Seriously. What’s the deal?
NO DEAL that’s what!
I don’t know about you but I am starting to get a little irritated with thrift store pricing lately. $0.99 for 1 used quart sized canning jar? Are they kidding me? $12.99 for a USED pair of jeans? Used kids puzzles for $4.99 {are all the pieces even there!?}
One of the things I’m always on the lookout for is Longaberger or other high quality baskets to hold my rug hooking supplies. Typically I can find them anywhere between $2-$8. Value Village had a ton of Longaberger baskets the other day, including this new recipe basket with lid for $39.99. The basket sells for $52 on their website. Would I consider that a deal? Heck no.
Prices on the other used Longaberger baskets weren’t much better…
Seriously. $29.99 for a 23 year old used basket with paint and wear. No thanks.
I am all for paying for quality… but c’mon, if I’m going to pay that much for a basket I want to attend a home party, eat yummy food and hang out with friends for 2-3 hours and walk away knowing I got sucked into buying something I didn’t need and paid too much for. I don’t want to just causally throw it in my shopping cart and drive home with buyers remorse… I want to earn it.
Now, $49.99 for a couch? A total bargain. If there’s no flea’s or anything.
$14.99 for a rustic pig watering can that probably came from Home Goods {for the same price} not a bargain.
$1.99 for a new pirate pinata? Well shiver me timbers… that’s a deal!
$17.99 for used scrap-booking scissors that probably came from Costco and was priced under $20? No deal.
Guess how much the store wanted for these Rachel Ray casserole dishes? C’mon guess before you scroll down and see the price tag.
Is it just me, or do you think $29.99 is a crazy price too? This is a THRIFT STORE… not Macy’s.
I don’t know people, I miss the days of going to the thrift store and actually finding a crazy good bargain and then floating on clouds the rest of the week because I had found something for a knock out price.
Maybe I’m just getting old, maybe prices for castoffs have been going up for years now and I’m just starting to notice. Or maybe more people are shopping thrift stores these days and so stores can ask more money for things.
What do you think? Are prices going up in your area as well? Or do you think the prices I found for stuff was reasonable?
~Mavis
P.S. Have you found a good deal at a thrift store or garage sale lately? If so we’d all LOVE to know about it. Take a few pictures, tell us about it and maybe earn yourself a $20 gift card to Amazon. You must follow the guidelines to be considered {Get all the info on how to submit your thrift store/garage sale finds HERE.}
P.P.S. Mary from Facebook sent me her awesome Goodwill find and it really just takes the cake. I’m speechless I tell you, just speechless. 😉 WHO IS BUYING used coffee cans? Is there some sort or shortage I don’t know about?
Cindi says
I stopped going to thrift stores about 2 years ago. That’s because I bought a shirt at a thrift shop only to go home, search for it online and find out the online store was selling it CHEAPER than the thrift store. Never again.
There are no bargains anymore.
You have to know your prices and the value of things before you hand over your money to ANY ONE!
Goodwill is still a good bet but they’re catching on too!
I’ve been starting to go back to retail stores but only when they have big sales. Sometimes those prices are better than thrift or consignment.
Good luck!
Deanna says
Yes prices are way too high for things that have been donated! I always compare the cost of what I could purchase it for new…….
I am lucky I am 65 and can take advantage of ‘Senior Days’ that are usually 1/2 price but even at that gotta be careful of pricing
Angela says
I need to take my mother in law on those days! LOL!
Chris says
They’d need to discount her 75% before people would buy her. LOL
Emily B. says
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!
Helen in Meridian says
Their old lady day discount, as I call it, starts at 55.
Kim says
That means me. Nice
Joseph Destefano says
Also down here in Sarasota. The prices are more retail now. It is so bad I have seems dollar store items priced at 5 and higher.
Back to garage sales…….
salyluz says
Yep! Sarasota area has gotten out of hand! I don’t care that this is an affluent area. If I’m shopping thrift it’s for a reason.
Adriana says
I’m in Bradenton and while the Goodwill stores on 70 and on 301 have great stuff, they are way TOO proud of their donated cast offs. I could get milk glass for 59 cents, now they’ve bumped them up to 4.99. Are you joking? Don’t even get me started on the original canvas artwork! It’s no fun anymore.
Cindy says
Im in northern cali n ive seen dollar store iems for $1- $1.50, used. Ive commented to the workers n the response is ‘so’.
Judy christensen says
I saw a cupcake carrier from the dollar store last week with a price tag of 5.99. 2.00 kids movie for 3.00. I am not donating anymore to the goodwill. It was published that the goodwill ceo is paid 895,000. A year!
Rob says
Thats why I don’t shop or donate to goodwill anymore. Greedy a holes. It’s a charity for less advantaged people. Poor folks can afford 3$ for a used drinking glass?!
Rochelle says
Good for you. I stopped too. That’s what it’s going to take is for people to quit buying there
Cyd Peace says
I like to give to AmVets. No better cause than our service members for me. Unfortunately, they have gone up too, but have always had better bargains than goodwill.
Sadly, I can barely afford stuff there any more. No playtime, necessities only.
Why can’t they give you a discount when you drop stuff off? They got 7 bags with at least 1/2 in primo shape from us today. Sure could have used a coupon.
Marlene says
I’m in southern Cali. Just as bad if not worse. 2 drawer file cab broken drawers all beaten up 30.00. What in the world!
Dawn says
I think goodwill stores are getting really ridiculous over priced makes no sense,finding out you may be able to get the same thing on Amazon,esty,ebay,just crazy.some places in New Jersey is really over priced,some things be all chipped up they want 40bdollars I seen some things in there 74 dollars crazy beginning to hate it
Marcia says
my husband has a 25% discount at boston store/bergners. Combining that with yellow dot, i can get shirts for 4-5 bucks. brand new, and good quality. no way am I going to spend 4-5 dollars on a shirt who knows where it came from.
ALittleRVRnR says
I had seen 3x higher on dollar store items I was like, “what?”
Lola says
Yeah what bull go to and donate your stuff to salvation army
Judy christensen says
I do donate to Salvation Army they do more to help people than goodwill.
Siacri says
Here in Northern California the thrift stores actually hire appraisers to price goods and when the appraiser has no answer they go by the most recent Ebay auction price.. so treasure hunting is gone.. if its on the shelf its priced about 10-25% more than its worth..ive seen couches at a local Hospice Thrift for as much as $5000..yeah! I dont care how much it cost brand new five grand is absurd for any used couch.. but they get sold somehow..
Ana Maria Pardo says
I was about to buy a dress when the price tag said $75, what?! A nice light sundress, why? It still had the $357 price tag, a Johnny Was silk dress. My issue is that it was donated to the thrift store. It’s not a consignment store. I donate good stuff all the time, brand new too, but I don’t expect them to up the prices like that. Maybe I spent $120 on that pair of Michael kors heels I never wear…I give them away expecting someone to buy them for 5-8 bucks, but seeing the pricing in these thrift stores,they’re going to try to sell them at retail prices. Not cool, for that I will take my stuff to a consignment store and make a little cash myself.
Rochelle says
Yes, I agree. It’s gotten out of hand. I don’t go to these places much anymore. I stopped donating to Goodwill. They got greedy.
Kim says
Yup..in az on aka thursday $1 days you can rack up some finds hitting 17 goodwills..thats the maxi was able to handle. .but found it amazingly fun for the finds…i mean $1.. Im into the thrift habits for about 100 a month… Just till i get my new minimalist lifestyle back in ✔..lol…until im fruggling out at the thrift..got so many here in az…we have savers also..you have to watch the pricers..employees doing pricing ..but agree with other posts…no deal if new in package is only a few bucks more…valu village has steals on furnitures..thr best prices so far. …for woods.!!#! Check there store out…also the least expensive on clothing…just hints…happy shopping
May says
I am so glad you address this issue. I’ve been thinking am I crazy these prices are sky high!! But I see so many more people in thrift stores than I ever have before. My Husband says all the time we need to open our own and keep prices sensible for people to afford!
Bonita says
Even goodwill prices are getting ridiculous. I used to shop there but I can go to wal mart clearance and get new stuff for the price e goodwill wants.
sharon says
yes goodwill is terribly high priced. even home goods. even the jars shown on front page is cheaper than 1.00 by the dozen almost everywhere. Don’t check out there trash bin they throw away a lot of good stuff, I checked. Now they put sets of dishes together so if you only need a bowl you would have to buy a plate, small plate, AND then the bowl because they are all taped together. There clothes are silly priced I can go to macy’s clearance section and buy new, or go to penneys use there coupons and you can get a good deal and not used. Sorry I ramble but YES thrift stores are not athrifty way to shop any more.
SCHAHGG says
Goodwill is so high bc they pay the CEO and other executives so much salary.
CutiesNana says
You are 100% correct about that. I refuse to shop Goodwill because they are no longer a non-profit entity in my eyes. A CEO of that type of organization shouldn’t make 2 million a year.
Emily says
Depends on the goodwill. I went to one in our area and games for kids were $.50, went to a larger town and they were $4.99! I walked away!
Paula says
Thank you! I don’t even donate to them because they are crooks. I’d rather donate/shop at Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul.
Shelly says
You’re right. 88 cents on the dollar goesto corporate salaries compared to 8 cents on a dollar with Sslvation Army.
Susan says
Thank you for saying something. This is very true, I would much rather go to Macy’s and pay less.
The problem with goodwill is people keep shopping there. It drives me crazy. I refuse to go to goodwill or even donate to get rid of my stuff. Think of it, all their items are free and any thing they sell is tax free. They have so much money it is insane. Goodwill no longer helps individuals or those in need.
Salavation army does and that is why they are not as successful. I only donate to Salvation Army. They help the addicts and give them jobs, Salvation Army does not hire Harvard Grads. Each of Goodwill CEO’s makes 500$ minimum, there are numerous CEO’s. Portland, Oregon has 2 CEO’s
Sally Bauman says
I do the same thing…I only donate to the Salvation Army…in our area we have forest fires and they are the first to support those affected and do it all with no charges to anyone…right now we have flooding happening and it was them who opened their doors to the evacuees and are helping with food and clothing for the ones who have lost things…Only true non profit company in todays world!
Amelia says
I’m just the opposite. Goodwill hires and trains people with barriers to employment, without discrimination. Which means some of those salaries are actually them directly helping people. Salvation army has a stated discriminatory policy. I don’t support that. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Salvation_Army
Judy christensen says
I saw a mother with three kids buying school clothes at goodwill. Whe she went to check out the price was over a hundred dollars. She had to put most of them back. People who donated those items I am sure would have wanted to to have them for free.
Kasey Floyd says
I have noticed exactly the same things as you have described and for several years now. I won’t go to Goodwill except on 25% off day which is the only way to not get ripped off at a thrift store!
Genevieve says
Enough people complained to our local Goodwill and they have brought the prices back down. Also all that stuff about them being for profit and paying their CEO’s a ton isn’t even true. It was just one of those things going around the internet. They do good work in our community.
Pat says
There are legitimate reports available that show the percentage of profits that actually go to charity use. Goodwill remains on the bottom of the list. And yes, their CEO does receive an enormous salary. I choose to spend my money at a legitimate charity organization and Goodwill, with their play on words, is not one of them.
Michelle says
Our goodwill here in Indiana helps a lot of people. There are a lot of corporations that pay their CEO big bucks and dont hire people with disabilities or barriers.I work for Goodwill and I see the people they help everyday. Central Indiana has several Excel centers our retail stores fund to give people the chance to get a diploma who otherwise couldnt. We have a Nurse Practioner program that gives health care to pregnant woman who cant afford doctors. There are goodwil guides who come into our stores that help employees reach the goals by helping them with schooling and assistance preparing for new jobs even if its not goodwill. There are many different goodwill districts and I’m sure they all dont do the same. Our good will has great benefits and the first year I worked I had accumulated 4 weeks paid off time. In regards to the free donations. You’d be shocked at how much goodwill pays to get rid of the stuff we cant sell. Tomorrow everything 50% off in our goodwills. That is a good deal!
Maria says
Yes, Walmart has great price. I went shopping for meat and chicken and got great prices on these items compared to popular market.
Lorie says
Went there last week and said exactly same thing! Had to drive hour to get there left with one shirtit was in sale that day for 99€ the rest was at least four dollars and up…will stick with clearance racks closer to home from now on
Rosie says
It also bothers me that these thrift stores have auction sites where they put the things they think are nicer and get ridiculous, ridiculous prices for them. Not fun to shop a thrift store if there is no chance of finding a “treasure”.
Azahar says
Greetings! I volunteer my research time for SVDP. My job is to research on upscale items and possibly recommend the items to be sold on eBay or silent auction in the store. Our goal is to help as many needy people as we can, so if we can sell upscale items on eBay for hundreds of dollars and help hundreds of people in need, do you think we should sell an item much cheaper so you can buy it for your personal need? SVDP helps thousands of people with clothing, food, toys, medicines, utilities….the list just goes on and on. So instead of looking for a great deal, I find satisfaction helping out hundreds of people in need
Sue says
That is the excuse a lot of thrift stores use but I rarely see their “generosity”.
Sam says
.. the volume that comes through the store allows plenty of sales at low prices to help a heck of a lot of people … you keep up with that attitude and you will see people stop going, means less sales and less people helped … the Goodwill in Hutchinson Ks. was FAILING (how does a non-profit fail you ask ) by JACKING the prices up and the crap just sits there on the shelf … New folks took it over, dropped all the prices and BOOM, the business is THRIVING, things disappear off the shelves and don’t sit there and rot at ridiculous prices … Walmart understands that QUANTITY sales and small profits on each item bring in BILLIONS of dollars.
Kelly says
What about helping people with low income that can’t afford to buy things new? By pricing them out of the market, maybe a single mom now can’t afford to get another pair of shoes for her kids. Or an elderly person can not afford a new coat for winter and the old one is thread bare and full of holes. Just a thought!
Judy christensen says
You don’t help that many people it goes for top paid executives. I don’t donate my items for you to make a killing on them. Poor people can’t buy at goodwill..
bee says
i alike that you put the date
Dot anderson says
Thrift stores were started to supply the poor with clothing, I wonder how many pensioners can pay these prices anymore, I would have to shop on 1/2 price days
Barbara says
Not me that’s for sure.
Robin says
I’m not a pensioner, although I did just turn 50. I have a full time, well paying job, and still can’t afford thrift store prices!
Especially for clothing! I work in a factory, so I’m not going to go out and pay $60 or more for a pair of jeans which will get grease, oil and dirt on them the first time I wear them! Mind you, I don’t want to pay the $15 Value Village is asking either.
Kimberly Luna says
Lol..its like the gambler song…you got to know when to hold them. Know when to fold them and know when to walk away . know when to run .never count your money while your sitting in the parking lot and wait till the deals come around…!!!! Im in the same boat as we are..but so gracefully blessed at least its a option to choose…
Kim Burgamy says
I live in Georgia and thrift store prices here are up as well! Goodwill has always been a little pricey in my opinion, but others are getting ridiculous too. If I want to spend a load I’ll just buy new!
Karen says
I work at a non profit thrift store. The prices in this article are really high compared to ours. But you have to understand The store has to make enough to pay the utilities and employees and so forth. We price on what we would pay for it. But we have people whining all the time about prices and they aren’t even close to the ones above.
Annoyed Consumer says
And don’t forget paying the admins the high wages too. This isn’t about helping people anymore.
Rita Brooks says
The percentage these thrifts store have to donate is minimal. The prices are absolutely ridiculous. Just because a pair of run over shoes are Cole Haan the price is 19.99.
Lorie says
Most thirst stores are run by volunteers,so what employee pay??
Darwin says
Around here they aren’t volunteers. But they are minimum wage. And the employees are really bottom of the barrel
Margaret Manley says
when all the items in the store are donated the store has 100% profit even paying for utilities and wages you are making a profit
Dillard says
Goodwill pays their employees , rent, utilities ,and landscaping upkeep ,etc. What is left over goes to support the programs they offer. Headquarters also have HR, counselors, trainers and other necessary people to run a business. It isn’t mom and pop stores. Not all donated items are usable and end up being recycled when possible.
Becki says
I just can’t see past the CEO salary though.
Rita says
That’s what they all say. When prices were reasonable they were able to thrive just fine.
Lorrie says
There are so many comments on here that I could reply to, so here goes.. I manage a non profit thrift store. Our proceeds go to help fund the many programs that are offered by our local rescue mission for the homeless. The mission has been here for over 100 years, providing shelter, feeding, finding permanent housing for men, women, children and youth in our area. They help people find jobs, get their G.E.D’s, recover from substance abuse, and so much more. In my grandparents era, people donated money to our mission on a regular basis. That’s just how it was, people helping people. In today’s world and in this generation, that isn’t done as much anymore. So about 12 years ago they opened thrift stores to assist the funding. Our stores are like any other store and have overhead. Rent (about $8,000.00 a month, and that’s on the cheaper side of what retail space goes for), heat and electricity, phone, wages (we would love to staff with only volunteers, but that just doesn’t work), insurance and so much more.
There are many reasons why you may be seeing higher prices than you used to. One, rent seems to go up for us just like it does for you. Two, wages go up. Wouldn’t you want a raise every now and then? Also, in the last 5 years or so, it seems as if everyone has started thrift stores, making it harder to compete for donations. If we get less donations, we have to try to charge a bit more for what we do have to still be able to support our mission. We want to ask a fair price for items and still give the customer a good value. We also want to remember that the wonderful people who donate items to us, do so to help our organization, so we want to be able to get the maximum value from their donations.
I see many comments from people here saying that they won’t shop thrift stores anymore because they’re not getting “a deal”. Please remember that you are helping to support a mission, AND, you get to take home stuff that you want or need.
Patricia Smyth says
I would like to let you know that my daughter, granddaughters and I are all thrifty shoppers. I shop with them on Tuesday which gives me a 25 per cent off day. We have found many great buys through the years. We will continue looking for our great bargains in our local Thrifty Stores
Lynn says
There is nothing wrong with getting a deal AND helping support a mission at the same time. He problem is that the asking price of some of those items are way out of proportion, if you are there to help the needy, then help yourselves also by asking for fair prices and paying a CEO less than they are presently getting! It’s simply ridiculous. I must say I have donated for years and from what I can see? Salvation ARmy gets my donations now.
Sam says
the two don’t have to be separate … the customer SHOULD get a deal for helping … Walmart understands that selling more items and getting less for each item WORKS, both for them and for the buyer .. time to rethink your business model … Would you rather have 100 happy shoppers in your store and make $10.00 on each one, or 10 not so excited shoppers in your store and make $50.00 on each one ? … BTW, those 100 shoppers will continue to come back and even spread the word to other shoppers, bringing you even more opportunity to help BOTH your shoppers AND those charities that you support.
