Rethreads

Horrible customer service — extremely rude and childish. My experience was so bad I contacted the owner.

Today I came in and was pleasantly surprised. I usually visit the location on State street and don’t find very good selection, but this store had a large variety of designer clothes and shoes (jcrew, ann taylor, louboutin, gucci, etc). They also had a ton of jewelry and purses, which I thought was nice. I came into resell some of my stuff, but it was rejected for seasonality (winter coat being sold in the summer) and damage issues, which I don’t mind because I completely understand.

I don’t always have success with Rethreads (either buying or selling), but it’s my opinion that the State street location is on the up and up. The guy working was super friendly, and he looked at my items I was selling in under 10 minutes. They ended up taking 3 items — a pair of pants, flats, and sunglasses — for $ 39 in store credit.
Sometimes it’s hit or miss, but any resale store is! It’s always well-​organized and clean when I visit. Since the store credit can be used at either location, it’s worth trying to sell and save up the $$ and wait til you find something good!

They always open late on weekends. I have had to wait upwards of 15 minutes past opening time on multiple occasions, which makes me believe it’s a less than professional business. The items for sale are not very current, and are not necessarily seasonal. I won’t go they’re again after having to wait for them to open again this Sunday.

Showed up at 10:00 to sell some clothes. Store is dark and empty. Called and checked website before coming. Both say they open at 10:00. Annoyed because I came from across town and rearranged my morning so I could be here. What a joke.

This place is expensive, but their clothing is SO well picked. I went shopping at three other stores in Madison, and the stuff I got here is by far the coolest. Had a ton of compliments on a skirt I bought from here. Can’t say the same about the stuff I bought at other stores in Madison. Staff was welcoming and accommodating, despite the fact that I don’t dress well at all!

The blonde girl that works here is rude as hell and had a too cool for school attitude. She claimed she couldn’t take anything in my bag because of «stains, tears, and the general condition“of the items. I looked over the items before I took them to the store and they were all in good condition. While browsing through the store, I definitely saw items older and in far worse condition than what I brought in. Not to mention clothes that were far less «trendy». I did have a good experience here the last time I sold, but this experience combined with the distance from my house makes me never want to come back.

Definitely was not impressed with my experience here. I came in with two bags to sell at a little after 3 pm on a Saturday. The employee behind the counter took them and starting filling out the paperwork. A woman who appeared to be a manager came up behind and said to me: just so you know we stop buying at 2 pm. I said Ok, but you’re website says you stop buying 2 hours before the store closes, which according to the website is 6 pm. She argued back with me that it was just for the Milwaukee store. I didn’t say anything else because I thought maybe I read their website incorrectly. Nope — their website clearly says 2 hours before closing. The employee did end up going through my bags and buying a few pieces, so I didn’t completely waste my time. Anyways, I found the manager rude and the whole interaction made me uncomfortable. My suggestion is to make it clearer on your website when your buying hours are. I doubt I’ll be back as a seller or buyer.

I have always loved Rethreads and scored huge deals on designer items but recently it seems that the prices have increased and there are less designer items which would be fine if it was priced reasonably but $ 18 for a used loft or forever 21 sweater? No thanks!

Two years ago I was full on 5 stars for this place. However, the last few times I have gone to sell — they have put out a little sign that says «We are at our limit for the day». This is a BUY/​sell place! A limit which I have learned is 10 sellers. 10 sellers a day? What? How can you possible offer the best of what Madison brings just going through 10 people’s stuff? I have brought many Rag & Bone, Equipment, Prada, DVF and Tory Burch pieces, not the normal Ann Taylor we are all so sick of seeing there, but have been turned away the last three times. I’m over it. They have lowered their standards assuming that we all will too. Even though its a pain, I’m sending my stuff to The Real Real and others online. How they can expect to provide good options for sale if they are not accommodating the actual sellers is beyond me. I hope I’m not the only one.

I have been to both locations in Madison and am impressed with neither of them. I love the idea of recycling clothes and I also love a bargain, but as some other people have indicated in their reviews, I don’t understand their buying selection. The store has Old Navy, Gap, etc., but failed to take a Movado watch, Coach scarf, and only offered me somewhere around $ 20 for an $ 800 Tiffany bracelet. Adding insult to injury, they no longer call when they are finished looking through your items, and their customer service is lacking. I won’t be back.

