Mission Thrift Store Orleans - Orléans, Ontario

Greg H.

1/5

I’ve been shopping here for a number of years and was always generally pls with my purchases. Two months ago, I bid on a large gold ring that was offered in their auction. The items are locked in a secure cabinet where these items can only be viewed and not examined by touch. This ring attracted much attention and bids. It was identified on the description sheet for the auction as being stamped 14 k gold. They indicated on the description bidding sheet that the diamonds on the ring did “not test well”. So the diamonds were not real and essentially disclosed that. Otherwise the ring was beautiful to me and I decided to go to the store to bid on it the evening that the auction was to close. Many people were there for the same item. I placed several bids along with other customers and was lucky to get the winning bid (so I thought ). I paid over 400.00$ plus tax and left the store excited with my new purchase.
A few weeks later I happened to be at highly respected jewelry store downtown Ottawa for a work related retirement purchase. I just happened to be wearing the ring that day. As I was in the store, I decided to ask the jeweller how much it would cost to replace the “crystals” on the ring with gemstones representing my family. I gave the ring to the store to appraise the cost of upgrading the stones. Within about 3-4 minutes of leaving the jewelry store, I received a call from the jeweller informing me that the ring was fake. I thought they were referring to the “stones” and I reassured them that I knew they weren’t real diamonds. They proceeded to inform me that the entire ring was fake. It wasn’t 14k gold and it was costume jewelry. I was stunned, disappointed and embarrassed. They gave me the ring back immediately.
I think the Mission Store has a policy that doesn’t guarantee authenticity in these auctions. It’s a buyer beware policy. However with such high priced items they should test for the “gold”. They seem to do the testing for diamonds but don’t test for gold. It was stamped as 14k and that was written in the auction description sheet. If they can’t be sure that the item is genuine, perhaps the donated jewelry should be brought by their staff at a reputable “gold buyer” such as Canada Gold to verify authenticity. They could sell the gold for the gold value at Canada Gold were they test, as oppose to”Missions” selling to their customers. They would then know if it’s real as oppose to fake and sell it accordingly. They really should revisit their selling practices on such pieces.
I have gone to the store twice in the past month to explain my experience to a manager or the person in charge of the auction (jewelry). I think it’s best that they r informed. I also left my number and nobody has tried to reach back out to me. I also bought earrings and a necklace that same evening “stamped as gold” but haven’t gotten those tested. Quite honestly, I’d rather not know as it was quite a sinking feeling to find out the ring was fake. Anyways… sorry for the long explanation but I felt it was best to share this experience so others don’t make the same error as I. The store really needs to change their approach when selling expensive items . I realize they r a non profit organization but they should change their approach with jewelry/watches etc… it’s not right to sell none authentic items to the public. They could go about differently.
Thank you. Merci.

Francine P.

5/5

This is my favorite thrift shop in my area. Many unique items at great low prices. Love their senior discount on Tuesdays as well as their daily and monthly specials.

Courtney M.

2/5

Buyers Beware! This store will put items on the floor that are not yet for sale. They will refuse to sell it to you if you bring it to the cash, even if you’re willing to wait for pricing and willing to pay what ever price. Awful system. Paying customers leaving empty handed. It makes zero sense. Manager needs to allow pricing to be done on the floor at all times if an item is already out.

Ashley

1/5

After walking through the entire store, one item caught my eye, it just so happened to be $2.99. When I went to the cash register, I was told that I can only pay with cash for a purchase below $5 and if there was something else I wanted to buy. I said no, and that I only had a loonie or debit. I was told again that it was store policy and ended up leaving without being able to make any purchases.

J S.

2/5

Prices are very high here. Older stye of clothes. Good selection of books.

T D.

5/5

Been here a few times, the volunteers are super nice, we have this one lady that always comes up to us whenever we would come in and told us about all the specials they had going on. They always have specials at the front of the store close to holidays or for back to school. Lots of books at a reasonable price. They have discount by sticker colour system where each day a different sticker colour is on sale. Makes it a pleasant change because you never know what’s on sale that day. Very good finds. Will definitely come back.

Chase L.

