Similar to other reviews, I'm of mixed opinions on this one. It's a large place and they had good prices. But the building has seen better days and I felt that the inventory was a bit on the lower end. I don't know that I'd stop in again and I wouldn't go out of my way to visit. read more

I'm hopelessly addicted to thrifting... spending hours perusing the various apps and websites, but also crisscrossing the city so I can aimlessly stroll the aisles of my favorite stores. If I were to create a list of my favorite stores in Portland, Better Bargains is one that I would deliberate intensely on whether or not I should add it to the list. It's one of those hit or miss places that has potential for finding the bargain of the century. Don't visit during peak traffic because the business is on a section of Sandy that is impossible during rush hour. The parking lot is directly across from the intersection of 102nd and Sandy, and traffic backs up such that it blocks the entrance. You'll hate your life if you get trapped in this vortex of parking hell. The store has several aisles of furniture stacked high with assorted bits and pieces, and the east and west walls are covered with a patchwork of bagged treasures that are preassembled and priced accordingly. If you are big into art and craft projects, I've found some of these curated bags to be useful. It's best to visit the store on Wednesdays and Saturdays when a 25% storewide discount is applied toward all purchases. For me, the jury is still out on this thrift shop because I've yet to find a treasure I want to show off to all my friends. Maybe one day! read more

What a find! Lots to search through and great service. The place is so huge a a wide selection of merchandise and for a great value. I walked out with $100 worth of PBS DVDs for less than $20 during a half off sale. Will definitely return soon read more

Best deals aroundaround, stop every time I go to the city. Never know when the best deal of your life will be There waiting for you.. read more

Me and my fiancé are AVID thrifters. Anytime we're in a new town we try to hit the local thrifts and antique shops. This one happened to be in the area where we were at (we drove out here to support the lovely second hand pet store) We weren't going to stop anywhere else so we just came in comfy chill clothes. The moment we got in the store the security guard followed us throughout the whole store. Mind you he was standing around outside when we arrived and went back outside to stand around once we got in our car. There were a bunch of others shopping but was only hovering over us. Nothing IRKS me more than being profiled and hovered over while trying to enjoy my thrifting on my Saturday. Luckily this is the first time I've experienced this in the a Portland area but how horrible to target individuals just by how they look? Additionally, the items they're selling are not good quality, not worth the prices ($4.99 for a USED candle) or the drive. The girl working the register was kind and is the only reason I bought the items I had picked up. Never returning. read more

This thrift store? Oh, it's not just a store--it's a spiritual experience for broke people with expensive taste and questionable self-control (hi, it's me). The pricing system is basically a cryptic game of "Guess That Discount." . Blue tags? 40%. Green tags? 60% Red tags? Mean absolutely nothing. And apparently, on certain days (like every third Tuesday under a waxing moon), everything is 50% off. I don't know who's running the pricing calendar--possibly a caffeinated raccoon--but I respect it. I blacked out somewhere around the purse aisle and woke up clutching a vintage can cun tee, y2k style jeans, a hello kitty zip up hoodie and a vintage Las Vegas tee. Did I need any of it? Absolutely not. Did I get it all for under $20?You bet your color-coded clearance tag I did. Will I be back? Oh yes. I've already synced my calendar to the full moon sale cycle and added "thrift armor" to my Amazon cart. This place owns me now. read more

Better Bargains is one of my favorite thrift stores to shop at. I always find cool and unique items here, and the deals are honestly some of the best around. The store itself is big, well organized, and there's so much to look through. You can easily spend a good amount of time browsing. The staff is friendly and helpful, and it feels like they really take care of the place. If you enjoy thrifting and hunting for great finds at great prices, this is definitely the spot to check out! read more

This rathole has a lot of gall trying to sell used men's pants for $25! I saw a bunch of odd lot plates taped together for $35, a boxed Hallmark Christmas ornament with the original price of $10 for $18! And the old paperbacks have doubled in price, and I swear the place has gotten grimier (if that's possible). I left shaking my head...this stuff is donated, right? Who's spending money here???!!! Un flipping believable. read more

