TUCSON! Shop, save and fundraise at an upcoming Clothing for the Community® $1 sale! Update your wardrobe with a fantastic selection of clothing & accessories for JUST $1 apiece while supporting a great local non-profit. Through our new Clothing for the Community® program, Southern Arizona non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations can apply to receive large clothing donations […]
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Whether you recently made an appointment to drop off your closet cleanout and now have a digital trade card burning a hole in your inbox or you’re just coveting a closet refresh, Buffalo Exchange is open for all your secondhand shopping needs! Our stores have adapted to the new world of social distancing and we’ve implemented some new guidelines to keep shopping secondhand safe for everyone. Read ahead for everything you need to know about the new normal of shopping at Buffalo Exchange!
Here’s the TL DR of what’s new in our stores:
Before you head into your local Buffalo, keep in mind that many of our stores have reduced hours and are allowing a limited number of shoppers in at a time, so be sure to check your local Buffalo Exchange’s store hours. Once you’re good to go, remember to grab your mask! This is important and helps keep our stores safe: masks are required for customers and store employees alike, and must be worn covering your nose and your mouth through the duration of your time in the store.
While you’re shopping around, please be mindful of others and do your best to keep the recommended 6 feet of space between yourself and your fellow shoppers. This may mean doubling back to check out a super cute top you saw on a rounder where someone else was shopping, but we want everyone to feel comfortable and uncrowded while they browse around for those one-of-a-kind finds Buffalo Exchange is known for. We’ll have social-distancing reminders posted around the store, but feel free to reach out to an employee if another customer isn’t giving you the space you need!
For the time being, our dressing rooms are closed — a bummer for those of us who love a good shopping montage, we know! But bear with us, we’ve extended our exchange policy to a full 10 days. With extra time to try on at home, you can say “yes!” to that dress or bring it back to return for store credit. Just remember to hold on to your receipt and keep the tags attached! As usual, sale items are still non-returnable.
For shoes and accessories, you’re still able to try on in-store — just place the items that don’t work out into the designated baskets, next to the shoe racks or on top of the jewelry counters. From there, our employees will sanitize the items before they’re placed back onto the sales floor.
When you’re ready to purchase, you may notice things look a little different at the register: we’ve installed sneeze guards at checkout (and buy counters) as an extra safeguard. Once it comes time for payment, you can choose contactless payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and tap-to-pay credit cards. Don’t have one of these? We are still accepting credit cards and cash. Need to enter a pin? To reduce contact, we have disposable cotton swabs for you to use instead of pushing buttons directly on the card terminals.
That’s it! With these new safety protocols in addition to a whole new way for customers to sell their closet cleanouts, we’re excited to welcome everyone back for some sustainable shopping. We appreciate all the support we received from the community and can’t wait to see you all back in the store again soon!
We have a handful of new guidelines in place to help us buy, sell and trade responsibly for the good of our customers, employees and public health at large! Along with regular sanitation, sneeze guards at counters and mandatory face masks for everyone in the store, we’ve made some updates to the buying process. Whether you’ve been doing a major wardrobe overhaul or just a quick closet edit, now’s the time to bring in your cleanout! Read ahead to learn everything you need to know about the new way of selling at Buffalo Exchange.
First things first: give your local Buffalo a quick call to set up an appointment. If you’re a new seller or it’s been a while since you sold, we’ll get you set up in the system in advance, so have a valid government-issued ID like a Driver’s License ready when you call. While you’re on the phone with us, it’s the perfect opportunity to chat with your Buyer about what they’re currently buying or ask any lingering questions you might have about the new selling process. Once you’ve gotten your appointment secured, you’re ready to move onto the fun part: cleaning out your closet!
Right now, we’re asking everyone to limit the number of items you’re selling to about 50 (including shoes, bags, jewelry etc). Freshly launder those items, then set ’em and forget ’em: leave them to sit untouched for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
When it’s time for your appointment, grab your ID (Driver’s License or Passport is ideal) and your face mask and head into the store. Please make sure to be on time for your appointment – if you’re more than 10 minutes late, you’ll need to reschedule. Once you’re there, a Buyer will greet you, check your ID and get started looking through. Any items we’re able to buy will sit overnight, untouched, before we place them out on the sales floor.
Getting paid for your cleanout is now more convenient than ever. Choose between a PayPal payment or a Digital Trade Card (which never expires, just like the traditional card)!
Our protocols are evolving as we go, so stay tuned. Thank you for your patience and understanding! Staying a little closer to home for now? You can also sell your closet cleanout through our Sell By Mail program. Just request a prepaid shipping bag online, send it in and get paid!
Grab your face mask and stop in to update your wardrobe for or make an appointment to sell your closet cleanout! We have a variety of safety protocols in place – including daily health screenings and temperature checks for all employees.
Masks required for customers and employees
Sneeze guards at checkout and buy counters
Contactless payment options
Reminders for social distancing.
Regular sanitation
Sell by in-person appointment only – call to make an appointment!
