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January 2024 by RSH
I was just looking at the reviews online for the UGM store from the community and I have to say, I'm really disappointed that so many people would go out of their way to complain about prices there when there are so many pieces to this mission.1. Everyone complains about their taxes funding these government programs that don't even work, but the UGM is 100% community funded, therefore they can create their program based upon REAL problem solving classes.So when you shop at UGM you're not just shopping resale, it's literally to support the mission of helping our own community- which contributing members of society are coming out of.2. These women and children in our community are able to go there WITH NO MONEY!! If you've ever been a victim of domestic violence or suffered from addiction then you know that this is your biggest barrier to finding hope in recovery.Because of the generosity of our community - these women don't have that huge barrier anymore. They get their own room with their children, they have the first pick of all of the great things that get donated for clothes, shoes, and hygiene needs, and they are fed 3x a day with more than enough amazing food to go around!!This is an 18-24 month live-in program, and I have never met women (and men from Spokane UGM) that have more strength and perseverance. These are more than just contributing members of society, they are out here changing the world!3. Almost 100% of the staff at the thrift store are women that are in or have graduated the program - and it's also a mission of the UGM to be able to pay them a wage that they can live on, not just survive in the world.The people that donate those things to be resold know what they are donating towards and they don't care if the pricetag is high, because the salvation and recovery of others in our community is worth more to them.Don't be so fast to jump up and leave a bad review for something that has changed this community in ways that can never be paid back!!!Call to action - I ask everyone who has anything to do with UGM and knows the difference they are making to go leave a positive review to drown out this nonsense.
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January 2024 by Miranda Newell
I want to start by saying that I’ve seen complaints about the prices here. But I don’t know if everyone is aware that these stores fund their 2 year life recovery programs for men and women who are lost in addiction and domestic violence. A program that is 100% free to them and funded by donors, not the government.These stores provide clothes and items for 2 crisis shelters, 3 life recovery programs, and also employ the men and women who graduate the program. They get paid a wage that they can actually live on and provide for their families instead of falling back into making their money on the streets cause they can’t live on $15.00 an hour.The leaders of this ministry are dedicated to helping the homeless, the poor, the lost and addicted… find hope, freedom and love that sets them up for a lifetime.I hope you all get a chance to read this review before some of the petty reviews by people who are complaining about prices without knowing where that money truly goes.UGM is 100% donor funded. And they pay back the community for their generosity by giving us back our loved ones who may have never found freedom without them.
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January 2024 by Dorothy Carpinteyro
For a "spiritual" store, there staff is 100% rude!!!!!! It is so hard to find help, or you ask and get attitude. We purchased a lot of stuff there over the years and it's always been the same. Time to find another store to shop at.
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January 2024 by Mike Lowery
These people judged me and they weren't even trying to act like they were christians yet. Who is gonna act like they got an attitude with me for not knowing that a damn pair of shoes is almost two hundred dollars at a freaking thrift store... Did spokane valley turn into beverly hills or is that woman from there
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December 2023 by DigitalHare (DigitalHare)
Nothing I saw was priced like a thrift store, for example.. A set of Logitech computer speakers, missing the primary piece, the part you need to use them.. 18 bucks. Used furniture at like 50 each.. Nah. Giving this place a miss from here on. I don't know what programs they run or what charity they provide, but it's irrelevant - my review is for the thrift store element. Clean and well enough laid out, bring a set of headphones if religious music isn't your thing.
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November 2023 by Jeremy Kramer
Its hard to put a negative reveiw. Although its important to give feedback that is valuable to the intrest of all. I visited what we are calling Thrift stores now. But what im seeing is more store now. No Thrift. People shop thrift to save money or even find a diamond in the rough. Give example I seen a 5 gal red gas can.no lid just the shell. The cost on tag was $30. You can purchase a new one at fredmeyer not walmart for $19.99. Thriftstores are going for retail space and store front property now. Its important to stay thrift. I strongly beleave there is a issue within non profit currently that needs tobe reveiwed Exspeally which direction perhaps that path is leading.
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October 2023 by Mrs. C.
I couldn't decide whether to give this thrift store a 1 or 2. I gave it a 2 only because in the past their prices were fair and I bought a lot of lovely things from them. Not any more. I went there for the last time yesterday and will never go back. Yes it is clean and they have ok things but nothing deserving of the price gouging there. I am was shocked yesterday at what extremely hight prices they were asking for basic, noting wonderful things. For instance a man's long sleeve shirt was $20. Absolutely Not!!! I will not ever go back there. Best to go to the best thrift shop in town and that is the Humane Society Thrift Shop. At the risk of everybody going there now after I tell you how great this place is, its for a good cause and there prices are great and they have really wonderful things.
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September 2023 by Terry Bondy
Good selection, friendly staff very clean. Very nice place to shop!
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September 2023 by Hayley
Really expensive, more expensive than target, tj maxx, Nordstrom rack etc. Really sucks for the environment and planet that thrift stores price gouge like this, leaving people unable to afford to shop there.