I'm struggling with how to rate this one. On the one hand, this building's chipping paint and failing roof and a bad location could make it a two star review. On the other hand, as a thrift store, what really matters is whether they have great deals. But if they do, then you don't want a ton of people to know about the spot with good deals, so they get to them before you do. So, at the end of all that deliberation, I chose 3 stars. It's a huge warehouse style building with lots of selection. It's fairly organized. It's absolutely not a curated selection or the type of thrift store tourists would visit for fun like they have on Hawthorne. They do 25% off on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and have additional promotions at other times. You can get a credit if you donate stuff. There's a lot of stuff that's not worth much, but you can find diamonds in the rough, especially with the extra discounts. read more

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I decided to start my weekend off by making sure I got to this place when it opened at 10 am. As it turns out, I brought a cross body bag to carry home anything I might find here. I, also, spent an hour by bus to get to the shop. As soon I entered, I was informed that large bags were not permitted. I inquired about them holding my bag and was told that they didn't offer that option. I was told that I could put my bag in my vehicle. I informed them that I rode the bus. They were unyielding and provided no alternative or options. Now, I feel like I wasted a sizable chunk of my day without even the ability to look to see if there was something I might buy. For my two cents, a waste of time! read more

Found this place from a local tiktok creator and drove out to see what was up. A bit tucked away and in a bit of a sketchy area, but if you manage to get past that, you can find some decent deals. They do take donations and employees were also quick to answer any questions we had while we were there. The selection of clothing varied from men's, women's, children's clothing, as well as various vintage electronics. Decent pricing (8-10 dollars) for shirts. Other than the fact that you'd probably have to worry about your car getting broken into, this place has some nice deals. read more

I was in the neighborhood so not a special trip Liked the store. But I thought one thing was strange. On the record shelf I found a Peter Paul and Mary record. I already own the same one I was listening to since it came out when I was about 4 yrs old. I pulled it off shelf. Cover in good condition but no record inside. Perfect! My cover is all torn up so I don't need the record just the cover! Clerk in charge said she would have to charge me the record price even though it wasn't there. $4.95. A perfect opportunity to move a piece of merchandise that for most might be useless. But no deal. Wouldn't take less read more

I love this store! They have a huge selection of everything! I have found a lot of brand new items with tags still on them - even a brand new towel rack that matched the remodeled bathroom perfectly! They always have great discounts and if you check the calendar, they do offer 50% day/items. Staff is always friendly! I highly recommend checking Better Bargains out - it's worth the trip! read more

Creepy TP! This is a real thrift store. Good Will and other places are cleaner and more $$$ I love the hunt. Even though It is scary how the homeless camps have taken over all around it. Made me a little freaked out to leave my car. It's not the owners fault it's everywhere. You never know what you will find creepy TP! You can tell this building is really old this place has been around for 35 years. I guess it's going to just cave in. They had to get rid of dressing rooms due to theft. Unfortunately that's also what's killing all the good places. This place has changed for the worst in the past 4 years. I still go and it's still the one of my Favorites. It's just changing. read more

Can totally score on clothes here. When in need of new clothes or even when I don't I always find amazing deals. They always have great deals and the sales are great. The 50% off days are fun, entire store is 50% off. Tag color sales change on Sundays. One color is 40% off and another is 65% off. When I shop the sales I score majorly. It's a bit run down but a fun place to go. The staff is friendly and obviously enjoy their jobs. There are no restrooms and nowhere to try clothes on so I will wear a tank top and some bike shorts and try on clothes in the isle in front of the mirror, which the staff is totally cool with. Also, no food or drinks allowed so, don't try to bring them in. It's unnecessary and annoying to the staff when people try to break that rule and bring them in anyway. I have purchased a bag of greeting cards thinking it would be nice to have some cards for when someone's birthday sneaks up on me... They were already written in... every single one. So, some things I definitely would not buy here. Typically I only get clothes at this store. read more

