local goodwill store deals?

**nitajaye** · 03-20-2007, 06:40 PM

I tend to shop the thrift stores sporantically. I was just at one today. There are three major shops where I live and then there are the little cutsie ones.

Todays purchases were a pair of 'clicky' shoes for my 4yo DD and a cute pair of sandles for a friends DD. $1.99 and .99 respectfully, a iron on flag partch for .39 , three skeins of yarn for .69 each, a purse for me 3.99. It was a good bargain day.

I only let myself buy things that I know I will use immediately or in the very near future. No 'I might use this someday', I usually end up donating those things right back.

I have gotten clothes, shoes, coats for the kids, my DD is getting into puzzles and I have bought several for her at thrift stores. I also buy movies and games and computer games.

I also love garage sale for the same things.

**fairy74** · 03-21-2007, 07:42 AM

DH and I went thrifting last weekend, at one store we got brand new in box speakers for his truck ($5.91), at another store we got brand new (tags still on) Reebok warm up pants for him ($5.00), speakers for my car (box was open but plastic on speakers had not been opened-- $1.65). At the last store a brand new John Lennon receiving blanket (.95), 3 very good condition baby sleepers (.65 each), 10 new (in package) baby washcloths (1.25) and a very nice blue and silver murano style lamp (4.75). If you have not read it already a great book about thrifting (and getting ideas of good stuff to buy and how to use it) is Thrift Score by Al Hoff

**tinapbeana** · 03-21-2007, 07:46 AM

my local goodwills have 50% off sales every day based on the color of the tag on the item i.e. orange tags are 50% off today, green tomorrow, yellow on friday, etc. this way they can attempt to move older merchandise to make room for new.

if you frequent a particular store, try to get to know the staff. eventually the might tell you things like when they get new material in, what time of day they restock, etc. it always pays to be nice!

**murphyc** · 03-22-2007, 04:19 AM

I enjoy the thrifts, lately it's the junkier neighborhood ones for small electronics - I've found percolator coffee pots (I like my coffee strong and hot) that work great, a few old table top radios in good shape. Found some videos for less than a buck apiece, some paperback books for a dime apiece. I like these smaller places because they're always cheaper than the bigger places like the salvation army/goodwill. I'm into gardening so I'm on the lookout for big pots. I've actually almost completely furnished my house in the past 3 years with nicer used stuff, lamps, end tables. I tell you I will never return to paying full price for anything I can use for furniture or clothing, this is too much fun. I'm to the point where I spend time looking and truly don't purchase much because I don't truly need much anymore. I'm focusing on my nephews, have found them nice bikes for almost nothing, puzzles, games.

**LuxLiving** · 03-22-2007, 05:03 AM

I shopped these stores often in the past - I can always find something that I'd like. However, I'm trying to stay out of them and focus on retirement savings instead!

HOWEVER, I do still shop them occasionally and buy stuff for resale in my junque' booth. I stay out of the clothes unless I'm searching for a particular item (thanks to Ms. Smartypants for the help) to fulfill a wardrobe NEED.

I mainly shop the outside aisles of my Goodwill store as clothes are in the middle. On these aisles can be found furniture, china, dishes, artwork, chotchkies, books, holiday decorations, jewelry and linens - all things that I can put in my booth.

Ooodles of folks always 'ooh and aahhh' over my baskets of goodies saying things like, "Why don't I ever find stuff like you did?" There are some very high end quality items to be had inexpensively in these stores if you've got a good eye and some time to browse.

But stay out of my store!!! I'd hate to have to arm wrestle you for the 'good stuff!' hahahaaaaa!

**Joan.of.the.Arch** · 03-22-2007, 07:35 AM

If you live in a city with more than one Goodwill, try visiting all of them. It seems to me that they specialize a little bit, sending more of the kitchen items to this store, more of the books to that store, more of the furniture to that other store, more mattresses (new from manufacturer) to another. And yes, you will begin to figure out that certain stores get the donations from certain retail stores and manufacturers. This can vary locally, and the new mattresses are just an exmple in my area. Nationally, Target has a relationship with Goodwill and donate a lot of items, still with tags or in-box. However, always verify that all pieces of a Target item are there and that the items is functional. Some of what Target donates is damaged or incomplete--maybe customer returns.

