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Amvets Thrift Store
Category: Shopping Thrift Stores Thrift Stores [Edit]
3441 Sutherland St(at Frontage Rd)
San Diego, CA 92110
Neighborhood: Middletown
(619) 297-4213
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
86 reviews for Amvets Thrift Store
Review Highlights
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"it is CASH ONLY so come prepared." In 17 reviews -
"great deals on clothes, shoes, bags, u name it." In 28 reviews -
"the racks were very well organized and color coordinated." In 3 reviews
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86 reviews in English
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Review from ananda b.
Los Angeles, CA
5/8/2012
Excellent pricing. I picked up an industrial metal card catalog for $2.50. Yes, that's right. A 1950's typewriter desk on casters - $5.00. Shoes were a little pricey, but the selection is huge so it's great for those who thrift for sport (ME). Parking was very tricky, yes. Cash only.
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Review from Betsy R.
San Diego, CA
4/2/2012
You can find some decent and sometimes surprising items here, if you look hard enough, and you can push and bustle past people in the SUPER narrow isles. I mean, I understand that it's probably a spacial issue, but not everyone shopping there is an 80 lb ten year old. Some of the people rear-ending me are more of the water buffalo build.
There's only so many times I can say "excuse me, pardon me, excuse me" before I begin to feel absolutely ridiculous.
I've found some "good" things there: brand name jeans that would have been $40 for $4, Banana Republic blouses for $2, but you need a discerning eye to find what people call the good finds. Some things are overpriced.
If you're like me and you just like cute, clean and cheap clothes, regardless of brand, then you're likely to find something you want to buy here.
Big problem for me : no dressing rooms. So it's all going by eye. Cash only isn't really an issue for me, it just isn't really something I... promote. We need to upgrade to the 21st century here, peeps. We use plastic now. Get used to it.
Oh and parking is the seventh circle of hell. Don't say I didn't warn you. -
Review from daryn b.
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
10/26/2011
Pretty consistently solid.
On Wednesdays, everything (almost) is 50% off. It's always SUPER crowded. Bring headphones and iPod/iPhone to maintain sanity while the employees come bulldozing huge racks down the aisles (EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME, CON PERMISO).
No fitting rooms - dress accordingly... but don't take off your pants please (no excuses, even if you're an old lady. I've seen this one too many times)
Cash only.
Horrible parking situation. Don't even bother waiting for a spot in the parking lot. Park down the street if you have to and walk there (admire the beautiful Vespas at the scooter shop on your way and dream of owning one of your own one day). -
Review from Maria C.
7/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was dragged here to look for costumes for a last min themed party.
First of all - SUPER SKETCHY area with sketchy people within the vicinity... I really felt out of place.
Secondly - Ghetto peeps up in here!!!
There was this interesting "character" [a chick/dude ??? - hard to tell] who was over 6 ft tall dressed to the 9 stripper sty - short dress with ginormous boobs poppin' out, hooker heels, hair did, and a cart full of crap... SUPER CLASSY...
What was annoying was that this "character" continued to talk on his/her bluetooth for everyone to hear the raunchy conversation (e.g. "boobs" and "hard d*cks"). Seriously, people, how ghetto can you get?!
I perused the racks in an effort to speed up the costume-hunting process and couldn't find myself to touch anything on the racks. I'm such a germophobe... What also contributed to my loatheness to look was the humidity in this warehouse. I needed a shower after leaving - I felt dirty...
One PRO: A costume was found and turned out to be super cheap.
So, how was my first experience in a thrift store???
..................................... [fill in the blank] -
Review from Julia N.
San Diego, CA
8/12/2011
I've been here a couple of times and haven't experienced the weekend crush that people warned me about. It was busy, but not so busy that I had trouble navigating the aisles or browsing the racks. Like most thrift stores, it's hit-and-miss -- I've found several good deals during one visit and then nothing of interest the next, so if you don't see anything on your first expedition then it probably wouldn't hurt to try again in another week or two.