I’m a thrift store connoisseur so yes I had big expectations when I walked into this place. Although occasionally I will spend big bucks on a second hand items I was appalled to see big chain brands (gap, forever 21, etc) selling close to their actual retail price, what the heck? Thanks but no thanks!
But their prices aren’t even the worst part! The woman (black hair, dyed purple ends) seemed to be the only one working when I was there. I smiled when I saw her and got the coldest glance in return, no smile or greeting whatsoever. Uhm okay, maybe she was having a bad day yet she had no problem greeting the 10 customers that came after me??? At one point I was the only one in the store and clearly trying to figure out the layout of the store, and yet received no help. RUDE. Walked out empty handed and won’t be back ever.

Sorry to do this to you, Rethreads, but I’ve gotta say, I’m not impressed with the Odana location. I’ve had good experiences with the State Street store, but recently I was on the west side with some clothing to sell, and several things stood out to me (and not in a good way).
First, when I walked in, one of the managers (or just the buyer? I’m not sure) was telling a woman at the buy counter very unhappily that «it’s gonna be a while. I mean, I was just about to go on my lunch break.» I’ve worked retail, and I understand having one of those days, but it’s also not an attitude customers need to know about.
Second, when I brought my bag up to the buy counter, the girl who processed me didn’t seem to have a very good handle on interacting with customers either. She seemed nice and polite, but when I asked what time I should come back, I expected to be able to get at least a rough estimate, given that I had JUST heard the manager/​buyer tell the other woman to plan on one hour. Not so. Not only could the girl not tell me what time my things might be ready, she couldn’t even give me a rough guess on when they might call me to come back. Finally, after asking a few different ways, all I got was «Um…well, we’ll definitely call you… like, before we close, for sure.» Uhh.okay. Great. Thanks?
The last issue was actually picking up my clothes. Two hours went by with no phone call, so finally, I called the store to check in. Spoke with the same girl as before, who said «Oh, yeah, you can come back and get them. We’re done looking through yours.» She almost sounded surprised that I hadn’t come back yet, which was odd, because they never called to tell me my stuff was ready.
In the end, they didn’t even take any of my clothes (because of the sizes — but I’m a Women’s Small, so that part didn’t make much sense to me). I understand they have to adjust according to supply and demand, so that doesn’t really bother me — it bothers me that it took them two hours to figure that out, and even then, I only knew because I took the initiative to call them.
I’m way disappointed in this location, because I like Rethreads in general, and I like their clothing. But sadly, I won’t be coming back to the Odana store if I can help it.

Shopping is like anything else, when you least expect it, you’ll strike gold. That’s what happened when I paid a visit to the Odana Rethreads. I use to frequent the State street location when I first moved to Madison. At some point I realized I was always walking out empty handed. Any treasures were no doubt snagged up by some college hipsters by the time I made it to the store.
Now cut to last week when a friend told me she once scored a pair of «garbage» themed Louboutins at the west side Rethreads. Very Mugatu a la Zoolander. Even though I’m not a fan of Loubs, I was definitely intrigued.
At first glance the store is more spacious then it’s downtown sister with more natural lighting. Those are all qualities that immediately put me in a better shopping mood. And then it happened. A pair of last seasons Helmut Lang trousers new with tags! There were just perfect. Mid rise, loose fit with cinched ankles, and most of all AWESOME prints as the tag suggests. Everything I look for in a pair of pants and the versatility to dress up or down. And at 80% discount? Sold! Now I realize my rating is totally inflated and I may never get so lucky again, but who cares?! These babies will last me years!

This place has the BEST customer service. So much more helpful than the Pink Poodle and way less snooty. They were clearly busy but still spent the time to answer my questions. I will definitely go back and try to sell some of my clothes and jewelry. All in all an amazing experience. It was a breath of fresh air going there after stopping into the Pink Poodle up the street. Great girls working there and great, reasonably priced products there as well. Bravo!

