Does any shop at a Re-use Recycle Center?

**reetoreet** · 04-22-2010, 12:30 PM

Hi All!

I recently came upon the website redo.org. It's a great site with a list by state of Re-use and Recycle centers. I found one by my house that seems to have a lot of great prices on stuff. We need new exterior doors and a couple windows still need replaced. Has anyone ever used one of these types of stores? Were your experiences good/bad? Anything I should watch out for? Thanks in advance!

**savvy_sniper** · 04-22-2010, 01:15 PM

When hubby's grandmothers old home in Galveston Texas was majorly damaged by Hurricane Ike, family and friends gathered together to fix the house. She is on a limited income and MUCH was bought from Habitat for Humanity Restores.

Some large beams were needed under the house and were scavenged from the beach! All sorts of stuff washed away and onto the beaches.

**Liane** · 04-22-2010, 01:30 PM

We have Habitat for Humanity stores. My sister was able to get some great furniture very cheap. I have to go. Also the money you spend helps charity, so that is a bonus.

**Contrary Housewife** · 04-22-2010, 02:33 PM

There's an architectural salvage place in town here but they are expensive. They had old used stuff that needed cleaning or repair, which was more than buying something new. And while it was 'vintage' most of it was not the kind that brings high prices.

**leighcat** · 04-22-2010, 05:45 PM

We have a habitat for humanity store nearby but it seems expensive. I will have to check it out now that I have a house and need some things for the kitchen. Thanks for reminding me.

**stinkbug** · 04-22-2010, 06:13 PM

We shopped the Habitat Restore for a sink and tub for our greenhouse...and a door that hubby built a frame for. We also have a thrift store warehouse/outlet where stuff is sold by the pound. You have to dig and be willing to clean stuff up, but good prices.

**frugalfranny** · 04-23-2010, 01:36 AM

Know your prices!!

Even researching online at Lowes and HD will give you an idea.

we have a Habitat Store and they are so high on most of their stuff I haven't bought much there...........which means that I quit even going in to look........so not sure.......it has probably been two years since I have been in one.

that is what is sad........they get a reputation for being 'high priced' (many others have said the same) and then you don't go back...........will have to check it out.

**reetoreet** · 04-23-2010, 10:09 AM

Thanks everyone! I will be doing some research this weekend so see how much things cost else where. I think sometimes I go to stores that are supposed to be cheaper and I just figure that every price is rock bottom. I have wasted money in the past that way so I am trying to make sure I don't get burned again! We are trying to sell our house because it is not handicap accessible and my son is in a wheel chair. So we are trying to make some home improvements with out blowing the money we are saving for a down payment!! Thanks everyone!

Stinkbug-that greenhouse looks awesome!!

**Thevail** · 04-23-2010, 04:42 PM

We have a great one here in Washington called the Re-store. Their prices are amazing and they've often got stuff that's really in good shape.

To date:

7'x4' window.. $80
Odd sized storm door.. $20
Beautiful kitchen table and benches (the built in booth kind) $80
Every single miscellaneous door knob, socket cover, light switch, and most of the paint for our 1924 fixer-upper.. probably $100 total.

Tips for shopping at one..

Know EXACTLY what you're looking for, a window or door is hard enough to fit without being the wrong size in the first place.

Take a measuring tape with you. Likewise, take a truck and a blanket to pad things with.

Be very careful of "soft goods" like carpet or insulation.. they might be fine, but they also might smell funky, or have something downright weird on them! It's awfully hard to tell inside the salvage store because you have no idea what smells like that, and a lot of things are rolled etc.

Familiarize yourself with the stores return policy. They're usually different than a regular store because this stuff isn't new in the first place. They might only offer store credit, or allow it within 3-4 days. After all they don't want the door you cut down to fit your opening and broke a screw off in back, who else could use it?

Most of these places are super careful about not selling stuff that's unusable. But often it comes in as a whole truck load of donations from a contractor, and the two guys in the back may not have time to do a full on inspection as they unload. Usually the contractor wants his truck back at the work site NOW!