Mel Trotter Ministries Thrift Store

Becca sayen

2024-04

I stopped in today to drop off donations, and arrived at 5:02. They stop accepting donations at 5, and I was pretty bummed after making the trip across town. I didn’t catch the sweet woman’s name that works there, but she has curly hair and glasses, and was so kind! She directed me to the blue bin for my bags of clothing items, and was so kind to take the three other items I had that didn’t qualify for the outside drop off bin. I know she went above and beyond by taking these items inside for me and allowing me to complete my donation trip. Thank you for your kindness and service!

Jill E.

2023-10

I am so impressed with the quality and variety of the resale items offered here. The displays are creative and colorful; the items are neatly presented and organized. Located in Jenison across from Meijer.

kyla devereaux

2023-11

After looking over the reviews I’m noticing I’m not alone nor crazy. I, a white female, was with my best friend, a person of color, doing our weekly ritual of getting coffee and hitting the thrift stores and buying way too much. We were browsing the store when I realized the lady (the one who seems to have a history of this) started following my friend. She started taking things out of our cart when my friend told her politely “hey were actually going to buy those we’re just still shopping.” The lady responded she will keep the items by the register for her if she wants them at check out. We were speechless and had no clue how to read that behavior but didn’t possibly think it was a race thing.. that is until we went to try on our clothes for our new corporate jobs. The lady stayed outside of the dressing room doing inventory of what we took in and what was coming out. As I was going through my final scan of my cart to see what I wanted, she kept taking items and saying to just put the items back when I’m done. I told her these are the items I want hence why they’re in my cart so she watched me go through them. At this point, we just put back our items and left. We love Mel trotter and go to them all over once a week for years. This lady is single handely is going to be the downfall of this location and I’d hope that for a store on a mission to spread the gospel maybe found someone who represented the religion better.

Lindsey D

2023-11

They have a great selection, but the prices are outrageous. They wanted $30 for a used Abercrombie and Fitch sweater. Keep in mind they get these things for free! You’re better off shopping at a regular store when they have a sale.

Priscilla Walden

2023-12

The clothing prices are way too high. Found a Talbots shirt with a Mel Trotter sale sticker and the sales woman said it was a mistake and wouldn't sell it to me for $15.99! No wonder their racks are crammed and slow turnover.

Ike Broflov

2023-12

Overpriced and I try to support this place but they’re even rude about how they accept good donations… be warned donate to a place who actually shows appreciation and doesn’t charge eBay prices!! I will NEVER NEVER donate here EVER again Love inc, salvation anywhere else blows the doors off this “charity”

Kimberly Smallegan

2023-09

Beware! TWO WAY MIRRORSThe only open fitting room is the middle one (not because someone was using the other one though), and next to it is a fitting room sized "staff only" i told my boyfriend i was going to go try on the clothes i picked out, and this guy assuming it was the manager went into the staff only room, i didn't think anything of it but it's weird for it to be staff only when its so small, i went into the fitting room and noticed the mirror was a bit odd, it was placed on the separating wall between the "staff room" and the room i was in, i did the two way mirror test and sure enough it was a two way mirror, it was like sealed onto the wall with caulk very shady.Also pricing is terrible so expensive.Do not shop here unless if you want to be watched while you change by creeps.

Ian Buschini

2023-09

Well from skimming some of the other reviews, I guess I’m not alone. Living in a dream world with their idea of pricing. No sign in the back for how much VHS tapes are but if you come up to the front with a stack of them, management will definitely try to get every dime you have. They were so generous to offer me a 3 for $5 deal. For VHS tapes!? Refused to take $10 for the ten tapes. They assured me there is no haggling allowed at their thrift store. I asked if Mel Trotter was Catholic as I left.

Ryeisha Yancy

2023-05

The items and clothes are way overpriced. $10.00 for some raggedy leggings when I can buy some brand new from Walmart for less than that? No thanks. At this point you are the one donating money.

Samson A

2023-05

The store is organized and has a good set up but the pricing on most items is completely ridiculous. I've noticed the same issue in all Mel Trotters I've been to so I assume it's a corporate issue. However, I could go to a box store and buy most of these items brand new for full price and match what I would pay here. The media pricing when you bundle can be a good deal but that's it.