In general I liked this store and the other Rethreads in the area. Recently I have stopped shopping the Odana location because of the terrible attitude of the manager. My first few times shopping, she and other employees were trying on cloths within eye shot while I was waiting to check out with a crying toddler. Later I brought in 2 totes with cloths and was given a 1.5 hour wait. I showed up 2 hours later and my things were all over the counter and I was told to come back again. I went back the next day and was told my containers and remaining cloths were donated. I went to the location they were supposedly donated to and was told nothing had been donated. I went back to Rethreads and had to tell the manager she didn’t donate anything to St. Vinies’ and it was only then that she went in the back and gave me my totes. I was polite through the irritating experience because I wanted my totes and all I got was attitude. I also brought in 1 never worn silk designer dress and was told that they couldn’t process it until after 2pm the next day, over 24 hours later (not exactly the 30min.-4hour deal as advertised on their web page.) I suppose this was my penance for asking her to please look in the back for my totes or give me the other posable charities my totes could be located. $ 60 store credit isn’t worth that much back-​and-​forth, attitude, and almost losing $ 15 in totes. The manager hates her job and wants you, the customer, to know it. I have gotten better attitude from the bloody airport TSA.

I used to love Plato’s Closet, but now I love the west side Rethreads more. I’m very particular about clothing and I often leave the mall empty-​handed, but coming in here always leads to a purchase. Usually thrift stores are filled to the brim with stuff, but here there’s actually space. It’s a well-​curated collection. The new clothing rack is my favorite, and there’s a good selection of shoes. I’m a size 10, which usually means that all the good shoes are in smaller sizes, but here I can usually fall in love with a pair or two.
And the prices. This isn’t all Walmart and Forever 21 castoffs. I’ve gotten a beloved cotton Land’s End jacket for $ 16, a pair of Clarks dress shoes for $ 14, and a Three Dots dress for $ 15. Pretty awesome. They have cute accessories, too.
Plus, the staff is awesome and friendly, particularly Jamie. Come in here and have a visit.

I love the West Side Rethreads! I rarely leave empty handed and I can usually score multiple items for very cheap. I was leery about going here since the one on State St. is kind of a joke (usually picked clean) but this one has new stuff all the time. The staff is friendly too – that’s a plus. :)

Great selection of products and also a 15% check in offer? Can’t beat that! I see in a lot of the reviews that they are very picky with what they decide to consign. And they are doing a great job at it based on the high quality products they had in store.
I love how they divide the different types of clothing separating the designer from the vintage from the regular tops/​bottoms. I think that’s genius so that you can search based on what you’re looking for.
I was a bit disappointed by their handbag selection but that isn’t their fault-​I haven’t seen to many Gucci bags being carried around Madison so obviously there aren’t too many that are consigning them either.
I left with a cute Zara dress for later on in the Fall and an eclectic belt. I’ll definitely be back to check out any new items in a few weeks!

I don’t get it (It = the hype about this place). On Sat. Dec. 17, 2011; service was so crappy — that I left without completing my purchase. I was put on hold as I stood at the register to buy gift certificates so she could answer the phone then wait on another customer bringing in merch to resale — go back to the phone call and talk to that person then help the new girl complete a transaction. I can’t do it. When did phone calls take precedence over a customer in person?
I took the time to drive the V8 truck and burn gas, trek through snowy parking lots and iced over sidewalks to be ignored? State street location is better on service.
As for resales: I guess they buy based on their client demand but I get tired of the so-​called «chic» manager-​lady (she’s always there on the 3x I’ve visited so I’ll assume she’s the manager). They have a tendency of overpricing a number of things but especially shoes & boots. Coach, USED, rain boots $ 128. Coach, USED, calf high boot at $ 128. Honey go to Boston Store and use the instore coupons and you’ll get the rain boot for $ 45 – 60 and the knee high boot for $ 125. Again, brand new. WTH!
Cheap: no. In reference to the other Unilocalers that said this place is cheap. If you take time to walk a sale or be patient for the sale date at H&M or Macy’s — you’ll get what you want at an even better price. Alternatively, if you want it now and it’s out of season — go for it. I have made some good finds.