Don't be discouraged by the reviewers who call the neighborhood dangerous or sketchy. Yes, it's not in a very pretty part of town and it's smart to lock your car, but you should be locking your car almost anywhere. At no point did I feel unsafe. -
Review from Jorgeanne C.
San Diego, CA
3/17/2012
visited here today on a thrift store crawl since all the shopping malls in San Diego are outdoors and on a rainy day makes it completely unpleasant to be outdoors. of course prior to the start of our day, i yelped for possible thrift stores. previous reviews had built it up to seem like this place was fabulous and way better than other thrift stores (e.g. buffalo exchange). but after my visit that just is not the case. i give it to the store for having things organized. but my shopping experience was not so great. people were just rude - pushing carts through aisles (ramming more like it), and pushing clothing on the racks to make way to jump to the next aisle of clothing. yes this place is ridiculously cheap but in my opinion not worth the trip or the time to rifle through for the chance of a buried treasure.
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Review from Emily S.
San Diego, CA
3/20/2011
Hey thrifties... this place is CASH ONLY & the definition of hit or miss!
Have you ever been to a raging indoor flea market in Bumblenowhere?
If you have you'll feel right at home here...
The place is packed most days, children running like wild dogs- not open late and not open on Sundays. .
A slew of people can be found sitting in there car for over an hour toughing it our for one of the very few parking spots up front. FYI there is plenty of parking within walking distance. (i.e- right by the nudie bar!)
Be careful of the mob style crowds...
I once made the mistake of standing near a cart of shoes newly wheeled out from the back room... I was almost mauled and I wasn't even looking for shoes!!
No dressing rooms, the aisles are like a military obstacle course.
Dodge Left... a grandma with a cart
Dodge Right... a child playing on the floor between the rack of clothes...
Look Up, Look down... I'm surrounded by barbwire and mens' slacks...
So what do I do? Take a flying leap of faith over the cart like Tony Hawk.... Jk, but with that being said I love this place.
I have scored unreal housewares and jewelry.
My favorite find were two excellent oil paintings for $3.95 each which one day, I WILL prove are painted by the late Bob Camblin. You just wait and see!
I would give this place more stars if it wasn't such a major event getting in and out and on your way...
The cash only thing is annoying but I'm really happy not to be handing off any financial information that bonanza of funk.
If you've got the time and a good eye for thrift, this is the place for you.
BONUS TIP:
Bring hand wipes, you will feel gross after touching things and you don't want to bring those germs home.Listed in: Best Places to Thrift!
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Review from mikala s.
San Diego, CA
9/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Well, I have to admit I know two people who swear this is their favorite thrift store...but I've had minimal luck here.
Must seem like a broken record but the comments about sketchy people, sketchy area, and crappy parking are all right on.
I have had much better luck at the Goodwill finding quality clothing. I probably won't bother going back to Amvets... -
Review from Mae B.
San Diego, CA
2/19/2011
STAY AWAY! DANGER DANGER!!
....because it is one of my absolute FAVORITE thrift stores. It is definitely in my top 3.
I almost wasn't going to rate this because I didn't want to let people in on this great store! you guys are so lucky I am nice enough to share :)
I shopped here on Thursday, I walked away with 2 pairs of jeans, 2 skirts, 3 shirts and a peacoat for 19 bucks. -
Review from Frederick H.
Carlsbad, CA
5/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of my favorite thrift store dives. I come here looking for costumes and electronic junk, and usually end up walking out with an item or two.
They do have the infamous 50% off sale - where everything in the store is 50% off except one color of tag, and everything you find is that color. Maybe I just don't get there early enough in the morning. Otherwise, prices are pretty fair.
The clothes are kind of stinky and require repeated washings. Some of the electronic junk looks like it's been there for years. Now and then there are interesting pieces, must be donations the hipsters in Hillcrest.
Park a block before or a block after. -
Review from Phillip N.
Los Angeles, CA
3/4/2011 3 photos
My Leather Search resumes here, Location E, after a few detours.
Discovery: I need to go with a friend that can parallel park or get out of a tight situation.
This place was happening. I didn't find anything good the day I went but it's one of the biggest thrift stores I've seen and it does have good stuff. Not much in terms of leather for my party but man does it have blazers galore.Listed in: Leather Search 2011
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Review from April P.
