Savers — Local services in Fountain Valley

Savers - Once a Gem, Now a Mixed Bag

Savers used to be a standout spot, but recently, it feels like it's lost some of its charm. High employee turnover and what seems to be a profit-first mentality have taken a toll on both the shopping experience and the overall vibe of the place.

Pricing has become a major concern. As someone who frequents thrift stores, I've noticed an unsettling trend of unreasonable markups--items that clearly came from places like Dollar Tree priced at 10 times their original value. This raises questions about how they determine prices. While it's still possible to score a good deal here and there, the inconsistency is frustrating. If you spot something with an outrageous price, I recommend asking a manager to justify it--not just for a discount, but to understand the reasoning behind it. Accountability goes a long way.

Another issue is the lack of basic cleanliness, especially in the restrooms. It's baffling that a store selling items conducive to cleanliness doesn't maintain its facilities. A clean, functional restroom isn't just a courtesy--it reflects how much a business values its customers. For a store that thrives on community donations, it's disappointing to see such disregard for this basic need.

To their credit, I've noticed some efforts to reorganize and make changes, but these seem more focused on appealing to affluent shoppers and opening higher-priced locations. This shift makes me question whether Savers is trying to be a thrift store, a reseller, or something closer to a pawnshop. The community donates generously, and shoppers contribute to the business's success, so it feels only fair that Savers give back by maintaining fair pricing and a clean, welcoming environment.

Savers still has potential, but it's time for them to recalibrate--balancing their for-profit model with the community-focused thrift spirit that made them special in the...

Savers is a great thrift store always stocked full of a wide variety of secondhand items to pick through. The clothes (huge section) are typically in good condition, and there is a large selection of shoes and accessories. The jewelry counter is well organized. There is a seemingly endless amount of knickknacks, artwork, dishes, books, etc. I am only giving Savers 4 stars because the prices are often ridiculously high on anything considered to be an antique or collectible. The prices on such items seem to get higher every time I shop there which is typically every couple of months. Thrift stores are not, and should not be, antique stores. 90 percent of the time I can find the same collectible item on Ebay in better condition and for less money. Of course, bargains and surprises can be found if you're lucky. In short, Savers is a great place for clothes, books, costume jewelry and housewares. But shop carefully when antiques or collectibles are concerned. UPDATE: The dressing rooms have been removed which is a bit annoying. Figuring out what fits and looks good by just looking at it is not...

I recently purchased a Tory Burch purse from this Savers location that turned out to be counterfeit. The bag didn’t have a price tag, so I asked an employee if he could price it for me. He took it to the back and came back a few minutes later with a tag for $8.99, which felt unusually low considering Savers typically upsells designer items.

As a reseller, I took it home to verify the authenticity, and unfortunately, it failed every test. The interior was missing proper branding, the hardware was unmarked, and the overall construction didn’t meet the quality standards of a real Tory Burch bag.

What concerns me most is that this item was knowingly priced by staff and placed for sale without proper vetting. If I hadn’t double-checked, I could’ve accidentally resold a fake item and gotten in trouble as a seller.

Savers should take counterfeit goods seriously. Selling them, even at thrift prices, is harmful to both customers and resellers, and it erodes trust in the store’s integrity. Please be cautious when buying...