Look at what I got from the ReStore!
- Thread starter BlueHeart
- Start date
crewchief888
Well-known member
yup, theres 2 Restore places close by, i havent seen any real deals in a long time....
seems like when they 1st opened, a lot more deals were found, but now, not so much.
tools are pretty much non-existant, except for the occasional bent, broken, and paint covered screwdriver....
driftpin
Well-known member
I lived along the I-94 corridor, halfway between Chicago & Detroit, but in a rural area. Our home backed-to a private game preserve. Of course there was a lake across the street, plenty of water in MI.
The local high school used to be the WK Kellogg (yes, that Kellogg) Agricultural and Technical School, which merged with a village school to form a larger district that had parts of three counties in it. Back in the 1960's, because of the reputation the school had, it was featured in LIFE magazine, it was called 'Budweiser High.' Lots of partying by privileged sons and daughters, though some kids went east to boarding/prep schools, before heading to Ivy League schools.
I've almost given-up on buying anything from the ReStore I used to frequent, multiple times a week, because that's what you needed to do to get the deals. I bought & re-sold a fair amount of stuff, to make it worth my time. Recently, I haven't seen anything, and the other locations are too-far to visit, unless I was doing something else close-by which would be, 'practically never.'
Traverse City? Why, the southern MI visitors are overrunning your city! Your area is too-crowded! Give me some Lake Superior solitude. One of my MI college buddies bought-out the other family members' interests in a vacation home in Eagle Harbor. Now, there's a 'fortress of solitude!' I haven't been there yet, but I'd like to go.
My grandmother was born in central MI when the incandescent Edison bulb was < 10 yrs old; same for A.G. Bell's telephone patent.
The local high school used to be the WK Kellogg (yes, that Kellogg) Agricultural and Technical School, which merged with a village school to form a larger district that had parts of three counties in it. Back in the 1960's, because of the reputation the school had, it was featured in LIFE magazine, it was called 'Budweiser High.' Lots of partying by privileged sons and daughters, though some kids went east to boarding/prep schools, before heading to Ivy League schools.
I've almost given-up on buying anything from the ReStore I used to frequent, multiple times a week, because that's what you needed to do to get the deals. I bought & re-sold a fair amount of stuff, to make it worth my time. Recently, I haven't seen anything, and the other locations are too-far to visit, unless I was doing something else close-by which would be, 'practically never.'
Traverse City? Why, the southern MI visitors are overrunning your city! Your area is too-crowded! Give me some Lake Superior solitude. One of my MI college buddies bought-out the other family members' interests in a vacation home in Eagle Harbor. Now, there's a 'fortress of solitude!' I haven't been there yet, but I'd like to go.
My grandmother was born in central MI when the incandescent Edison bulb was < 10 yrs old; same for A.G. Bell's telephone patent.
I guess different strokes for different folks.
You would have to pay me more than I make in a year to live in Florida.
Of course, I think the same way about anywhere in Michigan that's south of Cadillac. For those that don't know that much about the state's geography, Detroit is almost 4 hours south traveling by freeway.
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
our restore expanded to a larger store, now they have increased their prices, I asked the girl at the check out, she said that they look up the stuff online and price them at 80 percent of retail. So most of their stuff you can buy for new when on sale for less.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore doesn't take any kind of building materials, cabinets, tools, etc... It's run by a couple of ladies who only want "pretty" stuff- décor items, small furniture pieces, etc...lots of cut glass, doilies, and vases...
Yes, TC has become overrun with transplants and they have unfortunately brought their "big city" ideals and aspirations.
I like to tell friends how we used to hang out long after the bars closed at night and walk downtown. We would be the only living souls around. You might not see a car driving for several minutes or longer. Dead quiet. Not anymore.
At the moment the local talk is about train service between TC and Ann Arbor. Yuck.
Back on subject, the ReStore here prices things at 50% of like-items that have sold on EBay.
bczygan
Well-known member
Hardly ever any good tools here.
Then they all shut down.
Bill
Then they all shut down.
Bill
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
There are still several ReStores in the suburbs around Detroit.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I try and stop by every week or so. Usually I don't find much but last week was really good:
brand new drill index (in new tool arrivals thread)Craftsman drivers, extensions, and wrenches, Dasco punch, Upson flat head marked "Lane Punch Corp" and a nutdriver marked "WITTEK MFG CORP CHICAGO THE WORLD'S FINEST SPIN TITE CLAMPS"
Leviton 1 port faceplate off to the side
not shown - 2 brand new Sargent rim cylinders with keys and a bunch of other lock parts
brand new drill index (in new tool arrivals thread)Craftsman drivers, extensions, and wrenches, Dasco punch, Upson flat head marked "Lane Punch Corp" and a nutdriver marked "WITTEK MFG CORP CHICAGO THE WORLD'S FINEST SPIN TITE CLAMPS"
Leviton 1 port faceplate off to the side
not shown - 2 brand new Sargent rim cylinders with keys and a bunch of other lock parts
Attachments
You keep going to the Restore and you're going to need a bigger garage.
