Free Geek Thrift Store

Category:	Non-Profit Organization
Address:	1731 SE 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, USA
Phone:	+1 503-232-9350
Site:	freegeek.org
Rating:	4.3
Working:	Closed 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM Closed

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 8

Amanda Wilson

My friends at 12:01 computer repair referred me to Free Geek to unload-or donate some electronics. This place is great. I researched them on-line before I went in...their website is very thorough in describing their services. You are allowed to safely donate your unused electronics, most items accepted. No household appliances of course. I walked through their thrift store first. Like a mini-store of cords, old computers, keyboards, tablets, cases for phones, computers and more. Then I went to the donation counter. The host was so cheerful. She explained how it works. I just gave my unused printer to the receiving clerk. I had forgotten some software and manuals, but he declared they didnt need any of those items. After leaving the receiving area I headed back to the host-counter. She drew up a receipt and suggested donation - for handling my item and putting it back into the community. They suggest an amount, but feel free to give what is comfortable. What a great resource: They offer training, volunteer opportunities, free classes. If you make a donation you can receive a discount in their thrift store. Easy access in and out of this operation. Street Parking. Felt better donating here than a Goodwill for instance.

A Private User

Things I think everyone in Portland should know about Free Geek: #1) They always have a desk top computer for sale for $40.00. (Not a power machine, of course, but it will run a word processor and the internet.) #2) They teach computer building to anyone who wants to learn - for free. Just call to find out when their walk throughs are, show up, get your volunteer code, and schedule your first of eight classes (4 hours each). These classes are designed to be comfortable for someone who has never opened a computer case before. ("This is what a mother board looks like. This is what RAM looks like. This is how RAM plugs into a motherboard.") #3) Once youve completed the eight classes, you then solidify your new computer skills by building, from scratch, six machines. Five they will sell in the store, and the sixth is yours to keep - again for free! #4) You can buy all kinds of techie things for really cheap - flat screen monitors and palm pilots for $25.00+, laptops for under $200.00, etc. #5) If you volunteer in any capacity, you get half off the already cheap store goodies! #6) They give free computers to childrens charities. That completes the abridged version of my ode to my crush, Free Geek.

Yih Dzelonh

I usually visit Free Geek once a month. Pros: It is a non-profit store that donates many computers and accessories to the public and charity. One can "work for" to "earn" a free low-end PC by putting in 24 hours of work at their place. They also have other kinds of programs and classes. One of these classes entails learning to build a computer from scratch. After one builds 6 computers, one has gained a lot of knowledge about computer-building and gets to keep a computer. They have a lot of used accessories for sale at reasonable prices. Cons: The store is VERY small...and usually somewhat dirty and disorganized. Not much more than a handful of people can be browsing for things to buy at one time. Many used accessories prices are reasonable but many are somewhat overpriced given their delapidated condition. Used PC and console games in general are utterly and ridiculously-overpriced: I can buy games from Amazon for a few dollars whereas Free Geek sells old used games often for 10-20 dollars; others are somewhat less. Store employees usually seem disinterested and often quite unknowledgable concerning certain things.

A Private User

This place use to have good quality control, with good parts, and a good return policy. Even good pricing. Ahhh, those were the days! Now: Half the stuff I purchase fails to work......even with having been "tested". Oh, and there is no longer a refund policy....just credit towards more "tested" but not functinal parts. Freegeek wants your money for good...even if you have the hassle of driving back and forth to return your broken item until you settle for something else. Most of the items are old and outdated, and going for retail prices. $45 for an IDE 500gb hard drive that is 5 years old?!?!?! Aside from Francisco, the other store clerks are about as rude and callous as they come. Little working knowledge of PC components, and a strange superiority attitude for being non-bathing bicycle enthusiasts pulling min. wage. Sorry Freegeek....at once it was a beautiful thing. Now its just a dirty hole in the wall with archaic and broken parts, and broken personalities.

Charles Bosse

It seems people feel strongly about this place. While the curve of new computer technology and the recession have made brought significant competition for DIY computer buffs, Freegeek still offers one of the best places to get the retro tech, cables, odd supplies and good company (I have yet to walk in there without getting chatted up by another costumer - and I usually learn something). If you want good prices on new or near new returnable technology, or if you have a time limit or a specific part in mind, shop NewEgg or TigarDirect, but if you want interesting people, a good atmosphere, tech that goes from retro to strange, and a good feeling for supporting a group that keeps heavy metals out of our groundwater here, shop FreeGeek.

A Private User

B was apparently having a bad day (refer to his/her review history). First of all, Free Geek has never had a refund policy, it has always been exchange for store credit. Second of all, Free Geek is widely volunteer run, which means that sometimes the testing process fails. If you want a infallible guarantee that something is going to work "or your money back" go to a corporate store like Best Buy or Walmart. Finally, maybe if B spent less time driving around in his/her car, and more time walking or biking, s/he wouldnt be so hostile toward those who love to do so. Free Geek provides an increasingly necessary service to the community educating people about computers and recycling some really nasty e-waste.

Josh Ber

I gave them $400 for a computer. Not only did I have to find someone to assemble it, and then find out that I could have bought a brand new one that was twice as powerful for the same price, turned out that it was broken. They refused to fix it, and at first they were going to give me store credit in exchange. I wanted my money back, but they wouldnt do that. However, when I finally consented to store credit, they refused that as well. This really sucks, because I was so excited about their program. Figured it was gonna be a great thing fot the community. I was wrong. Got swindled out of $400. That might not be a lot to you, but it was for me, hence the reason I went to them in the first place.

Sydney Von Arx

I volunteer in the build program at free geek, and I love the concept. People in the build program help build computers, and get one of their own, along with education on computer hardware. People in the adoption program help sort computers and get a free computer. People in who need computers get them for very little. People that give computers find a way to easily dispose of old computers. Its beautiful hoe everyone wins. Having said that, the idea is poorly executed. The programs are run y people who dont have the faintest idea how to teach. The tests and lessons are pointless, and ask you about everything you DONT need to know. Some of the staff are a little annoying as well.