I have had absolutely wonderful experiences and great finds at terrific prices at Council Resale. That's why I'm horrified to read the negative reviews here. I am also upset that there isn't a response to those reviews from Council. Definitely going to notify them about these problems. They have expanded into a neighboring storefront, so they have even more terrific finds. The clothing, shoes, and accessories are much better than at other thrifts I shop. I love their Knick knacks and kitchen things too. I've been shopping here since I was 15 and trying for a super hip look. Council always came through! And they donate their proceeds to a wide range of charities, including Christian, Jewish, and non religious. Great group!! read more

Fantastic bargains, nicely arranged merchandise and great people working here. Just found a Lands End puffer coat for $18. Warm and wonderful. read more

Don't go there if you are elderly or have young children. No public bathroom and if you bring your 98 year old friend who has been going there for 40 years . . . it can and did turn into the worst retail shopping experience I've had in my 70 years of life. New, horrible people with the most toxic store culture now badly manage it, staff it, and over price it. Nose rings girl wouldn't let my friend use the bathroom, told her to walk down the block on a cold to other shops where there wasn't a bathroom available so she returned and told them she was having an acccident in her pants so the manager, Rachel, finallly let her in. Accident wouldn't have happened if she'd been let in the first time. I was shopping the whole time and unaware all this happened. After 20 minutes in the store, I started looking for my friend and asked sales staff if they had seen her. It was a cold windy day when nose rings girl told my friend to walk down the block. Orangey haired sales person and Rachel then double teamed me. One of them said, "This is why we don't let people use the bathroom. They always leave a puddle on the floor. It's mot my job to clean up their messes. CLEAN UP HER MESS!" I tried to explain that she wasn't my relative. They knew nothing about me and my relationship to my friend. I tried to explain but they kept ORDERING ME to clean up her mess. They said they were picking out used slacks for her so I went out to the pants rack to pick out a pair and told them so. There waa one if them picking out a pair so long my friend who is tiny woukd have tripped and falken them. I said, "These pants are too long, let me pick a pair" but she bizarrely replied, "We don't hem pants " I replied, "Hemming? This is a used clothing store and so I wouldn't assume you do tailoring!" She wouldn't let me pick out pants so I said, "I will pay for them." She still wouldn't let me pick them out and would not acquiesce to my request. So we both arrive in the bathroom area where the other one was loudly saying to my friend, who didn't need pants, "Your friend isn't happy with me" repeatedly, bad mouthing me to her. I interjected, "How dare you speak for me!" but this didn't stop her monologue about me. Nor was I going to clean up their bathroom. Unbelievable. If this was their "protocol" how many other people had they bullied and treated in a nasty, dehumanizing way? I had enough and said to my friend; "Let's go! I have been a customer for over 30 years and I'm never coming back." Punchline: my friend had been wearing Depends and didn't mess up their bathroom. Also my friend and I are Jewish and it felt like employees committed an antisemitic hate crime against me. read more

Overpriced and aggressive customer service/management. Greedy and very questionable practices when it comes to pricing.

This business was featured in " In the 'D' " I'm surprised they even published that article. I took my wife and daughter there as a surprise and surprised they were. The clothes in the store had an unpleasant odor to them. There was yellow caution tape everywhere. No idea why. The store lacked variety and it was dirty. Unless the clean up there act, no reason to even visit. read more

The Council resale store is amazing. The quality of the merchandise is outstanding and the prices are beyond belief. I stopped by there today (July 5) and found all clothing and accessories at 75% off. You can't beat that! They have frequent sales, so keep your eye out for them. The employees are helpful and friendly and the volunteers work hard to support the store. Shop here snd it's a win-win. Customers get great bargains at great prices and all proceeds go to support women, children and families. read more

The store is always filled to the brim with a plethora of selections of clothing, shoes and housewares. Always my go-to spot for even last minute thrifting. The staff is helpful and friendly. read more

Come back to the Council! There is a sea change in management for the better - it is a breath of fresh air! Plus, there are frequent sales that make the prices even more enticing. I am thrilled because most of my wardrobe is from the Council and the profits support local assistance groups. Happy, happy girl! If you have never shopped there, do stop in. You won't be disapointed! read more

