I HATE GOODWILL

[docjered]

Yes, I hate the Goodwill store in my town. I guess they dont have any standards, one to another, but every time I visit it frustrates me. They think they are an antique store or vintage clothing shop. I found a nice old Singer sewing machine, portable, bad motor. The price? $175.00. Or a Saladmaster with all the attachments, $60.00. Or a polo style shirt, $10.00. I dont think they know how to write $1.99 or less... And when I ask what they will take for an item (trying to negotiate a deal), they say the price is on it.... don't ask.

I hear all of you out there getting great deals at the GW... wich I could here!

[MarechalNiel]

The Goodwill stores here are similar to the one you are speaking of---jeans with wear selling for $10, shirts at $7 or $8, cheap dime store glassware for $1 and $2 per item, and not a one 'antique'. I believe whatever genuine antiques that may come their way are immediately bought up by people who have such businesses. In my opinion, it is false economy to buy jeans for everday wear at those places because most times they have so much wear on them they would not last very long anyway.

[tufhelp]

Pre-freekin-cisely! Every second hand store here in Albuquerque, and especially Goodwill is exactly how you describe it. The pricing is ludicrous; this stuff is used for goodness sake. Arm and a leg and never bat an eye about it either. When the pricing is just barely under the new price, I’ll go for the new every time – it will inherently last longer. Blue jeans for instance, Goodwill in the $10.00 + range, Rustlers new from Wally-World are about $12-13.00, sometimes a little less during loss leader sales times – you do the math. I can decide whether it is because of the unmitigated greed of the people selling second hand or the do-gooder “volunteers” that try to run some of these places that have no basis in reality, they actually think those atrocious prices ARE a bargin…

[catinhat]

Man, I would hate that too! Is there any way to talk to someone about it? Not a store employee, but maybe the director of the program there or something? Here, Goodwill seems to have a dual mission - to help put disabled people to work and to implement programs for them, but also to help the general public get items affordably.

Once in a while I see something priced way out of line. I have brought it up a time or two, and depending on who I talk to, it gets changed, or not. Heck, sometimes I don't even want the thing, but I'll say something anyway.

-Cat

[matthewgoss]

What you are seeing at your Good Will store is VERY typical...I have shopped Good Will stores all over the country and almost all of them are priced the same way...most times I've seen items that I could buy new for less...other times you find something that is used and would be worth what they were asking if you knew for sure it worked, but they won't let you plug anything in to find out so you don't want to take the chance (most good deals are on a sale and they won't take returns) ...and they seem to think that anything that looks old is an antique and it is priced accordingly. Cheap Walmart cast iron pans sell for $15 to $20 when you could buy a new one for that.

I think whoever is doing the pricing doesn't do a lot of shopping and has no clue what things cost. However, it is still possible to find some very good deals...the Good Will here tends to be just as overpriced as you describe, but when it comes to some things they are clueless as to what they are worth and price them really cheap...you really just have to check the store every week, and most weeks you won't find anything worth buying...but once in awhile you find a gem. Here the store also has frequent sales, sometimes on almost a daily basis...I've seen sales like 50 to 75% off anything in the store or $2 or $3 for any item...they do that to move merchandise when it starts piling up on them.

If you are in a bigger city you might find a bargain store...they had one where I was in Florida (and I've heard they have them in other places)...they basically sell everything by the pound and it is usually stuff they don't think will sell in their stores...some of it is broken, there are a lot of books there, and just general crap, but again you can find some gems in there.

heshrugged

[catinhat]

See. here, they price something goofy now and then, but mostly, the prices are pretty good. There are 8 or 9 stores, plus one of those 'by the pound' stores. Jeans are 3.99 a pair, unless they're ratty, then they're less. T-Shirts, 99 cents, 'nice' shirts are 1.99 - 3.99, depending on the 'brand' or the sleeve length (sometimes I'm not sure which).

I know they get a LOT of stuff, so maybe they just have to move it quick.

-Cat

[docjered]

I am glad it is not just me and the store in my neighborhood, but they are a charitable operation, for heavens sake, and I always thought they had a two-fold purpose; one of which was to help the poor. I asked about the sewing machine (I can make anything work), and asked them to reduce the price... they were offended and told me to shop elsewhere. Yes, I wish I could find the director and have a long talk with them.

