Habitat for Humanity ReStore — Local services in Rockville

This is about DONATING, not buying.

I asked a friend for suggestions for giving away a chainsaw. The saw worked perfectly. The problem was that the owner of the saw could no longer use it. Habitat for Humanity Restore on Gude Drive was suggested, and I thought that sounded like a wonderful recommendation. I looked them up, gave them a call, and drove there and dropped it off. Seems easy, right?

At first they said they only took donations from noon to 3:00 p.m., and it was five minutes before 3:00 p.m., so I said, "will you take it a little late if I bring it over right now? I'm at Home Depot in Aspen Hill, in my car, ready to go right now and I can be there in about 10 or 15 minutes." They really had to think hard about that, and then reluctantly agreed to grace me with the privilege of donating a $600 Sthil chainsaw to them ten minutes past the deadline.

The lady who allowed me to leave the saw ("allowed" - she did not receive it with grace or her hands - her entire body language said that SHE was doing ME a favor! I suppose the saw was too dirty? Heavy? Ugly?) was unpleasant at best. She pointed with a long, cadaverous finger at the box of accessories (sharpener, tool kit, spark plug puller, fuel additive, two brand new chains, and a half gallon of chain oil) and said with condession, "we don't accept chemicals," like she was saying "we don't accept doo-doo." Oh, yes, she took the box of accessories. But she pointed at that half gallon jug of oil and made a large gesture of "take it away!" disgust.

I gave them a Sthil chainsaw that cost us $700 only a few years ago. We would still be using it if the person who purchased it was still able to use it. Sthil tools are exceedingly high quality and are infinitely fixable, and when a saw like that comes with a couple hundred dollars worth of accessories, it make this saw quite a good find for someone. A craftsman will find an affordable tool, and Habitat for Humanity will make a few bucks. Everybody's happy. Except they're not.

Instead, I had the cadaverous finger pointing variously at my saw and accessories saying what she will and won't take. I murmured something about "beggars can't be choosers", but I guess the nice woman didn't hear it.

In related news, I have a Bosch compound miter saw on a portable gravity rise stand. It cost about $2,000 new. It, too, is in need of a good home. However, I know for absolute certain that it will never be going to Habitat for Humanity. The lady with the cadaverous finger...

Update in 2025 Since someone decided to respond to my review from 9 years ago, I will post an update. They think the only people that matter are the ones they are building houses for. Habitat for Humanity is an AMAZING organization, don't get me wrong. It has one of the highest charity scores around with more than 80% of their donations/income returning to help others. The problem is, they are a little short-sighted thinking that they can't ALSO help people by offering discounted items in this particular store. Other Restores I have visited have very fair pricing. Even though my previous review is 9 years old, judging by other recent reviews, this store continues to list some used items well above their original retail value. End of update

This place used to be AWESOME! I furnished my entire house in 2007 for very reasonable prices. At some point the management changed and the prices SKYROCKETED! I still visit occasionally just to buy small stuff, but it's not at all uncommon to find old broken items with prices higher than brand new retail. I have seen old worn broken furniture (non-antique) listed for $400. That would have been $50 at the "old" restore. I'm guessing some stuff sells or else they would have dropped the prices already, but it really bothers me that they get everything for free and somehow think it's ok to sell it for top dollar. If you read this, Gaithersburg Restore, think about this: Lower prices means things sell faster, means inventory changes over more often, meaning more people come more often to see what is new and they buy more because the prices are low. High prices means you make more when you sell things, but that happens less frequently and so the inventory sits longer and people are less likely to come often because it will look the same from one week to the next.

My advice is to go back to thrift-store pricing, not boutique pricing. I have spoken to many people who talk about Restore as a "place that used to be awesome".

Just...

The store is very organized and items are easy to find. But I think the items are way overpriced compared to their target audience. And when the original price tag is still on the item and you're charging double u may want to lower your prices or at least take the original tag off. They have some very lovely antiques and collectibles but they don't belong in this store. It just makes the shopper very uncomfortable and feel like your situation is so much worse than it really is. Because if u can't even afford to shop in a thrift store where can u shop? People going through hardships need encouragement and need to feel like they are able to provide for their family. They won't get it here. I don't. The only reason I visit this store is because they have one section where all of the items are free. But don't expect anyone to help you load them into your vehicle. I'm disabled and although I backed my truck up to the loading dock and told someone i was outside, nobody came to help. So, I did it myself and cried the entire time. But if you need something and you don't have a dollar to your name you'd be surprised at what u will do. And I already suffer from chronic pain so does it really matter? I'll just suffer a little more. But if you have a lot of time to spend you may find a great deal. It's a place at least worth...