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Where Do You Go to Buy or Sell Recycled Clothes?
In the current issue of EthicalStyle magazine, we discussed the secondhand clothing trade and profiled a group in London that deals in unwanted clothing.
But if you live in the states, do you know where to go to recycle your stuff?
Buffalo Exchange is a national chain of consignment shops where you can get cash (not just a tax deduction) in exchange for your unwanted closet residents. You can always head to the Salvation Army or Goodwill to shop vintage, but Buffalo Exchange is a bit pickier about what they accept so you’re more likely to come away with success.
While not a charity, the company periodically partners with nonprofit groups, like on Earth Day this year when they had a fire sale to benefit the Galapagos Conservancy.
If you’re collected quite a few items that you don’t wear but you feel they’re too nice to donate, why not give Buffalo Exchange a shot?
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I know Buffalo Exchange from when I lived in Berkeley; no stores near me now. However, in Massachusetts and Rhode Island we have Savers, and I recommend it highly. No cash, but you do get a tax deduction, and their profits to go support Big Sisters/Big Brothers. From the consumer side: enormous stores, with really good selection including the best assortment of plus-size clothes I’ve found in any thrift store.
Comment by enegim — November 23, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
I have nothing but fond memories of Buffalo Exchange, which I believe opened its first store in Tucson, AZ circa 1980(?) I was a starving student at the University of Arizona and when I was broke and hungry I would take a few items to Buffalo Exchange. I can’t remember them ever rejecting everything I brought in; they were goodhearted and very in-tune with their customers. When I left Tucson they had two stores there…. Jump ahead to 1998ish or so. I was living in Wisconsin, and on a day trip we passed through Whitewater, WI, home to a branch of the University of Wisconsin.Right on Main Street I spotted a Buffalo Exchange! It was pretty obvious from the get-go that this was not the fun, clean and cheery store as I had known it. It was dark and the salespeople were goth wannabe’s who didn’t greet us, let alone help us shop…..I got the store contact info and contacted the owners of Buffalo Exchange in Tucson, who confirmed that this was not one of their stores. I mean, this place was even ripping of the store’s logo! Anyway the owner sent me a Buffalo Exchange T-shirt and laundry bag, and a friendly letter letting me know that they took legal action and shut the imposters down. Yippee! Anyway, not to long after than my partner and I were in Vegas, where we woke up one day and decided to wed with an Elvis impersonator at a chapel on the strip. We went to a pawn shop and picked out rings, got a license and went in search of the perfect clothing for such an event. Low and behold, on our way to the outlet stores, we spotted a Buffalo Exchange! The salespeople were so totally cool; they decked me out in a black knee-length dress with silvery sparkles, circa maybe 1962. The final tough was a pair of silver sequined heels! Now I live in Colorado, and see on the map that there are BEx’s in our state. I can’t wait! There is a buy-sell-trade shop called Plato’s Closet in Greeley and Ft. Collins, both college towns. I haven’t been there, but in their ads they say they are accepting clothes 6 months old and newer. What fun is that? I have a Salvation Army and Goodwill within walking distance. Yeah, I have to flip through the racks, but it’s something I enjoy. Last week I scored a beautiful black and red synthetic python purse, new with $69 original tags, for $8. It had been $18 a few days before, and I traded it for $25 credit at my favorite collectibles store, where I can knock off half-a-dozen names of my holiday gift list! Bright Blessings to kindred spirits out there, Rx
Comment by Roxanna — December 5, 2008 @ 2:30 am