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2011-09-10

This Week I Thrifted...

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Dress? Thrifted Necklace? Flea market

What? Vintage, wool,, long sleeved, pretty friggen awesome dress
Where? Value Village
How Much? $12.99
Why? Don't know where to start on how much I love this dress. I love the long sleeves, the pattern mix, the length of the skirt and it's quality. It's in near perfect condition (I need to put one stitch on the neckline) and I can't wait to wear this with a super high pair of heels and some mulled wine this autumn. Note: I'll be drinking that mulled wine, not wearing it... unless I drink too much then I may wear some.
Sadly, as thrilled as I am with this dress, this will be my last thrifting trip to my Hamilton Value Village for a while. I have extensively bitched about Value Village's prices before and even threatened a break-up but this last trip cemented my decision. The stained Mexx shirt dress for $17.99 got my blood pressure up high but it was the Urban Behaviour polyester dress (if you are unfamiliar with UB, click here for a price sampling... I think it's kind of like a Charlotte Russe?) for $24.99 that broke a bit of my thrift heart. I don't mind paying $13 for a high quality, wool dress; I would prefer to pay $3 but $13 is still value for my dollar. But when a thrift store puts items at higher price points than consignment stores or even a good sales rack, the point of thrifting is lost for me. It's a pity because some of my favourite thrift finds (here and here) have come from this very Value Village. I thrift because I love the thrill of the treasure hunt and seeing crazy prices on mediocre items steals all the joy out of the experience. And so, I'm breaking up. Maybe it's over like Robyn and Ted or maybe time will heal all wounds, like Ross and Rachel. I'm not going to start a boycott campaign complete with a Facebook page and some bad spelling; I may write a letter (be afraid, very afraid...) but for the most part, I'll just be taking my thrift elsewhere. Peace out Value Village, I'll be back when you stop stealing my thrift joy.


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45 comments :

Loren said...

I've been finding a little of this myself too. I found a silk Christopher and Banks sweater today for like 4 dollars but then they have Forever21 tops marked up. I think it definitely has to do with how new/popular the item is in that location. Things that are from this year seem to be marked up the most often.

Angela Russell said...

I have seen the same thing in my area too. On the plus side they don't know high quality when they see it. Go ahead and over price chintzy fad store items. I don't want those anyway!

Unknown said...

That dress is soooo amazing!
Perhaps the people who do the pricing aren't so well educated on brands/quality as yourself...maybe it's just time you taught them a lesson or two!

Natasha ~ Required2BeInspired

Katie, Interrobangs Anonymous said...

Out here we have Arc, which I think is owned by the same people as Value Village. What I like about Arc is their pricing consistency: a shirt will cost you $2.49-$49. It doesn't matter if it's silk, cotton, stained, vintage, or handmade, that's the price. I've gotten the best deals there because they are are so indiscriminate in my favor. A tags-still-on Lily Pulitzer dress for $5.99, a giant silk Liberty scarf for $0.99.

P.S. Gorgeous dress, but I'm itching just looking at it!

Lisa said...

Gorgeous dress. That necklace is fantastic paired with it. I'm sorry about your breakup. :)

The Fashionista Next Door said...

That dress is GORGEOUS!!! wow. GREAT find!

Totally feel on you the thrift store pricing. NOTHING and I mean NOTHING should be over $10 in my opinion (leather and fur are my only exceptions) and most things should be under $5. The nerve! Of course, I'd probably have to stop by from time to time...breakups are so hard at first. Lol!

xoxo
Eboni Ife'

K.Line said...

That's amazing.

Someone said...

Doesn't it SUCK that they are all jacking up their prices? Just when people need it most. It's a nightmare.

Thrift stores these days are JERKS. It is so true that they are taking the fun out of the whole thing.

Kate said...

$24 for an urban behavior dress?!? I'm not even sure I would pay $24 for a dress AT urban behavior, let alone a pre-owned one at value village! I don't blame you one bit for your upset... that's ridiculous!