What about the other "brands" of such stores, like the DAV such? Does anyone have positive experience with them? I used to donate to Goodwill... not any more. If I can find a good brand of thrift store, I will support them!

[dinabug38]

I agree to all.... but, here we have a .95 cent Goodwill.... everything in the store is only .95 cents.. the rest of the goodwills are too high but this one is great... mind you most of it is junk but you do find some buys if you check often... especially clothes... they rotate the clothes daily and it is the same stuff that is in the other stores.. so its just luck.. but I have gotten great stuff in there....
I also like the DAV and the salvation army stores... but you have to watch for sale days....

the best IMHO are the church thrift stores, usually very cheap and some really good stuff and they will almost always bargin with you...

that is one thing I miss about florida, the great thrift stores.... so many well to do people, just give thier good stuff away to get new good stuff.... and so many elderly die and thier families give lots of great stuff away.... everyone shops at the thrift stores there.... I always got a giggle to see a mercades or a beamer in the goodwill parking lot ::)... of course if I was in the wrong kinda mood, I would also think, "you cheap sob, I need those bargins more than you, go home" >:(

but Im not bitter, lol,
dina ;D

[Penny_Plinker]

Prices here are like Cat in Hat said. In previous post i mentioned buying 4 pairs of jeans for like 12. 00 and that's half of what one pair would cost and they looked dark blue, not washed out at all. But like was said, they won't negotiate, that must be some kind of policy on their part. If at all possible relate it to a manager or someone higher up. I've noticed same at Walmart, if you want action, take the problem to someone with the authority to make the decision.

Penny

[ryanmercer]

Yes, I hate the Goodwill store in my town. I guess they dont have any standards, one to another, but every time I visit it frustrates me. They think they are an antique store or vintage clothing shop. I found a nice old Singer sewing machine, portable, bad motor. The price? $175.00. Or a Saladmaster with all the attachments, $60.00. Or a polo style shirt, $10.00. I dont think they know how to write $1.99 or less... And when I ask what they will take for an item (trying to negotiate a deal), they say the price is on it.... don't ask.

I hear all of you out there getting great deals at the GW... wich I could here!

I've been in goodwills that had Apple II's priced for $300 before. Yes... Apple II's. I offered them 30 cents, said they were crazy, and they insisted I should leave the store... and I gladly did. Since then I only go to salvation army where they actually have people that know how to price things, and will let you talk them down a little if you think a price is a bit high.

[limpingoatfarm]

Goodwills hereare way overpriced too. I haven't been in one in years because of that. I think it is a city thing as here in the boondocks we just have church affiliated or private second hand stores.
The thrift store I patronize is run by the Seventh Day Adventists. They have great stuff and it is CHEAP. Many things are given free of charge, some even brand new with tags. Prices for GOOD wearable clothing generally run about $0.50-$2.00 for shirts and pants, up to $5.00 for a really nice winter coat or raincoat. I have purchased many BRAND NEW with tags items here for $1.00-3.00.
Useful household items, used but very servicable small appliances, dishes, pots and pans, etc 0.10 for a glass to $10.00 for a looks like brand new in the box pressure cooker.
Sure are glad to have these guys around.
We also have the Amish salvage grocery stores. Bargains galore here. This week Provolone Cheese, sliced in one pound packages $1.25. Amish farm fresh eggs $1.00 a dozen. Amish beef ground beef (no hormones or chemicals) $2.39(and it is LEAN) a pound. Chicken of the Sea tuna, $0.35 a can, assorted varieties of canned beans also$0.35 a can. Dried kidney beans $0.30 a pound.
Many areas have church run "charity" shops or thrift stores. Many places also have the salvage grocery stores. I really don't know how I'd manage without these options.
If you're in an urban area maybe you can find these types of shops in rural areas within say 50 miles or so. If you arranged your buying excursions so that it was a once a month thing it might work out for you. Maybe a couple of people could share a vehicle to save on gas.
Rural areas GENERALLY offer cheaper thrift store buys.
With summer coming they'll also be having "farmers markets", buy freser produce for less. Check out more remote areas, yellow pages or google for thirf stores, many are listed.

