Buffalo Exchange

The Buffalo Exchange is the perfect place to find stylish wardrobe pieces in perfect condition for amazingly low prices! And the staff is always super friendly. Plus when you bring your reusable bags they give you 5 or 10 cent tokens to donate to various charities. What’s not to love?! This particular location is conveniently located and has a super friendly, helpful staff, and lots of great pieces.

Sold some of my old clothes there today. The girls who worked there were really sweet and helpful. Note that I did have to wait about 30 – 40 minutes for them to get to my clothes to sort through. All good, just took a walk and ran some errands. (Went on a Sunday afternoon — so just note that if you’re planning to go in b/​c i didn’t expect there to be a wait)

Hands down the best Buffalo I’ve ever visited. I should have known that the clothes here would be better than the ones I’ve been to in the past, though, I mean, it’s westwood. The UCLA kiddies are pretty trendy. I spent a good deal of time sifting through the racks so make sure to allot enough time to give each area a fair once over and then reap the rewards of some good bargain shopping.

I’m a 40 year old business guy who brought in 2 bags of Norstrom button downs (still with dry clean tags), Aldo shoes, and Nord Rack stuff to see if they would buy any of it before I took it to a local charity. After 20 minutes of 3 gaggling hen sales girls swarming around the bags and pulled each peace out and looked down their noses at every piece like they had just pulled it out of the dumpster.
Guys…DON’T EVER waste your time here! Maybe it’s just a chick store… but these cheap hooker looking, part-​time college hags looked down their noses and refused everything. At the end I was very happy because I’d rather give it to charity than to sell it at that rat hole filled with prima donnas.

You will find a lot of great brand name clothes here and a great selection including shoes and accessories.
There may be some negative reviews because people don’t realize it can be a hit and miss. There might be some brands more prevalent than others or not all the clothes you have are things they are going to want/​need.
Personally, I thought they have some great selection of clothes, anything from dresses to jeans to shoes to blouses.
The age group targeted here is for men 14 – 24 and for women 16 – 26.
Because this is located right by UCLA, I felt that it was harder to cash/​trade in your clothes because most of the customers are UCLA students and they are more likely to get traffic from these people than other Buffalo Exchange stores that aren’t as closely located to a university.
You can find public parking in a structure on Broxton (the first 3 hours are free before 6).

I drove about 100 miles and went in to sell clothes here. They lack basic communication skills and they were rude/​disrespectful. Plus, the amount given was far below fair market value, even for a used clothing store. The other gal was right… you’re better off selling your stuff on Ebay. ;)

First of all, I don’t think the Buffalo Exchange policy regarding how much store credit or cash you get is «weird» at all (as remarked by one Unilocaler). They want you to buy from their store, so naturally, they will give you more (50% of what they price your item at) for store credit and less (35%) for plain cash. Isn’t that quite reasonable and intuitive? Second, of course they’re not going to give you nearly as much as what you paid for an item — if you expect that, then you are entirely missing the point of Buffalo Exchange. It’s not a place where you buy mostly new items for mostly full price; you buy mostly new items for a tiny fraction of what they would cost at a retail store. That being said…
I’ve had remarkable luck selling my stuff here. Just last week, I took a bag of clothes (not much, about 15 items, mainly tank tops and dresses) to the Sherman Oaks location, and they bought about half. I brought the rest to this (Westwood) location, along with a few other items I found in my closet. The girls working there were really friendly and pleasant, and best of all, they bought everything I brought except one T-​shirt and one skirt, I came out over $ 50 richer. I took cash because I didn’t really care for the selection here, even though I would have gotten $ 75 store credit. This location is not very big, and I didn’t really have the patience to go digging. Maybe there were a lot of goodies I missed, but I prefer a bigger layout where everything isn’t all squashed together and people aren’t stepping on each other’s toes.
Parking for me wasn’t an issue; I parked right out front. Normally, I park in the parking structure on Broxton half a block down where you get 2 hours free, but this time, there were spots right on Kinross.
Summary: definitely sell your stuff here, and if you’re lucky or you don’t mind a small location with tons of other people, you might find some goodies. I prefer buying at the much larger Sherman Oaks location.

2 stars only because I found my favorite pair of moccasins there… besides that I notice that they have a lot of the same inventory, a lot of forever 21 dresses or weird blouses, much less selection in pants and jackets, which are what i prefer to get used. I’m also still mad the only thing they’d buy of all the nice, sturdy clothes i schlepped there was a pair of american apparel silver booty shorts. How does that make sense?
Also, street parking does not exist here (there is a free two hour lot on broxton but still too far when you are carrying 2 huge bags of clothes BOTH ways.) And i «made» like two dollars off those stupid booty shorts. Ridiculous.

