Unique — Local services in Aspen Hill

I'd like to consider myself one of the best "evaluators" of thrift stores, since I frequent them almost daily. I'm a part time RN and antique dealer, so I think I know my stuff! My usual place to shop was the Montgomery General Hospital's thrift store, but there are too many folks working there who do not allow the good stuff to go on the shelves. I'm sure the same thing happens here at Unique, but to a much lesser extent. There are still some fabulous buys if you stay there long enough to look in every nook and cranny, and depending on the day you go (Mondays are so crowded due to the 1/2 price sale, that you might not be able to find anything! Thursdays can be that way as well for 25% off. But again, when items are being placed on shelves by the workers, they get picked up immediately by whomever happens to see them nearby! Make sure you have at least 3-4 hrs of time to really sift through all the isles and shelves. Don't forget to look at the top hooks where the baggies are! I've gotten a package of sterling silver open salts with spoons for $1.61. And the clothing can be just as good a deal. Last week I found 6 pieces of Chico's clothing in my size with tags for $4.99-$9.99 each. A pair of unworn Rockport clogs for $4.24 and tons of sealed needlework craft kits that sell on ebay for over $30 only $2.99 or less at this store. I love shopping here, and have no need to shop in retail stores. At my income level, I can't afford to dress in the high priced clothing, but I can still buy it at this store and look like I have a very high end closet! I have bought other pieces for resale and for my grown kids homes, and have been able to furnish my disabled son's home in style on a shoestring budget! The store also offers community help by way of it's closet program, and that is highly appreciated by the people who earn the gift certificates through county programs. What a great store with a great mission!...

Unique Thrift is a for-profit enterprise owned by Savers, which is owned by a private equity firm in the Seattle area. It is NOT a charity shop and does not donate its profits to charity. Their website clearly states: "Shopping in our stores does not support any non-profit." The company says it purchases donated items from some local non-profits; however, it does not release details on these buying deals. The company is large and owns many thrift stores around the country. I mention this because there are true charity shops in the area--including Goodwill, Urban Thrift, Salvation Army, church shops, etc.--that are actually charities and donate their profits to charity. Some of the real charity shops are even run by volunteers working for no pay in order to help the cause. A lot of people seem to think Unique is a charity and the attorney general in Minnesota has in the past accused this company of misrepresenting how much it gives to charity. So if you have lovely and near-new items to donate, I highly suggest donating them to authentic charity shops. I frequently shop the charity shops, but I also shop at Unique. Unique Thrift is still a worthwhile place to shop and I have found many nice items for good prices. It is pretty well managed and prices are marked clearly. The merchandise is generally clean and not damaged, although you have to examine your items carefully. There are 7-day exchanges but only for clothing and shoes. Be very careful buying anything else that might have defects, such as luggage, electronics, furniture, etc. Some items do have hidden damage so you have to look carefully. There are discounts here on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays only so those days tend...

Visited this store for the first time recently, and it will sadly be the only time I go. The prices are good, and the selection of things is amazing, but oh my gosh the staff are some of the rudest people I have ever met.

The employee supervising the checkout honed onto me and watched as I scanned every item like a hawk, standing right behind me. Normally I wouldn't notice someone watching, but I could see her staring every time I turned to reach into my cart to grab an item to scan...Eventually I scanned a vase that appeared to have a normal tag, and then the employee swooped on me saying that the price was wrong. She kept saying it like I was trying to scam the store. I just told her to put the correct price in then, since I still wanted the vase. She disappeared and came back with I think a supervisor, who told me in an accusatory manner that someone switched the tag and it was a few dollars more...so I said again that was fine and I'd pay for the proper price. He finally put in it, but didn't say anything else and just stared at me as I payed. I would have gotten the register supervisor and manager's names, but they were so hostile that I just wanted to leave.

I've never been to this store before this, and had absolutely no idea that the tag had been switched. I'm sure people do try to scam prices, but that doesn't mean that everyone needs to be treated...