Value Village markups: Testing if you're getting a deal (Marketplace)

Many Canadians rely on Value Village to buy used goods for cheap, but consumers are finding huge markups on items. CBC’s Marketplace teamed up with Street Cents for a shopping spot check, testing whether you’re really getting a bargain and finding examples of markups above what the products cost new. We also meet with an insider who shares why things are priced the way they are.
#ValueVillage #Sustainability #CBCMarketplace
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THE REAL DEAL WITH VALUE VILLAGE
producer/director
JENNY COWLEY
reporters
CHARLSIE AGRO
MERCEDES GAZTAMBIDE
editor
AARON TAYLOR
camera
NORM ARNOLD
JOHN LESAVAGE
JONATHAN CASTELL
ROBERT KRBAVAC
ANDY HINCENBERGS
additional field support
MICHELLE MCCANN
audio
IGAL PETEL
art director
DAVID ABRAHAMS
media management
ASTORIA LUZZI
social media producers
AMARA MCLAUGHLIN
BRITT PURDY
colour correction
KYLE J. SMITH
sound mix
DANY TREMBLAY
project manager
VICTOR KERR
resource coordinators
MARC CORMIER
DRAGAN MARICIC
news rollout producer
JENNY COWLEY
packaging editor
BENNY KOSHY
packaging producer
LINDA SIBONY
promo producer
GREG SADLER
senior producer
TIFFANY FOXCROFT
executive producer
NELISHA VELLANI
FIRST BROADCAST February 16, 2024

[@biggiesnores9866]

Stopped donating to Value Village. Only donating to local charities/thrift stores that put the money back into the community.

[@puffysnow8504]

It's happening at alot of thrift stores .. was at goodwill a week or two back and found dollarama stuff being priced higher then the sticker price

[@Mizz.Person]

None of my local thrift stores put money back into the community. They usually send overseas or to churches. :(

[@STONE69_]

The local charities pick up peoples stuff and sell it to Value Village.

[@MishaDaBear]

Much of the others do the same practices!

[@MishaDaBear]

@@puffysnow8504 I went to Goodwill Moncton and they were selling sealed packaged bicycle tires with used bicycle tires inside, returns or credit not accepted!

[@catherinewilson1079]

I stopped going to Value Village because their prices were outrageous for someone else’s castoffs!!!

[@bettingonyou]

Are you saying Asians are buying a lot these and reselling them?? Is that what a rice farmer is? What is a rice farmer? ​@@LL-si9cl

[@Whiskey_Jane]

Had them rip a tag off a pair of jeans accuse me of changing it then double the price.. these stores were supposed to help people in tough times not rip them off.

[@Ry-zj9ip]

Pop tags duhh

[@cdh2328]

When minimum wage is as high as it is just consider how much money they have to bring in to pay their people. Pay rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, benefits etc. it’s a lot! I think it degrading to label peoples stuff as castoffs. Some from homes where people have passed away and the homes have to be cleared. A lot comes from gifts that were the wrong size or wrong colour or whatever. A lot comes from people just clearing their closets and don’t want to see good useable stuff go in the trash. A lot comes from leftovers from yard sales. Stuff that is still perfectly good and reusable. What about people that have moved from places and leave stuff behind? The Thrift stores do provide a service when a lot of stuff would just go landfill. Everything will eventually end up there in time but that’s another story. Yes, I do think they’re trying to cash in on what is going on in the world right now with immigration levels so high and folk need clothes on their backs and jobs and housing. I think they should be more generous to the lower income and in a lot of cases no income folk while they try to get settled in their new country.

[@catherinewilson1079]

@@cdh2328 If you were raised in the kind of poverty I was, you would call them castoffs too. For me it was a treat to finally go to work and be able to buy myself a few pieces of underwear that someone else had not worn to bits before I ended up with it. Valu village also uses the « snob factor » to price there used clothing; if the brand is DKNY or Calvin Klein a few more bucks get added to the price tag!!! When thrift stores become big business, you know that our society is really in trouble. It is disgusting how the almighty buck has become the most important value for almost everyone.

[@joshgeyer7941]

I’m so glad someone with a platform is finally doing this. I’ve been saying this for years…

[@alexp-h]

Absolutely!

[@SuperBentley55]

so have I and I also find value village to be dirty @@alexp-h

[@lisahope4582]

Agreeeee

[@ssrc30]

You don't talk to a manager at value village. They send someone out to tell you there's nothing they can do to help you. The whole operation is a scam.

[@DDDSSDDDSSDDDSS]

Guess who runs this scam...

[@8bittimetraveler834]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 I never thought I'd read something like this today. THAT IS SO HILARIOUS!! I must put it in my book.

[@FullOfBradells]

Managers used to go to Dollarama and buy up their glassware to resell at a higher price.

[@8bittimetraveler834]

@@FullOfBradells Thug life

[@atoiler1389]

@@FullOfBradells no way.

[@janicegermain5522]

Value Village has been known to price items higher than MSRP's for the new items (this isn't new for them). Value Village is a disgusting disgrace to any type of secondhand shop. People who are unable to pay full price are getting scammed into believing they are getting a bargain... money they can't actually spare, for items that Value Village got donated for FREE. It's no surprise Value Village didn't respond back to CBC Marketplace... it's just proof they know what they are doing is wrong on so many levels!

[@mhawang8204]

They tried to blame it on their employees. “They don’t always get it right.” The shamelessness is disgusting.

[@janicegermain5522]

@@mhawang8204 You're right, yet their statement actually makes them (VV) look bad... since their overpricing has been happening for years, and across all stores (and continues to happen), perhaps they should look into "who" the employees they are hiring to do the pricing (as if)... I doubt many fell for believing "it's the employee's fault", so it's just one more reason people should realize they aren't trustworthy.

