I’ve always been a fan of Buffalo Exchange, as I think their business model is hip, smart, and responsible, but lately they’ve sadly been nothing but a disappointment. If you aren’t familiar with the national franchise, allow me to fill you in on how they work…
Buffalo Exchange is a second-hand clothing store that combines recycling and shopping. Basically, the store buys clothes directly from store customers who bring in personal items no longer wanted. As a selling customer, you come in and bring clothes to give away, and their buyers assess each item of clothing on whether or not they’d like to buy it from you to sell in their store. If they don’t accept your item, they’ll donate it for you to Goodwill or another local thrift shop. If they do accept your item, they’ll price it for what they think it’d sell for in the store, and then offer you 30% of that in cash or 50% of that in store credit. Instead of trashing your old friends, as that’s how I visualize my items of apparel, you get the feeling that you are passing them along in the world of fashion love, sending them out to grow into a new outfit.
Of course, you can shop there without bringing in clothes, as they’re known for having vintage, second-hand, stylish clothes in good shape for cheap prices for both men and women.
A dress I bought for $10 my freshman year at this once-beloved store
When I first moved to Austin four years back, I frequented Buffalo Exchange all the time. I bought several dresses for ten bucks that I still wear to this day. When people ask, “Where you’d get that!?” I used to take pride in responding with “Buffalo Exchange”. I loved imagining the journey my dress had taken, and the joy it now was bringing me. Almost spiritual. Not to mention they always had a great shoe selection, accessories galore, and friendly, helpful staff. They had an array of styles of clothing, from cutesy to hipster to funky to glam.
Chic sweater, right? Bought it three years ago, when I thought we would last forever
And they’d always buy a large portion of my clothes at a fair price, so I’d really end up trading old clothes for new. I remember walking down “the drag” to the Buffalo Exchange on the corner of Guadalupe and 29th street with a big smile on my face and pep in my step as I fantasized about what my next unique find would be.
But lately, I can’t help but ask…What’s the deal?
In the last year or so, Buffalo Exchange has slowly regressed into a hipster and grunge only style store. It used to be my favorite place for chic, but inexpensive summer dresses or fun, flirty party outfits, but lately their inventory has been looking more worn with fewer types of styles, along with being jacked up in price. Oh, and now they sell brand new “American Apparel wannabe” clothes in the store–not the “buy-sell-trade” I’m used to.
Even worse, they’ve stopped buying my clothes.
Once again, a fashion gift from my ex (fav store)
The other day, I brought in a gargantuan bag of clothes that I think were pretty stylish and in great shape, from stores like Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, trendy places, and they only bought two items. I’m usually not offended if they don’t buy my stuff, but then when I walked around and saw the types of clothes they were buying, I couldn’t believe what they’d bought over my apparel. Of course I’m biased and think my clothes should be highly valued, but I’ve heard this same feedback from several of my friends with great fashion sense. And the two items they did buy, they bought them for way cheaper than they used to. I brought in a precious skirt that no longer fit that I purchased in Paris, France at this darling boutique, and they bought it for only $12 bucks, giving me $4 cash. It was a slap in the face of fashion. I don’t get it. I’m pretty sure I’m not the one who’s changed…
Maybe I’m wrong and my style is terrible, or maybe Buffalo Exchange has decided to gear their inventory to a very certain type of population. And I call that recycling injustice! My friends warned me not to even waste my time sitting in the long line waiting for them to reject my clothes, as that’s all they’re doing these days unless you are selling freaky weird, costumey, or ridiculously hipster style clothing.
From now on, I don’t see myself shopping or selling at this franchise. It makes me sad, but I’ll try to look back on the good ol’ days in the beginning. As Feist says, “The saddest part of a broken heart, isn’t the ending as much as the start.” I’m disappointed, Buffalo, you changed on me, and not in a good way.
I agree! Last time I tried to bring in a huge bag of clothes, they didn’t take one single thing! Not that I was expected them to take a lot, but nothing? I was shocked. And I have noticed, the more lately I have gone there, it has been harder to shop. And I mean seriously, you can find some really cute, unique finds, but a lot of the stuff is crap. I see 10-year-old looking t-shirts being sold there. I don’t really understand what their judgment technique is. Whatever, I’m with you Shannon, it used to seem great, but now Buffalo Exchange is just somewhat of a disappointment.
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This SAME thing happened to me last Saturday! Judging by the quality (or lack thereof) of clothes on the racks, I am convinced they still sell the clothes that they do not purchase from sellers and so “kindly” offer to give to Goodwill. Sad….
I didn’t want to excuse them of it, but I’ve wondered the same thing… Thanks for reading our blog, btw!!!
