What clients say about Salvage Goods in Portland (OR)
I always check reviews before I give my business to anyone. Multiple reviews of how the owner is rude. Want proof? Just read the other reviews how many times does it take to get the owner to see, they are the problem. I certainly can do see how he constantly insults people on here enough for me to find another place to spend my money on. How about some accountability????
This store would be a gem if they understood what they were. They advertise selling clothes by the pound but the vast majority of items are individually priced. I found a number of pieces that I would have purchased if the pricing hadn’t been so atrocious. My assumption would be that is that if something is individually priced, it would be in better condition and that is far from the case. I found a pair of white corduroys with yellow pee stains in the crotch that were marked at 7.99. When I inquired if the defects were taken into consideration during pricing, the employee was fairly condescending, didn’t answer the question and told me I can’t expect them to wash everything. I’ve been thrifting for years and I have no issue purchasing dirty or stained clothing but yellow stains on white pants make them unwearable if I can’t get them out. It’s a risk calculation to purchase stained clothes. If the stain was taken into consideration during pricing, the employee could have just answered my question politely.
Between the dressing rooms being closed, the attitude of the employee, and audacious pricing, I could not recommend this store. You will likely find some gems but they’ll be mixed in with $30 stained old navy polo shirts and piss stained paints. They may sell salvage but I’m not sure they know what that means.
Idiotic bag policy with no number or any way to identify bags. They take away their liability by putting it on the customer. I don’t shop at places that put their liability onto me. You’ve communicated, by the sign on your door, that you have an issue with theft, so I definitely don’t trust you to watch my stuff, if you can’t even watch your own stuff.
Stores that do checked bags usually ofter a place for customers to securely lock up their bags, like the Vintage Mall that’s about 4 minutes away.
I showed up here looking for thifts only to be harassed by owner upon entry. The old cranky man told I'm not welcome there, based off the assumption that I stole from there recently.. which is a heinous accusation, because I only just arrived in town here last night. I DO NOT RECOMMEND giving this place business. I don't appreciate being profiled based off my appearance
There’s a reason why seventeen other reviews mention “rude.” Owner is consistently off the charts rude; I’ve stopped in infrequently over the last 15 years and each time I’m reminded why. Head to the bins and skip this dumpster fire. ?
They truly mean it when they say it's salvage, a lot of the items are damaged. While that's fine, they do not take care of the items that aren't damaged. There were several leather vests that at first glance looked like they just needed some TLC, but I was disappointed when I saw that they had poked the tags through the leather on every single one. Leather is not like fabric. It doesn't bounce back when you poke a hole through it.
Reply to owner: Your reply doesn't change the fact that you were the one that destroyed the product. Just say you don't care about what you sell or who buys it. It's easier and more honest than trying to paint everyone else as a villain in these reviews when you are clearly just a miserable person. Get some therapy.
Place is great to me - 3 work quality shirts, a graphic tee, a dress, and a shoulder bag for under $8. Not an overwhelming amount of items. Even the non sale items didn’t seem overwhelming (only looking at women’s clothing) I was visiting for work but I regularly thrift everything so some of the thrift store prices in Portland and Seattle are insane compared to the east coast. But not this place - and the owner is fine!! He watches the cameras like any other reasonable owner! The reviews are dramatic.
Asked the clerk if they sold thrifted cameras. He said he doesn’t stock them on the shelves because it’s too much work, suggested that I look up the stock online. Asked him where I could find his website, said I can’t find it online and that I should search the item I want directly.
Store is 95% clothes, small sections of appliances and stereos. Grouchy geezer running the place is a funny character, so +1 star for him.
Love this thrift store, got new $55 men's pants for like $2. Also am quite entertained by the replies on all the wild reviews on here. As long as you're comfortable checking your bag it's a jolly ol' time
*edited... I went here to try to find clothing and maybe some accessories and shoes. There were a lot of purses that had fabric peeling and holes in backpacks. The clothing smelled pretty bad, too. There were some trinkets and cups that had broken pieces and / or chips. Shoes were incredibly worn and some soles were destroyed. This is an honest review. I really dont understand why I'd need to go to the dollar tree? (owner's response) I just purchased a bunch of items from Goodwill for pretty outrageous prices, imo for used donated clothing, but the quality was there. I like to thrift clothing and try to do my part in helping with the impact of fast fashion, and not contributing to the fashion industry.
Please either wash your clothing or accept cleaner donations. I would also recommend not selling broken items for outrageous prices. A missed opportunity, for sure.