Indigo says
But it so much more than getting a deal as you say, Ive lost count over the amount of time Ive gone in looking for much needed item ,to find them there second hand dearer than what I could buy them for new now with raising overhead and wages taken into consideration this is just wrong plain and simple.Only the other day I went into the store that sells food on the use by date or just over because I had $40 to get a weeks worth of shopping and three mouths to feed, it was pesto for pasta (you know it should make a cheap meal) Id just been over to Woollies and remember this little shop and I though yeh I should do that so here I am holdin a jar of pesto and it was$ 3.10 and in Woolies it was $2.70 . so I thought to let the manager know so he could rectify the situation,Do you know what that son of a gun said . Well you best go over the road then eh! I could not believe my ears here I am at the bottom of heap looking at out of date pesto dearer than the fresh in date jar at the supermarket. Not only did he not rectify it the sod basically had no intention of fixing the Issue. reality check although people are going into hunt for a bargain ,does not mean that we are not in need . In fact most people are in fact in desparate need, but their situation goes unheeded because people make these completely ridiculous assumptions about people who are struggling financially, like oh your lazy or you must be a drunk or a drug addict and even if they are does that mean that even the charity system can rip you off like this it all so twisted and wrong.
J says
I’ve been told many times by thrift store workers how they help people but they do need to keep in mind many people who shop in thrift stores are in need of help themselves and that is why they are there. It’s like being at a store asked if you want to donate for the food drive and you go to the food bank yourself to make end’s meet!
Being poor really sucks (I’ve also been homeless due to disabilities), and have tried to get help from some of the organizations that have thrift stores (one has over 5 in one small city alone), yet help wasn’t available since I was unable to work. So when I hear them tell someone else who is homeless trying to get a needed item (like a backpack), but can’t afford the $15-$20 they are charging, how they help the homeless and those in need, it seems a bit hypocritical.
This organization also owns most of their retail space as well as charging people an average of $500 a month in rent for those on an SSI check of $750 or less, for the apartments above the retail space.
If it’s someone middle class not wanting to pay $5-$10 for a really nice item, ok, that’s fine to remind them. But not lower income. I can’t say how important it is to try to look decently dressed when poor and/or homeless, you can avoid harassment, more embarrassment and also keep a bit of dignity which can help in trying to get out of that situation.
There are more than enough clothes in the US, really an overabundance of them. I read how many people will wear something once, not want to wash it and then toss it! Please if you are, or know of anyone like this, encourage them to donate to places that have free clothing rooms for poor people. Shelter’s, and food banks are also places that give away clothes for free, sometimes women’s DV services.
Judy christensen says
The goodwill items are free to goodwill. They don’t need to make 150% profit. Youcan buy new for a few bucks more.
dee says
We are Snowbirds that live in WPB, FL….and usually make ‘the rounds’ on Wednesday which is 1/2 price for Seniors…if you are a Seasoned Thrift shopper then you know what is a good deal….especially with some of the name brands, etc….A few years ago I purchased a $2 Liz Clairborn purse and when I got home I found some Gold Jewelry that was left in there probably by some children cleaning out Grandma’s house after she passed….i sold the jewelry when the price of Gold was high and got $639!!!!! Paid for me to take a trip to CA!!!! Such a Deal…..
The thrill of the hunt is what we like about thrifting….we also collect clocks and have 40 that we have found at the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores…
Why pay full price when you can get a good bargain at a thrift store and besides…IT IS FUN!!!!!
Misty says
Me too. Their brand names are ridiculous. Especially since goodwill does not let you return things.
Karen says
I’ve returned things to Goodwill. As long as you have a reciept you can return items.
PolkaDotAddict says
It depends on the particular Goodwill. Some have a NO RETURNS policy. Others, it’s only on certain things (such as electronics). Still others, it’s on most or all items they sell. The one near me will only take returns on electronics, within 72 hours and you must have your receipt. When I recently visited family who live in another state, in a community similar to mine in size, their Goodwill would accept returns on pretty much anything, within 5 days of purchase – as long as it has the original sticker/tag still on it and you have your receipt.
linda says
Hi I was a interior decorator for 26 years. and most of my things I have found though the years at thrift stores. Lately that have gotten so high that I can’t believe it. new store opened here in titusville, florida at thanksgiving. had nice merchandise. a cut above most thrift stores. loved it. esp since they had sales 75%off.then after the opening. the prices are never 75% off. it is a thrift store to help battered woman. and donated. They have great brands but really.So a pair of well loved used Clarks shoes for $40.00 the bottoms are black! and the purses they want $75 for a purse that is starting to wear on the handles. GIVE ME A BREAK! I won’t shop there anymore. and once I said something about other people have been complaining about the prices. and the snobby clerk. said well don’t you think our stuff is nicer. I said some but not that much. a lot of stores have a room with really nice clothes tags still on. now they have sales for $5. for a new pair of chico’s jeggings. I love that! but they still have a lot of things way too expensive for thrift store. WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE!! MACYS!! you don’t pay for these things people like myself have donated things to their store. But I don’t want to donate to them if they are going to price things so high. If you have a yard sale people don’t want to pay a $1 for things but I feel like go to a thrift store. because you will pay 10. $10 and up for it!!1 and that is with a wooden nickle 50% off. I don’t know but some of these stores don’t pay taxes.but charge you tax??? crooks??? under the name of united way they say they sell retail so it is taxed. REALLY RETAIL!! well that is the prices they want to sell them for. But When did a thrift store become RETAIL!! I have found a thrift store that pays for their things. and prices are really good. and really neat things. they say it makes them mad that they purchase their things. and don’t charge as much as donated thrift stores. I think their should be regulations on these stores. Before they were a good bargin but I guess the cost of living has made them start charging higher prices. We need to stop going to these stores. and let them know we aren’t going to support them. If it doesn’t sell. it is not helping your stores it is better to get a little bit of something. then a little bit of nothing. and bring in new fresh things. and not have workers smoking around your wares. one store had bed bugs. I would never go there again. thanks for letting me voice my opinion. I hope you agree with me.
Samantha says
Wow. There are regulations on all retail stores including not-for-profit RETAIL stores. A retail store, one that sells good to customers has ALWAYS been a retail store and they collect sales tax where applicable, and by law they submit taxes to the state.
gen says
I didn’t have time to read ALL the responses on the question of Thrift Stores, but one thing I agree with, GOODWILL is WAY TOO EXPENSIVE! I quit shopping there years ago. I see the Salvation Army listed but, for some reason, they quit the thrift store part of their business in this area. “I” DO all my donations, and much of my shopping in the DAV stores here. Most of the time they have very reasonable prices. I love to read, and you can get used paperback books, 10 for $1.00! You can’t find that in any yard sales! Last week my daughter and I bought a couple of 1970’s era end tables for 40.00. WE fell in love with them, even though they need refinished, The tops open up, and there is storage space about 15″ by 28″ by 12″ deep. They are SOLID wood, no ply, no fake stuff, just solid wood. Looks like maple to me. So for anyone that likes to donate to a helpful organization, don’t forget to look/shop DAV. No, I don’t work for them, but my family has been in the military for four generations, so that gives me extra incentive to at least look there first. In another town there is a Methodist thrift shop, and they DO offer discounts on the marked prices if you give them a good reason as to why you would like one. Sorry if it seems like I was rambling on.
savannah says
I only donate to DAV now because goodwill and salvation army have such ridiculous guidelines. They really understand what a thrift store does. I send nearly new good quality stuff for donations. But goodwill & salvation army basically turned me down on my donations. I didn’t GET it. It wasn’t stuff that was trash, it was stuff from downsizing several friends homes. Salvation Army in my area has stuff attitude it isn’t funny. There are many struggling because of the economy and they are priced MORE than Walmart. That is INSANE.
Angie says
The problem with the Goodwill is the no one knows for sure what they do..I sure don’t. They advertise that they help people obtain jobs but the only jobs I have ever see them help people get are in their stores. Also do you know they can pay certain workers less then min. wage- https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2013/07/30/does-goodwill-industries-exploit-disabled-workers/#50f4fc636a56.
I am a social worker and the Salvation Army has helped many of my clients with housing, shelter, Xmas gifts for children (including Xmas dinner with a turkey and not cheap toys or just one toy – one of my client received 4 toys per child), they assist folks with addiction and being released from prison, domestic violence survivors and the list goes on. Some people bash the Salvation Army for being a Christian organization but as a gay woman I am calling bull on that. The Salvation Army did not ever turn away gay clients or Muslim clients, they helped all my clients and some of the workers were gay and Muslim. Helping people is helping people.
I went to several Goodwills looking for assistance and nothing at all. Also they sell their clothes to other countries ..the clothes that does not get sold at the outlet.. for profit.
The Goodwill is a huge scam..they may help some people but they could do so much more! And if the Goodwill is a franchise than that makes it all worse!
Personally I know plenty of people–poor people- who have stolen coats and clothes from the Goodwill and I think to myself that’s probably the most good that Goodwill store did to help someone.
Ana Maria Pardo says
I did something similar. I had a number of items, dresses mainly. I went to try them on and most were fitting well. A very light one, bohemian style and pattern, flowy I liked,then I saw the price tag $75. The other dresses were either more formal (for the office) or upscale cocktail dresses, those were priced between 10-15, which was a great deal because they were all good brands. However, this $75 dress would not get worn to any office party or the office. It was a pretty casual dress. It was priced that high because unlike the other dresses it still had the original price tags of $357. This was not the Johnny Was boutique nor was it neimann Marcus were it retails for $200, $75 indeed a great price if this was a retail store but it wasn’t. It was a store were all items were donated. I just didn’t think it was right to up the price like that so I changed it to $12. Slid the tag off a dress I wasn’t going to purchase and wiggled it into the$75 one, and took that tag off. It looked like the price had been messed with but the cashier didn’t even notice. $12 bucks seemed like a normal price for the dress, it didn’t raise any suspicion. I bought 5 more dresses, all really good deals. I have a decent income so I shop everywhere but I really enjoy the treasures at thrift stores. However, I donate a lot of items, many brand new, I don’t like the fact that they will try to sell them so pricey nobody wants to buy them.
concerned says
Ana Marie Pardo…I am incredibly dismayed and stunned by your comment. First off…what you did was THEFT. No possible way to rationalize it as anything but theft. The dress you stole was donated to the thrift store. They owned it. You did not. As owners, they have the right to price it at $7.50, $75 or $750. You do not have the right to “decide” your own price. Seriously, you do not! You do not have the right to go to a grocery and say that eggs should only cost 50 cents a dozen. You do not have the right to go to a car dealership and take a $20,000 car for $10,000. What you did was theft, pure and simple. It’s illegal and also immoral. You DO have the right to not shop at stores you feel are too expensive, whether it is a thrift store or if it is Neimann Marcus. You can choose to snort at high prices and choose not to buy something you think is outrageous. You do NOT have the right to change price tags and I’m appalled that you brag on how “smart” you are.
My husband and I manage a non-profit thrift store. Our store is also a ministry and feeds thousands of people a month. We daily help people at low or no cost with food, clothing, furniture and more. We also sell to the general public at fair prices. We have never turned away anyone in need and do our best to serve. But people who steal and people who lie really make me angry. We know that we lose quite a bit due to shoplifting and the theft as you described of people changing price tags. There are times we have worked with people we have caught. We serve many who have drug addictions and sometimes they just have lost a sense of right and wrong in the midst of their trials. But we never excuse theft or pretend it is anything but theft. And do our best to deal with the situations when they arise.
Today, strangely enough, I faced a situation very similar to the one you announced to the world in your post. Two customers came to check out while I happened to be at the register. It was obvious to me they had switched price tags on the clothing items they brought up. (They replaced them with tags from linens, which left no doubt in my mind). I don’t think their theft was as high of a dollar amount as yours. I am guessing they were stealing about $30 total in the prices they changed. When i confronted them, they refused to confess, just acted somewhat resigned and asked me how much it would be. A coworker informed me this was at least their third offense, so I chose to call the police. Police came and questioned them, gathering their IDs and taking their crime seriously. (Yes, Ana, this is a CRIME, and OFFENSE that POLICE do not overlook. If you don’t believe me, call your local police and ask!) We chose to not prosecute (this time) but did have the police issue a no trespass order that if they chose to set foot in our store again, we will call and have them arrested. Although charges were not filed, this report is on file.
So Ana, I suggest you go back to the store and pay them (in cash) the money that you should have paid for the dress. You say this wasn’t a retail store…well, in fact it is! They pay rent, utilities, salaries, etc… They are retail and you stole from them. You owe them not only an apology, but the $63 you stole. And no, making clothing donations does not mean you don’t owe it. You stole that dress. You should be ashamed of yourself. And I hope anyone reading this considering following your example will realize that theft from any store or any person is 100% wrong all the time.
Steal This Book says
First I want to be clear that I am only writing in regards to the Goodwill here. Other thrift stores have differing practices, policies and operating costs.
The $20,000 car in your hypothetical scenario wasn’t donated to the lot by someone believing that whoever buys it will get it at an affordable price.
You may technically be correct in calling it “theft”, but your moral equivalence just doesn’t hold up here. Overhead costs notwithstanding, many Goodwill stores are, at best, delusional, and at worst, downright predictory in the pricing of their items. Blatantly trying to squeeze out every penny they can instead of simply letting someone have it for a price they can reasonably afford. It presumably costs time and money researching all these so called “high end” items that could otherwise be put to better use, like not overcharging for DONATED goods. Don’t poor people deserve to have nice dresses? Why must it be $75.00? Ana might not actually be poor, in that she’s not starving on the street, but that is a terrible reason to justify price gouging in this manner.
I’ve seen quite a few such items eventually end up at the bins where they were either sold by the pound or disposed of entirely. Way to help out, Goodwil.
Ana’s actions may not necessarily have been my choice, but your moral outrage and declaration that it is “100% wrong all the time” is just nonsense when you actually stop to consider the morally bankrupt system we are all struggling under. The rich steal ALL OF THE TIME. In fact, our society encourages it. As long as we are living under such gross inequality, I have zero qualms about someone stealing a coat or food if that’s what they need to do. Nor does it really bother me if someone switches a price tag here and there.
Lin says
You need to seriously relax! Ana, don’t worry about this!! Enjoy that dress. Goodwill should deeply repent for their disgusting greediness. They are supposed to help the poor! The poor cannot even afford to shop their unless they buy the stained, ripped, outdated clothing. Poor people should be able to enjoy nice things as well through thrifting. Goodwill takes all their high end, designer and semi designer threads and auctionS them off to people who are not poor or struggling like you obviously. I am all for a down-on-their-luck-person walking out with FREE donated clothing if they desperately need it for FREE!!!!!!!!!! God is watching and knows who the true sinners are. Sorry, I am a bit late to comment, but your comment needed an attitude adjustment.
Becky says
Cannot find reply button for original postbut yes just got back from Goodwill yesterday trying to find V pair of pants the still are not right but hopefully my job will be okay with them which is another story in itself that requires you to wear jeans.
But anywaysfound two other pairs of capris just because I like them and one was dressier and a dress and all four articles of clothing we’re going to cost me almost $30. I only had $12 so I was only able to buy the one pair of pants that cost $6.99 and I do have a hard time finding pants but I know they sell them at Walmart for eight to $10 new.
The odd thing though is when I had a voucher from Goodwill I had a hard time coming up with $25 worth of clothes. I think then I got four shirts, a skirt, pants, a belt and maybe another pair of pants don’t recall exactly.
Karen says
My area too. As I was looking through some shirts the other day trying to find a blue tag to get half off the rediculouse prices of $4.99-7.99 and hope it was on a shirt worth a few dollars and wears; I noticed an employee coming toward me working her way through the same rack from the other end quickly grabbing shirt after shirt and hanging them on her rolling rack. I looked to see the tags and from what I could tell they were all green…which was the 30% off and only other discount offered by colored tag…well I quickly started looking for the green ones and low and behold found a nice top that was my size and worth $3 though I had to pay a little more cause it was marked 5.99 and only 30% off. About that time her manager came and said something to her about getting what she has to the back cause if….I couldn’t hear the rest then she said and I don’t want to have to deal with that today or any day. She must have noticed me eyeballing what she was gathering. Anyway I never saw any tag with the color they had posted to be 50%, as I have been noticing less and less in the past couple months. First I thought someone is hitting this store hard early, but now I think they just gather them all up and put them in the back until they rotate the color again.
Plus I have found worn, stained cheap brand kids clothes priced like 2.99 and even 4.99 but a pair of brand new polo jeans with original tags, not a spot on them, perfect condition except they were part of a 3 piece set (which was prob somewhere in the store) for 1.99. I do not get the system they use now. I figured a blind person handed another blind person a tag to stick on the next thing they picked up but nah the manager said they tell the computer the name brand and if it’s excellent, mid, or poor quality and it prints the tag they must use. …PC needs a reboot or hammer used on it. Maybe let it use a camera to see what it’s doing…been ranting to myself for a while had to let it out to some folks that agree. Maybe we should boycott across the nation. I bet they stop over pricing used junk then. I mean if I wanted $1 tree novelty I would certainly not go pay .99 for some that are filthy dirty and sometimes cracked or scuffed….
Cathy says
It is outrageous what these thrift stores are doing with over inflating prices of articles donated FREE…Not everyone is a thrift store shopper as it used to be people like myself who like the idea of recycle, feel it crazy to buy new if you can find clean decent priced items because most Americans are not rich or have kids etc… I think the over priced items are due to EBay store owners buying cheap and reselling also the internet is used a lot to look up what a item is worth so these thrift store feel they can overprice everything on their shelves especially true is with Hospice thrift and Baptist thrift stores and Goodwill is not far behind.
I say stop shopping at these places cause all of them will not dicker a lower price as I always try, and write negative comments to your local paper as 1 Salvation Army would not even give me a discount on items I was buying for my disabled son to live on his own as he needed everything but that thrift store would not help me to help my son. Pretty disgusting esp since I had to tell him he had to go without this or that until I got some extra money after paying my bills as his $500/mo SSI check does not allow for extras esp after paying $290/month rent subsidies housing. I am fed up with these greedy thrift store that forgot what the donations were intended for.
