UNIQUE Thrift Store

You don't donate to Unique. YOu donate to those orgs that call you and ask if they can come to your door and pick up your used junk, like The Lupus foundation, among others. Unique buys truckloads frome them. WIN-WIN!! I think its a great set up. The individual charities don't have to have store fronts, just a big van, my stuff gets picked up about everyother month, somebody has a successful business, and I have one spot to shop for bargains. Thats win-win-win-win, I guess.

Posted 11/25/09 | Report Abuse

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Unique Thrift Store is conveniently located just across from a large shopping center in Burnsville. It is, for the most part, very well kept and well organized. It is indeed a thrift store and it does sell second hand merchandise. If the only reason that you chose to shop a a thrift store is to support a non profit organization, this is not the place for you. If your purpose is to shop second hand items to save money, or simply enjoy the thrill of the hunt, the store is a great choice. Spanish as well as number of other languages are spoken by many of the staff, and many signs are in both English and Spanish. I am not offended by any of these things, and appreciate the effort the organization puts forth even if it is for a profit. No one seems to comment about other local retail stores making profit, and I certainly can not find the treasures at the mall that I have at Unique.

Posted 11/13/09 | Report Abuse

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Unique is a great store to buy from but its a profit store, all the money that they make from people's donations goes into their pockets and NOT into charities. I do not dontate my clothes or anything else to this store I give to the Salvation Army. BUT it still is my guilty pleasure, they always have great crap in there. You never really know what you'll find. I bought a brand new area rug I was stalking at target for 250.00 for the flat rate of 20.00. Now thats a steal! It was still in the plastic!I feel horrible going there and giving them my money for their greedy pockets but times are tough right now. AND SERIOUS PEOPLE! if you want brand new, english speaking, electronic working, expensive for nothing crap you can take your booty one block over and shop at the mall.

Posted 10/30/09 | Report Abuse

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I have been shopping at this store since it opened. I'm teased because it is my "favorite" store! Know the rules and if you don't agree with them take your attitude somewhere else. You obviously don't enjoy the thrill of the hunt! Take your time to check clothing items carefully. The staff has lots of clothing passing through inspection and will miss stains, snags and rips that will be important to you. The fitting room policy of three at a time can be time consuming so I usually dress in something that I can easily try things on over while in the store - no point wasting valuable bargain hunting time in line! Sometimes the pricing doesn't seem to have any rhyme or reason so know what quality you are looking at and what a good value would be. Personally I have found many of my favorite clothing brands at incredible prices. I've gotten several winter coats including two leather ones that are flawless. I've gotten several evening gowns to wear for cruises that would have cost 10 times what I paid if they had been new and I know they have only been worn a few times. Of course no one should assume the items they are purchasing are clean!!! I stay away from the electronics but have purchased a working like new vacuum for $6.00 and a hard to find hot roller set that looked like it had never been used! For over two years I would look in the bedding dept for matching pieces for my favorite bedding ensemble. Eventually I found a new bedspread and drapes that were in better condition than the ones I had purchased years ago and on a Tuesday I got them for a song!! I keep my husband's supply of paperbacks available for next to nothing. Halloween and Christmas decor can be bought for a fraction of the original price. I can't wait to have grand kids that I so I have an excuse to go through the aisles of fabulous stuff for the little ones. I have always found the staff to be friendly and eager to assist people at the check out. Never have to wait in line at the register. I have stopped going to the Goodwill in favor of Unique and recently went to Savers for the first time and did not find it to be nearly the bargain hunting adventure I always have at Unique!! Forget the conspiracies and language barriers and go out and have fun!

Posted 09/07/09 | Report Abuse

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I go to the burnsville location ,sometimes 4 times a week,i think it has great prices and if it's too high i don't buy just that simple but 90% of the time I find just what I'm looking for,I don't see what's peoples problem maybe they think they are royalty

Posted 08/16/09 | Report Abuse

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First off Ill start with the Cons:
>It IS a thrift store!!
>Some name brand items are marked up
>There are rules to adhere by so be patient and friendly and perhaps you'll get the outcome you want, so make sure the tags are on and if it fell off refer to my advice above
>Many non English speakers so again be patient and maybe you'll get the outcome you want!

