The prices at our GWs run a lot higher but they also sound nicer. Recently, they have launched GW Boutique stores.
I toured the central facility where GW runs a by the pound outlet plus bundles product for the resale market.
Recently, I bought DS16 a pair of Diesel Jeans for $9.99 and my H a new Hugo Boss sports coat for $12.99.
I find great stuff in our local Goodwill and St. Vinnies. It is a good neighborhood for thrifting! For certain things, it beats going to a number of stores and searching, as there is such a variety of styles. I know fabric, and can walk slowly down an entire section of shirts or jackets and spot the quality fabrics, ignoring the rest. Cashmere and quality wool and cotton stand out! Shoes at my local St. Vinnies can be incredible. I have bought a number of higher end pairs there, Allegria, Keen, Merrill, and if they don’t work out, they return to the store. I (unfortunately) like shopping, and this is one way to indulge without breaking the bank. Books, china, and jewelry sometimes are great deals as well.
Appreciate the info above on the value of shopping at thrift stores for those of us with resources to go elsewhere.
Our Goodwills save a bunch of fancy stuff for the so called Glitter sale at the downtown store.
http://www.seattlegoodwill.org/blog/category/19-glitter-sale
It is super popular around here!
Goodwill has different levels of stores, they have the regular ones, which tend to be what a lot of people are describing, racks of cheap clothing, all kinds of bric a brac, etc, but they also have stores that are upmarket (I think they call them boutiques or superstores). I have shopped at goodwill, but I don’t generally look for clothing there, on occassion we have found things like a wonderful set of Italian pasta dishes, and I sometimes find some decent vinyl records there, especially classical ones, sometimes they have other unexpected things. I suspect if something is really collectible or valuable, that they likely either will send them to one of their higher end stores or sell them otherwise, from what someone who worked there told me, if they suspect something is really valuable, they don’t just put it out (I have heard of people finding really valuable stuff at Goodwill, but it is so rare I kind of wonder if some of those are urban myth).
I also can spot a quality item a mile away. Yeah, they have a musty smell but I can deal with that for 30 minutes.
No, I never have. I just have an aversion to used clothing. I can’t explain it, I know it’s not rational, just can’t help it. I have bought things like glassware, a tray, etc. from a consignment shop. I guess I should give Goodwill a chance now that I am retired and have far less disposable income.
How would you categorize a shop like American Crossroads (I think that is the name.)? Lots of high price brands. We went to one in New Orleans and there is one in Evanston, IL. Thrift shopping in New Orleans was fun! There seems to be several “categories” of thrift shops, and my daughter can usually tell the difference.
From around 1978 right thru 1983 I never shopped in anyplace except for Goodwill or thrift stores like AArdvarks. I preferred dressing in clothes from the 40’s and 50’s. And that’s where you found the stuff. ( The only thing I’ve held on to is my collection of Bakelite bracelets.) D has inherited the joy of the hunt and buys most of her clothes from thrift stores and consignment stores. Her best score was a scarlet velvet Valentino gown that she regularly wears at performances. It had retailed for $8000 and she picked it up for $400.
@VaBluebird …my mother is like that also, so it’s just not you. I don’t have that issue and just Love the thrill of the hunt and to walk out with a high end name brand top for .99 to 4.49, i just shop the tops…although I take a look at their purses. On second thought, I do have an aversion to used shoes.
2 weeks ago I found a sweater from Splendid. I only knew about that label as I visited the store in LA at The Grove a few years back. Splurged on a maxi dress at $185… But it was vacation. The sweater was very nice and in good shape…$4.49, probably runs $100 new.
I’m not a shopper. I typically don’t go shopping unless I have a specific purchase in mind. I find that you can piddle away a lot of money on tiny impulse purchases and so that’s another reason I wouldn’t just go to Goodwill. Or Target or Walgreens for that matter.
I use to go to our local goodwill store when my boys were growing up for the occasional dress shirt, Halloween costume or books. Now that bed bugs are a bigger threat and are found more and more places, I hesitate to get anything at thrift type stores, this includes clothing, books and hard items as well as soft furniture pieces. Just not worth the possibility of bringing something home from a donated item.
The Salvation Army Family Store in our area has more upscale clothing and merchandise than the Goodwill. Goodwills are for profit and prices are higher. The Salvation Army puts the money directly to job training, outreach and ministry. I have found wonderful bargains on children clothing, many nearly new or new with tags. I bring them to friends for their son and they in turn send the clothing on to more friends. Most of the items are between $1 and $4 with 50% off on Wednesdays.
Another question: do you all wash stuff before donating? I do.
I will walk through looking for bargains every couple of months. My last two buys: Goretex rain pants for $4 and a brand new custom shirt with the tags still on for $9, normally over $100 and my exact size and cut.
A guy I work with goes to all the Seattle area stores every Sunday morning checking through all the pockets for cash. He makes enough to keep going back.
Never stepped foot in a Goodwill–I dont know why. It just isnt where I would choose to shop. I give clothes and household items to the Big Brother/Big Sister group in my area. I leave everything out by the driveway under cover and they come and get it. I like the programs this group sponsors.
I don’t know why I would bother rewashing something to donate. If it’s folded in my drawers or hanging in my closet, it’s clean. It’s not like I’m pulling dirty clothing from a hamper to donate.
I donate to Goodwill a lot and I do NOT shop at all, not at Goodwill, not at any other place. I stopped and it is such a freedom. I will not need to sort my clothes and pack them to donate any more. Whatever I have is good enough.
The question should be, “do you wash the clothes you buy at Goodwill when you get home”?!!!
Be careful that your Goodwill hunting doesn’t land you needing to visit the “bag a week” thread cause your closets and drawers are stuffed!
@Pizzagirl …I get what you are ssying. I’m not a shopper either…I shop when I’m looking for something specific. I need to backpedal a little. When I’m by myself I don’t go to Goodwill. It really is a Sunday thing if DH and I have nothing to do…we will go hunt a bargain. It’s almost like entertainment. It’s by a Lowes and I have to say 75% of the time is because we had to go to Lowes so we swing in. I wash about half of what I buy there.
My daughter is self-supporting but has to live very frugally. She buys a lot of her clothes at Goodwill, and one of the best gifts someone got her recently was a Goodwill gift card! Not all areas have gift cards, but the Portland (OR) network of Goodwill stores does, so she was ecstatic!