Value Village faces backlash for high prices

Thrift shoppers are calling out Value Village after noticing a sharp increase in prices. Dilshad Burman with what may be driving up prices and the impact on those who rely on their secondhand goods being affordable.

[@Keepasking123]

This has been evident for at least 10 years. I’ve even talked to managers before. It’s insane.

[@Niconicoshizuko]

I agree. I remember when I was a kid and I wanted this top, a child’s top, and it was nearly $20. And even about 5 years ago I went to a value village with $50 trying to buy a bunch of things, I ended up walking out with only 3 items.

[@animeisforlosers3485]

Oooo pour baby maybe buy new stimulus economy u b umm

[@letran2313]

I don’t go there anymore , the price has gone up dramatic it’s cheaper to buy brand new

[@bufords]

quit Value Village years ago because of this. Total joke for stuff they never paid a dime for!

[@1984xfm]

Value Village is a for profit corporation masquerading as a "Thrift Store"

[@e75short14]

Value village is absolute scam.

[@saradostal3076]

So are many comments. Shop elsewhere!

[@writerpatrick]

They get the stuff for next to nothing then charge retail prices. I've never shopped there because their prices were always too high.

[@Cherish..2]

I have smaller thrift shops in my area with great prices so I never go into Value Village

[@alinatiwa]

I bought a skirt for $10 and at home I found out it is from Walmart for $4 and purse 👛 for $10 was actually from dollar store for about $3

[@alinatiwa]

They even didn’t remove the price from the other store

[@Lola_Nico]

Wooooow 💀

[@saradostal3076]

You got what you paid for in the end. Maybe in the future be mote observant.

[@althunder4269]

VV is a business not a charity. And they get most of their merch by donation for free as well. They are a scam.

[@georgewash2626]

ONE WORD ====================YEP !

[@saradostal3076]

🙄

[@ttoch684]

Yeah . it is crazy !!! I found a jacket at value village for $349.99 , shoes are $36.99 (used - donate for free !!! ) What the beeping???

[@Tokenblackguru101]

Since when Value Village sells anything over $100.00??? Lol

[@oldskool1979]

Untested stereo electronics for $100+..... no returns ! $10 for used soiled underwear.

[@ty5tto]

People drop off stuff they don't want or need and it gets resold. It's free stuff they get and they hike the price.

[@francem831]

They have to pay their staff, leasing and taxes hence the prices. Watch the video before commenting.

[@tarmach523]

Yep, and they are gouging…from just a few years ago I could find good brands for $5-$9 to now a well known brand hoodie is 34.99.

[@Lee-ys2ts]

Get free goods from people and they jack up the price on used goods. Rather buy new on some products then heafty ticket price on used

[@stephenr6194]

We should Stop buying things from this donation store!

[@saradostal3076]

We should buy and shop wherever we want!

[@shari9721]

The prices at VV were ridiculous before the pandemic and the salaries paid to countless people at the top is just sickening , the fact that they raised the prices even higher is just disgusting .

[@truthis8508]

I thought nobody will notice Good people are aware All items are over priced.

[@justiceleague9658]

No difference from the Trudeau government. They don’t care about the people, but their own wallets.

[@ledegraw]

Months they have been higher for years. Even before covid!

[@dh12.]

I only shop there when I want to pay $30 for 3 year old worn out nikes

[@purplepainpete3781]

But but they're still highly collectable lol

[@AngryCanadian1971]

TRUE STORY. Value Village in Guelph, Ontario was selling a "FREE" Tim Hortons cup that you win on Rolluptherim for 3.99. Talk about WOW.

[@crisc9280]

I've seen certain items priced way too high and it's used. A lot of the time I see the same item (or very similar) at Costco or even Walmart for much less and it's brand new! VV is a scam

[@briandurance1542]

Not a rocket scientist but a 1$ dollar store sticker on a 3$ item at Value Village says a bit. Glad to walk away.

[@Thetruthw]

Hahahaha its not only value village its CANADA its a joke over here u better work everyday in Canada or ur HOMELESS this country beats u down for me the USA is better I'd be retired already this is a 3rd world country at best how cold is it here

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

Lies.

