Last week, I experienced a disheartening situation while attempting to donate a sizable collection of gently used and brand new baby clothes. During the process, the individual responsible for collecting the donations made me uncomfortable by physically touching my back and opening my bag without my permission. He proceeded to inform me that certain items were not accepted, prompting me to select specific pieces to keep or discard. This interaction felt extremely disrespectful; it is inappropriate to rummage through someone's belongings in front of others, especially when the act of donating should be respected and appreciated. The way donations are handled is crucial, as it reflects the organization's values towards those who contribute. Instead of maintaining a judgemental atmosphere, management should foster a culture of gratitude and respect for the generosity of the donors. It was embarrassing to be put on the spot, as the person collecting donations seemed entirely unaware of what items might be valuable to others. Each piece we donate comes from a place of care, having been cleaned and sorted from our basements and garages with the intention of helping those in need. I left feeling disheartened and reconsidering where to take my donations in the future. Perhaps I will opt for the Salvation Army instead of Valley Village, where there seems to be greater respect for the act of giving. It is essential to recognize that volunteers and staff should connect with donors positively and meaningfully, as they are the backbone of many charitable organizations. Policies must be re-evaluated to ensure they promote goodwill and appreciation for generosity, rather than creating an uncomfortable environment that drives people away. Donors deserve to feel valued and their contributions acknowledged, rather than subjected to the embarrassment of having their items scrutinized. This is a call for a more thoughtful approach to donation collection, one that encourages community members to give freely and joyfully, knowing their contributions will be met with gratitude. All employee need seriously training plus management rude they don't answer your question This employee they hate the job because the management read more

Hardly leave reviews but AVOID this location. On one occasion, we were followed by a very aggressive security guard who tried to kick my friend out for not wearing a bra, although she was fully covered. He claimed it was because she was underage and other customers were uncomfortable, but the store was empty and the guard was uncomfortably staring at her chest- again, nothing was actually visible and everything was covered. On another, they tried to sell a friend's skateboard she had left out front (nowhere near the donation box) for maybe 5 minutes before they brought it in for pricing. Skateboards are usually not allowed in stores, so she left it outside out of respect, and multiple staff saw her with it before we came in. She was only able to get it back because I had multiple pictures of her with/on it and another customer who saw the whole thing go down backed us up. Prices are high (45$ for a pair of visibly used jeans, 30$ for regular, well-worn rain boots) and lots of stained or damaged items. I completely understand retail jobs are hard, and shoplifting is frequent lately so extra security makes sense, but too many folks here are unnecessarily rude. read more

We donated some clothing and household items which we do at least on a monthly basis. My daughter used the 20% off coupon to buy 4 items. Two items didn't fit and had to be "exchanged" the next day. For the exchange they didn't want to give her the 20% off on the two new items. That's what an exchange is! I told them she's a student and the mamager said sorry, the 20% isn't transferable. How unfair! Well Value Village, nice job, now our donations will all be going to St.Vincent de Paul and we're more than happy to boycott your store. Your prices have gotten so out of line, we could buy similar items for brand new at Winners for the same price. Your greed has gotten the better of you. Do better! read more

This store specifically made me decide to never support such a terrible organization that is value village. Purchased a dresser here and was unable to bring it back home with me at that time as I'm moving and I had boxes in my car. I was told to pick it up before close which was not a problem, until I got called into work for the evening. Not thinking this was a huge issue as I'll pick up the next day, I gave this store a phone call to let them know I'd be in the following day. The store manager told me that their policy is that the item must be picked up the same day or else it goes back on the sales floor. I explained to her that it was already bought and paid for and that I could not make it in due to work. She rudely asked me why I wasn't understanding her. I was not in the mood to have it out with someone and told her that I'd be back tomorrow to either pick up my piece or get a refund. She began to go off on me over the phone, constantly repeating herself, telling me that I would not receive a refund and she couldn't guarantee that it go home with my piece if I didn't pick up the same day. Do we have to continue to remind this company that all of these products are donated and NONE of the proceeds go to charity? Why can't I, as someone who works two jobs and in between a move, pick up my bought and paid for dresser the next day. Truly unbelievable. Never supporting this company that thrives on taking advantage of people. read more