Cathy
Ps says
I started. Volunteering and thinking of working parttime, at a thrift in mass.but discouarging looking at prices that were way too much, for used.I was sad to see a a nike old “clearly old” sweatshirt marked for 14.99? Amongst other used things way toi mych.I could find brand new cheaper.I took off tag and ragged it out,( few things) felt so bad at anyone that may think some of these things are a bargain. That especially may be struggling. There donated used mostly, and the original owners that started to help others would be heartbroken, I would assume. Graninals? Kid clothes are lower priced brand new, I noticed a few things, made me sad, for others.I understand what it is like to struggle, and thrift has been awesome at a time…….
A H says
Yes! I live in eastern Iowa and Goodwill and Salvation Army have raised prices, double. I’m a weekly thrifter, so I know my thrift prices. I refuse to shop SA because tops and pants are $8. Poor people deserve lower prices for donated necessities. I guess I’m going back to garage sales…sadly
Val Blue says
That is why I shop free 99 days most of the time. People have given them these items to find they are independently owned. .
Clint says
Not sure how to respond directly to original post, but .99c for a quart mason jar? Find a moonshine, make a deal, get more than a dollar and some high test fuel!!!!!
Anna says
Well I just got back from thrift store and the one here used to have all kinds of stuff now every time I go the shelves have nothing I would even pay 50 cents for and the cashier was yelling to girl in back that she was posting on ebay so good bye good deals and anything that you might actually want so sad
JC says
You are so right! Everyone started go to the thrift store so they started raising the prices way before COVID! Years back which is bull crap! They are supposed to be to help ppl and are used items! Not take advantage and yes lots of things are more than the retail stores lately!!!
Diana says
I too have to watch thrift store pricing. I recently got a ‘new’ bread machine, still in the box with parts wrapped in bubble wrap, for $8. My old machine had just failed. That was a good buy! But a used shirt will cost $4. That’s too much, imo, so I watch for the store’s half-off promos, which they run on a regular basis.
Grammy Sue says
Totally agree, Mavis. We can get a dozen Ball canning jars of $6.99 NEW and with rings and lids at the end of the season. 99 cents for one used one is crazy. They are priced here anywhere from .99-$1.99 EACH!!
Debbie says
Exactly!!! I have thought on several occasions to talk to the manager, tell them how I feel, and then just not go back. It’s the same in Kansas. For things people give them. Crazy.
Teri says
I live in Kansas, and our local thrift shop gets more expensive daily. Skirts are $3, a dress is $4, jeans are $6 & $8 (even jeans that are worn out)….filthy shoes are $2 a pair….it’s terrible. Jars are $1. Any electric appliance is $3, and they don’t clean them….you buy them dirty and greasy. And our thrift shop is via the Catholic church. How’s that for generosity?? There’s a great big sign hanging in the store that tells you all the organizations they donate their profits to. I thought it says in the bible if you help someone, you aren’t supposed to boast about it. Anyway, our thrift shop is priced for middle class incomes, certainly not for the poverty level families. If you have four kids who need winter coats, you know those families cant really afford to pay $10 per coat. It’s shameful.
Alison says
Those prices are really low. Like really low. I don’t understand how you think $2 for shoes is expensive. The thrift store here sells shoes for $8 and dresses for $10. You have it good.
Jennifer says
@Alison regarding Kansas thrift store prices.
It’s Kansas, low cost of living in general, including housing. But also generally a high level of lower income.
While most of those Kansas prices are low compared to where I am in Oregon, it all depends on where one lives whether a price is high or not.
What I keep thinking is how there are so many comments from people who work at thrift stores and saying they have to pay to get rid of items they can’t sell…why not give those to the poor? And why not sort through items more selectively? Have sections sorted by prices, so people with a higher income can go look at the nicer (or just name brand items), and people with a lower can go look at the others. And those who can only afford a little or none at all can go look in a free or pay what you want warehouse?
Where I live, there is an arts and crafts type of thrift store, it’s all donated and they have a warehouse that is pay what you want.
This shouldn’t, nor wouldn’t work for all thrift stores, of course, it would take away for some people the thrill of finding something nice in a sea of not as nice clothes, but for some, seems like it could be a good solution.
In one of the thrift stores I used to enjoy shopping in, it’s only gotten pricier, but it’s also cramped and makes for a not very pleasant and exhausting experience. I’ve seen ripped, holey, stained, even smelly clothing items sometimes priced the same as nice name brand ones, then other times the name brand or nice fabric ones are priced high, you never know.
It’s fine if a silk dress with a small hole or stain is priced regular price, but a stinky pilly t-shirt for $5? Nothing special.
They like to call themselves a “boutique” thrift store, but in order to be so, they need to sort through the items better and have less of them. I do keep going sometimes, I especially like the employees, it just needs better management as far as the items and prices go.
Oh and this thrift store owns their retail space as well as rents apartments above it.
They have many other thrift stores scattered around town and some of them are better priced and sorted, with more room, so I know they can do it.
Shannon says
I have often remarked on this very thing! While it irritates me, imagine the people that NEED to shop at the thrift store! How can they afford these prices? It’s insane to pay the same price for a used item I could get brand new on sale! Thrift shops are supposed to be where you can get a bargain…not where the store makes a huge profit on donated stock.
Angie says
I couldn’t agree more. I believe that thrift stores started for people who couldn’t afford retail prices and now more and more people shop then so they have definitely jacked up the prices. What really irritates me are these places are getting the items for FREE and their profit margin is incredibly high and continues to increase. I worked in a second hand store for 10 years and we paid for or items and the customer received money for them and people would complain about our prices which were about the same as those at thrift stores these days. Also where I worked over the years the owners became greedier and continued to raise prices but also to account for other things as well. Anyway end rant, it’s so ridiculous what they charge. I feel if they lowered their prices they would sell through more and make more and people would want to donate their items. I just try to sel my stuff now because I can’t handle how greedy these local thrift stores have become.
Dschu says
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen used IKEA products in the thrift stores, and they are priced the same as or higher than going to IKEA and buying it new. Or how 1 jar can be priced at $2.00, but a little further down- the same exact jar is priced @ 99 cents. It all depends on who processes the item at intake.
And the prices they charge for clothes…and they have raks and racks of them- you would think they want to move them the fastest as they take up so much sales floor space, so they would make them cheaper.
Linda says
Most of the thrift stores in my area, (NW Arkansas/NE Oklahoma) charge reasonable prices but, you have to very careful to find the bargains. Also, if you need help paying a bill or rent or needing food, they will help you with that. I think that’s why some of the prices are ridiculous. To make MORE money to help people with.
Betty says
especially when the CEO makes 7 figure salary
Laurie says
I am so tired of the constant rant about the CEO and how much they make. I work for a goodwill and our CEO does not make a ton of money. Goodwill allows use of their name so not all Goodwills are run under the same CEO!! I hear constant complaints about prices and I also hear how cheaply we price things. You will never make everyone happy no matter what! Just don’t shop there if you think it is too expensive!
Kathy says
I’ve always wondered about how the poor could afford the clothing in Goodwill. It doesn’t seem right to me.
Emma B says
you are not the only one who thinks this. it is crazy how high their prices have gotten. I just told my daughter how crazy high the goodwill prices are. I can get clothes and other items for cheaper or close to the same price new on sale. for the most part I have stopped shopping at thrift stores, the deals are few and far inbetween.
Nancy Y. says
Exactly! Clothing prices have gotten quite ridiculous! I’ve seen things priced higher at the thrift stores yhan the same thing NEW at Walmart! Dishes, housewares, linens, pots & pans are just as bad in most cases. Might as well go to Walmart or other stores & buy on sale or clearance.
Joanne says
Goodwill is a for profit organization. It’s never been otherwise, it’s really disgusting, they hire handicap people pay them with Federal assistance fixing up donations. Then they turn around and sell them. Talk about a rip off double time. Yes it gives jobs to people who may other wise not have a job but they are definitely gaming the system!
Donna Harrold says
Goodwill is just a business now, they don’t give any monies to any charity or organization. They get the stuff for free and sell them, so it’s 100% profit. I live in NJ, and there are no good thrift stores around anymore.
Samantha Brdek says
It’s not just the thrift stores, the resale kids clothing stores are getting outrageous, too. I used to be able to find an outfit for my son (7) for under $5, now I can’t even find a shirt for that much.
Yes, you could say that it may be due to my kid getting bigger, but I look in the little boy section for my daughter (2) (typically cheaper than the little girls section) and it’s the same thing.
Lilly pickles says
My local Value Village went up on prices a few months ago. Used onesies are all priced at
4.00 a piece.
JANETTE says
What 4.00 for a used onesie? That is crazy. I would think 1.00 to 1.25 is more than fair.
Eleanor says
You can get a cute new onesie at W-M for that! Or slightly less!
Ama says
3.97 at my local Walmart and those are the duper cute printed ones. The plain are 2.97 I believe
Budgeting Consumer says
I have found Gerber coupons for Onesie’s and other children’s clothing. They should be in the “promotion” area on their website. I haven’t checked in awhile. Also on different websites have online coupons. Some people aren’t familiar in using discount codes when online. Just wanted to remind everyone. ☺
Rachel says
I recently had a baby boy and I was shocked at the prices while preparing for his arrival! I gave up trying to find a deal at those places and started buying off of Letgo and Facebook yardsale. I was able to buy everything for the nursery including clothes at a fraction of what the thrift stores wanted for the same items!
Michele says
Agree 100%. I used to go to our local second hand store and shop for my grandkids and get really great deals. Now, their prices are a dollar or so cheaper than Walmart. I’ll spend the extra dollar to get brand new clothes..there’s been times clearance prices at Walmart are cheaper than the second hand store. It’s a shame. I’m going back to garage sales
Susan says
I think the same thing is happening with thrift stores that happened with couponing — they are now trendy, and so can command (and, unfortunately, get) too high prices. Just as extreme couponing ruined that concept for “normal” couponers, the trend toward thrift, while an awesome concept, has ruined the thrift store.
Even Salvation Army and Goodwill in my areas are WAY overpriced, and so I have stopped going. I do have a few friends who used to eschew my thrifting, and now come to me crowing about their “awesome deals” from the thrift stores — “bargains” that I know are WAY overpriced.
I’m to the point now where I’d rather just not shop at all, because it turns into a frustrating a1nd unsatisfying experience. On the up side, not shopping at all surely saves money
Joan says
Goodwill has gone through the roof with their pricing. It’s $6.00 for a sweater that I could get just down the street for $2.00. Used kids books (you’d think they’d want to promote children reading) are $.99 Novels are $2.49. Down the street at the other thrift store .25 kids books and .50 cent novels. I no longer go to Goodwill.
Katie says
Agreed. Goodwill is ridiculous. You should see the huge BRAND NEW building they built down the street from me. I’m finding that the humane society thrift store is much more reasonable, so that’s where I take my donations. Also, I take my clothing to the local women’s shelter.
Dawn says
Also the veterans thrift store is still cheap! I enjoy shopping there but nowhere else!
I’m in Michigan I think it is the same everywhere! Everyone is trying to save money anyway they can!
Salvation Army is overpriced Goodwill I would never go there because they are not a nonprofit! That is why they are so inflated!
Mady says
Agree , Goodwill has gone Crazy!! Our Goodwill, no longer sells any Jewelry, Sunglasses, and all Brand name, is put on a separate rack and marked outrageous!! I saw a 4 pack of the Generic mixing ? storage bowls,not any name on the bowls, just thin Plastic. $14.99 Unbelievable!! Kids shoes ,like K-Mart, Walmart, are priced higher than if you bought them new!!! Like someone said, all that stuff is donated!!!! What the crap!!
Norma says
They started selling itemd on ebay….none of this money goes to help anyone…oh unless you count getting trained to work at goodwill…lol
They seriously think this is putting your items to work for you….I told them Walmart and Burger King put people to work but dont take up collections or charge high prices for this..
Barbara says
Norma, you made a very good, valid point! Plus Walmart & Burger King at least pay minimum wage, if not a little more!!
Jeannie says
Check out what the CEO of Goodwill is making. It is supposed to train people and get them jobs but check what is going into his bank account. I used to go to thrift stores where you could put all your finds in a bag and only pay $1 on certain days. They also had fill a box with books for $1.00. Nice size box too. Found a Cuisine Art Food Mixer, brand new, all the blades and bowls for $5.00. They didn’t even know what it was. I was riding high going home on that deal. That was my favorite thing to do, spend the day at all the different thrift shops. Now I am so turned off on the prices I can’t even get my books for $.27, they are now $.99 and $1.99. I can go home with 2 and it used to be 8! Will check the yard sales this summer and see what they are like. I did feel good at a Goodwill a county over from us. Was looking in a catalog at a certain dress and kept putting off getting it. Looking in the clothing section I found the exact dress, brand new, for $1.99. New the dress was on sale in the catalog for $39.00. What a deal!!! I guess it is the thrill of the hunt that gets my blood boiling. As soon as I pull in the parking lot I start smiling. You are right on the glassware but one of the local stores is good on that. $.29. Happy hunting everyone.
Mary says
Goodwill stores used to be in strip malls or empty stores that would otherwise stay vacant. Now they are building brand new, stand alone stores that are as nice as many department stores. No wonder the prices are so high!
Kim says
And ours is on the south end of our town which is where the higher income families live too. Ours never has anything on its shelves yet 30 minutes north in a different town their inventory is huge.
Deanna says
me too I just don’t stop at them anymore , and I agree it has become a trendy thing so they raise all their prices , Here in Kansas I would often see things priced higher than new , I even took one to the counter one time that had the original price tag on it and DAV had priced it higher . And Goodwill I stopped a long time ago , they keep the good stuff and sell it online, they even have an e-bay site store where they can rip off millions of people
Laura says
You are so right about the e-bay store. ShopGoodWill. It’s an auction. Check it out. With shipping and handling, the prices are even higher.
Anne says
I usually don’t shop thrift stores but the Goodwill advertisements are all over the radio and billboards her in St. Louis – “doing the most good” – I don’t think so. The amount they spend on advertising could most definitely go to better use. I do shop the semi-annual local children’s consignment sales though and those are a deal. For little kids, you spend 10% what you would at the store for items they are going to spill juice on anyways.
Jennifer says
“The amount they spend on advertising could most definitely go to better use.”
Haha, right?! I’ve had that thought. I think most people know of Goodwill and they don’t need to advertise much, plus if prices are good, people will talk.
Speaking of consignment shops, one of them around here has prices about the same as some thrift stores but they actually buy their items as well as pay rent.
Carolyn says
Prices are more reasonable at garage sales.
Kora says
In Holland a glass jar at one of our cheapest stores cost around the 4,5 US dollar.
Terri says
Yes, some things are priced ridiculously high, but other items are priced ridiculously low. Yesterday I bought a vintage Hermes silk scarf for a steal at $12.99. These sell for $100+ on eBay. By the way, every Monday, Value Village has one color price tag for 99 cents. That’s the time to shop there.
Cash poor says
Except when at value village they remove about half of their stock and resticker them with a different color!! True!!! Husband used to work at one.
Candie says
Goodwill does the same thing. Their color of the week follows a set schedule and you can see them the week before pulling inventory that has that color tag. Also, their pricing isn’t logical. Some things are a real bargain while others are more expensive than retail. I swear they had better prices and merchandise before they moved to a new location. I love thrifting but will gladly walk away if it’s not a real bargain.
Laura says
Got to love those ‘color’ days. Just try and find the ‘color’ of the day. Nothing is ever available.
erin says
I think it depends on if it’s a consignment store or thrift store (donated)….I’d say goodwill is pretty expensive anymore too. I usually shop at a consignment store and I think it just depends on who priced stuff that day.
Carolina says
Ah, Mavis, just another reason to want to move to seacoast New England!!! Just down the road from Portsmouth, NH, in the town of Rye, NH is the Rye Congregational Church Thrift Shop. It looks like a fancy-dancy boutique but it has amazing low prices on designer clothes for men and women, and well as all manner of household goods and books. A few weeks ago, I bought 2 sets of lace curtains, still in the original package for $2 each, as well as some draperies for $2. Several years back I bought a complete set for 4 of Corelle dishes for $5—and still use them every day. The shop is open from 9 am- 1 pm Thursday & Saturday—but only from March to December.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thank you! I’ll add it to my list. 🙂
Carolina says
Last week I also sent you some info on Harvey’s Bakery in my town as well as info on Fuller Gardens (right on the ocean and near the above mentioned thrift shop). Have you checked your PO box lately?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, all three are on my list. 🙂 Thank you so much, it was very thoughtful. The reading room looks amazing!!
Brianna says
I am in total agreement for most thrift stores, at least the nationally know ones. Their prices are comparable to eBay. I still think DAV ones are reasonable. I use to shop thrift stores for my kids clothes, but after spending $100 at Goodwill last time and only getting 1 bag of clothes for my kids, I was angry. I use to be able to outfit their entire seasonal wardrobe for 3 kids a few years ago, now I can’t even buy the basics. I don’t shop in thrift stores anymore, I can buy clean, smoke free, pet free, and dust free elsewhere and stretch my dollar with coupons, sales, and discounts.
Donna says
I’ve also wondered if anyone else noticed the hike in prices, I’ve just been walking right on by. Shopping more sales & clearance items. Thrift is joining the big guys & getting competitive more thAN EVER. And the Dealers wipe out most before people that are looking to use get a chance to buy. Time to change shopping strategy.
Dawn T. says
I’ve seen dollar store items priced more expensively at the “charity shop” than they were at the dollar store.
Veronica says
I notice the same thing all the time in Goodwill
Lace Faerie says
Yes, me too! Recently saw a $Tree votive cup at Goodwill for $2.99! What? The only thing I can think of…I was wondering if they price something for $9.99 and it doesn’t sell, do they get a tax break for a loss when it’s sold for $.99??
It’s gotten so I never step foot into GW or VV unless it’s Monday morning when they have discounted a certain color tag. It used to be Monday’s certain tags were .99, now it’s $1.29. Not a giant leap but still irritating!
Susan says
Me, too! Those little glass bowls that are 4/$1 at the Dollar Store sell for .99 each at Goodwill! CRAZY!!
Deb Worley says
Yes, I am shopping for $1 vases/candleholders for my daughters wedding. At 2 different thrift stores this week, I saw one 50% off a $3 price making it $1.50 on a dollar store item. A second store had it for $2. I felt like taking the items to the counter and offering $1 but that would be frown on.
Teresa says
Our local store has quarter day on the last Saturday of the month. All clothes are only $0.25! We have 7 kids so I stock up. Some months they even include shoes. But the thrift store in our closest “city” has gone up terribly in prices.