[@donnacabot3550]

U know it's bad when people cant afford second hand stores.

[@shauncameron8390]

LOL

[@LikeMyApplezz]

I work as a production associate in the back. I dont even shop there with my 50% off discount. You can buy cheaper and better stuff online. The main complaint my location gets is that prices are way to high.

[@cinzabeary5226]

Same.

[@shaylagoogle3097]

So True! Thought it was because they had to pay rent. I find them to be a rip off considering you can get brand new stuff cheaper. I I hardy go there anymore.

[@AlannaMayNorth]

It's not just value village all thrift stores are getting more expensive. I found a 200$ pair of shoes at Goodwill the other day.

[@amazinggrace4507]

I found a $200.00 pair of new orthopedic shoes at Value Village for $6.00!

[@plantsoverpills1643]

Yes…they’re all getting in on the racket.

[@iam1smiley1]

Yes, Salvation Army also getting really expensive.

[@missf4681]

It's prices are outrageous

[@saradostal3076]

Not on everything

[@VintageToycollecters595]

@@saradostal3076 Yes on everything

[@bxii7967]

What is infuriating is that I’m getting a bunch of ads for value village. It’s so hypocritical for them to say that it’s simply rising costs due to COVID, when they are budging for advertisement. They don’t hunk about the working class that rely on them, they are looking at it like a marketing scheme to get people of upper classes to spend a lot of money on stuff that is DONATED to their stores. Gentrification sucks :/

[@erikbrickman4461]

The only reason I shop at Value Village is because they're the only thrift store near me that I know has kept their washrooms open during the pandemic.

[@Keepasking123]

Lol

[@aaronbenhaggai973]

The clothes have gotten crazy there cheaper to buy brand new

[@rps1689]

Price gouging knows no limits.

[@moniquestjean8302]

Revenues is more than 1 billion a year on the internet

[@plantsoverpills1643]

Donators should boycott value village. When their intake becomes threatened, they will have to take note. Since Walmart owns Value Village, it’s unlikely that overhead costs are much of a contributing factor. Their product is not priced to sell and this is evident when the same merchandise sits on the shelves for weeks. Often, merchandise is dirty and damaged, yet the prices are still high. Bagged items force the consumer to buy items that they don’t want so they re-thrift them back to VV enabling them to make profits over and over again on the same item. Also the bagged items…often obscure what’s inside so that you cannot discern whether or not you want to make the purchase. All in all people go back because there are not a lot of choices for vintage items. But VV capitalizes on this fact. So let’s not let ourselves be fooled by all the sweet and flowery talk of “championing to keep waste out of land fills. It’s doubtful they’d touch it with a 10 foot pole if there wasn’t plenty of money to be made. Since quality stores have gone out of business, and our main choices are thrift, dollar stores and big box stores, thrifting is the only way to get that one of a kind item that isn’t mass produced. The fact remains that these pieces are well used and often in need of cleaning, repair or up-cycling,and should not be sold at premium retail prices.

[@Keepasking123]

I donate to local thrift stores or Bibles for Missions whenever possible.

[@plantsoverpills1643]

@@Keepasking123 👍🏻 I have noted though that some of these places have also increased their prices substantially.

[@andyd5071]

dont forget that they also double tax and triple tax on re-donated goods. also many of the employees are volunteers working their community hours or part time min wage. this is pure money grab. stop donating and instead run a community garage sale or craigslist or kijiji the stuff.

[@skittlez1974]

Walmart does not own value village .. value village is owned by a company in the states called Savers.. employees get paid by savers not walmart 🤦🏼‍♀️...

[@geslinam9703]

The one of a kind not mass produced items are becoming more rare and the stores are full of cheap junk because that is what most people buy, and then donate, today. If someone does have something they want to get rid of that is more valuable, they know it because all they have to do is search online to find out the value, and then they either take it to a consignment shop, or sell it themselves on eBay or some other venue. They aren’t going to toss it in a goodwill bag with the cheap junk. This is why the days when you could easily find treasures at yard sales and thrift stores are pretty much over. Ask the resellers this - if they find a valuable item priced really low are they going to put it in their online shop asking for a few dollars over what they paid?? No. They are going to jack that price way up to what the internet tells them it’s worth. They don’t care about re using things and saving things from the landfills, they care about making a profit….just like the thrift stores do. I’ve seen videos made by resellers, they show themselves all excited to find something great for just a few bucks, then you follow the link to their website and that item that cost them a couple dollars is now $100.

