Do you find this to be true about your Goodwill?

[threecrazykids]

I have heard a lot of people say that January/Feb is the best time to hit up Goodwill because a ton people take their stuff by the end of Dec for the tax deductions.

Also, people do a lot of destashing between Christmas and New Years.

Do you find "better" deals in January at your local Goodwill?

I found a few Justice items for my daughter this weekend which she was thrilled about but just made me wonder if right after Christmas makes a difference at your Goodwill?

 

[allegoricduck]

We dropped off a ton of stuff yesterday at our GW, and there was a line to drop off donations, so I'd think you could be correct.

 

[willowsnn3]

We were in one of our local Goodwills yesterday & it was pretty crowded. We mostly just browsed tho. I usually go first thing on Tuesday mornings as that is senior day, lol. 25% off for seniors, I have found some good deals.

 

[AnninIowa]

Every Goodwill is different in terms of how they process donations. Our area has several Goodwills under one umbrella, so they take a bit longer with their processing. I went two weeks before Christmas and again last week, but they didn't have too much. However, I am anticipating more things to be out this week as they ramp up operations again after the holidays.

Goodwill does great things - I encourage everyone to donate AND shop Goodwill!

 

[threecrazykids]

Every Goodwill is different in terms of how they process donations. Our area has several Goodwills under one umbrella, so they take a bit longer with their processing. I went two weeks before Christmas and again last week, but they didn't have too much. However, I am anticipating more things to be out this week as they ramp up operations again after the holidays.

Goodwill does great things - I encourage everyone to donate AND shop Goodwill!

I see you're a fellow Iowan! What Goodwill stores do you frequent? I typically go to the Cedar Rapids East store...but this weekend we were going through Independence and stopped there - that's where I found the Justice clothes for DD.

I like the Marion one too, just don't get over there as often.

 

[mistysue]

I donated TONS of things to my goodwill about 2 weeks ago and I've been watching for when my things get put out... still not there, so around here it's safe to say the bulk of stuff is probably going to filter out in the next month or two.

Something interesting I noticed this last week too... They sell all of the purses for $2.99, and *most* of them jingle. I didn't want to be the crazy lady going through them all, but I bought a purse and it had almost a dollar of change in it.

 

[AnninIowa]

I see you're a fellow Iowan! What Goodwill stores do you frequent? I typically go to the Cedar Rapids East store...but this weekend we were going through Independence and stopped there - that's where I found the Justice clothes for DD.

I like the Marion one too, just don't get over there as often.

Hello fellow Iowan!!!

I am in Waterloo, so I shop the two stores we have in town, and I also go to the Waverly store sometimes. The Waverly store is so clean and well laid-out!

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Don't know about Goodwill, but I hit America's Thrift last Thursday. OMGoodness. I don't need ANY new clothes, but I paid $8 for a pair of brand new New Balance - the treads are new, the interior is new, the shoe just hasn't been worn - that are still on Amazon.com for $75. For $5 I also bought a pair of Nikes, these have a little bit of wear, but not much - the soles aren't broken in and the treads are still new - that are on Amazon.com for $90.

OMGoodness. Also got 2 of those little canvas crossbodies, one Relic and one Jamiaca Joe for $2 each.

I didn't realize WHY I made such a good score until this thread! Thank you! I will hit the thrift again and see what turns up.

 

[ancestry]

OP -- Thank you for pointing this out! I'm going to hit the thrift shops this week. Woo Hoo! With a large family we save a ton of money by going to thrift shops. In fact the money we save by purchasing used clothes rather than new is how we afford our multiple Disney vacations!

 

[jaminmd]

OP -- Thank you for pointing this out! I'm going to hit the thrift shops this week. Woo Hoo! With a large family we save a ton of money by going to thrift shops. In fact the money we save by purchasing used clothes rather than new is how we avoid our multiple Disney vacations!

Is it still too early in the morning or does this sentence not make sense?

I've donated boatloads of stuff to Goodwill & the Salvation Army over the years but I have never once set foot in either of them.

 

[ancestry]

Is it still too early in the morning or does this sentence not make sense?

I've donated boatloads of stuff to Goodwill & the Salvation Army over the years but I have never once set foot in either of them.

That is what I get for typing on an iPad with auto correct before having coffee in the morning.

It should be "afford" not "avoid."

 

[rcraw45425]

That is what I get for typing on an iPad with auto correct before having coffee in the morning.