It's hard to write a review for such a wonky place but I will try. First, this place is not for the faint of heart. It's like a bunch of left over yard sale crap was dropped off and the place is hemorrhaging with lots of musty, dusty, and smelly stuff. The few times I have gone in I felt an urgent need to shower...immediately. The gallon container at the register of sanitizer just isn't enough! Oddly, the merchandise I looked at was marked higher than local thrift stores -- with some prices selling much more than the original yard sale tags. I think there way around that is to offer frequent discounts based on tag color and day of the week. It's confusing at best. Still, I did manage to get a few things on a recent visit with some items being discounted 25% because of the day and a few items were 40% or 50% off bc of tag color. But, some items were exempt if they had certain letters attached to it like a "D" or "G". I just wanted to get out of their quick and shower and not get too caught up in doing the math in my head. There was just waaay to much to track, and I was probably not fully breathing. The clothes appeared unsanitary so I can't comment on prices. I just had a huge fear of getting bit by a bed bug so didn't get too close. It did make me wonder how they can sell such sketchy stuff?! All the thrift stores I go to only accept washed items and in good condition. Clearly, that's NOT the case here. I really don't go out of my way to shop here bc there are cleaner places with better prices. I keep hoping it will get disinfected, so I could visit more often. I will watch here in case someone comments on that. I would love to spend more time there without fear of getting a rash or MRSA! Ugh! read more

This place is...something else! An absolute warren of well worn furniture, clothing, antiques, ctotchkies, knick-knacks and, well...mostly junk. I'm sure there are treasures lurking and hidden within, but there's just too much crap to sort through, so unless you're very bored, very patient, or very dedicated, it's probably not worth the effort to try. read more

Better Bargains Thrift Store - Thrift Stores Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I've been shopping here for years and years. When you first walk in, it's reminiscent of a 1960s variety store. I've found the most treasures in the little bags hanging along the walls. I got a big bag of 1960s USA-made ribbon spools for $3. Another bag of about 15 Reach dental floss for another $3. One day I noticed all green tagged items were 60% off. I had gone in hoping to get a nice wool coat. I found a USA-made 1960s one, all wool, perfect condition and my net price was $6.37! Yes, some will be put off by the disarray-my gf was wondering if she dare use her debit card there (!!?!!). But the treasures re many. I also shop TC PDX Resale and Village Merchants, both great option to find a wide array of clothing, shoes, handbags and household items made stateside when things were made to last, and at a wonderful price. read more

Prices are still too high fir the furniture for a 2p3 piece used patio set 300.09 wow unbelievable when u get it fir free. Li,e I said before just cause you have 40 and 65 percent off kn clothes doesn't make you the cheapest thruftstire. The person that dies the pricing is getting wrong info these are used items not new. read more

LOVE this place! Unique and affordable finds! I definitely recommend them. They have stellar customer service as well. Very personable, and accommodating. read more

Been going into the store for a while now and some of the item's smell, like they've set in the back room too long. Naturally deals and pricing depend on what it is and whether it's on the discount color or list for that day. Ledia one of their checkers and floor people was extremely helpful and friendly. The store manager was extremely rude and non-flexible when it came to dropping off large items that were already cleared by other staff. I thought her customer service was deplorable. If you ever want to drop off furniture and such, make sure you clear it with her and no one else first. Dave A read more

Prices have been raised beyond me ever wanting to go here again. Their clothes aren't really sorted well- mostly by color instead of by size or type. Lots of stuff has stains etc. Kinda junky options as a whole. I wish they'd go back to better pricing, especially for the quality of stuff they offer. I don't like leaving low reviews but this is my honest opinion. read more

Nice selection, some good bargains, and great customer service. They do discount days where most items are discounted. However, you do need to do a bit of detective work or ask for help to figure out what items are excluded from discounts. The store is a bit chaotic, but you can find some awesome second hand items with a bit of digging. read more

First time here, and I like what I saw! PROS: * prices are true thrift store prices. makes sense because the place does smell, is cramped, you hafta' dig, & the clothing isn't the nicest ever with many pieces being stained or coming from goodwill, as my sister pointed out. * service was friendly, helpful! * got 3 jumpers for $13, one of them is a brand new looking Obey™ * they do have fitting rooms! * .35 cent sales, yet to actually go to one but I've heard they exist! CONS: * not very sanitary (or smells inside, old building & clothes etc) but what can ya say. * some things there really should just be thrown out. * sales tags are stapled to clothing, so be careful you don't snag your new(ish) finds once you get home & have to take the "tags" off! read more

