Buffalo Exchange — Local services in Austin

I attempted to resell a few like-new, brand name pieces to Buffalo (one of which was a pristine vintage dress). All of my items were pushed back to my side of the counter within 10 seconds of "appraisal", along with a curt, "These wouldn't sell because _ isn't trending". What's more: the associate was wearing a head-to-toe, canary yellow Little Bo Peep costume, replete with painted white freckles.

I waited 30 solid minutes for this most informative appraisal from Bo Peep, all the while watching as she and a handful of workers gawked over whatever items they had previously accepted this week. Every so often they'd chatter about an item that was being currently evaluated. Clearly there isn't a whisper of professional judgment going into this store's resell process; you're at the mercy of glorified Goodwill associates with a wacky "Obnoxious Fashion Degree Dropout" filter applied. I hear turnover is high at Buffalo as well, so don't expect consistency in appraisals either.

Unless you're a trendy, 20-something hipster with en vogue ripped/bleached/stained/distressed clothing...or you're a cheap period costume enthusiast...your resell items will be wholeheartedly rejected by Buffalo Exchange. This place is not vintage. It's not affordable. It doesn't resell responsibly. They'd rather pay you $1.50 for a F21 crop top and sell it at $16 on the rack.

If you have gently used, name brand, and/or vintage items, study up on local consignment or true thrift shops. Find places that reject fast fashion brands, who obviously do their research, and who price fairly. They deserve your business and your clothes 100x more...

I had just sold some items at Pavement with a decent experience, so decided to come to Buffalo to see if they might want anything. I wasn't hoping for much. They bought some Zara jeans for $4 which is not the issue. There were possibly some things I was interested in in the store, but as I was gathering my stuff up (2 bags and a coat), they were not helpful and just kept telling me I need to move and make way for others (there was one other person who walked in right after me). I said I was possibly going to trade and they seemed frustrated and repeated I just needed to move (I wasn't there long--this was in a short span of time, maybe two minutes tops). They told me twice I could put it in my car and I told them twice I had parked far. They then said I could move my stuff to the floor by the door. This didn't feel great to me to think of putting my $195 jacket NWT on the floor next to the door, so I decided I didn't want to be there anymore and asked where should I check out.

The experience worsened from there. I went to the checkout counter and the cashier was non-plussed. She asked me if these were the things I was buying and I said I wasn't buying anything, that I just wanted the cash from the item bought by the store. She asked me two more times if I was ready to buy what was in my hands and I had to explain it to her twice more in detail. All in all it doesn't seem like it is worth the trouble. I don't think I will...

cant say how many times i have shopped here, and have found some great deals...

however: there has also handfuls of times where the store sold me damaged merchandise, ex: a shirt missing all its buttons which i overlooked when purchasing, or shoes with soles separating from the bottom. and would not allow me to return even within their 5 day period even with a receipt. the store would not fix the problems.

I have also purchased items, and within a week or two realized it did not fit well or for whatever reason decided to sell it back, only to have it rejected. the items were always returned in the same condition yet it seems buffalo wont buy the same clothes it sells.

today: attempted to sell grey suede boots, which once again were purchased from buffalo. the buyer said the boots were highly worn, despite having no wear on the soles. i asked where the wear was, he mentioned the suede looked ashy, but suede always looks this way when you rub it in one direction. the boots were nearly new, so no.

it appears some buyers take junk, while others will not buy the same items they had just sold a week before.

two words Buffalo: quality control.

as a store: if you sell damaged items, will not amend the problem, and yet will not buy items in nearly new condition... then what is the point of...