I'm a big fan of second hand shopping. I like this Value Village for it's size and organization. They seem to have a cracker Jack team keeping everything sorted and organized, and they also seem to get some really great items at this location. Early mornings bring some relic hunters and I was lucky enough to arrive before them and pick up a couple nice treats for myself. If ever I'm looking for a costume, an item I would really like to have but don't want to spend a lot, I'm off to Value Village! read more

Value Village - A well oiled machine! - Thrift Stores Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Ohhh how I love the V and V! The bf and I are frequent bargain hunters and we love to stop by Value Village whenever we have some extra cash to spend - it just goes so much further there! We live closer to the location on Clyde, but the Bank St. location is my favourite. They always have a wider and clothing selection and it's cleaner and more organized than the Nepean store. They also donate to the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Foundation which is near and dear to us. That being said, I love all Value Villages for their treasure-hunting nature, superior customer service and awesome deals. It's like one giant garage sale every time I go! I recommend this location for stuff for your home, clothing and shoes. Not a regular V and V-er? Start of by checking out their book selction - you'll be a convert in no time. read more

Value Village - Thrift Stores Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Large, but mostly clothing, expected more housewares and random junk. Fairly large media section. One of the more highly price Value Villages in Ottawa. read more

This Value Village has some of the best selection that I've ever seen compared to other Value Villages I've shopped at. I've found many great books, movies, framed pictures, a great vintage photo, antique toys, a purse, and lots of clothing. The store is well kept and the employees are often helpful. However, this is a popular store, so it can quickly get picked over. As a former employee of another Value Village, I have a few tips. The best times to go are weekdays between 9-5 when the Production people are putting out new items. The best places to go for clothing are the racks by the dressing rooms, cash registers and in the middle of the aisles, but be mindful of the employee who's trying to organize the rack or put the clothing out on the sales floor. The weekends, especially Sundays, are the worst times to go. Also, I really don't think 50% off sales are ever worth going to. The stuff gets picked over so quickly and the dressing rooms are packed with huge line-ups. Most times, people just end up returning items they buy at these sales on impulse. If you're looking for the best time of the year to go to VV, show up around December when everyone is shopping elsewhere for Christmas. Halloween is the worst time to go. read more

This Value Village's community donation centre is the Canadian Diabetes Association. This location really does have quite the wide selection of items. It's quite large, one of the largest I've seen, and I find that it actually carries many more items that you are more likely to wear or purchase. The quality of the items seems to be higher - cleaner, newer, and in better shape overall. They also advertise a lot during Halloween, when they carry a lot of costumes. The prices are inexpensive, as expected. You usually don't have to do too much digging to find something you like, and you can usually grab really a great vintage or old school item for a wicked price. Even things as simple as belts are easy to find here, which are usually overpriced elsewhere. read more

Last time there I was with my husband and we had a cart flled with items. We walked up to cash and an older lady walked up behind us with things to buy and the cashier told us to let her go first! I thought she was kidding, cause shes older. I was sicker than that lady I had cancer! read more

Very packed, came here for my Halloween costume. My boyfriend is going to be an old lady and I'm going to be an old man. Very pleased with our outfits he found a hideous purple pant suit and I found a pair of pants and a Hawaii shirt and he found a hat that had grey hair attached to it and said 50 on it All came to 42$ which I found to be expensive for value village considering its used I could've found nice outfits my age group for half that price so I was expecting less but that's fine I'm happy with my finds read more

Used to be a good second-hand store but the prices have become outrageous... I would avoid this store and support more local second-hand stores and thrift shops. read more

