The Picker Knows​ Antiques & Collectibles — Local services in West Des Moines

I had high hopes for Picker’s Knows based on the quirky name and the idea that it might be a treasure trove of unique antiques. Unfortunately, my experience was underwhelming across the board.

First, the store is extremely cluttered—and I don’t mean in that charming, packed-with-finds way that you sometimes get with antique shops. It felt more like things were piled up without any rhyme or reason, making it difficult to browse or even walk through some aisles. I saw more than one safety hazard, like unstable stacks and blocked pathways.

Second, the quality of the inventory was disappointing. A lot of items seemed like leftover garage sale goods rather than true antiques or collectibles. I noticed plenty of chipped glassware, broken furniture, and random odds and ends that didn’t seem worth the asking prices. It honestly felt like a case of quantity over quality.

Speaking of prices—way overpriced for what was on offer. I’m used to antique stores having a range of prices, but this shop seemed to inflate the value of very average or damaged items. There was little room for negotiation, and staff seemed disinterested when I politely questioned a price.

That brings me to the customer service. It was lackluster at best. I wasn’t greeted when I entered, and when I approached the counter with a question, the response felt dismissive, as though I was bothering them. I always appreciate knowledgeable staff who are eager to share info about items, but that just wasn’t...

This store is very unique, and definitely peculiar. There were so many oddities: a stuffed arctic fox, cutlery in the shapes of shoes, billions of older McDonalds toys. So many vintage items, as well as a mix of modern, including a large variety of Pokemon cards, individual or packaged. This store was amazing to walk through, and I appreciated that EVERYTHING had a tag. My only complaint is regarding the prices. Some collectibles were great deals, or even on sale. But, a lot of simple items, such as pencils, toys, and household decorations were overpriced. Nevertheless, most items were fairly priced. Great store, very clean, and definitely one-of-a-kind with some...

They have lots of stuff, though it's really hard to figure where everything is. There is no order to the store so you have to walk around looking at everything. Normally that's not an issue when you're looking for antiques and collectibles, but it is a big store with a wide selection. There were people there, but I only seen them at the register. Many of the items are locked in cases, for obvious reasons, but finding a person to open them seemed like pulling teeth. But it you've got the time and want to wander around, it is an interesting...