Please limit your cleanout to 50 items
Before your appointment,
launder your items and leave untouched for 24 hours
Bring your ID and wear a face mask to your appointment
Choose contactless payout options through PayPal or a Digital Trade Card
For more information on selling with us, visit BuffaloExchange.com/How-It-Works.
With Buffalo Exchange Sell By Mail, it’s easier than pie to sell clothes online – no photographing items, listing them out, waiting for them to sell and making tons of trips to the post office. Just load your cleanout into the prepaid U.S.shipping bag and send it off. Within 4 weeks of us receiving it, you’ll have the choice between a Paypal payout or trade to use at your fav Buffalo Exchange store.
First things first, request a Sell By Mail kit online! We’ll send you a prepaid U.S.shipping bag and info about what to pack so you can easily sell clothes online. Once you have the bag, it’s convenient to clean out on your own schedule.
Start by taking everything out of your closet (yes, everything) and giving the inside a once-over with a dust cloth (trust us – you’ll be glad you took the extra effort when your closet is sparkling clean at the end of this process). Then, go through each item. If it sparks joy immediately AND you know you’ll actually wear it, hang it right back up in the closet. As you go through this process, make sure to store out-of-season items and organize your clothing and shoes so that you can see everything. If you can’t see it, you probably won’t end up wearing it.
For everything else, start trying things on! Make sure you LOVE the way it fits and that you’re still excited about wearing it. Do you have similar pieces that you wear more often? It may be time to sell it!
As you pack up your bag, give everything a once-over to make sure it’s still in spic-and-span condition. Before our Sell By Mail team buys an item in, they look it over closely for spots, unintentional holes, pilling, fading, broken zippers, missing buttons, so pull anything out that’s not in excellent condition and put it into a bag to donate to a local non-profit.
Once your bag is all packed up, drop it off at the U.S.store. Pro tip: Sign up for text message alerts to find out when your kit’s on the way, when your bag has been received and when we’re all done looking through your cleanout.
Sell By Mail takes the best of all seasons, year-round, so feel free to send in fantastic pieces for warm and cold weather alike. There are a few things we’re unable to purchase, though – children’s clothing and accessories, swimwear, maternity, intimates and undergarments, sleepwear, counterfeits, fur, bridal wear or pieces from more affordable department stores like Walmart, Kmart, Kohl’s, Sears or JCPenney. We’re also unable to take home goods like sheets and towels.
While you can opt to have any items Buffalo Exchange is unable to buy returned to you for an $18.99 shipping fee, most Sell By Mailers choose to donate their unpurchased clothing and accessories to Buffalo Exchange’s Clothing for the Community program. Through this program, Southern Arizona non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations can apply to receive large clothing donations. Charities can use this donation of clothing and accessories to generate money for their organization by hosting a $1 Sale. We’re ready to coach charities through this process by providing support, advice, local promotion and, of course, the inventory. Variations of this program have raised over $80,800 since 2015.
The Buffalo Exchange experience goes beyond the walls of our stores. Our Sell By Mail program brings selling options straight to your home so you can quickly and easily sell clothes online, do good for the community and get paid for cleaning out your closet. Win, win and win. After all that, we think you deserve a shopping spree… ready to give it a try? Request your prepaid shipping bag today!
Hey Buffalos.
We’re thinking of you and just wanted to ask, How are you doing? It’s been just over a month since we made the tough decision to temporarily close our stores and we want to give a shout out to all of our customers and employees for the love and support during this time.
The days do feel long while we patiently wait and watch what each new week brings. Behind the scenes, we’re hard at work planning our reopening with the safety of all of you in mind. We miss you all and can’t wait to see you walk through our doors again. In the meantime, here’s a poem we wrote for you.
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I’m ready to sell clothes
To all my Buffalos
Stay in touch with us by following @BuffaloExchange on Instagram. Cleaning out? You can still sell your clothes through Buffalo Exchange Sell By Mail! Request a bag online today.
Staying close to home? Clean out your closet with Buffalo Exchange Sell By Mail. We buy current men’s and women’s clothing and accessories in excellent condition – the best of all seasons, year-round. To get started, request a free bag online, fill it up with the fantastic clothing and accessories you’re just not wearing anymore and drop it off at any UPS store. We’ll take care of the rest! As soon as we’re done looking through your items, we’ll send you cash or trade that you can use at any Buffalo Exchange.
We buy a wide variety of pieces, including everyday staples, current trends, designer items, vintage, athletic wear, one-of-a-kind items and popular mall brands. For any items we’re unable to buy, you’ll have the option to have them returned for the cost of shipping or have us donate them to local non-profits through our Clothing for the Community® program, which has raised, $57,266 for charities since 2015. We look forward to seeing your closet cleanout!
By Aarian Frye & Denise Lyons
New Orleans native Torrance Taylor has been shopping at Buffalo Exchange NOLA since 2006. Just like the iconic city around him, Torrance’s sense of style has evolved into something totally unique and undeniably Southern. Read ahead to learn more about where Torrance finds his fashion inspiration and why he loves Buffalo Exchange!
Torrance was 14 years old when he realized he had a penchant for fashion. Growing up, some of his style icons were George Jefferson, Geoffrey Holder, Slick Rick and the original cast of Dynasty. Today, Torrance describes his style as “modern, ethnic, vintage with a dressier flare.”
