You won't believe the prices at our thrift/goodwill store
02-23-2011, 06:30 PM
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 1,443
The bales of clothes are used. They are sent to different agencies or missions to be sorted. They are then sent on to - as someone said - "Third world countries" or they are used right here in the good old U.S.of A.
I have a friend who spends part of her summer somewhere in the mountains of West Virginia or Virginia sorting donated clothes.
I have a friend who spends part of her summer somewhere in the mountains of West Virginia or Virginia sorting donated clothes.
02-23-2011, 06:32 PM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Northern Wisconsin
Posts: 7,991
I haven't been in a good will for a long time. The last time I did, they had $5 and up for shirts. I won't pay that for a used shirt. My grandma shops at Goodwill and a few other thrift shops and has found some great items. Pots and pans that new and for a couple dollars and then she will laugh and tell us how much they cost at stores(really expensive). So you really have to know what you are looking for and know your prices going in there.
02-23-2011, 06:35 PM
#35
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,198
I guess it just depends. I was at a local thrift store yesterday and got a brand new formal gown that had the original tag on it, $118. It was marked $18.95 and it was reduced I guess because she charged me $8.15. The 2 Good Will stores I go to are not rock bottom, but so far nothing like what y'all are finding. Maybe the prices will go up here too.
02-23-2011, 06:40 PM
#36
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,924
Originally Posted by Renee110
I always thought that because the items were donated, that they were very very cheap do that less unfortunate can afford something. I'm serious when I say that Target and Walmart have same prices but for brand new not all banged up and ugly. They had tons of VHS movies for 5.00. I just bought DVD's at Wally World for 5 bucks that were new. I don't get it. This is a non profit organization right? A 501c3? It just seems to me that the prices defeat the purpose. Of providing goods at a much lower cost.
02-23-2011, 06:41 PM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Limbo
Posts: 1,953
WOW! I have been to a few goodwill stores in the state of colorado and talked with a few of the volunteers at these stores, and they say that they hire a person to be the designated pricer. Looks like the one there is a little over ambitious <spelling>
02-23-2011, 06:42 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: West Columbia, S.C.
Posts: 739
Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
Originally Posted by sewbizgirl
Our local charity store doesn't even price anything anymore. If you are interested in something you have to drag it to the checkout counter and after the clerk sizes you up, they make up a price to suit what they think they can soak you for. Definitely have different prices for different folks...
I used to donate nice clothes there a LOT, but the last time I was in the back (warehouse) part of the store where the bigger things are sold, I noticed this huge machine like a trash compactor-- it actually BALED UP loads of clothing into gigantic 'bricks'. I have no idea what they do with these (landfil?) but the back part of the warehouse was stacked to the roof with them. My guess is they don't even look at the clothes you donate... just throw it in the baler!
I go there to keep an eye out for used sewing machines and/or fabric, but they probably wouldn't sell it to me for what I could pay.
I used to donate nice clothes there a LOT, but the last time I was in the back (warehouse) part of the store where the bigger things are sold, I noticed this huge machine like a trash compactor-- it actually BALED UP loads of clothing into gigantic 'bricks'. I have no idea what they do with these (landfil?) but the back part of the warehouse was stacked to the roof with them. My guess is they don't even look at the clothes you donate... just throw it in the baler!
I go there to keep an eye out for used sewing machines and/or fabric, but they probably wouldn't sell it to me for what I could pay.
02-23-2011, 07:18 PM
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Lakeland, Florida
Posts: 9,856
Originally Posted by Roxanne
Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
Originally Posted by sewbizgirl
Our local charity store doesn't even price anything anymore. If you are interested in something you have to drag it to the checkout counter and after the clerk sizes you up, they make up a price to suit what they think they can soak you for. Definitely have different prices for different folks...
I used to donate nice clothes there a LOT, but the last time I was in the back (warehouse) part of the store where the bigger things are sold, I noticed this huge machine like a trash compactor-- it actually BALED UP loads of clothing into gigantic 'bricks'. I have no idea what they do with these (landfil?) but the back part of the warehouse was stacked to the roof with them. My guess is they don't even look at the clothes you donate... just throw it in the baler!
I go there to keep an eye out for used sewing machines and/or fabric, but they probably wouldn't sell it to me for what I could pay.
I used to donate nice clothes there a LOT, but the last time I was in the back (warehouse) part of the store where the bigger things are sold, I noticed this huge machine like a trash compactor-- it actually BALED UP loads of clothing into gigantic 'bricks'. I have no idea what they do with these (landfil?) but the back part of the warehouse was stacked to the roof with them. My guess is they don't even look at the clothes you donate... just throw it in the baler!
I go there to keep an eye out for used sewing machines and/or fabric, but they probably wouldn't sell it to me for what I could pay.
Our Goodwill is also too HIGH priced for me too. I can go to WalMart, Target, TJMaxx, Ross, Marshall's, Steinmart and Beall's and pay alot less money for NEW items.
02-23-2011, 07:38 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: southern Oklahoma
Posts: 954
I bought a large oval table and chairs at a garage sale last year for $100. I walked into Goodwill last week and saw the exact same table and chairs for $250! All the furniture was high...didn't price the clothes.
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