that the staff leaves much to be desired. They tend to be nicer to me when I come in directly after yoga or dressed up. So they definitely judge you when you walk in the door. This wouldn't bother me if the selection was really great, though! I have much better luck at the Goodwill in South Side. The clothes are in better condition and usually cuter. Not impressed. read more

Uh oh! Someone's got their skinny jeans, converse, blue nail polish and disenchanted face on! You know what that means--they're getting ready to either go shopping at Avalon or dancing at brillobox (or, more likely, they're going shopping at Avalon for something to wear to a brillobox dance party). Welcome to PGH's hippest thrift store.* I tend to wander into Avalon aimlessly and usually end up leaving with something because: 1. Their prices are really good. I found a Marc Jacob's skirt in mint condition for $33 one time. Srsly. I got a Lacoste dress that still makes me light-headed thinking about how adorable it is for $15 and my favorite cocktail ring was only $3. 2. I do my heavy lifting. The store isn't crammed full of things I simply can't resist: I spend an obnoxious amount of time digging through racks of fugly floral-print skinny jeans and hideous H & M rompers before I find a cute plaid tunic or members only jacket. If you want to find the buried treasure you have to dig. 3. Their accessories are tops. The counter is dotted with baskets overflowing with pins (I got an awesome James Dean one for fifty cents), jewelry (snagged a turquoise beaded bracelet for five bucks), headbands, scarves and every other kind of flair you can imagine. The wall as you walk in is lined with a bevy (I used the word "bevy" in a review!) of sweet shades. 4. They don't have a lot of competition. I don't know if the other vintage stores in the city signed some sort of non-compete agreement or what, but Avalon seems to have cornered the market on wearable used fashion. Like all thrift stores, sometimes you don't find anything, (although from what I can tell, my male friends seem to walk out empty-handed fairly often, so I think the dude selection could use some beefing up), but on the whole this store is definitely worth a visit if you've got a lazy Saturday afternoon with some time to kill. *Being hip is one thing (I'll let you decide if it's a good or bad thing), but for interesting vintage finds I like Eons in Shadyside, and for stuff that's plain old bizarre and dirt-cheap (we're talking like $1-$4 range) I head to the Goodwill in East Liberty. read more

I'm not new to clothing exchanges, I've been using them for years. I even sell clothes privately. So when I came to Avalon, the people at the front were not approachable. Like many exchanges you drop the clothes at the front and wait until they're finished. I watched 4 people who came in after me get taken care of. I asked twice if they were finished yet. About 30 minutes passed and again had to see if they were done yet. I was not acknowledged throughout my visit. Lastly the lowest blow, was they took 4 items (fine whatever I get that part) but what they took was a designer skirt. They offered me 13.80. I only found out what they took when I left and was home. I am 99%sure they took more. Hard to tell when you have staff talking and not paying attention. Also not keeping clients clothes separate so you don't make the mistake of shorting someone. I wish I knew before leaving the store and leaving that skirt. I was absolutely ripped off. Enjoy making a 50 dollar profit off on one skirt! read more

Okay so you can go here and find some real gems. However you can also go here and find nothing. It's really hit or miss. Don't go with a specific item in mind to shop for. If loud noise bothers you, you might not want to walk in. In my opinion, they play it louder than your standard A & F. The staff is really, really full of themselves. Every time I've walked in, there has never been a welcome, all they do is stand around and talk to each other. Even after purchasing an item, I had never heard a "thank you." Just tacky if you ask me. I even walked in once with a small bag of clothes to sell off, and the guy told me to walk around and browse and that he'd go through it. I walked a few feet and looked back and he had put his hand in my bag and pushed around clothes, for like literally a minute, and then walked away. After some browsing I came back and he said he couldn't take anything because it wasn't "high end" enough. Everything in that bag was high end, I mean I had Calvin Klein and Armani to name a few. He just didn't feel like doing his job. Still, I went back a few more times after that and the staff is too busy being emotastic. I can't stand going here anymore, it's been too much of a consistent annoyance. read more

I liked the Avalon Exchange better back when it was located in Oakland, but the new location in Squirrel Hill isn't bad! It's smaller, of course, but their selection is generally pretty good quality and they have a variety of sizes and styles. However, I think it's a misnomer to call it a vintage store; there are a few vintage pieces here and there, but it's mostly modern pre-owned clothing. Also, if I don't find clothes that I like, there are always shoes or some jewelry that catch my eye! My reason for the 3 star rating is that the staff tends to be pretty self-involved and pretentious, and unwilling to help you unless you're a hipster fashionista like them. They also tend to be super picky about what clothing they'll actually exchange, so I never know what they'll take in of mine. read more

Sigh. Oh, Avalon. We have a love-hate relationship, don't we? I've found some great pieces that I've worn for years, like a jacket and a brooch. Other times, I've bought things that turn out to have a hole or a missing button. There's not a whole lot of consistency. As others have said, the attitude of some of the staff is a little out of control. Can't say it's everyone working there, but maybe the uber trendy clothes they're wearing is cutting off the circulation to their hearts and any potential down-to-earth vibes. The two-tier racks are usually jam packed, as are the aisles with shoppers, making it difficult to peruse stress-free. And as someone who usually wears L and XL clothing, the options are often lacking. And I don't even bother trying to go to the semi-annual dollar sales anymore. I almost got trampled last time I went. I used to love this place and used to stop by any time I was in Squirrel Hill, but now it's usually too much of a hassle. read more

If you're not a hipster douche bag, aka one of the employee's friends, then don't expect any kind of service. There was a really sweet employee awhile back, but I think they fired her because she smiled too much and was kind to ALL the customers. OK selection of clothing, but a little pricy for used H&M and Forever 21 brands. read more

Going to Avalon always seems like a really great idea until I actually go. Don't get me wrong, this is hip and you can find some pretty cool stuff occasionally, but for me it's really hit or miss. Sometimes I have a really hard time understanding how they price their items. Once I picked our a tshirt that had holes in it and it was $14. As far as "thrift stores" go, I wouldn't exactly say its super thrifty, but I have gotten a few items priced lower than they would have originally been stores (AE jeans, Urban Outfitter top). Another thing I don't understand is how their buying process works. I've taken clothes here a few times to sell...and that process is also hit or miss. I've taken almost new, "in-style" clothes there and they didn't take anything, but then you look on the racks and they have clothes that look like they should belong to someone's Grandma. In conclusion, shopping here is definitely always a mixed bag, however any time I'm in Squirrel Hill I make sure I stop in just to see what they have. They also always have a very good selection of Halloween costumes in October. read more

I used to come here a lot with my brother but I think I only bought one thing. Very fun to look around but the isle are so small that if it's a busy time I end up getting too annoyed to look. They have some really good deals but I've also seen some ripped/stained clothing. My brother tried to sell multiple items of clothing there before, all name brand and in good condition, but they barely bought any and then asked my brother to just give them the rest. I'm not sure what type of process they have on deciding what clothes to buy but it didn't seem worth it to lug all those boxes there. I still enjoy going during there sales and when it's not too busy. read more