The banter in the back half of the St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho thrift store doesn't sound like one between employees and customers. It’s not the standard polite greetings. 

It’s one that you would find between friends or family. There is joking and laughing, even a few small digs, all in the midst of a little haggling over prices.  

Which is how Del Simchuk and Luis Tovar like it. They’re the two guys that pretty much run the show in this section of the store where treasures await each day for those who know how to find them. They determine what customers pay for their finds in the back area because the majority of items don’t have price tags. Del and Luis look the goods over for a few seconds and state prices: “That’ll be $15 for the chair, $5 for the bike helmet and $3 for the tools.”  

They are good at the jobs.

Still, reactions vary.

"OK."

Or, "How about $10 for the chair?"

"I was thinking more like $3 for the helmet."

They seem to know everyone’s name and everyone seems to know them. They are good sports, and don’t even mind it too much when I argue for a lower price, which I rarely do because it's going to a good cause and honestly, they’re more than fair and even tend to be a little on the low side.

After so many years of being a St. Vincent’s thrift store shopper, I’ve got my routine down. Cruise through the toys and games area to see what I can find for the grandsons, take a quick look for books on running, John Kennedy or Ireland, check for anything Michael Jordan, then head back to the territory where Del and Luis are hard at work, or, as they like to joke, hardly working. 

It’s been busy lately, particularly since they brought back half-price Wednesday in the entire store and restituted 50% off every Saturday in the furniture room and backyard, which is under Del and Louie’s domain. 

Signs scream it, in case you didn’t know: “It’s Back!!!” 

These two are good publicity for St. Vincent's, not only because they are great salesmen, but because they're personable and make each visit fun. It’s not just about shopping. It’s about catching up on what’s been happening, to hear stories and share stores. For some, it’s a place to stop in and chat. When family visits, I don’t bring them to the lake. I bring them to St. Vincent’s to see what's new, and introduce them to Del and Luis, who enjoy celebrity status and may be signing autographs soon. My father would have loved them.

But, down to business. 

When you visit, it’s a chance to get great deals. I have made all sorts of finds, like a 1980 Beatles car visor, a guitar-shaped bank with a picture of Elvis, a set of wicker chairs and table for the patio, wetsuits, angel statues for my yard and most of the exercise equipment in my garage. 

Now, do I really need any of this stuff? Well, probably not. But hey, an extra wetsuit or two comes in handy around Ironman time and that Beatles visor must be a collectible.

But, do I want it and have fun seeking it out? Yes. 

When things are 50% off at St. Vincent’s, there’s a sense of excitement in the air. And certainly, it opens the pocketbooks. You had me at half price. On Wednesday, I was carrying around so much stuff I was berated, humorously, by an exasperated Del, as I began dropping items on the counter which he sits behind. This is a no-no. I know this and I broke the most basic of rules of shopping in the back 40. 

“Bill, you know they don’t charge you to use a cart.” 

He smiled and turned away. 

“I’m going to get you a cart.” 

A minute later, he was back. As he placed my things in the cart, he kept a running count of prices.  

“OK, that’s $58, which means it’s $29 today.” 

Can’t beat the deal. 

Or the people at St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho.

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Bill Buley is assistant managing editor of The Press. He can be reached at [email protected].