[@christophermaccabe4978]

There owned by Walmart!!!

[@sangomoon5456]

Agreed!

[@janicegermain5522]

​@@christophermaccabe4978 That is no surprise... it's ALL about GREED!

[@noahgoddard99]

It once was a place you could find the occassional great deal but those days are long gone. Since the pandemic this company has been gouging its customers HARD. I go out of my way to never donate anything to them and just give it all actual local charities. Thank you CBC Marketplace team for exposing these scam artists.

[@starlessgolightly]

Meh. Not much to say but We always liked that brand spanking new assisted-opening _new market_ blade the staff allowed Us to "steal" from there older and previous outlet as a 'gift'. Funny story; We almost made #sticker of a chum with that.

[@Poppaneedsanap]

I feel the same way. I donate to anyone but VV now

[@maxidal6927]

I stopped donating as well. I put up in Facebook market everything that I give out. These CEO wants more and more. These people got no heart. Always trying to rip off middle class or low income people.

[@genageeraert8039]

They were gouging before the pandemic

[@LL-si9cl]

No...they should price high end designers for 4$ so that the 3rd world unemployed roaches can sit there all day and resell them for hundreds....NOT. Inflation hit every store...so why shocked it hit the thrift store too lmao

[@nadiavista7555]

Thank you CBC! Value Village needed to be exposed! Price inflation is so bad there now. I’m glad there called out. 👏🏼

[@isawthelight]

Then next stop should be grocery stores. All sell same things at different prices.

[@nadiavista7555]

Agree!

[@shinykazzadragon]

I literally bought a pair of earrings at Dollar Tree for $1.25, and went to Value Village in Saskatoon wearing them. I saw the EXACT SAME PAIR of earrings in their "premium showcase," priced at $9.99. When I said to the sales person that the earrings were a rip off, she pointed to my exact same pair, and said that I must have gotten the earrings because I liked them. I showed her the packaging (Remember I had *just purchased the earrings before going to Value Village), and she said I was "being dishonest."

[@susanyoung6331]

I used to be a regular shopper at Value Village. The prices have risen steadily over the last 2-3 years. Given all their merchandise is donated, I began to feel exploited. I will no longer donate items so that they can overcharge other customers. Then they've added insult to injury by making everyone use self check-outs ... and ... have a security guard at the door!! Nope, I don't shop there anymore.

[@gingerelle101]

They also removed fitting rooms.

[@geraltrivia6148]

@@gingerelle101 I didn't realize they ever had fitting rooms but I can see why they'd get rid of them. Always, always wash used clothing before wearing it!

[@MarySmith-xg9yv]

With the pandemic all the stores closed the fitting rooms, but after the pandemic VV didn’t want to reopen cause they don’t want to pay more employees to clean the rooms, so again they save money at the expense of the customers.

[@EvolvedOnion]

What’s wrong with self checkout?

[@geraltrivia6148]

@@EvolvedOnion Replaces human labor, putting people out of work or cutting their hours.

[@chrisanthony144]

If everybody stops shopping at value village, they would have no choice to bring the prices down.

[@khalilboss2855]

Hopefully they will stop going there after seeing this report

[@davehudson3439]

Donald Trump logic right there😂

[@johnransom1146]

This isn’t America @@davehudson3439

[@lizliz4186]

Or if people stop donating to value village and use a local charity instead, they'll have no product to sell and your charity/community benefits instead of a business benefiting

[@davehudson3439]

@lizliz4186 "use a local charity instead"?? What do you think charities do with used clothing?? Value Village converts discarded clothes into cash. Cash to maintain the business...and cash to go directly to charities. Don't you think this business deserves to be profitable? So many people looking for something to complain about. SMH

[@r.g.6544]

We're in Canada! What do you expect? You're being gauged, misled, and ripped off everywhere - from groceries to rentals to car dealerships... 😁🙄

[@bn880]

truth!

[@jasoncayen]

I'm so glad CBC has looked into this. This is becoming such a big problem!

[@burnyizland]

@@LL-si9cl I'd rather listen to Jason upset at getting ripped off than listen to you whine your racism all over this board. 1000 times over.

[@jaymoon5765]

I never donate to VV. The owners are multi millionaires and the prices are a complete ripoff.

[@user-ku2pn4ym9k]

I'm never going to this place again

[@johndicksonkaraoke2554]

I did a FOI Freedom of Information request with Ministry of Labour on VV in Sudbury Ontario awhile back and I found employment standards act violations.

[@_EthanBaca]

This is shameful, definitely boycotting this store for good now.

[@Janewomanpower]

same!!!

[@user-hq7xj5sc4f]

Used pants 15 in value village..stitches in orfus road a new pant price 10 dollars.😂

[@linus607]

I have been for years. About time people woke up to it. They've been doing it for awhile now....

[@elizabethharvester6111]

Same. I have bags of nice women's clothing, shoes, and fancy dinnerware. It's NOT going to rip-off village.

[@JulieJornitz]

Another problem: My local Value Village no longer lets you try clothing on .. I've asked about it and it seems they have no plans to bring their changing rooms back. Because of this, I've stopped shopping there. If I were to bring everything home to see if it fits, I'd then have to go back to the other side of town to return the items that didn't .. only to receive a "store credit" instead of a refund. They've lost me a customer.

[@r.1599]

None of the stores let you try clothes on anymore. They said it was a pandemic measure. Hah!

[@MarcusDaGrand]

Yeah, that practice is really scammy.