Jen says
I agree, I’m a reseller, and I can’t believe how things have changed even in the past couple of years. I have had to investigate new places to source, and its getting really aggravating. The stuff is previously owned, and DONATED! It is really astounding.
Becky says
Resellers are one of the reasons for thrift price increases. If it’s cheap enough for you to resell and make a profit, why wouldn’t the thrift store want that profit for themselves? Thanks for ruining it for those that need low pricing.
michelle says
I imagine she needs to make a living too and that’s her way of doing it. In this economy a lot of people are looking for ways to make extra money, can’t fault her for that.
Jo says
Exactly! I have a friend who “picks” and resells. She has a well paid job, it is just her hobby. She makes $500-$1000 a month on it. It makes me furious that things I donate to/for a good cause have been being sold cheaply and then resold by her for 10x the price and profit. I say go for it thrift stores. That money should be going to charity, not someone’s hobby!!
This has been irritating the heck out of me for years!
Lace Faerie says
I give to the thrift shops because I do not want to bother trying to sell things. Often times, I offer things on FreeCycle before donating.
I think if you make a living by gambling that the dusty item found at a thrift store can be cleaned up, listed online and hopefully sold for a profit that includes the value of your time, then I say good for you, go for it.
What irks me is that GW corporate management makes huge salaries, over $1Millon. When I read that in the paper, I stopped donating to them and give my charity items to Salvation Army or a local church’s fundraiser.
Maryann says
Salvation army’s CEO makes two lainlmillion a year , wow that’s more than the president makes. ,!!Goodwill CEO makes the same amount . Here they ask if you’ll round your change to the next dollar !why when these donations are given free !the prices have gone to the point that the very ppeople it was to help can barely shop there ! The towels have gone to anywhere from 2.99 to 10.99 each ,I see in Salvation Army all women’s blouses are at 5.99 each . Same with men’s shirts ,5.99 each .okay, so I can’t pay these rising costs . exp
Tina says
Where I used to live in Jefferson City, MO… Their Salvation Army lets their employees sort through the donations, and those same people that are volunteering, pick through everything and keep what they want. I don’t understand how they can do this; they are supposed to be selling this merchandise to raise money for their soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Yet I would see all these employees walking out the back with all this merchandise. The men would be outside unloading cars for people and as soon as they drive off are putting lawn mowers and tools in their car. The stuff never made it inside the store!!! And at Goodwill, their employees can’t even buy any merchandise they get in until 24 hours later..which I suppose is a good thing. But a lot of people don’t know that when Goodwill gets something really expensive in, they put it online on their auction site! YES, they have an auction site! Ridiculous!!! Yet they boast how they are helping the poor in your community, that all sales stay in your area…absolute hogwash!! Okay, rant over! But I reserve the right to come back and whine whenever the mood hits…lol!
Deb Worley says
I have been a reseller for a few years now. I am the bread winner in the family. I don’t buy all items…so your kids clothes are safe…I am not driving up the price there. I sell old quilts and vintage.
C.B. says
I too am a reseller, and I don’t see the logic of the complaints about re-selling. The thrift store sets the prices and the money they request and I spend goes to the charity they support (IF they do). If you donate an item, it is because you do not want it anymore; you may also be doing it so the thrift will make money, which they still do. If a person buys from a thrift store and re-sells it for higher to someone who can obviously afford it, I do not see any moral dilemma. That buyer has an item they wish for, the reseller makes extra money (in my case I am a widowed single mom who needs it), and the recycling of the items is still decent for the environment. I resell vintage items that the truly poor would have little use for, but they still indirectly benefit from me shopping at a charitable thrift. And I have zero compunction about selling at a profit from for-profits like Value Village/Savers. If you resent the reseller charging a higher price for the item you donated, maybe donate money instead of goods and try reselling yourself. It’s a lot of work. Maybe reselling has driven up secondhand store costs (and that hurts/deters resellers too), but it could also be overheads, access to the Internet causing stores to price according to eBay unsolds as mentioned, poor judgement in pricing and a bunch of other things mentioned in this thread. Most actual charitable thrifts have voucher or other programs where the truly poor can receive items for free or for a reduced cost. That’s why the best places to donate to (if you are concerned about altruism and not just Marie Kondo-ing it) are religious-affiliated thrifts or womens’ shelters. That being said, I definitely have noticed higher prices in Canada as well in the last 2 years, and it’s going up.
Laura says
Once you buy something, you can do whatever you want to do with it. I used to sell my stuff at consignment shops. I made some good money. If they only knew where I got my stuff. Many years ago, my Sal Army used to have ‘fill a garage bag for $10’. I got Coach purses, Liz Claiborne clothes and lots of other great stuff. I thought, who would donate all this good stuff. Once a comment was made by one of the staff about people re-selling. I told them, well, we already paid so it’s ours to do with want we want.
Barbara says
Coming extremely late to the party but I agree. I buy real wool sweaters for dirt cheap and then felt and repurpose them and resell them. So?? Just as once I give a handmade item it’s no longer mine, once I buy something from the thrift shop it’s really no one’s concern. I mea, my son made a livig for like four years buying used books and reselling them on amazon.
cara says
Don’t go to that thrift store anymore. We have affordable ones in Milwaukee WI
Rita says
I’ve noticed the prices are out of sight at the local thrift store so I look forward to garage sale season. Items are much cheaper.
Anne says
I have always noticed that some garage sales are cheap and others are way overpriced. It all depends on the person doing the pricing, there’s nothing telling them what to charge. When I am at a garage sale and see a pair of no-name high heels being sold for $18, I walk away from that garage sale. My husband commented years ago after a morning of garage-saleing, that it was like going from one party to another. Exactly! Everybody makes their own decisions how to sell, what to charge, etc.
Jessica says
Now, some garage sellers are putting signs up on specific high priced items saying “sells on ebay for $…. !!!
Christy L says
Goodwill on the east coast is also getting expensive, in my opinion. Check out local auctions! Sometimes you get what you want, plus more for $5. When you sell the extras you can make more than your original $5 investment. But sometimes things sell for more than I’m willing to pay and I go home empty handed. That’s the way it goes.
Cindi says
I’m with you on this one. My local Goodwill is ridiculous. The Humane Society thrift store in town is all over the place — some stuff is ridiculous, while others are true bargains. I think it depends on who was pricing stuff that day. They have a dollar clothing rack where I have gotten some good deals, but other items are priced about what you would pay on eBay — sometimes they even print off an eBay listing to show that you are saving $5 or so with their price. If you complain about pricing, they says it’s all for a good cause — which it is. But I will spend less, or not buy at all, if the prices are too high. And everything they get is donated and they’re staffed by volunteers, so almost all the money they make is profit. I still go to look for good deals, though. I have some wonderful clothing from the $ rack, and last fall my husband was able to get a good pair of skis for $15.
Veronica says
I have stopped donating to Goodwill for that very reason. Their prices are getting too high, especially for donated items! And their corporate officers make ridiculous salaries…..but that it a different topic.
Kara says
Three words- CHURCH RUMMAGE SALES
I scored a 1944 Shawnee Pottery Smiley Pig Cookie Jar for 50 cents (sells for $75+ on eBay). A bag of vintage Shiny Brite Christmas ornaments, vintage tea towels and beautiful embroidered table clothes and pillowcases for a quarter each. I could go on and on. It kills me to shell out a whole dollar for an item nowadays 😉
E in Upstate NY says
Agree with you regarding the thrift shops pricing much higher than they used to. sometimes it’s the person pricing and sometimes its just the area.
Went to an estate sale [not auction] late on the last day. Saw a canning jar priced at $1. At check out, I asked if they’d lower the price, as I can get the jar brand new for less. Nope, so I put it back . Wasn’t even willing to barter! That said, did get a tray full of sewing machine and hand needles for 50cents and a ball peen hammer for 75 cents. Oh and a yard of cotton fabric for 50cents. Go wonder.
Lilly pickles says
So happy to see this post, I thought that maybe I was just being difficult. I wanted to start canning, amazed that the jars are double what I would pay new at Walmart. It has become cheaper to buy clearance online for my son than used at Goodwill or Value Village. $7.00 at Abercrombie and Fitch instead of 6.00 at the thrift stores. I have had to change my approach. Goodwill has clothing with preset clothing prices. We try to visit on Sunday when the new half price color changes. I bought 5 summer sleeveless blouses for $1.50 a piece this last Sunday. My son graduated high school this week. Value Village got $8.00 for a tie and brand new dress shirt. My newly graduated college daughter just left for a job interview in California. We went to Value Village and she really scored. She found 6 items all new with tags for $22.00. ( 2 dresses, shorts, capris, swimsuit and a sarong w tubetop). My best purchase was a 300.00 Volvo. They thought the transmission was bad. There was a cable wedged into a broken piece of plastic. My dad paid 80.00 to fix it. I drove it for a year. Someone hit it. Their insurance paid me 5000.00 and let me keep the title. I drove it another 5 years and finally gave it to a needy family.
Amber says
I loved your volvo story in a previous post! I told my husband, who usually poopoos my frugal ways, and he thought it was so great that he has been retelling it to his friends! Thx for the encouragement to keep on the frugal train!!
Pam says
I bought a Volvo for $600, drove it for five years, and sold it for $300, so I thought I had done well. Your story beats them all by far!
savannah says
Our deacon was a mechanic, he used to auctions or salvage yards where they donated vehicles. He bought many volvo’s and repaired them and gave them to single moms at the church to drive. He loved fixing cars, and he knew volvo’s would last. Many of us use to give him money for parts and repairs so he could fix more.
Suzanne G. McClendon says
No, I don’t think the prices that you found are reasonable at all for a thrift store. It sounds like this thrift store thinks its is an antique store instead.
Our daughter volunteered at a local thrift store operated by a local church and that store very often has $5 bag days. It wasn’t for everything in the store, as I understand it. It might be a $5 bag day on clothes or shoes, whatever. Whatever things in that category you can fit into the bag, you got it all for $5, which I think is a pretty good deal.
Have you checked out Freecycle for your area? Maybe you could get what you want through that program. We got a terrific huge couch that was in great shape through our local Freecycle group.
Have a blessed day!
Jfred says
I’ve noticed the upping of prices. Most of the thrift stores by me are now listing dishware at prices I find at antique malls. Definitely NOT thrift store prices! When newly married (and fairly low on $$), thrift stores were how I was able to decorate and afford “new” (to me) things. Now that we’re established, I still prefer my decor to be pieced together with lovely vintage finds….but not when I can buy the stuff new, in the stores, for LESS than at the thrift stores!
There is ONE Goodwill that is smaller, and I can still find good prices there….but I don’t tell others about it, lol.
Melissa says
I’m glad I stumbled on this post because I thought I was going crazy or just turning into a cheap old lady! We have found a few local non-profit thrift stores and that is where we find the good deals. We don’t go to Goodwill or Value Village/Savers much anymore because they have gotten so ridiculous.
Marcia says
Ha ha yes. But you have to blame the internet. With eBay, you have a lot of people doing reselling – buying stuff at garage sales or thrift stores, and reselling. So I assume the thrift stores are probably checking ebay before pricing.
I don’t shop much. But the few times I’ve been to our local thrift stores, I haven’t found much in the way of good deals. Occasionally cheap toys. I once found large bowls (Corelle), for $4 each. They were $5 new at Kmart. I mean really. The same store had unopened Suave shampoo for $1.99. Are you kidding me?
I did find a decent pair of dress slacks for $11 (retail: $60).
Anyway, I just aim to buy less.
Barbara says
YES!!!
Finally someone else is telling it like it is! Within the last month I have been told TWICE at 2 different “Thrifts” when I questioned a price “That’s what it is going for on eBay. we looked it up”. I have issues with this statement for multiple reasons… 1) Did they look at completed listings, compare prices?. or just quote what someone’s (with no real knowledge of value) wishful thinking price was? 2) Consider that just like live auctions, that multiple bidders were interested in the same item, and caused a bidding war, causing the value to be over-inflated. 3) Is the item they have an EXACT match? examples. The one online is in original box, is theirs? Is their item crack, chip, flaw free? Or is it even clean? 4) The person selling online has most likely paid for their item, packing supplies, and insertion fee and the “Thrifts” item was donated? “Goodwill” … Really, what I would like to know, if all you do for the community is train people, give them mostly part-time, go nowhere jobs, with no benefits, sometimes paying them less than minimum wage, pay you CEO a 6 figure wage and that is all, just who are you helping ???
Lisa says
I guess the only way their prices will drop is if we all stop buying for a few weeks. They would eventually have to drop prices or do one of their half-price sale days to free up the space for new donations. It is annoying to donate a car full of items, go inside and buy a few things and then be asked at the checkout line to round up the total for their job training program. I’ve cut way back on my thrift store shopping trips. My favorite thrift stores are now the humane society stores where they are staffed by volunteers and the proceeds help local cats and dogs.
Vy says
I completely agree! I was horrified at $8 and $9 for shirts at Value Village, and books $3.50+ … . I don’t trust these chain ones anymore. Maybe next year you could visit little thrift shops instead of bakeries 🙂
Mary says
I stick to estate sales.
clickercricket says
agree….jeans are ridiculous. i only go on 50% off everything days, anymore. they usually have 50% off on certain colored tags (the older ones). but i haven’t shopped at regular retail for years.
Deb says
Have any of you thought about the labor, rent, utilities, insurance, etc that it takes to run a store? ( doesn’t matter if it was purchased or donated)
Cheryl says
There is a good reason Goodwill (who does nothing for anyone) stores have popped up on every corner in an effort to beat out the faith based stores. When you get everything for free and then charge almost retail and pay only MINIMUM wages you make lots of $$$$. Goodwill’s owners are multi-millionaires!
DO NOT GIVE THEM ANYTHING! Put a little Christian effort out and drive to a true mission store or CALL if you have large or lots of GOOD THINGS your clearing out.
Marti says
I agree that thrift store prices are atrocious. I refuse to shop at Goodwill or the Salvation Army Shop or even donate to them. We have a store called Good Steward in our area that is run by one of the churches. All help is volunteer except for one paid employee. All clothes and other items go through a careful screening before being put on the floor for sale. They are closed on Monday to restock. The community knows that so Tuesday there will be a line of 50 to 75 people waiting when the store opens. The shop is always busy. They have received letters from people thanking them for keeping the prices low. These people have stated they couldn’t afford to shop at Goodwill or Salvation Army because of their high prices. Most prices are equivalent to rummage sale prices.
Jen says
I own that same piggie. It comes from Target, and no way in God’s grren Earth did I pay $14.99 for Porky!
Also, can someone please explain the mystery of these Longaberger baskets? What’s the big deal about them, exactly? Thanks. 🙂
Mimi says
Jen,
The Longaberger baskets are made from maple. I wondered about them too until I snagged one (like new) at a garage sale the other day. Really well made and heavy duty…heirloom quality for sure.
Mimi
Jen says
Thank you Mimi! Mystery solved. 🙂
Helen in Meridian says
They are strong enough to be actually used, not just spent empty on shelves. Each one is made for you after you order it and is signed. Unfortunately Longaberger has had to move out of their wonderful Basket shaped building, and it is for sale. At their home parties the baskets ran $50-$150 each. Sunday Morning did a piece on their last week in their building. People didn’t have as much money to waste on party gatherings like Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and Longaberget baskets as they used to.
Jen says
I saw that little piece on the building! Yes, no one wants to pay for handmade goods when factories churn them out so much cheaper (regardless of quality). Sad reality.
Deborah Seeton says
I’m always late getting in on the action. I think the people working at goodwill are getting the goods before they hit the shelf. You never see good stuff anymore, it’s all on ebay
Darla says
Just to add to the Longaberger discussion, they will repair their baskets for free or low cost if something happens to them even if you are not the original owner.
D'Anna says
I volunteered at a non-profit thrift store for well over a year and battled this very thing constantly. Everyone wants to make the maximum amount of money for the non-profit but pricing things as to what something is listed on Ebay (that never sold) really isn’t the best business plan. Move volume at affordable prices, more people will frequent the store spending their money and everyone is happy. I have seen it over and over at different thrift stores to the point I would just rather stick to the clearance end caps at Target 😉
Cheryl says
You are too right. I can shop Macy’s clearance and do better. At an outlet store I just got Bass & Woolrich, Izod short sleeve shirts for $8.99 ea and a Nautica for $13. Ditto on slacks at Kohls, etc. I buy for my disabled son, HS age gdson too and live on my SS so these bargains add up and everyone looks good.
Alice says
Don’t Even Get Me Started!!
I can see this is a hot spot for more people that just me. I get so frustrated when the thrift store prices are the same or higher than retail. I could just go on and on, but I don’t want this to turn into a rant.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
Deborah says
Do some investigating into the thrift shops-I never give anything to Goodwill- it’s not a charity. The people who own them make big bucks. I give my stuff to the Salvation Army or to a local charity who are making a difference.
Thrift stores now all think they a boutiques and I’ve seen it coming, they start making it fancy and the price goes way up.
I can still find treasures, but it takes a lot of work and patience.
The closest Goodwill used to be next to a 99 cent store-it was funny to see all the stuff Goodwill was selling that had come from that store !
Mimi says
Goodwill provides a ton of services to mentally and physically disabled individuals. The donations they receive enable them to provide these services. I know someone who was able to become employable and independent after receiving help at Goodwill. They do a lot of good work. 🙂
Cass says
Their CEO makes over 3 MILLION a year. Imagine how much good will he would generate if he used THAT money to help.
(PS they recently stopped helping the handicapped for training when the tax deduction for doing so went away)
Cheryl says
This is not true for all Goodwill districts. Every district had it’s own board and ceo. Our local district is non-profit and hires all employees at equal wage regardless of ability. They run a homeless shelter for families and programs for job training. Their pricing is reasonable too with half price sales every weekend.
Joyce says
The only people who benefit from Goodwill store are the CEO’s They do not help the community much at all in the area I live in. Please do more research before commenting.
Tammy says
A lot of times I’d rather buy something on clearance with a coupon and get it new, than to buy something used and wearing out from a thrift store.
I think something that thrift stores do is price high because of the “value” of the item on Etsy or ebay. They think that because people are buying and selling something that they can get the same price for it at the thrift store.
Melissa says
I am a coupon, reward card, clearance shopper. I often see used prices and think the same thing.
donna says
I agree. I find more up to date clothes new that are less expensive shopping the sale aisles at Kohls, Macy’s and Stein Mart. I have given up shopping for clothes at thrift stores.
