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Moving Sale
Categories: Shopping Home & Garden Furniture Stores Shopping Thrift Stores Furniture Stores, Thrift Stores [Edit]
952 Howard St(between Mary St & 6th St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 543-6833
- Hours:
Tue 12 pm - 6 pm
Wed-Fri 12 pm - 7 pm
Sat 12 pm - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
27 reviews for Moving Sale
Review Highlights
27 reviews in English
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Review from Maurice R.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2011
I have walked by this place a million times and only recently discovered it because of the furniture that was placed on the sidewalk. I snapped out of my iPod-induced daze, looked to the right and voila! I was in thrift store heaven.
This place is what Goodwill should be. It's an experienced thrift store shopper's dream come true, provided you like to really jump into a big pile of God-knows-what and dig for the buried treasure. Once you get past the shock of tight aisles, layers of dusty appliances and rafters stacked with stuff, a wicked glint will form in your eyes as your eyes settle on all the retro/vintage finds that nobody uses anymore.
The owner is Mark, and he's a real gentleman from another era. I saw a queen comforter set that he told me twice wasn't for sale, but I put my foot down and verbally hog-tied him until he sold it to me for $40. You see, it was the perfect burnt orange comforter for the color scheme of my apartment, and I wasn't going anywhere without it. The guns were drawn and it was the Wild West in there for a few minutes, but we ultimately came to an agreement and there wasn't a homicide that day.
I prefer to support places like this and Out Of The Closet, because you know they are supporting good people/causes. Very unlike Goodwill, where you are definitely being overcharged for used goods. I will now be coming by here weekly just to stay posted on new arrivals, because smaller thrift stores tend not to last long when their direct competition is Goodwill. Let's hope that the fire marshal never finds out about this place, because there are code violations up the ying-yang! Then again, a forced move would mean the fire sale of the century! LOL -
Review from Todd C.
12/8/2011
This is a bizarre place.
First off, it's...I mean, there's so much shit crammed in here that you literally cannot get to upwards of 20% of it. Like it's impossible. So, yeah, that gets to be a little curious, from a business standpoint at least, if not from a safety standpoint (ie, if your store is so crammed with stacked and slanting objects that 1 out of every 5 of those stacked and/or slanting objects is literally unreachable, then, you know, you might not want to be there on those days of the week when an earthquake is forecast...oh wait--).
But I don't mean to say that you take your life in your own hands when you go to this place. I mean you do, but that's only if there's actually a real earthquake, which honestly makes it only a little less safe than, say, Jackson Street in Chinatown. (Seriously, how much faith do you have that those signs will stay attached to their buildings during a really good shake? Yeah, me, too.) Leaving that aside, however, OH MY GOD THIS PLACE IS LIKE IF SOMEONE INPUTTED YOUR MOTHER'S ATTIC INTO A CALCULATOR AND THEN SQUARED IT. And then shoehorned it back inside the same (ie, same-sized) space. It's insane, but in a good way.
Ahh, in *mostly* a good way. It's insane in a good way insofar as no matter what you need or want, it's more likely than not that you'll be able to find it there. Landline phones? No problem. Answering machines to go with those landline phones? Again, no problem. Landline phone answering machines that actually play *tapes*, so that basically you're going to have to be home when Carl Kassel calls to do the outgoing message on your answering machine, holding up the phone to the microphone, OR--and now that I think about it this obviously makes much more sense--I suppose you can just mail it, and by "it" I mean "the cassette tape," to him...--yeah, those answering machines? This place's got them, too. And, like, old VHS copies of 'Rudy', plug-in tea kettles that only work in Japanese outlets (ie, outlets found in houses in Japan), several replacement blades for your Cuisinart that might not, when you get home, fit your Cuisinart, enough soft-core porn videos lying around to give you a chubba, small bachelor pad stereo speakers, large DJ speakers, toaster ovens, bad art, so-so art, more bad art, despairingly bad art, vacuum cleaners from every decade since Leave It to Beaver aired, and a boatload--not a "dinghy-load," a "boatload"--of other shit. You get the idea.
