Dumpster Values

I really like this place. They’ve got a large assortment of vintage and used clothing, accessories and housewares. The ONLY reason I didn’t give them 5 stars is because sometimes the prices are high for the item. It really varies. I got a vintage Soundgarden shirt here the other day (!!!) and yesterday I got some great curtains which I believe are also vintage. I’ll definitely shop here often!

Not a bad thrift store at all. They have merchandise and clothes that would actually make you look good by buying their products.
They don’t accept debit or credit cards however do when you come here you need to make sure that you have cash.
If you are lucky you will be greeted by a congenial black Pug.
Interesting place but I spent most of my time petting the dog. I did make an effort to find something I might have liked buy found nothing that I couldn’t live without.

I want to like Dumpster Values. They promote the same values I hold dear. They’re not part of some corporate chain. They’re the only thrift shop downtown.
That said, the selection sucks. I suppose if you don’t care much about fashion and just want something warm or comfortable, they’ve got it and it’s cheap. From a purely functional perspective, they do what many expect a thrift store to do.
If you’re looking for originality or clothing that makes you both feel and look good, this isn’t it. Even if you are poor, you shouldn’t have to look bad or wear a kick me sign. That’s what a thrift store can offer an alternative to, something better than Wal-​Mart rags.
There’s better alternatives, and it pains me to say a chain store like Value Village is one of them. Sadly, it’s true.

Went with my friend to grab a hat she put on hold. Besides the hat not being available anymore, sales lady was not very concerned about it. I suggested she calls other employee and ask where she put the hat, but she said «Its her day off, I am not doing that». !!! Are you kidding me? Retail customer service– zero! I was totally put off by her nonchalance and will absolutely not come back. No matter the kind of a place or prices you pay, customer service comes first.

I think it needs a little something more to put it in the awesome factor. Dollar bin should be more toward the back, clothes should be a bit cheaper because the clothes really aren’t that awesome. I know I’m not 16 or 17, but I believe I have a handle on what they like. Now Value village in Lacey is great, good prices. The only thing awesome about this place was the girl behind the register. She is the only selling point there.

I am not so great at digging through crap for the gem but that said I did get a great dress. Sweet little shop and I liked the attached record shop! Cash only.

Awesome little gem I discovered on our way through Olympia! You don’t have to spend hours perusing the racks of goodwill, just stop by dumpster values. Make sure to bring cash as they don’t take cards.

Great selections, best range of denim jackets I’ve ever seen from San Fran to Vancouver BC, Tad bit expensive? Cash only. Transient populace sure to hit you up after you make a purchase.

I used to come here during college on a weekly basis. Why? Well it seems digging for treasure in piles of crap is a favorite Olympia past time.
I stopped in last week after a 4 year absence and saw nothing had changed, lucky me. Most of the wares sold at Dumpster Values belong in the dumpster however there are always a few gems, specifically boots or a rare Pendleton wool coat. This store would be amazing if I were REALLY into kitchy dresses and trousers that look like they belong at a 1960’s Tupperware party. They also have a great record store in the back and some extremely cheap bargains in the books to prisoners section ($ 1).
The best part of my Dumpster Values shopping experience is always heading to the register where after I’ve paid for my items the hipster girl behind the counter will shoot me an blank stare to let me know the transaction is over to which I always respond «have a nice day» and then am regarded as even weirder than before.
Olympia, the land where nobody smiles.

Very hipster, but I like it. However, I can never seem to find any actual «dumpster values» so I usually go to the back of the store to the dollar for prisoner section and dig there. I’ve actually found some really nice expensive clothing under the ripped underwear and stained tees. I can find cheaper deals at Goodwill and the concrete floors does nothing for the freezing cold temperature in there. This one gets a meh. If I were to rate the Dollar for Prisoners section separately, I’d give it an A-​OK.

A place you go when you’re dressed weird and want to fit in. I’m a native Seattleite so this place is nice but I wonder if they’d be more of a hotspot if they sold sex toys, piercings, jewelry and fetish wear like that one used and new shop in the U district. I mean if you’re going to go weird, why not go all the way? I would just go in to gawk and probably buy something. We so need a good fetish shop in Oly
Customer service was a-​ok for me. I know at least two of the cashiers there — one is the sister of the owner and they were both nice to me. Very quiet and introverted kids but they are not rude. I was dress conservatively most of the time and I’m older, so they may have been profiling teen crowd types. I traded my stuff and got $ 30 for about 30 items. Many of them were high end items, but some were bought from thrift stores by me so I probably was only out $ 100 from their original price, not bad for clothes taking up valuable space in my closet.
I personally think ¹⁄₃ of an item’s value is a fair wholesale price. Don’t bring pieces you love in here and still want to wear — sell it on Ebay for money. Bring in clothes you never want to see again or don’t fit and make you feel bad — why not a small credit instead of getting nothing from Goodwill if you don’t need a tax credit? I’d like to see less stained stuff on their rack — 3 out of the 7 items I tried on that actually fit had weird sweat-​like or oil stains on them in odd places that wernt noticeable on-​rack. Perhaps they could hire a seamstress or cleaner to manage their off items. I wonder if they have this service already?
It’s so hard to find a clothing store that has an in-​house seamstress service, at least on call. I used to love going to Macy’s because of this. They fixed many of my $ 150 silk skirt tears for a $ 1-​$ 3!
They support military families and state workers, so they don’t have that weird rabid anti-​semitic and anti-​establishment vibe you get from the crappy co-​op.
They also have a record store in-​house in an alcove which is cool. Now if only I could get someone to fix my solid state…