[catinhat]

Funny, but here, Salvation Army seems to think everything is a priceless antique...I suppose the director of a given 'area' influences this stuff some.

-Cat

[MYellowRose]

About the only Good Will here with better prices is the 99c store where they just litterly dump things on tables and you have to dig to see if there's anything you want or can use!
I tend to shop the local stores and if I look carefully I can usually find something fairly cheap. If I don't like the price I don't buy it! Simple solution no matter where I shop.

[Diannaly]

I wonder if the current high prices at Good Will, Salvos, etc are due to a reduction in the volume of sales overall. Since Walmart and other places started selling new goods so cheaply, most people don't bother to look at the second hand shops. This reduces the number of customers and the number of potential sales.

I think they are cutting their own throats with the high prices, but somebody must be buying this stuff. Last time I made a furniture purchase at a Good Will the clerk said that they moved thousands of tons of stuff a year through one store.

[CheriG22]

If they would only realize.....

I would more likely buy 10 items at $2.00 than 2 items at $10.....

I buy more if it is less money, and pass if it is more.
So I will buy more, and spend more, that is what these stores should be looking at.

Cheri

[junkyardblacksmith]

Goodwill sucks, I find better deals at pawn shops. I've had better luck with thrift stores run by local churches. 'America's Thrift Stores' are ok.

[MeLonghunter]

Goodwill here is much the same.It does however seem that it depends on Who marked the item and when.They do mark stuff down after quite a while when it does'nt move.So the trick is to be there at the right time.There have been many times when we've walked out with nothing....however the last trip my wife outfitted the ENTIRE house with antique bedspreads for 35.00 we could sell em and make a bunch,but they sur look fine in the ole farmhouse!

[txanne63]

Our Goodwill Store is also way too proud of their stuff.

I only shop our SOS Thrift store---They hire the elderly,have a grocery dept. where once every 3 months I believe you can get groceries if you fall on hard times.

The first week of each month is half price month---tees are 50c--jeans 2.00 a pair, shoes 1.00 a pair.

It is strictly a community based operation--people having to do court ordered community service can work it off--By sorting clean up and stocking.

Spirit of Sharing===SOS is exactly what it says---thats the only place I shop---when I give--that where it goes.

Durning the aftermath of Katrina--they clothed hundreds of NO E-vacs.

Rita took their roof and ruined every thing----Walmart Paid for their new computer system----8,000 dollars worth.

It is truely a thrift store.

annie

[DV8]

I hate them too now. I went to get some cooler summer clothes & they wanted $2.95 for a used tshirt !!!

I went to Big Lots & they have hanes sleeveless colored pocket t's in 2 packs for $2

then I went to the local missions thrift store & paid a quarter each for some short sleeved dress shirts, & fifty cents each for some shorts.

I have forever given up on goodwill !!

~DV8

[txanne63]

I have been thinking about this thread.

You know here in Tx. usually whats not sold at yard or garage sales---goes to goodwill---

So I try to hit all the garage sales I can.

They of course love a good price hagling --LOL

We can beat them at their own game---Garage Sales,

thats the ticket.

They cant stay open without customers.

annie

[texasmom]

I WISH our Goodwill had better prices - they are a really attractive store, all the clothes hung up on racks arranged by color. One time the boys found a 'Creepy Crawler' bug maker machine there for a dollar, which they played with for quite awhile. They were mightily impressed by that, and have asked to go back and search the toy area... but the store is kind of out of the way, and the clothing and shoes are way more expensive than a good garage sale, as Annie says.

I need a new toaster, and I have to run over to Odessa. Think I'll go by the Odessa Goodwill, since I'm using the gas anyway, and see what they have, see if it's cheaper than just picking one up in Wal-Mart. (I'm no toaster snob - I figure one would be around 12 dollars).

[MYellowRose]

Texasmom my next door neighbor just bought a toaster oven at Wal-Mart for $11 a couple of weeks ago. You might want to check and see if they still have them that cheap, I think it was a Sunbeam brand, it has the temp dial as well as bake, broil, toast, and stay-on settings, if my memory serves me correctly.