It should be "afford" not "avoid."

iPads are terrible for this! Mine always makes me sound like a moron if I don't reread every sentence!

 

[powellrj]

I've donated boatloads of stuff to Goodwill & the Salvation Army over the years but I have never once set foot in either of them.

It really depends on what you are looking for weather you find good deals or not. My DD likes to wear mall clothes like American Eagle and Hollister and I find that I can find her clothes for pretty cheap just shopping sales at the mall. DS likes to wear a little better clothes and I do find lots of good buys for him. I have found brand new cashmere sweaters and barely worn suits for next to nothing that were great buys. I got him a full length cashmere coat for $10 that he loves to wear on campus in the winter.

Household goods are hit and miss and I wear plus size and have found I do well when I stick to the brands I know.

 

[North of Mouse]

There are some people ( and they've passed this same attitude of snobbery on to their children) that will not go in or buy anything from Goodwill. Their loss, as PP said, it saves me money for my next Disney trip . I have bought lots of name brand clothing, shoes, etc. with the tags still attached and would never pay the full (or even sale) price for these items at the store - too much for my pocketbook . It's really addictive for me, love to see what's there that I don't really need . There are no discounts - ever - at the stores around here, but what I find is well worth the prices charged and it just feels good to get a bargain .

 

[luvmy3]

The back of my minivan is filled with stuff to take to Goodwill, and I still have to go through my kids rooms. My neighbor also has some stuff she wants me to drop off. I don't know how quick the get the stuff out on the floor but whenever I drop stuff off the bins in back room are always full. It looks like it would take a while for the newer donations to get out there.

 

[Disneylush]

We have a goodwill outlet where everything is sold by the pound. I have had some great fun digging and found some wonderful finds. But I have to have a lot of time and be in the right mood.

Also, Target sends all their returns and unwanted to good will here... do they do that everywhere?

 

[North of Mouse]

This seems strange, but the manager at one our Goodwills here that have a lot of Target "leftovers" told me that they charge them and they put a little higher prices on them because of that. I told her I thought it was strictly donations and she said that when they get large lots like that new from a store they pay a certain amount for the whole lot - not much I'm sure - but gives them the "freedom" to charge more Also, I found out that the stores are sort of franchised out so a certain amount of rules are "set" but they have leeway on others. There are about 8 here in this area that are all under the same management, but I'll have to say they are usually neat and clean. I have been in some that I would not go back to

 

[Sandy61]

Hello fellow Iowan!!!

I am in Waterloo, so I shop the two stores we have in town, and I also go to the Waverly store sometimes. The Waverly store is so clean and well laid-out!

I shop the store in Knoxville IA because my town does not have a Goodwill. I have donated a lot of stuff after my garage sales if an item has not sold in several years. When my son was 12 I finally donated toddler size stuff that I could not sell. I bought my favorite pair of jeans at Goodwill.

Believe it or not, I have bought the same green blouse that I donated. I did not notice until I got home and thought it looked familiar. It had a spot on the bottom that I had fixed the seam. Oh well it was only a couple dollars.

 

[AmandaNied]

I love Goodwill. I donate and shop there often. Our local store gives us a 10% off coupon your entire purchase when you donate and ask for a receipt- so I usually drop a bag off and come home with a bag don't know how that helps with the clutter...but my child is dressed in name brand clothing (many with tags still attached) for around $1.50 an item.

 

[threecrazykids]

This seems strange, but the manager at one our Goodwills here that have a lot of Target "leftovers" told me that they charge them and they put a little higher prices on them because of that. I told her I thought it was strictly donations and she said that when they get large lots like that new from a store they pay a certain amount for the whole lot - not much I'm sure - but gives them the "freedom" to charge more Also, I found out that the stores are sort of franchised out so a certain amount of rules are "set" but they have leeway on others. There are about 8 here in this area that are all under the same management, but I'll have to say they are usually neat and clean. I have been in some that I would not go back to

In Cedar Rapids, the local Target stores take their "leftovers" to Salvation Army. We have one in Marion and also Downtown CR that always has tons of Target items. I have found though that sometimes the prices on these are what I would consider "fairly close" to the clearance prices still on the merchandise.
For example...I once was looking at one of those "ladder" shelves that lean against the wall, say, in a living room. The lowest Target clearance tag showed $70ish and Salvation Army had it marked for $60ish. Not that it's not a great price for the item, it just wasn't low enough for me to jump to purchase it as a good deal.