5/10/2011
First, HELLA sketchy area.
Second, if it's your first time here don't try to take a parking spot when there's a little line of cars waiting. Otherwise, you might get told off by a old cranky white man. (All you have to do is just be polite about it. No need to be an a--hole. What's wrong? You think some other guy's gonna get to that previous $5 pair of khaki shorts before you do?)
And if you don't get lucky enough to park in the lot, then you gotta pay for metered parking on Sutherland and that's if you don't have a disabled parking placard.
They had some nice Lacoste polos for men but other than that, you won't be seeing me coming back here anytime soon.
If you wanna get your time and money's worth, go to the AMVETS off Jamacha Rd.Listed in: Nifty Thrifty in San Diego
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Review from Jane S.
San Diego, CA
9/1/2011
don't be fooled by the janky location or the musty smell-this store is a gold mine!! like any thrift store, you have to dig, and i mean DIG, to find anything, but they have some really neat items here.
for example:
--Salvatore Ferragamo silk blouse-$3
--Oscar de la Renta chiffon floral blouse, size 10 but perfect with a belt-$2
i swooped on these two pieces because for a total of $5, I was able to bring couture into my closet!! i've also purchased a black blouse here (it had shoulder pads, which i removed, but it was still pretty chic with the pads) and a tight white top.
also check out the back wall of random items. i found two antique looking candle sticks which were each $1. Every day there is a different type of sale (different color tags indicate what the sale is...) so look above the cashier to find out.
it is CASH ONLY so come prepared :)Listed in: Confessions of a Shopaholic
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Review from Lilia C.
4/1/2011
I love thrift store shopping and feel like I've found a gold mine with this Amvets. If you enjoy zoning out in a huge warehouse of racks of clothing, skimming through each item while listening to your own music on headphones (believe me, you will want to drown out the horrendous radio station they have blasting and all the people/children yapping) then this place is for you. I have gone expecting nothing and have found some of the raddest items! Parking is a bit of a hassle as this place is usually pretty packed, there's a lot next to the building that is tiny, some street parking, and a lot across the street. Cash only. No dressing rooms which is kind of a drag when it comes to getting pants. It's a great place for unique skirts, tops, and jackets. I have found a couple random household items as well.
Would get 5 stars if they had a fitting room and if they took cards for payment. -
Review from Melissa A.
San Diego, CA
2/21/2012
We went for the first time on a holiday Monday. Yes, the area is sketchy. Argue if you want, we had to clean up syringes around our car before we could get out, not one but several. ICK! Really? But the deals we found were epic. For $60 i got a new wardrobe for work, Talbots silk shirts for $4 and Nordstrom wool pants for $4. The cash only thing really sucks (Goodwill takes debit cards! and you can download apps that allow you to take credit cards) and whatever you do, don't open the toy bags or the evil manager will not let you buy them! Totally worth it for the deals. I"m going again today!
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Review from Jay D.
8/24/2008
It's like a garage sale, but without the haggling. Don't be shy. Everyone has passed through here. Definitely hidden gems everywhere. Including! - a lusty child's bike helmet - too small for mah head.
oh hai! i need you for a YeP event.
just $2.10 for the helmut with a chinstrap short of choking me like a benign dominatrix? kthxbai.........Listed in: MILF Habitats.
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Review from richie e.
San Diego, CA
2/9/2009
Almost my entire wardrobe is thrift stores and amvets has been a great place to score awesome clothes.
I wish I could say more about this place but hey look at my profile pics. If you think I dress snazzy you'll love this place! -
Review from Kate W.
San Diego, CA
11/7/2011
A bit overwhelming but tons of clothes and items to look through. I don't like how they don't have shopping baskets, just carts; it was a pain in the neck to try to maneuver with that. Cash only too! If you're looking for better quality used clothing I'd try to goodwill in Pt.Loma or PB, but Amvets probably has more.
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Review from Austin D.
9/21/2008
As Moe the Bartender might say, "Amvets makes Goodwill look like a pile of puke!"
