I found a great alternative for locating used cabinets

[jack anderson]

After spending a great deal of time investigating possible cabinet options for my 30' X 28' Garage I stumbled across what is called the Re Stores with Habitat for Humanity. I went to their website and there is a list of stores located in just about every state. I live in central Pennsylvania and I located a store nearby. I took my truck just in case I found something I might want to buy.. I ended up finding some wonderful Hickory kitchen cabinets that were in great shape, wonderful grain...... I purchased a vanity base 6' high by 5' wide, 4 base cabinets and 2 wall cabinets all a matching Hickory set. I also purchased three additional cabinets for 20.00 dollars a piece... As I pulled away from the Re-Store I looked like a scene from the Beverly Hillbillies with a truck stuffed with Cabinets and this huge 6" high vanity.
I was so impressed with the variety of cabinets that were available and there are so many other items like light fixtures, trim, windows, doors, tile, hardware galore and the prices all seemed very reasonable. I almost purchased new cabinets but I am really glad I waited to find these gems which will bring a warm look to the overall look and functionality to my space. If you are curious google Re-Stores Habitat For Humanity and find a store near you. It's a bonus to know that buying used cabinets etc from Habitat For Humanity is for a good cause as well...

 

[zcinpa]

Great! Thanks! I've got one really close! The wife and I went to Construction Junction in Pittsburgh this weekend, similar store but one of these was closer..
I've also had good luck using the yahoo Freecycle group.

 

[slip knot]

I've bought lots of good stuff from Restore outlet. The latest score was a set of 400watt MH hibays for the shop NIB for $35.00. Hi bay reflectors were a whooping $7.00 each. A lot of trips are dry runs but you do run across enough bargains to keep going back.

 

[rickairmedic]

I have picked up alot from the restores . with that said I will say the ones in my area are just plain " crazy " when they price out ooooold kitchen cabinets . I can almost buy new ones for what they want for old nasty ones .

Dont take this the wrong way as my garage is full of 50's era Geneva metal kitchen cabinets so I am not against old nasty grimy cabinets I am just against paying darn near " new " retail for old nasty cabinets .


Rick

 

[jack anderson]

I was surprised how cheap I was able to get these cabinet pieces for .. I also purchased T&G Pine boards 12' long 6" wide for 6.00 dollars a piece.. I took all they had... I guess each store has it's own pricing... This was the first re-store I've been to and perhaps my timing was just right...

 

[Steevo]

Re-Store is where I got my solid core doors for my work benches.
I try to stop in weekly, since their stock is random.

 

[4Tigers]

Last week went to the builders second hand store looking for cabinets - No joy - on the way out found a brand new Reese trailer hitch for my Chevy pick up $75.00

 

[krod]

Re-Store is where I got my solid core doors for my work benches.
I try to stop in weekly, since their stock is random.

X2

$4.50 for a solid door

 

[rickairmedic]

Re-Store is where I got my solid core doors for my work benches.
I try to stop in weekly, since their stock is random.

X2

$4.50 for a solid door

Aha see I must have the " uppity " Re-stores as even the solid core doors are $30.00 which I actually thought was a bargain till Krod blew it for me .


Rick

 

[mad57]

Gotta watch stores like this are a haven for bed bugs? great deaals yes, but look over everything you buy first, just an fyi.

 

[32rules]

Restores are my petpeave. Things are donated to them to be used in homes
Being built for deserving people. I think that is grand
But after taking away work from builders now they are undercutting
The people that donated stuff to them.

 

[John in OH]

But after taking away work from builders .....

Whoa! How do you come to this conclusion??

 

[RVDan]

Restores are my petpeave. Things are donated to them to be used in homes
Being built for deserving people. I think that is grand
But after taking away work from builders now they are undercutting
The people that donated stuff to them.

I think I see the point you're trying to make, but the proceeds from the store go back to the root cause, Habitat for Humanit.

 

[tatra]

spammer reported

 

[JMartel]

I got my cabinets free from someone at work that was remodeling their kitchen. I bought a solid wood door for $10 at the Re Store though. So, for $10, I got a pretty nice workbench with storage.

 

[dirttracker18]

Restores are my petpeave. Things are donated to them to be used in homes
Being built for deserving people. I think that is grand
But after taking away work from builders now they are undercutting
The people that donated stuff to them.

I would have to disagree on all points here. i think you misunderstand the concept.

First, these house would not be built if not for Habitat for Humanity so no one is losing owrk over this. In fact, around here anyway, home builders donate time, money, man power and equipment to help build these houses. If your statement was accurate, I doubt they would be inclined to help.

Second, they sell mostly used in their stores and the odd NIB stuff (once again donated by builders with leftovers). They are not cutting into others bottom line as they are a small player in the grand scheme of building. As noted by others here, purchasing used solid core doors for a bench top, no one would go to a store and buy a new solid core door for such a use. They would wait until they found the right material elsewhere.

The fact that major players (big box stores and locals) continue to donate is testiment to the fact they they are unaffected by the small amount of sales happening at these Restores.

 

[Cheap5.0]

My local restore has a stack of windows that would fill a 16 ft box van, i just need to take some time one day and pick out a few that match. I think the guy said anywhere from $10-$50 depending on size, disregarding frame materiel!

 

[volvo]

....
The store in our area is great, we always stop and donate before recycling or throwing out things. They will accept anything that they can make a buck on. Great store, great cause and provided service. They must be doing something right as they are always busy and prices are very low. Shop often as new & used inventory tends to turn over every few days.