The only problem is, fucked if you know whether any of it works. I mean, the guy affixes little notes like, Tested 9/09: works, and the like, but it's not 9/09 anymore, and who knows how *well* it worked in September 2009. A lot can change in two years, or however long it's been since he wrote his little note. Just ask Groupon. No wait--ask Groupon in a year.
All this wouldn't be a problem, or wouldn't be that big of a problem, if he priced his shit accordingly. But he...kinda doesn't sometimes. Basically, my point is this: if you run a place that looks like this place looks, you can't charge, eg, $125 for a 20-inch LCD monitor. You just can't. Because at that point your customer's not buying a 20-inch LCD monitor--s/he's buying something that was *manufactured* as an LCD monitor, but only has like a 70-95% chance of being (an operable) one now, and some of those percentage points start to matter.
But, yeah, you might as well check it out. I promise that unless you're good friends with a hoarder you'll never see anything like this in your entire life. -
Review from Ed Y.
Emeryville, CA
1/2/2012
One of the owners posted an ad on Craiglist for a nice looking futon. It was titled, suede futon bed...199 USD. It had two pictures on the ad; one for the futon, and one random matching chair.
I drove to the store to check out this deal. When I walked in I was greeted by the sales person. I asked about the ad and she was not familiar with it, so she looked it up on the system. We pulled it up, and it was for the small chair(which really should not have been even listed on the damn ad). She then told me the futon was an additional 100 dollars.
I cringed at the false advertisement where she then started to make fun of me for questioning her posting. This is what she said verbatim, "How could you cringe at an additional 100 bucks? You're wearing designer jeans..." Check minus lady...
I examined the futon and noticed that the legs for it were screwed in crooked. She said, "the legs are probably very hard to screw in, but you get what you pay for you know?"
I looked around some more and found a nicer leather couch that was more expensive, but more comfortable to sit in. I asked about delivery logistics and other questions any reasonable buyer would ask. I thought the price was a little steep, so i asked her what she could do on the price. All of her cronies jumped out of the woodwork saying what a good deal it is. Listen, from a business man to another....you can shit in a piece of foil, wrap it up, and dangle some fish hooks from them and call them a good deal. That doesn't mean they are a good deal.
If you're looking to save some money, I would look at nicer used furniture or drive down to Ikea down the road. -
Review from Justin K.
San Francisco, CA
7/29/2010
I'll be frank, as a previous retail sales manager this place is a disaster. I typically come in grubby clothes willing and ready to hike over obstacles to get to what I want. I don't let petty things like "isles" and "racks" determine my shopping experience when I come to Moving Sale.
I've read the other reviews and I can't say they are wrong.
It is messy, it does look like a house on hoarders. They do open late and there are animals running around the building (cat&dog both friendly).
First of all, this place is a magnet for all things odd. The army of "pickers" Mark has "employed" have a keen eye for the goods.
Because of this I have found every single odd request my brain can think up. Maybe not on the first or second trip... but I find it. They've even taken requests from me, and when I come back... there it is waiting for me!
I'll offer an extremely small list of my most recent purchases.
Deep Fat Fryer
Waffle Iron
Crab Trap
Parts to build my own crab trap (failed)
30 skeins of yarn
Cordless phone
5'x4' works of art
I truly believe that the biggest "problem" with moving sale is also why I love it. Mark takes in and employs those of us... on the losing end of life's game I'll say. If he opens late... it's probably because he's working solo that day. If it's not in order inside... it's because he is short on able bodied hands in general. I've met him and a lot of his workers and although he tries really hard, it's not a staff of champions so don't expect a Best Buy show room.
