Ithaca ReUse Center — Local services in City of Ithaca

Summary: costs too much.

I'll tell you a story. I needed some PVC pipe and hose clamps. Used goods would be OK, so I headed down to good ol' Reuse. I must've sorted thru five hundred scraps of PVC (for 30 minutes) and found nothing useful, but there was a decent 6-inch hose clamp that was cheap enough, so I bought it for $1.99.

Then I headed across the street to the big-box home improvement center whose name rhymes with "shows". I found the PVC instantly. And since I needed a second hose clamp, I went to the correct aisle...and found one...brand new...for $1.79.

In short, if you have unlimited time and can find what you want or need, you will learn that ReUse prices much of their no-material-cost-because-its-donated merchandise at or above comparable retail value. Yes, there are bargains to be found. Whether it's worth your time, well, you're the judge.

I can also speak to the high pricing of used computer equipment. In many cases (every case, in my experience) you can get the same or better by watching Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Granted, ReUse offers you the potential of have some (unknown) recourse if the computer you buy doesn't work right. But you pay for that...

I cannot say enough about Asia and Tom in the electronics department. I am very anxious when my equipment does not work and both Asia and Tom have the most calming affect on me whenever the laptop does not work. I can ask questions, even when they sound very awkward to my ears and Asia is so calm about helping. She even trouble shoots on the phone with me and I am so grateful for that. She never makes you feel that your concern is not important and I love the way she is so welcoming and does not expect you to be a coder or programmer when you speak to her about your concerns. This is a great department and I absolutely love the outstanding customer care that Asia and...

This used to be my absolute favorite store in all of Ithaca. I don't know what has changed but it's changed drastically and, unfortunately, not in a good way. Their prices have gone up majorly. Some items that I saw in reuse were actually more expensive than the same item brand new in another store. And they've gotten rid of the 75% off discount. There is also a lot of inconsistencies. On Elmira rd all of the games are $1. In the triphammer mall they're not and some of them are ridiculously expensive. I couldn't find a single wall decoration for a reasonable price. This stuff is donated. They're not spending money on it so I don't understand why my favorite store is now...