Goodwill !!!!!!!!! Update post #49 page 4

[CheshireVal]

We had a story on our local news a few months ago about a lady who picked out a puppy at a local shelter. They told her to come back in a few days so that it could first be spayed/neutered, and when the lady came back to pick it up, she found out that it had been euthanized by mistake! It was so sad to think of that poor thing who had finally found a home.....

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Very common practice among animal shelters - with the people it's to make sure that EVERYone in the family really actually wants the pet and they all like it, and with an existing pet dog, it's to make sure THEY will get along!

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Sorry, didn't mean to take the thread OT, just wanted to answer this question!

That's fine--but the application was filled out and the woman returned as she was instructed.

At our facility---when you do that, you are fine. I didn't pay until I returned either.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Odd thread.

Our Goodwill is kind of yucky. I can't imagine buying toys for my child there.

For durable structure toys--used is fine. You just sanitize them before your kids play on them.

I got a $100 play structure for free b/c the little old ladies couldn't put it together and tossed it in the dumpster. Before you get heebed--this is a large item dumpster and doens't have crud in it--just stuff they can't sell and that is all the dumpster is used for.

I had a practically brand new FREE climbing set with nothing on it that a cleaner couldn't handle.

I wouldn't buy other toys there as my personal preference--but for those Little Tykes play sets--it really isn't a big deal.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

you can run little tykes stuff thru your dishwasher! (no, I am NOT kidding.) A lot of it comes apart and if you dis-assemble it, you can poke it in the dishwasher.

 

[summerrluvv]

I understand the Goodwill story is frustrating but not worth getting upset about...to me. I wouldn't throw a fit like someone else suggested. That's immature...over a bargain? Now that's setting a good example. Now the animal shelter puppy story is truly unfortunate and sad. Try and be happy that at least the puppy found a good home...and that there's another puppy out there who will love to have you as a family!

It's obviously worth it to her to get upset about. Who are some of you to tell the OP how to feel? She knows the rules, she shops there frequently and feels the way she feels. For someone else to belittle her feelings about the situation is just not right. I don't see the puppy thing as being more unfortunate than the other just because it's a puppy. Both people are frustrated by the outcome of the situation and are/were entitled to feel the way they feel.

 

[grlpwrd]

It's obviously worth it to her to get upset about. Who are some of you to tell the OP how to feel? She knows the rules, she shops there frequently and feels the way she feels. For someone else to belittle her feelings about the situation is just not right. I don't see the puppy thing as being more unfortunate than the other just because it's a puppy. Both people are frustrated by the outcome of the situation and are/were entitled to feel the way they feel.

Well, considering how threads like this (when an OP displays dissapointment, venting about an issue, etc.) it's true DIS fashion to discount those feelings. It doesn't surprise me in the least that people are saying basically to get over it and move on.

I agree with catsmom... That is the best suggestion I have read in this thread. Speak with the manager and see if you can arrange to get called when another item like it comes along. I used to co-own a thrift store and I have done this before... I didn't do what they did (sell an item to another customer without a tag), but I made it a point to call my customers who were looking for certain things.

GL, OP!

 

[XYSRUS]

I never told the OP how to feel about the situation. I simply stated my opinion. Nobody can have an opinion?

 

[BethR]

OK Gang.

Let's not let this thread turn into something that has to be closed.

We all have become frustrated at SOMETHING at some time. Why shouldn't we be able to share that with our DIS Budget Board friends and not have to worry about whether our feelings are well founded or not?

As my DD likes to say - "Sometimes you just want to hear 'Yeah, that really does s-ck.' " (Not my choice of words, but hers. But I think it gets the point across. )

 

[babiesX2]

I spoke to the district manager this morning. He sided with me that the item should have been purchased by me. I emailed him pictures of the climber. He told me he will have one for me to purchase for $5 within 30 days. They are also writing an official policy and posting it on signs in their stores. He said I had the ticket for the item and I had the item on a cart. He said that it was the same as if another shopper had seen a smaller item in my cart and raced to the front of the store to tell the cashier they wanted it and the cashier taking it away from me and giving it to the other person to buy. He said it is no different for large items than for small items. He said they use the ticket system because it is the only common sense way of knowing who made the decision to purchase first. I came here to voice my frustration.

Goodwill is a charity, but they are also a business. This is their mission as some seem to be confused about what GW's goals are. http://www.goodwill.org/page/guest/about/whatwedo

As far as the need issue goes. One of my twins (who were born 2 1/2 months preemie) is special needs. We need the climber for her therapy. My plan was to give it to our pediatric therapy clinic when my twins outgrew it. I know it is not a pediatric cancer unit, but they do alot to help disabled children, too.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I spoke to the district manager this morning. He sided with me that the item should have been purchased by me. I emailed him pictures of the climber. He told me he will have one for me to purchase for $5 within 30 days. They are also writing an official policy and posting it on signs in their stores. He said I had the ticket for the item and I had the item on a cart. He said that it was the same as if another shopper had seen a smaller item in my cart and raced to the front of the store to tell the cashier they wanted it and the cashier taking it away from me and giving it to the other person to buy. He said it is no different for large items than for small items. He said they use the ticket system because it is the only common sense way of knowing who made the decision to purchase first. I came here to voice my frustration.