I appreciate his effort to help others at the expense of his own business. It shows me that he cares not just for himself but for his community, which is why I check moving sale for anything I need prior to buying it retail. Shop local! Beyond that ... it's GREEN...recycle those things, why buy new when used is so much better! Cheaper, better for the environment and your conscious.
Still waiting for my air popcorn machine with the little butter tray on top. -
Review from Justin L.
New York, NY
1/30/2007
This place is like Willy Wonka's brain got butt-humped by your grandma's attic while the production designer from that Fosse bio-pic "All That Jazz" snapped pictures on one of those old Kodak cameras that shot pictures on a disk.
I bought my desk from this place for like twenty bucks and walked it right home. And the best thing about this place is, it's like one of those old Nintendo levels that you hated because everytime you come back, there's more villains, and somehow the Nintendo couldn't remember you killed them. Only here it's mannequin heads and wooden cubes covered in shag carpeting and giant traffic lights and mismatched silverware. Everytime I come back it's a fresh batch of stuff to conquer. Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start shopping for some stuff. It won't be there long. -
Review from Kathryn E.
Oakland, CA
12/10/2008
To like this place, you have to be fun and have a sense of adventure. If you aren't fun and don't like anything that's not boring, you will find this place to be too much for your taste.
Maybe you don't want your living room to look like an IKEA showroom. Maybe Design Within Reach's prices are out of reach for your budget. Maybe you just like sifting through a bunch of crap you don't need in persuit of that one, prized item. Whatever your reason, if you come here, you know it's like a giant garage sale that happens all year round. And true to its name and style, the prices are garage sale prices.
My list of acquired items so far (with prices):
A giant original painting of a ship at sea (about 2.5x3.5 ft) - $25
A victorian-style wooden picture frame - $1
I'll continue updating this, as I'm decorating a bar and need more STUFF. -
Review from Joey H.
San Francisco, CA
4/14/2011
I am a huge thrift store geek and I was super excited to check out Moving Sale when I discovered them on Yelp. I had to stop by Best Buy and decided afterward to walk over and check it out. Their website, their yelp page and their store window all say that they close at 7PM tonight, but when I got there at about 4:45 they were closed. I called and a man answered and I asked what time they closed and he responded "Uh, well we are already closed but will be open tomorrow from 12-7, what are you looking for?" It's a thrift store, I'm looking for everything. I don't think I will be making the trek back over there again anytime soon and if you do call first to make sure they haven't decided to close early for no reason.
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Review from Jenn B.
4/29/2010
I've only been here one time, but I don't know if I'd come back. Well, maybe if it was on my way home, but I wouldn't make too much of an effort to stop by.
First, they don't open when they say they'll open. I came right when they were supposed to open and was told to come back in an hour.
I was expecting something like a thrift store, but it was really like combing through someone's garage from that show Hoarders. You might find something cool but I didn't. I also didn't see that much furniture, like the other reviews described. Maybe I just came on a bad day? There were maybe ten pieces out on the sidewalk outside the store, but they were priced cheap. I just think I'd have more luck at goodwill or thrift town. -
Review from Kaethe S.
Point Richmond, CA
7/21/2010
Maybe it was just a bad day...but, I think Moving Sale might be 'selling the Farm'. First I braved the neighborhood, held on tight to my purse...something sent that chill up my back. But, they weren't open, but they were there. I think some tough stuff is going on personally for them, so check before you go.
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Review from diana m.
Providence, RI
5/29/2007
i love me some musty ass junk sorting every minute i could rather be breathing fresh country air... wait - fresh city air. right.
a hole in the wall haven for scavengers, pack rats, thrift junkies, antique scouters, fix-me-uppers, phonebooth seekers, and the average old i need a cheap ass toy to play with b/c i'm broke but bored and want to go shopping and feel like i found something special which makes me special type of people.
(too bad i already found the "ITS PASTA TIME" italian flag pasta pot complete with internal bucket strainer with handles and a lid with built in timer and underside covered with a comprehensive list of every concievable pasta and its exact cooking time al dente. sorry suckers. find your own treasure... this booty is mine!!!! did i mention i feel special?) -
Review from Michael E.