[@Europa1749]

No bathroom either I can access unless an employee unlocks the door. So I avoid fluids for several hours if I'm going to go there, which lately has been rarely.

[@kart112]

I hate this practice too. They know that there may be people who can't return it! I've heard that the store credit needs to be used there and then too. So there has to be something of the same value on the day you go in which probably means you end up spending more or loosing out. I've not shopped im vv for a very long time so I'm not sure if this is accurate though. I hope not.

[@JulieJornitz]

@kart112 Hi @kart112 :) Turns out you're right .. just checked with someone about that .. she said yup that's exactly what happened when she returned something! Wow, that's crazy!!!

[@mariahung2946]

Yes Value Village was great 2 decades ago. Used secondhand good value ,usually when I shop for my children when they were younger. But suddenly,it got bought by the company nowadays, somehow they raised their prices dramatically. Which I did not return ever again

[@Cindy-by3ho]

It was bought

[@namaste7063]

I am SHOCKED Marketplace did not mention they get their inventory for FREE it’s all donated

[@kaylab7685]

Technically it's donated to nonprofit partners who sell it to value village. But that's still so close to being free that the markups they charge are ridiculous.

[@rosetealatte9282]

They do not get their inventory for free. I worked there. it is donated, yes. but then it is weighed by hard and soft items, and value village pays by the bin for the items. However, they never disclose how much they pay for the items. Then the items are rated for the shelves as the employee stated. But unless the item is in PERFECT condition, AND is an excellent brand, there is no excuse for them to be pricing things the way they have been. According to their own rating system. I understand inflation but now its just looking like sheer greed. Much like we see across the world nowadays. I really feel that a lot of this mentality was brought on by Covid. When they took away change rooms and self serve food bars in many stores for example, I said to my sons then that they would never bring them back because these companies now know how much they can save by ripping us off. And they were happy to do so. Now they don't want to go back to their previous pricing because they would consider losing their 'all time high' profits to be losses if they had to go back to the profits they were making before Covid. Greed, greed, greed.

[@Ladybugg1677]

What about the donation bins outside the store?? That’s a direct donation to the company

[@warisgood454]

Value village is in a homour system when items are donated directly to the store The charites don't have a representative to make sure all items are accounted for a nd the charites paid for the donation It's strictly honor system And since they short Chang staff hrs and gouge customers I wonder if they actually do a full accounting

[@namaste7063]

@@kaylab7685 Technically is right, it's another scam, Market Place should expose, they have been sued many times for that in the USA, MP should also have stated they are an American company

[@bgregg55]

Same thing at goodwill. What do you expect when the CEO is making a million dollars plus perks? What an outrage.

[@brentm7278]

We no longer have Goodwill in Toronto because the President ran it into the ground. I'm sure she has another Government job by now.

[@john.a.gonsalves3731]

100 % Agree....

[@cathygallacher1934]

100% agree to this

[@Curlyblonde]

Appropriate name of Goodwill. The customers give their Goodwill to the CEO and he misuses it to enrich himself on a grand scale. Many years ago, Goodwill and St. Vicent DePaul Thrift Stores were involved in a scandal where they were taking high end clothing and merchandise and sending them to luxury boutiques in the Caribbean that they operated there. A woman had donated a designer outfit and had her contact information on a label in the inside of the clothing item. Almost a year later, after donating it, she was contacted by a woman who had bought the item thinking it was new and subsequently finding the previous owner's contact information.

[@rachaelvandermolen8936]

Value village has gotten rid of all cashiers at our local Value Village. Less staff and their prices are getting ridiculous. I have found cheaper clothes on the sales racks at Old Navy and Gap. Yes! Brand new and cheaper. Do not support Value Village.

[@MissLoriAAnne]

I went to value village with my daughter looking for a dress. So expensive! I questioned a worker on it and they followed us around the store like we were going to steal something. I have never gone back. Her answer to me was they get together in the back when goods come in and determine what the item is worth new. I said “ This is A Thrift store!” Geez rip off place. I go to the Sally Anne and yard sales

[@happycook6737]

Our Salvation Army is a huge rip off. Shirts $10 and up, pants $14 and up, etc. I pointed out an Old Navy T-shirt that sells new for $10 that they marked higher than new. Goodwill same problem. I quit thrift stores after shopping them for 48 years. So very few values and loaded with extremely low quality Shein and Temu crap or other nearly use up fast fashion. So sad.

[@MissLoriAAnne]

@@happycook6737 our sally is pretty good where I am. I don’t go often but when i do i find things pretty cheap. Goodwill is a joke! Way expensive! Especially when items have been donated! We have a Super Thrift that supports women with addictions and they are by far the best place to shop.

[@RichEmbury]

Used crap that's DONATED or given to them, marked higher than the original, NEW product. Seems criminal to me. If not, it should be.

[@royaltiri]

It's not all crap, though. I've been shopping there since the '90s and I feel I've always had very nice, high-quality clothing and home items. If you are willing to spend some time, it's still a good place to shop, particularly if you have a *free* membership, which entitles you to discounts. I also donate every time I go for 20% off.

[@BliffleSplick]

They also throw away a LOT of stuff, a lot of it not even looked over. They could ha e a free section near the bins but that might cut into the number of yachts the CEO can have so they won't

[@spacedout3233]

BOYCOTT THEM

[@PoppaBB]

I believe Value Village has been dishonest in its retail practices for identifying as a charitable organization when very little of the money made from donated inventory actually goes to charitable causes. TERRIBLE ORGANIZATION

[@audiecindygulbrandsen1028]

Read online they take in about a $1Billion per year & donate about $65 million. Thats why you pay sales tax there & not at Sally Ann.