Terri said...

I've actually never been to a thrift store (I have nothing against them, I've just never had to guts to go in one), so I don't have a tale of woe. I just wanted to say the dress and necklace together look really cute. Enjoy the mulled wine!

http://stylishsass.blogspot.com

. said...

I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to relate to one of your thrift stories! The Buffalo Exchange in my town is the exact same way - chock full of Target/mall clothing for more than what I can get that mall clothing at on clearance. Pointless, except maybe I'll go back once more and just stuff advertisements for your blog into pockets of clothing to show their customers true thrift potential..

Unknown said...

You know this is how I feel a LOT of the time about stuff at our Value Village as well. I used to think the our GW was over priced and moved to V.V. but, lately GW has had way better prices on stuff. I have a hard time buying a charlotte russe or target top for the same price I can get it when it goes on clearance, and they are BRAND NEW too! ;)

Anjela said...

OH so, so true!!! I recently scored a United Colors of Benetton angora wool sweater, made in Italy, for $2.99 at a local Value Village and was in shock because is was right next to polyester Reitmans shirt for $12...i've no idea who does the pricing at VV! BUT, I sort of go back for that very reason; chances are in the sea of overpriced H&M,Cleo,XXI,UB, etc. you can find that one awesome piece for real low cheap ;)
Your dress proves that ;) it's fabulous!

Danielle said...

What a perfect fall dress!

I've been pretty frustrated with Value Village's pricing lately also. There have been several items that I've passed over because I can buy them new, on sale for the same price. I can't help but wonder who actually pays those ridiculous prices.

Unknown said...

Boo on the overpriced UB dress. I must say this fabulous wool dress is a score though!

Anonymous said...

I see the same thing, but the high prices are generally on the really popular (but crappy quality) mall brands. The better quality older stuff usually escapes them because they think it looks dated. So I don't care. I'd rather let them keep thinking that Aeropostale and Abercrombie are the cash cows.

Savannah said...

I couldn't agree with you more. I hate 'special price racks' at the Goodwill charging waaaaay to much for crap. Just the other day they we're selling a vintage fur shall for $80! on their special price rack. Although last year I got a vintage fur coat for $7 at the Goodwill. Those jacked prices take all the fun out of it. They need to be reminded that the smell of thrift stores, the clutter, the huge racks to dig through, is reason enough for them to sell cheap.always.

Katie, Interrobangs Anonymous said...

Yeah, that comment was supposed to read $2.49-$4.99. Not $49. That's what you pay for them fancy new shirts.

Louise, Raspberries In Winter said...

I love that necklace! And the gold and blue together, too.

leFiligree said...

i love to bitch about value village because of their high prices. but i still check out the goods on my rounds. today i got some CYDWOQ Trap handmade shoes for $8. i am peeing my pants, but i will curse VV next week, i am sure.

Nikki | The Ginger Diaries said...

I love the necklace you bought! ^^ . We don't really have thriftstores in the area so I live vicariously through my fellow bloggers. It sad to hear how even thriftstores get frightening pricetags these days. Maybe they should do some more research before pricing their items instead of just put on a random price. It would centainly help :) x

Sorcha said...

Gorgeous dress. I love the colour conbination.

I have exactly the same problem the few times I have tried to thrift near my home - I've actually seen used items for MORE than they originally retailed. I just don't understand how stores think that's a good idea!

Ms. Falcon said...

this dress is an amazing find. perfect for the colder days in fall!

i often see used items in thrift or charity shops(oxfam)that are more expensive than they were originally tagged.

http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

Rin said...

What a beautiful dress!!

heather said...

i broke up with value village (saver's here in texas) for the same reason. 12.99 for a banana republic t-shirt? 24.99 for aldo shoes? who do they think they are now??

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it be better to say "Ha ha" to the ridiculous prices and still score on the treasures that you have found like this navy dress that is going to look amazing on you? Love the way you style your outfits! Eileen

Linda said...