I am SO done with this place. Both donating and shopping. Today was the last straw. As I walked in there were signs all over the windows and store saying After Inventory entire store is 55% off. I spent 1/2 an hour looking through boxes of vinyl and had a healthy stack. I walked up to the counter and was charged full price. I asked why I didn't get the 55% off they are promoting. I was told "that is only on items over $1". The records were $1 each. I also asked why that isn't on any of the signs. No answer. It's like they make things up as they go along. So you lost a customer over $10. Also someone who donates plenty. Nice job! Adios Council Thrift. read more

This place has gone downhill since the Lincoln store closed! I used to thoroughly enjoy shopping here and now I can't wait to leave! Most, not all, staff are loud & obtrusive & at times, rude! The clothing is way overpriced too! A new pair of Target brand boots is $20! The racks are packed so tight it's almost impossible to browse! Very few items have ticket prices ...you have to ask or find a price chart in the store! No longer do they carry infant clothes! Just pure disappointment with this store! Update: Feb 2019 Even worse experience...crammed racks make it impossible to browse, over priced, stained, Outdated clothing! So unfortunate to watch a once enjoyable shopping favorite go straight downhill! Very poor management! read more

I LOVE this thrift shop! I adore thrift shopping and this one is my FAVORITE places to go! I have many reasons. The biggest reason is because I find the best stuff here!! I love that they are always getting new merchandise in, so you never know what'treasure' you might find! I like the way the store is arranged. It's not only easy to shop there, it is fun! Try it for yourself and you'll see what I mean! read more

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Decided to stop here on a whim to kill some free time. I was shopping around and saw some racks near the side of the room with a paper sign on the end of it, but it was turned the wrong way. I walked over to flip the sign over so I could read it and someone from the back room snapped at me not to touch that rack because it wasn't available for sale. It was an honest mistake and she was incredibly rude and snotty. I love thrift shopping but after being talked down to like that I felt really unwelcome and left moments later. They have nice stuff, it's all more towards an older generation vibe of clothing, but they have a wide selection of women's shoes and 1$ jeans. Really bummed by the rudeness of the worker, I won't be going back. read more

Went here for the first time today, picked a few things and as I'm checking out the employee assisting me holds up a shirt I am purchasing (which is a size medium) looks at me, and says, "will this even fit you?" implying that I was too big for it... I have nothing else to say but yikes read more

I visited the Council Resale recently and found it a great place to shop. The store is a bit small, but the employees are very helpful and friendly. On Saturday, January 25, the visit was very well-timed. They had there 55% off sale. Plus lots of t-shirts to choose from. read more

Not very customer focussed on the store policies. I went into the Council Thrift store for the first time. I found an amazing dress for my wife. It is her size and still has the tags on it. I tried to buy it and the clerk told me that because it's on a mannequin, it can't be sold until the start of the next month. They don't like to have to switch out the mannequin's all the time. At least two dozen things spread from the front windows to side displays throughout the store were on mannequin's. Pretty much the coolest stuff in the store. I offered to pay for the dress and leave it on the mannequin until the first of the month and come back and get it then. No avail, no apologies no regard for the customer. From what I can see, this policy is not posted anywhere. I live locally and want to support locally, but it's pretty hard to do that when the store has a policy of not selling things that are listed for sale! I will take my business elsewhere from now on. read more

Someone explain... I went into a thrift store because I saw a dress in the window that I liked... I went it...checked the size and tried to take it off the mannequin...I asked for help... The lady says "sorry nothing on the mannequins will be for sale until April 1st....we can't keep changing the mannequins so we put stuff on them and you have to come back..." Whet??? So I say...well there was another dress in saw last week...where is it now...she says "it's in the back" I say can I see it? She says..."well its not for sale until then either..." I say...well I'd like to know what size it is so I know if I want to come back or not...she says "we don't so that".... Wtf?! Now had there not been signs posted explaining the mannequin policy posted I would have thought...awe it's cuz I'm black... Sooo ummm....where is this good for business to refuse a guaranteed purchase because u don't want to redress a mannequin or get something from a back room?! read more