[@AnnieIsaLau]

It does not go to charitable causes AT ALL. The only thing they do, is but the overstock of charitable organizations, and they probably buy them for super cheap... They help no one. This company is a total fraud. Don't understand how they are allowed in business.

[@lvallese3967]

They do not donate back to charitable organizations. They buy the donated items at a price point per pound. It is all a crock of merde

[@AnnieIsaLau]

@@audiecindygulbrandsen1028 they donate nothing. It's written on their website... They only buy charitable organizations overstock and they sell this overstock at VV. They do nothing for the communities at all. They are just there for profits. Also, you pay taxes because they are a for profits company.

[@chappy24]

@@lvallese3967 They get good stuff tho, Value Village deals can be found, theres gold in there manggg. lol boo hoo there making 50 cents off Dollarama items.

[@plantbasedsenior4240]

My husband and I were just disccussing this yesterday. We are retired and he has been shopping at 2nd hand stores his whole life (long before it was fasionable). He refuses to shop at or donate to value village and prefer to support our local Salvation Army 2nd hand store.

[@lynnsibley1172]

VV stinks, but at least they're not actively homophobic like the Salvation Army.

[@davemeise2192]

The problem with Value Village is that it's on the stock market. Business on the stock market are interested almost solely in raising the share value every quarter. They aren't concerned with giving customers value, only in increasing share value. Oh, and also lining the directors pockets!

[@TheRednell]

I discovered this pricing policy a number of years ago. That is why I have never shop at Value Village.

[@ConnorAshFreeman]

Once again, thank you Marketplace

[@poptarget]

One big point that wasn't mentioned is that they sift through their incoming inventory thoroughly. If there are expensive, designer items, rare collectors items, and valuable vintage or antiques in ANY category, they will not go out on the floor. They will be held back and either go up for auction on Ebay, resold privately to resellers, or snatched up by staff. It's nearly impossible to ever find a "treasure" worth much, most of it is overpriced garbage.

[@kathleenthompson9907]

A few years ago I purchased a tea pot for 4.99. Took it home and did some research on it. Its value then was $800. Today that tea pot is worth $1200. There are still deals to be found if you take the time to look.

[@kyleydiamond]

I've been noticing over the last few years it's harder to find quality things, mostly fast fashion type items. this makes sense and makes me sad. buying via online auction takes the fun and magic out of it. like the point used to be to keep fabulous things in circulation for the people, and now things we could be using and wearing are sitting in a different storage area while Dollarama is churning out more low quality new things.

[@ron4274]

When I don't have time to take donations to a deserving charity, I sometimes just pull into the Value Village parking lot near me and give things away (free, of course) to folks shopping there. Most items go quickly even though I try to make sure no one is being too greedy.

[@janicegermain5522]

Although this segment did disclose some of the corrupt pricing at Value Village, I was still a little disappointed. I do believe this segment could have been longer and a lot more in-depth. Price comparisons could have gone MUCH further than with just Dollarama and Walmart, it reaches all the way up to the high-end used merchandise sold at Value Village.

[@mikid3032]

A little disappointing??? It's shameful and disgusting 🤮

[@monicsantamaria1681]

Yes I felt that I know more than the digging they did , there was no conclusion, no help no additional info to protect the customer

[@sangomoon5456]

I agree

[@StainedglassWings]

I was expecting to see jeans worn in the thighs, candles almost entirely burned, empty vinyl covers, and board games missing intrigal parts... all of which I have seen multiple times

[@janicegermain5522]

I think you actually missed the point. Of course, some items "may" be priced fairly, but that isn't the norm at Value Village. Who's to say the TV even worked, or the Nike's didn't have holes? The show was centred around all the complaints about Value Village's ludicrous pricing practices, not based on when they "may" occasionally get it right. @@LL-si9cl

[@hawong5379]

They should now call themselves “ Rip Off Village “

[@evanjones2307]

Why not "Valueless Village" lol?

[@ashleyw.6702]

Both are excellent suggestions. Lol 🤣🤣

[@brianbaxter3913]

That is what I have been calling for a long time.

[@johncam8420]

Idk, I got some checkered red dress shirts from Chaps for 8 and 12 bucks respectively. Also got a clearly used Lacoste T-Shirt for 12 bucks. Not amazing deals, but not bad. Unless Im being duped?

[@Siouxie-oo4cj]

In french we say Village des voleurs 😂

[@VishnuKamath]

Thank you for highlighting this. If Value village gets this for free and if they are charging more for it then it is absurdity.

[@hermosapresidenta3931]

From a sustainability stand point I completely agree with the one man - it’s more expensive for me to have a USED item. I’d save money by buying new. It’s very sad the consumeristic side of it. It’s a classic example of green washing. Ever since they implemented the exchange game due to removing the change rooms I’ve had a very bad taste for them. Now I shop at my local Salvation Army who charges reasonably and has a room I can try things on to confirm my purchase prior to handing over my hard earned money.

[@cdh2328]

I was looking at a cute pair of kids boots at Christmas. I thought it didn’t have a price so I found someone to check it for me. She pointed out their new price stickers and they were $14.99. OMG, and I thought that was an original Winners sticker, lol. 15.00 bucks? Ya ok. At Salvation Army! No thank you!

[@the_kombinator]

LMAO the Salvation Army prices are 5x of Value Village, even Talize. I don't even go to SA stores anymore because of their ridiculous pricing of electronics.

[@samantha.lawson]

I once looked at a ring in their display case marked $50--i showed alot of interest but told them to hold onto it while I looked around, and after browsing I went back to buy and it was $150!! They marked it up, while I was shopping-as if maybe I had read the price wrong. I was SO mad. If you want a good deal, shop MISSION thrift store, their prices are unbelievably low!