If you want, I can write the letter. But I can't guarantee that people won't threaten to resign or someone will get fired or Value Village won't go out of business. You should just open your own thrift shop, although all the good stuff will be gone because you'll take it all.. :)

Please may I? said...

Beautiful dress, necklace too.

X x

myedit said...

Anon 10:44- I agree that the pricing doesn't affect me so much because I am not lookin for mall brands, and vintage treasures are still reasonably priced (but those prices are rising too) but I just need a break from VV because those prices make me fume and ruin the experience for me. I love the act of thrifting and the stupid prices kill it for me right now.... :(

Librarian Tells All said...

Mmm, real wool for $12.99 is a steal! What sort of TLC does the neckline need? It looks perfect to me.

<3 jen @ Stuff Jen Did

Louise (Fifth Sparrow) said...

I completely agree- it's sad but, VV is just crazy over priced! There are so many times that I see something in there that would cost less on sale, new, at the actual store it comes from (a pair of American Eagle capris circa 2000 for $16 comes to mind).
But this dress is a beauty, I can't wait to see how you style it up! Such an interesting print, quite perfect for fall! xx

Vintage Cat's Eyes said...

I'm with you too about VV, Jentine. Although we can benefit when the pricers don't recognize the good stuff, the prices keep edging up & up. Their recent forays into new merchandise also leave me cold; I wish they'd stick to what they (used to!) do best.

Vintage Cat's Eyes said...

How could I forget! That dress you found is Incredible; great find!!! Look forward to seeing it on you.

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful dress. Value Village goes by Savers in our neighborhood. I hold a "preferred customer" card, which allows me to find bargains and to pre-shop sales. I've just learned to be very choosy about WHEN I shop there. Guess it helps a bit to be over 55.

Emily said...

That's disappointing about VV. I actually recently bought a groupon to the VVs in St. Louis because of the luck you had while shopping there...
hopefully my purchase doesn't turn out to be in vain!

K said...

I just love you. You speak my thrifty language. It really boils my blood when I see thrift stores that I love jacking up prices on things. It really does steal away the love of thrifting. I hope you can return to this place some day, but the good new is, there are always more thrift stores.

Anonymous said...

no way.

Love from Oregon USA,
Danielle
xoxoxoxo

when morning comes
my twitter

GFS said...

I instantly hate this dress. I hate. How could you buy such an ugly dress!?!? YUCK!

Now.Send it tome. I'll email you my address.

:)

Sylvia said...

Not too long ago, I found an Ikea "Jokk Mokk" pine table and chairs at a Salvation Army for $116. Now, I have the same set, but I got it for $75 new at Ikea. I think that's a travesty. And Value Village consistently has higher prices than any other store, even for stained/damaged items. It bugs me!

Thriftanista in the City said...

Fabulous find! Love the color combo.

Emily Dawn said...

I think there must have been an order handed down from management about Value Village's dress pricing, because it went through the roof here, too, about a month ago. There isn't a single one under $12.99, and most are in the $17.99-$24.99 range.

On the bright side, they still haven't figured out that they should up the prices on vintage, so that's something.

Lissy said...

Wow that dress is just gorgeous! Can't wait to see it in action!

Anonymous said...

I thought this was a skirt and sweater at first. I love that it is a dress! I just recently discovered how absolutely awesome thrifting can be. The Salvation Army store in my hometown does 50% off clothing on Wednesdays. I've scored some major finds for just a few dollars. It's so much fun!

Lonestarcasie said...

I think this dress stopped my heart for a second. Perfection!

www.stylinggame.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

good find! it will look lovely on you.
it totally sucks that you have to break up, but i agree...thrift stores seem to be getting a bit stingy. i've noticed this as well. maybe it's the economy? everyone's trying to make a few extra bucks these days. you know what makes me mad? when i go to a thrift store and someone has already figured out what passes as "vintage", so they hike up the price (like waaaaay up!) and give the "vintage" their own racks. boo for me.