This is the granddaddy of all thrift stores in San Diego. I went here to shop for costume parts and was amazed at the vast selection.
They carry surprisingly good quality merchandise too, very well organized, and mega-cheap!
Cons:
- Parking sucks. There are only about 15 lot and adjacent street spots. Just be patient and something will open up, or park on the frontage road (metered spots) and walk a block.
- Cash only (but you aren't going to spend a lot of it).
- Creepy kinda old-timey atmosphere (but you can easily power through it and enjoy the bargains!)Listed in: Halloween is Right around the…
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Review from Alicia M.
San Diego, CA
3/5/2009
I went here today based on Yelp reviews. I was looking for a white skirt. In the dead of 'winter' here, I figured a Thrift Store would probably be the only place I could find real white (not winter white) skirt.
I had an event I needed to wear this to and for some reason thought I would go over there, find one and go to my event. Well before I got there, I snapped out of it, realizing this is a Thrift Store and reminding myself that if I found a white skirt, it would probably be so filthy that it would require laundering before I could go anywhere... especially if this thrift store is anything like the one in University in Hillcrest (forget the name).
I walked in and this store was well lit, the isles were organized with women's clothing on the left, men's next and children up against the far isle. The clothes were on the hangers (not on the floor like at Ross Mission Valley??), they were lined up by color and the organization of the whole place made it easy to navigate. I found that everything I picked up seemed clean, laundered almost. So nothing had smoke, pet, dust or perfume smells... this was unexpected??
So while I didn't find the white skirt I was looking for, I did find about 7 other great tops and a pair of Guess Jeans all for under $30. I began realizing that when the price is crazy low like this, I would be more inclined to experiment with colors and styles I might not normally wear. I felt adventurous! Hell for $3 I'd buy a trendy top that I might only wear for a minute! It was fun! Plus since I'm on a serious budget being out of work, I didn't feel bad about my little spurge!
They do not have dressing rooms.
They do take cash only
They do have pretty lousy parking
The place was amazingly packed for a Thursday at 10am...WTF? -- Sat must be a ZOO!
The staff that I interacted with was pleasant and helpful
The shoe section is pretty Meh
The isles are narrow so when someone has a cart it can be tight.
With the constant crowds, I can see how things turn over pretty darned well.
I think I like the place a LOT!! I called my pal Kim while she was supposed to be working for home to shop over the phone...I sent her photos from my phone...too funny!
I could see going back here when I am looking for a garment, before I even think about going to a department store.
I'm beginning to get pissed at how much $ I've spent on clothes over the years when I could have scored some cool stuff at a place like this ..who knew?? -
Review from Angela Irene D.
Kapolei, HI
Updated - 3/14/2010 1 photo
So are you STILL going to those brand name stores when you can be going here? huh? ARE YOU? you don't gotta lie to SHOP!
Seriously, I haven't been in here for quite a while since I've been honestly too lazy to drive the extra 20+ minutes to go here, but apparently the day I went was ANOTHER good luck day for me!! Green Tags additional 50% off? -REALLY?? (YES!) So, again items here are amazingly CHEAP like vintage 1982 cabbage patch dolls for $1.95! and Guess what I found?
A Louis Vuitton vintage satchel for $39.95 PLUS that 50% off? HELLO new LV SATCHEL! and really I only brought $20 lol, so I really was in luck! I have to say it takes me quite a while to dig, but hey you gotta do it to get the treasure dontcha think? -YUP!
If you're not patient in trying to look for the good stuff, you wont find it then. You really need to take the time and look around here and even if you arn't looking for something, you probably will if you just hussle through the piles and piles of stuff. I even scored a vintage crew neck of GARFIELD for $3! yup, and I found it in the MENS section because I like my crew necks pretty big and comfortable! SCORE! I really enjoy coming here after to school with some extra pocket money of $5 or so..as always it never fails to amaze me of shopping here! ;D
SIDE NOTE::: ****btw, sorry I've been posting at the wrong AMVETS. I go to AMVETS @CARDIFF!!!!! happy treasure hunting!Listed in: Fat? no, P.H.A.T shopping…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/11/2009
VINTAGE BRAND NAMES for such a good price!! Instead of buying those newly remade vintage clothes and… Read more »
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Review from Teej T.