I go here about once a month and I always find something I love! It’s actually a good thing too because I put the item on hold (they hold it until the next business day), go to my apartment, bring in some stuff I don’t wear anymore and wa laaa… didn’t spend a dime to get something else I like a lot more and will use more often.
They are very picky about what they take in, but I seem to have okay luck. So if you bring in like 20 items, they might take 3, but whatevers… just bring it in during the right season you will probably have better results. They take in the trendy funkier stuff usually.
Some stuff I’ve bought or basically exchanged my old stuff for:
Camel leather bag — $ 18
Dooney and Burke clutch — $ 20
Dress that I saw at Urban Outfitters for $ 64 — $ 20
Blue halter top — $ 15
I’m saving the best for last. I went to their $ 1 Earth Day sale and grabbed a ton of stuff. It was crowded and rowdy, but soooo worth it. They put their stuff outside in bins and the women were going absolutely insane. I wasn’t deterred… patient I am. I ended up grabbing Bebe heels, Yellow Nine West flats, Creative Recreation sneakers, a long camel coat (yeah I like camel), a brand new jumpsuit, Billabong sweater, cream skirt, flowery tank top, trendy cotton dress, StudioM silk dress, laRok dress, and a shirt for my brother. Did I mention 3 pairs of jeans: Chip and Pepper, J Brand, and LA Denim (?) EACH for $ 1. It was awesome.

Definitely hit and miss. Though, in my case, more miss than hit. It seems like it would be a pretty fun place but I’ve usually been let down in it’s lack of organization and selection.
I know, I know, it’s a consignment buy-​and-​sell store, what can I expect? Maybe I’m spoiled by Crossroads in West Hollywood, but Buffalo Exchange just didn’t hit all the shopping pleasure spots I wished it would.

My 3-​star review is an average of:
4 stars for my experience BUYING from this location
2 stars for my experience SELLING to this location
The good:
Buying from here is super cool — they have lots of fun stuff, it’s organized much better than at the Goodwill, the name brands and selections take way less searching though than the aforementioned Goodwill, and though the prices can be more than Goodwill (I compare all thrift stores to Goodwill!) I am willing to pay that for the convenience and labels and ease of shopping and in-​better-​shape quality of stuff here.
The last time I was here, my Dooney & Bourke loving gf almost PASSED OUT when she found 2 of her beloved purses for $ 20 each, AND a Marc Jacobs purse for $ 30.
I’ve gotten Gap stuff for the bf, rockabilly-​approved gifts for my niece, and cute dresses for moi.
The bad:
Bf and I brought a crapload of newer stuff to sell, and out of maybe 50 things they took 3 items and offered us $ 10 TOTAL — and that was a store credit, the cash equivalent would have been like $ 7. Oh, and for this we had to wait for like 30 minutes to get seen at all, because they don’t take appointments for selling, it’s only walk-​ins.
Because of that experience alone, it takes a LOT of cajoling to get bf to set one toe back in here at all. I’m more forgiving, I just likely won’t try and sell anything here again — it’ll be eBay all the way for me.
The challenging:
Parking is usually a biatch in Westwood Village. I always come here with an open mind, ready to go somewhere else at a moment’s notice — like if I can’t find a parking space in 5 minutes.

This place is hit and miss.
As far as parking goes, it sucks… but after a couple of times around the block I’m usually able to spot something.
I have had interesting luck selling stuff. I think it really all depends on the staff person behind the counter. Sometimes they’re into it, and other times they’re not. (It can also really depend on what they’ve received earlier in the week. and yes, the weather. They might carry clothes from all year-​round, but they really only buy in season).
Other than that… sometimes I think some items are a bit overpriced, but generally its fair.
AND you can rest assured you’ll find some awesome pieces!

Buffalo Exchange? Never again. I’m staying far away from this place.
–I bought some summer dresses from Bebe (newly released), NEVER WORN, TAG STILL INTACT (I lost the receipt… bummer! couldn’t return!) One dress cost me about $ 90, but they were only wiling to take it for like $ 15. WT… F! OBVIOUSLY A WISE CHOICE TO SELL IT ON EBAY OR SOMEWHERE ELSE.
–Their policy is plain weird. If you decided to sell your item you get more $ if you decide to get store credit. If you want to walk away with cash you get A LOT LESS.
–I decided to see what the hype is all about and looked at some of their shoes, accessories and clothing. No Way. I couldn’t find anything cute and I’m someone who does not like to keep digging.
–I really don’t like the vibe of the store.
So the take home message is don’t bother to sell your stuff here. please. much more worth it to sell your items online.

WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS STORE!!!
That’s all I have to say! See you every weekend Buffalo!
XOXO

Very minimal selection of clothes that is really worth your while, but can always find something that will catch your eye. The prices are either very affordable or not, which makes it kind of weird for a vintage store.
Parking is a mess here as it is in the Westwood Village area. Periodically, you will find some street parking, but you don’t want to bother with potential traffic accidents, I recommend one of the numerous parking garages in the area.

