10/08/08

Houston's #1 Thrift - Resale - Consignment Shop

by lovedecorating

This place is AWESOME! I discovered The Guild Shop a couple of years ago and have been hooked ever since. This shop is full of fantastic furniture and miscellaneous household items. They are a consignment shop and I have consigned a couple of times and made some good money. They pay the consignor's 2/3 of the selling price and only keep 1/3 which goes to chariy. That is the best deal in town on consignments - most keep at least 40%. I have bought many things there too. I think half of my house is decorated with things from this shop. They are affiliated with a church in River Oaks and get really nice donations from people in that area of Houston. Their consignors take in great things too. If you are ever there while they are taking consignments, you see how many people take their stuff in and also you see things that look so good - but alas, they are not priced yet so you have to come back again a few days later!!! Designer clothes are a real bargain here and cheaper than other resale shops. The store is really big so it does take some time to go through it. The price tags have a starting price and then if the piece hasn't sold in a month the price goes down. The dates and lower prices are marked on the price tag so you may see that a sofa is going down on a certain date and you can come back that day when they open and get it for the new marked down price. Very Cool. I found the volunteers to be very nice and helpful each time I have visited the shop. They price stuff every day so there is always something new being put out. I like to look at the vintage jewelry. The jewelry section is the largest around and they have some wonderful pieces and the prices are great. Some of it is fine jewelry and some of it is just fun, funky everyday stuff. If you love thrift stores then you should check this place out.

• Pros: variety of items, friendly volunteers, great prices, new parking lot, treasure trove
• Cons: Check out line is long on Saturday near closing time but still worth the time or go early!

Montrose-area resale shop for major bargains and classier selection than other similar stores.

by Contributor

In Short
Since the 1960s, this Episcopal church-run resale shop has donated all profits to the retired residents of Baytown's St. James House. This 11,000-square-foot shop is popular for more upscale consignment items including furniture, up-to-date and designer clothing, household items and jewelry. The shop also carries clean resale items such as clothes, books, original art, kitchen ware, ornamental objects, toys, collectibles and vintage items. Prices are reduced the longer items remain on the floor.

07/29/07

furniture items

by fraternalorder

I previously attempted to consign several furniture items there. The head of furniture is a quite vulgar woman. I called her several times regarding an item that she says was priced too high. She asked what it was, I told her it was a small table, apparently she could not discern 'what it was.'. She said she was going to price it at another price, I said fine. She kept referring to the piece as "whatever it is" saying this several times. She has very bad social skills and comes across incredibly rude and as I said before quite vulgar, not only in her voice but in her appearance as well. I went to The Guild Shop to check on my items, and the small table was PRICED HIGHER than I had originally marked it! This woman first told me it was too high and that she was going to mark it down and then she marks it higher than I ever wanted? There were some other items as well that I had been marked the same way. I took them to someone I know that works there, she renewed the consgnment for me. The item eventually sold. As for the review below, I was told by more than one employee at The Guild that these "women here that price things don't know anything and you have to keep on top of them."

• Cons: parking

07/25/07

Excellent Store

by missionman

The Guild Shop is truly impressive - I always find something good, and the markdown system is efficient and helps make the store such a great bargain place. The markdown system causes the prices to decrease every month, so the prices only get better with time. The volunteers there are eclectic, knowledgable, and very helpful, but sometimes help finding something can take a little while because of the prodigious amount of inventory. I also really like the summer staff - this really helps complete the store for me; the elderly volunteers and young summer staffers give the store a great atmosphere. Their hours aren't the longest (M-F 9:30-3:30, Sat 10-2), but they are accomodating enough to where I can always make it. I have never had a problem with consignments, as the person below has, and whenever I have contacted the management they have been most helpful in solving the problem. On the whole, The Guild Shop is a rather unique enterprise and a great business. And, as a bonus, it seems, all their profits go to charity. Doesn't get much better than that.

• Pros: Parking, staff, ambience, prices, variety of merchandise
• Cons: Hunting,

07/02/07

LOST CONSIGNMENT$

by thesalon

I have taken many items here. The last time, they lost 2 new items I had brought . The items were written clearly on my receipt before I left the store, a few months later while in the Guild Shop they checked on the computer and the 2 items were not even in the database. I had to call a few times an finally I spoke with a woman, she said"this may never be figured out". I explained to her that THE ITEMS WERE CLEARLY LISTED ON THE RECEIPT with my other items for sale. Evidently someone neglected to enter them in the computer system. They were nice gift items, so I am wondering if someone in the shop stole them, one had the original item tag still on it. I asked the woman if I would be refunded she said usually yes, but probably not in this case because there is no PROOF? HUH? The items were on the receipt. I have not been back to The Guild Shop, it really has always been mostly junk, with about 15% great finds. You have to be there at the exact moment to get something great. The woman never called me back as she said she was going to do. I did not push it any further, but only because this is a charitable organization .However I sell to the BLUE BIRD SHOP now

• Cons: oblivious employees, they are just too overloaded with inventory

05/01/07

Eclectic things from the really upscale to everyday housewares.

by strobo

Eclectic goods ranging in taste for everyone. Great bargains too! I've bought gifts to give to friends there, Christmas presents for my family and clothes for myself. Super items, but sometimes there is too many things to look through. Inventory turns fast so I go every week. Picked up some great bargains there too!

They offer some really upscale items too. I've seen things like mink coats and diamond jewelry. Plus really nice furniture too. A whole range of quality and prices.

04/29/07

Wonderful bargains

by lilmach

Checks show up on regular basis for items turned in on consignment. Wonderful prices on everything, but especially if you shop off-season. You can find bargains on designer labels for next to nothing. Organization is good and sizes are separated. You'll have to spend alot of time here though to go through some of the racks. Tip: Upon entering store, turn left and go through that area first for good women's dresses, pants and blazers.

• Pros: Parking, friendliness, organization
• Cons: Almost too much to look through

11/27/06

LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!

by tzulover

Years ago we lived close and I would go at least weekly. The items are priced with it's current price + all it's future mark downs. We don't live close anymore, but when in the area I have to stop in. Staff is very courteous, I think they are actually all volunteers. Jewelry is usually very cheap. Parking has way improved over the years! Consignment intake is very low, and done only at specific times, and if item has not sold in designated time frame then it is a donation to worthy causes.

• Pros: Prices, Staff, Parking

09/18/06

good hunts great finds!

by cfyjnkyliz

i have always been a big fan of the guild shop. i started taking some of my things there to sell a few years ago and have been hooked on it ever sence. today i went and found a vintage diane von furstenbug trench coat. it is in perfect condition. so beautiful.

• Pros: good finds, great pricing
• Cons: horrible parking. closes early, must hunt