Andrea says
I had a yard sale recently and priced used mason jars with lids at .50 each. A friend told me to up the price to .75 each because the thrift stores were selling them for 1.00. I stuck to my original pricing and sold them all. I had no idea they were going for 1.00 each in the thrift stores. I think that’s about what you can get them for new. Funny you posted about that!! I agree that some of the prices are ridiculous!
Sarah says
I’ve seen a billboard in Tacoma advertising Goodwill’s new lower prices. Haven’t stopped at a Tacoma area Goodwill to check it out. I live in the Seattle Goodwill area. Have you stopped in? Value Village prices are awful.
Pam says
I stopped shopping at Goodwill and Salvation Army years ago because of the high prices. I am not willing to pay anything near retail for used items. I’ll buy new instead. I also question how much of the money they make is actually helping the underprivileged vs paying executives salaries.
Jeanine says
Since every Christmas my family plays the “white elephant” gift exchange, I’m always on the hunt for a funny or useful gift. Last fall I bought a “Sticks” keepsake box for $3.25 at the Goodwill. I’m sure they didn’t know how expensive they are online or retail “Sticks” store. It was about 10 years old…but new ones sell for over $400. My sister grabbed it up and has it. Everyone wanted that box….even I thought about keeping it. But, I have too much stuff as it is. It was a prize for sure.
Most of the time I’m looking for 100% wool for my rug hooking. Yes, I Rug hook as well. Sometimes I find a Pendleton shirt for around $3 which is awesome. Thrift store shopping is so addicting, as long as one can find a deal. But like you say,the prices are getting ridiculous.
Laura says
I know a lady who did the same thing. She made braided wool rugs. Wish I knew how to make them. They are beautiful.
Cheryl says
PC? How to’s w video’s for everything under the sun on YouTube and the WWW.
savannah says
My grandma made wool braid rugs all from donated coats. They were beautiful and very much works of love. The size she made would have cost too much for wool rugs. But now days, you can’t get wool coats for practically nothing. She used the ones that had defects and got them dirt cheap.
Lisa says
Yes!!! It’s completely ridiculous. Just because a used, stained dress has the GAP label on it, our thrift stores jack up the price! Like it’s a boutique or something. People, there is SO MUCH CRAP sitting in thrift stores that people could be enjoying or up cycling, reusing, etc. but instead it sits overpriced in a stinky thrift store and who knows where it eventually ends up. Maddening! If the prices were lower, their inventory would turn over more quickly and I really think that they’re shooting them selves in the foot and could actually be making more money. And more people happy!!
Anyway. I did score 4 mid century Danish bentwood chairs for $40 in excellent condition from Goodwill. I think the wrong person prices those babies!! So that is my one saving grace story. But mostly? My husband and I agree. Unless it’s.49 day it’s usually a rip off.
Constance says
i certainly would not charge those prices at my resale shop in Fremont Michigan. When pricing my inventory I always think to myself…what would I pay for this item in a Thrift Store. Add me to your list:
A Leap of Faith Resale Shop
26 E Main St
Fremont, MI 49412
mdoe37 says
If I lived closer to Fremont, I’d shop your store! I’m over by Sparta.
I hate to say this, but I do shop Goodwill, usually only one specific store about 15 miles away. I haven’t noticed horrible prices. Jeans and pants $4.99, shirts $3.99 like Woolrich etc. unless things have tags. Columbia winter coats $12. I don’t really think that’s too bad.
I don’t know about Goodwill’s business model. I live in a rural area with few options and little interest in driving around the city “hoping” for a deal. I don’t garage sale…..most around here are ones with kid’s stuff. I don’t have kids. I just do the best I can.
Deborah says
You must have been in a Ritzy neighborhood. I think the prices are way too high. For the Rachel Ray casserole, maybe $9.99, on the high side for me, but more reasonable than $29.99! If I’m going to spend $29.99 for a casserole, I at least want it new, never been used.
Robin says
The problem is these stores look at wites like ebay and etsy, and they take the biggest asking price… Goodwill irks me, not only are they NOT a non profit, they scalp people with their pricing! I understand they have overhead, power, AC/HEAT employee pay, drivers, trucks etc, but come on, it is 100% donated goods!
Cecile says
Hi Mavis! I agree $49.99 for a basket is a bit ridiculous-even for Value Village-US! I do get the odd great deal on silicone bake ware for my soap molds. Those crazy ice cube trays you buy because you just have to have frozen pineapples or fishy’s floating around in your drink are usually in packages of three for $2.99 CAN! Now that’s a deal! lol I do have a suggestion for you, instead of those gorgeous baskets you can often find quality cheese shops selling their wooden cheese boxes. They are pretty sturdy wood that can be hand sanded and stained. What I love is the flat lid, so I can stack my wool supplies in bins of colour…all the greens in one, reds in another blues in yet another and so on. They make an awesome looking tower. I don’t have that many yet but my friend who introduced me to the boxes has a very stable colour tower in the corner of her summer home. This year when we go back for our holidays I am leaving some US funds with her to pick me up a few more…I think I will have to take clothes for the trip that I will wash and donate at the end so I have room to pack the boxes! lol
Brenda says
For states with lax non profit tax status you find a ton of JUNK stores, outrageous prices. They can pay their BD of directors tons of money and never make a profit. Plus so many take JUNK that costs them to dispose of, in the end the consumer pays!
Mary Neathway says
Value Village and Goodwill aren’t thrift stores in the sense that they are in business to be a charity fundraiser. They are businesses, paying staff. I volunteer– yep, not paid- at a thrift store in the interior of British Columbia where all funds raised go to help buy hospital equipment. A pair of jeans? $2. A shirt? $1.75. Baskets- depending on size and condition- $3 and less. Canning jars- 25c…. And twice a month we have a half price on everything sale. Thrift store shopping is great fun but don’t be surprised if the private businesses, masquerading as thrift stores have outrageous prices. I stopped going to Value Village a few years ago when I saw a summer dress priced higher than I’d seen it hours earlier at a department store.
Linda says
So true. Read what the CEO of Goodwill makes…can’t remember…but it’s a boatload.
Teckla says
You really hit that hot button! But you are right on target. Thrift store prices have been going up, up, up for a number of years now until they have just about priced themselves out of the market. Our little town of about 13-15,000 has a Goodwill and a couple independent thrift stores. The Goodwill is ridiculously high and I’m with all the others: I no longer donate to them and only walk through half a dozen times a year, maybe, with very low expectations. Furniture is non existent and what they do have is mostly just plain junk that no one would want. I never even look at the clothes. Books are way over priced and the biggest percentage of other stuff is pretty junky. One of the other stores, last time I was there, was packed to the gills until one could hardly move around and was also priced high, so I haven’t been back. The only one that is worth anything is the H2O (Help and Hope to Others) store. I agree with the others who frequent garage/estate sales and auctions. You can find much better stuff for decent prices. Also, I also use Freecycle a lot, both to donate and to look for things that I want. We live in a crazy, greedy world!
Rebekah U says
For certain the thrift stores have lost their minds on pricing! I shop at my local consignment store the most because 1. the prices are absolutely incredible – at least half of a Goodwill price 2. After thirty days, the already low price goes to half off and 3. I am helping one of my neighbors out by purchasing their items at the consignment store. Our store is super picky about the items they take (must be clean, only name brands, no stains, everything in good condition, etc.) There is a local thrift store run by a local church (10 10 Thrift) that has excellent prices on books and housewares, and cheaper than Goodwill clothing prices. Once a month they have a 50% off sale, and I will normally walk thru to treasure hunt if I have time. Like Mavis, this year I am trying to focus on using what I have, and am attempting to not purchase just to purchase.
Susan Meier says
I went to our local thrift store this afternoon. It is a community supported store that is managed by the churches in our city of 1880 people staffed by volunteers and is open every Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon along with a couple of Saturday mornings every month. I spent a whole $1.75 this afternoon I got 4 books, 3 recipe magazines, 1 popsicle set, 1 complete roll of wired ribbon and 4 complete rolls of glittered organza and then as I was passing their dumpster I grabbed 3 wire coat hangers to use as wreath frames. I thought I did pretty good. They have jeans for $1, tops and sweaters and sweatshirts from 25¢ – 50¢. They also have household goods, children toys,and almost any other thing you could.find at a thrift store. I LOVE going to that store.
Lauralli says
I completely agree that the thrift store prices are ridiculous! I mainly stick to the true not-for-profit ones as they aren’t as high. However, it needs to be said (and I realize how ironic it is as I type away…), but the internet has ruined most thrifting and good values. It started years ago with used cars. You used to be able to get a good deal on used cars. It is very difficult to impossible now. And, yep, it’s the resellers. They are buying them up before others have a chance to get to them and reselling them for quite a profit. The “thrift” stores like Goodwill and even recently (in my area) estate sales, are looking everything up to see what items are listed for on Ebay or Etsy. There are still some good deals to be had but fewer and farther between. I’ll keep looking though because it’s still great to score a good deal!!
michelle says
I live in Ohio and have my haunts that don’t include the Goodwill either. Once in a blue I will find a piece of milk glass that I will pay the extra for but find clothing to be horribly overpriced. My favorite store has half price day on the holidays and I always find great buys. I also shop Plato’s Closet off-season and recently snagged three Under Armor tees $1 each for my teen. I rarely shop retail but when I do it’s off season clearance and usually with a coupon (like $10 off $10 from JCPenney. I also find Facebook online garage sales to be a great place to pick up furniture, etc. Those prices were crazy, I have price points that I won’t go over and just keep on walking.
Linda says
Where in Ohio? I live in the Columbus area.
Michelle says
Cincinnati
Cass says
You are not the only one who is wondering what is going on in the used market. I went to a yard sale recently and they wanted $10 for used jeans. (and not gently used, either) I have given up on “Thrift stores”. I can buy it on sale, new for the same price. And those 99 cent canning jars without a lid? On sale at local supermarket this week for $11.99 a dozen WITH LIDS. Sorry thrift store employees, you are out of touch with reality.
If you want to sell it…. price it to sell folks.
Shannon says
You are right on. I will not shop at Goodwill or Value Village anymore. We have a wonderful local St. Vincent de Paul Society, and they run the best thrift shops. I generally only shop there on half price days. Our local St. Vincent de Paul does AMAZING things in our city. They also actively try to find ways to re-use unwanted items (like bedsprings and broken glass). They make them into beautiful items to sell to benefit their programs that benefit the poor, homeless, disabled, etc. I like that I can give them things I might normally sell myself, knowing they will make a profit on it and it will be poured back into the neediest places in our community.
Ann says
Shannon, many, many yrs. ago we lived in Southern CA where there was a huge St. Vincent de Paul. We were a young couple with a couple small boys and I could spend hrs. there shopping. We’ve since lived in 4 other states and have never seen another one. My Mother-in-Law first got me started with the Thrifts. I grew up in a tiny town here in the northeast where we never had Thrifts.
Since those early days, I’ve been a thrift store shopper, and agree with all the above comments prices. A brand new Goodwill just opened here last yr. and the prices are terrible, and the sales people aren’t very friendly either. I won’t be a regular shopper there. We have a small Salvation Army here and I prefer shopping there. There is also an American Rescue Workers, who used to have fair prices, but like the rest, now list the better items on eBay and price all else according to the rest of them. I’ve only gone in there a couple times and came out with hardly anything. They had pictures on the walls (old, scratched and ratty) for $15 – $75 ! Most of their furniture was falling apart and many of the ‘dime store’ knick-knacks had chips or cracks.
I remember the days when so many items were 15c to a dollar and you could bring home a car load of goodies for under $10.00. The internet did cause a lot of the existing situations. And yes, even the yard sales now are checking eBay and pricing according to what they see listed.
Well, I shouldn’t have gotten started…..LOL.
Julie says
I hate to pay full price – even at thrift stores! I frequently go to Value Village on Mondays – $.99 color tag day! Just this week I got a BRAND NEW (tags attached showing price at $80) REI jacket for my daughter for $.99!! I don’t bother looking at anything unless it’s the color tag of the day. Goodwill starts their $.99 tags on Tuesdays. Often when you donate items you get a 30% off a regular price item coupon so that helps too!
Jennifer says
The one thing I have noticed is that our Goodwills have plenty of clothing and little of anything else. I am usually on the lookout for kitchen items and rarely find anything and if I do, the price is ridiculous.
On the other hand, my dd can go in and find clothing that is new and very inexpensive. She is a teacher, so she find the occasional book or game. We have a Habitat store and they have the greatest selection of furniture and some of it is ridiculously cheap, but good quality. We found a TV table with 2 shelves on wheels for $5. They were having a “spin the wheel” promotion and we spun and got 20% off, so $4 for the table.
Sheila says
The last time I went to the Interfaith Thrift Store, they were selling jars for $1….not Mason jars, but pickle jars…..with no lid. I think not. Value Village I have always found pricier than actual thrift stores because it’s a corporation looking for a profit. They spread the money around, but they’re looking for profits. We have a Mennonite thrift store here (Calgary Alberta) that has garbage bin sales days. You go in, they hand you a small plastic rectangular garbage bin and you fill it…..then it’s $5 for the whole works (not the bin, they want that back). Might be $10 now, but either way, it’s an actual deal – depending how well you can fold and stack.
linda says
prices are so outrageous- especially when we give them our stuff. It is suppose to be a help to those that aren’t rich what a joke.
Patty P says
We have a “Reuse” center in addition to the many thrift stores around….and the prices are crazy. Like what you are saying…$1 for a used canning jar….and sometimes even a mayonnaise jar! A few years back I could find some great deals…old canning jars (with the lids) for decoration for $.50 or something like that…but not much recently… Oh….I just remembered….when my son was fairly young we found a decent Columbia jacket at the Salvation Army for $8..and it was half price day so we got it for $4. It was a great jacket!
Linda says
I just wrote a review on one of our thrift stores yesterday stating that very thing. It’s popular to go thrifting so the stores are taking advantage. I am a Senior but we only get 10percent off 1x a week. We have 2 choices: boycott or be very selective in what we buy and post reviews of high price hijinks!
Melissa O. says
I t depends on what store but yes thrift stores are crazy these days. Luckily we have a Goodwill outlet near us and everything is dirt cheap. We bought a very clean barely used toaster oven for $3 and most of my oldest son’a dorm decor came from there also.
Melissa says
Anymore, it’s all about when you go and to utilize their discount days. It’s not just the big ones- Salvation Army, Goodwill, or Value Village, it’s ALL of them. I’ve been to the small, hole in the wall places and they’re all ridiculous anymore. I still frequent Goodwill because I can, and have found, some pretty awesome deals and will pass up some of their ridiculous pricing.
Some of the worst- used exercise equipment- $200, used, worn couches- 60-70 bucks. An entire dining set for 200, Dollar Tree brands $2-$3, or my fave, seeing something with tags on it from Ross and the price is the same or maybe more than what Ross was selling it for. I’ve also seen this with some places who get Target’s failed clearance items donated and they’re charging almost the same as what they clearanced for.
With some things, what they do is look the stuff up on eBay to see what it’s going for and base it off of that. They’ve caught wind of resellers and figure they might as well price things at that since someone will be willing to buy it. You can also blame the internet because it makes it so easy to refer to an item to see it’s actual value and then they price it close to what they see it reselling for.
However, I do still manage to find some great finds because there are some “rogue” employees (or maybe they’re just new) who price items as a major bargain to spite the company haha. I found a small, vintage Coach crossbody for $8, an almost mint Kate Spade bag for $12 (they usually hike bags like that to 30-40), a beautiful $100+ rain coat for a dollar (color tag Thursdays are a buck, so that was total win), a Fossil crossbody paired with a wallet (never had seen this before for $15 which was a steal considering the combo itself retailed for $200).
Bargains are totally doable in this age of overpricing at thrift stores, you just have to go on the right days and go often. I usually hit up Goodwill on Thursdays when it’s dollar day, as well as any sales they do on holiday weekends. I did lol with their Memorial day sale since Monday is a dollar for the red color tag, yet that’s the dollar day color for THIS Thursday. How anyone is going to make use of the sale on Monday is beyond me haha. Again, they’re just being greedy.
Jennifer says
About them thinking if someone is reselling it for a certain amount, they can also get that much, it’s out of context and flawed thinking. The reason why most resellers can get more for clothing, is because they have spent the time and energy hunting for certain items, sometimes cleaning, researching, taking photos, listing, etc, online for someone to easily find with a few keywords, have shipped to their doorstep. It’s paying for many services that most thrift stores simply don’t provide. Lots of people are willing to pay more for ebay items or etsy, but not in the thrift stores, especially if it takes hours to find said item plus gas. And it’s more of a crapshot whether or not you find what you are looking for in a thrift store.
I have many health problems that make it hard to thrift and so sometimes just have to pay for things online, or else go without if I can. There is generally more of a value with buying something on ebay, I didn’t have to end up in pain from looking for it in a thrift store (if I was even able to find it), and it’s shipped to me. Sometimes it costs the same as thrift stores at times, or else is higher quality and worn once or new, will last longer.
I find it odd as thrift stores were once for lower income and disabled people, now often too expensive and hard to navigate, poorly disorganized for that demographic. Not all, of course, there are still a few sort of reasonably priced and well organized stores in my area left.
Angelene says
I agree. Thrift store prices are way too high. I rarely buy anything from there anymore. This last Saturday I went to some garage sales for the first time since moving to the state and city we live in (we moved to the Tri-cities in Washington in January). Wow it was so awesome the deals I found. I bought a solid wood gorgeous long dresser with 3 drawers in the middle and cupboards that open to reveal 3 more drawers on each side. I got it for… $20. I also found a huge wicker chair for my front porch in perfect condition for $4. We came from Texas and I never had luck like this at garage sales. I left so excited and happy. I have a new dresser to flip and only paid $20 for it. Amazing.
Jillbert says
Looks like “No Value” Village! Last time I was there, they were selling used tennis balls – 3 for $2.99! A fresh can can be bought for less! I still find deals at Goodwill though they are starting to recognize the good stuff and mark it up.
Marsha black says
I work at a retail store. We get donations for free from customers. We also purchase new goods to sell. Our biggest thing is theft constantly stealing of our new goods. We have costs too payroll ,trucks, utilities, rent and other costs. So we try to keep things at cost but hard to be fair if people steal all the time and break shelves and Windows all that replacement costs the store money. People want our prices like a garage sale but we can’t cover costs this way.
Danielle says
Good point. Garage sales have no overheard and they have inconvenient time limits and customers have to drive all over town for them. We should expect thrift store prices to be higher just for these reasons.