Urbana, IL
6/5/2007
It is absolutely impossible for me to think of my undergrad years @ UCSD without thinking of Amvets, the greatest of all possible thrift stores. Many a Saturday morning was spent pushing through racks of thrift store t-shirts in hope of the perfect, confusing shirt from 1995 that would say something absolutely confusing, like the "Piqua Heritage Festival" with a smiling Native American inexplicably holding a tomahawk dangerously close to a musket-armed frontiersman, or Pullman Washington's Annual Lentil Festival t-shirt.
Now, in the days of http://threadless.com and Urban Outfitters, i remember and miss with even more fondness the great store that is Amvets. Maybe I'll go this weekend. I gotta keep my fake hipster cred.Listed in: San Diego Snapshot
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Review from Adam V.
San Diego, CA
12/3/2006
This is like the Empire State Building of thrift stores in San Diego. It's huge! Easily twice as big as any other place I can think of, the sheer size of Amvets makes it easy to find cool wearable clothes. Part of the reason for that is also the great organization that one of the other reviewers mentioned. I usually zig-zag through the incredibly long aisles until I find something I like (which is not difficult).
AV -
Review from Anna G.
Encinitas, CA
4/10/2009
Upon arrival you will walk up a railed hallway and wonder what on earth you are doing and where in the hell you're going to end up. And then you walk into a large room full of stuff and people.
You'll know its a thrift store by that musty smell...ahhhh...breathe it in! Its time to hunt for cool used stuff.
Gems in almost every department. Frames, accessories, furniture, knick-knacks, books, kitchen supply. This is good! I came home with a bag full of goodies for 20 bucks. Enough said.Listed in: Don't WORRY, Be THRIFTY!
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Review from Dominick G.
Carlsbad, CA
6/30/2010
This place is good.
I always find stuff.
A japanese 60's striped dress shirt, tiki mug for a dollar, 50's Pleated pants for $4
Bring a tape measure if you want, no dressing rooms and sometimes the pants dont have size labels. -
Review from Elaine S.
San Diego, CA
9/28/2008
Oh how I love you, Amvets.
And I fell in love with you even more after visiting you yesterday...
Seriously. I scored huuuge yesterday on some vintage shoes. THREE pairs that probably cost $80+ at Urban Outfitters EACH, but spent less than 4 bucks on each pair. (I should post pictures.)
...I'm getting butterflies just thinking about you. -
Review from Lyndsay B.
San Diego, CA
8/4/2011
I like this thrift store! I've found a lot of good things here! They only take cash! So make sure you have some!!!! Its so much fun to dig around and find treasures!!
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Review from Female C.
Santa Rosa, CA
2/1/2011
This review is for the bookstore portion of the store only.
- One wall of hardcover books & two short bookshelves with paperback books on both sides
- Prices $1.95 and 2.95 for most paperbacks
- Prices $3-5 for hardcover
- Books in NO ORDER at all
- Mostly romance and best-sellers
- Only about 10-15 spiritual, religions, Christian type books (don't forget you need to sort through ALL the books to find these "gems"
- Very small parking lot is packed so good luck!
- Very dirty and old building, creepy! Building looks like an old warehouse
Would MUCH recommend going to Adam's Used Bookstore or Goodwill at 939 16th St for other books -
Review from Geri C.
San Diego, CA
10/19/2008
This is my favorite thirft store in all of san diego.
Its not a vintage store where they quietly add a "finders fee" in the price tag. No. This is where vintage stores GO to find clothes to fill up THEIR racks. Their prices are reasonable (although its strictly cash only) and it is very very well organized for such a huuuuge selection of clothes. I never leave here feeling utterly exhausted from having to look through the store - you know that feeling you get after leave Ross or Nordstrom Rack. Everytime I come here its like an adventure. I don't always find things when I'm thrift store shopping, but suprisingly I always leave amvets with a bag of clothes.
