Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Online Store
Where can I donate cash, goods or a vehicle?
How does Father Joe’s Villages help the homeless?
All proceeds from retail purchases fund programs and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Father Joe’s Villages provides emergency and permanent housing for more than 2,000 men, women, and children each night. We also offer emergency services, meals, medical and behavioral healthcare, job training, therapeutic childcare, addiction treatment and other critical services. Your purchase supports Father Joe’s Villages’ mission to end homelessness in San Diego.
How else does my purchase benefit the community?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans generate about 200-250 million tons of trash each year—about 4.6 pounds per person per day. By purchasing from and donating your goods to Father Joe’s Villages, you’re not only helping your neighbors in need, but you’re also preventing unnecessary waste from entering our landfills. Additionally, because Father Joe’s Villages is a San Diego organization, your money will also be staying local to help the San Diego community thrive. Shop local. Support local.
What services are provided for San Diego’s homeless?
Some of the services we provide include, Housing, Meals, Day Center, Therapeutic Childcare, Services for Families, Employment Education, Vocational Training and Chaplaincy, and Medical, Dental and Behavioral Health Care. For more information, visit: Nonprofit Services for Homelessness in San Diego | Father Joe’s Villages (neighbor.org)
What are your store hours and locations?
While our online store is available 24/7, if you’d like to visit one of our local retail stores, see our Retail Locations page for individual store addresses and operating hours. For special holiday hours, it’s best to call your preferred store to ensure it will be open during your planned visit.
Where do items on the site come from?
Items are donated to participating Father Joe’s Villages donation centers as well as from local retail partners and vendors. Online items are hand-picked by our Online Store Manager and staff.
Does the profit from my purchase stay in San Diego?
100% of the net revenue from our online and local thrift stores stays in San Diego to fund essential programs like emergency shelter, medical and dental healthcare, long-term housing, education, professional services, food services, and therapeutic childcare.
Do you offer an exchange program?
Father Joe’s Villages does not purchase, trade or offer credit for merchandise. Our retail stores accept donated items that we then sell to fund the programs needed to help our homeless community.
My Account
Where can I locate my account information?
You can find your account details by clicking on “Account” in the upper right-hand corner of the website. There, you will find information about your orders, addresses, wish lists, recently viewed items as well as your account settings.
How can I update my password?
You are able to update your password by logging into your account and clicking on “Account Settings”.
What do I do if I forgot my password?
If you forget your password, don’t worry. Simply click on “Sign In” in the upper right–hand corner of the website and click on the “Forgot Password” link. You will need your e-mail address in order to re-set your password.
What is your Privacy Policy?
By using the Father Joe’s Villages website, you expressly consent to our collection and use and disclosure of your personal information in the manner described in our Privacy Policy. Physical, electronic and managerial procedures have been employed to safeguard the security and integrity of your personal information. Credit card information is encrypted whenever transmitted or received online. For our complete Privacy Policy, please visit: Privacy Policy | Privacy Statement | Father Joe’s Villages (neighbor.org)
Purchases
Does Father Joe’s Villages’ thrift stores only sell used items?
While 100% of Father Joe’s Villages stock comes from donated goods, not all of the items are used. We often receive donations of new items directly from local retailers, vendors, and other organizations. Stock will depend on recent donations.
Can I buy online and pick up in-store?
Yes! During checkout, you can select the “Local Pickup” option to collect your items at our designated San Diego warehouse or from the retail location nearest to you, saving on shipping costs while supporting the cause.
What does ‘Donated-New’ mean?
Donated-new’ refers to items that still have original retail tags or are in original, unopened packaging. These are boutique-quality items gifted to us from local retailers and vendors to fund our mission to end homelessness.
Do you authenticate high-end designer items?
We do our best to authenticate collectible or high-value donated items, but we are not experts. Wherever we are unsure, we will note this in the product page’s description. You are welcome to set up an appointment to review an item in person by contacting us at online-store@neighbor.org.
How do I know the condition of an item?
We do our best to capture clear un-edited photos of each item on our website. Many items are donated to us brand new. Where items are donated for resale, we do our best to ensure these items are in good condition.
How do you ensure the quality of electronics or small appliances?
Every electronic item is “power-tested” by our team before being listed. We verify that the unit turns on and performs its basic functions. Specific details regarding the item’s operational status are always included in the product description.
I was browsing an item, and now I cannot find it.
The best way to track your shopping is by creating an account. Our website offers a “Browse History” for you while shopping. If you are still not able to locate the item, it may be that it has sold to another customer. Most of our items are one-of-a-kind and are of limited quantity.
Why is the item in my cart no longer available?
All of our items are one-of-a-kind and very limited. Once an item is in your cart, you have 15 minutes to purchase that item before it is released for sale to other shoppers. It is best to purchase your item and then continue to browse if desired.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, debit cards as well as Father Joe’s gift cards.
Do you sell gift cards?
Father Joe’s Villages Online Store offers customized electronic gift certificates only. However, you may purchase a gift card at any of our four Father Joe’s Villages thrift stores.
How do I check the status of my order?
You can access your account history, as well as your order status by logging into your account.
Shipping & Returns
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes! We offer free shipping to the contiguous 48 U.S. states for most items. Where an item is unusually heavy or bulky and shipping becomes prohibitive, these items will be marked as “pickup only” on their respective product pages. Pickup of these items can be made at our 815 warehouse or any of our neighborhood retail stores in Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Hillcrest, or El Cajon.
Do you offer expedited shipping?
At this time, we do not offer expedited shipping.
Do you ship to PO Boxes, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, or countries outside of the USA?
For reasons of security, fraud mitigation, cost prohibitive shipping rates, and customs regulations and international laws, we do not ship to PO boxes, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, or countries outside the contiguous 48 U.S. states.
How long will it take for my item to ship?
We pride ourselves in customer service and do our best to ship out items within 3 business days of purchase. Shipping schedules may be affected by business hours, holidays, unforeseeable weather, or other logistic and transportation issues beyond our control. If we cannot ship your item within this timeframe, we will reach out to you regarding the updated status of your order.
Do you charge sales tax on online purchases?
As a nonprofit retail operation in the state of California, our secondhand items are sold tax-free.
Is my online purchase receipt valid for tax purposes?
While the purchase of goods is generally not tax-deductible, any additional “round-up” donation made at checkout is fully tax-deductible. Your digital receipt will clearly itemize the purchase and the charitable contribution.
What is your return policy?
You have 30 days to return your purchase for a store credit. We do not offer credit back to your credit card or debit card. For more information, please see our Returns Policy.
Can I return my online purchase to any Father Joe’s Villages store?
All items purchased from our online store must be returned via mail or in person to our San Diego warehouse location at 815 33rd Street, San Diego, Ca. 92102.
What do I do if I am missing an item or my item is damaged?
If your order does not arrive complete or damaged, please contact us at online-store@neighbor.org
What should I do if my package is lost or stolen?
All shipments include tracking and basic insurance. If your tracking information shows “Delivered” but you haven’t received the package, please contact USPS directly to open a claim and notify our customer service team so we can assist with any requested documentation.