Now the Pros:
>Best Thrift store(s) in the twin cities NEW HOPE/MPLS NE/ST PAUL (locations)
>Go on Tuesdays 25% off
>50% on certain Holidays
>If looking for a specific item go often for a week or more and you just may find it =)
>Good prices! Great items! Ralph Lauren, Coach, D&B, Little tykes, step 2, gap, childrens place ect.
>Great selection, as well as the store is sectioned off great, easy to find items
>Good locations around the cities, go to different ones if you can

***HILARIOUS and RACIST are some of you!!! The U.S. is a capitalist society meaning they are going to CAPITALIZE on whatever and whomever they can!! Like it or not LEGAL and ILLEGAL aliens stimulate as well as can hurt the economy. So if someone can make money off of them they can and will!! Although I do agree you need to speak the language of whatever country you are in, (you don't see anyone accommodating us in another country!) You have to give credit where credit is due. I admire Latinos they are hard workers and are family oriented and they come here to live the American dream just like the Europeans and every other ethnic peoples who came here WILLINGLY. So instead of living your smug narrow minded life you better get with the program or get left behind because Caucasians are a MINORITY everywhere on the planet except in North America and Europe and that statistic is swiftly becoming more brown everyday!!!

Posted 08/11/09 | Report Abuse

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I'm going to Unigue this weekend for the first time. I read the reviews....can you say racist!! All you people can say is that no one speaks english! Get real...white people are now the minority in MN. Get used to it or move on.

Posted 07/24/09 | Report Abuse

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This place is terrible. They're selling other peoples garbage. And sometimes LITERALLY. Containers that food from the grocery store come in? The place is ridiculous. And then my next question is, it's clear they get "donations", but where is the money they are making going? Is this a "profit" business or is it a legitimate not for profit?

Posted 06/24/09 | Report Abuse

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I and my three daughters have shopped Unique for a couple of years now. I always find a good deal on something. I have to laugh at the reviews where they are complaining about customer service or the prices being too high. IT IS A THRIFT STORE, NOT MACY'S! I have never had a bad experience with the staff, but then I don't go in expecting to get the same service I would at Target, nor do I mind that many of the employees don't speak English. I think it is great they all have a job where they don't have to worry about not being able to communicate with their co-workers. Yes prices are going to go up on used goods just the same as they do on brand new goods. Unique is still a better bargain and you are also helping to erode, the impact of your carbon foot print by shopping used. Unique will always have my business and I frequently refer friends and co-worker to the store.

Posted 04/28/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Get over yourself. Things are USED. The help makes 3 bucks a DAY. Again Things are used. Some is new from EL' Macy's. Some has holes and should be thrown in a rag bin and set fire to.For the most part the shoppers are all ANTIQUE slobs looking for items for their SHOPPES. I personally have found PRADA shoes, Burberrry shirts and E Zegna stuff. all at great prices. so stay away. I still Want to dress like a famous football player but don't care to spend the money on material goods that would otherwise be sent to a landfill.

Posted 03/27/09 | Report Abuse

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All the price tags are stapled to the clothing at this store. I found a great leather coat for a great price but the price tag was stapled through the leather in the front of the coat and not through the tag like it should have been. I tried on the coat and and decided I would purchase it assuming the staples didn't cause any noticable damage. I took the tag off very carefully and decided that the tiny holes were okay. I went to check out and they refused to sell it to me. The manager was not helpful at all - even after I explained why I took the tag off and showed him the 4 small holes from where the staples were. Not good customer service at all.

