Interesting Goodwill Comparisions Between States

[suebeehoney]

Found out something rather interesting on a recent trip to another state. All Goodwill stores are NOT created equal!

Our local Goodwill store here in Michigan (and the one we go to is in a moderately-sized college town - nothing huge) routinely has the following prices:

Infants/Toddlers Clothing: $0.99 each
Children's Coats: $2.29 - $5.00 each
Books: $0.75 - $2.29 each (depending on what it is - used to be MUCH cheaper until they changed their pricing structure on books!)
Women's Pants: $3.29 - $5.00 each
Women's Tops: $2.29 - $4.29 each

I was shocked when I went into the Goodwill in a somewhat larger Virginia city (4 colleges within 5 miles of each other), and found the selection was REALLY bad - I mean, many items that were very dirty, stained, torn, damaged, or just plain junk, and the prices were MUCH higher than in our Goodwill store. Our store is pretty choosy about what they put out for sale - occasionally you'll find something that is stained or damaged, but for the most part, the items are in good to excellent condition.

Infants/Toddlers Clothing: $2.29 each - nothing lower than that
Women's Shirts: $3.29 and higher, but most of them were over $5 each.
Books: $0.50 each, with a "special book" section that was $1.99 each (that was the only *good* price I found)

I was SOOO happy to come back home to MY Goodwill store this weekend and find the great items and prices I've come to expect! Made me so thankful for my store!
I purchased $37 worth of items - about $30 of it will go on Ebay and with any luck, I should make $90-$100 off those items.

[frugalfranny]

Yes, I agree. Even reading the prices you listed - our prices are different. Books - .99 - unless a hardback then higher and can be priced separately.

I love reading the prices about things - both thrift stores and especially about groceries! Amazes me!

[nuisance26]

~Our Goodwill runs high too so I try to only buy what color tag is 50% off. Last time I was in the prices were:

women's pants/jeans: $4.99 and up
dresses: $6.99 and up
tops: 2.99 and up
sweaters: $3.99 and up
kids: $2.99 and up

I didn't notice prices in the rest of the store because I only shopped those areas.
There are some great bargains to be had although I find way too many hopelessly stained and ripped items at our store. The last time I was in I got several beautiful blouses for $2 a piece shopping the tag sale but it took almost two hours in the store to find enough things to try on and choose from.~

[Ssindi]

I think the Goodwill in my neck of the woods is a tad high in price.When they have the color tag sales,I still struggle to find things at a reasonable price.Many times, I can shop the local dept store and get new clothes for less. I always shop the clearance of course. Sometimes there will be a percentage off of clearance and a store discount coupon besides. I once bought 3 pairs of pants for work for $11 and change.Can't do that at the Goodwill.

[JanieD]

The Good Will in my area has the $1 racks most weeks. Otherwise, prices were a little high the last time I was there (2-3 months ago) ~
Jeans $7.50 (junior/womens)
Pants $4 & some change (womens)
paperback books $1, hardbacks $2

Not sure about the other items since I usually stick to the $1 racks.

[Ssindi]

There is a Goodwill outlet in DE. If I remember correctly,everything is .99. But things were way out of fashion or rejects from who knows where. That was at least 10yrs ago. May check it out again if I go that way.

[zakity]

Our Goodwills are expensive also. You can buy new for the price of things at our Goodwills.

[pollypurebred39]

The more populated our neighboring town gets the more expensive their Goodwill is. It is also extremely picked through. In the last nine months I've purchased only a few items, in fact it was before Christmas when I had found a waffle maker after months of walking out with absolutely nothing. However, the last time I was in I did find a breadmaker for $12.99, a flannel sheet set, and a beautiful brand new tablecloth for just a few dollars. You just never know so I go and look, but most of the time it's fruitless.

There has been hardly any clothing at all available. The clothing racks are sparse, even the baby clothes which in the past have been packed so full you could barely move them to see what was there. I think there are lots of people buying to resell and they clear the place out (they'll tell you when new shipments are hitting the floor if you ask). I'm also thinking that a lot of the people who work there just may be keeping the good stuff for themselves for resale. My niece worked at one in a neighboring town and it happened all the time there. The workers who sort and price often saved a rack of clothes to go out right when their shift was ending. They would just grab them off the rack and check out before they left.

[mnmarty03]

I'm in VA and the Goodwill stores here haven't been very good. The one in our town is small and there's just not much selection. I've been to ones in larger towns though, and they aren't that great either.

The stores we have in MN have always been really good - at least near where I used to live. I wonder if it's just a VA trend that the Goodwill stores aren't that great?

[imagine]

I don't think the difference is from state to state but from town to town. At least in the same group of mangament (I think they call them regions)

I say this because the one a town over is from a different "management region" and it is totally different. They have color tags on sale each week the one in my town does not but has $1 even few months and has sent out $5 off coupons and has a discount card (10% off all purchases).

I also think the prices are set my competition in the area from other thrift stores. as the prices adjusted at our local Goodwill when the Salvation Army raised it's prices.

Our prices
Infant clothing 99 cents
children clothing 1.49
shirts 3.99 except sleeveless and t shirts 99 cents
pants 3.99
sweaters 3.99
dresses 6.99
coats 10.99

They do special prices something if they are designer (and expensive) then the prices is about 10% off the original prices.

I find the selection to be dependent on what is donated. I have found that the Goodwills in places that do not have consignment shops have a better selection.

[RaineyDaye]

The Goodwills in my city are not good anymore. They raised their prices, and a lot of their stuff is cr@p. They sell all the good stuff that comes in on shopgoodwill.com. I'm glad there are several other good thrifts here!

[khaski]

I have the same issues with the Salvation Armys near me- lots of stuff, but OVERPRICED. My friend told me recently she found a beautiful candle holder for me for a gift- til she saw it was $15! She and I almost never go now, and go only for the markdowns- BUT we have found the Goodwills, about 1 hr away, to be much better bargains and much neater, and cleaner.

[mom23boyz]

[QUOTE=nuisance26;1326552]~Our Goodwill runs high too so I try to only buy what color tag is 50% off. Last time I was in the prices were:

women's pants/jeans: $4.99 and up
dresses: $6.99 and up
tops: 2.99 and up
sweaters: $3.99 and up
kids: $2.99 and up

[QUOTE]

Thats about where ours are too...maybe even a bit higher.
Books
Hardback 1.99
paperback .99

Shoes
3.99-7.99 generally

Purses
5.99 and up

[ahmom]

I live in central pa. I can get .29 and .15 items each week.
DH just picked up 2 brand new dress shirts ($60 each according to the internet) for .29 each.
http://www.menswearhouse.com/webapp/...e-b/dp-1z141om

[Jeanna]

I am not sure the prices for childrens clothing in ours but the women and mens are about the same.
Shirts: 3.75
Pants: 5.00
Dresses 5.00
Two piece sets 7.50
Skirts: 3.50
Books 75 cents to $1
The quility here is pretty good so I don't mind the prices.