Habitat for Humanity Columbia ReStore — Attraction in Columbia

It's hard to get excited about it. I remember when I was first getting into salvaged/reclaimed/upcycled DIY projects, and thought ReStore would be great. While the employees are always exceptionally nice, the real drawback here (as with many ReStores) is that the prices are often not so good. I'm not sure where they originate their prices for second-hand tools, tile, and a few other items. My theory is that it's from finding the same products on eBay and/or Craigslist, then using the highest asking prices they see from among those listings, regardless of the fact that asking prices are set to leave room to negotiate. As each item's tag will remind you, ReStore prices aren't negotiable. Power tools normally have least reasonable prices, as a recent $200 Ryobi table saw could indicate. I recently saw an industrial drill press priced at $1000 on their site, but it's been there quite a while, because no one with an interest in paying a thousand for a drill press will go into a store without an idea of the model, or at least the brand--neither of which appears on the site.

Also, for some reason they don't really bother with dimensional lumber, so while you'll find small lots of trim, tile, and new-in-box hardwood flooring, don't go looking for reclaimed heart pine or salvaged oak flooring. Reclaimed flooring and lumber reportedly uses 1/13th of the energy/resources that new materials do, but your good bets at this ReStore are the furniture, appliances, fixtures, a glut of builder-grade honey oak cabinetry, etc. The best deals of all seem to be the random housewares, if you happen to find some suited to your tastes.

You'll find a gem here and there, and as I said, the staff is friendly. It's also for charitable work that requires funding to operate, so it's understandable that they price things well above Craigslist levels. I just wish there were some kind of happy medium that benefitted the consumer side a little, because at this point, I don't find myself stopping...

It's a great place to get some things in used but usable condition for prices (usually) quite low. Items include furniture, appliances, tools, and various types of building supplies and materials. The downsides are that you never know what they'll have until you show up and that used appliances don't always work.

I bought one major appliance that didn't work at all, and another that worked for a few days then died. They don't really have a warranty on their stuff, but they will replace major appliances if they don't work at all and if you return them right away, so the first failure I got replaced.

Having said that, I have bought a number of items there, and most of what I've bought...

The new location is spacious and well organized. There are always dining sets, sofas, lounge chairs, bookcases, china cabinets, etc. if you need to furnishings for cheap. I sell stuff online and get all my packing tape here--way cheaper than the office supply stores!

Stuff I've gotten: porcelain tile at 75% off retail, light bulbs, a Whirlpool Duet washer & dryer never used, tools, teak bookcase, dining chairs, a lot of nice housewares, some cool vintage art, and lots more. You DO have to stop in regularly if you're looking for something special as the good stuff gets snapped up quickly.

Very friendly and helpful staff, too. Parking is easy...