Stephanie Pabon

2024-04

I thrift many things all over West Michigan and they are the highest priced by far. I wouldn't bother stopping.

Sue Hendricks

2022-05

I used to stop in at least once a week but now I never go in there. I have purchased things on the sale rack (brand new) at Macy’s and Kohl’s for the prices they charge. I had lunch with friends Thursday and both said they no longer shop there due to high prices. All three of us were good customers they lost due to outrageous prices. I love to “thrift shop” but they are off my radar now. We also don’t donate to them anymore! Something has to be done…don’t donate…that might help! Revive is a better store as far as price goes and they have sales. It’s also in Jenison.

Y

2023-05

What I experienced coming into this thrift shop is the worst experience I’ve had. I came into the store with my grandchild to a very ugly unpleasant greeting from the lady at the cashier box. She immediately made feel racially discriminated, by proceeding to follow me and my grandchildren every single isle we went down. Then when i paid and was walking outside my grandchildren were playing with some off the toys they had outside she immediately went outside behind us to pretend to look at one of the window displays but clearly she was annoyed that my grand babies where playing or looking at the toys. I can take my business else where.

Reagan Wierenga

2023-05

I guess I just don’t understand why all of their clothing are so overpriced. You get the donated clothes for free and so no matter what you are making a profit. 80% of the stores prices are over $10. Almost every pair of shoes are almost $10-15 and they’re dirty! Don’t get me wrong I love thrifting but these prices are just going to drive everyone to cheaper places like Goodwill!

Bob Jones

2023-05

Better selection than most thrift stores nearby, but exceptionally overpriced. MANY of their items are priced higher than the new retail price. Never buy anything anymore because of the egregious pricing. Whoever prices items really needs to be talked to before they drive everyone away

Cindie Follett

2023-05

VERY over priced!!!! This is a 2nd hand store and everything is donated but the prices are outrageous!! I'm all for organizations that help others but the pricing is WAY off!Here are some of the prices on a few things I looked at!! Used purse-$14.99Used shoes-$9.99 Used men's shirt-$9.99 Used book-$2.99 Used womens wallet-$6.99 Used small cosmetic bag(the kind that is usually free with purchase)-$3.99 Used coffee mug-$6.99I even found stuff from DollarTree priced at $1.99 Do they really expect people to pay more than a dollar for a dollar store item?I was extremely disappointed!! I used to stop in all the time but moved about 30 minutes away. It's been about 9 months since I been there and I probably won't be back. While in the store I spoke with another customer who informed me Mel Trotter has hired a firm to do their pricing, I think they must be from a large city like New York or L.A because nothing made sense in there!

Vanessa

2023-05

If I could give this place zero stars I would. From the minute I walked into the store with my children the lady at the register kept following and racially profiling me. I’ve never experienced racism first hand. Maybe they should hire people to work the store who actually happy to welcome all different kinds of people !!! I was going to purchase items and decided not to because they were just plain off rude.

Laura Muresan

2021-05

I used to enjoy this store, but the prices have become outrageous. If the prices are so high, there should at least be a color of the week sale so that overpriced items will be reasonable at some point. The store itself if fine, but I no longer bother going unless I have time to kill. I understand it's for a good cause, but so are the other thrift stores in the area, so I don't see a reason to shop here.

Michael Holsinger

2022-05

I used to enjoy shopping here but over the past year or so they’ve significantly raised their prices. Once in a while you may find a true bargain, but not lately. Today I stopped in and noticed a really nice pair of mens shoes. Checked the price….$44.99. $44.99? At a thrift store? You’ve got to be kidding. They’ll never sell them at that price cuz that’s what you’d pay for a brand new pair off the shelf. Now I know why I don’t shop here hardly ever….way too expensive for thrift store items.

Kenneth Wyant

2023-05

Freezing cold inside the store the last few times I went. It must be that everyone else must suffer because some dimwitted employee feels comfortable in this temperature range. They haven't put out good priced inventory since last spring.Edit December 2022: you would think they would respond by lowering prices. I actually know how the downtown shelter works. They treat people entering like jail inmates. They are searched by a security guard before they can enter. At one point, they were charging people's bridge cards for meals. I don't know how it was legal, because bridge aren't supposed to be intended for prepared meals.