This place is not for dudes. They have a lot of selection for girls, but the men's selection seems to be limited to dad flannel and run-of-the-mill suit jackets. I like going to thrift stores to find the weird and ugly, not the run of the mill boring. I can understand that women like it better, there seems to be much more selection for people with Y chromosomes. On the plus side, the bric-a-brac section is pretty decent. Particularly the records. I found things like Barbara Streisand, Allan Sherman and the Fiddler on the Roof Soundtrack. Not surprising for a establishment funded by the Jewish Women's Coalition. All in all, this place is decent if you need to find a cheap dress/suit, but if you're looking for the oddball shirt or absolutely un-fabulous shoes, this might not work. read more

Great stuff but has very strange business plan. They will close housewares area off for no apparent reason. They put clothing in rack which you can see but you can not buy. I used to come in monthly but with all the unpredictability as to what will be for sale I have reduced my visit to occasionally. Seems to me if you are looking to raise money for charity then everything on the floor should be for sale during business hours. read more

Same ole, same ole and don't bother calling the Southfield office for issues, they're in cahoots with "the manager" to keep the better things off the sales floor. It's a jackleg outfit, not worth your time. read more

The workers here are so rude. I had a cell phone ring and went to grab the call to take it outside (dying relative and all) and got bit#hed at the whole way out. I've never gone back. Before, I would go once a month. They had a limited variety, but unique, upscale, and multiple antiques. A very interesting selection. I was just so appalled by being berated about a call I was clearly going outside to take anyways being of a personal nature that I couldn't go back. read more

Snapshot: A reliable source for funky 70s housewares and women's clothing finds. Thrifting is a labour of love and patience, and Council Thrift rewards customer loyalty with some pretty hip discoveries in the housewares and clothing departments. Women's clothing is their strongest suit, concentrated in suits, shirts, skirts, and separates. The shopfront windows advertise designers like Gucci and Prada, though more common labels are Chico's, Liz Claiborne, Express, and a plethora of 70s or 80s lines interspersed with the odd Banana Republic or Express piece thrown in for good measure. That's not to say designer lines aren't present (but Bellochio Resale in Pleasant Ridge is a more reliable bet) and plenty of gems appear at the oddest times. Men's clothing is a much smaller section. If you hit the right time, especially before Hallowe'en, lots of fun finds can provide inspiration. Prices are very fair too. Rummaging through the housewares section in the front windows reminds me of digging through an aunt's boxes of kitchenware. I never know what I'll find, whether it's thick Corningware or charming seasonal dishes in actual porcelain or china. I can't count the number of times the beau and I have said "Whoa, I had that as a kid!" while window shopping down Twelve Mile. Council Thrift carries other items that an all-purpose thrift store should have, including an assortment of old records and eight-tracks, board games gently weathered by use and care, and a select array of furniture. Think overstuffed chairs in dusty rose or floral patterns, cream loveseats with squashy fat cushions, and the decorative sets from the front room that preserve the tastes of a different era. Prices are reasonable for good condition furnishings that lack the musty smells and suspicious stains of basement and sidewalk bargains. read more

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of items in this store. They are picky, and I appreciate that. I picked up two like-new sweaters and a fullsized winter jacket for about $40 total. Not bottom of the barrel cheap, but a great deal in my opinion. They have a decent board game collection, some 80's and 90's artwork with a few gems in there, and lots of quality jackets. Their furniture was very dated, although in good condition. Curvy upholstered 80's dining sets are not really my thing. Maybe they're yours? read more

Not as large of a selection as other thrift stores, but it is also clear that they are more discerning about which items they accept. Considering most of the clothes are either cool vintage or a brand name, the prices are great! I got a unique tshirt from Detroit Fashion Week in pristine condition for only a buck, and a pair of black Banana Republic dress pants for $5. Can't beat it! Minus a star because, as I said, the selection isn't huge. Limited housewares, and clothes only for adult men and women (no childrens sizes). read more

I had originally rated this place one star but I gave it another chance and went back again. I am glad I did. They seemed to be in a much nicer mood than my previous visit. The staff was actually nice and the prices reasonable. They were having a great sale with many items being 25% to 50% off. Found a great retro mid century bamboo style bench and was completely happy getting a good deal. Every place deserves a second chance, this place can still be a bit expensive but go there on the right day and you might find a deal you can't pass up. Give it a try you never know what treasures await you. read more

Love, love, love Council Thrift! The store is well organized. The staff is amazing! Special Kudos to Delores (Manager), Lori, Ruth and other staff for making my shopping expeditions an exciting adventure. You never know what treasures you will find at Council Thrift! read more

This is a well organized thrift store in Berkley, MI. I think it's run by the a National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Detroit Section and benefits their efforts for charity. Every time I stop in I am pleased by the selection, the helpful staff and the sales. I will definitely return and recommend it highly. read more

They must be paying people to write the positive reviews, this place is a wreck. It sure isn't the store it was ten years ago.