Jay says
Our Goodwill prices are higher than Targets sale prices! It makes me seriously mad. I have taken to only shopping there on discount days when a certain color tag is 1.99 for the day. Otherwise I tag sale, or use listia. I’d rather barter my stuff than pay 6.99 for used kids items.
Kari says
The best thrift stores are run by volunteers! With all the minimum wage wars, maybe the profit thrift stores need to pay their employees more thus raising prices.. plus pay their bill. Plus line their pockets.. CEO for goodwill makes a lot of money!
We scored 7 Icebreaker merino wool shirts in new condition at a garage sale for 2 dollars each. They retail 50+! That’s our latest score!
rachel says
I have a toddler and I thought I would attempt the whole “repurpose” movement and buy his clothes at Once Upon a Child where I live. I went in with hardly worn things to sell and shopped around and ended up realizing it was a waste of my time. I can buy brand new, this year’s stuff at Target on clearance. And after offering me $3 for the bag of items I brought in, I decided to give them to my friend who was having a boy instead. I am over this thrifty is trendy thing for sure.
Jennifer says
Yep. Savers. They have gotten too expensive. They are pricing like they are selling on ebay or something!
Jessica says
I agree whole heartedly! I’m in a position that I have to do the business casual thing every day, and typically I’d go to thrift stores to pick up clothes (since you know, I only where the dressier stuff when I have to) and lately the dresses I used to be able to pick up for $2-3 are over $10. I can get the similar thing at Walmart for that! I use to get tons of cheaper things I could use for crafts and now, it’s getting to the point of being cheaper to by retail. It’s sad too. I love thrifting 🙁
Brenda says
I agree-14.99 for a pair of used $20 sneakers. I used to get them for 4.99 which was a good price. But the thing that make me laugh out loud is the little change purses that you can buy at the dollar tree for $1 are often $1.99 and used at that. haha-what the heck?
Moi says
Thrift stores are now using ebay and Amazon to ballpark their goods. It’s no longer goodwill toward the poor, needy, and disabled. They forget that most folks need dirt cheap prices. Instead, they focus on the few who resell stuff.
Danielle says
Looks like a Saver’s store. They do this all of the time. I have to be extra careful. They have a very tiny sign on their door that it is a non-profit, but run by a for-profit. The for-profit runs it, they get a large chunk of the proceeds, then they give a percentage (as donation) to the non-profit. Sad thing is that other thrift stores are following suit. All of the small thrift stores are closing and just leaving the big ‘non-profits’. Then it goes down to the facebook yard sale sites, people comparing it to the thrift stores or ebay. Now it has hit the garage sales in our area. They post pictures of what it sells for at thrift store, ebay, etc. then have the printout with it to justify getting 90% or more of what they have paid. I have started hitting up the clearance rack for clothing at stores. I just have to get there before the re-sellers. They buy a $12 pack of shirts on clearance for $5 resell for $10.
Mindy S says
YES…..this is quite COMMON at “Good”will in particular and if you knew ALL of their dirty secrets…many wouldn’t go there I think. The CEO Jim Gibbons, made $729,000 in salary and deferred compensation (deferred compensation means no taxes on these items will occur until years later which include pensions, retirement plans, and employee stock options- which as we see taxes keep going down not up). Not bad! But even more grotesque is that they hire people with mental disabilities because they can LEGALLY pay them BELOW MINIMUM WAGE.
“But the subminimum wage Jones was paid is legal, thanks to section 14C of the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act. Passed in 1938 and known as the Special Minimum Wage Certificate, the law allows more than 3,300 employers nationwide to pay people with disabilities below federal minimum wage.
Goodwill Industries said less than 7 percent of its workforce — about 7,500 employees — is paid this way nationwide. Goodwill has defended its use of the Special Minimum Wage Certificate, saying, “Eliminating this program would harm, not help, people with significant and multiple disabilities.” from Al Jazeera America.
please shop from LOCAL independent thrift and consignment shops. At least those owners are working to feed themselves and not at the expense of the many.
Becky says
i run a charity here in our city and we see this all the time in the other thrift stores in the area, their prices are outrageous for what has been donated..
24 years ago we started our charity basically as a swap between families and over the years it has grown to 30k sq feet. Perhaps its something that could be considered in y’alls area. Yes its a lot of volunteer time put in (no paid salaries at our place, its all volunteer) and EVERYTHING is free in our place, and yes a limited number of items we do limit how much people can take, but overall its open to EVERYONE who wants to come. We are only open two days a month and we do track how many we serve etc..It was our way of helping people get the things they needed when they couldn’t afford it.
Crystal says
Yes!!! If I can’t afford it new, I can barely airs it at theist shop process. What happened to helping the poor? More like pad the ceo’s bank account and maybe help a few people..
Danielle says
Did you know that Goodwill is a FOR PROFIT store? Did you also know they have their OWN EBAY STORE?! All their crap is sold at over retail prices in their Stores but all the GOOD STUFF is sold on eBay for CRAZY-ER Prices! Salvation army helps folks but they are for profit as well. Those tax write offs from Goodwill are short form and worthless for a business write off! If I would have known that, I would have donated to St. Francis Animal Shelter. Unless they are Long Form, it’s basically FRAUD. My Tax guy who’s been doing his tax business as been around for decades, he knows his stuff. I’ve had these turned down by other Tax people as well. They said if I used them, I’d be committing TAX FRAUD, THANKS GOODWILL!
ssduram says
A lot of thrift stores that used to be charity driven are now for profit. I once asked a goodwill manager how he could justify pricing an item higher than retail. He responded because there is a buyer for everything and because he could.
I no longer donate to goodwill.
Melissa says
I’ve noticed Goodwill is a cleaner or more upscale thrift store, and they do charge a lot higher prices, though not as high as what your does. I’ve asked about the higher prices and the staff has told me that if the prices are too high then they will be reduced when no one buys it. It’s their way of get the highest prices they can for an item.
We benefit from a Goidwill outlet where I live so everything that doesn’t sell at the regional stores end up in bins that we dig through and the items are sold by weight. Great prices!
The longerberger baskets are cheaper on eBay, which is where I bought everyone one of mine (except one which was a $1.00 at a yard sale).
Celeste says
Value Village has definitely upped their prices. I mean, they do get the stuff donated so to turn around and hike up the price because an item has a ” name”. Ridiculous.
But as for jars….my gripe is that some stores charge you for the jar and then another price for the ring because they separate them.
See, you got me started.
Sandy says
Yes its ridiculous we stopped gping.
Mark says
Reality Check people. As a Thrift Store owner we Have Rents (Not Cheap) We have utilities (Not Cheap) We have taxes and raxes and more taxes and we also have city, state and county lic fees, Employees, employee related taxes, Insurance, Trucks and Maint. fuel and alot more expenses. So before bashing retail stores try opening one yourselves and see what the costs are
Audra says
IMHO – Thrift stores that are re-selling used/damaged/incomplete items have no business charging new prices – especially when those items are donated for free. I think we understand that you have bills to pay. If you want to own and operate a retail business, great! Purchase your inventory wholesale, mark it up and sell it. When we’re donating items to benefit a population that can’t afford to buy the same items new, it’s frustrating to see stores cutting that population out by charging ‘New’ prices for items we gave you for nothing.
Barbara says
Your merchandise is still donated
Jacob says
I agree about the prices on most things. But the baskets you are complaining about sell for a fortune at auction. People want the antique look. If you want something other than antique decor you should buy something from walmart.
The prices on the baskets here were actually decently priced.
Annie says
The craft scissors with different edges are a great price. That set is over $80.00 new.
Lisa says
My friend and I were just discussing this the other day! It has goten out of control! Prices are ridiculous!
Michelle says
I have managed a non-profit thrift store for 7 years. Pricing is a constant struggle. I visit other thrift shops, discount retail stores, garage sales, etc to keep our prices lower than most. We went to value pricing a few years ago. Our adult clothes are $2, $4 and $8. Kids clothes start at $1. I started selling the collectibles on eBay because it wasn’t the needy getting the items, but the resellers. Why should the dealers make the profit and not our charity? We have 50% off sales every day and 50% off everything the last Saturday of the month, including furniture. We try hard to keep our prices low so there is something everyone can afford. I have elderly volunteers pricing things who have never been in a dollar store. We do the best we can. Our CEO makes $1 a year. We give a lot of items away to the needy daily. If we gave everything away, we would earn nothing for charity. Just do your homework and know the charity you are supporting. There are a lot of good ones out there.
Donna Williams says
This one A*B*S*O*L*U*T*E*L*Y blew me away!
This was on a fb yard sale sight…
Hermes Birkin 35, orange togo leather from 2013. Comes with the receipt and dust bag. Carried 4 times, perfect condition, like new.
Amazing classic!!
$11,000
Seriously?
Donna Williams says
Ohhhhh!
There is another “cheaper” one available that was just listed!
Authentic Hermes Birkin with palladium hardware in like new condition with box, felt bag, lock, and rain jacket asking $9,000
Kim FitzGibbons says
Yes! I was just st mulling this over a few days. My trusty shopping spots are just too expensive these days.
Jenn Giannetto says
I agree with this so much! I feel like i spend half the time I am at thrift stores picking things up and balking at the crazy price tags.
Diane says
There was a scandal in my area where the Goodwill employees were selling out the back door to antique dealers. They were making a fortune. Also, I once was going to purchase a soup pot at an estate sale to make soup in. The lady selling it told me that she used to boil her towels in it. Yuck, that ended that purchase and ever since then I have been reluctant to buy used kitchen items because I don’t know what they used the item for.
Kelly says
Never mind prices of used items…I can’t tell you how many times I found a new piece of clothing with the price tag still on it and the thrift store tag is priced HIGHER than the ORIGINAL price! Wth? Get outta here with that nonsense!
Dacia says
I found a lead crystal punch bowl with,18 cups by le smith glass for $4 at the resale barn. It’s worth $150. Daisy button pattern. It’s fantastic!
Paulette says
I live in Canada and the Value Village here sells old Navy tshirst that I can get new at old navy for $1.99 and they are selling if for $5.00. That’s just an example and I won’t donate to value village for that reason. The have a clothing mission that helps the needy so I would rather give it to someone who can use it and where it will go back into the community. I don’t even bother going to value village unless I have to go look for something specific that kids need for project or something. Corporate greedy vultures
Audra says
Items donated for free = 100% profit for the thrift store. Yes, I get that they have overhead – a building lease, utilities, employees, etc. IMHO, they’ve no right charging near retail or above retail for damaged, incomplete, and used items.
Jamie says
Like everyone else, I’ve noticed this same trend. A few years ago you could find great deals on clothing and now it’s absolutely ridiculous. Mind you, I don’t live in a big city or an affluent area. We’re talking about rural Alabama guys. I would much rather shop sales and clearance at a department store than give in to the thrift store robbery. One of the chains around here is called America’s Thrift and when they went up on prices that installed signs in the front of their stores clarifying that they were a for-profit company because people had gotten so upset over the changes. Just the other day I saw a dress marked 8.99 that still had an original clearance tag for 99 cents. Ridiculous.
Mom of 6 says
One reason the prices are climbing is I have been seeing people with money or collectors who know what they are looking for are buying to resell. I have seen many do this. The stores know it and up the prices. Not thinking about the people who are low income not being able to afford the items anymore. They are comparing there prices in ebay. They would rather raise the prices and make the $$ then have someone come in and make $$ off reselling it. As soon as they notice hot items the prices go up! Yarn used to be cheap at thrift stores, but some skeins are worth $$ so they have uped there prices. What about all those beanie babies that are not worth much. People donate them and the thrift store charge $1 for mc Donald happy meal toys. They are researching more rather than pricing reasonably. I can get New clothes on clearance at walmart for $1 rather than pay $4 for a uses kids shirt. Sad when establishment’s meant to help you, hurt you.
April says
I walk out the thrift store some days with all my money in my pocket. They prices are crazt.
Natasha says
I stopped goong to Goodwill when I found out they pull the color of the week off the floor to force you into paying for the full price items. That plus the escalating prices was a complete turn off. Now I only go to Value Village the last Weds. of the month, and Park Avenue Thrift on Mondays because that’s when the entire store is 50% off (for PAT you have to have their coupon though). For the prices thrift stores now charge I can buy brand new if I wait for a sale and a store coupon.
Daryl says
Agreed. We stopped going to Value Vilage for just this reason.
Norma says
I too have found that re-sale shops are getting pricier. My church runs a “free store” every Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening. Our church members donate an incredible amount of items (clothing, shoes, towels, sheets, blankets) weekly which are then given away directly to those who come and use the free store. With that we have a food pantry and each person coming gets a bag of food (staples, and if it is summer, fresh produce from our own garden at the church, and if we can score meat from the county food bank, and when school is in session, we get leftover milk). When we get donations of diapers, or toilet paper, or feminine products, or depends, they are also freely given to those in need. We have a volunteer staff only.
Julie says
Once in a great while we’ll find a great bargain at a thrift store but I agree they overprice things a lot. The best bargain we ever got was a full length 100% wool captain’s pea coat for $18.99. I don’t know what the backroom employees were drinking that day. This coat retails for at least $150. I can’t take pictures of it yet because one of our cats threw up on it. It’s going to the cleaners soon.
Laura says
The price on the Longenberger basket to me is a good deal as you can sell them back to the company and get your money back out of them and I’ve actually sold my baskets for more than what I paid for him them. Some of the other stuff yeah because the prices are, iffy about – to be honest I prefer auctions there you get the Best Buy’s!
Aida says
I completely agree! I went into a Salvation Army and they wanted 800.00 for a sofa and 1000.00 for a sectional!! I could not believe it! Thankfully there are other thrift stores…smaller ones…more reasonably priced. I recently got a beautiful chair and matching ottoman for 10.00…score!
PAULA Reed says
I totally scored today at the Habitat For Humanity store in Bellevue, WA! I got two 6,000 btu window A/C units for $150. They were brand new in the box! Just one unit on Amazon starts at $175. Super yay!
Daletta says
Amazing deal at yard sale last weekend! A La Creuset teapot in teal $4! Amazon wanted $99 for a new one!
Patti airel says
Our thrifty shopper prices went up 40%. Crazy prices on Salvation Army and good will too!!’
Cherie says
Yes, for the most part they’re too high. So I only shop on half price days and if I feel it’s too I’ll ask for the manager and show them comparisons on prices.
Amy R. says
Our local independent thrift store has decent prices and the proceeds go to scholarships for kids at the local high school. PLUS, I jus found out our community has a “Garage of Blessings” where you donate and everything is FREE! All of my donated items go there now. I assume you could probably leave a cash donation if you are not in financial difficulty and would like to help others.
Nancy Beach says
As someone who both volunteered and managed a thrift store I can assure you it’s difficult to balance the need to have bargains and stay open. Overhead costs must be paid. Liability insurance, power, heat, rent, book keeping fees, water, phone bill, advertising, office and store supplies. Plus there must be adequate surplus money to distribute to area nonprofits if it is a nonprofit thrift store. Not all thrift stores are nonprofit. Some are actually owned by individuals who are making a living off their store. Don’t always assume that if it says thrift it is a true nonprofit using donated items,
John q Public says
That pig snout watering can is Priceless!!!
Taloola says
Yes thrift stores are way out of hand with their prices! Have been for a while…I can find new clothes for what they ask for used ones….if people would stop giving what they ask for the stuff then maybe the inflation would stop…. Just a thought… They wouldn’t be putting those high prices out there if people weren’t paying them…
Cinnie says
I don’t shop there anymore due to the prices! I can buy new for almost the same. Salvation Army is better, NO tax either.
Sheri says
tax depends on your state.. I do not pay tax on clothing in PA but housewares, linens etc I pay sales tax on
EILEEN says
The CEO for Goodwill used to also keep all of the really good donations for himself also! My mother was the head nurse in the corporate offices in California and would come home furious at all the items he would keep for himself!!!
Sara Truax says
Almost quit going at all. Occasionally goodwill will have target bedding. Salvation army always looks like they got it from dump.
Missy says
I didn’t get a chance to read ALL the comments, but has anyone ever went to a thrift store to see and original price tag and the TS price tag higher? I have! 🙁
ALittleRVRnR says
Yes I have too!!!
Linda says
It is the for profit ‘thrift stores’ that are ridiculous. I only shop local non=profit thrift stores and the prices are much much better.
Kathy says
What I don’t understand is why people are trying to pay 1970s prices at my yard sales! The prices at thrift stores makes it even more hard to understand
I used to sell at the flea market and yard sales in th 70s and we have an occasional sale. What went for 25 cents back then certainly might be worth more 40 years later? People still try to get things for less than a dollar. I’m not selling junk.
Is this just happening here in California?
Kathy
Danielle says
I was thinking the same thing reading through these comments. We can get a price stuck in our head even if it isn’t reasonable for the item or if we are not considering quality.
Stacey Giles says
Habitat for Humanity Restores had VHS tapes for $1 each. Seriously, who has a VCR anymore. But 10cents maybe more reasonable. They had to have 50 or more. CDs $2 and DVDs $3.
Sheri says
some VHS tapes are still selling ( and no NOT the pseudo priceless Black Diamond Disney ones lol)
Jenny Young says
I see things all the time in my local thrift stores priced MORE than they cost new down the street at the Dollar Tree…so ridiculous. I think yard sales are the only place to get really good deals any more. Which is sad because you have to shop a lot of yard sales to find something you really need.
I guess the other thing I hate about this….thrift shops like Salvation Army & Goodwill used to really help poor people….people who really do not have enough money to buy new. Now, truly poor people can’t afford to shop at them any more.
Cora says
value Village is owned by Bentley Leather….yep the luggage people. theyve gotten in buying businesses going bankrupt. i know cause the bought out Lewiscraft. i had asked one day what happens to the stufv tyat wasnt selling. i was told it would go to Value Village.
BJ says
North of Baltimore, in every single thrift store I go to (3 thrift, 1 habitat rehab store), over 50% of the parking lot is nice high-end (BMW, Caddy, Jag, etc) cars. The rehab store is open Wed – Sat. On Wednesday mornings, there is a waiting line, it’s mostly women, and almost ALL are very well dressed, high-end phones, etc. I look very out of place with my husband’s Chevy pick-up truck and cheap prepaid cell phone!
Sheryl says
Its like anything else, shop around. I have found hospice stores, the restore or salvation army to be much better prices then goodwill or consignment stores. Prices also vary a lot from one good will to the next. I have seen items from dollar tree, with the label for $2-$3! A $10 gallon used dirty fish tank was $30 but you can buy them on sale new for $10!