[@Melanie-gq1ud]

Not in Guelph , Ontario they are not . Mission just like all the rest of the thrift stores are copying VV . Mission thrift prices have gone crazy just like our SA here .

[@user-rj8nm9gy6w]

Mission thrift doesn’t pay its employees. They use religion to get free labour. I won’t shop there because of that.

[@DUDE72341]

I was once held while multiple women from the back looked at an item I wanted to purchase.They said this item has been retagged this is not the real price.. They changed it from 3.99 to 20.99..I said are you accusing me..they said no..I said are you guys kidding you can price change at the till...meanwhile 10 people where waiting..I was shocked..Just because the cashier felt it was labelled too cheap

[@shinykazzadragon]

Mission in Saskatoon has HIGH prices. Plus, I would rather shop at a secular place.

[@cdh2328]

Mission Thrift prices are not low!! Their prices are for people with deeper pockets!

[@charlotteamodeo3031]

It's why I havn't shopped at Value Village for ages. I noticed this a long ttime ago.

[@maryoleary2037]

The last time that I was in Value Village I saw a vase that was priced at $2.99. I purchased the same one at Dollar Tree for $1.25. On the other hand, I picked up an Anthropology Maeve skirt, that I saw online at $150 and I paid $12.49 at Value Village. You really have to know your brands and prices before going in.

[@batsandbatsandbats]

True. I found a pair of beautiful Rag & Bone jeans for about $10 next to a worn out pair from Garage for the same price.

[@lynnsibley1172]

Yep, I've gotten beautiful wool skirts for 9$ that would be 50+ new. And I never pay more than 10$ for a pair of boots for my kids - compared to 25+ new. If you're willing to look, you can still get a deal. You do really need to be cautious though.

[@grandpasgotgame6532]

Somewhere along the line value village went from a service that helped people who were having financial difficulties and trying to make ends meet, to a dishonest company ripping off consumers with donated used items that are overpriced. For this reason I stopped going there years ago.😢

[@bgregg55]

The average Value Village executive compensation is $266,735 a year. The median estimated compensation for executives at Value Village including base salary and bonus is $255,074, or $122 per hour. At Value Village, the most compensated executive makes $720,000, annually, and the lowest compensated makes $52,000.

[@tdelli3675]

They do this by deceitful marketing as a charity and ripping off the vulnerable. How disgraceful.

[@lesliesanger4255]

Wow, very interesting.

[@9inchardox927]

Thats hardly charity, thats organized theft.

[@sunflowerlvr65]

Ridiculous

[@marneeklintworth9300]

What are their lowly 'floor staff' making is my question. No one seems to be able to provide that yet all kinds of interviews here & comments on the internet. Wondering if they had to sign a confidentiality clause when they were hired.

[@JessT-vg7ib]

The prices at Value Village are ridiculous.

[@joyhooja6464]

Where did people get the idea that Value Village is a thrift store ? It’s not !!! It’s a profitable BUSINESS !!!!

[@Wuhlz]

As someone on PWD I used to buy a lot of my stuff at Value Village, it was about 9 years ago that I stopped going to them. I went back a couple of years ago and the prices were ridiculous for items that were already worn out. I need to get bargains, I wont be going back, period!

[@metalandy]

This does not surprise me. I use to be an avid Value Village shopper but have noticed higher prices for many years. I only visit on occasion but haven't made any purchases at all. Even before the pandemic. When it comes to donations, I send them at local used thrift stores and not Value Village. With the popularity of the store, they might think it was a good idea to raise prices that customers will buy anyways. Well, they lost my "Value" as a customer since their system is a failure and a joke.

[@AnnieIsaLau]

They are loosing a lot of people. I don't shop there anymore...

[@carinaoliveira5850]

I used to shop there too for many years, and over the past 5 years, I barely go there anymore once I realized that a pair of used jeans would cost me $50... I could easily find a new pair off the rack for $5-10 more (or even less if they're on sale). Value Village is only really good for small vintage finds these days, like glassware or teacups.... other than that, I'd rather support my local consignment store.

[@kylecyr8999]

Same, use to go almost weekly as i lived by one. Recently i found everything of value in terms of dvd's, games and movies to be locked at the front of the store and almost asking for double what they go for with of course no warranty, refund or exchange policy. Even pants, shirts and jackets seem to be so oddly price i only really buy from there if i see something cool and worth what there asking.

[@AnnieIsaLau]

@@kylecyr8999 yup! I got super nice shoes for 5$ at the time. They looked brand new. But last time I went, I saw a old stained shirt for 10.49$... I couldn't believe it. I can get a brand new one at Walmart for that price. It's definitely not worth it anymore. I believe they will lose a lot of costumers if they don't lower their prices.

[@davidslife2081]

Its the same way with Goodwill here in the USA. I wish someone would do a story about them here.

[@toybarons]

I've been shopping at VV since 1988 when I first moved to Edmonton. Back then you could really find great deals. Now days, it's very different. It's not uncommon to find 2 pairs of the exact same pair of new socks with tags, same color, same condition and one pair is priced twice as much as the other. I never donate either to VV. There is a well establish community store I know where prices are fair and they help local families who get my donations as well as my money because they do good for people.

[@jennifershaw4756]

I live in the area. Would you mind sharing the name of the community store? I'm looking for a good spot to donate to. I never donate to VV. Thank you so much.

[@the_kombinator]

Used socks? Yuck.

[@sarahrichards-vk3sz]

Unfortunately this is happening at all the thrift stores...even Salvation Army. I pointed out a Dollarama item with the original price still on it and the store price was a few dollars more. I took it to the manager and complained. She took the item to the back and the next day it was back on the shelf. No change in price.

