topic Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....! in Community Chat

Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

kittymomNC — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 21:36:38 GMT

I don't usually go to the Goodwill stores, but I think I need to start. My son sells a lot on eBay and from time to time, he makes the rounds of all the thrift stores in the area. He came by this morning to show me a few of the things he picked up, and I wound up with a surprise gift!

Every time I see Rachel Ray present her "Little Hoot" 16-piece dinnerware set, I think about buying it, but I have so many dishes already, I just couldn't justify the price... $70.00 plus $9.47 S&H. I've always loved owls, and I just think these are so cute for casual use.

Well, in walks my son with a "Little Hoot" mug to show me, and it turned out he got an entire 16-piece dinnerware set with 4 extra mugs in perfect condition for $10.00! At QVC prices, including shipping, that's about $107.00! So, when he found out how much I liked this set, I got an early Christmas gift! He has found other fantastic bargains and does very well with his eBay business, but this time MOM was the winner!

Has anyone else found any great deals at thrift stores?

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

deepwaterdotter — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:09:35 GMT

My neighbors shop there all the time.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

LyndaGee — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:21:57 GMT

You did great! What a bargain, and that owl dinnerware is so nice.

There's a Goodwill store in Monroe, CT on the same street as my favorite supermarket, so I drop in now and then. There are usually many QVC items for sale, often with the tags still on.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

Puzzle Piece — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:43:55 GMT

I forget to check out the thrift stores but I donate to them frequently.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

AnikaBrodie — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:51:08 GMT

Last month I got DH an original Woolrich vest for less than $20 at American Rescue (similar to Goodwills). We had been to a Woolrich outlet store in PA a few weeks before and they had this same vest for $90. Savings - $70 plus. I have sometimes found clothes with the pockets still sewn shut and original tags still on for a small amount of money. Real finds!!!

I bought a set of four boxed Christmas Story mugs by Port Meirion Studio for $1.25. It appeared they were never used. The mugs say "Happy Christmas to All" on one side "And to all a Good Night" on the other side. Last week I checked the cost of mugs by this company and was shocked to find one mug was $12 or $48 for four mugs. Just look at my savings!!! Love it. I only wish I could find other pieces in this line -- plates, bowls, soup tureen, etc.

You never know what you'll find in these stores. My kitchen is Tuscany style and I've purchased many gently used items with grapes and/or black wrought iron décor. I receive many compliments on my décor and watch their faces with glee when I (sometimes) tell them where they came from.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

Blahblahvampemer — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:52:38 GMT

Earlier this year I stopped by Goodwill after a really disappointing art show, and within the first 10 seconds I found a sterling and turquoise belt buckle by a famous artist for all of $5.95. Since I pass by frequently, I should stop by more often even if the number of broken items on the shelves is discouraging. Congrats on the dishes.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

Qwackertoo — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:56:06 GMT

No. But many friends on another collecting message board I've been a member of for many years do . . . they find stuff that is worth hundreds of dollars on the secondary market. My sister does too. Sometimes she can turn 20 bucks worth of thrift store junk into 500.00 in eBay sales . . . she doesn't do it as much anymore . . . the market for some collectibles has really dived in the last 5 years or so . . . but she still has some great deals once in awhile.

Me. ZERO patience.

My sister says you have to look at a whole lot of junk . . . before you find the good stuff.

But she has the eye for it. She can spot a very small collectible . . . from 100 paces.

Me, I don't have the eye or knack for it. Or the patience.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

ROMARY — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:56:24 GMT

A couple or so years ago, during our travels, we stopped by a fairly new looking Goodwill Store. It was fabulous. Neat, clean, just wonderful. In fact, the blouses/tops looked brand new. Many with tags. I'm guessing that the stores in that area donated items, since it seemed (to me, anyway. I really don't know for sure.) to be a new store/new location.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

millieshops — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 23:01:58 GMT

I do. As long as you don't have to have something specific at a specific time, thrift shopping is great.

