Alpha Thrift Store | Santa Barbara

P G

I’ve been a frequent visitor of Alpha Thrift and in the past I found some really cool items for little money. Lately the inventory is stale. Items sit for weeks, sometimes months, and I wonder what happens to all the donations from the rich and famous who populate the area. I had my eye on a a Jura espresso machine that had a defective brew unit (according to the error code it displayed). Alpha Thrift wanted $100. Seems to me that anything with a $100 price tag doesn’t belong in a thrift store. But if you’re just visiting Santa Barbara and looking for some good thrift stores you don’t want to miss Alpha Thrift. For better turnover and lower prices head over to the Goodwill at Carrillo and Bath. That’s the best thrift store in Santa Barbara in my book.

sam coleman

If you are into thrifting than check this place out. Lots of clothing, books and stuff to sift thru. Small parking lot, so be ready to park on the street. Worth a look

Kim Law

One of my favorite thrift stores for clothes and books! Reasonably priced, a big selection, and very organized.

Michael Snyder

I had a bad experience at this store recently. It started as a mistake made by the cashier. It could have been easily fixed but uncomfortable since it involved another customer. Rather than doing the right thing the cashier told me she wouldn’t fix her mistake, even though she admitted she made one.. I have been in management and hospitality most of my life. I currently have my own small business. This is NOT how you handle mistakes. I asked to speak to a manager. The manager had the same attitude. He told me what is done is done and had no interest making things right. If one of my employees avoided responsibility like this, they would have been fired. This was completely unprofessional. I was so upset by this whole ordeal and wrong doing I left the store and called the corporate number. I spoke to a receptionist. She refused to take my name and number. She told me they don’t handle thrift store issues. She offered to give me the phone number of the thrift store I just left. That made no sense. I then emailed the Executive Director of the company. No response from him either. I’m left with the feeling the management and employees can do whatever they please with no accountability. They will gladly take you donations and money but treat you with zero respect. Without customers they wouldn’t have a job. Stop treating your thrift store customers like they are less than the people your organization is trying to help. Everyone deserves respect and non professional behavior should not be tolerated. Thank you. P.S - if anyone responds trying to say this did not happen, this is further proof that they avoid accountability