[jajbellsouthnet]

In my area, you will get a real education if you watch the rear doors of the local Goodwill on Friday. That is the day that they haul off all of the "surplus" stuff. I kid you not, it always fill at least one semi and sometime more than one. The stuff they are throwing away is good, serviceable stuff. I've looked at it up close! I did notice that inside, the stuff they kept was mostly highend brandnames. The non-designer jeans and used shirts went out the back. When I asked them what they do with the "surplus", they got very evasive. On a different day, a "worker bee" confided that all the "surplus" goes to the dump or the local rag dealer. I don't shop or donate there anymore.

[texasmom]

No toasters of any sort at that Goodwill; I didn't have time to really check it out so I don't know about their prices on clothes.

Wish I had looked at the toaster ovesn, MyYellowRose; I started too, but figured they would be higher than the toasters - LOL - I wound up paying $24 for a GE - didn't trust the off-brand $9 model. Oh well. I have seen a few good deals at Goodwill, but none in the last few years. Must be changes in philosophy or something.

[nancy1340]

Texasmom, I have a toaster I bought at Wally World 15 years ago for $11. It is still toasting away. Tosters are the no brainer of the appliance world.

[MNMOM]

I purchased a cheap toaster at Wal-Mart and it works great.

[txanne63]

Toaster at Wally World for 6.00 dollars--but just me here it will last along time.

And you know just being aware of prices--can save us money---a new one for 6.00 and a 7.00 at goodwill is a no brainer also.

Same with garage sales.
I always try out appliances at a garage sale--good a big deep fryer for 2,00 been using it for ever.

its all in the eyes of the beholder. ;D

annie

[shadowwalker]

Here our goodwill will have a truck pull up to the back of the store. The friends of the employees will be standing there to see what the goodies are and get them. If your dropping off they will only take certain items and make it known that is all they will accept. On the inside the antiques and such as the good stuff is called down to the antique and second hand store and asked "what's it worth?". If the store won't buy it the price is put on the product and put on the floor. And you better forget asking for a lower price. That is like asking to go to the bathroom there. Ain't going to happen. I maybe go there once or twice a year.

[rebel_rose]

I just came from the Goodwill in Marquette, Mi. I picked up 10 12oz. jelly canning jars and took them to check out. They rang up .99 each!! :o I asked if that was correct and they said it was their new price. In the past canning jars were priced 2. or 3.00 a dozen! For 9.90 i could have new at the most expensive place it town. I made sure they knew that before i left without the jars. I will be scanning the yardsales tommorrow.LOL

[rassd71]

Yeah, in Oregon the Goodwill was great. But down here in So Cal, it's outrageous. The furniture they get for free they try and charge retail or antique prices for. The clothing is either at the designer level and priced retail or it's bundled and thrown away or given to shelters.

[maggie]

One of the local Goodwill stores recently closed. In our opinion, they priced themselves out of business. We shopped there once a month on half-priced Saturday and that made things more affordable. I used to buy lots of books there for .25 each, but prices now start at .99 and up. You really have to look to find bargains now. I found a covered divided caserole dish for $1.99, but when I went to pay for it, the lid was 1.99 and the dish was 2.99. I asked why, and the girl shrugged and said I could have them both for 1.99.

Salvation Army was cheap when they were in an old trashy building, but they've moved on up and so have their prices.

There's a local non-profit store nearby that sells almost everything for .25. The only exeptions are larger items, but usualy not over $10. The best thing about this store is that it is staffed by volunteers. The volunteers and store manager on one day focus on making room for new stuff and I've left with all I can carry for $2. On this day, books and baskets are usually free, and stuffed animals are buy 1 get 5 free. We bought many of our Christmas presents there.

If you have a local auction house nearby, that's the best place to find household items. Many times I've bought misc. box lots for a dollar or two and ended up with a truckload for around twenty dollars. I go through and pick out what I want and then sell or give away the rest. I've gained two pressure canners, several pressure cookers, dishes, older bakewear (the sturdy kind my g-grandmother used), iron skillets, books, and more for pennies. Many times someone will approach me after I've bought a lot and offer to buy something or another. I've actually left with more money in my pocket that I began with. ;D

maggie

[shadowood]

We went shopping at 3 different GW stores yesterday in two different towns. All had different prices and some things that were real expensive at one would be super cheap at another.

