The HOPE Chest — Local services in Pekin

I am so disappointed in the Hope Chest, we had donated to them a couple of years ago and had a great experience. My Mom passed away and I have a storage unit full of her belonings. I call Hope Chest and spoke with Tendra who was less than joyful about my donation but set up a date for them to pick up, I told her over the phone what I was donating. 2 guys arrived on date set up which I had to take off work. Upon arrival CLIFF got out of the truck I said good morning how are you and his response was TIRED....he looked around the unit and said how long has this been here and I said I wasn't sure because it had been moved there from another unit, may about a year, he says I won't take any of the boxes which was most of her household belongings all packed by professional movers...I ask why and he said mice, I said you don't want it or you are to tired to move it, he got smart back and I said okay lets just forget I'll find someone else, he says fine and then turned around and says hey don't forget my name when you complain....I just don't understand how they can be rude and unappreciative to those who are donating as without donations they have no business which means no...

I mainly go because they sell DVDs for a dollar a piece and it's a great way to get children's movies for my kids on DVD. However today June 3rd 2025 I stopped in because I got off work a little early to check the DVDs and see if they had any new children's movies. The "volunteer" an older guy who usually does the books and media was there with a cart putting out new DVDs just happened to work out that I showed up like that. He was standing there literally making two stacks of about 50 DVDs and his buddy another old guy was taking them all because and as he said I can double my money because they're sealed so he's buying them for $1 to sell them for $2 and just took like all the children's movies It was like somebody was donating children's movies they happened to be sealed and this guy just took them all because he's greedy and it wants to make a dollar a movie. It's sickening how they inside trade all the stuff worth anything even if it's for kids and want to sell the public a bunch of glassware and old clothes and the toy selection is always lacking not to mention a Snorlax plush they had $10 price on it they are worse...

This is the for the owner, Brenda or Trenda? She is a very rude lady with a nasty attitude. I asked very politely for a measuring tape as I was purchasing a piece of furniture. She gave me a dirty look and said she would help me as soon as she done with this another customer. I then watched her speak inappropriately in a very degrading manner to a older man who is in line front of me. Answering his questions in a very disrespectful way. I purchased my furniture and kept my interactions with her short. I left and callwd because i wanted to talk to a manager. Lo and behold Brenda said that she was the mananger. I told her that she is very rude and degrading and that I had a very poor experience in her store. I then hung up. SHE CALLED ME BACK and instead of apologizing she started justifying her actions and saying that she didn't think she was rude. I told her that she is an adult and needs to ownership of her actions. I am appalled by this whole interaction and will no longer be doing business with the Hope Chest. Please do better...