[@AS-gh1ge]

Yes Dilshad is back 🎉🥳🥳🥳

[@merlita8707]

You buy new and cheap shirt from Costco and you buy the same old shirt ftom Value Village at a higher price.

[@gypsystarchild9620]

I love value village as a mom of 5 I cannot afford to buy second hand from them anymore especially when I can get what I need from Walmart for cheaper

[@Keepasking123]

Yup! Exactly.

[@saradostal3076]

I don't know what you clothing you are looking at but go ahead and continue to buy from Wal-Mart. Second hand clothing is still affordable and the better option over retai and at times a much better selection.

[@helenshupe6606]

Thift store prices have taken the fun and necessary low prices out of Thrifting. Very depressing.

[@KlasicRock]

Literally. People donate items to them. They jack the prices. Tell you they can't change or bargain a price because it came marked like that from the head office. They think people are brand new. The only company that gets stuff donated for free. Mark's up a price. Sells with no exchange. And throws the stuff you don't want away when nobody else wants to buy it. But I'm sure there are plenty homeless that could use many items that are thrown away And if you were to go into the garbage bins. You would probably get arrested for theft on free stuff that nobody wants and is going to get destroyed. This world is weird. Disgusting. Money hungry society

[@rain1956]

I don't know of any other store that's permanently closed their fitting rooms during the pandemic. When I shopped there in the past, I only bought about 5% of the clothes I tried on. No way I'm gonna pay for all those clothes and drag them home on the bus, just to try them on and return 95%. It's sad. Shopping at VV was fun. I've done it for 40 years because it was all I could afford, not because it was trendy. I hate the pickers/resellers. It's time to go back to sewing my own clothes.

[@palangnar3588]

Not only prices going up, they charge tax too, tax on used clothing, weird !!

[@wolfmercer]

well when people stop shopping there the prices will ether drop or they will close there stores. tell then shop some wear else.

[@mariabraun336]

I used to shop there a lot I have kids I never go there anymore because it's just way too expensive

[@crystalschuyler3387]

we need a store that well keep prices low with all free donations that it gets

[@saradostal3076]

Good luck with that. There's no such a place. Every store has to make a profit somehow.

[@alevan1]

Well people should ask for money for the stuff they donate, imagine what robbery this is to people its ridiculous....I am so fed up of being ripped off by these businesses.....

[@fiona9912]

Thank you! Excellent finally this is being reported on! I’ve seen old price tags still on an items being less expensive than value village price a vaulted village’s pricing started rising over a year before the pandemic ever started so rents and costs during the pandemic are untrue. The dollar store is cheaper for retail of their own items. Value village is a scam. Sally Anne is cheaper. The rumours are only 2% go to not for profit.

[@saradostal3076]

Salvation Army certainly isn't any cheaper.

[@illuminatilizard]

Since when was it ok for news anchors to have green hair?

[@saradostal3076]

Does it bother you? She looks pretty.

[@coreysimon8321]

It's since they started get hype from youtube and tic tok. I started going to Salvation army, only going to Value Village when they send me a discount. I've been thrifting for 10 years and they've been ridiculously higher, people started a petition to boycott Value Village

[@saradostal3076]

Ot instead of making or signing up for a dumb petition. Just don't go shopping there if high prices bother you so much. Some of us can and still find bargains and will continue to shop and buy and donate there. Salvation Army is similar in high prices.

[@coreysimon8321]

@@saradostal3076 That's what I did, stopped going there, they don't have 50% off sales anymore. I haven't been there in months.

[@foxfriendzanimaltown9859]

I've never understood why they're charging double the new price for obvious dollar store items, this is fraud as far as I'm concerned and it makes me plain angry. 😡

[@maltabrown9170]

Instead of complaining, just stop donating to them, start selling or give away unwanted items online and stop purchasing from them. We do not need these stores anymore.

