Dear Thrift Store Worker:
Hi there!
You know I love you, right? I mean you make my thrifting dreams come true so very often. If it wasn't for you, I never would have found some of my greatest treasures.
I would be without my cool typewriter collection, my vintage cameras and many many more great items.
For the most part, you look out for me and my vintage-loving thrift store shopping friends. But, I gotta tell you something.
Packing tape.
The kind you use to bind all my vintage treasures together?
(My lovely croquet set. Sigh.) |
Yeah, let's talk about that.
It's got go. Got. To. Go.
I can see where it would be enticing and a little exciting to just keep circling my items with packing tape. Again. And again. And again.
And again.
Let's make sure that lid on the Pyrex bowl is not going anywhere. Ever.
(Oh, look, they carefully put the balls in a plastic sack so we wouldn't lose any) |
But we really have to break your love affair with the roll of tape.
You know I can't resist buying something at a great price, but when it takes me an hour to dismantle the tangled maze of tape off my vintage Cosco folding step stool . . . it's too much.
When I have to spend an eternity using a q-tip and Goo Gone to carefully get the sticky reside off my set of china . . . it's too much.
When it rips the paint off my lovely croquet set . . . it's too much.
(Nice job of taping the ever living heck out of the painted wooden handles. They never had a chance.) |
Just lay off the tape. Please.
Signed,
President and CEO, Thrifters For A Tape Free World
P.S. We can talk about using black grease marker to tattoo prices on the front of books some other time.
Like this post? Check out some of these other related posts:
Okio B Designs
Oh my gosh, this is hilarious! And so true. Hopefully they will take note. Can I join the club?
Jeanine
Blessed Serendipity
And don't you love when they put industrial strength stickers on paper items or on books? My thrift store has a love affair with tape as well. Arrrr!
Danielle
rush
This comment has been removed by the author.
rush
If WE worked in a thrift store, and we couldn't possibly, because we'd bring everything home, we would never do that. I seriously don't know how someone could work in a thrift store and tape the hell out of stuff to the point that the item could be ruined. I think they lack empathy. Plain and simple. They lack empathy.
Ida
Wow that is quite something. I could see where you would be upset having the tape pull off all the neat looking paint. Do they wrap it before you take it home? If so I'd ask them not to wrap my stuff up like that.
Patty
If there is tape or a tag on something that could be ruined by its removal, I will take the item to the cashier and tell them I want to take the tag off in front of them so I can make sure it's not ruined upon doing so. If it's ruined, I'm not buying it. Perhaps you can say something to the manager of that store ?
Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME
Oooh, Patty's got a good idea there. I don't like when they put the price sticker over the damaged area. Be honest....if it is damaged, let me know. Goo Gone is my hubby and my go to for a LOT of messes!!
Vintage Scrap Shop
I totally hear you! It kills me when they use that packing tape or even write on the items with a permanent marker.
Sherry@Back2Vintage
Well said! Amen!!!
LEfting
My Value Village marks vintage sheet music with a black wax CHINA pen! in huge numbers! There is NO way to get it off.....arrrrgggghhhhh. It's lasted 80 years in perfect condition till it hits Value Village!
Vickie @ Ranger 911
I hear ya, Pam! I just bought something that's got tape adhesive stuck to the sides and I hope I can remove the goo without taking the paint off, too.
I've been unable to leave comments (google?), so I'm giving it one more try today.....
Vickie @ Ranger 911
Yeah, it worked!
Peggy
I have to admit this cracked me up because it is so true! However get this... our thrift store will sell each ball separately for a croquet set. Seriously, the mallets are bundled up as a set, the wickets another "set" and the balls are sold individually for $0.49 - $0.99. The average price comes in at over $15 if you manage to get the entire set. It was/is crazy! I think they are trying to make up their tape cost overruns!
Linda
A sad kind of chuckle here at the cluelessnees of people.
Marty Walden
Totally spot on and hysterical!
Melinda
Amen sister!!!
Way too funny.
M 🙂
amy
I totally agree with all these brilliant comments and the original blog. So true, so true. May I offer an idea to help spread the tape free environment. I have been helping run a non profit thrift store for 3 years, we are tape free and very aware of tag placement etc... At your favorite thrift store, offer a roll of the shrink wrap to the manager, offer to help work a shift in the backroom sorting, sharing the thrifters insight with the workers, or even bring a plate of goodies to share with them to sweeten the word. Most of the shops are non profit, or at least the workers are underpaid, or like my shop all volunteers working to earn money for programs for women and chiidren. As I remind myself often, these are first world problems, worthy of a chuckle.
Pam Kessler
When I was in that same thrift store on Friday, the girl at the checkout who follows my blog (we chit chat when I'm checking out and she was always asking me what I was buying "that old thing for" and I finally showed her my blog one day) asked me if I had bought the croquet set there. I told her I had so she called over the manager and someone from the back room and we all discussed tape 🙂 I think we may have solved the tape issue in that particular store.
suzieQ
I missed this post when it came out, but had to comment. I have had tape take of gilding on ceramics, ruin books and other paper items. My peeve is the placement of the price tage on the maker's mark, no matter where it is on the bottom. Really? You can't place it to the side? I have to sadly say that there are SOME workers who know exactly what they are doing to be vindictive, since there can be no other explanation. Come on, people. If a piece is old, show some respect since the people that are purchasing want the best condition they can find.
Perhaps we can forward your column and the comments to Goodwill and the others. Thanks for the post!
susan b
I hear you loud and clear!!! This makes me crazy too!!! Surely there is a better way......
Denise Z.
I may print out your post and hand it out to the store in my area! GW is the WORST offender!