Anyone shop goodwill?

**disneysteve** · 12-16-2016, 04:56 PM

We shop at Goodwill. Not regularly and not as much as we used to but still periodically.

I used to buy more clothes there but I've found that the quality has gone down and the prices have gone up. It's tough to find a dress shirt, for example, that doesn't have obvious wear. My wife has bought jeans there, though, and that's a bargain. We've both bought workout shirts there, too.

As for non-clothing items, I love rummaging through the housewares and collectibles. I used to buy things for resale but I don't really do that anymore and Goodwill prices have gotten too high to make that profitable anyway.

Whenever our daughter gets out on her own, we'll definitely look there for things to help stock a first apartment, kitchen stuff, decor items, etc.

If you have a Goodwill outlet nearby, check that out. You can get some really good deals there.

**frugal saver** · 01-03-2017, 05:24 PM

Goodwill has gotten more and more into online selling so the odds of finding those hidden gems has gone down.

Although a few months ago I had an early appointment right by a Goodwill, so I went in to look around. I found a cute little red plaid suitcase for 25 cents. Wasn't sure what I would do with it, but bought it anyway.

Turned out to be an official American Girl suitcase, going on eBay for $25 and up.

I also found a beautiful William Rogers silver (plate) tea set for $2.00 at the Goodwill Outlet. The individual pieces sell at Replacements.com for $35 each.

My favorite thrift store right now is St. Vincent de Paul.

**snafu** · 01-03-2017, 06:59 PM

When wanting to buy new picture frames or stretcher frames for fabric/canvas, I try to check GW on my routine to the framing store. Terrific bargain if they have the size needed. One year I decided to use brand name, fine English china for rainbow style arcs of plates as decor in a plain jane, featureless room. When that style was done, I sent the plates and hangers back to GW. Our particular GW has a terrific section for small, electric kitchen appliances. Terrific way to make easy $ 25. for those who have patience to be a reseller.

**disneysteve** · 01-04-2017, 03:48 AM

Originally posted by snafu View Post

I decided to use brand name, fine English china for rainbow style arcs of plates as decor in a plain jane, featureless room. When that style was done

I have absolutely no idea what those words mean

.

**StormRichards** · 01-04-2017, 06:01 AM

Originally posted by frugal saver View Post

Goodwill has gotten more and more into online selling so the odds of finding those hidden gems has gone down.

Although a few months ago I had an early appointment right by a Goodwill, so I went in to look around. I found a cute little red plaid suitcase for 25 cents. Wasn't sure what I would do with it, but bought it anyway.

Turned out to be an official American Girl suitcase, going on eBay for $25 and up.

I also found a beautiful William Rogers silver (plate) tea set for $2.00 at the Goodwill Outlet. The individual pieces sell at Replacements.com for $35 each.

My favorite thrift store right now is St. Vincent de Paul.

We don't shop at Goodwill because our closest store is filthy and because of their online selling. Got to the point that every single trip we walked out empty handed.

SVP is our favorite as well and we do find something on a regular basis. However, it is obvious that they are doing eBay searches when pricing some of their stuff. Sadly they are often comparing their beat up item to something mint on eBay. Not sure if it is just a couple of workers or if it is standard practice. The stuff we find are not items that scream vintage so they are probably just overlooked.

**cornfieldj** · 01-10-2017, 08:31 AM

I <3 Goodwill (or Salvation Army or whatever thrift shop means to you). I bought a really fabulous leather tote bag/handbag in a Goodwill. It was probably $15 or so. It's a little beat up but I think that adds to its character. I've tried to find the same one on eBay and it's always more than $30.

It's hit or miss and you can't always find exactly what you want but sometimes you find something that's really useful. A dollar for a cat dish? $8 for a working lamp that maybe just needs to be spray painted white?

You bet I shop at the Goodwill.

**97guns** · 01-10-2017, 09:05 AM

im getting ready now to go goodwill hopping, just sold a samauel adams beer stein for $16 that i picked up for $1.04

**msomnipotent** · 01-10-2017, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by disneysteve View Post

I have absolutely no idea what those words mean

.

She hung plates on a wall in an arc formation to add color and interest.

I went into a Goodwill once, just to see. The other shoppers were so aggressive that I left. I wasn't even looking in people's carts and they acted like I was trying to take stuff out. One guy actually laid across his cart and said, "Mine!", like a food aggressive dog. I was just standing next to the cart! A few others would see me look at something on the shelf and snatch it off. There must have been great stuff for desperate resellers there. It was probably MY stuff! I give whatever doesn't sell to Goodwill or Amvets, and I don't give junk.

**bjl584** · 01-11-2017, 11:07 AM

I bought a few things at the local Salvation Army Store. Same concept as goodwill.

I found a nice end table there for $4.

**StormRichards** · 01-11-2017, 12:33 PM

Originally posted by bjl584 View Post

I bought a few things at the local Salvation Army Store. Same concept as goodwill.

I found a nice end table there for $4.

That is one thing I do not see great deals on at our favorite thrift store. Sure, their prices are lower than brand new retail prices but they are not selling brand new furniture. I see prices from $50 to several hundred for used, often scuffed, furniture. That isn't something we need, so it isn't something I would buy anyway. But I always roll my eyes when I see those prices. This is the store that I mentioned above has too many workers using eBay to come up with prices. We do like this store, but if it wasn't just a couple minutes from our house we would probably stop going.

**97guns** · 01-16-2017, 04:41 PM

I'm not sure they use eBay to price stuff, I walk through the store with my eBay app and see lots of meat on the bones. I was just at a store today and saw 1/2 dozen items costing $2-7 that I could've made $5-8 on, I'm just looking for a little better return. Right now I have a vintage pack of pencils on eBay that I picked up for $1.04, current bid is $12. I only do it for the fun and to pass time while wife shops clothes, maybe not free money in some eyes but I see free money

Anyone shop goodwill?