Warren County Habitat for Humanity ReStore — Local services in Washington Township

It's getting better organized than it was before. Still a little slapdash. Interesting stuff but some items too highly priced. Want to move merchandise? CDs should be a dollar or less -- they are old, many artists not that popular. Records? Forget it. The price they ask for old vinyl that is not collectors items is ridiculous. Records they have can be had in better condition for fifty cents to a dollar. The records are the biggest price inaccuracy.

Books $3? They don't charge $3 at book fairs & flea markets. Books should be a dollar or less & customers might part with their money faster & buy more than one. Clean shelves make room for new books. With a little more reconsideration & forgetting that they are not an antique store they could move more items quickly.

That Realistic amp they have didn't sell for the price they're asking when it was new. Realistic is Radio Shack. Good for parts, never good for hardware. It was always a cheap product...if the amp was an old McIntosh, or Phase Linear they might get over $500 used. It's not uh....Realistic (sorry for the pun). Oh.. Plug them in & play them so people see the equipment works.

None of the Dvds on display are worth $3. They are mostly junk. $1 & they could move them out the door faster...though in all honesty, they are titles that are at every flea market for a buck.

I am looking at the ability to move merchandise faster & get repeat business. I have been there several times -- the same items,are still there. They shouldn't be there that long. It costs money to have a product on the shelf that does not move. Raising money is the aim, cash register has to ring.

Specials should be attractive & pull in people. I don't see this right now. Seems they are trying to make browsing easier...that's a start. The place appears better than it did a year ago.

But certain items move -- others don't. The items that move should be upfront. If they put Cds near the floor older people are not going to bend to look. Eye level -- everything. Catch their interest. Motivate their curiosity. Make them want it even though they don't really need it. People like taking things home. Pencils, pens, crayons, dolls, toys, colored paper, all should be at eye level for children. Tag the words "make an.offer" on items that are damaged or slow to sell but still somewhat useable. Like the shoes.

Hang a sign telling kids if they see something they like ask Grandma. (Ok...I admit, I am pushing it...It worked in the 70's at toy stores).

Ok...that's my marketing suggestions to a place that has potential. But could get more bang.

Clean it up a little. Clutter & dust is not going to move stuff that could be moved. Get some teens to volunteer to dust bottles etc...presentation is everything. I speak this way because I come by to nose around. My wife won't. Too dirty, dark and unattractive. How many other people feel the same way & don't come? Those are the people you want. They have eyes, and wallets....

I've been going to the Habitat store for years. Since they were over by Tractor Supply. I am not impressed with the direction they're headed. They used to have all sorts of construction materials, tools, a trailer full of windows, doors with frames, great appliances. Now it seem all they have is mostly junk. I understand the antique people being there as the store opens, they grab up all the old pieces, but you can get a decent piece of furniture, a decent couch it table, some cool bric-a-brac. The other day I get a cabinet and went around out back to pick it up, and there are two almost new snowblowers with sold on them sitting outside the building, I can guarantee they never hit the showroom floor. I saw the same thing a couple of times with things like lawn tractors, power equipment, nice tools. I now understand why there's never any good stuff anymore. The guys in the back, sorting stuff are grabbing it first. Plus I saw all sorts of construction materials over by the dumpsters with "not for sale". I should have taken a picture. And I once heard a woman sorting items, say to her friend about finding some Antique thingy, she would have paid hundreds for. They've got to stop the people in back from grabbing everything, I said something to the manager and he said "well if you volunteer here you can be first in line." "WHAT?" I bring items there all the time, I need to work there as well? My advise...you may find a great deal, but don't...

I regularly donate at the Restore, I believe in the mission and in what they stand for. Donating should be a hassle free endeavor but unfortunately the people in the store's employ leave much to be desired. Every single box of donations is picked apart with a fine tooth comb and we always end up taking something back. The man who is in charge of taking the donations is also rude and nosy, constantly asking where did we get so many items? And why are your car plates not from NJ? Not to mention that we do all the unloading once we arrive. He singles us out, why? No idea. He actually walked away from helping another doner with furniture just to come aggravate us. I called to speak with a manager and the exact same thing happened the very next day.

When you are taking free items from the public in order to turn a profit a certain amount of grace should be in order. The community supplies the donations, without doners it would be near impossible to thrive.

It is really unfortunate because we enjoy helping the community but when the people who represent your organization behave in that way, it really makes us want to...