San Francisco, CA
4/5/2006
Shit. Piled. Everywhere. Not that I mind, because I'm a big fan of junk/antique shops. This one, however, seemed to have more rough than diamonds in my opinion. The book and magazine selection was painfully small, but they had a lot of tapes and 8 tracks to supplement my Boney M collection. There are chairs piled precariously on top of microwaves on top of tables on top of bar signs on top of 8 track players. The mish mash is charming, just not a whole lot that appealed to me. Maybe next time around I'll come back with a shovel and see what I can find.
Listed in: Antiquing
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Review from nathan r.
San Francisco, CA
1/29/2010 1 photo
I love this place, you can get books for 75 cents, a blender for 5 bucks, some electronic trinket for 1 dollar and all the free popcorn you can stomach. I like the owner he is nice and very helpful, the golden retriever outside (Lucy) loves to be pet. I pass by this place everyday on my way home and can't help but walk in and take a quick look. He has organized it a lot lately and has made it much more browser friendly. I so far have bought 4 books, a super8 camera and a table with 4 chairs.
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Review from Markus B.
San Francisco, CA
4/25/2008
i went here for a vcr and the guy tried it out right in front of me (using son-in-law, fuck) just to prove it worked. it does but i think i paid too much for it, haggling just isn't in my blood.
edit: i recently received a message from the owner hoping i wasn't dissatisfied with his store and also explaining the pricing policy. so i just want to make sure everyone knows that i was very happy with my experience at moving sale and will definitely be going back. its just that i do not posses the ability to haggle. just can't do it.
the message bumped my rating from four stars up to five and i highly recommend you visit this place if you need just about anything. -
Review from Andrea U.
Los Angeles, CA
11/18/2008
Strictly for the adventurous types. It's one of those places where you dig in and get your hands dirty in other people's junk (and perhaps soon-to-be treasures), and I love that. I found a sick mid-century large-format B&W aerial photograph of downtown Denver (which I only learned was Denver because the staff Google-mapped it themselves) for 15 bucks! They accept credit/debit cards, which made my spur-of-the-moment find possible.
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Review from Matt S.
San Francisco, CA
7/2/2010
Everything you can't find anywhere else, crammed into a claustrophobe's worst nightmare. I went in hoping to find a couple metal trays to make brewing kettle lids. I found them. I also found a chalk board and 5 sf beer week glasses. All for about 10 bucks. I will be back.
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Review from Oksana T.
San Francisco, CA
11/22/2005
Ignore the mess, the obviously missing hard hat requiring sign (or a presense of a rack where you could borrow one of those), the need of a raised 4x4 to get around, and storm right in. You will find something great here, believe me. They will also help you dig it out if you see a corner of it and are interested what that corner may belong to. Traffic/parking sucks on weekdays after 5pm (if you don't wake up on time - you will be taken onto 101 against your own will).
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Review from Kelsey W.
San Francisco, CA
7/30/2008
i love thrift stores,
but i dont get why people rate this place so highly?
they opened an hour late, the place stinks of wet dog, its tiny, and most everything in there is not even worth the space it takes up! swim flippers from the 80s? -
Review from Anna S.
7/29/2009
the concept is cooler than the execution. cause this place is seriously trashed. hellof the stuff is super dirty, and half of it is out of reach. i love thrift stores, but this is a serious fire hazard mess of crap. i didn't see anything i could use. but maybe on a future visit?
lots of crazy display signs. falling apart art work.
free popcorn while you shop.
the employees/owners are super nice. even tho you might have to step over giant dog turds and broken electronics on your way in the door, they are very helpful. they seem to be that SF hippie type who don't seem to care about making a profit.
they let us use their computer to look up another store, we had the wrong address. i think they were using netscape, or some other ancient and inefficient browser.
parking is metered, and limited. i think it's $3/hr. -
Review from Pat T.