The only thing that bothers me about this place is that there is no place to try clothes on, and ONE mirror for the entire warehouse to check out of it looks good on you. So when you come here, wear a THIN layer of clothing becuase you WILL be trying shirts, pants, skirts, tops, over your clothes. But don't be shy because everyone here does it.
They close PROMPTLY at 6PM. If you arrive at 6:01PM don't expect to get in. IN fact if you arrive even at 5:55PM, I wouldn't count on being let in.
Happy thrift store shopping! -
Review from Jill S.
San Diego, CA
1/6/2011
My first thoughts walking into Amvets was "holy f@%king sh*t!" this place is GIGANTIC and overflowing with stuff. I went on a raining Tuesday morning and the place was PACKED. I couldn't believe it. There were unattended children everywhere and tons of people pushing shopping carts making it hard to navigate around the store. Of course most thrift stores have a smell, but it seemed stronger here so I didn't browse the clothes very long.
I mainly look for books, and while they have a huge selection, I think that they charge too much, each soft cover was $2.95 and the hardcovers were more, some way outdated textbooks were $9.99 which is a total rip. Too much for my thrift store taste. AND it's cash only so be prepared. Other than the absolute zoo that was the store, the parking is awful, so don't count on finding a spot, just hope a meter opens up. -
Review from Mu-Hua C.
Los Angeles, CA
5/13/2009
For a recent 80's night party, I decided to dress up in 1780's attire (goin' Colonial, baby!) WIth a tight budget, I decided that thrift stores were the way to go. Lemme tell ya - within 3 days I visited over 10 thrift/re-sale stores and 2 costume stores in SD. That's more thrift stores than I've ever gone to previously in my life. I decided to rate this one because it was one of the best ones that I hit up in that three day period.
If you can get past the thrift-store smell that usually accompanies these establishments, you'll find rows and rows of quality clothing for dirt cheap. I'm talkin $2 vests and $3 sweaters! PLUS, they do their best to sort everything out by color.
Out of all the thrift stores I went to that week, Amvets had the biggest selection of cheap clothing. Now I'm just waiting for another themed party... -
Review from Robert A.
National City, CA
4/17/2010
Back in the day, when I lacked knowledge and experience,I used to think that thrift stores were strictly for the homeless and poverty stricken.I also used to think that they were full of useless junk and discarded items that no one in thier right mind would ever want.To top it off, I thought I was too cool to be seen in a thift store and that only losers shopped there.Well,I finally grew up when I was shown the errors of my ways.
For starters,walking into Amvets is like diving into a treasure trove of goodies.You must be patient and willing to look through racks of clothes for the hidden gems inside.I cant begin to count the number of times I have scored at this store! I have bought numerous brand name clothes for pennies on the dollar! Most of the items I have bought look like they were worn only once!
I have also purchased some really nice coats and Amvets is also a great place to purchase work clothes.I work outdoors and I have repeatedly scored on insulated flannel shirts,sweaters,and work jackets that cost me next to nothing.
Pros:Very large selection of clothes! Unbeatable prices!
Cons:The parking here is a nightmare and is extremely limited.Its best to visit this location when they first open for business or in the middle of the week.
Summary:Yeah,I know its not hip and trendy to shop at Amvets but once you get over that issue you can definitely find name brand,designer clothes(some which look practically new) for extremely cheap prices.I would rather bank the savings and be able able to dine out more often than spend $500 at the GAP,Nordstroms, Macy's,etc.This is one of the better thrift stores in San Diego and highly recommended for budget conscience Yelpers. -
Review from Vicente V.
San Diego, CA
11/26/2007
This is place is awsome! It's a swapmeet, Flea Market, Junk, and antique store all rapped up in one! The prices are still "Thrift", Clothes in great shape, and always something to find. I do mean FIND! There so much to look through...plan on spending some time here depending on what your looking for. You can find classic electronics, good books, and even vintage music, still on LP's for about 50 cents. Clothes is the crem de la crem! You can always find a unique shirt or pair of pants for the night. What makes it even cooler is the fact that you dug and spent time to find this unique gem, and noone can duplicate it's "Awesomeness"!!!