Nice clothing, very good prices. Poor staff, I felt that they were all about screaming to each other about there personal lives.Also I liked something, wanted to buy it but they told me no, and we're so RUDE about it !!! The old gray hair women was so rude I will never ever come back and I do not recommend!!!!! read more

This is my "go to" thrift for sure. Always something fun and different and fabulous! Though a gigantic thrift like Salvation Army is always and adventure, it's tiresome to walk through aisle after aisle of old plastic and icky junk. At Council Thrift, it's always clean and great quality! I have found funky and interesting stuff many many times, in addition to wonderful classics. The charity it benefits is also worthwhile. They channel funds right back into our community and there's no heavy religious overtone... actually NO overtone of any religious stuff. I just love this place. So does my 23-year old daughter! read more

The rudeness of the manager literally had my wife in tears. This is not the same business it was a couple of years ago. Staffers first and customers second? That's not the way to run a business. read more

This is another one of those places that I am mad that I didn't go to sooner. Of course I drove by it many times, frequented businesses right down the street from it and always though, "I need to go there." Well when I finally did go there it was so awesome I was mad I didn't go sooner. This place is pretty small for a thrift store but it has a great selection. They stock a lot of familiar brands and is very organized so the prices are a little higher than a Salvation Army but they are still reasonable. read more

As always, I found some amazing items @ The Council. Prices were fantastic and the staff are too!

I like this store. I usually try and stop in 2-3 times a year. As far as thrift stores go, they are really personable too. Not as large of a selection as many other resale shops in the area but still totally worth a stop in. read more

Um..this place used to be cool about 15 years ago. Went in there a couple of weeks ago and nothing but crap...over priced crap...even worse. What the heck happened? How does a glorified garage sale stay in business all year long? All the no parking signs in their parking lot are pretty funny...don't worry council thrift...we won't be back! read more

Rude workers and nothing worthwhile is actually "for sale" I came in because I was in the area and looking for cheap home goods. First of all, the store is actually quite large. While doing my first walk through of the store I found myself going through a narrow walkway, common for a lot of thrift stores, and there was a huge area full of really cool looking things and a table of older women, who I assumed all worked there (I don't know) talking. One of them says "can I help you?" In a mildly sassy tone, and I replied "oh no I'm just looking.." She then replied in an even sassier tone "WELL YOU CANT LOOK BACK HERE" Ok fair enough, you want more than half of your inventory in the back where no one can see them? Cool. And I turned around and circled the store again. I found a lot of things I would have spent good money on... A lot of cute old vogue pictures, antique hat boxes.. All marked "Not For Sale" Ok... I keep looking and find some cute candle holders and lamps and I notice all of the price tags are marked in months, i.e. March, April, June etc. Confused and slightly pissed by this point I just left. Needless to say I will not go back. read more

This was a great store. You have to dig for some great stuff but there were many designer items that had great prices. Amazing coats including fur ones, wool and cashmere sweaters, and so much more. I definitely will be going back because it is great stuff for great prices. Most items were priced by a category that was up on the wall but some of the more expensive designer stuff was tagged individually. As far as the workers they weren't rude but they weren't super nice. Didn't talk much and didn't really ask if anything was needed. Overall good store so I can't wait to see if their stuff is always this great when I go in the future. read more

Great selection of clothing and good brands. The people who work here are super nice and helpful. They have all the clothing well organized. They recently ran a wonderful sale where you could get a sweater for around 2 bucks. read more

Very nice staff there. Not a large thrift store. Quaint little store instead. Had some higher end clothing in great shape.

After moving to the area, I attempted to go there twice. Both times the doors were locked 20 minutes early. If you're open till 7, your doors should be open UNTIL 7. I will not attempt to come back a 3rd time. read more

I keep going back and it keeps on getting better! This is without doubt the best resale shop around! read more

Council Thrift - Thrift Stores Near Me - Berkley, Michigan