Posted 03/19/09 | Report Abuse

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Apparently the review has to be to their liking or it says "error, too much nonsense" WE ARE IN AMERICA AND WE ARE ENTITLED TO FREE SPEECH...when in rome do as the romans. Customer service is out the door. One lady actually grunts because she doesn't even know how to say "yes or no". They don't take checks but they will hand you a pen and watch you take the time with a line of other customers to write the check and wait until you hand it to them only for them to tell you they do NOT take checks. Oh yea, don't get caught going out the door with one of thier carts, they will run you down in the parking lot and threaten to call police....I say good luck to you!!!! Did I hear someone say INS????

Posted 03/12/09 | Report Abuse

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I've been there several times and especially on 25% off Tuesdays. Some good deals but don't ask for help, most employees don't speak English. One problem, if it's not marked with a price don't even bother trying to buy. they won't sell it with out a price under any circumstance. my 3 yr old grandson had a toy that he rubbed the price off playing with it, you could see it was 3... something but no they would NOT sell it. He was heart broken I tried other things to. I do think that is BAD business. I still shop there. I have bought a toaster and coffee pot there and both work fine. but for those of you who weren't so lucky, you do have to realize you take a chance on 2nd hand merchandise. Only other problem is jacking up prices for name brand TO high. I will still shop there. It's worth checking out

Posted 02/13/09 | Report Abuse

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Yesterday I visited Unique Thrift Store in Burnsville and found it clean, well lighted and full of up-to-date items (not especially good deals). I purchased a percolator coffee pot which got warm at the store and had a new cord attached to it. This morning I waited in vain for a cup of perked coffee. It doesn't work. I also purchased a phone that does not work. I called a few minutes ago and spoke with "Pedro" (honestly--that's what he said his name was), the manager. He was absolutely not interested in customer satisfaction. Watch out when purchasing at this store. Be very careful and aware. We also picked five little lego men out of a box that said $1.41 on the box under a jewelry type cabinet at the front of the store. An employee that took the men out of the cabinet said they were $1.41 each however, at check-out we were told they were $2.49 (of course after checking out with a lineup behind us). When we questioned the price another employee went over to the case and told us that was the correct price even though it said $1.41 right on the side of the box. WATCH OUT BUYER BEWARE AT UNIQUE THRIFT STORE IN BURNSVILLE.

Posted 01/15/09 | Report Abuse

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I can only say that since June 2008 I have noticed the prices going way up. Example: I would buy various Liz Co. handbags @$2.95 to $5.95 Great price Right? But I would return to shop later through the weeks only to find the bags were jacked up to $9.95 and even $14.95. For USED Liz handbags which honestly were in more poor condition than the prior bags I bought. Then I noticed a woman(young white lady, who I realized worked in pricing) would continuously walk by my cart to peer @ what I had inside of it. My theory is that she was the secret spy who was keeping tabs on what I and others would buy only to double the price for future items they sell. Believe me this is only one item I buy that has risen in price. There are countless other items which I will not list because they do read this review site and will continue to jack prices on us all. Yeah they can do that but it is wrong that they purposefully would pay someone to walk around to see what is selling then ask $5-$10 more for worst condition items in the future. They can save that money and really run a thrift store with THRIFT prices. Visit Savers and Goodwill and you will see the prices you've been missing since shopping Unique in Burnsville. I think twice on spending my hard earned $ when going here now. BEWARE.

Posted 01/11/09 | Report Abuse

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Large, clean, well organized, and 50% off on Monday holidays. It's worth dealing with the crowd. I've gone on three Monday holidays and buy a season wardrobe for under $200, and many items have the new tags still on them. I find little help necessary from the help picking out clothes, but have never experienced rudeness. It is good to know they have a strict policy against selling anything not clearly marked.

Posted 11/19/08 | Report Abuse

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This is my favorite place to shop -- along with the Unique Thrift Store on Rice St. and Larpenteur Ave in St. Paul. Everything is well organized, well displayed, neat and clean. All the clothing is clean and neatly hung up. There is an amazing assortment of products, and I find interesting and unusual items for my home and -- yes! -- gifts for my more discerning friends and family. All my clothing is from Unique Thrift, and I get many compliments. Thank you to all the pleasant employees who keep tidying up and stocking the shelves.