Of course they do! AND they look at their screen to see an estimate of how much money they’ve given you in the past & never give you much more. I KIND OF HATE THEM NOW.
This blog does strike a chord. When I was a high schooler down in San Antonio, I can’t tell you what an escape it was to come up to Austin for a day trip, and a visit to Buffalo Exchange was ALWAYS a part of it, for all the reasons you mentioned here. They’d give me a good deal for all of the crap I had gotten tired of or outgrown and reciprocally I could use that store credit and buy a whole new mess of AWESOME t-shirts (rare rock band shirts, great button-ups, sweet shoes) and get away with it for a measly $6 to $10. But no more, on all accounts. Just the other day, Sarah tried to sell three HUGE bags of professional work clothes — you know, nice female button ups, black pants with the faint white stitching up the top, clothes that may not be stylish, but are always needed by college kids entering the professional world. They didn’t take a single piece of it, and their reason? “No one wears this style anymore.” Well, Shannon, your blog gives me/us piece of mind that we’re not just losers getting judged by some weirdo fashion-nut, but I really do think that BX’s marching orders have changed. Now when I go in there, the usual stock of vintage t-shirts have been replaced by stacks of brand new Ed Hardy t-shirts…all exactly the same in every way, down to the $17.50 price tag. It may be premature to say this, but RIP BX.
Thanks for your awesome reply and for reading our blog! I really appreciate it. And BX has faded into something I’m very disappointed in…sigh. Why did this have to happen…And how are you, Joey?!
Shanno.. I am 100% with you!
I noticed this change awhile back, hoped and prayed that it was a “phase” and as with all friendships.. planned on just being patient and waiting it out.. sadly, this blog has confirmed my severed relationship with our beloved Buffalo Exchange. Pour your 40 on the grass for your homies folks.. BX is gone.
My office buds and I were just lamenting about BX and someone mentioned Plato’s Closet! I totally forgot about that place! I believe its the same concept as BX. We should try it out, i’ve never been so it’ll be an adventure! Theres one on Brodie Ln and one in Cedar Park ;D
LET’S DO IT!!! I can’t wait to see you tomorrow night! We should go get pedicures or do something chill and girly soon!
Plato’s Closet in New Orleans, as well as Funky Monkey only want HIGH END clothes. Oh & they have never taken any of my high end things, so you must need to be a size 4-6 to sell there.
“In the last year or so, Buffalo Exchange has slowly regressed into a hipster and grudge only style store.”
Grudge style? Is that the appropriate attire for serving up a cold dish of revenge? Or maybe something you wear for a spiteful night on the town? Just kidding of course, but it was too funny not to comment.
Haha — thanks for catching the typo! It’s funny to think about what attire would be appropriate for a begrudged state of mind…
This is so true, I decided to clean out my closet to make room for new clothes, I ended up taking 3 big trash bags of nice clothes to Buffalo Exchange in Los Angeles, and they only took one thing. Everything else was tossed out. I waited in line for a long time, seeing everyone leave with the same bag they came with. One girl had 10 pairs of heels they were pretty, not named brand but pretty, and the lady told her that they couldn’t use those. She was shocked, and i was shocked. I don’t know what Buffalo Exchange is trying to do, or what image or style there trying to get. But a real person who loves fashion can make a plain white tee look great. They can make anything look nice, fashion is not about brands but of how you wear clothes. I’m never shopping there again, they make me sad.
This is so true! I went there yesterday with a basket of Marc Jacobs, ella moss, Chloe, and other great peices and they bought two things! Ridiculous!
Ditto, ditto, ditto!!!!!!!!!!! And no offense to anyone but my family is very petite and they REALLY hate that so I told them it looked like all they sold was clothing for fat, grubby people. They just looked at me like I had not said it at all so I said it again. Then I am pretty sure I got a look that said ” you got that right and we don’t care whether you or your petite clothes are here or not”. No more B/E for me.
My first experience with B.EX. Austin was horrible. In 2005 I attempted to sell 5 pair of Abercrombie & Fitch jeans, brand new, tags still on & they told me they jeans were OUT OF STYLE even though they had just came from the A&F in New Orleans, 1 day before hurricane Katrina.
Now I have had many AWFUL experiences with B.EX. New Orleans. I bring in brand new, unworn items or tings I may have wore ONCE & I never get more than $30-$40 for my items. They always reject most of my things but there will be someone in front of me with a bag of ratty old things & they’ll get $70 or $150 buck for their JUNK! I thought it was because I’m a size 12 on the bottom & 8-10 on top…. I guess not. I guess THEY JUST SUCK! I wear expensive clothes. They even rejected Calvin Klein dresses!