Did ok though. Bought my daughter a lot of clothes for .99 cents a piece in real good condition including 4 pair of designer jeans. School shopping is pretty much done.

Shadowood.

[figgfamily]

Our local Goodwill closed too. The lady who has worked there like forever told me it was because the store wasn't making money anymore. I said it was because they jacked up their prices and she agreed. They fired all the staff too without offering them new positions in other locations. One lady worked there for almost 20 years.

I have alot of thrift stores around here so I can spend a day going from one to another.

The garage sales around here can be crazy because people tend to think that their stuff is "like new" even if it is nearly garbage.

[Maverick]

It amazes me how different one GW can be from another. When we lived out in east TX the GW in town had color days. All the tags had a different colored dot on them and depending on the day that dot color was 99¢. We picked up some heck of a deals! When we moved back up here I was excited at the possibilities of bigger GW figuring the selections would be astronomical. I was shocked alright... it was the prices that were astronomical! Everything was priced way above brand new retail... jeans were $20. :o

[maggie10]

Well, I guess I'll have to take at least part of my foot out of my mouth as I did find quart and pint canning jars for .10 each at Goodwill yesterday. Actual canning jars too, not mayo jars (though I would have bought them if they were).

On the other hand, they too had an old electric singer sewing machine, this one was priced at $150. I guess I better not tell my grandma this or she may want me to reimburse her for the one she gave me a few years ago :D

maggie

[DBackFan]

I LOVE my Goodwill here in town. I get awesome deals and they mismark a lot of stuff too. I saw a set of outdoor chairs with beautiful cushions etc, looked brand new. Tag said 19.99 but there was one on all 4 chairs. I thought hmmm....maybe i could ask. The clerk said take em all for the 20 bucks! Now I have a NICE patio set and cheap too! I think the clerks have discretion too.

[treesong]

I used to be a die hard Goodwill shopper until their prices increased. Now if and when I shop I seek out "Free" stores or those run by local coalitions. Kalkaska, MI has one called KAIR. For $5 I got a new double sized mattress pad, a complete service for four of dishes, a Tupperware container, dish drainer, skirt and blouse, coffee mug and a few books!

In Reed City, MI., there is a free store open from 9-1 p.m. on Mon., Wed., and Fridays. Have found great things there too. Lots of communities have these stores and sometimes the quality is poor in the clothes but, picking through the stuff has always paid off.

[CarolAnn]

I stopped shopping at Goodwill when they put up the new building. Looks like Yonkers or Boston Store.

Try St. Vincent DePaul. I get a "bag of rags" for a buck that is really a tee-shirt stuffed with tee-shirts! All sizes, and lots of 'em! I keep some, give some away, cut up some for rags, and have a drawer full for future distribution. St. Vinnies has all sorts of bargains, and are found all over the country.

I've shopped at Salvation Army too - but most of those stores are stinky - I turn around and go right back out if they don't smell clean! :P

[RangerRick]

Just bought a $600 Nordic Trac for $4, 18 new golf balls for $2, new GI issue internal frame backpack $8. With their store card I get a 10% discount to boot.

:)

Rick

[lewis56us]

Never bought anything at Goodwill, but a couple of years ago, I took some stuff there to donate. They gave me a blank receipt for it so I could fill in the value of the stuff and take it off my taxes.

[Missouriwoodsman]

Todays Goodwill Stores, have nothing in common with the Goodwill of the 50s-60s. I have to say that they believe they are upscale department or Antique shops. Just my $.02 worth

[Northwoods]

I have 2 St. Vincent Depaul's stores within easy driving distance, one is in a high dollar resort area and the other is in a much poorer area....and their pricing reflects that by a big margin! I seldom go to the pricey one but was trying to find a good highchair, they had three that particular day, none of them were in real good condition and they wanted 30 a piece! Stained tray's, ripped seats....unbelieveable. I got lucky and purchased a display model for 25 dollars at Walmart.
Three or four times a year when I go downstate to visit my Mother, we go to Goodwill, used to find a lot of good bargains there, nowadays everything is over priced, lucky to find a handfull of decent things for a decent price...and usually leave empty handed.
We also have one consignment shop....and that is too funny! Cheaper to buy new than go there!

