Community Chat

[proudlyfromNJ]

Ours go to Vietnam Vets.

[Trailrun23]

I went into a Goodwill store a few days ago since DH was looking for a book .I am a big fan of the big shopping bags that Homegoods and Marshalls sell...$1.99. Goodwill had several of them that were ripped or had holes in them...$5,99 each. I have to wonder who prices these things! Worn-out tees were $8.99 and up, but i found a set of 6 Spode blue fruit bowls for $3.99. I bought the bowls and left the tees and bags behind! DH didn't find his book either. We are done with GW

[Trailrun23]

The CEO million-dollar salary is a myth; it needs to just stop being perpetuated. Not ure hwo starte iit; probably a company who viewed them as a competitor.

[roeroe1005]

@monicakm,

A former boyfriend's mom used to shop at the Good Will in Greenwich, CT.  Very wealthy, upscale area.

She would find clothing with tags that you would find in a Saks 5th Avenue or Bloomingdales.  When she needed cocktail dresses, she would always shop there.  

My friend Peg is a "thrifter".  She & her daughter go to thrift stores in wealthier areas to shop.

[Trailrun23]

GW has long had a mission that included job training for those who have or are currenly in rehab or have mental illness or disability. They do have sheltered workshops for adults; when I was in grad school I supervised one of the workshops as part of an internship. To my knowledge, homelessness has never been one of their outreach areas. I am so confused as to why they have changed their store business model including pricing, etc, but it seems like most of the thrift stores here have also raised their prices. That may be why so many aren't having big crowds shopping in their stores now. Also, GW's sole revenue source is not the thrift stores; they have many contracts with companies who buy some of the donations that are not put out for sale but have use in industrial settings.....

[bells4me]

This thread reminds me of my community FB page constantly trashing Walmart yet shop there all the time.  I occasionally shop Goodwill. Last trip I scored a cycler to sit down & exercise my legs $10.  Halloween costume for my GD $3 and a brand new Old Navy flannel $4.99.  I don't donate there because I support the animals & foster kids.

[Jacie]

Before I donate anywhere, I take note of what amount of money goes to the powers that be in the organization. Goodwill was off my list ages ago. 

I support the veterans and animals!

[sunshine 919]

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@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!

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I totally agree with you.  

[depglass]

Higher prices are due to two things:  The fact that people running private thrift stores (think boutique) buy all the cheap good quality items for resale. The other reason is the people marking prices, or their supervisor, have no idea what they are doing.  I also see items from Walmart marked higher than Walmart's full price.

[katie1859]

Here in central Illinois the prices have increased and yesterday I said to myself I no longer have a desire to purchase there.

I have found very good prices on eBay, which has also given me free shipping. I can buy used or sometimes the items are new. Which is not my point, bc actually everything stops being new after wearubg once. I do like to recycle and be mindful with purchases.