Value Village — Attraction in University Place

I tend to shop for so-called classic men’s clothing such as: button ups, dress pants, and sport coats, especially sport coats, and Value Village has them all in addition to the regular clothing you’d expect. Like with all thrift stores, you have to keep an eye out to get a clothing item that is both cheap and well-made but you can find them here. Compared to some Goodwill stores in the area, this one’s men’s section is relatively large. The sizing is what you’d expect.

Pros:

Prices:

All of the men’s clothing I’ve browsed here is affordable but if you shop here for classic/vintage jackets you can find them here for about eight bucks on average which is a steal.

Layout:

The aisles are accessible and the lighting bright and clear. What really sets this place apart from other thrift stores are how the pants are hung up. Rather than being draped over hangers like you would expect, they’re clipped to the area between the waistband and upper thigh. This allows you to more quickly sort through them and get a better feel for their fabric, color, and size which is nice. On the other hand, these hangers can leave indentations on said fabric.

Classic/vintage:

I’ve seen between five to ten Harris Tweed sport coats here that were in great shape and have found my favorite jackets here: Harris Tweed, Donegal, grey herringbone, and even some nailshead and houndstooth jackets.

Hours:

During weekdays they’re open until nine pm which is later than most thrift stores in Tacoma.

Cons:

Dressing rooms:

Unless you opt for the one that’s wheelchair accessible, they’re miserably small and don’t have anywhere for you to sit down to try on your items. This is a huge minus as part of the shopping process is trying on those items and it’s not shopper friendly in this regard.

Shoes:

Until recently, they didn’t even have a shelf for shoes in my size (13) but they do now. Sadly, the quality of these shoes is sorely lacking.

Bathroom:

As far as I know, there’s no public restroom...

Please fire the tall, mean lady emoloyee (or manager?) She is a PSYCHO, or having a mental issue.

I recently went shopping at Value Village on 19th Street.　It was Tuesday, and it's Senior Day.　　I am 70 year old.

I was about to pay for two items and told very tall old lady that I am a senior and would like a discount.　I showed her my USA passport, which it was easier to pull out of my wallet.

She got angry and loudly said she couldn't see where the birthday was.　　I said, “You have eyes on you, don't you?

She got very angry and started to argue with me.　She yelled at me to leave immediately.　She also say, "You don't have to purchase from this store" huh??

What made her so angry?　　I wanted to leave right away because I felt that I got harassed, but I could pull out my driver's license, which I showed her.

Is this the way to treat a customer?　　I thought this woman has a major mental problem, or maybe she doesn't like Asians.

We are your customers, but we are also valuable donors to your company.

This tall, arrogant, mean, middle-aged (or, she is maybe a senior citizen) female has no appreciation for either the customer or the donor.

I am an immigrant from Japan and have been an American citizen for almost 40 years.　Wherever I go when I return to Japan, I always receive courteous service.

Also in Japan, second hand stores do not sell donated items, they buy them and sell them with very reasonable prices.　　Even so, the customer service and attitude are very courteous.

I would like to aske to them: Do you train your employees on how to treat customers?

I was truly appalled by this high-handed female employee / manager(?) and I never want to go back to this store again until she is gone from that store.　She was very rude for no reason.

P.S. Went to Ross after I had this terrible experience, and felt better after I purchased 2 clothes even I could into fitting room to check if these clothes fit me or not. Also the employees are very polite...

Kristen at Value Village is an absolute gem! Every time I visit, she goes above and beyond to make sure I have a great shopping experience. Her friendliness and willingness to help with anything I need are truly exceptional. I've seen her handle busy times with grace and always with a smile. Kristen is knowledgeable about the store's products and can always point me in the right direction.

What stands out most about Kristen is her genuine care for customers. Whether I'm looking for something specific or just browsing, she takes the time to engage and offer assistance. She remembers regular customers and makes everyone feel welcome. It's clear she loves what she does, and it shows in her interactions with both customers and colleagues.

Kristen is also incredibly efficient and organized. Even when the store is busy, she manages to keep things running smoothly. She has a keen eye for detail, ensuring the store is tidy and items are well-displayed. Her positive attitude is infectious, and she creates a pleasant shopping environment for everyone.

On multiple occasions, I've witnessed Kristen handle difficult situations with patience and professionalism. She remains calm under pressure and always finds a way to resolve issues to everyone's satisfaction. Her problem-solving skills are impressive, and she never hesitates to go the extra mile to ensure customers leave happy.

In summary, Kristen is a real asset to Value Village. Her exceptional customer service, work ethic, and positive attitude make shopping there a pleasure. Highly recommend seeking her out if you...