Presently, Torrance finds himself drawn to houndstooth, camouflage and African wax prints with batik-inspired designs — he’s also excited about the London Fog x Jeremy Scott collaboration, and hopes to add animal-print trench coats into his collection. Although he has a strong love of bold patterns, Torrance says that his favorite outfit is a simple and refined combination of cropped tailored pants and a timeless pewter blazer.
When we asked Torrance about what makes shopping at Buffalo Exchange so special, he tells us that “Buffalo carries things that no other store in New Orleans has. It’s one of the main ways I discover emerging brands.” He also says that it’s “a great way to revamp your closet” and always has a surprise in store: “During the 40th Anniversary Trailer Tour, I found a vintage Neiman Marcus printed jacket that I still wear.”
For anyone working to refine their style, Torrance has this bit of advice: “Celebrate your youth, no matter your age. Establish your personality, and then your personal style. Create your own costumes and outfits that reflect who you are or want to be.”
Has Torrance’s advanced style has inspired you to elevate your look? Get started on your style journey at your local Buffalo Exchange! With 51 locations across the country, there are boundless ways to express yourself through personal style. Before you go, don’t forget to bring in your closet cleanout — Buffalo Exchange buys clothing for all seasons year round, and those great pieces sitting in your closet could turn into cash or trade.
Grab your face mask and stop in to update your wardrobe for or make an appointment to sell your closet cleanout! We have a variety of safety protocols in place – including daily health screenings and temperature checks for all employees.
Masks required for customers and employees
Sneeze guards at checkout and buy counters
Contactless payment options
Reminders for social distancing.
Regular sanitation
Sell by in-person appointment only – call to make an appointment!
Please limit your cleanout to 50 items
Before your appointment,
launder your items and leave untouched for 24 hours
Bring your ID and wear a face mask to your appointment
Choose contactless payout options through PayPal or a Digital Trade Card
For more information on selling with us, visit BuffaloExchange.com/How-It-Works.
By Marcella Willden; Photography by Audrey Easterling
Based out of Dallas, Bethany Easterling is a long-time Buffalo Exchange shopper. Go figure since she’s passionate about both fashion and sustainability! Bethany’s forward-looking lifestyle and impeccable sense of fashion are just a few reasons we are totally obsessed with her. Read ahead to find out more about her take on personal style and why she loves shopping secondhand.
Each year, Buffalo Exchange teams up with the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to award an artist in Southern Arizona with the Arts Award. Candidates are selected by two separate panels of experts who are familiar with the Southern Arizona Arts scene and judged based on both the candidates’ artistic endeavors and the impact they’ve made in the community. Since 1994, Buffalo Exchange has awarded almost $240,000 to 26 Southern Arizona artists.
Rebecca Block and Kerstin Block with Allison Miller and Bryan Falcón
For the 25th round of recipients in 2019, Buffalo Exchange Founder & President Kerstin Block and her daughter, Vice President Rebecca Block, celebrated by offering two awards of $10,000 – one in performing arts and one in visual arts.“We created the Arts Award because we believe art is essential to the well-being of the community,” says Kerstin. “This year, we’re glad for the chance to honor Allison and Bryan, who both have an incredible impact on the local area.”
Allison Miller with Buffalo Exchange Founder Kerstin Block and CFSA Director of Community Investments Kelly Huber
Meet Allison, a Tucson-Born Muralist
Allison Miller, a muralist and native of Tucson, has spent much of her career giving back to the community through public art projects. She currently coordinates and facilitates murals that are artistically accessible for community members, allowing young artists and other volunteers to contribute. “A lot of it for me is involving people in creating an identity for their specific space,” says Miller, “whether it’s a park or their jogging path. When people are invested in beautification, they keep it that way.” Having worked on dozens of murals, Miller’s art is a familiar sight and an ode to the unique identity of Tucson.
Scoundrel & Scamp Postcard: Images by Tim Fuller, Design by Cat Dog Mouse Media
Scoundrel & Scamp Production of Blood Wedding: Photo by Tim Fuller.
Bryan Falcón with Buffalo Exchange Founder Kerstin Block and CFSA Director of Community Investments Kelly Huber
Meet Bryan Falcón, Founder of Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre
Bryan Falcón, winner of the performing arts award, is the Artistic and Managing Director of the Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre, a nonprofit he founded with his wife after becoming enamored with the art scene and diverse culture of Tucson. Bryan believes that theater uplifts society by transporting people to places that they would not otherwise go. “We have a chance to step into somebody else’s skin for a little while and try to understand and, hopefully, walk away with some sort of connection to the heart,” says Bryan.
Allison Miller Mural
It’s reasons like these that Buffalo Exchange has continued this award for the past 25 years. “Art is not something that humans do when they have nothing else to do,” said Spencer Block, Buffalo Exchange co-founder. “Art is an essential part of the human condition. It happens everywhere and in all circumstances.” To learn more about the history of the Arts Award and to see a list of all other artists who’ve been honored over the years, visit the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona’s website!