[okiefrmsapulpa]

Here in Tulsa, it's absurdly priced too. I have a Bargain Thrift Store less than a mile away that I get great bargains at. I haven't been in Goodwill in 3 yrs. :P

Tresa

[nancy1340]

We just have to remember Goodwill is NOT a not for profit store. Never has been. They do train disadvantaged people and provide a job for many that other wise would not have a job.

They got smart several years ago and realized that many people donate very valuable items to them. They have taken advantage of that and have people who appraise these items and that price is reflected in the way they price these items for resale in Goodwill stores all over the US.

[tufhelp]

Perhaps in some cases an appraisal might be justifiable, but I find that in most of these places the volunteer staff that is usually comprised of upper middle class and more prosperous individuals and haven’t got the slightest idea of what those of us who are less advantaged can afford. They rely on their view of the world which is MUCH pricier than ours. When they set a price they are actually convinced that it is a “bargain”! They don’t have the slightest idea of what the prices are at Wally-World, never shop there…

[Mrs._B]

Hi folks:

The main office is about 1/2 mile from me. I've actually been inside. Very nice.

Here is their address and phone if anyone wants to write and complain.

Goodwill Industries International
15810 Indianola Drive
Rockville, MD 20855
Phone: (800) 741-0186

Mrs. B.

[pixie88]

the goodwill by my house sells "free samples" like you get in the mail for 1-3 dollars! a couple weeks ago i got a free razor in my sunday paper, not long after i saw one for sale for $! at the goodwill! I like the small thrift stores better- though if you can find a goodwill "last chance" store you can get real deals!

[daphodil]

I have a nephew that worked briefly at a Goodwill and he was allowed to put 'whatever' price he wanted on items. Sort of just pull it out of the air mentality.

But I have noticed that the clothes are sort of organized in a certain price range and they seem to have gone up over the years, though, quality has not really changed. The clothing is 'used,' afterall.

We have several thrift stores in a city about 30 miles from us and I do shop in them. You just have to do a LOT of careful examining and comparing. If you know what a clearance Walmart item goes for, you can indeed, often find things spanking brand new for as little as $3. But those are clearance and they go quickly, whereas in the thrift stores, things seem to sit a bit longer.

Our Goodwill has dot sales. I can't figure out why they don't just offer the half price deal all the time. But often as I'm shopping, they'll say--if it has a blue dot it's half off today; red dot is 30%, etc.

The Catholic and Lutheran thrift stores in town often have good prices, too. The Vinny's store even has 'as is' on stuff that is damaged and clues you into looking for what is wrong with it. I bought a sweater once that had this 'as is' thing on it, but I couldn't find anything wrong with it. Took it home, lifted up my arms and discovered it was all wore through in the pits. ;D So I just wore it over a t-shirt for everyday and didn't lift my arms in front of folks :o

I look for tap shoes for my youngest dd. They are in great shape and cheaper than new. About $15 at ShopKo and $2 to $3 at the thrift stores.

[Northwoods_Hippie]

Did you know that Goodwill also sells it's stuff online? It is an Ebay auction type site, and sometimes the prices are crazy!!

I chalk some of this up to the Ebay, vintage clothing thing, buy it at Goodwill cheap, sell it on EBay for a profit. Might this be why Goodwill has raised their prices?

[disleksic]

well I guess living out here in Utah with all the mormans has its benifits because there Deseret Industries thrift stores allways has awsome deals on everything in there store clothes, shoes, wheelchairs, lawnmowers just about anything you can think of excelent pricing after hearing about you all now I know why my sisterinlaw from virginny loves to go there every time she visits here my wife bought me some 501 jeans there once for a couple bucks they are my favorite pair I have had them for years they are worn into sheet thin material now but I just cant throw them out :-[

[Funkhouser]

We have three Goodwills close by...one where my folks live, another close to my wife's family and one more which is only a few miles from our house. All my work clothes (and I have an office job) are from Goodwill...high-end dress slacks for only $4-5 a pair, dress shirts for $3...however they aren't very adept at pricing their furniture items and such...I usually just hit the yard sales for those items! ;)

[Ernie]

Keep in mind that most of the folks working at Goodwill are volunteers looking to fill their time. They probably do most their shopping in outlet malls with name brands, and when you look at that worn out pair of jeans, that's exactly what the kids are wanting to buy at Target these days so it's not exactly a huge liability to be buying it used.