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Went there yesterday and enjoyed the same old thing from years ago. We haven't been in much but this is a real thrift store and not homogenized like the Goodwill stores. I will be back sooner and wish them the best. read more

I stopped by yesterday looking for a specific item and was shocked at the prices. I wouldn't call thuan thrift store as the item I looked at was 2.99, usually I find it between .50-99. read more

This is a rock- bottom thrift store but my go-to for used casual clothes & clothes/ shoes for my grand babies. Most of the prices are reasonable. You can get a 30% off coupon for 1 item by bringing in a bag of donations. read more

It seems that many people have forgotten the meaning of the word "thrift." It means economical; saving money. So why are there $30 and $50 price tags on clothing? Just because something says Calvin Klein on it doesn't mean you're entitled to charge retail for it. Especially because YOU GET YOUR INVENTORY FOR FREE FROM THE PUBLIC. You know when you see furniture and junk on the curb and in alleyways? It's like someone gave that stuff a roof, and nothing else. Merchandise is dirty, cobwebby, and often overpriced. Walking through this inventory is a charming stroll, with the odors of dank basements and homeless people hanging in the air, to the din of fluorescent lights humming above. You'll soon find that, any time you find a treasure among the garbage, it's so arbitrarily priced that your eyebrows raise as your mouth lowers into a puckered frown, and you set the item back down. Somehow, you still have hope, and you continue to scan the aisles hoping it was just a fluke. It wasn't. If you're anything like me, you'll find that the overwhelming majority of the items you actually like simply aren't at prices you like; in fact, there aren't many bargains to be had at all. And it's frustrating to scour an entire row of clothing (NOT sorted by size), find one item you like, and have it be marked $29.99. So I highly doubt I'll ever go back, which I can't say about most thrift stores in Portland. When you see the word ELSEWHERE spraypainted next to the store sign, you'll know it was me. read more

With the sad closure of Council Thrift (downtown) this year, I returned to my former Favorite for steals on deals, Better Bargains on Sandy Blvd. The perfect time to go is a 1st or 3rd Saturday - particularly when they also have a 50% off day upstairs in the Shop. 1st & 3rd Sat you can get huge bags o' clothing - 35 CENTS an item! That is if you have the stamina to dig thru long tables piled high. Better than the Goodwill Bins for bringing home lotsa Good Stuff. Forget Gold's Gym - do some real lifting... the 1st & 3rd Saturday Basement is a VERY GOOD upper body workout...especially if you haul it all home on foot as I often do. To find the Saturday .35 tables area - be brave... 1) walk behind the store 2) enter a forlorn-looking, fenced parking lot... 3) see the (almost hidden) door under the store (past a lean-to shack that looks like an ice-Fishing hut!) - and go right in. You might feel like you've entered a pre-historic cave...but this is it! 4) Grab a box by the door and place it on the floor 5) where you begin looking thru a pile - for a fabric you like, 6) pull it out and WOW - it may be just right for you. 7) toss it in your bounty box, and keep moving. Dig baby Dig...and 8) kick the box along as you go. Keep moving because it's a big room - full of piled-up bargains awating artful Diggers. 8) I always bring giant bags and a roller cart along to haul Loot Home. 9) Donate or Gift unneeded stuff, and anything you can't fix to fit. I left with 4 large bags (loaded to the gills) last time...for under $25 - and when I got home almost everything fit...including items I grabbed for others. This included jeans, sweaters, evening dresses, cute new underwear, coats, a great bathrobe, curtains, and more. If you are a Thrift Shopper - or just an unstoppable Clothes Horse, be a Better Bargains basement-dive diva - at least a couple of times a year. You'll look great. TIPS. It might help to get amped-up a little for the task. There's Britt's Express lane - for Drive-Thru Coffee in the free parking lot, that gives a free cup after 10 visits. The #12 bus stops outside. The 71 and Red Line MAX (and connector Buses to the Couv) are close. A big roller cart, large backpack and sturdy super-size shopping bags - will help you get home if you come by bus. (Not kidding - you'll load up!) For stamina in the digging operation, first have breakfast at Bills Steak House, or lunch at the great Thai Pho house, or one of 2 Mexican - or 2 German places - across the street. This fuel will help you get thru all the tables. Some 50% off days are on Fall holidays, and Mothers Day and Memorial Day, in May. Last trip I took home BAGS of new sofa Pillows to help decorate my new house. Old bling, good-bye! Couches, meet your new zing. I also got Fabric Shower Curtains & a Bedspread in perfect condition. Recent 50% off days were Columbus Day, a Harvest Days Sale in Oct. Do! do the regular 50% off days, upstairs. There's an After Tax Day 50% off Sale, too. There's also: 25% off every Wednesday and Saturday. Srs get an extra 1/4 % off tags on Mondays. Bring in re-useable stuff to trade - and get a 30% off coupon, anytime! Watch for 40% and 65% tags daily, Mon-Fri 9-8:30, and Sat 9-7, Sun 10-6pm Update: the #15 Belmont Bus no longer stops across the street. PS: Women...send your email to the appropriate pdxswap Coordinator's invitation list. All sizes can join lists at pdxswap.com I've loved pdxSwap events for years now...but I always get a bigger mass of wonderful stuff at Better Bargains. read more