Here is the catch! There is NO parking....there is but very difficult to find. You will have to march back and forth to this place if you plan on going late. People line up early....it opens at 9:00 AM!!! And there are those who get there at 8:30 AM!!! If you plan on going Saturday, expect a crowd, again no parking, and a line to check out, and finally, you will ask yourself what was this place before it was "Amvets"...this tends to go through peoples mind while they walk through this place. None of these things matter...when you find what your looking for! So, be patient, spend some time, spend little money, make your way to AMVETS! -
Review from luann g.
San Diego, CA
5/15/2010
A few weeks back, we were out walking in Hillcrest and I spied a sale rack at a cute boutique stating that "everything on this rack $20". Well, of course I had to look and of course found a super cute dress that Hubby said would no doubt become my new "uniform". I tried it on, bought it and left the store wearing it. Normally, I only buy clothes from thrift stores or just have them given to me by my daughter and my friend Anita, but it just kinda happened, you know?
The very next day, this stupid dress started falling apart at the seams, literally! I had to get ol' Betsy the sewing machine out and sew the bottom ruffle back on as it came almost completely off at the back . Ok, didn't want to take it back cuz it IS cute and comfy. A couple days later, put it on again and this time the adjustable strap thingy wouldn't keep the boulder up,so I tied a knot in the strap near the tiny plastic adjuster. About an hour later, I noticed the boob slipping down and lo and behold the damn plastic thing had cracked and half of it had fallen off! I was PO'd. But, no receipt to be found so I will have to just sew the strap in place I guess.
But how wrong is that? Cheap ass junk. Maybe the old saying about you get what you pay for may apply here, but bear in mind this dress originally sold for $60. The bumpersticker moral to this story, for me anyway, is "I'd rather be shopping at Amvets".
So with new dedication, the Amvets on the frontage road off Pacific Highway is now my go-to place for virtually everything. I guess I can't buy panties or a bathing suit there, but whatever.Well, I guess I could. But nah.
Recently I have scored the following:
*2 pairs of gorgeous, nearly new, Pier One lined curtain panels for $19.95. They had been priced the day before at $19.95 per pair, but the next day when I went back they had a 50 percent off sale! Jeez, lucky! One pair is now hanging in my bedroom and the other pair may get used to make pillow covers and maybe even a new "uniform" dress for me!
*a huge and awesome wine decanter just like my wine broker friend's for $2.95
*a pair of barely worn Lucky jeans for $7.95!!! They were 50 percent off the already incredibly cheap $14.95 and totally fit me (gasp!)
*a cute slightly trampy (ok, pretty trampy) Bebe top for $2.95
*Tommy Bahama shorts for The Man, totally pressed and new looking for $5.95
*Brand new with tags Callaway Golf shirt for The MAn for $5.95
The only problem is, I have become a little obsessed with checking there a little more often than I should and I'm probably buying more stuff than I normally would just because of the awesome deals. Dear god, I can walk to the freaken' place! I think I even have the recorded store information they play over the loudspeaker memorized. I've even been almost able to zone out and not hear the occasionally screaming kids. Maybe I'll give it a rest for a few weeks....or days.....or , hmmmm, I wonder if they have any cool random chairs for my budding dining area? -
Review from Lauren B.
San Diego, CA
5/16/2010
This place is like the Disneyland of thrift stores, and I would know. I've been to every single one in San Diego. Amvets is HUGE, and they have everything (but not really a lot of furniture). It's a great place to buy clothes and knick knacks. Prices are pretty good, and everyday they pick a color, and everything with that color tag is 50% off. Wednesdays and Saturdays, they have everything EXCEPT a certain color tag 50% off.
The only bad things are that they don't have a dressing room, it's always super crowded, and the staff will run you over with their rolling racks of clothing and not even apologize. But it's so worth it for the DEALS! Also, FYI they accept cash only.Listed in: I dress like a million...
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Review from Janell M.
Los Angeles, CA
11/30/2007
Khaki trench, silk blouse, sweater vest, scarf, and uhm a few other token novelties all under 30.00.
