St. Vinnie's - Albany Thrift Store

Chérie C.

2024-05

They had a 1930s astronomy book... very cool and possibly incredibly rare... whatever, you know? I brought it up to the counter, and they were asking "$150" for it!! NO WAY! I can't afford any old book for that price, and I believe that the book will sit there a long time, unless someone slapped an expensive price on it so no one would buy it. Maybe an employee will buy it cheaper later that day as another reviewer said about "Star Items." Scams!!I entirely thought the book was going to cost $15.00. I can actually see a book of that calliber being $50, and I would still buy it, but not for that price at a thrift store. That's like antique store and flea market pricing! I'm used to seeing the old book area saying prices more in the range of $9.00 - $30.00, which is how it should stay closer towards in price if it's a THRIFT STORE.

Brian Tropp

2024-03

OMG!!!This thrift store is out of control on pricing. Dont waste your time. What they have is more expensive then actual shopping at the mall. Skip this one…

Misty Davis

2024-03

Parling lot is easy to pull into but when leaving, I'd suggest going east for safety purposes. Its difficult to get acrossed all four lanes but parking is good.It has a wide variety but the cost seems to be a little mire than other thrift stores for some things.

Kacie Nicholson

2023-11

Looking for jewelry is insane, they jack up the prices like craaaaazy. Heard an employee talking about a previous staff member cutting her hair, how it makes her look like a boy and its ugly and people shouldnt do that. As a girl with short hair, I was super uncomfortable asking her for help.

Chris

2024-05

Absurdly overpriced! Literal piracy. Items here cost as much as they would if you bought them brand new from any other store. Shame on St Vincent.

Michele C

2023-07

I enjoy shopping at thrift stores. St.Vincent de Paul used to have decent prices on a majority of their donated items, but I've noticed how prices are steadily increasing in this store. Furniture prices are insanely high, and a majority of the furniture does not appear to be in good shape for what they are charging. I've also seen very old items with high prices as well.On a positive note, they have a large selection of books for someone that enjoys reading. You'll also find a large bookcase of used DVD's. Once in awhile you can find a couple items on the shelves with fair pricing. I still go in to look every now and then, but it has become a little more difficult finding a decent price on used goods. Unfortunately, this seems to be happening at a lot of thrift stores which is a shame as everything is donated to some of these businesses.

Linda Adams

2024-04

Last visit the store was rearranging things. What I did not see was one of my favorite, was a book table. I always found at least a book.

Amber Pitts

2023-08

Expensive and dishonestI was purchasing several items and was so excited to find a cardigan that fit well. I brought my items to the cashier and she kept looking at the cardigan. I thought she was looking for the blue tag, but she showed me another tag at the wrist marked .99 at first I thought it was a sale and was excited. She said “no, it’s a STAR item”. “A what?” I asked. Supposedly, if their workers like an item they put a special ticket on it and charge more for it. I told her it was in with all the rest of the sweaters. Didn’t matter. Then she changed the tag to $12.99….excuse me? Bait and switch anyone?? It was an off brand too…maybe I could understand if it was a luxury piece but it wasn’t. It was such a huge let down. I’m a teacher and set a limited budget for clothing.They also have a few racks marked as “vintage” with prices in excess of $100 for items that wouldn’t bring near that in an actual vintage shop. I don’t know who is running this place, but thrift stores should help out those who can’t afford to shop new, and that’s not really what I see here

Laurie

2023-05

First time in this store at this location! Very friendly staff upon entering. The prices make you wonder what type of store you are walking through. You are better off going to the normal store, you will get your items cheaper. Couldn't understand the exuberant prices on the used items. $399 on a small end table/entertainment center. $399 for an outdoor faux wicker chair that didn't have a match and footprints all over the cushion. Men's Nike basketball shorts for $15.99. A Starbucks bottle missing the lid for $12.99. Not really sure how this constitutes THRIFT STORE prices at all. It doesn't matter if inflation is so out of control, the items you are getting are FREE and your pricing methods leave a lot to be desired. There were some items priced okay but the items we were interested in were very expensive. The book section is huge however most authors were not in the section in which they should have been. I am sure there are deals to be had but not on this day! I will shop elsewhere since it is cheaper.