Occasionally I'll browse Goodwill, but usually only accompanying it with a "junk trip". As I've been paring our lifestyle for the past few years, I find that less and less of the crap we have is crap we need and if it doesn't go to friends or family, it goes to Goodwill. Goodbye, Ronco salad shooter, may you find a better home.

Most of the stuff I've been finding lately is from garage/yard sales. Recently I just outfitted myself with a bunch of high quality dress shirts ... with cleaning tags still on them. They were a buck each, and it cost the schmuck $3.50 to clean them. He said he'd "outgrown them", and I found it a little strange that a 45 year old man is still growing. However he did have an exercise bike for sale as well, price tag on it said, "just like new". :)

[livesalone]

I don't donate anything to Good Will anymore but take it to our local SAKS store. It is run by the women's and Children's shelter and they give stuff away to people who need it. They said they especially need MEN'S clothing, as men often show up with kids and just the clothes on their backs. They said that people don't realize that some MEN are abused also. Anything I get that I can't use goes to them now. livesalone

[Dixie]

My husband buys books at Goodwill whenever they have the half-price special days. I also bought six spongeware mugs for 50 cents apiece a few months ago, and also an exercise bike that I rode about ten miles on in a month and it is now parked in the sunroom window looking more and more like a coat rack every day! :-[ I don't like digging through racks and piles of clothing to try to find (maybe) something to wear. I'm just not physically up to doing that and have to mostly wear the stuff I have and try to buy clothing new at a reasonable price. I wear mostly dresses and skirts now and it's hard to find anything at Goodwill that isn't hot polyester-acrylic stuff or else have slits in the skirts. Not that I'm too good; I just don't like paying high prices for used stuff that a lot of times is pretty well worn if it's a natural fiber. Then, too, I have to get past the acrid smell of body odor that remains in enough of the clothes that it hangs in the air in the store. I just try to buy comfortable shoes and natural fiber clothing, mostly cotton. The most comfortable dress shoes I have are a pair of Mary Jane style shoes with a very little heel that I got from Walmart for about probably around $12.00 or so. They're leather and I've worn the socks off them. Also, the cheap earth shoe knock off sandals that come in black and tan leather I get for about $6 and they're good for summer. I do splurge on a couple of pairs of Clarks on sale for each season, but one pair of the sandals is hurting my toe the leather is so stiff. I've made a lot of mistakes over the years in buying clothes that "didn't work"; so I don't want to bring home a bunch of stuff that is probably somebody else's mistake (unless I could try it on and know it worked). :)

[SwampRooster]

The only time I go to goodwill is on the 99 cent days. I went a week ago and bought 77 items for $120. I had also got other things. I have three children that stay in the yard all day. I can't beat it. To have plenty of play clothes. My husband also works with iron. He don't need a new pair of paints. The first day he wears them they have Iron and paint stains on them. You can even get them on the 99 cent too. You just have to dig through it all. You can get get some with tags still on them and also name brand.

I think it is all in where you live. My husband loves for me to go to the goodwill. Children also.

One store has Sunday 99cent day and the other has Monday 99cent day. See if they have one there. You'll have to ask. You don't know unless you happen to be in there that day.

At these prices you buy what you don't need so when you need it you have it.

Wife of Swamp Rooster

[creekside-angie]

I'll usually "shop" the yard sales before I'll go to goodwill.Used to get alot of the kids school clothes at them.Then they went to "Grandmoney's" one summer. Now they think they need mall clothes.So as a comprimise we hit the seasonal clearance racks @ pennys and kohls.Jeans-3.00,shirts 1.50, ect. all brand new name brand. They go to a small town school,so last seasons styles are just coming in style for them!

[chickenpie]

Try the Salvation Army, not as upscale but great prices.

Goodwills sell on ebay and only keep a little of the good bargain stuff for the local people. Goodwill is a big business. I give everything to the Sallies.

