goodwill outlets: Very inexpensive source for various items

[cally]

I just went to a Goodwill Outlet store and I'm amazed at what you can find there and how little you have to pay. The one I visited is a giant warehouse with 4X4X4 bins full of stuff like shoes, clothes, blankets, toys, household items, books, etc. There is furniture outside but I didn't look at it. I've visited it a few times the last few years and have bought a down comforter that looked almost brand new, pants, boiled wool jacket, shirts, plates, books, etc. Yesterday, I bought about 30 pieces of clothing including wool jackets sweaters, jeans, shirts and spent 20 dollars. The merchandise is delivered to the warehouse from Goodwill stores and is kept for one day in the warehouse and then sent to a landfill. It's very depressing to see all this stuff get thrown away when so many could use it.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. I have never seen an outlet store for Goodwill.

Is this just everything that has been in the stores forever and not been sold? I know that the store in my town has things there for a long time. Hell, with an outlet that moves things out in just one day, you would have to go every day to see what they have. Yikes.

I am also upset to hear that they take everything not sold to a landfill. I have a hard time with that. I understand that they get some really crappy stuff that had no business being donated, but this feels so wrong.

How do you find Goodwill outlets?

[cally]

2. I meant to post a link...here it is

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/bargainshopping/qt/Goodwill_Outlet.htm

It is the stuff that has not sold but it's surprising what you can find but you have to be willing to dig for it. If I still had small children, I would definitely go to find toys. Last time i was there, I saw several very nice wool blankets. The type I remember from childhood that were very warm but you can't find at stores now. I'm allergic to wool so I did not buy them but I know how wonderful these would be for those in colder climates.

[quakerboy]

3. That is interesting.

Had never heard of them. I've noticed that goodwill is actually quite spendy relative to other thrift shops here, and wondered what eventually happens with the excess that is not moveable at those prices. I wonder why they don't just offer a bargain close out bin at each location and reduce the amount they have to funnel to the outlet or dump?

[jwirr]

4. They do charge a good price but they also do something many people do not know - they hire the

disabled.

[kestrel91316]

5. I just bought a beautiful and chic Ann Taylor Loft gray skirt (slim, above knee)

at a thrift store for < $7. It's just a smidgen too snug across the hips but I need to take 7 lb back off anyway so it's incentive.

I'll do about anything to fit into that baby.

[Fumesucker]

6. Goodwill also sells online..

I believe that's where a lot of their better items go now.

http://shopgoodwill.com/

[jade3000]

7. Goodwill is one of my favorites, yet never heard of an "outlet"

Thanks for the heads up. I just joined the forum and already I'm getting good info. A cheaper version of Goodwill -- cool. There's an outlet store not too far from my apartment. I'll have to check it out.

[IrishAyes]

9. Always loved Goodwill and never regretted a dime spent there.

When the closest regular store was in Prescott, AZ, I went there every week. They opened an auxilliary next door that got the better and more expensive items, but things were still at about average yard sale prices. Living within reach of an outlet would be pure bliss for me. I have the dedication (or OCD) to dig through bins all day.

But I'm very glad about the online site. At least I can pick up (or just browse for) more unique items there. Shipping charges are just what you have to make peace with when the nearest town of any real size is 55 miles away.

When I want clothing, however, I visit our local charity-run Clothes Closet where everything costs a whopping big dime.

[Mosby]

10. thrift stores sell unsalable clothing to recyclers

Also shoes, linens, handbags, belts and sometimes books and plush.

The stuff ends up all over the world.