Keith Barton

2023-10

Yes, items can sometimes be higher priced here in Albany, but I've always found employees to be ready to serve and polite. And it is superior to the Goodwill scene.

Molly Cassidy

2023-05

Meh, they have turned this more into a retail type of store than a thrift store. Sorry, but taking EVERY piece of decent name brand and shoving it on racks and marking them up to 20$-40$ is ridiculous. Highly recommend traveling to Junction/Eugene/Springfield goodwill and st vinnies. They do take things and make "name brand" racks but you still find name brand and decent items in the regular racks. This one is not worth it.

Jessica Strawn

2023-05

If I could give negative stars I would. This store has become just as bad as goodwill with their greedy prices with the items donated! They sold my in laws a piece of furniture that was falling apart when the workers brought it to the truck and they told my in laws oh it’s fine it’s just how it’s on the cart and refused to take it back for a refund because it was “on sale” for 128.00! For ppl on a fixed income that shows how greedy that store is becoming!

Leo

2023-06

Don't come here if you don't have a car, even something the size of a purse or knapsack you will be told to hide it out of the street corner or be unable to shop, if you have a bag policy and cannot make sure your shoppers have they're stuff safe then you actively discourage shoppers. Your a retail store, not a movie theater.

Debi Hauer

2024-03

Very friendly staff. Always find treasures

Hannah Carlos

2023-05

Well, to start, I was sold a women’s ‘shirt’, for 4.99 that had bleach stains and missing a button. Upon further inspection, it is actually part of a pajama set🧐. The clothes I purchased were extremely overpriced for a thrift store, let alone a Catholic-run one (clothes otherwise would be in a landfill). Laughable price points really. The speakers were blaring Christmas music so loudly that I was flustered and tried to hurry out, which is why I didn’t notice the shirt’s disrepair. I realized on the trip home that the clothes were quite stinky in the confines of my vehicle. So I quickly tore off tags to launder them, before they stunk up the house. I just now tried to return the sad, damaged shirt. I came with my receipt and even saw the person who rang me up for the shirt originally, but the manager would not only not allow a return, but refused store credit 🙄. To be fair though, management is probably just taking orders from the greedy, corporate higher-ups. ✝️Thank you to the darling cashier, who did rally management, to listen to my saga (to no avail). St. Vinnie what happened? You used to be affordable. You used to actually help folks in need. Sending ‘booooos’ & ‘hisses’ from the parking lot. I will definitely not come back.✌️

Mike B

2021-05

Terrible experience. I've been a regular customer, and I dress respectably. I'm courteous in most all my daily interactions. I've worked retail and customer service for over a decade so I understand service and all of the nuances of every different type of customer interaction. I've had bad experiences there in the past, but nothing worth a negative review online. As a rule, I don't write reviews like this. That said, I've not been treated with such disrespect in any store I've ever been to. I will not be back, and I will no longer refer any business their way.

Holly Hudson

2022-05

Absolutely incredible! My husband and I had a great laugh though so thank you for that! I’ve never seen prices on donations like this! It’s literally more expensive here than a regular store! I buy my coach bags at coach and pay less! How is this place in business?!?! And what is with the price stickers all over!! Stuck to the front of mirrors? This place is terrible

Jess

2020-05

Prices are too high. Clean store and friendly staff.

Olivia Smith

2017-05

I have shopped here several times, specifically for jeans, shorts, summer dresses, and tees/tops. I have never left disappointed. The staff are wonderful, and they are great about ensuring the quality of the items they sell. I love that it's easy to find the prices, and it's convenient that there are straight forward prices displayed for each clothing item grouping (shirts, pants, sweaters, etc...)I called a few months ago to ask if they were accepting pianos, and whether they offered home pick up. I was told that they were accepted based on their current inventory, and was put on hold briefly while she checked on the policy, inventory, and made sure she was giving me accurate information. The customer service is excellent, and I really appreciate how kind they were to me on the phone, as well as in person.The store is clean, well organized, and has fitting rooms available, and very helpful, friendly staff.

