Information regarding the DISPOSING of old machines at Goodwill
 

My DD went to Goodwill yesterday to pick up a sewing machine for me ( A vintage White Rotary Model 77 in a really neat cabinet, they just find me somehow!). While they were loading the machine for her the man who was loading the machine told her that they had just thrown an old treadle machine into the dumpster!!! She said WHAT???, was it still there? He said yes, but they could not take it out and give it away because it was considered HOARDING. She asked him if that happened again could she be called. And he gave her the same answer, nope it is considered HOARDING. I have seen some really sad looking vintage machines on the Goodwill site offered for sale. Does anyone know what the Goodwill criteria is for disposing of vintage machines? :mad:

I'm thinking they don't sell at auction so rather than re-list them they dump them.

I'd be tempted to sneak back over after business hours and rescue that poor machine. Either that or go inside and grab the manager and tell them you have X $$ to give them for that machine and you're taking it short of the SWAT team stopping you.

Joe

One other thing you might do is contact Goodwill corporate and raise a BIG stink. My wife says contact the local news agency and make them look bad.

I'm afraid to go to the local GWs around here. I'd probably end up in jail trying to rescue some fancy treadle machine.

Joe

Thank you Joe for the suggestion. Next time I go to that particular Goodwill, I WILL
contact the manager regarding dumping old sewing machines. If I get no satisfaction the next step will be to contact the corporate office. If that fails, the local news agency will be in order. Sweet Caroline can be a stinker sometimes.:mad:

Go get 'em Caroline!


Joe

My new Vogue pattern mag. came yesterday and had an article on the joy of sewing with a treadle machine. I am sure there are sewers and quilters that would love to have them.

Who is Goodwill to decide what is, or is not, "Hoarding"? To throw away a machine because someone wouldn't pay their exorbitant price, or because it may have been missing a part, is wasteful and short sighted. I thought Goodwill was in the business of helping people. If it can be fixed and they don't want it, someone should be allowed to take it and pass it on to someone who can use it.

Could that really be company policy? Seems strange that they would turn down money.

Goodwill does have an auction site. www.shopgoodwill.com
They have treadles listed on there occasionally.

It may be the policy of the store to discard what items they think are unsellable, but to hear them say they can't give things away because it is considered "hoarding" is laughable.

I'm not sure why they use the term "hoarding", but I'm pretty sure the policies are in place to keep employees from skimming the cream of the donations....saying something isn't going to sell, and then taking it home.

You'd think tho, that he'd have taken it out of the dumpster and let you purchase it when you showed interest.

Goodwill isn't the only place that dumps usable items. I can't name the store, but a friend worked at a chain that carried seasonal items. After the holidays, anything not sold was dumped when it could have been used well at homeless shelters. Makes one wonder who makes such "policies."

Hoarding? My eye. I've been collected older "mechanical" machines to use to train ladies who are in tough circumstances to sew, quilt or just plain mend things. I have purchased 8 machines to date (to add to my other 2), cleaned them, repaired them and am using them for a good purpose -- at least I think so. I do not call it hoarding. I would have called out the jerk that said it was hoarding and immediately asked for the manager and if that person concurred, would have contacted the region manager. No machine should be trashed because of social problems. There are too many folks out there who can revitalize them and do something good with it.

I would love a treadle machine. My gram had one when I was growing up and I learned how to sew on it and made 'doll' clothes for my 2 cats. When Gram passed away the treadle went to her baby-sister and I'm sure it got passed down to her daughters. Yes, the cousins sew too. I can't believe that Goodwill store dumps them. Yikes!!!

Sounds like a good time for dumpster diving.

Things like this sure make it hard for people to donate good useable items for the cause.

I preferr Salvation Army if I donate. I do have an emb. machine ready to go to someone and I know SA will come and pick up. Also...(not to sound like the "dumpster police" )but I think there are laws about dumpster diving and they might have had some concerns about that. fmd36 in NH

Update on Goodwill Sewing Machine Disposal
 

I went to my local Goodwill yesterday and spoke to the manager about how they dispose of old sewing machines. She told me that they are not just thrown into a dumpster. They are collected and sent to the main Goodwill in our area, Tacoma, WA. There they decide whether or not they are able to be sold. If not then they are bundled and sent/sold to a metal salvage yard. My next trip will be to the main store and make some more inquiries about those old sewing machines. I am sure that some of those machines going into the salvage bin would make good parts machines. Will keep you posted.

Caroline, I bet you will find some sweet machines there. Have you had a chance to go yet?

Going tomorrow. Will post update.