I don't really get what people are complaining about. Most of the stuff was priced by the pound and I got a nice denim jacket and t shirt for $4, both in good condition. The man at the checkout was a little grumpy I guess, but he answered my questions and did his job so frankly I don't really care? We shouldn't expect every worker to be 100% cheery every day lol
i genuinely do not get how people rate this place bad, if you complain about the shirt prices then go to goodwill! ive literally bought five jackets from this place and every single one is brand new with the tag and everything. guess how much it cost me? 5+5+5+7.5+7.5 which comes out to like 30 dollars?? also the guy who works there is one of the nicest business owners i have ever met and he makes conversation with me every time im in. he even cared to remember my name despite the time between my first and second visits being like 10 months apart. also calling him classist in a review complaining about it being more than goodwill is extremely rich considering goodwill takes advantage of their employees and operates like a factory. if you want good quality clean clothes and (i cannot express this enough) stellar jackets of any kind, stop in and support this guy's local business. i really hope yall stop judging this guy so damn harshly. also here is a pic of the FIVE DOLLAR jacket i wear every single day and love.
Nice store with a large selection of clothes, tons of kitchen items and huge selection of backpacks-bags. All at good prices. As for negative reviews over the guy there, he was very polite and nice to me today. Place is a hidden gem.
Perfectly fine thrift store. Seemed clean and well organized for a thrift store. Prices were normal for Portland and seemed to have good sales. It's unfortunate that there's no fitting room or trying on clothes but I get it. He's having to fight the theft.
Yep! I read several reviews before I went to this place and they’re all pretty accurate! The guy running this place wants top dollar for used items and none of the prices are as clear as what’s on the label and although I went there with an open mind, and had a friendly chat with the owner. I wouldn’t go back there again nor recommended to anyone else.
Was the guy at the register the most cheerful person I've ever met? Was he mean? No. But again my experience is not everyone else's. Prices were actually good for Portland thrift stores for once, but nothing stand out if that makes sense. I didn't mind the "disorganization" as some people are saying. I felt uncomfortable trying stuff on because there are signs saying that you can't try on things in front of the cabineted mirrors but I made do. I don't know if people are expecting anything high end or everything to be of great quality, but remember it is a thrift store. I will definitely be back.
Grumpy, unhelpful guy here, and the stock is mess. Like not even sorted by size mess. The vibe is rushed garage sale, and the smell is dirty closet.
Some items are REALLY overpriced (typically Nikes, North Face, other well known trendy brands) for the shape they're in. That said, you can find bargains galore if you really, really invest time and look: I found 3 Gap, Halogen etc tops, total less than $11.
Also, if you're looking to set up a new apartment on a budget they have tons of pots and pans etc. Huge rolls of copper wire for I have no idea. Old electronics (receivers, landline phones) if that's your dig.
NOTE, significantly no changing rooms due to "shoplifting" per sign in September of 2024, but can apparently return clothes within one week or purchase.
But imo it's worth checking out if you're a bargain hunter willing to spend a few hours digging.
Disgusting place with high prices, also service animals will get yelled at. Had panic attack after owner was very RUDE and DISGUSTING. Will never go back here. Won't give that Disgusting man my business. 0 stars. I should have looked at reviews before going. Very low. Went to goodwill near by that was fabulous, I suggest going there.
Today on my way to work, I had about ten minutes to kill so I stopped in here. I see it all the time and love a good bargain. I walked in and I wasn't treated with a welcoming hello. I was confronted about leaving my lunch bag up front. This was a plain plastic shopping bag that you could somewhat see through. It had a coffee and some water in there. Anyways, confused I asked the one who confronted me... I asked "the bag that has my lunch in it?"
He says yes. Almost rips it out of my hand and drops it on his desk. I let it roll off of my back. My best friend was on the phone with me says he would have already walked out. I look at some of the donated items, and see they're a little more expensive than I'm willing to pay.
He has stated in other reviews that this neighborhood "isn't the best". Some apartments in the area are trendy, but he's right it isn't the best area. That being said, he is asking newer prices on donated goods. As a business owner, know your geographical area. Meet the needs of the people around you. You wouldn't sell rain boots to people in the desert. So if the area is in your opinion more poverty stricken, then lower prices.
Anyways, he watches me like a hawk for the few minutes I was in there and I decided to just leave. I'm not too sure if he's just tired of people or the area, but, I for one will not be returning.
Never judge a person who is willing to spend their money on your items because you have had people steal. We are not all like that.
