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| - I love thrift store, vintage store and other second hand store shopping.
I have been unimpressed with Kind Exchange. I love the concept but it misses the mark for me.
Generally, I find this store sells overpriced, second hand H&M and Forever 21 clothes at nearly new prices. I would not pay $20 for a second hand H&M dress. The majority of the clothes are second hand Costa Blanca etc...which I am perfectly happy purchasing - but I wouldn't pay Kind Exchange price points for second hand clothing of these kinds of brands.
The vintage pieces they have are overpriced in comparison to other vintage stores in Toronto that have much better selection. There is not much selection of vintage - although the Bloor and both Queen locations are MUCH better than the Yonge / Eglinton location.
I have been to each location at least twice. I personally am not interested in buying second hand jeans by Bluenotes, American Eagle, A&F and Forever 21 for $15 - $20 (I can buy them on sale new for almost just as much!).
I find that in general, the store is neither vintage, nor high end (there are a some higher end pieces but as I said, mostly mainstream, mass produced items at a not much better price than what it would be new). I would rather go to Value Village for similar types of clothes at a much better price.
I also find that the staff always seem overwhelmed with buying clothes. There is a lack of customer service for those shopping because they are occupied (not their fault - they have always been friendly but seem quite stressed).
I have been to this location many times during the week after work and on weekends. The sales people always seems stressed and focused on buying / tagging / cashing out etc. than helping customers find things. I don't think management provides enough staffing. Saturdays are brutal - its not fair to the staff - they are clearly doing their best. The store needs a better buying system.
As for selling - although I have never sold anything myself, I came with my friend who was selling a bag of items. The items were a mix of vintage, with items from Aritizia, Zara etc. The whole process was not efficient. The Customer Service person was dealing with a line of buys. There was a discussion of not having enough money for more buys for the day (yet the website says "come show us what you've got!"). They imply that one is welcome to come in (no appointments). It's disrespectful to waste the time of your customers and sellers. This was around 1 pm (1 hour after opening) - that is rude to the customer.
I have seen buyers purchase similar items from one person, but not from another. We had to wait a long time, and its not as if my friend was making SO much money from this buy (it was barely $20). She has great stuff and vowed not to go through this process again.
She carried her items to the store, only to wait 45 minutes, to have to drag half of her stuff back (it was in season, no stains, current style...one sweater was deemed a bit 'heavy' for fall, when clearly similar items were already in store). I felt it was an unfair and unnecessary - it is not as if she brought a winter jacket.
I also got the general attitude (from another location) as if Kind Exchange is doing the customer SUCH a favour by purchasing the clothing. In fact I bet a lot of the sellers are also customers - treating people with more respect for their time and efforts would be much better service.
I have another friend who tried to sell who had the same complaint about KE. She dropped off a bag at another location and was called back (this was end of July) a day later to pick up her stuff - nothing was bought. The person told her to come back TWO weeks later because the items were 'fall' not 'summer' (one of the items was a light, work blazer).
She had only 5 items and when dropped them off had asked them to take a quick look - they refused even though the store was not busy at that time and said she would be called back. They woman told her - "you can just donate it for charity". It is a ridiculous system. In fact, my friend does donate a lot of her clothes to an actual charitable organization (SO many in Toronto that re-distribute clothing to people in need, like clothing banks).
It was the attitude of the store that was more of an issue - so inconvenient and not respectful to a customer / seller.
Interesting concept but fails. So many better high end second hand stores or affordable vintage stores and thrift stores in Toronto - better value, better product and more respect for the customers and sellers than Kind Exchange.
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