Better Bargains Thrift Store - Thrift Stores Near Me - Portland, Oregon

So right this is an old school on the cheap thrift store. Yes it's dingy inside. No I have never used the dressing room. Everything about it just says...really, don't go in here alone...just...keep driving.... And you should. Don't go here. Don't shop at this store. There is nothing here that you want. No Trina Turk, no Anthropologie, no Italian shoes, no way out of date St. John or high-end designer jeans that retail for $230 in perfect shape. Nope you won't find it at 40% or 60% off based on that day's colored tag. Or at 50% off on certain Fridays. No sparkly prom dresses in larger sizes, no men's Levis or men's silk blazers tailored in Hong Kong....nothing rave worthy or costume-y or fun or funky...really... Whatever you do, don't go to the twice a month $.45 sale around back unless you really really really like to pick clothes, or you really need clothes, or maybe you're picking warm things to give to people who need them? No $.45 cashmere scarves or heavy winter coats here, nope.. Just keep on going, don't stop at the drive through coffee hut in the parking lot for a delicious latte from a cheerful barista.... Just leave all the Better Bargains for braver bargain hunters! read more

Walked in with my wife and within 30 seconds we were both literally yelled at from across the store, "There's no food and drink inside! There's a sign on the door!" (We were each holding coffees with lids and hadn't seen any signs. Also, we are both adults.) We're pretty laid back people so we said thanks and turned around and walked out. It would be one thing if staff said, "Hey, there's no food in drink inside but you can set your drinks down here while you shop." Cannot speak to the quality or bargains in the store as we were only inside less than a minute, just know the staff is apparently more concerned with food and drinks being inside than making a sale. read more

No fitting rooms. I love thrift stores, but it's a disservice to customers to not have a place to try items on. read more

Check this out. I shop at this store ALL THE TIME. I have for twenty years. I swear by this place. I recommend it to everyone. But... Today I learned, that no friends or family of an employee can shop while they're on the clock. Are you fucking serious? I have two friends that work there. So now I can't go shopping? They both work full time and different schedules. No way dude. If any of their friends or family are caught shopping while the employee is working, the employee loses his or her job. Ain't that some shit? I can't believe they can do such a thing. In other words they don't like friends and family. I think I'll open my own shop called better than your bargains. I'll also encourage fam and friends by giving them a discount as well as the employees. So my friends don't lose their jobs, I have to shop elsewhere. That's just bad management and greed at work here. Oh and they raised their prices. I was there the other day and for a minute I thought I was at the goodwill, prices were so high. I'm totally disappointed with the way things turned out. Better bargains, you lose. Cause I'm gonna tell everyone I know to not shop there. Everyone. All the time. Every chance I get. Trust and believe. read more

Very rude GIRL, accused a regular customer of stealing, I paid for item, had receipt, cashier confirmed I bought it. They do not know how to treat loyal customers. So I would recommend desert, salvation army, desert industries. They sell junk, and there customers are very unsavory, it is a old building. And really looks fun down. Save your money. Shop elsewhere. read more

