Houseworks

Return policy is a total rip-off!!!!!!!
I bought a microwave and when I asked about plugging it in to make sure it worked, the employee told me I could try it for 3 days and return it if it didn't work. He did NOT say anything about returning it for store credit only.
The microwave did not work well and I returned it that same day expecting a refund and was told I could only have store credit and I had to use it right then. I did not want any of the other crap. I only went there to get a microwave. I would NEVER have bought it if I had known I could not get a refund of my money.
I went back the next day and spoke with Sue, the owner, and told her what happened and requested a refund. She would not give me a refund.
I will never go in there again.

Posted 11/04/09 | Report Abuse

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Very honest staff--they go through your stuff in front of you and let you know what they won't take. It sells fast! If you are shopping, you need to look carefully--merchandise is sorted into categories but the shelves can be very full. Great for books, cookbooks & craft supplies. If you see something you like--buy it. It won't be there tomorrow.

Posted 09/07/09 | Report Abuse

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there are bound to be negative experiences at any store and, sadly, more reviews get written by the ones who didn't get what they wanted out of their visit. my friends and i have followed Sue around town over the years that she has owned Houseworks and everyone can have a bad day now and then. people have no idea of the stress that kind of business generates and the annoying people who shop there expecting to be treated like royalty or "negotiate" everything or throw around stuff they don't like and complain that there isn't an amazing find on every shelf. i can tell you that if you are the kind of person who truly likes this kind of store then you are the kind of person who is willing to dig through the "stuff" to find the treasures and i have found many treasures throughout the years from an unusual book, a great piece of retro tupperware, a horse statue for my collection or an amusing piece of 60's memorabilia. i'm glad that Sue has kept this store going for so long and i have made a tidy sum of money thanks to her selling boxes of items i have brought in. sorry you had a bad experience, but that is certainly not the norm. Thanks Sue for being there for the rest of us.

Posted 09/05/09 | Report Abuse

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I really enjoyed reading the reviews because they ring so true to my own experience. The owner lady is a nightmare. And she has some personal vendeta against cell phones. If she sees you holding one near her store you'll probably be berated. But... because the challenge of finding the good deal in the sea of not so good deals is only increased by this obsticle... I still like going. You'd think she'd learn to stay away from customers for her own profits' sake. Oh... and I've been looking at items on the shelf and told by a passing employee to return them to where they belong in another section. Customer service just isn't their strong point.

Posted 07/18/09 | Report Abuse

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I have been shopping at Houseworks for nearly a decade and it is such a great place to buy unique, gently-used household items. Why buy new when you can get a hand-me-down? Especially in a college-town where young people (and others) get tired of their "things" regularly. The owner is awesome, I have never heard her be rude to customers, and she is usually there when I am. Direct maybe, but not rude. The people who complained in other reviews were probably talking loudly on their cell phone and asked to step outside (I love that policy). There WAS a crabby saleswoman working there for a while, but haven't seen her around lately. Highly recommended

Posted 06/30/09 | Report Abuse

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SUE, I think her name is, owner of house works is incredibly rude. The bearded woman is also rude. The two gay dudes are nice. The young women are helpful. You may find something to be considered treasure but must wade through undue customer expectations never to receive "service." If you can run their gauntlet it's worth a look. Certainly, though, be sure to bring ear plugs when browsing because the owner's shrill, obnoxiously loud voice carries throughout the store making it hard to concentrate on the non-operational, stained, damaged, obsolete and over-priced merchandise stocked in front of you.

Posted 06/20/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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It's fun to see the variety of things available here. They are presented in garage sale standard of quality. I agree with the TERRIBLE quality of sales staff and owner's attitude problems. Specifically on one occasion after looking high and low for all pieces of a glass set we asked if we could buy the 6 of the 8 we could find. The salesgirl was very rude and insisted that we need to actually "look" for all of the pieces. To which we responded that we looked quite thoroughly. She was very snide and came out to look with us. She also could not locate the glasses. She very rudely (in front of us) told the owner that the other 2 glasses were missing and we wanted the ones that were present. Finally after 10 minutes of waiting for them walk off and talk we were told we could get them but they would've preferred for us to buy the whole set. They acted as if we were at fault for these missing glasses! Then acted as if we could not purchase them! Answer me this! Why would I want to pay more for less? That just defies logic. On another occasion I had received a cell phone call while looking around. I was not at or near the cash register just looking near the books. I was told that I can not speak on my cell phone while in their store. I have never NEVER heard of any store doing anything like that. I personally could understand if I were checking out or holding people up but I was doing no such thing. I was simply perusing some aisles having a calm low toned discussion. In my opinion I have all right to be on MY cell phone and I am spending my money on your merchandise and it certainly is not hurting you or any customer to be speaking on MY cellphone. Absolutely ridiculous. If you have a high tolerance for poor customer service and like garage sales this is the place for you.

