I used to look forward to and enjoy going to Savers in the past and find great deals. Lately though, they're harder to find and they seem to have forgotten that this is a thrift store receiving donations for many good causes and selling items donated for these causes. The company seems to think that they are retail store with competitive retail prices (sometimes overpriced). This is a thrift store and what they sell are donated items: pre-owned, gently used, roughed up, random, out of the box, broken, missing pieces, yes (for lack of better words) dirty, and/or musty pieces. Some items are overpriced and others items seem to be retail prices (Ross, Target, etc........ I think not! ) Not everything is vintage and collectible, NWT (but are they current), and aged......yes.
Their prices have gone up too, especially with toys and named brand items, and the prices reflect current/designer retail as if they are new and/or guaranteed with authenticity.
PROS: Membership discount days; Senior citizen discount days; Holiday and special 50% discount days (Go early because checkout lines are ridiculous!); Get a stamp card for donations from 5% off up to 30% off when you donate (more on this in because I'm still confused); Great finds on vintage, collectibles, electronics, designer items......if you're lucky.
Every time you make a donation you get a stamp in increments of 5% off on your next purchase or you can save the Stamp Card until it is filled up to 30% off (does not apply to 50% off color tag discount days) The problem with this is that it all depends on the person receiving donations and stamping the card. I have received 5% up to 30% off on donations, but not because of the items and quantity/size I was donating, it was at the employee's discretion on what percentage to stamp! (shame on them)
Buyer beware: Make sure you thoroughly check item(s) you are purchasing. You cannot get your money back after a purchase, only a store credit within the 7 days from purchase or have the manager okay for an extension...must have good reason and again, it's at his/her discretion to extend. There are counterfeit items (Handbags, Jewelry, shoes, toys, clothes, etc.) and those that are legit.....no papers=no guarantee. They also want you to pay for "good counterfeit" (prices reflect). When you purchase electronics, games, devices, etc. check them out thoroughly and see if you can check if they are working, just ask front desk. Again, no guarantees, no returns only exchanges within 7 days.
Here's another thing that I noticed. On Membership and Senior discount days, Savers removes quite a bit of items on the racks and shelves (inventory is less and seems sparse in some places. Savers also does not put any new inventory out on these days.
I'm not sure if this is legal but, they change the color of the tags frequently depending on the 50% color discount periods. The color of the tags represent the dates when they were inventoried and placed on the floor.........supposedly. I have seen some merchandise tagged one color then, low and behold they are another color because Savers does not want these items discounted. i.e.: designer bag has green tag one week then, a week or two weeks later it's another color because all green tags are now 50% off. Yet, other items with different color tags, not included in the 50% discount, remains the same color as they were 1-2 weeks ago. Hmmmmm
Another thing to remember, Toys are never or rarely discounted unless you use your stamped discount card or Saver decides to include them in Member discount days (rarely if never). Sometimes, you might luck out and find a toy which you like and they forgot to change the color tag. Now, they have to apply the discount and they look at it suspiciously as if you replaced the tag. Really?!!!! A $4.99 toy and I switched the tags?!!!!!! This happened to me once and the cashier kept telling me that they made a mistake, that the tag was incorrect, and I should not be able to buy it. It was a stapled bag with random small toys, no alterations to the packaging and tag yet, I was getting the "3rd Degree!" from her. Remember, if it's out there to purchase and the tags are incorrect, it's their fault and you are allowed to purchase the item at that price point with the discount.
So, there are still some great deals, you just have to look carefully, look a little harder, and be there at the right time when "new" merchandise are put out. Know what you're buying and what it really retails for so you can make a good and wise purchase. Don't forget to take advantage of the discounts available to you and Happy Thrift and Treasure Hunting!!!! read more