Jennifer says
I commonly see things more than they cost new at the stores. 🙁
Diana says
I have totally quit going to thrift stores cause the prices are really outrageous now….its garage sale season now so I go to them …my ultimate find was a Vera Bradley duffle bag for 75 cents and sold it for 20.00…plus I shop on my local online auctions on FB….
Linda says
I can comment about this since I have worked at both Value Village in the Northwest and Savers in the South. First off every item that enters the stores whether by your car , hands, or via trucks, it is put on carts and weighed and we give a portion to at least 4 charities per local store. The over head thrift stores have is ridiculous. Only a very small percentage of donated goods are actually sell-able. Meaning clothes are stinky, nasty, dirty, etc. have holes, missing zippers etc. Toys are usually never complete, missing pieces, parents cleaning their kids rooms, putting everything including kids trash and end of year school work in a hefty bag for donation. House wears are semi cleaned, donated with food still on it, books moldy sitting in garage for years(decades).. Sheets, pillows are slept on, and no we do not count puzzle pieces.. There are no professionals working in the store. Some of the young-ins’ have no clue to what half the stuff they price is actually used for. The amount of trash that cannot be recycled is 10,000 or more a month, more when folks decided to drop off soiled couches, mattresses we cannot sell, hazmat stuff etc. We get everything from Urns with ashes in them, to nasty reeking items. Bags are heavy, carts are over 1,000 lbs, with boxes falling apart,needles, knives, etc in them too. With that being said, we also deal with approx 25 or more “pickers” every day all day long. These are folks who practically live in our store 6 hours or more a day waiting for each item to come out so they can flip it on e-bay or amazon or swap meets etc. So this makes it hard for customers who just want a nice vase or art work to buy, because these folks are always there, and it is not easy to work around them because they are under our feet everyday all day long. yes, I agree 100% that prices are in a lot of cases way too high. With Target’s $1.-5.00 bins, Dollar tree, Ross, etc. everyone is competing. Plus folks are not buying stuff anymore, they are buying experiences, so all stores are packed with stuff folks don’t need or want. Also, for all the over prices stuff, no one complains when they gets those “treasures, that should have been marked UP at steal prices.. The Baskets you spoke of, most are snatched up by collectors as the older ones are valuable to them. Some jeans sell for over 100.00 and so 19.99 is not too much if in good condition. We have a process that all items go through, but, keep in mind, that the item might have been tried on and zipper busted by someone who was to large to fit, or kids handling stuff and throw it on the shelf and it’s now broken. There is a lot of theft too, because folks feel it is freely donated so they take it.. Also customers tend to look down at thrift store workers thinking we are uneducated, can’t get any other job etc. Not true. Myself, I am a retired military wife, I do not have to work, but enjoy working in our book department, finding treasures for all of you. My husband makes enough money that we both are well off now and in our retirement years. I work a few hours a day because I love what I do. I too gasp and throw a fit when they raised my magazine prices from .29 to .99.. I thought what the heck.. I begged and pleaded for you my customers.. BUT unless YOU our customers start filling out feedback and letting your local stores know in writing how you feel, no one is hearing you. I too think it is ridiculous to charge prices for used stuff when you can buy it new cheaper. Trust me when I say my entire paycheck goes back into my store, because I help out my own causes, like the homeless , new moms, abused women shelters etc. I guess all I am trying to say is that it takes a village to run the “Village” The back room is chaotic, noisy, back breaking, dirty, and everyday,all day we have to meet quotas. Imagine you cleaned your child’s room and 5 min. later it is messed up, you find underwear in the dishes, books in the towel closet, etc.. It is hard to keep the store shopable all day long with so many hands and so much stuff, but we try.. I enjoy all my customers, even the messy ones.. Please speak up about the pricing to your local store.. it just might help.. I am trying to get corporate to listen on my end too.. from one thrift store shopper & worker to another.. bkind12another..<3
Paulette says
…..thank you..all good points!
Laurie says
Yes!! I work for Goodwill and go through all of these things every single day!!
Maryann says
You have to know where and when to shop. I personally try to support local charitable thrift stores and try to go when it is senior day. The prices are usually fair and the money goes back into our community. I stay away from Goodwill which is a For Profit organization. I agree, overall the prices are getting ridiculous!
Jenny says
I find that when VV got new owners a few years ago their prices skyrocket…. I hardly buy from them anymore… as you said no bargains to be found there…
Mary says
I recently bought a brass and stainless chaffing dish for $10 score! Went to an estate sale found the same chaffing dish for $50!!! I regret not buying it but $50 is steep! How can I post a pic?
Mavis Butterfield says
Here’s the link {and directions}. http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/mavis-mail-send-me-your-tips-tricks-pics-and-recipes-for-a-chance-to-win-a-20-amazon-gift-card/
Trudy Suders says
You are just going to the wrong Thrift stores! I work at an animal shelter thrift store and our prices are quite reasonable. For example our jeans are $3.50 a pair and we give seniors a 15% discount everyday as long as the spend $8.00.
Lora says
Local Goodwill is just plain nasty. Salvation Army is clean and you can find some good prices there. Unfortunately in my area the majority of the thrift stores are run by local charities. One such store I went to recently had a handbag I would have loved to have – but it was priced the same as if new and if I am going to spend that much , I will shop Amazon and get free shipping for a purse priced over $60! This was no Dooney or Coach it was a faux leather $60 bag to start with.
Another local “charity” thrift that I went to just this last week had some 1 liter Pepsi bottles with the screw on top marked at $40 for 4 of them. Hello – they aren’t antique!! The actual antique Coke bottle I saw on another shelf was $.99. I lucked out and found some Corelle Butterfly Gold Dishes 4 for $2. Which was a good thrift price. When I went to check out the employees were rude and made me wait for them to finish their discussion until they waited on me so I won’t be back. When I got back to the shop I work in, I looked on line to see what “charity” runs this thrift. Amazed to find their “corporate” office is a home in a subdivision about 2 miles from the thrift store and it isn’t supporting a church or any charity that you would think is being supported.
So after this, I think I will stick to yard sales and estate sales for my “thrifting”. Found a retired Southern Living Home designer plate for $2 with a display stand….that’s a bargain!
Ann says
After reading ‘most’ of the comments, there is something I’d like to add, that I don’t recall seeing.
I didn’t know until a couple yrs. ago that Goodwill (and possibly others) pitch millions of lbs. of clothing (and other textiles) into the landfills and also sell to textile recycling companies every yr. I realize they no doubt get way more than they can sell with lots being tattered, etc., but here’s my take: There are MILLIONS of people around the globe who are living in such poverty, they can’t afford to buy food or clothing, so why on earth can’t these organizations donate to them??? Those in need can use clothes, towels, blankets for warmth, shoes, etc.
I don’t know if it’s still true but a few yrs. ago I remember people in Haiti baking dirt / mud pies for nourishment. Even in our own country, there are the homeless and poor folks who don’t have two nickels to rub together – as the saying goes. They could certainly use handouts. And as well, I realize that many are in such living conditions due to their own poor choices. and there is much fraud and taking advantage also. However, there are also countless millions who are suffering due to circumstances that were beyond their control. I think of the many elderly who have no one to help them, and children who’s parents aren’t caring for them properly.
The reason I found this board is that I did a search for comments about ’rounding-up to the next dollar’ the Goodwill asks for, saying it’s for educational purposes. Like most people, you feel obligated, but I’ve recently become a widow, now living on a small fixed income facing many medical and funeral expenses, so I’ve determined to just say ‘no.’ On another board (ConsumerAffairs – Goodwill consumer complaints) there was a comment of how one person said to go ahead and round up her $8.00 purchase to $10.00 but after arriving home was shocked to see the employee rounded it up to $20.00! The store refused to do anything when she returned to complain. There are a lot of very sad stories there.
Katie says
My complaint has been: I thought part of my purchase at Goodwill went towards education already? I have asked multiple cashiers that say they don’t know. If your employees don’t know the difference I’m not going to give anything extra. I have firmly held on to this and have yet to say yes to rounding up. Don’t feel guilty! Say “No thank you” next time! You are already donating to their cause by purchasing from their business. I know they have overhead and employees blah blah blah, 100% of their product is free to them. So my purchase is already a donation, no I would not like to donate more. (If I wanted to donate more I would have bought more 🙂 )
Liv hernandez says
Ummm they are out of control. Half the stuff they have i can get brand new for the same price.
Michelle says
Nope! Ur right it’s all way to expensive anymore. I rarely go to any thrift stores bcuz of that exact reason. I wait for great sales and add my coupons with it and usually get a better price!
Randy says
… I think a huge factor in their crazy pricing, is due to the immense amount of folks who resell thrift store items on eBay and other online platforms … it’s gotten crazy, with many thousands of new sellers “flipping” thrift store clothing and other items … YouTube is overflowing with videos showing you how you too, can quit your job and make a living selling thrift store and garage sale items … and these stores know that.
Barbara Reinert says
As with many of the comments I have to agree that thrift sale prices have gone up a lot over the past few years. However here in California where I live, so many of the thrift stores have had to close because their rent has also gone sky high. When even a 1 bedroom apt is over $2000/mo, it makes it pretty difficult for thrifts to make their rent & other expenses and still make any money for their charity. I tend to stick with the church and other small thrifts. I can usually still find some bargains but not as many as in the old days. I try to watch for church & school rummage sales & yard/estate sales for the best deals. I mostly shop for things to send to the women’s shelter on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota where there is a desperate need for every kind of item…clothes, shoes, coats, blankets, towels etc. Locally, people know I send things off to the Rez and some donate to me directly or some of the thrifts give me a price break when I’m buying a lot.
Linda says
Yes, prices are ridiculous! All their items are donated and it’s nothing but profit and they wanna make a killing. Goodwill even has the gall to ask you if you’d like donate your change, Haha donate to who, the CEO’s bank account, no thank you!
Juanita says
I understand where you are coming from, but you must understand that just because something is given to you, doesn’t mean it does not have costs associated with each item. I volunteer as the treasurer for a small not for profit thrift store. Please remember the staff must be paid. Taxes, both sales tax and payroll taxes are huge expenses. We still have to pay the light bill, gas bill, water, huge insurance premiums, and pest control, as we get all kinds of extra friends. So the price you see is what the item is worth as well as the overhead to keep the stores open. We never make a profit and keep selling to our local community. We are proud to serve those in need. Hope that helps!
Trish says
From birth, my two boys had books flying at them from all corners (2 grandmother’s & a great-aunt who were Reading/Language elementary teachers, one for over 20 years & the great-aunt for 45!). We felt fortunate & blessed that a favorite outing was to a local bookstore where restraint was practiced (at our insistance), but neither could EVER say they didn’t have anything to read. Because they were gifted their books, we always felt it was right to donate them when the boys had outgrown them. Only to find they were being sold for the original retail price! So much for spreading the wealth! After that, they went to our elementary school library. When they saw how many books we were donating (the first purge was insane), they just about cried. They spread the books through the 3 elementary school in our district & all 3 schools looked forward to our end of school year purge. So much so that they always unloaded the box(es) & were truly appreciative whether we donated 10 books or 30 (Magic Tree House books alone.) Go where they are appreciated, not where they hit a balance sheet.
Anita says
BEYOND…….OVERPRICED! I have been saying this for awhile now. I always thought of them as a way for people to purchase used items that they wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise, a way to get a good deal, but that’s definitely a thing of the past. If you have a Deseret Industries aka D.I. by you check it out. I got some amazing deals there, and it’s honestly only thrift store that still offers low prices and amazing deals every day of the week, not just on deal days.
Aubrey says
Savers is for the most part very expensive. I’m with you & won’t pay almost full price for an item that is used.
My best thrift store find was while travelinm. We needed dress shoes for my youngest child. I went to several thrift stores with no luck. On my last stop I still struck out on finding shoes but found 14 pair of jeans and several tops that were all name brand for my oldest 2 kiddos & my total was less than $30 for everything. A plus was few items looked & felt brand new. One pair of those would have cost me that much at the store. That was my best thrift store”steal”.
Kate says
I find it interesting that someone who is from the Western Washington area would make such negative comments without first taking into account the facts of their community in which they live in. You do know that minimum wage is currently $11/hr (or $15/hr in some King Co. areas)…but wait, let’s add in payroll taxes, Federal taxes, county taxes, etc and now you are paying approximately $19/hr for employee…but wait, with that livable wage that Western Washington folks voted in, most of these thrift stores take care of some benefits too…that costs $$. So let’s look at how many people it takes to run a store including the back end people that have to deal with sorting through dirty underwear and other nasty things just to find the resaleable items…on average it’s about 50-100 per store depending; so taking a average of 20/hrs a week per employee (which is on the low side) our payroll is approximately $19,000 to $38,000 a month. (Yes there are non paid volunteers which do help with payroll…but my numbers of people paid a minimums) Now let’s look at the reality of running a store in the Western Washington area where lease prices are $25-$45/sq foot…let’s just say landlords don’t want to be too greedy in this area (lol) and use the lower number of $25/sw ft and most thirt stores occupy approximately 5000 sq feet…sometimes more…but taking that square footage…it’s approximately $125000 a month for rent alone- not accounting for lights, heat, water, and garbage…lots and lots of garbage. Now we haven’t even taken into account marketing, promotions, office supplies (which includes those plastic bags you get to carry your new found item in; register tape, ink, pens, etc) and they are already spending $140k to $160k a month to keep those doors open so you can find you $8 Ball glass jar. With expenses that keep raising each year, doesn’t it seem a little petty of you to complain that thrift store prices are increasing?
Mavis Butterfield says
I find it hard to believe that a thrift store is paying $125,000 a month in rent. If they are, they’re doing something wrong.
Sheri says
that would be easy to look up rent for commercial properties in your area. some
Rita says
I shop at Salvation Army on Saturday’s here in Grand Rapids MI they have differently colored tags for the week clothes were dropped off and it changes every week. At the end of the rotation (6 weeks) everything with the 6 week tag goes on sale 1/2 price beginning of the week. On Saturday they go on sale for 69cents! Pricing I can live with! So every week the next color tag goes on sale and I get more bargains. Congrats to them!
Monica says
what we started doing at church: people donate what they want or don’t need anymore . the women young and old come and organize the items and then we set a date for everyone to come and take what they need … no charge. What ever is left it is donated. People that is really in need is encourage to come early. It has helped. it could be better but we are trying
Marilyn says
I used to donate to Goodwill, but never again will I even go inside of one. They sell all valuable donations on eBay. The inside of the stores here in San Francisco Bay Area, look totally different now from the way they used to look. They have shelves of bottled water and other drinks for sale, as well as a huge candy counter. The clothes are overpriced, and it looks junky inside, and smells terrible. Yet the stores are always filled with shoppers? People think they’re getting a bargain, but they aren’t!
Sheri says
not every GW does that. GW is run by regions. My area the one GW does a silent auction every week , with higher end items/antiques in a case up front.. But yeah I noticed the food sales in mine lately ..local snack food company items is what is in my area..Utz chips and Snyders products..Hanover is teh snack food capital of the world supposedly
Emily says
I work as a costume designer and props master for a non-profit theatre in Indianapolis. I can say, without a doubt, prices in thrift stores have sky rocketed considerably between the time that I started my job a little over two years ago and now. It’s quite staggering really! I have found that I am much more likely to shop regular retail or at the two consignment chains that we have in the area rather than a lot of our thrift stores. I find that I can get things new or close to new for approximately the same price and I have the added advantage of being almost certain that the store that I am going into will have the items that I am looking for. That said, I still am able to find the more than occasional, super magical bargain find in the thrift stores and it always feels awesome when I do.
I always am fascinated when I really stop to think about how we go about shopping has changed even over the past decade, and this is really just another example of that.
Kim says
We gave away a solid pine dresser to a woman on free cycle in UK….2 days later the same woman was advertising it on a local selling site for £50!! Felt betrayed & cheated…
Katie says
I completely agree!!! I feel like maybe I’m getting a little too frugal but hey it’s my money and my prerogative! 😉
I refuse to buy something used if it is more than 50% the original cost. Now I don’t do the math for each item, but we generally know what things are worth or what they would cost new. If I wouldn’t buy it new for that price, I’m not buying it used for that price!!!!
I had one Goodwill employee tell me that the people who price things are now trained on how to look items up to find out their worth. I understand you don’t want to charge a dollar that you could get five out of, however keep in mind this is not online. Consumers have to do the work of finding the product and traveling to get it etc. It isn’t shipped to my door. Also, employees should keep in mind condition of items.
Emily says
I love Peninsula Orthopedic Guild thrift store in gig harbor. Found several Pendleton wool shirts for my hubby for $2/each! Money goes to a good cause and it is run by volunteers!!
Leeanne says
I live in Oregon, and prices are horrible here, too. I went to Goodwill the other day, there was a cute rustic looking candle holder, brand new with store tag still on it. The store tag (big lots) was $5.00. Goodwill price ? $6.99! Seriously I laughed out loud! I never find a good deal anymore!
Craig says
Big name thrift stores have been overpricing for at least 17 years. The best thrift stores are local only ones like those run by churches etc.
You can still find a few bargains in the big name store if you know what you are looking for, but the majority cost as much or more than brand new items . Garage sales and swapmeets are way better for getting bargains now.
DeAnn says
I used to love going to thrift stores (even Goodwill), but then the prices went way up! However, the other day my husband and I decided to visit the local Goodwill and were surprised to see a sign announcing “We hear you (about prizes being too high) and we have lowered our every day prices”. That was a nice surprise, not that I found anything I wanted. The other problem with thrift stores lately is that they are so picked over.
Jolene says
I scored a full length ball gown today for $3.16. it is gorgeous.
J says
Unfortunately most thrift stores don’t have standard pricing for items. They leave up to the prices to decide what it should be. There is zero training for this. I’ve seen store brands or low end brands be ridiculously high while buying a St John’s designer dress with tags still on it for 8.00. I’ve seen many of these stores fail and the ones who are surviving are not taking notes.
Emily B. says
Mavis….it would appear you have hit on a hot button subject!
I am fortunate in that I can chose where I’d like to purchase my needs. I live in MN and we have SA, GW. We also have other large local stores- which are for profit! All of them are surprisingly expensive for anything in decent shape. It’s sad.
There is a tiny little thrift store near me called Bibles for Missions, all volunteer run (these folks are delightful seniors mostly), with extremely fair pricing. I have taken truck full of stuff there whenever I get the urge to purge. They are like giddy kids as they unload it all… exclaiming how wonderful all of it is. It makes me feel good to be able to help the “little” guys out as much as I can.
