CAPTAIN's Treasures Shop — Local services in Town of Halfmoon

Overall I've had a good experience at this store and I like the feel, the workers and volunteers are usually nice older ladies and there's one teenage boy that's always been very respectful and helpful, and I appreciate the work they do for their mission. But today I was a little hurt by an experience I had there. I have been a regular customer and I go in to peruse the jewelry and such at least once a week.

Today I saw a few bags of miscellaneous broken jewelry and they were marked $1, so I picked them up and asked the lady at the desk if that was truly the price. Even if it were more, I still would've gotten at least one of them, but I recognized that $1 was actually really cheap for that item. But she went to the back room to check and came back and immediately said "sorry, you aren't going to buy these, they are $30 each. we have real jewelers and artists who come in here and they actually make stuff with them you know like that (at this point she's pointing at wall art where someone hot glued a bunch of broken earrings and seashells into a shadow box) sorry about that, I'll just put them back for you" I said, "hey look, i understand, i don't want to get you in trouble, I was just asking" and she goes on "yeah, well not that you're trying to scam us or anything, but maybe if it was my first day you could have gotten away with it" and then she asked me what I would have done with it…. I responded that I like to make jewelry out of old broken pieces, (which I think was obvious, why else would I want a bag of broken jewelry?)

I mean, that was such an embarrassing experience… worst part is if she didn't immediately take it back and insinuate I wouldn't have been willing/ able to buy it and then tried to explain to me what they were for I would have bought one anyways. People in line were looking at me and waiting, I felt horribly embarrassed, like I was being judged. I tried to finish up and pay for my other items but I was holding back tears.

Now, this probably won't stop me from shopping there, I love what you guys do and I'm really hoping this is just a one-off thing, so I'm giving ⅘ stars because all my other experiences have been wonderful. And I understand a lot of customers probably would have been rude about it and I don't think you deserve that, but I feel like there were some things that were unfairly assumed about me and implied during that interaction-

that I wouldn't have been able/willing to pay for it. Which was very hurtful.: "You aren't going to buy these, let me put them back for you" the choice was made for me.

that I didn't know what those bags were used for (and that they are meant for more legitimate artists than myself): "we have real jewelers and artists who come in here and they actually make stuff with them you know like that" (pointing at the wall art) i assume she didn't think i was a "real" artist because of the way i look- (I'm young, was dressed sort of girly in pink) I'm really not sure why else I'd be treated any differently than those "jewelers" and "artists".

And finally,

that I was trying to take advantage somehow. The reality of the situation is that that's what it was priced, and I shouldn't have been treated that way for asking.: "maybe if it it was my first day you could have gotten away with it". There is no "getting away with it" . I was asking if the price was correct. If I was trying to get away with it wouldn't I have been more sneaky about it?

Not exactly the correct way to go about that situation. :( I'm really sad to say that. Again I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just disappointed by the experience, and I feel hurt by it.

Edit: I've put it back 5 stars, thank you for your...

I first have to say that I appreciate what this organization does for the community. But keep in mind, just like Goodwill/Salvation Army everything in their store is DONATED. So they get all merchandise for their store for FREE. I am a frequent shopper. But in the last few months or so I have noticed a huge difference in the way they price things. I was there recently and for a vintage lamp, that again was donated, they have a price tag of $300 on it. That seems outrageous to me, especially because they get all of the items for the store for FREE. They do run sales, but I feel that some of the items in their store are so overpriced. I feel that any business that sell donated items should not be able to price gauge, no matter what they “value” the item at. Also, a majority of the people who run the store are volunteers. So it isn’t like the store needs to profit enough $$ to have full time paid staff. Just wish they weren’t so greedy when it comes to the way they price items. Captain’s Treasure’s is not an antique store, it’s a second hand...

I’m giving this a 3 only because of one woman who was working behind the register on Tuesday. I was returning a comforter that I had previously purchased because it was too small. Knowing that I wouldn’t receive a refund. However I just wanted to return it so they could resell it. The moment that I walked through the door she exclaimed in a very nasty way that they were not receiving anymore donations that day because they didn’t have the room. I asked her if I could put it in the bin out back and she nastily replied. “Do whatever you like”! When I purchased the comforter the women working in the back room couldn’t have been any nicer. I’m sorry that just 1 person can...