Well let’s see:
Had a great time at first. Had a couple things in my hand. Decided to walk into the dollar bins to see if there were any last minute treasures to be discovered. Someone told me they could hold my items up front because I wasn’t allowed to take my items into the dollar bin section.
Since I was already close to leaving and my friend was fed up with me shopping I declined to go into the bins and just kept carrying my stuff around as I made my way to the register. That’s when the sales person said out loud, too my face, «you’re being really sketchy right now’,» while her other co worker, who I at first assumed was a meth addict, said to me, «you’re ain’t gonna find Calvin Klein in here if that’s what you’re looking to steal.»
I don’t know if it was the shoes I found or the buffalo plaid red shirt I needed to have but I decided to stay and purchase my items even after being accused of being sketchy and the from the corner of my eye, noticing being watched by the same frizzy haired, badly dressed associate while giving me a dirty look.
I realize this is Olympia but these workers have never heard the term «customer service» and wouldn’t know what the fuck it was if it bit them in the ass. I enjoyed the product but to hell with this place.

Really cool place. found an awesome dress & pair of sunglasses for cheap. The only reason I’m not giving 5 stars? They only accept cash & in the age of square & PayPal it’s not really acceptable to not take credit cards.

Every time I’m in the area, I just HAVE to stop by here. I always introduce this place to friends and they love it as much as I do. If you dig around, you will find the coolest vintage clothes. I found the cutest denim shirt for $ 1 in the dollar bin in the back. I still wear it all the time, it’s amazing. Love it here!

This place gives dumpster diving a run for its money.
They’ve got a great selection of old vinyl and it’s even organized. It’s almost as if it was a used record shop at one time.
It’s your usual thrift store with the usual used clothing though some of the clothes had a little bit more funky to them which is always welcome.
Their politics are also right out there for you to take it or leave it.

I took it and I liked it.
Occupy Dumpster Values!

I went here once, not to buy or sell anything, but because I was with my friend who was getting rid of some clothes. This. Place. Was. Gross. I can see why they called it «DUMPSTER Values». We flipped through racks while we waited for the salesperson to look at my friend’s clothes. The clothes looked VERY well-​worn, outdated (NOT vintage), some of them were raggedy, and none of it was clothing you could get away with wearing (except possibly in Olympia). I don’t want to sound snobby, but I would never have bought anything from there. If that’s your thing, then maybe you have better talent turning rags to riches than I do, or maybe I’m just not as creative with my style. Still, I probably wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone.

You can find some decent items on rare occasions.
Staff seem to get grumpier and snobbier as time goes on.
Don’t even bother to try and sell your clothes there. They either won’t buy anything or offer like $.15 for it.

I love my thrift. I hadn’t shopped there since I left olympia years and years ago… but I think I still have credit there… and I bet it’s still good.
some great purchases? my gray leather member’s only jacket. amazing. 10 bucks. totally worth every penny. I’ve worn it maybe…8 years now? still one of my favorite pieces of clothing.
silk blouses – I started working for the legislature while I was still a student at Evergreen… living off a stipend and having to buy a whole separate business wardrobe, I found many great pieces here. I spent 16 bucks on four blouses. all silk. amazing. all still in my regular wardrobe.
thrift advice? wash wash wash. I always triple wash in hot water and dry hot. sure there may be shrinkage, but it’s better than bedbugs, crabs, or scabies. dumpster values is pretty good about picking things and cleaning things, but it’s just a thrift savvy thing to do. things you can’t wash hot in a machine, I always handwash several times in cold leaving it in water for a while. I bleach pen and heavy wash pit areas and crotch areas to be safe. check for stains, threads, and run the zippers a couple times. buttons and holes can be fixed… zippers are not as easy. don’t buy too many delicate things. vintage lace and silks are great, but I’m always thinking about longevity, cleanability, and durability.
dumpster values is an olympia staple. happy thrifting!

I love this place. Minus the fact they are cash only and I never have cash on me. I guess that saves me from buying too much!
There is a $ 1 bin, defiantly hit and miss, but always worth a look.
The clothes are slightly vintage slightly hipster. I was pleased I was looking for something for a costume party and defiantly found something, which is hip enough I have worn it other times.
One of my favorite vintage shops in in Boise, Idaho. I haven’t been there for years, I’m sure it isn’t around anymore. The point is I loved it because the tag had along with the price the era the article of clothing came from and a short antidote about the article of clothing. So Dumpster Values, I encourage you to adopt this practice. It will help when most of the young employees are confused about eras of clothing.
Over all they have a great selection and are only slightly more expensive than Goodwill.

I always go here when I’m in Oly. Deals!
They also don’t shy away from clothing that’s not in absolutely immaculate condition, which is good for those of us who don’t have a lot of money but do know how to stitch up a tiny hole. It’s like the perfect midpoint between Goodwill and some overpriced bullshit like Red Light.