I've been to other Habitat outlets and have picked up some good deals, especially as I am renovating as much as a limited budget will allow. My recent trips into the Barrie location have been very disappointing. The prices are much higher than other Habitat stores - they have staff looking up prices online in the back. Why? I'm not interested in paying 50% of the original item, when it is usually in less than perfect condition or minus parts. There are beat-up sets of kitchen cupboards in this location that should be taken to the dump, yet they want $1000. for half a kitchen. The "antiques" area is run by someone who does not have regular hours and does not price items so they can be sold at the cash. This is very frustrating because the staff can't price these items or tell a customer when to return. My girlfriend wanted something out of that section real bad and called the store 3 times in a week to get a price. Finally she was told the pricer would be in the next day, so she turned up before the store opened to be first in line. Guess what? Between the night before at closing time and before the store opened, her piece was gone!! What? Something fishy is going on there. So we've just given up and go elsewhere when we can.
We thought part of the mandate of Habitat for Humanity was to help everyone by offering reasonable prices for people struggling to stay afloat. Guess that went out the door long ago at this location. read more