[@jrochest4642]

It's not their staff who are 'mispricing' things -- it's the algorithmic pricing system that they're using, which comes straight from head office. The city should start charging them an extra fee to use the landfill, because obviously all of this stuff is going to wind up there.

[@warisgood454]

Yes market place needs to come back to the store to ask some real questions Like how much of the stuff unsold ends up in landfills And has rh rise in prices effected the amount of stuff going to land fills And how much do they actually pay the charities for donations Til then I suggest you look to donate to only thrift stores or churches that acuay support your community

[@aliciamilovanovic1475]

​@warisgood454 someone other than Marketplace place needs to do a *real* report on this place. I will no longer donate to them.

[@jakot5777]

The unsold clothing usually shipped to third world countries. I once saw second hand clothing with value-village tag in Uganda Africa. I also saw interview with a president of Rwanda refusing to accept those secondhand clothing but he was saying there are challenges I guess the western world wants to dump it there if not there are repercussions lots of politics than we understand it.

[@r.1599]

@@jakot5777 When I worked in the back at Value Village, the unsold clothing was sent to shredders and sold as cleaning rags.

[@cdh2328]

Let’s face it all of our homes have become storage houses for stuff. Sooner or later it’ll all end up in landfill!

[@StreamerSam]

TLDR: don’t shop at value village

[@mikid3032]

Don't donate as well

[@artheemisia]

In Québec, we call them Village des Voleurs!

[@MarcusDaGrand]

hehe

[@the_kombinator]

MDR :)

[@artheemisia]

I worked at a VV store in Montreal back in 1990. Worst job ever - I had to sort men’s clothes and put a price on each item. My estimates were way too low most of the time and I threw too many pieces on clothing in the trash barrel. Most of the clothes were not clean and had dirty tissues in their pockets 🤢 I lasted two weeks! (We were paid minimum salary)

[@r.1599]

I worked in the back as a hanger. The mold! The fleas! the filth! I got sick from the mold, and quit when they refused to let me take the shift off to wait with family at the hospital where my mother had been brought in, unconscious, after a car accident.

[@caringcanadian4296]

Fraudulent businesses like this delinquent Value Village should be fined and lose their licenses.

[@warisgood454]

The story missed several other issues like the fact the arent a charity They also sell brand new merchanidice And the worst fact is unsold items are compacted and sent the the trash Your donation one does not help your community two it may end up in the dumo anyway

[@ashleyw.6702]

Yes. People think buying from them is somehow donating to charity. But they are not a charity. Genius marketing on their part.

[@Tranceplant82]

They claim to help items "find a new life". Reuse instead of throwing away, even if they actually do throw away a lot of stuff...

[@user-yw6mm5yb6g]

Well i used to walk in and buy a used book for $2....now i have found them at cover price.

[@cdh2328]

I think they should encourage reading by having low prices on books and encourage recycling them. I.E. donate 3 get 1 free or something. Books have become unaffordable even at Thrift Stores. I refuse to buy any of their books now. We get our books from the library mostly or do without. I look for interesting titles at lawn sales or church sales.

[@the_kombinator]

@@cdh2328 They do that. I donate things I can't sell on Marketplace to them, and they give me a card for some kind of deal, usually it's pretty decent.

[@kassamsal]

Thank you for bringing this to the public's attention. Soon, the company will begin serving the community with fair deals.

[@jongibbons730]

Haven't been there or donated there in years... Went to Canadian tire to get a belt, then decided to go to the Value Village next door instead. Found the same belt as in Canadian tire for $2.00 more at the Value Village.

[@hockeyzythebest]

I hope this video goes viral and value village goes bankrupt. The amount of times I've left empty handed from value village is insane. People only go here for affordable things.

[@user-ku2pn4ym9k]

We need to boycot this store!

[@TheresaAra]

I worked there for 3 years at 2 different locations. I can assure you that it is not the associates who are misinterpreting the process.

[@eletakelley7188]

When they move into a town they start with lower prices until their competitors are all closed, then they hike prices.

[@r.1599]

Sounds like WalMart.

[@AnnieIsaLau]

Not anymore, they just opened one where I live and it's already super expensive. I saw a stained t-shirt, very plain, 10.49$

[@CC-kr3mr]

Omg

[@vidapdl6854]

The CRA should look into this charity stores prior giving them a licensed i.e. Why executives salary are unbelievable high.

[@DUDE72341]

or how is accounting done on a donated item..how do you know how much the company didnt pay?

[@katchoo1865]

Years ago I used to take my kids old clothes and donate, then go buy better fitting ones for my children . Years later we would take the grandchildren to have a look around and buy what was needed. About 5 years ago this changed. We had taken our grandson to look for clothes and realized the prices had jumped significantly. We left the store, went to Walmart, bought new clothes for the same prices that Value Village was charging or sometimes lower. I still donate but do not enter the store anymore. Thanks for your episode, I will reevaluate where I donate good used items in the future.

[@shuntguy]

Stop donating to them. Donate to Salvation Army or a local charity store.

[@AnnieIsaLau]

Please stop donating to them. They give nothing to charities, all the money they make goes to the owner who is a millionaire. Find real charities in your area. 😊

[@peterbanton9155]

Thank you for exposing these frauds!

[@001sparks]

Please do a story on where their profits go That would be interesting

[@jasmarr]

Value Village is horrible. I stopped going there 3 years ago for the same reason. Glad it is on the news now. You can get better deal at the original store than this Scam Village.