[@oldskool1979]

So where are poor people suppose to shop ????

[@alinatiwa]

Good idea😃

[@maltabrown9170]

@@oldskool1979 At the grocery store.

[@Tokenblackguru101]

@@oldskool1979 Salvation Army and National Thift are underrated stores

[@saradostal3076]

@@Tokenblackguru101 They are expensive

[@margaretbynoe8570]

The stores has to buy their merchandise,value village gets their stuff donated,so I don’t see why so expensive,I have been there to buy a bowl se the price ,look left because it’s cheaper in the stores and new brand they’re grouching customers it’s not a non profit any more,they are losing customers

[@Cherish..2]

Haven't been there in years because there are smaller thrift shops in the area with great prices

[@rrain3375]

It is terrible when Canada poor can’t afford to shop Value Village. I am a senior who saved my clothes for years before I could donate. But, now I can no longer afford to shop Value Village. For New Canadians setting up a home and needing essentials would shop thrift stores in past. Not any longer they are relying on donations.

[@kyleklmondwa9042]

Yes lets shed a tear for the New Canadians who get free housing and $800 cad each month...Waaaaah Waaaaah

[@saradostal3076]

Don't lump Canadian poor in here. They were never designed to be to help low income families and whatnot. Your comment is a reflection of the same Ole sorry I can't afford it excuse nit to mention "I know longer shop there" chances are many do and can afford items and you just aren't looking hard enough.

[@warisgood454]

Value Village is going self check out they are moving away from their goals what this story missed the crucial detail that higher prices means more unsold goods are compacted and crushed before being sent to landfills . Your donations are not safe from ending up in landfills . Behind every store are compactors . Metal items often end up sold to scrap metal. With higher prices and value village never lowering prices of unsold items The items that aren't sold are just sent to landfills

[@alisonfraser8231]

Even people just selling stuff online is ridiculous. "Mint" stuff is used and out of box. "Hardly any wear" means rips, stains and soles worn on shoes. I've seen people selling used shoes that should not even be free, they belong in the garbage.

[@dyingfromthelying]

We used to shop at value village all the time. We used to donate to the boys& girls club that used to come by and pick up all our donations. And we donated a lot. And then we found out that an American company had bought value village. And we stopped donating. And then when I looked at the high prices, we stopped going to value village altogether. There is many, many thrift stores that need the money and aren't just some scumbags trying to make a buck off you like every corporate scumbag. Why can't people just stop shopping there when they're not happy. How else are they going to get the effing message? Lots of other thrift stores around...

[@superbird24]

I will stop going after finding out they are a for profit business model from donations given by the public. Guaranteed most ppl don’t realize this when they donate there.

[@paulinecallahan6888]

I think twice about buying at VV now their prices are ridiculous. I also don't like the fact they closed their fitting rooms permanently. The hassle of having to return items if they don't fit is just don't worth it.

[@rascalhusky8129]

I noticed the prices have jumped.

[@dunkydog1676]

I seen new items cost less. Some items are rediculious

[@edwardst-pierre1020]

This is because we don't have social conservation of how we should live. I have shopped there for many years and the price on men's clothing did increase a lot and maybe it's time to go back to shopping at Walmart because pants are around the same price.

[@terridurling1491]

I refuse to shop or donate at value Village anymore. Their prices are through the roof and often I can find the same item new at a retail store at a lower price. Everything is donated so it’s insane to me especially when we are all trying to promote sustainability. I’ll never darken their doors again and I tell everyone whenever it comes up. Everyone agrees their prices are insane yet people continue to donate and shop there. Hopefully they get the message soon. Also terrible customer service.

[@howardgero9815]

there was a time they only robbed Peter but now their robbing Paul to

[@marynewcombe3539]

I worked there for three weeks ... worst place I ever worked at ..... so talking about the prices... if you go and Complain about prices at the teller. And they tell the people out back . Who gets in trouble the person that priced it? Even though they have their standards of the pricing, they don't take blame for it. They blame the person that's working there. Just letting you know that.

