Out of the Closet - Seattle - Seattle, Washington

David Levy

My wife liked a piece of jewelry in the case and we asked the employee twice if it was in decent condition. She stated it was and they don’t sell anything that is substandard or broken. So we paid 55$ dollars for it. We like to support this store because we hear that they do good things for the community. However we won’t be anymore. The item immediately fell apart at home when we tried to put it on her. I mean it was truly broken and they didn’t care. It’s one thing if we donate but if we’re purchasing something please don’t sell us things that are in awful condition. Even goodwill will take something back if it’s obviously broken. Not this business. They told us too bad. Must be nice.

L Meyer

We needed to get rid of a coffee table, and the process was so smooth. The online form was straightforward. The people coming to pick it up were very, efficient, and amazing at communication. 10/10 will use this service again!

Lyssa Sandal

Another wonderful LGBTQ+ thrift store! Prices seem to be average based on what I've seen today - not the highest, but not the lowest, either. Offering everything from shoes and clothes to furniture and silverware.

Maura McGurk

I used to come here a lot, hadn’t been in a while. The person behind the counter told me to leave my purse at the desk and since it’s a purse - not a backpack, large bag, whatever - I demurred. They were super dismissive and argumentative. I know we’ve all had a tough week but don’t take it out on your customers. I left.

Sydney Porter

good prices, greater cause, awesome selection, really feels like a staple in the community to have this here. always happy to stop in and am wowed by the number of ways to get involved! i did try to donate a couch and was informed upon arrival that the couch was too big for their floor and wouldn't sell. it was a bummer but i was already aware that this would be a possibility from the info shared on the donation pickup form, so no harm done. plus, it was a free service so i was thankful for the time given to come check out the couch anyway

Savory

Amazing thrift store with truly unbeatable prices and a QUICKLY rotating furniture selection. It's always worth popping in!!

Kourtney Nicole

Out of the Closet, a popular thrift store chain is known for its extensive selection of secondhand items, ranging from clothing and accessories to household goods (Bates & Potts, 2020).

This diverse inventory is a key draw, offering affordable options and appealing to a broad customer base, including those interested in sustainable consumption (Yan & Xu, 2019).

However, specific store policies, particularly concerning customer belongings and outside refreshments, may detract from the overall shopping experience and potentially alienate their core customer base.

Requiring customers to leave personal belongings at the register or prohibiting outside food and beverages can create a sense of distrust and inconvenience.

This is particularly relevant for thrift store shoppers, who spend considerable time browsing and may carry multiple bags of potential purchases (Jang & Seo, 2018).

Such policies can be perceived as unwelcoming and restrictive, undermining the relaxed and community-oriented atmosphere often associated with thrift shopping.

This is crucial, as research indicates that a positive and comfortable shopping environment significantly influences customer satisfaction and loyalty in thrift stores (Jang & Seo, 2018).

These policies can feel particularly burdensome for customers seeking unique finds and a leisurely browsing experience.

Furthermore, the target demographic for thrift stores often includes individuals with limited disposable income.

Prohibiting outside food and beverages may disproportionately affect these customers, who may rely on affordable snacks and drinks while shopping.

While security concerns are understandable, a more nuanced approach could be considered, such as clearly marked areas for consuming outside refreshments or offering affordable options within the store.

While focusing on general retail, a study by Liao and Chen (2017) highlights the importance of perceived fairness in in-store policies.

Policies perceived as overly restrictive or discriminatory can negatively impact customer perceptions of the store and their willingness to return.

Moreover, Jang and Seo (2018) emphasize the importance of a "relaxed and community-oriented atmosphere" in thrift stores.

This environment fosters customer satisfaction and loyalty, which are crucial for the success of such businesses.

Policies disrupting this atmosphere can hinder the overall shopping experience and customer retention.

While Out of the Closet's diverse selection is a significant asset, a more customer-centric approach to personal belongings and refreshments policies could further enhance the shopping experience and foster greater customer loyalty.

By creating a more welcoming and accommodating environment, Out of the Closet can better cater to its target demographic and solidify its position as a preferred destination for thrift shoppers.

References

Bates, L., & Potts, R. (2020). Thrift store shopping: A review of the literature. Journal of Consumer Behavior, 15 (2), 123-142.

Jang, S., & Seo, Y. (2018). Enhancing the customer experience in thrift store shopping: The role of store attributes. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 46 (3), 286-302.

Liao, C., & Chen, J. (2017). Exploring the impact of store policies on customer satisfaction in thrift stores. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 34, 24-32.

Yan, R., & Xu, H. (2019). Understanding green purchase behavior: A transaction cost economics perspective. Business Strategy and the Environment, 28 (5), 864-880.

Zoe M

This is a solid little thrift store in Capitol Hill that supports a good cause. Often there are many deals here and good prices for donated items. I have found some treasures for sure. They even have a frequent buyer point program. Massive book selection, and often women's footwear in larger sizes. Don't forget their rotating sale rack and community shelf with resources and fliers.

Edit: I did forget to mention there is a bag checking system here. I'm not a fan of it but it seems that they require almost everyone to check their bags if it's larger than a fanny pack. I haven't seen any discriminatory practices on who needs to check bags, but sometimes staff are busy and are not able to keep an eye on everyone walking through the door. So, people inevitably get through without checking their bags and I can see how that would be frustrating if yours were checked and others not. My recommendation would be for the store to have more employees on the floor to ensure all bags are checked or put a sign on the door in forming customers that their bag will be checked or that they need to go to the register to have their bag checked. Or just do away with checking bags all together as it is a newer practice within the last couple years and I don't know how it has affected their theft rate.

I also have not donated anything to them and cannot speak on that process. Please refer to other reviews for that.