Posted 04/25/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Their policy states that purchases can be returned within three days if they don't work. The appliance I purchased was taped shut and there are posted signs in the store warning customers not to open anything. When I inspected the appliance at home, the electrical cord was melted in one place. I returned the appliance the next day due to the electrical safety hazard, and was offered store credit. I did not find enough junk to use all the store credit, and was informed I could continue shopping until the business closed. I could not use the store credit any other day. On a different occasion, the owner was so rude to me that I was speechless. Stay away from this place. Goodwill and Stuff are less than two miles away, and much more worthy of your money.

Posted 02/18/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I am an Iowa City native and have loved going into Houseworks! I found a nearly new twin bed set for $40 there! A beautiful sealy mattress still in the plastic! I've never had any problems with the sales people or owner. Remember this summer Houseworks was completely flooded out and had to remodel, perhaps the owner and sales people are a bit stressed after this horrible event. I know that's not an excuse, but perhaps an explanation on the compassionate side.

Posted 01/29/09 | Report Abuse

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Most employees are nice, but the owner is VERY RUDE. So rude that it is hard to go in there. I see how uncomfortable she makes all of her customers feel.

Posted 11/15/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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i have a feeling the bad reviews come from people who don't do a lot of second-hand shopping and expect something that is...like new. wrong. you may have to take it home and clean it up a little but there are amazing finds at this place. you just have to have an eye for potential as opposed to being a seasoned mall-shopper.

Posted 08/03/08 | Report Abuse

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They have a great selection of household items, dishes, small appliances and books.

Great prices, wonderful treasures!

Just make sure you have plenty of room in your trunk, because if you're like me, you'll go home with boxfuls of great stuff!

Posted 05/08/08 | Report Abuse

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I was visiting Iowa City last week and decided to stop by Houseworks: it's a FANTASTIC store! Everything's well-organized into sections, i.e. frames, lamps, kitchen, gardening--which those of you who are like me and frequent secondhand stores will appreciate. Unique selection and great prices (and I say this as a New England resident, where lots of stores really mark up their prices.) Highly recommended-

Posted 06/16/07 | Report Abuse

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This place has only junk & the owner and sales associate are very rude. Avoid this place--trash, not treasures!I was very disappointed that small businesses like this still exist.

PROS: None
CONS: Rude owner and sales assoc. Junk not quality finds

Posted 08/23/06 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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This is a fun consignment shop that has everything from furniture to dishes. Nice big store. Things are sort of disarry on the shelves, but there is lots of room to roam around. They offer multiple houseware items on consignment. Quality items. I have found a few antique treasures as well! Nice selection of vintage paperback books as well. Few fabrics and linens as well. Own parking lot and easy to get to.

Posted 11/01/05 | Report Abuse

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I almost wasn't going to review this place because I had had such bad luck finding items here but when I read the review befoe mine I decided to give it another shot and see if it had changed for the better.

It hadn't. Now I hate to pick but there simply isn't a lot to choose from here in the way of quality used items. Maybe my standards are a bit higher than others but I don't think I will be making the trip here again soon.

Not only was there little to interest me here but what was here was sub-standard in terms of being "gently used"....some of it quite honestly looked as though it had been rescued from the curb! And the prices though low were still too high for the goods they were selling.

Like any other business it is your decision as to whether you shop there or not but in m opinion I think i would save the gas and find somewhere that has better merchandise. that said......happy bargain hunting!

PROS: ...none I can thnk of
CONS: .....crowded....low quality goods

Posted 09/11/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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An Iowa City treasure! Houseworks is the best for both seller and buyer. Cheap, clean, and plenty of clutter to dig through. The seller consigns items and receives 50% after the owner prices, displays, and sells the items. Each month as a different discount color for super savings.

PROS: Plenty of parking.
CONS: Store can get a little crowded.

Posted 07/26/05 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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