Treasure Trove

Im extremely disappointed with treasure trove as of late. I realise they operate on time of unpaid volunteers and that this is a charitable facility, but this place has really changed in the last few years.
you have to call between 9:00 and 9:05 (I’m not kidding) in order to reserve a same-​day consignment appointment. They take appointments between 10 — 12 every 20 minutes. The amount of items you can bring fluctuates between 6 –12, and they frequently change the types of items they can take to keep the store ‘fresh’.
What im most disappointed with is the inability to price your own items. I find that they set prices at an asinine level. The impact of that is that my items are less likely to sell :(If they dont sell after 30 days and I dont pick them up, the item becomes property of Treasure Trove and they are free to mark up or down — benefiting the organization. I see how this is beneficial to a nonprofit, but I cant help but feel muffed.
Years ago you just showed up, passed on your belongings, set a price and got a check in the mail. what a bummer :(

Lots of cool stuff here, however they are a bit overpriced for a thrift store. And God forbid you come in 20 minutes before closing, they won’t even allow you in the second half of the store! They will rush you to get out before they close, and keep verbally reminding you that you have only «8 more minutes». It feels like nobody wants to be there which makes shopping there not very fun.

I have found that it depends when you shop at Treasure Trove – if it’s right before their consignments, then the pickings are scarce, but if they’ve just put out some newly gotten merchandise, then there are some good finds. I agree that there seems to be no system for pricing, but I have been pleased with some $ 7 Calvin Klein pants, $ 20 pink raincoat, $ 35 sturdy bamboo-​accented table, & numerous vases/​baskets, which I buy when those stickers are half priced that day.

This place smells old. Which is appropriate, because that’s what most of their stuff is: old. And not like cool vintage old, it’s more like Nana’s Biker Phase old. If you dig really deep (I mean, REALLY deep), you might find a BCBG dress or a J. Crew blouse. It’s also pretty weirdly priced. Think Juicy Couture for $ 13, but a cast-​off prom dress you could find at any mall for around $ 175. Both in excellent, almost new condition. Huh. Some of their glassware is cool, though. And all the proceeds go to Fairfax Hospital, so if you do end up finding something, you feel good about yourself, both for your superior excavation skills and donating to a good cause.

The new (new manager) TT is both better and worse. It was fun standing in line to consign, chatting with other consigners all with a story. Now, you need to call, get an appointment, and go. The phone is always busy. Start at 8:50 and redial until 9:20 only to find all appointments are booked or they are taking only men’s shoes (for example) that day.(I speak from experience of calling 9 days in a row). Remember that they are volunteers, so some are charming and very helpful and some will make you feel two inches tall as they critique your offering, and your sense of style along with it! But if you are in game to clear out your closet, it can be fun: if you want to make big money, try something else. About half my items have sold, so I have about 200 less things to move around in my house. You can take back within 30 days or just donate. And if you are trying to downsize, remember that you should leave more there than you buy. There are some great buys.

I about had a panic attack when I walked into this place. Cluttered and old. They do get some nice things in there (like fur coats they price at $ 695). But seriously, this place is maybe a half step above Goodwill.

I prefer the other Treasure Trove location down in Annandale. This location is cluttered and seemed more picked over. Small top level with stairs down to dank basement level. Prices tended to be too high.

Not only does the place smell old and dirty, there are no bargains there anymore. They price like they are Neiman’s! And frequently you are treated to a ringside seat to fights among the volunteers who run the place!

Treasure Trove can be a fun and entertaining hour of hunting for vintage finds amongst the 80’s shoulder pads and cheap castaway Kasper suits, but beware — — some of the pricing is way out of tune with reality. Treasure Trove sometimes forgets itself, imagining that it is a well-​vetted consignment shop or true vintage boutique; it is not.
More often than not, the prices are just way too high for what is offered, which is, used clothing. Uncovering an authentic Caroline Herrara dress from the 70’s is a rare stroke of incredible luck, not the usual fare. But Treasure Trove is now charging *as if* instead of *as is.*
Still, if you know what you’re doing, know what you are looking for, are fully informed, or all three, you can find some things that are fun to wear and not likey to be in mass circulation.