Anyone shop at Goodwill?

[Wall-E1]

I sometimes go to the local Goodwill Store, even though it smells of mothballs and despair. My side hobby is black and white photography. I prefer using older film cameras when working in this medium. I have occasionally come across an excellent find and picked up a lens or camera body that would be worth hundreds, for only ten or twenty bucks.

 

[FINFAN]

Yep, sure do and DD has converted more than 20 friends at college too. They have a GW 2 blocks off campus..they say it's better than the mall! It is a serious gold mine for kids who need to furnish apartments, and the ease of just re-donating it in May is even better for the next crop of students!

 

[Aisling]

My best buys were at the same store on different occasions. I got two genuine Coach bags-all leather- for $6.99 each.

I found a genuine Kate Spade bag for $5! I'm thinking the workers who put the stuff out didn't realize what a great find that was or one of them would have taken it for themselves!

 

[Angelhalo]

I found a genuine Kate Spade bag for $5! I'm thinking the workers who put the stuff out didn't realize what a great find that was or one of them would have taken it for themselves!

And depending on the store they might not be allowed to purchase anything. At the SA in Matthews the employees aren't allowed to buy anything from their own store. They can purchase from other SA's in the area but not their own. I know because one time I bought a shirt and the cashier told me she had been eyeing it for 2 days wishing she could buy it and was sad to see it leave the store because she couldn't oogle it anymore! LOL!

 

[PixieDust32]

I do. I'd found lots of great things.

 

[clovergirl5]

Ok, you all have me convinced I need to stop in a Goodwill store. I have a newer one not even 3 minutes from my home. I will stop in a take a look later this week.

 

[cydswipe]

I go to Stuff, Etc. (a consignment shop chain in eastern Iowa) at LEAST once a week. I love it! Everything is so cheap, and ours usually has nice furniture and brand name clothing. DFi (who has a degree in finance and is a HARDCORE budgeter) used to give me a hard time about going there so much, until I drug him there about a week ago.. it was like a little kid in a candy shop. He was running all over the store pointing out all the cheap stuff.

We LOVE STUFF in Cedar Rapids!!!

 

[babytrees]

I found a genuine Kate Spade bag for $5! I'm thinking the workers who put the stuff out didn't realize what a great find that was or one of them would have taken it for themselves!

At the Goodwill I volunteer at...nobody can purchase anything while on the clock. They also can't pull anything aside for themselves in the back.

They do put things out and know where they are supposed to be....and if they are still there when they are off the clock....it's theirs! I had found a wonderful jean jacket for my daughter...it went out on to the floor (they moved some things around to make sure it was out there) and it was there...score for me!! But other times it hasn't worked out.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I try to go there monthly and look for books. Sometimes I'll buy something else. I found my husband an Animal Kingdom Lodge polo shirt once in great condition. I also found a nice sweater and cami (not intimate wear!) for myself and a couple of tshirts for my son.

My allergies are bad when I go, though. I need to try and remember to take an allergy pill first next time.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I am now trying to get there about once every two weeks or so...I am a shopper and I LOVE garage sales and thrift finds but did not even go to the store until read a thread here on DIS.
I am now HOOKED
I stopped in Goodwill today...picked up a black leather Anne Klein Wallet, new with tag attached, for 1.99! (meanwhile was at the Coach store JUST today and hubby bought me a new bag and the matching wallet (the wallet he paid 90. ON SALE!) I will NOT be telling him about the 1.99 one found here this afternoon
WooHoo....also got a small set of ceramic hair rollers, brand new in box with tag attached (yes, it was sealed) and it was also 1.99!

Not long ago, I got a Dept 56 Christmas in the City, "ferraro's Bakery for 3.99 I collect them, though not that series and checked it out online...it goes for 84.00, SHOCKED to find that out, needless to say, I "thought" about ebaying it for some quick cash (for about a sec) , but kept it instead and added it into my set up, OMG, such a beautiful piece!

I also got a brand new, sealed (but broken crushed box top) on a Keurig Mini, black, that I paid $44.......it sells for 85. but you can get 20% off sometimes.still a great deal.....its being gifted!
.....in case you all are interested,,,,I spoke to the woman at Goodwill who told me they get damaged box things from Target and even Walmart and thats why the new, sealed and unused with tags on stuff shows up...you just have to be lucky...
Good Luck all!!!! Happy Bargain Hunting!!

 

[Kirby]

Has anyone ever noticed that certain days are better than others for finding stuff?

 

[jenlynn0808]

I spoke to the woman at Goodwill who told me they get damaged box things from Target and even Walmart and thats why the new, sealed and unused with tags on stuff shows up

I just wanted to second this and to add that it's not just damaged things that Target and Walmart donate. I've seen pieces of the Monkey bathroom set my kids have (that were bought at Target) in perfect shape there. Also mine has a ton of Camp Rock book covers that Target was selling during the back to school sales. Sometimes stuff that has clearanced out and still isn't selling shows up at the GW.

 

[PixieDust32]

The only bad thing is that I end up buying a lot of stuff.

 

[wdwmom2]

Ok, you all have me convinced I need to stop in a Goodwill store. I have a newer one not even 3 minutes from my home. I will stop in a take a look later this week.

UPDATE: Okay, stopped by the GW store. I bagged 6 items that cost me a grand total of $21. The most expensive was a very nice Christopher & Banks front zip sweater for a whopping $4!!! Two other NICE sweaters, both could be worn to a party or paired up with a pair of nice jeans. The other 3 items were tops to wear under those sweaters.


Thank you clovergirl5 for starting this thread. I have a Christmas party to go to tonight and am going to put my purchases to work!

 

[clovergirl5]

UPDATE: Okay, stopped by the GW store. I bagged 6 items that cost me a grand total of $21. The most expensive was a very nice Christopher & Banks front zip sweater for a whopping $4!!! Two other NICE sweaters, both could be worn to a party or paired up with a pair of nice jeans. The other 3 items were tops to wear under those sweaters.


Thank you clovergirl5 for starting this thread. I have a Christmas party to go to tonight and am going to put my purchases to work!

Thats great! Glad you were able to find some stuff! Have fun at your party!

 

[babytrees]

Has anyone ever noticed that certain days are better than others for finding stuff?

the one I volunteer at the bad day is Wednesday as that's when there is no one in the back processing "new" items. Best time of day any day is before 3...as that is usually when the last of the racks of stuff comes out.

We have one lovely lady who comes in two or three times a day and is often at the racks to look them over before we can get them on floor.