It’s a tiny Buffalo, but they somehow manage to neatly cram a lot of stuff into this eensy weensy space. Yeah, they’re picky about choosing what of your stuff to buy, but this also benefits you when YOU’RE the one shopping.
Parking is an absolute headache in Westwood, so bring your patience and lots of coins for the meters. It’s worth it, though. Between Buffalo, DSW and U.O. (all a block away), I don’t really have to worry about finding new threads.
Also, a big THANK YOU to Buffalo exchange for organizing by size and not by color (like some other places… ahem, Crossroads). It makes shopping so much more enjoyable :)

Don’t stress: go in here knowing that they’ll only take a few items from the bag of stuff you lugged in and you’ll be alright.
Smaller than most buy/​sell/​trade clothing stores I’ve been in, but a good selection of dresses and tops. Every time I’ve dropped in there’s at least one or two guys checking out the men’s racks. I have yet to find a good pair of shoes or jeans here but hopefully you’ll have better luck. During the winter season they have a good amount of sweaters to pick through, though their jacket offerings are a bit meager.
Customer service is usually cordial, but there have been a few occasions where the staff person looks like they couldn’t care less (Ugh). I haven’t ever had to wait for a fitting room. Parking? It’s Westwood — good luck grabbing a meter or you can pay in the garage. I recc taking the bus — Culver City, Big Blue and Metro all have stops nearby. Or as another westsider pointed out to me, bike there.
I don’t like to take the ego hit when they fold up your un-​sell-​ables and put ‘em back in the bag so I browse nearby.

Buffalo Exchange? What the heck is that?
What? Used clothes? No thanks!
That was my initial reaction the first time I walked by this store. Today, when I was strolling leisurely around Westwood, trying to kill time before a friend picks me up for Santouka, I decided to venture into this store.
The store has that distinctive stinky thrifty goodwill smell to it, if you know what I mean. Stay in here longer than an hour, you may start feeling repulsed. I flipped through the racks randomly.
Hmm. Meh. Okay. Whatevers. Kind of nice. Waittaminuteeee…
Nice silky pink spaghetti strap shirt still in clean and mint condition.
*looks at tag* Marc by Marc Jacobs!
*scans for price* $ 15.
*checks for size* Medium.
Darn it, it’s not my size!
Excitedly and more carefully, I flipped through other racks under my size, hanger after hanger, and ah-​ha!
Mulberry velvet one-​button, cup-​sleeved jacket by BCBG in XXS circa 2005 for $ 17
*Haaaaaaallelujah…Hallelujah! Hallelujah!*
*screaming loud inside head, want to jump up and down excitedly*
Zomg. I saw this jacket at Bloomies four years ago, only I couldn’t afford it for $ 295 at the time. It still has remained in my heartful memory since. Now it’s being sold in nearly mint condition for seeeeventeeeen freakin dooolllarrrssss! *jumps for joy*
Dear God,
Is this my gift for being such a good girl lately?
If so, THANK YOU GOD!
Love, Dieu
So stoked, so stoked, SO STOKED!
*phone rings*
My friend Jon: Are you ready for lunch? Where are you?
Me: Shopping! And you can forget lunch, ha!
*clicks*
I turned into a child inside a candy store.
Ecstatically, I sorted out the other racks. Dresses. There were so many dress, stops, bottoms, accessories, ecetera. Fendi bag for $ 200 at check stand? Ooo la la, but no thanks b/​c I’m already getting two dresses (BCBG & Marc), a top (H&M), and a jacket (BCBG) for less than $ 60!
[insert beaming and grinning]
Buffalo Exchange does not have the exchange in it for nothing, unlike Armani Exchange *rolls eyes*. Anyways, you can trade in your old clothes, as long as the store likes the style and it’s in good condition, for more clothes or at a decent percentage of what it should be worth.
This is my new favorite store!
Forever 21, you’ve just been demoted from best friend to good friend. :D
Why would any woman be dumb enough to give up these wonderous goods?!
But what can I say…
ONE WOMAN’S TRASH IS ANOTHER WOMAN’S TREASURE!

I love hanging out in Westwood, and every once in a while I check out another one of those lovely buy-​sell-​trade shops. I have to say they are alittle too overpriced on most things, most shirts being $ 20+
The people there also aren’t too friendly. Whenever I go in their with some friends, they watch us like they’re expecting us to steal something. When something doesn’t fit and you return it to them, they give you a dirty look.
But I have to give them credit because most of my skinny jeans I have are from there (pink, orange, gray, and black), all of which i got for under $ 15 a piece. Also, a lot of their half off clothing is really great and a great deal.
So all in all, if you’re planning on Buffalo-​Exchanging it up, I recommend the Hollywood location.

«Like omg. So I was soooooo drunk this weekend and you know how I live with my boyfriend and that’s like so dope you know. So like yea back in Ohio I was like the coolest chick on the farm and I knew I like SO had to move. Now I’m in LA. I have a nose ring and rock a Ramones shirt. I’m like sooo hardcore.»
Oh my fucking god. Please save your life story for your little friends AFTER store hours. And yes I really did mean it when I said it didn’t fit. Please don’t look at me with disgust because you have to go put it back.
This Buffalo Exchange doesn’t compare to the one in Long Beach or even the one on La Brea. The selection is smaller — a whole lot more used Forever 21, Abercrombie, and Urban Outfitters stuff. They have a decent purse selection and cute jewelry but I’m used to finding more «vintage» stuff per se at the other locations. I thought that the prices were marked higher here also.
Oh and you’re not too hardcore to make eye contact with your customers.