I took forever to browse through the color-coded racks. I kept going back to the shoe racks to try on these blue boots (size 6) . . i'm a 7ish. . wishing they would miraculousy change their size and fit. . these boots were amazing so i was disappointed they were not my size. . i was basically boot hunting and ended up with an armful of other goods that were goooood. i easily spent two hours in there, one thing leads to another. I wandered here, I wandered there.
One thing that is a con is the carts that some people don't know how to push and park diagonally in an aisle. C'mon cart people be courteous.
I love bric-a-brac. Worth sorting through for some one of a kind kitsch.
It is hard not to develop attention deficiency in this hodge podge. Places like that are important. You go to the run of the mill department stores and you know what you are going to get. You can return things, you can put items on hold. At Amvets, the shopping experience is different and more of an adventure. You are buying clothes with other people's tissues in the pockets, that you haven't tried on, that are phenomenal and 100% mo' betta. -
Review from natalie p.
Portland, OR
8/24/2008
Amvets is a secret gem juxtaposed between 805 and the other side 'o the tracks.
The store smells like a thrift store. NO WAY. Or, the inside of a hipster's closet. GO FIGURE. Where are these hidden commercial washing machines? Do their dryer sheets smell like musty shoes also?
The clothes are arranged by color, which is surprisingly...difficult and frustrating. Although my trips are usually not premeditated, I luck out cause I'm a layerer anyway (someone who dresses in layers), so I can usually just remove the top ones, and try on whatever I want in the aisles of the store. Geeez, the secrets I'm sharing...
You should probably just forget about the shoes. They all look like they spent quality time on the railroad tracks outside, or hanging from the various electrical lines surrounding the joint. Be careful what you stick your feet in!!!
Last time I was there I found a vintage navy blue velvet jacket from the 1950s equestrian line "Paddle 'n Saddle". Now all I need is a pony. -
Review from Scott C.
San Francisco, CA
9/1/2006
The best thrift store in the world, as far as I know. I once bought a complete Santa outfit, just before Halloween (try that on for size, Alanis) and it came with the coat, pants, boots, belt, hat, and giant fuzzy red/white present bag for $25. Not long after, I sported the coat and hat to the Whistle Stop's xmas party, featuring Ursula 1000, and scored not only a sweet angel statue from a random fenced yard next door (courtesy of my santa flying powers), but also this chick with huge boobs that lived next door. It was a night of drunken, gluttonous nakedness I'll not soon forget, and it's all thanks to Amvets.
Oh yeah, and they have 8-tracks there - I got Sabbath's "Paranoid", which is, without question, the greatest music ever recorded, on fricking 8-track. I rule. -
Review from benito d.
Los Angeles, CA
8/15/2008
I was in the women's section...
trying on a just-barely-too-small-for-me white fur coat for a festival when a woman said to me "you should try this one on."
Full length blue beaver with brown sable trim. FUCKING SCORE. The only way way this could look better is if Snoop was wearing it. And to all my PETA friends, you're gonna have to give me a pass on this one because I look so damn good with it on.
As soon as I tried it on all the older women were making "oooh" noises. They were cute.
As far as all the regular clothes, GREAT BARGAINS. A shirt you would buy at a store like Buffalo Exchange for $12.95 would be $3.95 here.
Seriously, check it out.
PS. CASH ONLY. -
Review from Christine T.
Chicago, IL
3/21/2009
This the recession version of Nordstrom rack!!
I freakin' love this place because there are aisles and aisles AND AISLES of clothes to spend your entire Saturday afternoon browsing through! Not only that, but they are organized based on COLOR! Feelin' like a yellow? Don't be mellow, it's all in the same section!
My friend found a J. Crew sweater for $1.95 and if you're puny like me, you can even find Chargers jerseys in their kidswear. I even snatched myself TWO pairs of retro-ed heels for under $5, bright silver and Dorothy-styled red, thank you very much. Don't forget their book section, why Borders when you can get 3 books for under $5?!
That's a CHA-CHIIINNGGG for you, don't worry, I'll be back.
Oh P.S. Cash only peeps.