Posted 10/31/08 | Report Abuse

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I frequent Unique at least once a week. I have a few little complaints but overall I like it. I pretty much never try on clothes because of the waiting room (3 at a time then you go to the back of the line) Yes there is a language barrier with the employees but for the most part they are polite - they do sometimes go behind you and tidy up the space while you are looking which gets annoying but I get great deals and find that these things I can get over. They don't accept returns so sometimes you are taking a chance but the positives outweigh the negative. The prices have been going up- as soon as they figure out something is name brand they jack up the price which can be annoying since it is a thrift store. I have a hard time buying something there for the same price I can buy it in a store. If you can handle the store being chaotic shopping on Tuesdays 25% off day or every holiday is 50% off day then you can get some great bargains.

Posted 10/21/08 | Report Abuse

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For all of you people that won't shop there anymore because of petty problems, good! That just means more good deals for the rest of us. No wonder people think of us as rude Americans. I love this store and have no problem with the language barrier. The employee's are always nice and the place is very well organized.

Posted 10/21/08 | Report Abuse

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Even thought sometimes i cant understand the employees, they are still nice. I love this store you can find anything that you are looking for. I got my daughters bed there, it is such i good deal. I buy most of my jeans there it is crazy to go and spend 100 dallors on a pair of silvers when i can find them here for 2-3 dallors. I love it. I would recimmend unique to anyone who is trying to save alittle money and still get good stuff!

Posted 10/04/08 | Report Abuse

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Does anybody know where Unique get their store merchandise from? Do they clean/wash them at all before putting them on their shelves? I don't have a problem with the concept of a thrift store, but I'd mind unclean merchandise (if that's the case).

Thanks,
Merdi

Posted 09/18/08 | Report Abuse

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Many of you seem to not know what buyer be ware means.

It is a thrift store and who cares what language they speak.

If you do not feel comfortable buying something there and do not know if it will work then you run the risk of losing out.

No where in the store did I read that everything works, is guaranteed to work, or anything down the lines of a refund, repay, etc.

As for the people who walk into stores expecting to be treated as royalty and OH MAH GOD Becky they are not acting nice to me. Get over it. There are rude people in life and if you shop at a store because you want the employees to be your buddies then your obviously not there to spend money or find a deal in a THRIFT store. I mean jesus christ the place is called "Unique Thrift Store", not "Pamper Your Pathetic Ego/Ass Store"

I stop in this location bi-weekly to monthly and due to the communication barrier I just take it as a full-self service place. I've actually found some very good to near mint items at prices which are around 5% the SRP (Suggested retail price; price the manufactures want on the items)

Judge the store on what it does not how they do it.

Posted 07/21/08 | Report Abuse

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This store is run by hispanics and it's true, several speak little to no English. HOWEVER, the prices on clothes, I've found, have been fantastic and it's incredibly well organized. People who are complaining about this place are probably difficult to please at most stores selling new items let alone used!
"Where do you think you are, Target?!?"
If you're so unhappy, go 'rent' one from the Waltons.
The enormous amount of items coming in and going out can't possibly all be tested. Are they going to go out, buy carpet shampoo, then attempt to clean a rug before they sell you a 10 dollar carpet cleaner? Caveat emptor.
You're at a thrift store and they have tremendous items at tremendous prices. If you aren't pleased here, go to New Prague thrift and several others in the area and you'll appriciate the hard work these people at Unique put into their store for low wages, guaranteed cleaner and more organized then most others.

Posted 07/21/08 | Report Abuse

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I read the reviews before, but I thought I'd stop by the store and experience it myself. The store was nice and organized, but after I tried on some clothes, the lady who barely spoke English, told me I had to put my clothes back on the hanger and to put them away. I just left, furious that she could be that rude. I'd put the clothes on the hangers if they hung the pants the normal way! Definitely not geared for people who speak English or respecting customers in the store.