 

[Northstar]

I've never heard of this place, but after a quick search, there's one relatively close to me.

Thanks for th tip.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've heard of guys mentioning the resale stores. I never realized any of them were fairly close to me. Maybe I need to make a trip and check one out.

If you donate materials, can you deduct it on your taxes ?

 

[bad_idea]

the one by me is just plain nuts on prices. might as well buy new compared to their prices.

 

[jack anderson]

I'm glad that I posted my experience at the Re-Store.. I can see that there are some that will benefit from this contact information... I just love this Forum as it brings us the opportunity to share our thoughts and our passion.

 

[OccupantRJ]

The store near me was cheap until a new manager took over 2 years ago. He was a handyman type and priced most of the building materials at nearly new prices. A drawer pull is $3 for example, used. I did get a new gallon of Sherwin Wiliams industrial enamel to paint my blast cabinet for $8, the price is usually $37 new.

 

[Fast914]

thanks for the heads up re ReStore for Humanity...I googled and found a store not 10 minutes away here in Nova Scotia. I am going to make a trip this weekend. I hope to find some cabinets for the garage as well so we will have to give it a shot. Thanks again!

 

[RVDan]

Yeah my local re-store is all over the place on prices. The ask nearly retail for windows and pluming fixtures. Light fixtures are often more than retail.

 

[lsrx101]

I used to pick up quite a few things at the Re-Store near my old job. Only open 3 days a week and you had to get there early to get the "good" stuff, much like a flea market or estate sale. It's a really busy place and the proceeds go to a very worthy cause.

Found a really nice portable dishwasher and gas stove for a friend at $50 each.
They once had a large set of cabinets that apparently came from a Veterinarian office. All white laminate with wood pulls and white counter tops. The price was $2000. That sounded steep until I did some mental measuring. There was enough to fully do all 3 walls of my 24x24 garage, top and bottom with pieces left over! I drooled over those for weeks.
That was one hell of a deal but I just couldn't justify the expense at the time.

A new Re-Store opened near me recently, but I haven't been there yet.

 

[volvo]

...
>>>>If you donate materials, can you deduct it on your taxes ?>>>>

Yes, Just ask and they will give you a receipt for your taxes, just like GoodWill & others. Never had a problem and they really appreciate all donations, small or large, its their life blood.

 

[Reg1952]

The one near me had a load of brand new water heaters.Got a 40 gallon electic for $245.

 

[camarotoolman]

Recycling is good for the earth too. Here we have household recycling at the dump. Free paint, wood stain, varnish, spay paint, cleaning supplies, roof tar, i've even got 1/2 full propane bottles. I go shoping there every week. ALL FREE

 

[jack anderson]

Greetings to all those who appreciated my post about the Re-store. I just wanted to let everyone know that a member reported my post as a spam.... If this offended someone I am sorry it wasn't my intent to advertise the Re-store as I have nothing to gain from doing so... I was just so excited about my experience that I wanted to share it with others that might be in my similar position.... As a new member I am excited to share and explore the Forum and hope that my post was indeed appropriate.

 

[STOCKBROCK]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

GOT THESE A FEW WEEKS AGO $35.00 EACH
FROM Habitat for Humanity THANKS BROCK

 

[dirttracker18]

Completely appropriate IMHO

Rather sad it was reported as spam since this is not the first Restore post.

 

[formek]

I have never hear of this. I went to look at the web site and there is one two blocks from my job I will go and check it out. see how the prices are.

 

[dwljpl]

Jack_anderson, was this at the Lancaster location?

 

[jack anderson]

I visited the Bellefonte store near State College Pa. There is one near Williamsport as well. I haven't been to the Lancaster store yet... Have you been to that store?

 

[jack anderson]

Very nice... where did you get the wall board?

 

[camarotoolman]

Them cabinets are nice then most peoples kithens! after seeing all how nice guys kept there garages/ shops, i'm cleaning / organizing my rat hole.

 

[thdewey]

I need to take a picture someday of all the stuff i use or repurposed in the shop that i got from our Resale store. Here's the deal with Resale stores:
A lot of the stuff is over priced used stuff. So If you are buying cabinets or multiple items grab a floor sales person and ask for a discount. It works every time for me. i have never paid the sticker price for anything there and I hope that you don't either.

The other thing is you have to go often and luck has to be on your side. The good stuff (like new cabinets) go quickly. Ask if there are any recently received cabinets on the loading dock.

And I should hope that Habitat would never used used materials in building a house. For MANY reasons. The least of which is product warranties, liabilities, mold, lead paint, defective parts/quality, etc. But used stuff can and should be re-used in a safe way for certain things and I'm all for Habitat's Resale store.

You can even spend a few hours a month volunteering at the store. Remember Habitat does not GIVE people houses they help them build and finance their own houses. Like the Bible says teach a person to fish..... and you feed them for life. That is the best kind of charity in my opinion.

 

[Silver6.0]

Just stopped at a RESTORE on my way to work and picked up a metal double door cabinet for $5.00. It's about 5' tall and 4' wide, 18" or 24" deep. Used but for 5 bucks couldn't go wrong. The guy said he wanted to give it the scrap guy because it wasn't selling but his boss told him to drop the price and VIOLA!

 

[jack anderson]

Headed to the Re-store to pick up some cabinets I paid for last week.. Keep you posted If I see anything garage worthy