I come here all the time, but only because Value Village is one of the only stores I can shop at for clothing with such a small budget. I don't know what is going on, but the pricing is absolutely awful and inconsistent. Really bothers me how much they overprice some of the items! $40 for a used dress from the Gap? Are you kidding me? $17 for a used long sleeve shirt!!!! I find that the shoes are especially overpriced. I once saw a pair of stripper shoes (I knew they were actual stripper shoes from previous experience) being sold for $50. I know for a fact that brand new at the store, they are only $60. Stop charging so much for brand names!!! ALDO is not an expensive brand name shoe, so stop charging $20+ for them. It upsets me soooo much!!! This store is supposed to be for the less fortunate!! $20, for a lot of people, is too much for a pair of shoes. read more

Disappointed. I find this store empty ( specifically the plastic goodie bags) The furniture area is a mess. The cashiers were slow slow slow. One walked away and left us waiting another 8 minutes to be served. read more

Value Villages everywhere lately have been a huge disappointment to me. I used to shop as frequently as once to twice a week at Value Village. And I used to purchase about $60 on shoes, clothing, books, and all sorts of accessories. Really anything that I would find that I liked I would not hold back on buying because the prices were very decent. Over the past year and half or more, the prices have gradually gone up so much that I NO LONGER shop there. I find that consignment shops are way more reasonable and have better quality products that Value Village. I will not go back or ever recommend it again seeing that they are really taking advantage of poor people in our communities. They don't pay a cent for any of their merchandise yet somehow they can justify their very high prices for used items which is disgusting. Value Village = valueLESS read more

I've been a faithful VV shopper for years. I frequent most Ottawa locations, but my favourite has to be the Bank Street location (with Kanata being my second). HOWEVER, the prices seem to be creeping up at a quick pace. I've given up going to Cyrville altogether - prices are ridiculous. Orleans has finally brough their prices down to a reasonable level. What used to be "bargains" aren't quite bargains anymore. If I shop at a consignment store, prices are usually 1/3 of the original retail price, and the clothing need to be no more than 2 years old (newest styles), in pristine condition, and freshly laundered or dry cleaned. Lately, I've been able to find cheaper items at consignment shops than VV. Not quite sure what's going on with that. Lululemon, Joshua Perets, Bench and Rock & Republic are prices ridiculously. A Joshua hoodie for $24.99, when I can get them cheaper at the retail store if I hit their sales (a few weeks ago Joshua retail store was having a 50% sale on everything in the store)? Lululemon at more than half the original retail price, for something that has the size and product info ironed on (they gave up making Lululemon in Canada several years ago), instead of the newer rip out tags...let's not mention full of stains, pilling, seams coming undone, etc? Salvation Army stores are selling these same items for a fraction of the price - Lululemon items all under $10, with no sales tax. Joshua and Bench for under $7.99, and designer jeans for $12.99 and under (not $34.99 like VV in Kanata). Value Village needs a reality check soon....or they'll lose all their faithful customers. Listen to your customers, and browse around the store aisles and listen to the comments being made - "boy are the prices ever expensive here". read more

Location is good. Huge store. Halloween is a bit crazy but the seem to handle it well putting on loads of cashiers.

I have to say, the only thing I shop for are name brand items, especially when they are extra 50%. Otherwise, I know how to find bargains at stores where at VV, the prices for the same thing used are too high. read more

I'm VERY disappointed in the customer service at this Value Village lately! I have been a regular customer at this location for years now! I'm a young female and I usually like to go in after I'm done at the gym and I don't drive so I have no choice but to carry my large gym bag with me everywhere I go. A elderly lady working this week in the change room section started yelling at me to not bring my gym bag into the store anymore. I asked her how come and she didn't answer me. The same lady who was organizing the clothes beside the change room told other customers coming out of the change room that I was "Dumping my clothes on the ground for her to do more work" which was extremely rude and uncalled for. I handed her the clothing I didn't want to buy & walked out the store pissed off. She ruined my day & my experience at Value Village as a regular customer! I've noticed the manager never smiles. The other staff always take too long to cash people out in the line ups on Saturdays and Sunday's. Very very poor service at Bank Street location! Won't be shopping there anymore if this keeps up.. read more