Peyton Goodman

2022-05

My fiancé and I bought a pre-lit Christmas tree for $70 l. When we got it home, some of the lights didn’t work. Tried to return it the first time and showed up a few minutes before they were scheduled to close and were not let into the store and were told they were closed and that cash registers weren’t open (despite them still being “open”). We went in to return it for a second time and we’re told “Oh no. You can only get in store credit,” despite the fact that the salesperson who sold it to us wrote “7 days to RETURN.” The return/exchange policy was not clear and there were no signs stating the policy either. They refused to give us the $70 back or be any kind of understanding.

Tom Bloem

2023-05

My wife and 3 daughters stopped here today. Is it a habit to follow customers around the entire time? Every aisle the same lady found work to do. My wife skipped a few aisles thinking maybe the woman was cleaning. Nope! The woman skipped the same aisles and continued to follow my family. At one point the woman went to the jewelry counter and stared at my family. In a city where thrift stores are everywhere, avoid this place if you have children or don't want to be followed.

Elisabeth Gross

2018-05

I've been shopping here regularly for a couple years. I used to go in and buy whatever I saw that I was interested in and hardly looked at the price,bc everything was so cheap. The last few time (since summer 2017) I've noticed a steep increase in prices. I understand the profits go towards a good cause, but I no longer buy many things,only get something if I really need/love it. It's no longer cheaper than Goodwill. Bummer.Came back again, I do really like this store, but I continue to be bummed that their pricing is higher each time I enter the store. Clothes are no longer get cheaper here than Goodwill :(. For this I have to take a star away.

shannon melinn

2020-05

I’ve been a loyal customer to this location for a long time my mom and I have both spent lots of money here but after today I will not be returning. The old cashier lady accused me of switching a price on an item because it was “priced to low compared to other similar items” she even had a manager come do a price check and they increased the price by 5$! I told them that wasn’t fair and her response was “well we have had people put their own prices on stuff before” I won’t waist my money here again and they are becoming to high priced anyways! What a joke, I’ll spend my money at goodwill and other local thrift shops!

Lara W

2023-05

I always find something I like here! Great selection of high quality items at unbeatable prices. I found a wool coat for 10$!! Exactly what I need for this upcoming season.

Donielle Tusing

2022-05

My son and I went into this store today to burn time. My daughter had an interview near by. Felt like a crime to be walking around this store followed the whole time. Since when do we organize toys when we are looking at toys. Move to the womans section. Look whos there two ladies moving clothes from one spot to another. Like come on 3.99 for a dollar store hat. I will never step a foot in this store ever again. Rude not welcoming employees what so ever. My kids love thrift store and garage sales but this one let us down. Good luck staying open for much longer.

Lita Sandy

2023-05

Clean and neat store, some variety, I drove here twice and didn't find anything for myself. Kind of typical thrift store merch but a bit high priced. UPDATE: SAME old story; like other thrifts, they get by on clothes. If you want hard goods or collectibles - WAY overpriced! What goes on at Mel Trotter? Both of their GR stores are like this!!!

Leah Dlugopolski

2021-05

Prices were way too high and off-putting staff. First time in I bought some items and they charged me more than the ticketed price. I said something and the staff seemed bitter about my remark. They proceeded to give me what I was owed in change (quarters and dimes), the man who gave it to me seemed snarky about the "small" price difference pointed out, and it wasn't even the correct amount I was owed. It also appeared as if my friend and I were being watched, everywhere I went there was an employee nearby and there weren't even that many there. Skip this place and go to the goodwill!

Angela Bushway

2023-05

This store is so overpriced I am ashamed that they have the nerve to price their stuff so expensive for people who are in need. They claim to be a Christian program to help people. And then go and charge people $20 for used jeans $15 for sweatshirt I was disgusted and they should be ashamed of themselves for charging people. I would not buy anything from them.

Beth Way

2023-05

Prices are ridiculously high - sometimes more than the retail price! Used to go pretty regularly but whoever is pricing their items is out of their mind. Not worth even going in.