There's little reason to expect a mass retailer to sell the goods at those prices, though. They're targeting people who want what they're selling when it's still new, when the exact color or size they want, is there, etc. I

BTW- no idea of OP's age, but ask about senior discount days at you Good Will. In my mine area, there's an extra 10% on senior days. However, if you see something you want on a different day, buy it because it probably won't last into a bigger discount.

lol - I just realized the pants I'm wearing right now came from a thrift shop. They were practically new when I brought them home and threw them in the washing machine. I think one of the reasons I don't mind paying $50 for something from Susan Graver or $200 from Eileen Fisher is that I average it out with something like these which were probably $3 or $3.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

ROMARY — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 23:07:14 GMT

I'm going to Web search local GW and SA shops in my area today! Thanks for reminding me. We had one nearby many, many years ago, but it's no longer here. It was always packed with folks, too. Maybe the rent was much too high, I'm thinking. .... p.s. Sometimes when kitchen items 'disappear' (as Martha Stewart once or twice mentioned, lol), it's worth a look at GW, etc. I need quite a few baking supplies (SS loaf pans, etc.). I was going to buy a new stove/oven, but felt that it would be too much trouble searching/looking around for various baking items, lol. I don't care for non-stick anything now-a-days.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

Madisson — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 23:37:07 GMT

I was never one for thrift stores until I went thrifting with a friend one day. I walked to the back of the store and saw a mirror that goes with our bedroom set. We had purchased the optional style mirror for the set, and I always regretted it. The Goodwill mirror was in excellent condition and was only $5.95!

Another day I walked into Goodwill and found service for four of a stoneware set we purchased when first married. The pieces were in excellent shape and are now a collector's item, so now I have my full service for twelve in that set (like I needed more dishes!). The whole service for four was $12.00.

You never know what you are going to find in those stores.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

MrsSweetieBear — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 23:52:57 GMT

Wow, what a perfect gift and nice surprise! We don't have a Goodwill store here that I'm aware of. We do have another type of thrift store called Savers. I've found a few household or kitchen items there but their prices are high for a thrift store, imo. No way would a nice dish set like that go for that low a dollar amount.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

kittymomNC — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 00:02:16 GMT

It sounds like some of you have gotten some great deals! My son has gotten things at Goodwill for $5-10 and sold on eBay for $100 plus. He found a vintage sewing machine for $25.00 which sold for $175--it's amazing what people will pay for certain items. He's brought me Pyrex bakeware, and things like that from time to time, and it's all like new. And besides, whatever purchases are made from Goodwill, Salvation Army stores, Habitat stores, etc. are all for a good cause.

He picked up a whole collection of Lord of the Rings pieces for $600 at a local thrift store that brings in leftovers from estate sales and still hasn't sold them all, but has made about $1,800 on what he's sold.

I told him I may have to start going myself, and then I'll be his competition! I'm a happy camper today, though... just finished washing up my new Little Hoot dishes. Call me crazy, but sometimes I enjoy washing dishes by hand, besides, I had to get the ink prices off that were written on the bottom! I think I'll use them tonight.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

RedTop — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 00:52:13 GMT

I do, but am specifically looking for bakeware, other specific glassware, and Christmas items. I have never purchased clothing there.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

kittymomNC — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 00:58:01 GMT

On 12/20/2014 RedTop said: I do, but am specifically looking for bakeware, other specific glassware, and Christmas items. I have never purchased clothing there.

I've never purchased clothing either... I don't have the patience to look through everything. But I have a friend who has, and sometimes I can't believe the items she finds! She's got a sharp eye for those kinds of things - I don't so I don't even try.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

brewhaha — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 01:02:55 GMT

I find great bargains on designer and name brand items.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

tansy — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 01:06:49 GMT

I used to check for good Pendleton 100% wool skirts to use for rug hooking. It's become harder to find these though and prices went up. What a nice find your son made, kittymom

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

croemer — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 01:07:41 GMT

Yes I have. I bought myself and my mother a few brand new items...great prices.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

ShowMe — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 01:19:18 GMT

I know a woman that is on disability and has a very limited income. She goes to Goodwill all the time, and comes home with some very nice things.

Re: Do you ever shop at Goodwill thrift stores? I just got the nicest surprise....!

AngelLove2 — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 01:22:12 GMT

I worked with a lady who bought a pearl necklace for less than $5.00. They turned out to be real. She said on Sunday everything is half price. I have bought movie videos and DVDs there.