5/5

Absolutely fantastic customer service, and everyone is so friendly and helpful

ChasingMannequins

1/5

Items for auction are behind the cash and you’re not allowed back there to look at them in case you “damage” them. How can I inspect them if I want to place a bid? I won’t bother going back, especially after reading the last review about a fake ring.

David G.

4/5

Très grand magasin, bon service, on s'est mène forcé un peu de communiquer en anglais bien qu'elle n'y parlais pas beaucoup... C'était super, ça valait le détour

Greg H.

1/5

I’ve been shopping here for a number of years and was always generally pls with my purchases. Two months ago, I bid on a large gold ring that was offered in their auction. The items are locked in a secure cabinet where these items can only be viewed and not examined by touch. This ring attracted much attention and bids. It was identified on the description sheet for the auction as being stamped 14 k gold. They indicated on the description bidding sheet that the diamonds on the ring did “not test well”. So the diamonds were not real and essentially disclosed that. Otherwise the ring was beautiful to me and I decided to go to the store to bid on it the evening that the auction was to close. Many people were there for the same item. I placed several bids along with other customers and was lucky to get the winning bid (so I thought ). I paid over 400.00$ plus tax and left the store excited with my new purchase.
A few weeks later I happened to be at highly respected jewelry store downtown Ottawa for a work related retirement purchase. I just happened to be wearing the ring that day. As I was in the store, I decided to ask the jeweller how much it would cost to replace the “crystals” on the ring with gemstones representing my family. I gave the ring to the store to appraise the cost of upgrading the stones. Within about 3-4 minutes of leaving the jewelry store, I received a call from the jeweller informing me that the ring was fake. I thought they were referring to the “stones” and I reassured them that I knew they weren’t real diamonds. They proceeded to inform me that the entire ring was fake. It wasn’t 14k gold and it was costume jewelry. I was stunned, disappointed and embarrassed. They gave me the ring back immediately.
I think the Mission Store has a policy that doesn’t guarantee authenticity in these auctions. It’s a buyer beware policy. However with such high priced items they should test for the “gold”. They seem to do the testing for diamonds but don’t test for gold. It was stamped as 14k and that was written in the auction description sheet. If they can’t be sure that the item is genuine, perhaps the donated jewelry should be brought by their staff at a reputable “gold buyer” such as Canada Gold to verify authenticity. They could sell the gold for the gold value at Canada Gold were they test, as oppose to”Missions” selling to their customers. They would then know if it’s real as oppose to fake and sell it accordingly. They really should revisit their selling practices on such pieces.
I have gone to the store twice in the past month to explain my experience to a manager or the person in charge of the auction (jewelry). I think it’s best that they r informed. I also left my number and nobody has tried to reach back out to me. I also bought earrings and a necklace that same evening “stamped as gold” but haven’t gotten those tested. Quite honestly, I’d rather not know as it was quite a sinking feeling to find out the ring was fake. Anyways… sorry for the long explanation but I felt it was best to share this experience so others don’t make the same error as I. The store really needs to change their approach when selling expensive items . I realize they r a non profit organization but they should change their approach with jewelry/watches etc… it’s not right to sell none authentic items to the public. They could go about differently.
Thank you. Merci.

Francine P.

5/5

This is my favorite thrift shop in my area. Many unique items at great low prices. Love their senior discount on Tuesdays as well as their daily and monthly specials.

Courtney M.

2/5

Buyers Beware! This store will put items on the floor that are not yet for sale. They will refuse to sell it to you if you bring it to the cash, even if you’re willing to wait for pricing and willing to pay what ever price. Awful system. Paying customers leaving empty handed. It makes zero sense. Manager needs to allow pricing to be done on the floor at all times if an item is already out.

T

5/5

Been here a few times, the volunteers are super nice, we have this one lady that always comes up to us whenever we would come in and told us about all the specials they had going on. They always have specials at the front of the store close to holidays or for back to school. Lots of books at a reasonable price. They have discount by sticker colour system where each day a different sticker colour is on sale. Makes it a pleasant change because you never know what’s on sale that day. Very good finds. Will definitely come back.

Mission Thrift Store Orleans - Orléans, Ontario

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