Mr_fixit
Well-known member
I only have one store and it's too expensive for most things. All I bought was some screws. I've been looking for some mid 70's tile to match my old bathroom, but nothing yet.
Kaervak
Well-known member
That ReStore is dangerous to the wallet. I've had monthly totals over $100 there. So much good stuff comes through that place. They have/had a huge load of Craftsman drivers in last time I was there. Priced a little high compared to what they usually have them at, but better than buying new. I haven't been back the past couple days though, might not be there anymore.
driftpin
Well-known member
I did get a Square D Homeline 200 amp branch circuit panel, w/main disconnect, & an assortment of circuit breakers, NIB, unopened, for something like $45. They had a bunch dropped-off, and I picked up one to replace my Federal Pacific panel from 1961, w/glass screw-in fuses, and cartridge fuses. I had replaced at the same time my outside main service panel, weatherhead, meter can, and a new below-grade conduit feed to a new outbuilding, which now has a 100 amp service.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Which one? This was from the one on Northfield.
Kaervak
Well-known member
That's the one. I was there Wedneday, but couldn't get back again this week. They had quite a few Cman drivers, old and new ones with the most expensive being priced at $2.00. It seems like they either had a big stash waiting to be put out in April or just got a big lot of good stuff at once. Decent selection of old US sockets and wrenches were out as well. I was going to pickup one of those drill indexes to use for parts for a Craftsman index I have, but felt bad about destroying a perfectly good and new index.
That ReStore has some killer stuff on occasion. A harbor freight mini mill for $80 that I stupidly didn't buy and then the little harbor freight inverter stick welder for $80 that I absolutely did buy and that thing is awesome. Over the few years it's been open I've probably spent close to $1k there.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I will have to get back there soon. For a while it was all junk but it's worth stopping by on Saturdays
Kaervak
Well-known member
I will have to get back there soon. For a while it was all junk but it's worth stopping by on Saturdays
Yeah, it was slim pickings for a bit. I've noticed that it comes in waves. I'm up there every Wednesday/Friday/Saturday since I live so close. Anything in particular you're looking for, let me know and I'll keep an eye out.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Sweet. I work down the street at Southgate Lock but only get a half hour lunch so I pretty much have to go on Saturdays.
engineer2
Well-known member
Our HfH Restore sells most of their bigger stuff for close to the same price as it would cost new. Would you pay $100 for a used bathroom granite counter top that you can buy new for $115? I guess they get away with it. Good place for miscellaneous electrical fittings though.
I'm in wisconsin and our Restore does the same thing. They price like it is brand new. I stopped going there and tell everybody I can to not patronize because of their ridiculous pricing. I can run down the street and go to Menards and pay the same price for all new stuff. Easy decision.
Restore's better wise up or they are going to price themselves right out of the market.
Restore's better wise up or they are going to price themselves right out of the market.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
They believe they can command a premium price because of the Habitat for Humanity connection. Simultaneously tugging at peoples heartstrings and pursestrings.
Coach James
Well-known member
Does the sander work?
Our restore never has had tools when I have been in there. Almost never has any hardware beyond screen door pull handles or some rusty fence clamps. They do have a great old book section. I found an original edition of "They were expendable" and a book on the battle of Tsushima written by a Russian naval officer that fought in the battle.
Lots of expensive furniture for sale. As in $1,000+ expensive.
I use to buy bed frames there for $3 a piece as a source of cheap metal. Now they are $20+ so I let them sit there.
I have bought gallons of paint for $1 each when I wanted to paint dog houses and other stuff where I didn't care what it looked like.
Coach
Last edited:
A nearby supermarket went under in Freehold, NJ. I see it is now a Restore. I would have never thought to check it out except for this thread. They were closed when I drove past but I will be back to see if there are any tool bargains.
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timmyisme22
Well-known member
Yeah, the prices are pretty lousy now (as is the selection as well). I still try though!
I find the deals to be similar here sometimes. Just like any other 2nd hand store or antique store, somethings are better left where you find them.