Berkeley, CA
1/29/2006
This is a great junk store. Old videos, 1970s rotary telephones, random appliances. It's a slice of Goodwill heaven.
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Review from Morgan M.
Richmond, CA
1/14/2011
While I haven't made it in yet, I'm very impressed with the owner's communication and conscientiousness. The store looks very interesting judging by the window display, and I very much look forward to stopping in the next time I make it to San Francisco.
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Review from Rich C.
San Francisco, CA
6/21/2009
This place is not for the uninitiated. It's a real junk store. If you want to find the treasures, you're going to have to be willing to dig. The stalwart shopper will reap the rewards. If you are only a junk browser, I recommend sticking to (also excellent) places like Mickey's Monkey where they do the digging for you (and charge you for it).
This place is a great find. And for the mechanical/electrical minded out there, this place has a lot of good stuff to take apart and mash together. -
Review from Scott S.
San Francisco, CA
7/21/2007
mountains of stuff, deals
found a vintage mic, still works
witty, helpful staff -
Review from David d.
West Palm Beach, FL
5/15/2009
Like alot of people I recently moved to San Francisco by the marina district and found this awesome place. Most of my place is now furnished thanks to this and I also must thank great websites that help me find local garage sales (http://www.garagesales... and http://craigslist.org) in the bay area so now I can live frugally but very well!
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Review from Deborah R.
Arbuckle, CA
12/29/2010
We came in at 5:30 on an impulse and because this was the closest thrift shop listed on Yelp! Once in the door, I was just....stunned. It was like a hoarder's garage, crammed floor to ceiling with....just everything. Much more variety and contrast than the "usual" thrift shop. Once I got past my initial surprise, my thrift brain took over and i began sorting through what I was seeing in front of me. I'm glad I'm not too overweight because there were lots of barely navigable aisles through the piles (hope the fire marshal never gets wind of this place). But there are treasures to be had, oh yes. Came out with such random things, like a pie server and an oven thermometer. And my friend even scored a dehumidifier. The owner was incredibly helpful and apparently the architect of the chaos. And the prices were fair...not dirt cheap, not a rip-off. When I mentioned wanting a candy thermometer he procured one...it looked dubious and kind of nasty, but when I got it home it cleaned up in 30 seconds and worked perfectly...and is a way nicer kind than I've seen before. He knew where things were, and went out of his way to help two blundering people who came into his store on a horrible rainy day. I will definitely come back here if I get the chance, now that I know I need to spend time and not have an agenda.
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Review from Clar L.
San Francisco, CA
12/23/2006
Absurdly cheap prices for great-condition finds. Some of my most comfortable, best-looking furniture came from there. I scoured high-end home furnishing places, was disappointed at the ininspired, overcopied designs all over the city, and by chance I walked by Moving Sale. Serendipitously discovered better pieces here than I could have found anywhere, for a fraction of the price. I still get compliments for my ottomans: "They're so beautiful! Were they custom made? I can't find them anywhere!" You won't believe all the cool, random things that's sold in there. The inventory changes nearly daily, so you just have to stay on top of checking in. Downside is (for me, but not for scavenger hunters) the layout of the place forces you to swim through mountains of unsightly junk. But the owner is very sweet and helpful, and ready to haggle on a mutually comfortable price. They also offer delivery here too - which is good, because the sketchy location is tough for parking.
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Review from elsa m.
San Francisco, CA
8/14/2007
lots of trash, hidden treasures. prepare to dig, but watch out for falling dishes and teacups! so glad to find a down&dirty junk shop (no insult meant by that) where you can actually find bargains if you have enough imagination.
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Review from Jessica J.
San Francisco, CA
4/29/2010
You have to sort of stand in one place and really take a good look at the area in front of you (because there is so much to see) and you will probably find something super cool. I found a few things that I love. I definitely recommend the Moving Sale.
