PTA Thrift Shops

I find myself donating goods here more than purchasing them, only because I seem to be clearing things out more than accumulating new ones! It does feel good to help out the CH schools as that’s the purpose of the thrift shop!
They do have a huge variety of goods to choose from if you’re in the market for something and at bargain prices. You just can’t beat that!

Never ever, ever, ever, ever donate to this hack organization. Never have I been treated so rudely for trying to give away my stuff. The staff and management at the Chapel Hill store are the rudest people I have met since moving here. I will gladly make the drive to another donation center out of good will.

Cool THRIFT Store! Audio Cassettes, VHS Tapes and Vinyl! They also have Books, made form Paper! You might meet some of the Literate few, Drew Crew here!
Clothes, Glassware and Jewelry! Pretty Cool place for a First Date!
Auction Window ! ! ! GREAT Idea! The have as one of their Storefront Windows «Auction Items» Beautiful Display!
Local Hero included and Lookalota!
With a Cause! Proceeds help Local Schools

All thrift shops are hit or miss, but I like PTA a lot.
I’ve made some great finds there. A cool t-​shirt here, a practically new leather jacket there. Odds and ends. Mind you, there’s a fair share of junk. Sometimes you’ll go and strike out completely.
But, what elevates it above a middling category for me is the vast selection of books they have. I buy far more books than I have room for (admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery, right?!), and PTA’s selection of books is bigger than most thrift stores, better organized, and still very well priced. Even if the trip is a wash on every other front, I usually leave with one or two paperbacks in hand to throw in my collection.
Stop in when you’re nearby. Maybe you’ll find something awesome hiding amongst the nick-​nacks and assorted junk. As far as thrift shops go, this is a pretty good one.

The PTA thrift shop is right next to my place of work so I’m always dropping in on my way to or from work. The store itself is very organized. The ladies that work there are really nice and friendly. Only downside is it’s very popular so it can get pretty crowded.
It’s generally a hit or miss kind of place. In terms of clothing, there are some amazing finds and their prices are great! In terms of furniture, it’s slim pickins and often overpriced. they also have a lot of nice kitchenware. Nothing fancy or antique for the most part but good quality, useful stuff.

Should give donators less attitude and guilt about coming through the front door. No sign out front to designate use of a back entrance. Donation centers in large cities generally have only one entrance. Can’t assume everyone donating is aware of the practices of this establishment without clear directions.

Not much here in terms of anything. It’s a far smaller shop than the one that is currently being refurbished in Carrboro. Most of the stuff didn’t seem too exciting, though there was at least one Sega Genesis game for sale, if you are in need of Sega Genesis games (you are in need of Sega Genesis games).
Overall, not really all that remarkable.

Quality: It is hit or miss at this particualr PTA thrift shop (located next to Whole Foods) since most of the donations seem to be either from college students or senior citizens. If you want clothes I have seen some very impressive nicer items (such as a Kenneth Cole Leather Jacket, Birkenstocks) that the cashiers keep hanging behind their cashier counter.
Quantity: Not that small of a space but I feel as if they are underutilizing the space they have. The store is clearly divided into 4 equal areas (clothing/​shoes, books/​magazines, housewares, furniture/​electronics) so if you’re looking for a full wardrobe or full furniture set don’t come looking for a makeover of any sort here.
Price: Books priced $.50−1.00 (and an expensive book section that I don’t understand…). Housewares ranged from $.50-​$ 5.00. Everything is individually priced so for nicer, newer items you will see prices above $ 10. CASH ONLY (there’s a cashpoint across the street).

Maybe the Carrboro location is better… I’ve popped in and out of here a few times, and have never really found anything of note. I know that thrift stores are hit or miss as a rule, but the stock at PTA always seems sparse — and of what’s there, it’s mostly bottom-​of-​the-​barrel (think: random coffee mugs, dated fashions, super-​dog-​eared paperbacks). Might be worth an occasional visit, but I’d make myself more of a regular at other area options.

An okay place. Not my favorite thrift store in the triangle, but an okay one. This location carries the basics of any thrift store, although their selection is less diverse. Perhaps it’s the time of year or perhaps its because of the thrift shop competition, but the stock of donated items was pretty scant. What they had was okay but nothing you wouldn’t find anywhere else. They do sell everything, from clothes to knickknacks to kitchen items so that’s an added bonus. I do like the fact the PTA shops help fund the local school PTAs and student organizations throughout the school year. Maybe that’s the time to go for the best selection of items.

About what you would expect from a thrift store — some junk, some deals, and some really disinterested staff. This store is not just clothes, it also sells books, some (usually crappy) music, VHS tapes, and other little doo dads. I’ve gotten lucky a couple times and gotten Dan Brown books for a dollar, likewise with plain white T’s. The pants are kind of disorganized and I’ve never found anything that I wanted. I don’t know about this one but when the thrift store occupied a space a couple of stores down, there used to be a lot of nice looking silverware and plates and stuff for really good prices. Come here after you shop at Whole Foods and maybe save some of the money you just burned.

There are quite a few thrift stores in Chapel Hill, but PTA does bring something different to the market. While the other consignment places focus on clothing and accessories, PTA just kind of sells everything that comes through the door. Their selection features home furnishings, books, some electronics, and a smaller section of clothing. I’ve spent hours browsing through the racks and I’ve yet to buy a single item of clothing from this location. That’s not to say that there aren’t some real gems — I’ve bought quite a few nice coffee table books at PTA. The staff is pretty disinterested, but then again they’re all volunteers. The prices here as just as fantastic as you’d expect and all proceeds do, of course, go to the Chapel Hill-​Carrboro Schools Parent Teacher Association.

Sweet! Now this is a good thrift shop!
These guys have managed to strike the critical thrift shop balance of keeping a full stoke while still making everything manageable and not too cluttered. I’m really impressed by it. The variety is pretty hilarious… When was the last time that you found a place that sold 8-​track tapes? Well, guess what? They have them. My search is over.
The prices are fantastic. I might even say, «cheap as hell.» Their selection of books is great, but clothes not so much. The stuff they have is good, there’s just not as much of it as you might be used to.
The staff seem pretty isolationist. That is to say, they like to stay behind their little counter island and protect themselves from the roving bands of marauders (customers). Be aggressive if you want any help.