Everyone loves a sale. But, rather than fighting through the clearance racks for winter markdowns, I volunteered the other day with ReStore, the resale outlet whose proceeds help fund local Habitat for Humanity projects.
ReStore (http://www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx) sells used and surplus building materials at a fraction of normal prices-up to 90 percent, according to Herb, the engaging and passionate store manager. The inventory comes from big-box home improvement stores (you know who they are) and contractors who donate brand-new surplus or older-model inventory. Or, anyone can donate gently-used building materials and appliances as well (check the Web site for what it will accept).
As I walked up and down the aisles of the 16,000-square-foot warehouse, I was amazed at the amount of brand new things. This particular ReStore had boxes upon boxes of never-opened TV stands and coffee tables, area carpets still rolled up in plastic, doors and windows with the plastic sales stickers still on them, and marble and granite bathroom vanities still in the carton. There were five brand new, identical green couches, new decorative tiles of all shapes and sizes and colors, and a roomful of brass-and-glass chandeliers. Two metal cabinets overflowed with hinges and wall switches (many still in the bags), and two crates were full of-I’m not making this up-used golf balls.
When another volunteer bought a solid teak dining room table that could seat 10 for $35 (after a little refinishing and wood glue), I realized that I’d walked into the world’s best flea market.
Two types of people came in-those who donated and those who bought. As I recorded the new donations that day I watched “the regulars” come in to browse. One woman who was restoring a building bought probably a thousand dollars worth of brand-new doors and windows for a few hundred bucks. Another guy picked up an almost-new gas furnace for a steal (as I’m writing this, we’re having the heat pump replaced in our house. The ReStore guy got a better deal than us. Trust me.). And if you prefer to shop online, some ReStore programs sell on Craigslist.com.
So the next time you’re inclined to upgrade your appliances or take on a do-it-yourself home project, please add a trip to ReStore when you’re out shopping. Then go back to ReStore to drop off whatever you’ve just replaced (if it’s in good condition, please). And for those of us who can’t resist a bargain, stop by your nearest ReStore to see what surprises await you. It’s nice to know that the kitchen sink you bought there also helped someone deserving in your community get a new home. You’ll have to fight me for those golf balls, though. They’ll make a perfect Father’s Day present.
Get out and give back.