[@chrissyk3783]

I used to purchace approximately 1000.00 a year on average...i stopped shopping there completely will never shop there again and will never donate again....im guessing that they probably lost half of there customers...i always hear so many stories of the high priced dented, broken, soiled and tattered items they sell...seen it alot before is why i stopped going...very costly to shop there now...they are donated these items....free free free... and then try to maximize off a persons misfortune.

[@ritamac8996]

Not a thrift store. Rip off

[@Red-76]

I will never shop at value village again until prices come back down. I found new thing online for less. I have also noticed less people shopping there. I am disabled and low prices was the only reason I was shopping there and now thats gone.

[@lorialderton7290]

I quit shopping there yrs ago because of the prices

[@AnnaLVajda]

Well has their rent gone up? Has their hydro bill gone up? Has the minimum wage being raised so they have to pay employees more? Costs to business owners get passed along to customers didn't you know? Besides they are not a charitable organization like Salvation Army consider going there instead.

[@trkdigital5685]

not to mention that any items of real value are never put on the floor...he staff gets first pick.......i know.. ive seen it myself

[@TheRealCartman1]

So the owner of Moonshine Vintage and others used to go to Value Village and grab all the best stuff for $10 and charge $50 in her shop and is now upset Value Village is charging $20?

[@evamonos9191]

🤣🤣🤣

[@KaiserS0ZE]

"Muh profit margin." - socialist liberal

[@scottykardos]

If ya don't like the price buy it somewhere else. Simple....use your brain!

[@saradostal3076]

Thank you! That's what I've been saying!

[@peace3791]

I stopped donate value village. They forgot the point.

[@babuji198]

People are complaining??? Lol they are a for profit business.

[@tonykeo7009]

I have notice that Value Village has remodel all their stores near where I live. No more long display case section and they are buying pallets from nearby big stores such as Wal-mart or Target and just marketing it down by 5 to seven dollars. Plus pallets of food items that is about to expire or already expired.

[@warisgood454]

They don't allow refunds if a radio doesn't work once you get it home your out if luck Staff refer to broken electronics as bricks Buyer beware The public still believes they are a charity In these hard times it better to donate your items where they can help your community Some thrift store support food banks others support animal rescue Value village supports rich investors The amount it pays the charites is pennies on the pound Don't donate 😊

[@adamgibson473]

Dont buy it then.

[@user-qj3lr9ik4e]

TVI which runs value village is a for profit enterprise with profits of one billion annually

[@joejoe-the-original]

Strange hairstyles on these women, do they sell wigs to fix this problem?

[@karenbaird7402]

They are owned by SAVERS or TVI crocked company the store in Apple valley Minnesota is the worst in the district prices inflated cashiers disrespectful rude and unprofessional

[@adeelkiani426]

Value village should explain why items from dollarama with dollarama sticker and still way more expensive?

[@joanngreen9714]

They trying to make a profit because some people are buying to resell items i don't blame them for raising prices. They have ruined thrift shopping for people like me who need the thrift stores now i just go to Walmart and buy less but at least it's new.

[@Rcm_studio]

How come the government allow this kind of so called thrift store who make big money from donation. This store should be band . Its not charity anymore but fooling people who give donation. Government please shut this store, its not anymore a charity

[@diannepenny732]

These are big companies with big profits l do not cater or donate to them

[@GM-wm8ex]

The people who think they are donating here are fools. Because they think they are doing a good deed but actually they are doing a bad deed as they killing the idea of donation.

[@parivashshirafkan2036]

Value village is not for dealer to resale it.

[@electrode0]

