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Yesterday I visited two different Goodwill stores and did not buy a thing. I look for decorative things I can change-up to fit my needs.

For instance, I saw a sculptural rabbit -- a nick or two, but I wanted to spray paint it glossy white -- it was $10.00. Way too much in my opinion. I can get something similar at the dollar store for $3 or $4 to repaint.

I found furniture, wall hangings, and knick knacks all over-priced, but apparently people are buying the items at those prices, otherwise they would be adjusted down. Wouldn't they?

I know this is a charity and they want to bring in as much as they can, but unfortunately, for me, charity begins at home.

I also made a trip to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. I still did not buy anything but their prices were much more reasonable for used items.

Guess I will stick to yard and estate sales.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MyLifeVacation1,

Goodwill has always been expensive to me anyway.
In Virginia I had to pass a Goodwill on my way to some appointments near the beach. On my lunch break I would go check out the furniture.

I saw an Art deco bedroom set (vintage veneered maple). The price tag $2,200! This was a large bed (head board and footboard) two nightstands and a large wardrobe. I was in 'sticker shock'!

I talked to the manager and asked if the set could be broken up since I only was interested in the wide wardrobe unit. He said no.

I stopped in there 4 times over the next 4 months. Each time the set was marked down more and more but still there. I talked to the manager again, would he take $400 for the wardrobe unit only? He said no.

The next week, I happened to be in that area and stopped in. I saw the manager and he noticed me, he walked over to me and said 'you may have the wardrobe unit for $400! Long wait, but I got it.

I used it in my Virginia house in the office upstairs. We put on Restoration Hardware wire-woven knobs and when we sold the house we took it with us, it is now in my Den being used to store all my Christmas stuff.

The construction has Cam screws and comes apart, so it was flat-packed to move it. I still love the piece as much as I did the day I saw it. But not for the original GW pricetag!

The piece had some sort of yellowish sprayed finish with darker at top and bottom. I sanded the whole thing, piece by piece and then stained in honey maple and applied some poly to it. love it plain. My DH put reinforcement under the unit so it holds more weight, and made shelving units that slip in and out incase we have to move the piece around the house (like we just did, moved from Living room to Den).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

I have been in many Goodwill stores in a lot of states. The prices vary. Our local store is extremely reasonable. But I have been in others that were like you described and I walked out. It could be a misguided manager, or the economy of the area the store is in that relfect the price. I don't know.I buy a lot of things at Goodwill-including clothes!

I haven't visited a Goodwill in some time, but a few years ago I'd scout our their purses since I shop for a nonprofit and sometimes have found boutique worthy leather bags for less than $5. Here's an article on this topic that you might find enlightening...
http://lookingflyonadime.com/a...-expensive-part-two/

I think the prices at Goodwill can be high sometimes too. I still find treasures though, mostly at the half off days.

Mary Ruth, I love your cabinet! It is not only beautiful but provides wonderful storage!

I dont go to GW as much any more.I would go 1-3 times a week but now 1x a month.It is so high,some items marked as high as buying it new.I do check out decor and household items first then purses,shoes then clothes.We have a Mircle Hill thrift stores,it's way cheaper and people are donating better items there now.I love going to the GW near my DH family in NC(Reighly-Durham and Pinehurst areas,good stuff and priced cheap.
Been on Facebook alot,there is several yard sale pages,kinda like Craigslist.Cheap and good stuff,it goes fast thou.Very addicting to those pages.LOL

I think prices at Goodwill have increased but I've also noticed that in our area, the stores are often in higher rent districts. So perhaps there overhead is higher which would mean that prices would be higher.

Martha

Prices in both Salvation Army and Value Village are high here. Value Village is far worse though than SA. I usually look at the decor stuff, kitchen,etc., and some of the stuff is broken, knicked really bad, and they still price it high, almost like what you would find new. Some items I know you can get it cheaper at Walmart! However, there have been a few times when I was able to find something at a really good price. Just takes going there weekly.

Agree too high,and harder to find anything i want. Recently I bought a used book on e-bay, and it was from Goodwill. Only reason it was cheaper was because of the free shipping. Only thrift shops I go to regularly are when we go to our condo in Mammoth. They are independent small town shops, and have noticed prices higher even there. Even old beat up picture frames that used to be under a dolar arwe now 2 or 3.

Pssssst...it isn't a secret anymore! There are still great bargains to find, but depending on location (exactly!), many things are overpriced. I'll be going on a buying trip next week, and we shop at quite a few resale stores in the process. Sometimes we find super deals and sometimes, we walk away empty handed. It's all part of the game but really, the fact that sites like this one, and all the DIY shows on TV, promote re-use, re-purpose, restore are the reason such a high value is being placed on old stuff.

