A Not-So-Kind Exchange Review

So this past weekend, I had the opportunity to finally visit the second hand buy and sell store in Toronto known as Kind Exchange. After the very impressive Buffalo Exchange in Los Angeles which was very organized and had prime condition/brand treasures, I had high hopes that Kind Exchange would be a somewhat similar store here in Toronto, Canada for recycling clothes.

 Unfortunately it was not at all what I expected. 

Here's the stitch.

My first impression was positive.

 There was trendy and upbeat music playing, numerous hip looking shoppers, and racks of mismatched clothing that filled me with glee...and then things went downhill.

My friend and I handed over our bags of clothing to be checked for selling. Right now they're taking spring clothes and I managed to collect several spring dresses (which included higher brands like Banana Republic and Modcloth items) as well as several lightweight tops and accessories - all in new or almost new condition. When we came back about 4 hours later after our things had been checked, we were both extremely disappointed with our low offers. 

Now, I've worked in retail, I study fashion business, and I even have a little experience with the buying process.

 I understand wholesale price and I get that the store needs to make a profit.

 However, the offers we got did not match up with the items we were selling.

(Beware...here comes the math)

For example, $5 for a like-new Banana Republic dress (little black dress - very classic piece which originally costed about $134) which they stated they'd sell for $25. I feel like with their clientele and busy location they could at least get $35 for this dress. 

In total I was offered $17 cash or $21 store credit for three new branded dresses and three nice necklaces which I believe the receipt said they'd make a profit of about $70 dollars from - maybe more (I've heard gossip about them marking up items later on...but I'm not sure if that's true, or not). 

Talk about a steal! 

Anyways, we took a look around just in case something caught our eye and could tempt us into taking store credit. While I did see a few cool items (like the coolest pair of vintage bell bottom jeans for $69...drool) majority of the stock seemed low end and low quality. The few pieces that I did pick out (an American Apparel skater skirt and an H&M blouse) looked good from a distance but up close both had obvious stains. The vintage rack was also unimpressive. Damaged and stained items with big price tags. 

I'm not sure if it was the locations we went to, the day we went, or what...but to be honest, I've seen better items at most other thrift stores. It just wasn't worth it for us.

As I mentioned before, the staff was really friendly, even when we told them we no longer wanted to sell our items so it wasn't all bad. I don't know if that's enough for me to ever go back though. 

So, with heavy hearts (and heavy bags), we lugged our clothes all the way home with the $5 total that we made between the two of us from selling some jewelry and a top.

 Just enough to buy some coffees for the long trip home. 

Have you ever tried selling/shopping at Kind Exchange? Maybe you had a better experience?

I'd like to hear about it! Comment below :)

xoxo

Brittany