I don't have anything to complain about on the subject of Goodwill...I love it!

A few weeks ago, I found a prom dress for my daughter.  She wears xlg in the top but an 1x on the bottom.  It fit her beautifully and I only paid 3.50...no not a type-o.

Also, a couple of days back I bought 2 oil painting that were originals.  Nothing that will auction at christie's for millions, but they are nice compositions and the color schemes are lovely.  4.99 each.  I was planning on only purchasing one but couldn't decide.  Both came home with me and dh agrees...He couldn't decide either...lol.   One is a focal point in my 1/2 bath...calming blues and lavendars.  The other resides temporarily in the livingroom...but I think it will find it's way to my budior.

Happy shopping. Oh, BTW...our book prices jumped, too.  But I think once they get a stockpile (you buy less if it costs more..yeah) they will have to have "sales" to light'n their load.

Lorrie

graci42:

our book prices jumped, too.  But I think once they get a stockpile (you buy less if it costs more..yeah) they will have to have "sales" to light'n their load.

I hope that's what happens here, although they have a bin where they toss books that don't sell. I've scrounged through that a few times, but, with the exception of a couple of special interest books, it's easy to tell why they didn't sell!

We don't have a GW store here anymore, and when we did have one I wasn't into going to thrift stores, so I can't compare.  But we do have a Salvation Army that opened recently, that I try to go to once a week.  The main complaint that I have is that they group the women's clothing by color, not by size.  I usually have my 18 month old with me, and he's not very patient when it comes to me flipping through everything trying to find my size! 

My other complaint is that they recently raised their prices.  It used to be that basic items were $.99 each.  A couple of weeks ago they raised the price of basic items up to $1.99.  Quite an increase!

I've had great luck finding Gymboree and Hanna Andersson items there to turn around and resell at a pretty good profit.

I rarely shop at Goodwill for the same reason. They do not price according to brand type. Why should a person pay the same price for a Wal*Mart brand as they would for a Levi, or Nordstrom brand. Also I have noticed that the price of the items in the store in our area seem high. Used goods should sell for used prices not for nearly NEW prices. When I was a child growing up many of my clothes came from Goodwill because it was affordable. That is not the case anymore. They are operating more and more like a department store.

I'm in South Dakota and I notice the same thing.  They never arrange clothing by size.  As a result, I spend a lot more time searching through things.  The only sorting they do it by department (ladies, mens, plus size, kids, etc.) 

I still get some great bargains but it consumes a lot of my day.  I don't usually have the energy to hit another thrift store afterwards!

Genny

I took my nephew who is disabled to a Goodwill Store to see if he could get a pair of shorts and some shoes. The clerk said they don't do that. I said to her can you at least give him a discount? She said I don't have anything to do with that the guy who does the pricing makes that decision. I said, "That's funny people give you these things for free and you can't give someone with a disability some clothing?" She gave me a dirty look. I can tell you all they will never get anything from me again.

Justice 

The GoodWill in my area is way overpriced also.  I asked them one day why things are priced so high and the sales person told me that they have a new manager and she does all the pricing.  They need to reevaluate her because I go there often and the same furniture has sat there for a month now.  This is furniture that is not name brand, has been Heavily used and still want over 60.00 for each piece.  I have been frusterated for awhile now and have decided to stop going there because for the past few months went in and have not bought anything due to pricing.

Jenn

Goodwill has always grouped clothing by color in our area. Why all the complaints about high end and low end clothing being priced the same? Many rummage sales are priced the same way.  If I can find a shirt that looks good and fits and it is a Walmart brand for less than the everyday Walmart price isn't that still a bargain?  We find Docker brand slacks regularly for dh and you can't beat the price. Teen dd found like new Vasserette bras for 3.99 each. Purses are numerous and if you need tote bags for groceries, etc. you can't go wrong at Goodwill. We have found seasonal decor items and kitchenware items to be very low priced.  If you are at a regular dept. store shopping the bargains and clearance racks the sizes are generally jumbled about and the search is on as well.  If you find items are overpriced then look for those items elsewhere or make an offer directly to the manager.  I have been able to purchase items, that I felt were overpriced, for less, by speaking with the manager and offering a more reasonable "rummage sale" price. Please reconsider your criticisms of Goodwill stores in light of the community human service they provide AND the great bargains to be found.

Goodwill Industries is all about people working.

We are North America’s leading nonprofit provider of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages, such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Last year, local Goodwills collectively provided employment and training services to more than 930,775 individuals.

We believe that work has the power to transform lives by building self-confidence, independence, creativity, trust and friendships. Everyone deserves a chance to have these.

Goodwill provides that chance.

Goodwill Industries International's public policy agenda addresses current issues and concerns that make it possible to help people attain the skills they need to become successful members of the workforce.
 
Goodwill Industries operates under the philosophy of "a hand up, not a hand out." More than eight out of ten people who come to Goodwill for help are low-income or welfare-dependent, including those with a criminal record. Often, people face a variety of barriers that stand in the way of finding a job and advancing their careers.

When you donate and shop at Goodwill, you help us fulfill our mission.

The clothing and household goods you donate are sold in over 2,100 Goodwill retail stores and on our Internet auction site, www.shopgoodwill.com. The revenues fund job training and other services to prepare people for job success.

Goodwill also generates income helping businesses fill gaps caused by labor shortages, time constraints and limited space or equipment. We train and employ contract workers to fill outsourced needs for document management, assembly, mailing, custodial work, groundskeeping and more.

More than 83 percent of Goodwill’s total revenues are used to fund education and career services, and other critical community programs.

I would be glad to make an offer for some things at our goodwill but they have a very strict policy for everything.  All prices are non-negitionable.  I have tried to make offers anyway and the store manager will just shake her head no and walk away so that what I do also.

 Jenn

Rolo, I am completely with you.  Both Goodwill & tghe Salvation Army rehabilitate so many folks, AND give those of us who are frugal the opportunity to obtain what we need at what we consider to be reasonable or good prices.