Arizona Trading Co — Local services in Lawrence

I rarely bother to review any business because it’s of little consequence or concern to me, however, I will make an exception for this establishment as as WARNING to anyone that has even considered selling your clothing here. I have shopped at ATC for years and had a good impression until my interaction today. I took in items to be sold and was very surprised at the way they “buy” things. It took two people to try and explain the process which barely made sense. As the first person attempted to explain she felt as though she had to throw in the line “well, we are a business” like they are struggling for money. I was only trying to understand how my clothes would be evaluated. It was irritating to hear that they intended to give me 1/2 of the price they wanted to sell it at in store credit or 30% of what they wanted to sell it for as cash. Confusing, I would say so. Also they weren’t going to price each item or even let me see what they decided to buy because “we usually just mark it and put it right on the sales floor”. I asked, “you mean without even asking me if the price you want to pay me is ok you are already selling my clothes?” Which seriously does not make sense. It was a very frustrating experience. Also the items I brought were hardly worn and they were sorted through like trash. They only “system” I saw was the individual taste of the person sorting through the clothing which was questionable in itself. They were not sorted through with consistency. How this place has been in business so long is a mystery. I suppose basically stealing peoples clothes that are brought in to be sold and then selling each item for 20-40 dollars could be quite lucrative. It’s pathetic that they offer so little when they will sell just one of the items I sold them for the entire price they gave me for my items. The seller deserves much more respect and it could be easily given if they were willing to value each item and show the seller what they were willing to pay instead of acting as though they’re in some invisible rush to restock the clothes on the floor and don’t have the time, energy, brainpower or willingness to explain anything. Perhaps it would be a less “hip” place if it were widely known that this is how ATC does...

So disappointed. My first experience selling to ATC in Lawrence was great. I brought in a dozen nice items and received $70. That felt fair. Not so the second time. Brought in dozens of high-end items including several very nice jackets (wool, suede, silk) some brand new, most in like new condition. ATC kept most of the items BUT decided to low ball the price. Bottom line—I received far less for the second batch of items than made sense. Coincidentally I was given $70 again—the same amount as I did when I brought in a much smaller bundle of similar items the week before. Was NOT aware that they DON’T GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO TAKE BACK an item if they low ball it. My stuff was already tagged and out on the floor when I got the text message on their decision. No way to know what they’ll value your stuff at since they do this after you drop off. The ATC in Denver at least let you watch while they pick and choose, giving you the chance to keep an item if you’re not happy with the offer. That seems like a better way to handle it. Not going back. They need to reconsider...

this is my favorite thrift store in lawrence, but sadly after today i’m not going there anymore. my friends and i came in and were shopping around. two of the employees were circling around and kept picking up stuff and putting it back, so it was kind of obvious they were suspicious of us stealing something. they also kept whispering and giggling, and my friend heard them say at one point “we better make sure she isn’t behind us,” so it definitely seemed like they were talking about someone. my friend then went into the dressing room to try on something, and when she came out she was about to buy it when an employee with red hair and tattoos came up and accused her of stealing, saying there was more than one empty hanger left in the dressing room. my friend opened her bag to prove she wasn’t stealing, and then the employee just walked away, and didn’t even apologize. we didn’t end up buying anything, and i don’t think any of us will anytime soon. mean girl behavior like that is not something that will keep...