On another thread, we discussed that prices at Good Will had gone up so much. I commented that I had noticed that the stores seem to be in the more affluent areas of my town of 1 million people.
I am in Florida now and have noticed the same thing. The stores are large, look new, are in strip shopping centers on busy highways. Haven't been in one but I would bet the prices are a lot more than they used to be
I'm in FL now for a couple months and one of my favorite things to do the past two years has been going to Goodwill to find things I could make over to fit into my decor back home.
I stopped going. Last time I went on a Tuesday (25% Sr. Discount) I picked up a lampshade to repaint -- as I was standing in line to pay I saw the "restrictions" sign -- if it has a green, purple, white or pink sticker, it does not qualify for the discount. What? What else was left in the store that DID qualify for the discount?
I did not even bother to ask, as the lamp shade had a green sticker on it. I just put it on the counter and left.
The previous week I was looking for an inexpensive large cooking spoon -- just something my rental was lacking and something that would last for the two months I am here. Goodwill had one -- $1.75. I went across the street to Walmart and got one for $1.29 that is serving my purpose just fine.
I do plan to write "someone", not sure who just yet, about the prices. I'm a firm believer that if they don't know there are dissatisfied customers, they won't do anything to accommodate them.
I have to admit, I am a GW jun kie. If I am in a new place, and it's possible to stop and check it out, then I will be there! My DH still laughs at the time we left Orlando and came home on the back roads and hit the GW of every town we went through- and I still have the blue willow dishes from that trip!
I've seen them all from small shabby GWs, to the GW "super stores" in big shopping center in well to do areas. And the prices run the gamut too. Surprisingly, some of those in the big, well to do areas will have lower prices than those in smaller areas.
Who knows how they figure out their pricing? I just know that I love to shop at them and I'll continue. If I think they are overpriced, I'll just leave, and head down the road to the next one!
I love to dig through thrift stores, and I have noticed a huge inconsistency in pricing. I think of it as part of the game. I only buy things that I think are a great deal.
Interesting how prices vary in GW. When I lived in Michigan we had a great one, that wasn't in a very good area of town. But the prices there were amazing and lots of things came in weekly from retail stores with tags still attached.
Now I am in KY. Been to plenty of GW's here and the prices are high and I don't understand that. This is a little bitty town.??? And here mostly I see clothing not household items.
I miss being able to get a bargain. We do however have a several good thrift shops and some nicely priced antique stores.
Garage sales here...they don't mark their items, so when you ask the price they tell you any price that comes into their heads. LOL. I have actually heard them tell a customer one price and then I ask and they say something different.
Still I keep going! Never know when you might find the deal of a lifetime.
they usually have bread makers when I go. Picked one up for $5. I just went on line and found the instruction manual. Some had them inside. I had read some reviews so I knew what mfrs to stick with. I figured Panasonic was safe. And I've had a DAK for 15 years or so so I knew that brand.
Anyone else find them in their stores?
Posts: 4299 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: Dec 01, 2003
We're in the midwest. Our larger community has added MORE GW stores. I've noticed prices are going up. Prices DO vary store to store. Fortunately, GW is NOT the only thrift shops around.
I have also noticed when regular stores go out of business....merchandise appears in GW stores. I asked about this. The answer was the stores/individuals are getting tax breaks for making donations of new items to GW stores. LOVE asking questions and gathering info.
We donate a lot of kids' clothes and toys to our GW, and I sometimes want to say, "Please don't charge a lot for these!" We bring them there so people who need them can get them, not just so they can make a profit. I realize their profits go to charity, but I also think that the stores should serve people who need clothes and toys for $0.25. Sigh...