Goodwill is a charity, but they are also a business. This is their mission as some seem to be confused about what GW's goals are. http://www.goodwill.org/page/guest/about/whatwedo

As far as the need issue goes. One of my twins (who were born 2 1/2 months preemie) is special needs. We need the climber for her therapy. My plan was to give it to our pediatric therapy clinic when my twins outgrew it. I know it is not a pediatric cancer unit, but they do alot to help disabled children, too.

I am glad they are now posting the policy. No more confusion. I understand your explanation now. I too was confused by the ticket thing. How can he guarantee he will get one in 30 days? Is this a kids or adult climber? I only ask since your signature says your twins are 16 years old.

 

[OceanAnnie]

--- He said that it was the same as if another shopper had seen a smaller item in my cart and raced to the front of the store to tell the cashier they wanted it and the cashier taking it away from me and giving it to the other person to buy.

That's exactly how it seemed to me, too!

I thought it was pretty crappy to take it and then turn to your daughter and say I'm sorry (while you were reminding them of THEIR policy). That would've probably set me off.

I'm glad you have resolution. I'm glad for your girls.

 

[mtblujeans]

I am glad they are now posting the policy. No more confusion. I understand your explanation now. I too was confused by the ticket thing. How can he guarantee he will get one in 30 days? Is this a kids or adult climber? I only ask since your signature says your twins are 16 years old.

Psst....16 months old.....

 

[mickeyfan2]

Psst....16 months old.....

Thanks. The months was under the beach umbrella on my screen so I only saw 16 and was . Sorry about asking.

 

[hsmamato2]

Well, I'm glad op gets one soon, you don't have to justify wanting this toy,we all want our kids to have fun stuff! I thought the same thing, that's wrong to take something you had on a cart, I would've been mad enough to say to the employee,and the register person, "you are NOT getting this oof the cart!" But then I'm mean...
I do think the puppy story is way worse,(sorry op) that's a matter of the heart,not just a toy that was wrongfully taken. My heart would have been broken if i picked my pup out,and they gave it so someone else...I picked out a pup at 4 weeks,and got her 3 weeks later,and had nightmares they'd give her away to someone else accidentally... even though they put a special collar on her to id her from the others... that was wrong, if they did the paperwork, the pup was theirs. Should've had the 'taken' note on the cage...

 

[torinsmom]

Yep, they need to post the policy. I doubt very seriously that the person who ended up getting it was trying to steal it from you. And it definitely is not a crime to not be a "regular" customer. Some people in our thrift shops actually look at you like you should not be there if you don't look like you "need" to buy used things.

If its like at my Goodwill, the tags on small items and large are the same, and if you come up with an item that is untagged, they won't sell it at that time. They really should have different tags that state "Remove this tag and take to cashier to purchase this item".

I'm glad to hear they will track one down for you. That was a better way to handle the situation vs. having a meltdown in the store.

Marsha

 

[babiesX2]

Well, I'm glad op gets one soon, you don't have to justify wanting this toy,we all want our kids to have fun stuff! I thought the same thing, that's wrong to take something you had on a cart, I would've been mad enough to say to the employee,and the register person, "you are NOT getting this oof the cart!" But then I'm mean...
I do think the puppy story is way worse,(sorry op) that's a matter of the heart,not just a toy that was wrongfully taken.

The puppy story does put an ache in my chest. A puppy and a yard toy don't even compare.

I wanted to stand on the climber platform and tell them to get me off if they thought they could, but I had Madeline with me, and she is already shy and timid. She gets upset easily so I didn't have the option to cause a scene. She was sensing the tension, and I didn't want to make it worse for her.

I went to the Baptist Missionary thrift store that I also shop daily and guess who was there. Uh-huh, the shopper who they sold the climber to . . .

I don't know or care where the climber comes from that the DM promised me.

 

[NolaRN]

Ok I'm seriously not trying to discount anyone's feelings but, seriously! I wouldn't have known in a million years about the ticket situation either. IMO, this is just such a huge fuss over something seemingly trivial......TO ME. Please don't reply that I'm telling the OP to get a life, I just think there are so many more worthwhile things to do, like volunteer at your children's cancer center.

 

[summerrluvv]

Ok I'm seriously not trying to discount anyone's feelings but, seriously! I wouldn't have known in a million years about the ticket situation either. IMO, this is just such a huge fuss over something seemingly trivial......TO ME. Please don't reply that I'm telling the OP to get a life, I just think there are so many more worthwhile things to do, like volunteer at your children's cancer center.

Well golly, you better get off the DIS because there are way more worthwhile things to do in life like volunteering at your local children's cancer center

 

[babiesX2]

Ok I'm seriously not trying to discount anyone's feelings but, seriously! I wouldn't have known in a million years about the ticket situation either. IMO, this is just such a huge fuss over something seemingly trivial......TO ME. Please don't reply that I'm telling the OP to get a life, I just think there are so many more worthwhile things to do, like volunteer at your children's cancer center.

So why are you here when you should be somewhere volunteering!

I'm already an RN! I like to get paid for my work. I guess that makes me bad too, though, huh? Uuuggghhh! I'm done with this thread. Thanks for those who understand. To those of you who don't, good luck next time you go to a store and someone "shops" out of your cart. (Like that even happens very often)

 

[MyGoofy26]

Glad you got it all straightened out. Hopefully with a new official policy in print, visible in each store you've saved someone else from the same disappointment!