I find that, in my area, the Goodwill that is located on the same street with two other large, well known thrift stores is the most picked over one. It also is in the central city where the real need for secondhand items is quite high. I live in the central city, so that is the one I go to most often. But when I can hit one on the city edges, or in the suburbs, it is a different experience. I have more easily been able to find good clothes, furniture, linens, and specialty kitchen items.

**fairy74** · 03-22-2007, 07:47 AM

Joan makes a good point. Different Goodwills get different retail donations. Also in my area we have a Goodwill Warehouse store. Basically the prices are even lower than the normal Goodwill, but there is just piles of stuff (no attempt at organization). If you are willing to spend a morning or afternoon sifting, you can come away with fabulous deals---also oddly enough the warehouse Goodwill has a wonderful selection of very sturdy used cars....so check around..

**tinapbeana** · 03-22-2007, 07:50 AM

fairy, we have a warehouse Goodwill too that opened about 2 years ago. first time i'd ever seen anything like it...

you walk in and get an industrial 'trashcan on rollers' lined with a plastic bag. put what you want in the trash can and roll it to the check out line. they roll the can onto a scale (already calibrated for the weight of the can and liner), and you pay for your stuff by the pound. TOO NEAT!

**fairy74** · 03-22-2007, 08:01 AM

Originally posted by tinapbeana View Post

fairy, we have a warehouse Goodwill too that opened about 2 years ago. first time i'd ever seen anything like it...

you walk in and get an industrial 'trashcan on rollers' lined with a plastic bag. put what you want in the trash can and roll it to the check out line. they roll the can onto a scale (already calibrated for the weight of the can and liner), and you pay for your stuff by the pound. TOO NEAT!

Ooh, that's even cooler than the one here!

**LuxLiving** · 03-22-2007, 08:31 AM

We get the Target stuff at our Goodwill stores - on the broken or missing pieces stuff - if you can buy two w/two different things wrong then often times you can put two somethings together to make one whole workable item much cheaper than buying the whole thing new at Target. Only for the handy and folks who know their prices.

**threebeansalad** · 03-22-2007, 08:42 AM

I only recently stated shopping at Goodwill. Every few months I get the itch for a new piece of clothing, so it's been a good place to go when I feel like "Oh, I need new some new pants- I hate all my pants" (or substitute pants for any other article of clothing). In reality, I don't NEED pants, I just want them. I can go to Goodwill and find pants for under $5 and quell the urge to go shopping. I'm by no means a fashion diva, but I enjoy clothes.

My best find was a brand new BCBG Max Azria sweater for $5. BCBG sweaters retail for $100+ (which I would NEVER pay!)

**nanamom** · 03-23-2007, 08:26 PM

We have a local goodwill that I rarely find stuff at but I keep trying, same with the local thrift store. We stop at them when we are traveling though and that can be really cool. I found a wonderful vintage sweater/shawl that people rave about when I wear it at a goodwill for a couple bucks.

**markio26** · 03-25-2007, 06:39 PM

stopped by goodwill today.. did not find a thing.. i will stop by tomorrow and donate my new leather slippers... i have worn them twice and they hurt my heels and feet.. big waste of money on my part... i mostly wear new balance walking shoes now....

**lrjohnson** · 03-26-2007, 05:10 PM

I had a huge spree last week: three blouses, a shirt, two shirts for My Guy, a pair of pants, a skirt, a pair of shoes, an ice cream scoop, and a set of measuring spoons for $34.50. Deseret Industries is great for clothes, super clean, super big.

ANother cool fund at my rescue Missin thrift store was this rounded/creascent like flat piece of wood, that acts perfectly as a in bed desk for My Guy and his lap top. He had asked for something to use as a moving desk; this $1.99 deal, with two handles, is attractive, simple, and much cheaper than equivalents I saw in catalogues.

Lots of kitchen utensils are good finds. I git an ice cream scoop for a quarter; Target had one for $6.99, one for $7.99. Now I wouldn't have spent $6.99, but now my guy won't be bending our regular tablespoons.

local goodwill store deals?