Hi I live near a Value Village and i see what is going on..semi trucks have been coming to Windsor Ontario on Tecumceh Road East for 8 years now full of garbage when one semi rids its refuse another takes its place donated items from all the other stores in the province come to Windsor and they have a huge trash compactor that takes all this garbage in and they start dumping and making noise at 7.30 a.m. which unnerves this senior with cancer so i called the Canadian Diabetes Association about the noise why not call them their name is plastered all over the building in her defence the lady on the other end of the line told me that is is nothing that they can do but she slipped out that Value Village pays the charity by the pound when there trucks drop off items i was in shock!! The Community Donation Centre is a ruse i bet that many many items got to the landfill so why would Value Village pay for items that are dropped off at the Community Donation Centre, i have told the attorney general of Ontario about the misuse but they will not do a thing about it because it would be a blemish to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Value village was charged by the state of Minnessota for abuse like a true con Value Village lawyers shot back "the charities will suffer"i have witnessed large sofas hauled to a piece of land off their V.V. property so the city will pick it up ,i told the manager and the employees hauled it back in,the managers have called the cops on me two times,once i freaked out because there was two bags of V.V. garbage on my back lawn so they called the cops on me,remember when V.V. first had adds on T.V. they were claiming to be a non profit anyways the cops blamed me as one officer said "don't you know how much they do for charity"? I have been following the goings on with this outfit for years now and employees are taught to retaliate as the cop told me that i threatened the manger with my midsize dog meanwhile i just wanted to talk to the manager about the bags of garbage,and Value Village has a profit of $1,000,000,000.00 a year that's right a billion dollars a year,they could not give a darn about what people say or do because i see that this store's parking lot is always full probably like all the other stores,lastly to finish off my story years ago on Facebook a patron told the manger to hold an item for her while she continued shopping while the patron came back the employee jacked up the price tag!!

[@herrfaust2020]

Jody Lai (or however your name is spelled), Value Village is not a charity store!!! As stated in the video, they are "for profit". Don't confuse "thrift" for "charity". Yeah, they pay their non-profit partners ... so they can get a tax deduction. Agree with other comments to not donate to Value Village. And as for prices going up everywhere, I know that I would sooner buy from a charity thrift store than from Value Village, if everything else is the same. The best thrift stores are the ones that will lower prices when the original asking price is too high.

[@peace3791]

I don’t donate anymore. Buying new better. Expensive!!!

[@lamontcranston3177]

This is not new. Value Village is a RIP OFF. They do not deserve your business. PURE GREED.

[@hildaramroop9611]

Very good comment deal getting free used stuff and selling it for market price so does Salvation Army that should not be when they get them for free it should be $5 and under for anything in the store because they are getting it for free they're getting it for free they are getting it for free

[@davemunt573]

Costs have not gone up.Just greed

[@saradostal3076]

Nope. Wrong answer Dave

[@antonkooij6835]

Blame the hipster gentrifiers

[@vjazv]

Restore is lot worse than Value Village

[@warisgood454]

They are not a charity shop they are for profit their are real charity thrift stores Better to donate to a real charity Value village is a thrift store masquerading as a charity Real charities provide for your community like food banks and help with housing Value village diverts donations away from valuable resources in your community We all hurt when big business tries to live off the poor

[@cantfindausernamedam]

just high prices? LoL what about the scam of less than 5% of revenue actually going to charity. But do not worry, executives are well looked after

[@alanmacification]

Value Village is a private company, not a charity. We've known this for years. But every couple of years, some news story comes out.

[@bezuwho6908]

Don’t like it, don’t shop there. If they lose business their prices will drop. It’s not rocket science.

[@margaretbynoe8570]

Value village getting the stuff for free so I don’t see why the things are sold so expensive,the thrift stores are for people who cannot buy from high end boutiques,but you can’t buy from value village either,better you buy your stuff new brand from the stores

[@kensnape599]

VV, is price gouging and using a charity to do it hands down. If you think it's different,well then dream on...

[@saradostal3076]

VV has never claimed to be a charity.

[@warisgood454]

Value village masqaurdes as a charity With its big signs over the door saying community donations When in truth charites only get pennies per pound for items The real monies made for selling your donations end uo in the corporation hands Don't donate to value village Donate instead to where your item will Benifit your community To salvation army which support food banks And or thruft stiles that support animal rescue And there are some places you can donate to that simply give your clothes to the those in need free. Don't be fooled Value village Is a American corporation Not a charity

[@mrwang420]

I mean. They do get everything for free. If they sold cheaper they would sell more and it would work better then having higher prices. Plus everything they get is donated.

[@shauncameron8390]

Maybe, but not enough to break even.

[@Freewill786]

Still people are acting foolish and buying stuff in value village