Crystal Bushnell

2022-05

I dont get some of the other reviews saying they charge almost full price on used item's.Out of all the 2nd hand stores this one is one of the best. Great prices on everything. Clothes, books and dinnerware.Good quality stuff that you wouldn't know was used.Great staff as well. Always friendly. Unlike goodwill who accuses you of changing the prices on item's.

Kathleen G

2022-05

Laughing at the prices. I believe this place has forgotten that the items they sell are DONATED and meant to help people buy things they can’t afford. However, it’s priced like they are new. I found products that IKEA sells CHEAPER than what their price is even though item is broken, stained clothing for high prices, items from the seventies that have no value and are priced like they are antiques. (I am an antique shopper.) Never shopping here again. I assumed this store represented helping people in need. Shame on you!!

Nerdy By Nature Travels (Angie)

2019-05

Really good book selection and decent prices for those. I’ve found some cool oddities there on occasion. Used furniture is priced at “new” retail price, though, so I don’t even bother looking at any of it anymore. I took off one star because I normally donate items to Goodwill since it’s closer to me but a couple months ago I decided to donate a writing desk to St.Vinnies and the woman I interacted with there was so rude about it I’ll just keep donating to Goodwill.

Sarah Lindsey

2023-05

I do not understand why they have gotten so expensive, people give items for free and you charge brand new prices for used items. I used to love coming here and finding great deals, very disappointed to see they are becoming like Goodwill, EXPENSIVE. No longer a community business, I will be doing business elsewhere now. Maybe when you realize that we are not made of money.

lynette Kaufer

2019-05

Very well organized and clean but the high prices were too much for me and I left without buying anything. A further sour note is that any item considered valuable has a special sticker which never gets discounted. And it would be nice if prices for the books were clearly stated.

Jaymie P

2022-05

Knowingly selling knockoff bags and hiding behind a policy that they cannot authenticate handbags. The person at the counter proudly admitted they knew it was fake. I also got the impression they where the one that priced it. It should not be put on the shelf if it’s fake without being labeled as such. Do not buy designer handbags here.

Lorri Upton

2018-05

It was awesome! My husband is starting a new job and asked me to see if Costco had any Polo shirts. They didn't, I was hoping to be able to buy 1. I then thought about St. Vincent's and was able to buy 6 plus donate some cash for the needy.,. spent 25.00 total. Cashier was great too!

Theresa McGuire

2023-05

I live St Vinnies! I found some tops and a bathing suite st fantastic prices.much less than Goodwill not thst they are always bad just as a comparison. But i am very happy with St Vinnies!

Zee A

2022-05

If i could give 0 stars i would. I was driving through Albany so I thought id stop by. I parked and went in. Not even 2min into being INSIDE I get YELLED AT by the staff at the counter saying nooooo we're actually closed, just now.The sign was on saying open, obviously the door was open if i was able to walk in. But as soon as the ladies saw me they start yelling... instead of saying sorry were closing etc. Not YELL at the customer and just be straight nasty and rude. It wasnt even 6pm yet and there was plenty of people inside and people had just walked in but we were the ONLY ones being told to leave.Customer service is horrible, they way they talk to their customers is very rude and degrading.

Amy M. Murphy

2023-05

Always clean. Friendly and helpful staff. Great prices and discounts. Fantastic selection of books. My favorite thrift/second hand store!!!!!

Tyalis K. & Viridi P.

2021-05

The staff are friendly and the place is decently clean. That's where the fun stops. Overpriced furniture for a thrift store, quite a few items are just dirty, and the selection is often very small. Overall good staff, clean floors, bad thrifting.