2nd Ave Thrift Superstore - Laurel, MD — Attraction in Laurel

Brought my son here to purchase a “western-themed” outfit for his school’s spirit week. Purchased a hat ($9.99), shirt ($4.99), cowboy boots ($24.99), and a few other unrelated things. It was 9:45 PM when I checked out, just before the store was closing. The following morning, I removed the items from the bag and noticed that the boots were missing. I checked everywhere and realized that the cashier must have neglected to put them in the bag. This oversight defeated the whole of the point of the outfit, but I digress. I called the store and spoke to a very nice woman and explained to her what the boots looked like. Sure enough, she found them in customer service. She said to go there when I came in. So, I went in tonight, waited patiently for about five minutes at customer service for the woman behind the counter to finish with another customer. When it was my turn, I explained to her what happened and pointed to the boots that were behind the counter. She told me I’d need to talk to a supervisor and pointed to another woman who was walking away. I followed her to the opposite side of the store and politely told her that I’d been instructed to talk her. Instead of greeting me like a customer, she was visibly annoyed and complained that there was another manager up front who I should talk to. Even still, I said, “Ok, who should I ask to speak to?” Reluctantly, she then asked me what the issue was. I explained the situation to her and told her that because this was not my fault - that THEIR employee had made the mistake, I’d like a refund, despite them having a no-refunds policy. She told me that was not possible. That maybe if I’d come back on the same day, they could have refunded me. First of all, how would I come back the same day when I checked out as they were closing and didn’t realize the item was missing until the next day. Second, if the cashier hadn’t made the mistake, I wouldn’t have HAD to come back. Frustrated, she directed me to the store manager. He at least didn’t appear to be annoyed to be helping a customer. Still, he recycled the same B.S. answer and said the very best they could do was to give me store credit (for an item that never made it into my car). Realizing I wasn’t going to get anywhere with them because of a combination of completely nonsensical store policy and an unwillingness to see the value in customer service over being right, I accepted the offer for a credit. I let him know that it was nothing personal, but that I would definitely be submitting a complaint and posting reviews. He acknowledged that and we went to the counter.

What happens next is a joke. The supervisor takes my receipt and HAND WRITES “store credit approved by Delma” and the amount of the cost of the boots (not including the tax I paid). She turns around and carries on with her business. My husband walks over with two $3.99 items that he wants to purchase. I hand him the receipt and the supervisor says, “No, you can only use the entire amount of the credit all at once.” That’s when I actually lost it. I have a HAND-WRITTEN store credit for an item that I paid for and never received because of an error on THEIR part, and I cannot use it unless I use the entire amount all at once...

Q: WHAT KIND OF SENSE DOES THAT MAKE? A: NONE. Not a single damn ounce.

As if she couldn’t have scratched out $24.99 and written a new balance on her make-shift, short-changed, nonsense receipt for the sake of making things right with a customer. To add insult to injury, the manager says something like, “Ma’am, we are a thrift shop, not a big corporation.”

Not at all, you’re just an LLC with 11 stores across four states. And, sorry, whether you’re a big corporation or a mom and pop shop, shouldn’t you always try to correct mistakes and treat the customer like a person, not an annoyance?

This was a service fail from start. Once we have used our credit, we will not...

I have been going to this store for years, though I do so far less frequently now. This store USED to run a GREAT discount program every week, based on the colors of the price tags they would put on items. They have TV screens hanging from the ceiling, on which they used to post the discounted colors of the week. They would typically have 50% off discount on one color and 33% off another, The discounts would originally take place on certain days of the week (such as Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays), and regular customers would try to shop on those days. Then they went through a phase where the discounts were good all week, vs just certain days. However, they went through a VERY long period during which the TVs didn’t seem to work, or perhaps the store chose to turn them off. In ANY case, they don’t seem to do ANY discounts anymore, other than a random, occasional day of the store’s choosing. Sometimes they may do discounts during a big holiday weekend, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day. They STILL carry an amazing variety and quantity, and many quality goods and brands (it all depends on what has been donated recently). Unfortunately, they’ve ALSO RAISED PRICES on merchandise, to the point that SOME prices are rather RIDICULOUS. Thrift stores sometimes SEEM to FORGET that their merchandise DOESN'T COST THEM ANYTHING, since IT’S DONATED. The original purpose of thrift stores—besides funding training and social programs to help those who are struggling due to lack of income or work experience—was as a way for those who can’t afford new (or who prefer vintage) to find what they need or want in good used condition at an AFFORDABLE price, and to AVOID people throwing away perfectly good, usable stuff, and needlessly adding to landfills. I realize these stores have to also pay their employees, but STILL, so much of the stuff has become overpriced. I now often try to find what I need or want on Facebook Marketplace instead, even though it involves more driving around on my part. UPDATE 5-20-2025: I just returned with my son, as we needed to find clothing for my nephew’s semi-formal reception this coming Sunday. My older son had warned us that the FITTING ROOMS were gone, and he was right! They used to have GREAT dressing rooms, but I assume they closed them because of either (1) THEFT (because people HAVE to be dishonest….), or (2) they didn’t want to employ FITTING ROOM ATTENDANTS. So, I recommend people wear leggings and tight fitting tank tops, so you can try many items right out on the sales floor. There are mirrors in various locations. Your ONLY OTHER OPTION is that you can EXCHANGE items that don’t fit for other clothing or other merchandise (NO REFUNDS). It SUCKS, but what can one do? The only OTHER options are shopping at Goodwills or Salvation Army stores, which I believe STILL provide...

I just went to their 50% off summer sale at 2nd Ave in Laurel and not only did they pull almost all of their summer stuff but most of their purple color tags that were 50% off as well were pulled. No summer dresses rang up on sale just tank tops and shorts even though they advertised dresses too. All the swimwear for women was pulled off the floor. THIS IS A BAIT AND SWITCH OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT AND THEY DO NOT CARE. I wish they were sued for false advertising. As you can see they list what is supposed to be on sale and most of it was either pulled from the floor or would not ring up as on sale nor would they fix it in the system. How are thin spaghetti strap summer dresses with summer print not summer dresses? How are capris not summer or tshirts how about selecting your sale items and putting them in a designated area instead of making your customers work for the sale price. If shirts and tank tops are all that's included say so but your advertised list says different. Oh no sandals are included but I don't see them listed either, so there's that. Your employees are pushing buckets of clothes off the floor and yet we are not allowed to look at them. This is a joke for families and people wasting their time to get a deal most likely because they need a deal to shop. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME.

The emailed offer: : Summer clearance Wed, Aug 21 - Sun, Aug 25 50% off Select summer clothing* Thrift SUPERSTORE FIND A STORE *Discount applied at checkout. Valid at all store locations in AK, CT, ID, IL, KS, MA, MD, MN, MO, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VA, WA, and WI. Includes Women's sleeveless tops, short sleeve blouses, short sleeve knits, casual shorts, capris, swimwear, summer wear, tanks, T-shirts, and summer dresses; Men's tanks, T-shirts, short sleeve casual shirts, casual shorts, active shorts, and swimwear; Kids' sleeveless tops, short sleeve tops, T-shirts, shorts, swimwear, and summer wear; Infant/Toddler shorts, skirts, and short sleeve tops. Excludes new merchandise (red tags), white-tagged Grab & Go items (2nd Ave stores only), and gift card purchases. Not valid with any other coupon, discount, or at grand openings. No cash back. No cash value. Discount value forfeited if items...