Grey Bears Thrift Store — Local services in Live Oak

We used to go to drop off old appliances to be recycled, but now I'm not sure anymore after my recent donation experience. Prior to arriving, I asked the day before what items we can deliver. One of them was VHS tapes according to staff. We arrived to bring some items to be donated some electronic equipment i.e. a printer and some old computer equipment including the tapes. We also had other items including clothing. Upon arrival, we met a staff member who had use sifting through our donation items as if we were at the airport, telling us what items we had to drop off at the Grey Bears facility and they couldn't accept VHS tapes. I told him what staff told me yesterday, but he pointed to the sign that they don't take VHS tapes.Great waste of my time! The staff member did not want to take a outdoor lamp of ours straight from the box, all because it was little dusty. I was to upset to continue with my donations, so I decided to offer my electronics to their E-Waste area. They told me they don't take my USB laptop cooling platform for laptops, an old ball computer mouse and a flashlight. The young male staff member said I had to throw them away. When he handed me my items, my flashlight cracked on the asphalt and I had to pick it up. There was no voice of concern, not a peep from him. Just another notion of lack of customer service. I asked if they could throw or recycle my electronic items they said no, and flashlights can't be recycled. Then what services to do they offer for me to safely dispose of electronics? I finally provided my printer/scanner they accepted and fill their donation form that staff can't just hand over like Goodwill or Slavation Army with their signature. I have to fill out everything in front of the staff member even my phone number before he could sign it. My experience is an example of lack of customer care and service, where time of the customer is not considered and poor information consistency among staff is apparent. My donation business to Goodwill and Salavation Army is certain...

Grey Bears No longer takes recycling CRV! Only place that still does is Ben Lomand Transfer Station..and even for them, it's only until 1 July (aka the end of June 2025).

LEGALLY every grocery store is required to accept/refund CRV.

WE MUST REPEAL THE CRV "TAX" LAW, if NO TOWNS have easy access to turn in CRV, they are ILLEGALLY keeping or "DEPOSITS". I feel the worst for homeless and extremely low income who may not have a car or be able to travel so far.

END CA CRV deposits, since everyone: stores and cities and towns are in violation of the law providing easy access to get our DEPOSITS returned. UNDO THE LAW, since retailers and cities are or of compliance. It has become an UNAPPROVED TAX to citizens, has not been updated to reflect the current reality.

Thank you Grey Bear for providing the service (..until you didn't). Bummer you can no longer make it work for citizens of Santa Cruz. Bummer that NO ONE ELSE does either..or bothers to even TRY.

You stepped up more than ANYONE ELSE!

It's not fully on you that there is no way to recycle materials, whether it's CRV, batteries, electrics, oil..

Everything that's required BY LAW for us (or stores) to comply with, but don't. It's unfortunately US citizens that could POTENTIALLY get fined, for breaking the law, not the stores or towns that are out of compliance, making it to too difficult for us to both: comply with the law AND to do the right thing.

I guess it's good that we citizens are rarely cited for dumping batteries, paint, electronics into the land fill. But many us us would rather protect our lands and water, even at a slight inconvenience to our lives. Just make it REASONABLE!

This is where capitalism without balance for people, water, environment, society as a whole (aside from the ultra wealthy) gets it wrong.

Note: Grey Bears might not any longer accept ANY recycling at all (batteries, electronics, etc)? That part wasn't...

Grew up coming here and something has happened in the last month or so where their prices have become ridiculous. Grey Bears used to be a place where you could find amazing things you'd never find anywhere else for prices that were usually unbelievable. Now you can still find amazing stuff, but it's going to be for the same price as either brand new or what the most miserly ebay vendors will charge. The whole place feels less like a thrift store and more and more like an antique/boutique store. In fact I have, no joke, repeatedly found the exact same items they sell here for less money and in better condition at the antique store down the street. That said I'm only writing this review in the hope that maybe someone in administration there will see this and have some thought about how they're beginning to price out many members of a community they actually serve very well. This organization provides a vital service in a rapidly aging community and I deeply respect and admire their mission and how they go about achieving it. Additionally the staff which works the thrift store are incredibly pleasant people who are the rare combination of friendly and helpful. I only wish that whoever runs the store at the top gives some thought to what exactly they're achieving and who they're effecting by selling recycled items at...