Edit: replying to the owner who was rude on the response. I hope you find happiness and I hope you have the day you deserve. Life is too short to argue with you.
Edit number two:
After reading multiple reviews, the tells the person reviewing that it's their fault.
1- we should not have to read signs to know the price unless it's sale day which apparently is everyday here.
2-if the stuff marked One price is supposed to be on sale and that seems to be the main cause of your bad reviews, I want to be easier to change the way you did your pricing?
3-instead of blaming the customer or person reviewing your store, I feel it would be better to not respond with negativity.
Everyone’s perspective is different what one may think is trash another may think it’s treasure. It saddens me the amount of bad reviews this thrift store has. Give the man a break who works or owns this thrift store. He has a shop in Portland where people steal on the daily and disrespect his wishes in order to keep the place running. I went in and found many great pieces of clothing. I found my fav. New/ old pair of pants for $2.50. Not even goodwill can beat that. Give this place a chance and be respectful of his wishes. I’m definitely a returning customer.
The owner of this place was cruel to a child who was SO EXCITED about purchasing a scooter. Upon entry it says 50% off everything. And some how everything we found to our liking had a tag that said in red “discount does not apply”
Selection was awful. Multiple jeans were dirty with brown dirt.
The electronics when plugged in (4 out of 5) did not work.
But the take away is don’t take your kids here because they will be cruel and bully them.
Had almost 2hrs to shop before they closing (6pm Saturday evening really?) and only made it thru half the store in that amount if time ??? so much good stuff to look at! For context: I have a deep burning love for clothes, ??? and feel the need to look through every item on the rack to make sure I don't overlook the vintage clothing holy grail ??? ?♀️????..... next time I'll start shopping on the opposite side of the store and work my way in. Great selection of sneakers, jeans, sweaters, brass, handbags, and vintage luggage. Cool shop, I will be a return customer here.
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure…. or so the saying goes. This place is filllllled with ‘treasure’. Much of it is overpriced, in my opinion. Even with the daily sales they run; I wouldn’t pay the prices they’re asking. Why not just price the items what they’re being sold for? Makin’ me do math and stuff. ?
Anyway, if you need a hundred scratched frying pans or broken electronics this is your place!
Clothes were okay, huge glassware section and some cool electronic things, as well as good sales going on. Owner was honestly rude and made my friends and I feel unwelcome, uncomfortable, and like a burden. He glares at you the whole time you’re there as if he’s not benefitting off of you by buying his merchandise. Friend had come here previously and warned me about the owner, but I thought I’d give it a look for myself. She was absolutely right, he is unhelpful and should not run a business. Hire people who actually want to be there and who greet customers instead of ignoring them and dismissing them. Overall I wouldn’t come back unless the owner had an attitude adjustment!
Came here to see the reviews after the old man berated me for not putting my small body bag by behind the counter. Which the sign on the door states LARGE bags and when I went back home dropped my computer bag off and walked back he told me to leave and I wasn’t welcome! But I don’t really care about the bag but the old guy is just flat out rude this was my 3rd trying this spot cause it’s close to my place (I never find anything it’s mostly junk) and I was just thinking I was being judgmental but honestly after today and see other’s comments it seems to be the norm. The old man everyone talks about literally doesn’t greet you when you come in or anything looks like he hates being there and really doesn’t give knowledge when asked about items in the store. Also you can see how defensive he in his replies of these reviews. If you’re thinking of coming here I recommend you don’t but if you do end up going you’ll just see for yourself. Btw the bag was not even medium sized it is quite small
The older gentleman working the desk is incredibly rude. For someone so advanced in age it is a shame they never learned customer service skills.
The store does not test electronic products prior to sale, as they claim it will take too much time, they also do not allow bags into the store despite nothing being worth more then a few dollars at most as anything of real value that can fit in a bag is kept behind the counter anyway.
5/5 experience today. The worker was SO nice. After I bought what I wanted we had a 25 minute wholesome conversation. I can’t remember his name but thank you for making my day today! I will be back! Plus they have 50% off all clothes!!! The Costco of thrift stores!!
I’ve been to a lot of thrift stores, this is one of the best. You do have to dig a bit, but that’s part of the fun in my opinion. I just went to Portland to look for a home to buy, and specifically packed light in order to thrift. This was the best thrift store I found. I was surprised when I checked out and realized the prices were half off. I had to go back there next day before I flew back home to load up again and buy another bag to fill up and check! Man behind the desk (I think he was the owner) was nice and accommodating. They have used AND new stuff too. Definitely recommend.
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