First and foremost, it's a charity. You getting a "great deal" shouldn't be the 1st thing on your mind. The "market" is you providing a means to support building houses for those in need, not your personal gains.
Duh, see my response above. Heartless, pure heartless.
Great job Coach!
Finding the "good deal" is what it's about. I'm pretty sure the sander works. I haven't had the chance to use it on any projects as I have some other things on my plate when I get home.Cool! I'm glad you have been "inspired" to check it out. While I believe that there are good deals to be found, there are some so so priced items at well. Here at my ReStore, when things sit for too long, they get offered for a discount. Happy hunting!
Yeah, the prices are pretty lousy now (as is the selection as well). I still try though!
Don't give up! You might just be hitting it at the wrong time. Some days are better than others. Sometimes it can be weeks.
7th Kahuna
Well-known member
I am a big fan of ReStore and have been for years. I have not had much luck with tools however. Every now and then I pick up an oddball tool that the average visitor to ReStore probably doesn't recognize. The last time I was in I scored 3 solid brass 3.5" door hinges (new in package) for under $2 each. I also picked up some solid brass hook and eyes, also new. I forget what else. Most of my deals are actually on building materials which I pick up in advance of various projects around the house.
I used to do a fair amount of driving for work and would schedule my lunches around stops at ReStores in neighboring counties. It was always intriguing how much stores varied from one to another. The only bad news was I liked several of those stores better than my own.
I used to do a fair amount of driving for work and would schedule my lunches around stops at ReStores in neighboring counties. It was always intriguing how much stores varied from one to another. The only bad news was I liked several of those stores better than my own.
lafester
Well-known member
Went to two stores yesterday to check them out for the first time. First store had great prices although I did not find anything I could use. Second store had high prices but also had some decent stuff. They both had a 'spin the wheel' on certain days for a percentage off your cart. We got 40% off a bunch of baby stuff that was already dirt cheap.
Soda Jerk
Well-known member
I suppose it's coming, just like the thrift stores in my area, but as of now I've scored vintage and new items for cents on the dollar at the HFH stores in my area. One actually gets return/ damaged items from Grainger! $700 cabinet for $100. 60's Era cast iron laundry sink - $10. Luv to shop there!
Rory Bellows
Well-known member
My store gets stuff from Granger too. Problem is they put a piece of tape on it stating retail price $1700 Restore price $900. Using Granger retail prices (vastly inflated price). In my example it was a water heater and it looked like it was thrown off a truck. I also like the signs that state in fairness to all customers prices are non-negotiable.
Which ever volunteer does the pricing at my Restore store is out of their mind.
driftpin
Well-known member
That's what it seems at the one I go to most-frequently. No others are convenient, unless I'd like a fifty-mile trip to find nothing of value, priced to sell.
I used to get good stuff there, and I still donate stuff. But, the last 5 times I haven't found a &^%%$! thing worth buying. No tools, no building materials.
They have some fancy light fixtures, if they cut the prices in-half, they'd still be overpriced!
I used to get good stuff there, and I still donate stuff. But, the last 5 times I haven't found a &^%%$! thing worth buying. No tools, no building materials.
They have some fancy light fixtures, if they cut the prices in-half, they'd still be overpriced!
You will never know until you stop in for a visit. Try not to get discouraged if you don't find something you're looking for.
My wife and I moved into our new house last fall. I was looking for certain things every time I stopped at different stores. Almost every day for over a year! I never did find the specific color and brand of sink I was looking for, but I did find one that was close enough. It was at a ReStore 1.5 hours from home....for $5.
My ReStore uses different color price tags. One color is regular price the next color is 25% off. The third color is 50% off.
Every month they use a new color and the previous month's color goes to 25% off and so on. The first day of the month is a big deal.
Wednesday is senior citizen's discount day. Also 25% off and can be used in conjunction with any other discounts.
7th Kahuna
Well-known member
Some of the local stores here have rotating sales. An item may be full price for two or three weeks then 25% off for a week and then 50% off for a week and then back to full price. While they may start out a bit expensive, they still have really good turnover in their inventory. Among stores that accept housewares, I have seen them just pull all the material from the shelf and send it on to Goodwill or somewhere else (I assume). I was also offered all the nails at one store for something like a dollar a pound because the manager wanted to be rid of them. They had received a couple hundred pounds of various sized nails from a county museum. The only store I knew which had poor turn over didn't last. I have noticed prices to vary with the economy. During the recession, prices at some stores increased. It seemed odd but I figured they were taking in fewer donations but their rent undoubtedly remained the same.