Re: Goodwill Elevates Its Image

Twins Mom · ‎04-03-2016

Thought-provoking question.

monicakm · ‎03-16-2010

OMGosh, when I saw your mention of "underware" it reminded me that my garage sale crazed mother LOVES them (and GW). I don't do "used". Hey, that's just me. My dad and I have no idea why the other half of the family (mother, brother and my daughter love them). When my daughter was a child, my mother would buy her underwear at garage sales I won't say what I want to about that but needless to say, I wasn't amused.

jlkz · ‎12-02-2013

@monicakm

In every Goodwill that I have stopped in, there seems to be a never-ending amount of merchandise: mostly used and in decent condition. They have added some new items which are more expensive than the used items.

I have found things with the original tags still on the item.

As to depriving those who "need" to shop there by buying GW merchandise, I doubt that is happening: the stores are well-stocked thanks to donations and other sources.

Here in Naples, I would rather spend a few dollars on an item or donate things knowing that others less fortunate will get help and training to enable them to support themselves.

Back at home, when we sold our mountain place, the folks at Goodwill looked forward to my van arriving with lots of items to donate...all in excellent condition.

I have served on the Board of Directors for an organization that helps and supports those with mental development issues. They train them to fulfill other companys' needs in light manufacturing of special articles and even in "clean rooms" for specialty items.

Goodwill does similar work as it trains folks to function and succeed in different occupations rather than in sheltered workshops. Recycling of no longer needed items helps fund their efforts and keeps stuff out of landfills.

Bottomline: no one is being deprived on any level. Folks are supporting those who need a little help to become independent.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill

deeva · ‎03-09-2010

I think Goodwill spends too much money opening new stores. We have a lot of stores here in the Phoenix area. .

I now donate to St Vincent De Paul or the Salvation Army.

jlkz · ‎12-02-2013

@Meowingkitty

While in Naples, FL for the winter, I can tell you there are many Goodwill's in the region....each is a little different. There are a few I visit frequently because they seem to get high end donations.

I also "shop" and donate to St. Vincent de Paul thrift shops as well as the Salvation Army stores.

One of the SA stores has changed significantly in the last year: heavy, heavy on clothing and decidedly fewer furniture / decor items. We purchased a recliner and paid to have it delivered to our second floor condo. A recliner we were donating was supposed to be picked up upon delivery of the purchased recliner.

The delivery guys said they were running late, this despite a call 15 minutes earlier that they made to us stating they were really ahead of schedule and would be here in 10 minutes. No return phone calls from the guy in charge at the store with whom we made arrangements.

Worst part: as I watched them bring up the top back part of the recliner, the head guy just rammed it through the landing into the door. It was a leather recliner and no tarp/ covering was placed over the leather. As I sit here typing on my iPad, I am looking down at the top of the right arm and can see the very tiny scrapes made as they pushed it past the stucco wall.

We had bought a glass-topped marble edge dining room table a few years earlier and had no trouble.

Look at reviews....they will tell quite a story. I am not posting a review on them because it would be more of the same. They are no longer doing right by their "clients" as sales seem to be lower.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill

AngelPuppy1 · ‎03-13-2010

Goodwill has gotten totally out of control with their prices. I mean, these things are basically supposed to be priced so that people who are struggling for whatever reason could go and buy a few things they need --- for a very, very low price! Not any more! I was in there a few months ago to just kill some time and went to look at the books. It used to be that their books were a fixed price. $.99 for a paperback and slightly higher for a hardback. I found a couple books -- hardback - and was shocked that the books were much higher and different priced. The checkout person told me that now they put higher prices on the books according to the condition and what they consider to be more desirable and popular books.

"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." - Steve Martin

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

@Mz iMac wrote:
@jannabelle1 wrote:
That's why I prefer to donate clothes and other things to Salvation Army.
@jannabelle1 Me too. They will take anything & be very grateful. Will even give you the paperwork for a tax write off. When I first moved to where I am now, I called them so many times to pick up my donations they knew me by name & my address w/o me giving it to them.
GoodWill is too stuck up in my neck of the woods. Very choosy in what they will take & no pick-ups.

Goodwill near us was no longer accepting donations. So my husband drove to the Salvation Army store that was much farther away. My husband was running and getting in shape for a half marathon. And he had trouble finding sneakers that he liked and were comfortable.

I will never forget the man who was manning the receiving area at Salvation Army. The man was so excited when my husband told him that he had sneakers to donate. And the man's excitement grew when my husband mentioned he had 8 pair. And then I couldn't believe the man's reaction when he saw the sneakers were looking like they were almost new.

He kept saying how they could really use the shoes. and he was so glad to get them.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

GW has to pay their workers too. That's why their prices went up. To keep good workers you have to pay them, just so they too can live.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
I won't donate to Goodwill at all. They get their merchandise free, pay their employees minimum wage, pay their CEO millions. What a deal....for the CEO!

Spoiler

I agree! It feels like a scam to me. Instead I donate to the local Association for the Blind which has a thrift store behind a church. At least it's helping someone in need.

I don't know how this got into "spoiler mode"

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@monicakm wrote:
@jlkz

Prices are going up everywhere. I guess Good Will is no different.

I don't know if I've asked this question here before.
Do you guys feel like GW is for those that NEED to shop there or for anyone? My mother and daughter love to shop at GW. Neither one of them NEED to shop there. IMO, that takes away much needed merchandise from those not as fortunate.

@monicakm I don't know about "need" however there are a lot of Etsy sellers that buy items of clothing to embellish and then sell for a profit of course.