I used to frequent the Good Will Stores, till i saw a beat up, falling apart, scratched brown painted, wooden rocker that they wanted $80!

The only thing holding that chair together was the scratchy brown paint. I quit shopping there and at most of those re-sale, antique places that over charge for stuff.

I agree about the high prices. It makes no sense to me. They make pure profit, as all items are donated. You would think they would want to move the item off the shelf and make money.

OurGoodwill is still reasonable...I go on Monday morning and shop for their 99 cent clothes and linens. Last week I got 3 decorative wrought iron candle sticks, a short sleeved T and a jacket and matching T and spent $6.91 cents and had fun "browsing". Even their furniture is reasonable...I saw a pretty overstuffed chair for $29.99.

quote:

Originally posted by mmtsh:
I agree about the high prices. It makes no sense to me. They make pure profit, as all items are donated. You would think they would want to move the item off the shelf and make money.

Exactly. I think they could lower the prices and move three times the stuff!

I stopped at an electronics/books only Goodwill to day and saw this twister thingy for $39.99. Check out the price online:

Ha!!! That is crazy! You are right about the high prices!

The Goodwill's here in TN are getting ridiculous. I can go to KY and they are much cheaper. Also I've noticed at the one I go to here in TN that they will hide defects. I bought a cake stand there Tuesday and they had the price tag in the center. Got home and found that it had been broken and glued together and the tag was hiding it. I can't just take it back since it is over an hour drive to it and their return policy is just a few days. I don't go that often. I paid $16.00 for it. We have gotten other things that have been taped together which you can't take off until you buy and we'll get home and find them broken inside. It is frustrating.

I have found the prices vary by store. Some of the stores have prices that are ridiculous, and others will have identical items with different prices, one way high and another more reasonable.
I have even found items with the original price tag and the TS price is higher. Usually, if I point that out to a store manager, they will change the price, but not always!

Even within the same store, some items will be way overpriced and others will be a good value. I think they have different pricing people and it depends on who does the pricing.
I also try to take advantage of sale days and color tag sales and use the senior discount whenever possible.

I don't find this phenomenon just at Goodwill, it also is evident in ARC, Sal. Arm, Re-Store, and the ones I find to usually be the most overpriced are Savers. So, I rarely go into a Savers as I can often find new items in regular stores less expensive than their prices.

Just my experiences,
Candy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Christmas Candy,

Christmas Candy,
I find our Re-Store is HIGH for junk! Some of the furniture is obviously in need of reupholstering and the price tag is over $200 for one chair! ... and you just know it will need all new padding and repair on the support due to the damage seen under the upholstery fabric. This makes that chair or item COST more than something new.
Shame... The point of reselling used items is lost.

We have a great GW where I live. Every Friday the have a coupon you can use. Today it was 50 percent off one item. They get new stuff from Target ever week. Last week I got a brand new table that was from Target. Original price $129.00 I paid $35.00

A new pack and play that was from Target for $50.00.

Pipper

Don't have a local Goodwill but my son buys books at theirs and reports prices are high on other things. He's OK with the prices of the vintage books he buys.

We have a Value Village 'relatively' local (150 miles away) and they have a once a month half price sale which I've always thought was responsible for the high prices. IMO they'd do better to keep prices low every day. I don't know how the poor people can afford to shop there. I certainly can't/won't.

Yard sales are still the best value but you have to go to a lot and take a chance on what you'll find. Can't really shop for specifics.

our salvtion army goal this year from the bell ringers for se mi (detroit) was well over 8 million...i can't imagine what the call is for those still suffering from sandy...guess i can see why they're charging more than ever...

In Louisville, I've noticed that the Good Will stores are in the more affluent area. When my mother was in a nursing home downtown, I went to look for a coat, hat and gloves for a Cuban orderly who worked there. Couldn't find ANYTHING in the Good Will store in an area where there were poor and homeless people. I thought that was ridiculous. Why wouldn't they takes stuff like that to the downtown stores where they were NEEDED and could be used.

I find that the Salvation Army and Good Will stores are charging more now in my area. I found a nice thrift shop run by a church with good prices that I shop and donate to. All their procedes go to kids in distress.

I just went to our Goodwill this afternoon and scored!

I got 5- yes 5 Beautiful, hand smocked little girl's dresses for three dollars apiece !

I got 3 pair of very cute brand new, never worn flats for four dollars each.

and 3 books- 2 paper backs for one dollar each and a hard cover for 2.50.

Thrilled with my finds!

I find prices vary in our Goodwill. It seems to depend on who is pricing things that particular day. Sometimes things seem so overpriced and other times very reasonable. Makes no sense. Don't even go to SA any more because they are just filthy.