Houseworks

I have no issues with the inventory or prices at Houseworks. One can find interesting and useful items at generally reasonable costs. Like many others, however, I take enormous issue with the service. My mother attempted to enter Houseworks last week. It was about ten minutes after the posted opening time and the door was unlocked. I'd like to think that the the combination of these facts would lead most people to reasonably conclude they were allowed to enter a store: during business hours+unlocked door= permission to enter. Unfortunately, they had not yet turned the sign to read ""open"", which probably wouldn't have mattered because my mother has very poor eyesight. She made it about three steps in the door before the owner, Sue, began screaming at her in the most condescending, pedantic way imaginable about how they were ""counting the money"" and why couldn't she ""read the sign?"" If you aren't offended by this behavior, stop for a moment, and ask yourself, ""is a small misunderstanding license to behave with unrestrained vitriol towards a potential customer?"" I don't think anyone can agree that it is...\r I've seen some people suggest that Sue and staff ""put up with a lot."" I agree. They put up with not paying a cent for their inventory. They put up with a community that helps sandbag their business when threatened with floods. They put up with a clientele that accepts an anachronistic system of cataloging items which requires them to trust completely in Sue and her staff.\r Which brings me to my final point. Many people choose to shop there despite receiving poor customer service. To me, personally, it isn't worth it. What really offends me, though, is that they are not honest and will sell your belongings while pocketing the proceeds. I have personally found some of my items marked incorrectly. I was informed that it was a simple error. This simple error seems very difficult to make, as they process the items as they receive them. Others have had the same experience and posted about it on here or on other review sites. Some will argue that they have been shopping at Houseworks for years and have never had this issue. I don't doubt it. They know that regular customers are likely to catch on that they are being bilked, and they don't steal from those people. They steal from people who don't come in to the store very often. It wouldn't surprise me if they simply pocket money if no one has come in to pick up in several months. They could, of course, end all concern about deceptive practices by entering the 21st century and computerizing their system. It would allow customers to get at least a general sense of what was sold and what was donated. Can I suggest a new catchphrase for the business? Houseworks: No Accountability, No Conscience. more

I avoided Houseworks based on some previous bad reviews I had read (specifically on this site) for quite a while until I finally decided to try it out 1st hand. WOW am I glad I did! As a person who frequents about a dozen thrift stores in the area for the best product and price, Houseworks is by FAR the best place, hands down. The place is clean, organized, everything is labeled, there are regular sales and the inventory changes constantly. The main complaint I had read was about the owner being rude. I've been frequenting Houseworks for several months now and without exception the owner (Sue) has been nothing but pleasant and accommodating. Mad the owner told you to get off your phone? Well the rest of the store is annoyed we have to listen to your phone conversation while your kids run around the store like they own the place. I don't care WHAT phone call you're waiting for, the rule in the store is NO CELL PHONE CONVERSATIONS, period. That's one of the AWESOME rules that makes it pleasant to shop there! If you have enough time to be browsing a thrift store then you have enough time to walk your behind OUTdoors and take the call in the parking lot like the rest of the respectful customers do. I'm shocked people have actually given this store bad reviews because they felt burned for being called on breaking very simple, socially- courteous rules posted numerous places around the store. Grow up. What reaction did you except from the owner/staff when you blatantly walk around the store on your phone as if you're too good for a very simple store request? I've heard Sue ask people to get off their phone a few times, and every time the ONLY reason she raised her voice was because the talker was so involved in THEMSELVES and their phone call they weren't hearing her ask them to take the call outside. If the previous negative reviewers want to avoid the store because they can't handle going by easy-to-follow rules that benefit everyone, I say let them continue not to be there, no body wants them there to begin with. Just because you're a customer doesn't mean you get to be an over-entitled donkey's rear. more

The rudeness of this owner lady (sue) fully out weighs my chances of ever returning to this joint. Iowa City is lucky they have more than one consignment shop. I never experience over the top rudeness at the other shops. Pros: cheap junk Cons: rude owner more

I will NOT be going back. Stop by this store if you want to be treated worse than you ever have been treated ever before. I don't usually write reviews but my trip to this store was a horrible experience. I think the owner herself must have written the satisfactory reviews, there can be no other explanation. Pros: easy to find Cons: very rude customer service more