[@lilacbirman]

Value Village is Savers where I live and they've been pricing high for at least 10 years. I used to shop there every week and now it's once every few months. It's so rare to find thrift store pricing here! Ridiculous!

[@johnboyle1425]

Over the past year or two I've purchased a desktop computer, laptop computer and 3 monitors at Value Village for about $15 each. All were in excellent condition. I also picked up a tv for $40. I've doubled my collection of classical CDs for a price of $2 or $3 each. Also in excellent condition. Then there were several books in "as new" condition with values from $15 to $45 for $3 to $6. This has been a great place to find very useful items at absolute bargain prices. I do not buy clothing there or simple items that can be found at the Dollar Store or Walmart. There is definitely another side to the story than the one that you have presented.

[@shyvonnesanchez1164]

I got a beats pill from Value Village a few weeks ago. And I had a discount. Paid less then 20. Had to clean it, but it works great!

[@markd8469]

You’re right not everything is over priced there. I bought a brand new Swiss Gear laptop bag for $7.99. Same bag across the street at Staples was $49.99. It’s Hit and miss on some things

[@ewaste8318]

Canada needs more thrift stores that adopt the pawn-shop model so they can bring in higher quality goods to sell. Jacking up prices on generally low-quality used items they received for free isn't a sustainable business model.

[@hermosapresidenta3931]

I believe what you’re looking for is called a consignment store.

[@ewaste8318]

@@hermosapresidenta3931 Consignment is a little different. The stores don't buy the stuff they just sell it for the original owners and they get a cut if it sells. That would also be better than Value Village's current business model though.

[@batsandbatsandbats]

That's what consignment is.

[@CanadaECommerce]

The give their employees bs guidelines to overprice. Then they throw them under the bus...

[@the_kombinator]

They don't though, I've very often gotten reduced prices once I pointed out a flaw or a missing part (adapter, wiring, etc). You gotta, you know, TALK to people.

[@marilyndixon9933]

Good to see them being exposed to what's really going on. Glad Market place did look into this

[@ipoka21]

Thank you for exposing them!

[@stickjohnny]

Worst thrift store.

[@brian_john5834]

It all depends on you knowing merchandise, and pricing. I'm a florist, and remember finding a popular FTD vase there at a price a couple of dollars more than the high-end flower shop where I worked.

[@janicemartell25]

Managers will not lower the price. If you find two identical items at different prices they will mark the lower price up rather than the other way around and look at you as if you changed the pricing.

[@garyholt8315]

that's nasty!

[@the_kombinator]

They will though, I have had prices reduced many, many times. They'll even exchange electronics.

[@jonchalk3855]

Consumers are finally waking up to the truth of second-hand stores. I have noticed over the years that stores like Value Village has been asking almost, if not more than double what they can buy new at a retail store. The absurdity is that the Dollarama (and other store) price tag is still on the merchandise, many times used merchandise. Do they (second-hand stores), really think customers are dumb?

[@ElectroSharpTurtle]

Great CBC Marketplace episode. 🙂👍 My question is why is Value Village selling those products that have official Dollarama sticker labels prices though? It's insanity. 😥

[@hpnut4ever]

I can say from experience that often, the pricer just won't see it. They see thousands of items in a day and are under a ton of pressure to meet quotas, so it's easier than you'd think to completely miss the occasional Dollarama logo or a garage sale price tag, especially if it's on the bottom of an item. It's much more likely to be human error than an employee trying to rip off the customers. The employees are no more supercomputers than the customers are.

[@DeborahThird-og1uo]

Or….the electric frypan that overheated to 490’F++ Or….the lamp that shorted out because someone had messed with it. Or….the stick vacuum that sparked and blew a house fuse. Repair shop said the motor was shot. In each case, no money refunded, only a “store credit”, which you have to spend entirely, that same day. The little guys get my money and donations these days.

[@astelbele]

I saw a blouse at value village for $9.99, it was a George blouse from Walmart. It actually, cost more at value village and it was used.

[@gordonholland3406]

Buyer beware indeed. Thanks foe purring this video out there to help people make informed decisions. Try your best to know prices and shop around!

[@jimmying8172]

When Goodwill got out that's when the prices went up at Value Village.

[@the_kombinator]

Have you been to a Salvation Army lately? Their prices are far, far higher.

[@chrisanthony144]

CALL OUT THE CEO!

[@r.1599]

I notice they said that customers are free to bring pricing up with a manager, but they didn't say the manager would fix the problem. That's because they didn't want to be caught in a lie. There are three Value Villages in my area, and I've brought up pricing issues with the managers of all three. One told me that they have their pricing list and that the taggers price according to the list. All three told me I was free to shop elsewhere if I didn't like the prices there. Not one fixed a pricing issue. They've even reduced their "Member Sale" percent off from 40%-50% off, to as low as 10%-20% off. The 50% off sales used to induce me to shop there occasionally because there was a chance of getting a deal. But with the lower discounts and higher prices, I haven't stepped foot in a Value Village in what feels like forever. And they no longer get my donations, either - Goodwill and The Good Shepherd do.

[@MissX905]

Same here I took an item I wanted to buy to a manager and told him I wouldn't pay the price as I thought it was overpriced and offered him a decent price but he wouldn't budge. I told him "well you got it for free" I quit going back to that store for about a month . A few months after the incident I noticed that manager was no longer the manager but the prices never went down.

[@GarnetCrow]

Reminder to everyone. It's never immoral or unethical to shoplift at Value Village.

[@hawong5379]

I honestly want to know where do their profits go? Which charities do they support? And what percentage of their profits goes to charity, and how much the owner put into his pockets!!