[fwtxcitywoman]

I, too, have noticed the rise in prices at thrift shops. I mainly shop at Value Village and they are just NUTS. $29.99 for a USED pair of shoes, etc.

I tend to shop ONLY on Monday night .99 night, where bargains can still be found.

[walls0stone]

those sort of stores have cought on. Many of those kinds of stores make the workers feel warm and fuzzy about helping out. *Oh, you have a retirement..do your part and help the dissadvantaged who didn't do as good as you...work for free.

Then they pro-mo on frugal prices and people rave about what they save...even if they did pay a dollar for a razor they could have gotten free in the mail. *What kicks me is the people who go to such stores to save a buck, they get a dressy name brand shirt in great shape..and rather than keep it in good shape, they go to the barn in it and cuss becouse they don't have nice stuff.

that's like

"Hey I got me this 'her mint condtion 1957 Chevey Pickup for a song,...gon'a go haul me some Far' Wood then go mudd bogg'n in 'er"

[MYellowRose]

Here the Salvation Army thrift stores usually charge higher prices than the Good Will, especially the furniture. If I want to pay $300 for a couch I'll buy one new, and no, they aren't antiques or leather or the like.

[Dawgus]

I'm an admitted Goodwill junkie, I stop every friday after I go to the bank since it's right behind the bank. I've gotten a LOT of great deals there, and buy all my work clothes there. There is a bigger store in Akron that has an "outlet" side. Clothes sold by the pound, 25 cent toys, a couch for 5 bucks..all on that side.

Salvation Army will never see a dime of my money again. Up until 3 years ago, I collected KISS memorabelia (the band) and found a few items here and there at Goodwill but never at Salvation Army. One day just out of curiosity, I asked if they ever got any KISS stuff in. The lady responded yes, and that 2 days ago they had a full set of the origional dolls from the 70's, new in the box.........but had THROWN THEM AWAY. Why? Because of the ignorant "kids in satans service" (kiss) that they got in the 70's from religious groups. Turns out it's policy of theirs. Nice to see that $200+ worth of memorabelia went in the dumpster thanks to something so far out of left field. I left that day, and havent been back since. I'll never set foot in one of their stores again.

[Maranna]

Here in Lubbock, we have a thrift store run by the commission for the blind. It's a great store and I've gotten a lot of stuff real cheap.

They use to have a room where the stuff had a hole or a seam split out, they couldn't put it on the racks, so they sold it at 50 cents a pound. I've gone in there and bought beautiful clothes for almost nothing. Go home and repair it and have a great almost new piece of clothing.

But people got to taking clothes off the racks and dropping them in that room and have someone else go in and buy it at 50 cents a pound, so they closed the room down.

But even buying from the racks you get good deals. Every week a different color tag is 99 cents.

[awesome_possum]

Yeah I was in one and looked at a pair of jeans. They had a hole in them and was priced at $7 i think. I've gotten multiple pairs of jeans NEW on sale for about $10...with no holes.

[walls0stone]

I was in one once, it looked like a slum..who the heck would shop at one if they didn't need to....like after a fire or something. They had boxes of just...whatever uuggghh

[farmmilkmama]

Goodwill is out of control. Last time I was in there looking for a book my son wanted for school, we found a pair of jammies that had dogs on it. My son loves dogs. He asked if he could buy them. We checked the price, they had 3.99 on the bottoms and 4.99 on the top. As if the price on ONE of those wasn't ridiculous enough...I asked the lady who was working there "Did you intend to price these two pieces seperately when the obviously are part of a set?" She just stared at me, then said "We price by the piece." I explained to my son we weren't paying $9 for jammies. And we left.

Drives me nuts. There are people who shop there all the time and think they are getting such a good deal. I suppose if you're used to shopping Gap and places like that, maybe it is. You used to be able to get a deal at a thrift shop. Hard to find now. The privately owned ones are usually better...at least here. We have one where you can fill a bag of clothes for $5.

I much prefer garage sales. Give me a 50 cent pair of boys tennis shoes and I'm happy!

[Dawgus]

I've noticed prices there going up too. Last week I saw a nice recliner that I may have bought, but the tag said $150!!!!!! I don't expect to get the thing for 5 bucks, but c'mon, it's goodwill......