Posted 07/06/08 | Report Abuse

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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I have been shopping at UNIQUE for about a year and never had any problems until today. I went up to pay for my stuff including a book that my 3 year old son picked out and they would NOT sell it to me because the price was smeared. They even went as far as to snatch it from my son. He was so upset and kept asking why they took his book away. HOW DUMB. And the "manager" could not have been anymore rude about it. I will never shop at this location again.

Posted 05/20/08 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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I purchased a carpet cleaner/shampooer here last week, I knew it was an as-is purchase, but I asked the non-english speaking man there if it worked - he said "there is a plug in back to try it" I did and it powered up but without putting water/cleaner in it there is no way of knowing if it worked. He led me on to believe that it worked, but then made me sign another hand written receipt saying as-is. My wife asked him again if it worked and he just smiled and would not answer - NO ENGLISH! I should have known that it would not worth from that, but I was saving about $80 from a new price. I now think that he knew it did not work from the look on his face. Thats not a way to keep customers, by ripping them off. I will not be shopping there ever again. Thanks

Posted 05/18/08 | Report Abuse

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Although Unique does have some really neat stuff, I find it extremely irritating that the majority of employees there don't speak any english. Even when I called them up on the phone the woman spent 20 mintues trying to understand my request, and I had simplified it as much as humanly possible. That in itself is just ridiculous. If I need assistance finding a particular item in a store, I'd like to know someone is actually able to assist me.

Posted 02/20/08 | Report Abuse

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That's why its so busy on Tuesdays. seriously try to leave your kids at home for that day. I love this place! I agree with other reviews bring a friend!

Posted 12/30/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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I love going shopping here. I always walk away with a bargin. I always go with a friend, which seems to help cuz you have four eyes instead of two looking for a great buy. I have noticed that the prices have gone up a bit. WHY??? Is it because the word is out?? who knows. It's a must see!!

Posted 12/20/07 | Report Abuse

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I like going here on those borring days, you can look for hours it seems like and hardly get through half the store. Good quality clothes, sometimes I come across a price tag I have to shake my head at, because I THINK it's too high, I mean 8.69 for a USED shirt...ITS A THRIFT SHOP...but like any place you find a good deal and leave happy. Check it out! Majority of the employees don't speak english and the fitting room is a pain too, can only try on three things at a time and there is TWO...sometimes waiting lines are 20-25 minutes long, good idea to go with a buddy and have them hold your stuff while you pick and choose what to try on, that they can rehang and hand you other stuff to try...HAVE FUN

Posted 10/28/07 | Report Abuse

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I've been to this wonderful store a few times but on yesterday's visit I noticed an unusually large amount of shoppers. I thought maybe due to the rainy weather or the fact that back to school is around the corner. I went to use a $5 off a $10 purchase coupon that I'd had when they told me I could save more by NOT using the coupon that day and taking advantage of their 25% off special that day. No wonder the place was packed. I saved over $13 off of my treaures including a flawless anorak style leather coat for winter that ended up being $7.50 after the discounts. I was so excited I almost fainited. I love a bargain. Check this amazing place out soon if you love a bargain!

Posted 08/28/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Compared to Good Will this place is awesome! It is so clean and extrememely well organized. IT's easy to find your way around, the aisles are nice and large and everything is well marked. The merchandise is pretty good quality too. Not a lot of junk or clothes with holes, rips, etc. Most of the employees do not speak English, but that doesn't seem to be a problem.

Posted 11/13/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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This thrift store located in a former grocery store has plenty of aisles of new and slightly used clothins, hard goods, sporting equipment and furniture. Pretty good prices and better in my opinion than others in the area.

Posted 10/13/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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UNIQUE Thrift Store in Burnsville is HUGE! They have isles and isles of clothes, toys, baby items, household, etc. The aisles are wide and roomy (not cramped like most thrift stores). Everything was neatly organized and clearly priced. This store just opened in Sept 05, so maybe that's why it was so clean still. The prices were very reasonable too.

Posted 09/23/05 | Report Abuse

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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