[@nevergiveup9321]

They support diabetes orgs.and with all the $ they've made i'm suprised there is no cure yet😂

[@belindarobinson2123]

Someone once told me they pay the charity 10 cents per pound weight of their donations. So basically nothing.

[@shinykazzadragon]

They're not a charity. Profits go to the owners.

[@AnnieIsaLau]

Their profits goes to the owner. They don't donate to any charities, it's even written on their website. They only buy donations overstock from charitable organizations, that's it. And don't forget, you pay taxes at VV... Taxes on items that have already been taxed before.

[@AnnieIsaLau]

​@@belindarobinson2123not true.

[@deborahcheung8636]

How about value village selling used bottles of shampoo/soap???

[@aliciamilovanovic1475]

Omg yes! I saw half used perfumes, which also just looked gross and unsanitary. Just strange!

[@Tranceplant82]

That should be unacceptable. Same with metallic cookie boxes. I've seen that several times. Never should be on the shelves.

[@sharondanenas3429]

And underwear Gross

[@JuiceEasy]

He nailed it at the very end 6:40 “ why should I care about sustainability when I’m constantly being misled and deceived”

[@the_kombinator]

Sounds like a motto for pretty much everything, everywhere. Quite generic, but applicable.

[@TheNashNetwork]

Happy to see so many have stopped donating to VV. Unbelievable price gouging lately. Used to be good but now it's ridiculous.

[@warisgood454]

I would like to see market place takle the real issue is what happens to over priced merchandice It ends uo in the dump Every store knows every item has a price that too high and will not attract buyers But oddly value village over reaches and pushes for rhe highest price Regardless of how many items end uo unsold and finally end uo in the dumo Value village wont reduce the price of items

[@shuntguy]

DON'T donate to Value Village. Salvation Army is a 100% charity thrift shop. There are also some local charity thrift shops. My town had one but it closed after the founder died. Something should be done to try and bring back Goodwill.

[@kateb2643]

Salvation Army's also worth avoiding due to their homophobic lobbying habits

[@soogymoogi]

Salvation Army is homophobic, please don't donate to them. Go with local charities if at all possible

[@noseboop4354]

Seems like you live in a very hostile town if nobody was willing to continue the charity thrift shop after the founder died.

[@shuntguy]

@@noseboop4354 I believe the landlord had also raised the rent. It takes a great deal of effort to run a business with no real reward at the end.

[@sangomoon5456]

@shuntguy 100%

[@960wattoffgridrv]

Back in the 90's, my house was broken into and robbed by thieves. Later on, my stolen items turned up at a second hand store pawn shop. The store owner was selling my stolen items and he refused to return these items to me. He also intimidated me and told me not to go to the police. So I smashed the windows out of his storefront and kept smashing out windows for more than 6 months till he was permanently shut down! You can permanently shut down any shady businesses overnight if you know what you're doing!

[@MarcusDaGrand]

Why didn't you go to the police?

[@talltiger2790]

This is one of the most insane KZbin comments I've ever read.

[@jaberahmad2525]

I was always suspicious about value village. The price tags in value village doesn't make sense to me most of the time. Thank you Marketplace.

[@9FatraBbits]

Exactly my experience: cheaper at Dollarama than Value Village, Etc I no longer go to value village. (Added later) It occurs to me that their employees are payed while many thrift stores are staffed with volunteers for charities.

[@pocketlinttreasures33]

All employees of second hand stores are paid. Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. Which stores are volunteer only?

[@batsandbatsandbats]

​@@pocketlinttreasures33only really small ones that are open limited hours and are tiny charities, not chains

[@shyvonnesanchez1164]

How dare people have a job. Smh

[@mikecorbeil]

I believe that it is the same company as the one that has the " _Village des Valeurs_ " in French Quebec, in Sherbrooke, Qc anyway.

[@AnnieIsaLau]

Yes, same.

[@johnransom1146]

Figured this out years ago

[@ShoebHussaini]

Thankyou for making this, hopefully Valuevillage make some changes to their pricing after this.

[@XP12]

I been turn away many time by managers when prices are higher .they don't care evrey item is donation.they rather toss it than to sale it lower .prices in the barrie area are ridiculously high, especially when they are popular items video games ,toys ,electronics and clothing. Basically the items customers want the most .

[@brittanyanderson3189]

Thank you so much for making this video

[@Capitanvolume]

I used to buy designer suits at value village for 40$. This was 15 years ago. Then they started the designer clothing section and they want 60-70$ for used jeans. Its outrageous

[@maxidal6927]

These video should play everyday in public transit, gathering, etc. So, everybody will know.

[@estheriijeanlouis8688]

Plus value village still add taxe other charity shop dont charge taxe on use item.

[@margaretmatheson6899]

I used to go there all the time but not anymore. I noticed prices in Ontario when I lived there, 7yrs ago. VV price on exact items at Dollarama was twice as much.

[@user-dl5ip1xr7p]

Finally an episode really relatable

[@shaunahandrigan8270]

It's cheaper shopping for new clothes. And the risk of picking up bed bugs at thrift stores are enormous.

[@the_kombinator]

They are not, unless you're shopping in Brampton.

[@donstclair4619]

what some value villages do too. is pick through donations, take designer items and sell them outside of the store on ebay, poshmatk etc then they dont have to declare it on their business books, and they font have to donate the money or pay taxes from it - they sgould be audited and it sbould be illegal to sell donations outside of the stores the value village at woodbine/danforth in toronto does it - then thwu will charge 7-8 dollars for some corporate event t shirt or sweater fromlike 10 years ago there should be caps on the price something can be sold for ie: t shirt-5$ pants- 10-15 shoes- 20$ jackets - 40$ dont donate to value village