'I love this job'

COEUR d’ALENE — Del Simchuk eyes the piece of sports equipment plopped down before him, looks up, and shoots out a price.

“Ten bucks. How does that sound?” he asks

Ryan Hassan nods. Sounds good.

“If I bought this brand new, I’d pay $35 or $40,” he says. 

The brief exchange is one of hundreds Simchuk carries out with customers each week at St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho.

Officially, his title is supervisor of furniture. But, unofficially, the 65-year-old is the greeter. The negotiator. The jokester. The wise guy. 

To most, he’s the colorful character with the warm smile and easy laugh who sets the price on what they find in the back section of St. Vincent’s thrift store off Government Way.

It might be a shelf. Maybe a TV or a computer. A rug. Perhaps a tool. Could be a bike, a toy, a wetsuit, a barbecue or a fishing rod.

His work station is modest. He sits in a chair behind a small table, where he scribbles item names and prices, rips out a receipt and hands it to the buyer to take to the front register.

Above him a sign reads, “Del’s Sarcasm. Just one of the many services I offer.”

He is tough, kind and fair, all rolled into one. The man is shrewd and bargains with the best of them.

“He runs a tight ship,” said Tawny Mitchell, who visits the thrift store often.

On Tuesday, she bought a tray for a few dollars. Not bad. If the price seems high, Mitchell responds with “How much?”

“Sometimes I try to get him down, just a little,” Mitchell said, chuckling. 

Simchuk has worked at St. Vincent de Paul for about seven years. He started in donations and was soon promoted.

"I love this job," he said.

He loves it because it assists so many people who often have little or nothing. 

He loves how the nonprofit improves lives. 

He loves it because he has seen the victories in people fighting their own battles.

He has seen men go from being homeless to striking out on their own thanks to St. Vincent de Paul setting them on their feet and giving them a helping hand.

He knows store sales help make those things happen.

“Some think we just sell merchandise, but that’s not all we do,” he said. “I’ve seen it firsthand, what it does for people."

Simchuk grew up in North Spokane. His family operated a sporting goods store in Spokane for about 40 years and a ski shop at Mt. Spokane.

“Most kids could only ski on weekends. Well, I skied every day,” he said.

Such were his skills on the slopes he performed aerial skiing for his country before going into the food brokerage business for about 25 years.

“I’ve been real fortunate in my life. That’s why I love giving back,” he said.

A widower, he moved to North Idaho to be closer to his son. He needed work, heard about an opening at St. Vincent’s and landed the job. 

It has been better than he imagined.

“I go home feeling good because of what we do,” Simchuk said.

Some days see a line of people, arms and carts filled, waiting their turn before Simchuk.

“I’ve got my people that come in all the time. I’ve got my fishermen. I’ve got my computer guys. I’ve got my skiers. I’ve got my golfers," he said.

While some items in the back are priced, most aren’t. That's where Simchuk comes in.

He considers the condition, how long it’s been on the floor, likely retail value and whether it's one of a kind or common.

“I know what sells and what doesn’t," he said.

Wednesday is half-price day, so that’s the busiest day of the week. Customers come from throughout the region. When someone brings up a box full of items, sometimes he says $20 for the whole thing. 

"So that will be $10 today," he says.

On Tuesday, a delighted boy held up a small guitar. Price, $10.

“Enjoy that, buddy,” Simchuk said as the boy left with his parents.

“I appreciate your support. Thanks guys,” he added.

Most are happy with his prices, but some counter.

“I’ll say $10 and they give me that deer-in-the-headlights look, so I’ll go $8.”

Sold.

Every negotiation ends with the same thing. “Thank you for your support.”

“Because I know where it’s going," he said.

Luis Tovar has worked with Simchuk about two years and is his right-hand man.

He said he was homeless, sleeping in his car while working at St. Vincent’s when Simchuk helped him get into the men's shelter

It changed his life, and he said he's doing well these days.

“I really believe in this. That’s why I choose to stay here. It's real," Tovar said.

He said Simchuk is a rare man. He watches how he connects with people and tries to emulate him.

“He’s teaching me," Tovar said.

Larry Riley, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho, said Simchuk is always smiling and quick on his feet.

“And if you're gonna follow him you better move fast because he's just that kind of guy,” Riley said. ”Depending on the day or season, I bet he would clock 10,000-plus steps if we threw a pedometer on him."

Simchuk is a man in motion.

“I get tired because we work hard. It’s a good tired.” he said.

Riley said Simchuk has a way with customers that benefits them and St. Vincent de Paul.

"He understands the importance of holding to a fair price because he knows what dollars do for the poor people we serve," Riley said. "We love him, and a lot of customers do too."

Hassan said Simchuk creates a personal touch with what otherwise would just be buying something with a sticker price on it.

“I think it’s a great system and they’ve got a great guy to do it,” Hassan said.

Simchuk appreciates the praise, but is not one for taking credit.

“If you’re going to write something, don’t make it about me," he said. "Make it about what St. Vinny’s does.”

His is a simple story of a man who feels blessed, and tries to bless others.

"All our customers are my friends," he said. "This is my family."

    Del Simchuk opens the door leading to the outside area at St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho.
  

    Del Simchuk laughs as he prices an item for Tawny Mitchell on Tuesday.
  

    Del Simchuk chats with customers at St. Vincent de Paul on Tuesday.
  

    Del Simchuk looks over a piece of exercise equipment to determine a price for Ryan Hassan.
  

    Del Simchuk chats on the phone at St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho on Tuesday.
  

    Del Simchuk looks over items brought to him by a customer on Tuesday.