This is my kind of thrift store. It's crammed full of weird stuff, some completely undervalued, some bizarrely overpriced. The book section is eclectic and cheap, there's a lot of odd fashion to be found in the clothing section, the wall art is varied, and the furniture is super affordable (except when it isn't--you can get good-as-new love seats for like $15 but then a junky writing desk will set you back $260). There also seem to be stealthy, unannounced discounts on everything, which leads to pleasant surprises when you finally ring things up. The staff is smiley and good-natured. I'll be back many more times! read more

Would make this three and a half stars. The place is a bit dusty like an overcrowded Salvation Army thrift store. Maybe more dusty. I sneezed a few times. If you have allergies, bring a mask. You have to dig to find stuff, but when you do, you will probably be happy with the price. I found a silk blouse for $6 (it was half-off day), and two coffee/tea cups, one of which was handmade in the USA and $1. read more

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Overpriced. even on 50% off days the prices are still high. Zara Jeans for $20????? lol they were probably cheaper new. these clothes were literally DOnATed lower your prices. read more

Items recently purchased from Better Bargains: - one marvelous Pucci-esque dress that I'm totally going to wear to my sister-in-law's wedding ($6.99) - one ceramic Boston terrier featuring a sad paint job/ lazy eye ($1.99) as a birthday present - one framed 3D poster (the kind you have to stare at?) entitled "Jumping Dolphins" ($2.99) as part 2 of birthday present (he's from BOSTON. He likes marine MAMMALS.) Tell me that doesn't make up your dream treasure chest. I kind of love Better Bargains. It's deep thrifting--a little sketchy, lots of dust, the shower-stall-like fitting room in the middle of the store may or may not be filmed by cctv. But there are racks and racks of clothes, almost equally ladies' and menz', and lots of books and knick knacks and uh Christmas stuff and scarves and shoes. And weird house stuff like newels. I know. NEWELS. The prices don't seem bad, and they're open later than your typical thrift store, so when the sudden need for Christmas tree tinsel/white penny loafers strikes, you can let Better Bargains take care of you. read more

Right in the middle. Seemed like the kind of place that you'd go often to see what new junk they end up with. Despite everything seeming really dirty, it was a cool store. Packed to the gills in every nook and cranny, with some coffin-like changing rooms. Again, nothing wrong with it, but nothing too special either. Prices were average for Portland thrift stores. A little high but just seems to be the trend around town. read more

We just discovered Better Bargains, and it truly is the Bomb! I'm not exactly a "thrift store junkie", but I have made the rounds at a number of local thrift stores and thus far Better Bargains is my favorite in PDX - and the bonus is that it's not that far from our house! Sure most of us have known for years that thrift stores are great way to extend the budget, and especially during these "troubled economic times" even more people are spending their money at thrift shops rather than new retail stores. One result of this has been that it's getting awfully tough to find clothes - especially for men - at many of the bigger name thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc). Better Bargains has a GREAT selection of mens' (and womens') clothes; I even hesitated before reviewing them here because I really don't want all the cool kids to swarm the place and buy all the good stuff, but hopefully it's far enough out of the way that won't be a problem. The place is crowded with merchandise, many aisles are narrow, and the layout is a little chaotic, but it's not hard to get around and there's lots to look at. They have some real funky stuff - we just scored an ergonomic rocking chair! As noted in other reviews, even though their prices are GREAT they have a ton of sales. Many "big" holidays are celebrated with 50% off sales (usually one a month), most (if not all) Wednesdays and Saturdays are 25% off, and you always can score a 30% off coupon good on ALL used merchandise (not just clothes) any time you bring in a donation! Add in the rotating 40% and 65% colored tags, and you almost never have to pay even the already low ticketed price! And if you're making a donation that's too big for you to bring by, they will even come to pick it up FOR FREE[!] - call ahead for an appointment! All in all Better Bargains is just a GREAT store, and if you're looking for a new, relatively undiscovered (at least by hipsters) thrift store give this place a shot. Just don't tell TOO many people about it; let's just keep this our little secret. read more