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September 2023 by dee butler
We had been out of town on the coast and this was our first weekend back home. We had been running around all weekend and at the last minute we store of this cool store which have found a lot of nice things in on varies trips here before. We have also donated to this store as well. But this last time we when in it was as if we were on watch detail the whole time we were there. One lady asking my wife weird questions as she is trying to shop and saying did you find anything as she was exiting the bathroom. I, unfortunately have a spidey sense when I am being watch and it’s a weird and uncomfortable feeling as you are trying to shop and when you lift your head quickly you can see them turn theirs of if you are down an aisle you turn quickly and they act like they are straightening stuff on the shelves but what they don’t know is that you have already seen them out of the corner of your eye. Gosh darn it just put a sign on your glass clearly stating who is not welcomed to shop and I will not come back. The sad part is as I entered the building I was told welcome in! But then made to feel like I was a thief being followed up and down aisle I just gave up trying to enjoy my experience and just sat in the furniture section because surely I hope they don’t think I am going to pick a chair and run out of the building.
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May 2023 by Robert Patterson
They have a little "higher" level of thrift items. UGM is cleaner and less cluttered than other thrift stores. And prices are also a little bit higher. Profits go to a good cause. You get an opportunity to donate to provide a meal for someone less fortunate when checking out.
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April 2023 by Stephen A.
UGM seems only interested in making money. They seemed to be confused as to whether they are a charity or a for profit business. There are other more deserving organizations to donate to.
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March 2023 by Teresa Kofalk
This is probably the cleanest thrift store I have ever seen. Nice employees, good selection of things. Their items for sale are not in disrepair but look to be in very good condition. I was impressed. I however, did not purchase anything as I found their pricing to be very high. For example, I found some kitchen glasses that matched mine and I needed a couple replacements. I had paid $1.00 ea originally at this same store but now they want $4.0 ea. Plain yoga pants, $10.00, saw some Wrangler jeans like new $30.00. Wow, I was shocked. I don't know if all thrift stores are now like this but I was bummed. I used to be able to find good deals, not anymore.
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February 2023 by Reanna Whitehead
I really enjoy going to that store the manager there is really cool she has the employees or herself color coat all the clothing there the store is very clean and always smells good. I completed some community service there years ago but all staff were very pleasant and worked with enjoyment so it made my time pleasant.
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February 2023 by GOAT
Extremely disappointing experience.See the end for the compliments and recommendations. I will come back in a couple months and update my review, hopefully for the positive.Improvement Opportunities:This store is priced like a high-end boutique, not a thrift store. The pricing structure that they using is not conducive to a successful thrift store. Their competition needs to be the other thrift stores within a 5-mile radius of this store, not retail businesses like Walmart or Fred Meyer. They are pricing their items by using brand new retail prices, and then a certain percentage off of that. There is not one section of the store that is not at least 50% overpriced compared to other stores in the area (and that's not an exaggeration). Even if you find something at the 30% off color of the week discount, it is still overpriced. You can go online and have these items shipped to your house for less money than what they are in the store right now.The Coeur d'Alene store is the same way. I hope the regional management that has come in with these new pricing structure reads the recent reviews, as it seems to be the common theme. Please take the criticism constructively and view it as an improvement opportunity, as everything else seems to be working well but your pricing. Your business model should be volume in, and volume out. Not volume in, and sell a few overpriced items a day out. I found countless items for sale online that I can get shipped to my home cheaper then what was on their store floor. There was literally Dollar Store items priced for $6. I found more than one instance of this.Postives:The staff is great, the reorganization of the store is well done, and it's for charity.Recommendation:> Take the people in charge on a field trip. Be familiar with the other thrift stores in your vicinity. That is your competition, not Walmart.> Observe your customers while they are in your store. My jaw was on the floor when I was seeing the prices no matter what aisle I was in, and I saw many people doing the same thing.> Reduce every price in your store by a minimum of 30%. Your prices will still be higher than every thrift store in the area, but with your weekly 30% off sales for certain colors, that would then put your prices in a competitive range.> Do not use retail stores to get your price points. Even if the item is new. Using ebay solds for your pricing is your friend. Ebay prices plus a percentage off (at minimum of 50% less than ebay sold prices) is where a thrift store pricing should be at. If you can't find it on ebay, have a basic chart to price off of.> Change your weekly color sale from 30% to 50% to help move old inventory.If you do what I recommended above, I guarantee your sales would increase at minimum 25%. You would be selling more items, but at a lower price, and 25% is being conservative. Your reputation within the community is awful for pricing. Lowering your pricing and restoring your reputation should be your top priority after your very well done reorganization.If you want to reach out to me, I am more than willing to help. I have many more ideas on how you could improve, and draw more customers to your stores. I am highly experienced in second hand item pricing and sales. I just gave one star today, because the pricing was that bad. It took all the good out of the new layout. I look forward to updating this review in the future.
