Goodwill changes

**Jets Jewelry** · 11-01-2011, 07:57 PM

I had stop going to the local Goodwill because they had started raisiong their prices. I stopped in about a 3 months ago and found that they have started a new program. They call it half off week. They have punched different colored plastic tags into the clothes. Each week one particular color will be half off that week. The week usually starts on a Sunday. I started stopping by at least twice or three times a week to see the bargins. After investigation, I did not like what I saw. For example, this week, the tag color is red. I checked to see how many red tagged items were hanging on the racks. I counted may 20(some of the ones what were red tag, was so old and misshapened, who could use them) red tag items. It sounds like the bait and switch. I have seen alot of thrift store use this scheme. They pretend to offer a deal but they remove the majority of the colored tags for that week, still increasing their sales. Anything to make a dollar.

**Spirit Deer** · 11-01-2011, 08:23 PM

The Goodwills around our region have marked down a different colored tag each week as long as we've been going to them, which is years and years. There's nothing nefarious going on, and I don't believe they're wasting employee time and storage space to move inventory out and store it and then move it back in again. The inventory seems the same whenever we go in. We love picking up stuff half off, and make a point of looking for the colored tags so we can save a few bucks.

Today I picked up a huge bag of extra long zippers, two sweaters to make over into chemo caps, and a few other items, all first quality, all half price, and saved a bundle. The zippers, in fact, I've been hoping would still be around when it was time for their tag to become half price. It's not that often I need a six-foot zipper, so don't want a lot of money tied up in those, but at $3 for probably ten zippers, I'll invest that much just in case.

I'm sure others do the same thing, look for the sale-priced tags, and that's why the inventory goes down for that color tag throughout the week. Which is the point of having a sale, to sell things.

It only makes sense Goodwill's prices are going to go up, since their costs are going up just like everyone else's are.

**scooby8themall** · 11-01-2011, 09:19 PM

I used to love going to Good will but not any more every time I go there I end up with some thing stained or riped or has a hole in it I have to go over every thing with a fine tooth comb before I will pay their prices .We only go there now when we are really bored .I love the Salvation Army their prices are way cheaper then the Good will and their colored tags are equally mixed I have found some really nice clothes for 1.49 to 2.50.

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-01-2011, 09:59 PM

The salvation army store here used to do the tags. There was rarely anything decent left with sale tags because it was the stuff that had been there the longest. Everything that comes in during the week is tagged with the colour on sale the week before; they had four colours, so by the time it went on sale it had been there for four weeks. It's just a way to clear out the merchandise that isn't moving.

**nuisance26** · 11-02-2011, 08:30 AM

~They do the colored tags at my Goodwill but there are 100's of items to choose from mixed in with everything else.
Maybe your pickings are so lean because they just started this system. Maybe when they start tagging everything with colors at the sorting facility you'll see a lot more choice ion the racks.
I know I've been to thrift '"sales" before that were more than disappointing. Bag sales seem to be the worst offenders. Who cares if I can fill a bag for $10 if the clothes are too ratty to even clean in? Ugh.~

**OOwl** · 11-02-2011, 08:54 AM

I only just discovered the wonders of shopping at Goodwill stores. We have two local ones, and both still have most clothing items in the $2.50 range. I just snagged a bunch of winter shirts that I badly needed, all great name brands (Liz, LLBean, Jones New York), didn't even look worn, and one still had new tags. The Friday before Halloween, they ran a special 50% off sale that ran from 8pm to midnight. I didn't go, but apparently they routinely do this to clear out inventory, so I will definitely plan on going back. They also have a "stamp program." Collect ten stamps, and get $10 store credit (one stamp is earned for each $10 spent there). I will have to keep a close watch to see if they change their policy to match other stores. I didn't notice colored tags, but, as I said, I'm new so that may be the case. I'll pay better attention next time.

**imagine** · 11-02-2011, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by OOwl

I only just discovered the wonders of shopping at Goodwill stores. We have two local ones, and both still have most clothing items in the $2.50 range. I just snagged a bunch of winter shirts that I badly needed, all great name brands (Liz, LLBean, Jones New York), didn't even look worn, and one still had new tags. The Friday before Halloween, they ran a special 50% off sale that ran from 8pm to midnight. I didn't go, but apparently they routinely do this to clear out inventory, so I will definitely plan on going back. They also have a "stamp program." Collect ten stamps, and get $10 store credit (one stamp is earned for each $10 spent there). I will have to keep a close watch to see if they change their policy to match other stores. I didn't notice colored tags, but, as I said, I'm new so that may be the case. I'll pay better attention next time.

All Goodwill are regional run. I live right on a region dividing line so our Goodwill is out of one place and the town over is run by a different place. They have very different ways they run it one has colored tags specials search week one does not one has discount cards one does not one has senior discount days one does not.

So just because your Goodwill is run differently doesn't mean it is going to change.

**Nana2two** · 11-05-2011, 05:43 PM

Yeah they have had it here like that for around 4 years now.

**bumplett** · 11-05-2011, 07:01 PM

A friend of mine says that she went to GW a few weeks ago, and saw an employee filling a rolling rack with the tag color of the week - she claims that they were moving the sale colored merchandise to the back storage until the next week when a new color would be on sale.

I have NO idea if this is true or not.... but may be something to think about.....

So when you combine this story with the OP...hmmm.....

**heartofmine** · 11-05-2011, 07:29 PM

The one I go to does the tag thing. The weekly color tag is half off except on Wednesday when the weekly color tag is only 99 cents. Every 1st Saturday in the month everything in the store is half off no matter the color. They also have Smart Cards which you not only can use at Goodwill but other area stores. Lots of good savings and well worth the initial cost of $12.00 for the card. With the smart card you get 10% off Mon, Wed, Thurs, Saturday and Sunday. On Tuesday and Friday you get 20% off with the card. Seniors get a discount and so do students...even the college students.

A bit about the Smart Cards. It has lots of business' on it where you can save every time you are in their business. Some places you get free drinks with purchase of lunch. Free entrees. Also % off at other business'. It adds up to lots of good savings.

**Jets Jewelry** · 11-07-2011, 09:47 PM

Thanks for all the responses. As I stated in my post, this is happening at the Goodwill in my area. I have been to other Goodwills as well as other thrift shops. This is a practice I have noticed. Not everyone is going to have the same experince. I do believe this is a practice just like any other retail store out there to make money. I am here to inform and that is all.

**Pianolady** · 11-08-2011, 08:11 AM

I've found our Goodwill is on the high side in price. I can usually do as well buying new items off the 75% off clearance racks at Target and at the big sales at our local Dillards clearance store, and get higher quality things that are new. I stopped going to Goodwill.

**lisaflex** · 11-10-2011, 10:33 AM

our SA does a color a day that is 50% off. then on Wednesday's the entire store is 50% off

**moneyshort** · 11-27-2011, 11:28 PM

I live in GA. Our GW changes colors on Sunday. They open at 10 but at noon they will pull that weeks color of childrens clothes...
this means if the color is red, they pull the red childrens clothes at noon. We attwnd church so in order to get 1/2 off I would have to leave church early or skip. This makes me angry because alot of the community (world really) needs help with clothing their children. They get alot of the stuff free. Thanks for listening.