Molly says
I totally agree, especially with the mason jars. I was trying to be green so I was looking for them at thrift stores in San Francisco – but they were more expensive than if I were to buy them new in a case. I guess the hipsters don’t know – people clearly buy them at that price. It’s nuts! Thrift stores are meant to be accessible! You post made me feel like I wasn’t alone in my gripe!
Sue says
All the tags on those thrift store finds were from Savers. I shop there all the time. Sadly they use ebay list prices on better items and think they are doing us a favor for marking an item that is out of date with original store tags at half the store price. No one wants that crappy dress from the 80s for $45. It’s not vintage it’s not even pretty.. but to them store tags give them license to price it high. From one Savers in one town to another in a different town prices on exactly identical items vary widely. I’d almost rather shop tag sales!
monica says
We recently had a thrift close and the unofficial reason was because the prices were too high. One thing that you have to realize is that “thrift stores” are not always non profit. The one in question was family owned so they were out for a profit. I prefer to buy from a couple of churches around me that are opened only two days a week and are staffed by volunteers of the church. If I have to pay a higher price I would rather give it to a church. I have gotten quite a few good deals.
Chrissy says
You are so right. Thrift shops are no longer reasonable and it’s crazy, especially for clothing. I live in the in the Rochester,Ny area. I think our Goodwill shops are getting more and more greedy with their yardsale left-over merchandise.
It’s aad when you only get the bargains on 1/2 price days.
Ashley says
So I’d like to chime in as a manager of a hospital thrift store. All the money we get goes back into our wounderful community owned hospital.
Now I’m going to agree that prices at goodwill and many chain thrift stores are getting ridiculous. The ones showed in the post are hilarious especially the Rachel ray dishes. But on the same context I want you too look at it from our side.
The trend these days is buy low and sell high on eBay, etsey or in our town the very expensive downtown antique or boutiques shops. So we’ve upped the prices on some of those items to make us competition and not the supplier. And I’ll let you know the competition is mad. I get a nice talking down about once a week about how there are no deals to be found. But what my staff and I have realized is that it’s only the resellers that complain.
Our t-shirts start at 50 cents our tops start $1.50 and our jeans start at $2.50. And I’ll let you know we sort through our clothing and only put out the very best.
So my suggestion to everyone is to shop local & not at goodwill. They are the ones driving up prices!!! I price check regularly with our compatition and I see those people who complain about our 2.50 jeans buying the 7.99 jeans at goodwill.
Oh & let me tell you the best kept secret of thrift shops especially little ones that benefit something in your community: most the time the good stuff doesn’t even hit the floor! So how to get an inside track on the best prices —– volunteer and support your community!!!
We love our volunteers and let them know it with the best prices you can imagine. So donate often & volunteer even more.
Oh & being nice and considerate always helps! I’m more willing to go down on price for the person being nice then the person who was outraged by the price and standing there yelling at me!
Have a truely blessed day & remember to shop local!
Sherry Klemme says
I believe my perspective is unique…my husband and I are the managers of an independent thrift store / outreach ministry (a non-profit) in MN. Our store is greatly blessed to have awesome donations, customers, staff and volunteers. We support an emergency food shelf plus food distributions to the community, used by more than 100 families each week. We often help out families in need by greatly reducing stated prices on clothing and furniture or donating to them on a case by case basis. We provide a place of community for many people who need some an opportunity to interact with friendly faces who will listen to them, pray with them and be their “family”. If you occasionally shop our store, you would not necessarily know all the help that is happening for our community behind the scene that donations and sales support. Customers who support us by shopping and donating to us allow so much good to happen in our community. It is a privilege and a joy to be able to serve as we do, but there is WAY more involved than most people would think.
We hear comments Every Single Day on both sides of the spectrum: “Your prices are so cheap, so awesome! I furnished my whole house and it’s such a huge blessing at the great savings!” and a few minutes later “Why are your prices so high, you get this for free, we thought you were a ministry”. We receive both type of comments with a smile and listen to what they have to say, but it does get wearisome to hear complaints from people who do not understand what it takes to make our store inviting and welcoming for the community and what it takes for us to stay in business and continue to provide this ministry.
We are located in the Twin Cities area. The rent for our store is much higher than you would expect. Our paid staff are not paid high wages. My husband takes no salary and I am paid for less than half the hours I work. There are no additional paid “executives”. So the “high salary” argument many people are mentioning does not apply to us. In addition, at least 30% of our revenue is directly invested in our food ministry. We would not be able to stay in business without the many, many volunteers who help out every day.
What many of you do not understand is that the expenses of the building (rent, utilities, insurance, etc.) plus the salaries do eat up the majority of the revenue. It takes time and energy (in our case a combination of staff and volunteer time) to process the incoming donations. Although the donations are “free” to us, it is quite the job to sort through TONS (literally) of stuff each week and organize, clean, price it in a fashion that the consumer will be able to easily shop. We keep our building and items clean and well-organized. Sometimes something may be priced higher than it should be. We can’t be experts on every item. We also are sometimes told we have something under-priced and should increase it for the ministry’s benefit. Again, we are not experts on every item. If comments on pricing are given in a positive and helpful manner they are very welcome as we are ALL learning all the time. But we weary of whiners and complainers. Fortunately, the positive people are more plentiful in our lives than the complainers. With never knowing what donations are coming in, we have generally pricing guidelines, but can’t take the time to research every single item for what it is at Walmart on closeout. We do the best that we can. And we know that we are helping lots and lots of people every day who cannot afford shopping retail.
I guess what I’d like to say to you all is please don’t assume automatically if you find a mason jar for 99c at a thrift store that it means the store is greedy and money hungry. Sometimes there is a lot that you don’t know. You are never “forced” to buy anything here in USA. You can choose where you go and what your max price might be. Bring joy where you go and consider carefully what you say before complaining as to whether your comment is helpful or not. If it is a ministry, allow yourself the joy of knowing that your purchase is helping others in the community with food or clothing or a place to find community. And if you are able to volunteer at a thrift store / ministry you will be able to learn so much more about what is involved.
Thanks for reading!
Bernadette says
I went into a thrift store after shopping at a big chain (Fred Meyer) and saw a novelty Christmas tray for more than I had just saw it for brand new at the other store! I had a already been feeling thrift stores weren’t much of a bargain any more and after that haven’t made an effort to go to any.
Cadi says
I live near Orem, Ut and I just went to savers . The prices are crazy! Lucky me there is a Tag’s near by that does better discounts.
Beth says
I agree that prices seem a little crazy high! But, I did score an Airdyne exercise bike just after recovering from double knee replacement! It was priced $50 , but get this, they were having a 20%off furniture sale that day and the clerk mentioned that it was “like a piece of furniture” so I got it for $42.50!! Happy dance!
Lisa says
I don’t have the luxury of having an opinion about where I shop. Regardless of what a CEO makes, I still have to provide for my family. There is no doubt that the prices are higher and at some locations they are outrageous. I now have to go on the first day that a new half price tag goes on sale. I have to search harder. I am looking at more online deals and keeping a list of what we need. Some of the coupons from Kohls, Macys, and JCPennys can make it a great deal. Thankfully, any store I could want to shop at is located in a two mile radius. I have been loving those 10.00 off coupons from Lane Bryant. We have used 9 of them on clearance and socks. Two dollar new shirts work for me.
Linda says
My kids prefer Savers because they have a better, more organized selection. But it doesn’t matter if it’s Savers, Salavation Army or Goodwill. You really have to dig for a bargain. I can get brand new clothes on clearance, inline or with coupons and sales for the same price or cheaper. I’m going thrift a lot less often.
Wanda says
I completely agree that thrift store prices have increased and it’s almost impossible to find a good deal nowadays. This is exactly the reason why I stopped shopping at thrift stores. I remember exactly what happened the day I decided I would no waste my time at our local thrift store. I was browsing women’s clothes looking for deals on summer tops for myself. Summer is my least favorite season so I prefer to try and save myself some money by buying basics like tees at the thrift store. For months I’d been noticing that prices seemed to be going up but I thought it was me. That I just wasn’t getting lucky like in the past. That last day I went to the thrift store the last straw for me was seeing a casual women’s top marked 14.99 and just the day before I’d seen the SAME top NEW at Marshalls for 10.99! I was so angry! I informed the manager about the situation and that I was leaving the thrift store to buy that same top NEW and UNUSED for LESS. Unbelievable! And I never returned. Not worth my time or effort.
Dian says
I am an Australian and the same thing is happening here in Australia. Some of the prices are ridiculous. I used to go to one opportunity shop near where I lived. It was run by a woman and her family and the prices were great. However, a new volunteer who had previously worked for the Salvation Army told her her prices were too low, so now the prices are too high for low income people. In Australia Salvation Army stores are now pricing goods at very high prices, they are more like retail shops, so I don’t go there any more. St. Vincent De Paul stores are quite reasonable but some other charity stores charge more for second hand than you can buy new. I understand there are costs on running opportunity shops, however if prices for donated goods were lower they would sell more.
Currently in Australia our national broadcaster the ABC is running a program called War on Waste and it is encouraging people to reuse, recycle, repair and compost. It was astonishing to see the number of garments discarded daily. There were literally mountains of clothes, most of which end up in landfill. It is horrifying to think there are millions of people who don’t have clothing, and good clothes are just being buried, rather than sending them to areas where there is great need. One of the young women interviewed said she only wears a garment once, then she throws it out. What sort of over indulged people have we raised? Then these same people complain about my generation having homes and they can’t afford to buy a home. Well I saved my money and got good use out of the clothes and shoes I bought. Not wearing once and then throwing out. Being responsible and frugal enabled me to buy a home and pay it off. Sorry for the rant, but it really annoys me to see so much wastage occurring, which is compromising our environment, and poor income families unable to have an adequate lifestyle, whilst others give no thought to the future.
Jennifer says
I agree, I am a young woman in my 20’s who grew up poor and still is due to genetic health problems. I also grew up rural without a car, so limited access to..all resources. I rarely threw away clothes and my mom was horrified if I even resold or gave away clothes once in a while (which that is a little extreme), but I still am the same way. If I am truly tired of it and it’s in good condition, I try to make a little money for new clothes. if it’s not in good enough condition, or just doesn’t sell it gets donated, the better condition to a thrift store for a coupon, less so or just because I know it’s something someone else who is poor can use, to the various free clothing places around here. Maybe once a year I throw away like two clothing items that are really worn out and I still feel bad about it.
I nearly fell over when I found out a few years ago people my age were wearing clothes once and then tossing! I get that many clothes are no longer good quality and many start getting a bit shabby after a few wears, but goodness, they could at least be collected in a trash bag till full in one’s closet and given to someone later on! Or taken to a free clothing place where someone else could appreciate them. And if someone is well off enough to do this, they can surely afford to save up or use credit cards to buy some higher quality items that will last a while.
I saw on Eileen Fisher’s clothing tags, please bring back so we can recycle…recycle $100 plus clothing items, many of which are silk and wool??! Arugh. I do see many on ebay being resold so hopefully that isn’t happening much. Some of the ones with nicer fabrics would be better off used as upcycle fabric.
While there are plenty of people in my generation who can’t buy homes through no fault of their own, there are also people who can and are just wasteful, as you said. I also think of how it used to be with other goods, people usually reused and passed down items if possible. Mostly glass and metal was used, not plastic. I feel guilty having to use some plastic throwaway cups because of health issues, but I know many use them without a care and no health problems. I would much prefer to use all glass ones that I wash. A fast paced life style in general causes all sorts of havoc on life and the environment.
Jessica says
It seems that the only place you can get a good deal is a garage sale. Goodwill is the same way here. I really don’t think they offer a whole lot to the community either. I can buy brand-new clothes at Old Navy on the clearance rack so much cheaper Than shopping at Goodwill. That’s really sad. There are a lot of people that need to save a buck and they cannot longer rely on thrift!
linda says
Our church runs an Op Shop, where unless it’s marked everything’s a $1. Sometimes furniture is $5 to $10 some hand bags are a little more like $3. Everything we get is donated and we do all the work ourselves, so no real expenses, although there are some. It’s a lot of work and that’s why we’re only open 1 Friday and Saturday a month from 8 to 12. If anyone’s in the Eastern Shore of Maryland, let me know and I’ll let you know how to find us
Melanie Considine says
I have always wondered if the items on EBAY actually get sold for those inflated prices. I wouldn’t pay that much in the thrift store OR on ebay.
On another note though, I used to waste money on things I bought cheaply at thrift stores, yard sales, and dollar stores (it became the thrill of the hunt, a low price so why not?) and I ended up filling my home with unnecessary stuff. Now I am making an effort to buy quality for only what I truly need or truly want (I will wait a day and go back so I know that I truly want an item) and not just what was a good deal.
Julianne says
When I first started Thrift store shopping (about 8 years ago), I found a pretty much brand new pair of toddler girl Nikes (white shoes with the pink swoosh) for just .75! Yep 75 cents. I was a pretty happy mama!
Jeff says
I own 2 thrift stores and I see competitors who’s pricing is all over the map. Some are near retail pricing and others are very low on many items. I think both are wrong. Thrift stores are in the business of helping their community and being healthy financially. If you are selling more than a few items .50 or under, you are not able to be financially healthy. If you are charging near retail, you are not contributing to community. Thrift stores can be run with paid staff, and be profitable. Giving your customers a fair price in a friendly, clean environment will give you customers for life. Customers who only shop on price are not good for your business. Be fair on every item you put on the floor. Don’t guess at pricing, do some research. Clean your inventory or don’t put it out. Support local charities and not just superficially. Listen to your customers, but don’t let them run your business. Independent thrift store fail because they don’t act like businesses, the act like charities. A healthy business can do so much more for a community than a junk store that is floundering. The days of finding a $200.00 item for $3.00 are almost over, everyone can google. Be prepared for a shift to fairly priced thrift stores where you can save 60-90% off retail on quality items. The junk stores and charity stores that give items away for pennies are on there way out.
Goody Weaver says
To anyone defending Goodwill because they give people jobs, I worked in mental health and it’s worth mentioning that they get a waiver to hire people with disabilities that allows them to avoid paying these people minimum wage. I had a client working there making $3.85 an hour. This is outrageous, especially since most people with disabilities are already struggling financially. Walmart does the same thing – that’s why you see people with Downs Syndrome working there as greeters. After I found out about this scam, I made a point of working with vocational rehab to find these folks jobs in restaurants where they would at least get the already low minimum wage. Obnoxious.
Sal says
Our Goodwills are GCF and do not have senior, college days for discounts, nor do they use the color system. They are building buildings in high rent areas and their prices reflect it. We have some mission oriented stores that I frequent and prices are much more reasonable and those are the places that I take my donations to. My husband started and ran a Habitat Restore with only volunteers except him. What a difficult job and situations he was put into. But the store stayed super busy and merchandise was constantly turning over because the prices were right and the store was clean
White Wolf from hugo says
It’s been my personal observation that thrift stores have switched into ‘ludicrous pricing’ (ala ludicrous speed of Spaceballs) years ago.
Plus I can confirm that thrift stores get a waiver to hire people with disabilities which allows them to pay people BELOW minimum wage.
When I became disabled, they wanted me to sign just such a waiver to high me for my IT skills for something like 80 cents an hour!
I refused of course, because I knew what they were trying to do. Essentially, they were asking me to sacrifice my blood, sweat and body to give them their ‘entitlement’ of running a business to provide profit to their owners… NOT a honest exchange to an employee.
Darla-rae Amundson says
We have a Thrift store were I work Called the “Clothing Closet” very few things are over the $5 dollar mark so come and see us.
Darla-rae Amundson says
I was half asleep when i wrote this. We have a Thrift store where I work called “the Clothing Closet” very little is marked over $5, you should come and see us.
Mavis Butterfield says
What city/state are you in?
Rachel Miller says
It’s totally hit or miss. I hate when I see Walmart brand used kids shoes for 8.99. Cmon, who does the pricing here? Used kids shoes for almost $10?!
But my teen daughter recently got a pile of clothes, I think about 12 items, for $61. Name brands, cute stuff, because she’s uber picky. She was so proud and has now talked her friends into trying thrifting. Before they were of the, ‘it’s gross’ mentality. 🙂
Ashley C. says
My daughter just found 2 huge binders full of old-school Pokemon cards. She is the hit of her Pokemon club now because of her rare trading cards. The bidders were $5 each which seemed high to me until e got looking through them. Each binder has hundreds of dollars worth of cards at today’s retail pieces. Great finds still exist they are just not happened upon as frequently.
Tonja degolier says
Have you tried Deseret Industries in Shoreline? Some of their prices are a bit cheaper. They are near the Shoreline/ Aurora Fred Meyer.
Mavis Butterfield says
I haven’t, but thanks, I’ll add it to my list for when we are up in that area.
Val says
So I got the local salvation army tonight…a pair of Levis jeans and a pair of inked & faded brand jeans …they’d been 5.99 but half provide night on wed…noth pairs cost me 5.98…in in central PA…and there are a lot of Amish and Mennonite folks…maybe that helps bit I too have noticed the slight up tick in prices. Keeps me on my toes!
Kate says
So I’m sure we all know what store these pics are from. And yes, the prices have gotten ridiculous. The trash this store sells at such high prices. Good grief. It’s really bad when you wait for the 30-50% sales at a thrift store. . People have gotten greedy. At this same store where I live, the manager had attitude when I called him on a mismatched book. He said “I can do what I want”. ☹️
Lynn says
From Wikipedia… Executive compensation
In 2005, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette (GICW), Goodwill’s Portland, Oregon, branch, came under scrutiny due to executive compensation that the Oregon attorney general’s office concluded was “unreasonable.” The President of the Portland branch, Michael Miller, received $838,508 in pay and benefits for fiscal year 2004, which was reportedly out of line in comparison to other charity executives and placed him in the top one percent of American wage earners. After being confronted with the state’s findings, Miller agreed to a 24% reduction in pay, and GICW formed a new committee and policy for handling matters of employee compensation.[25][26]
A widely circulated email titled “Think Before You Donate” aims to convince readers that “Goodwill CEO and Owner Mark Curran profits $2.3 million a year”, but fact-checking groups have debunked the content of the email: the CEO of Goodwill Industries International is not Mark Curran, nor does he make $2.3 million a year.[27] The current President and CEO of Goodwill is Jim Gibbons, who in 2014 received a total reported compensation of $689,418.[28]
Taylor says
I will tell you why,
They have a new way of pricing now. They went from a number system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) to a letter system (A+, A, A-, B+, B …. C, C-).
This means that they now have many more price points, all of which seem to start at higher prices. At my savers in the women’s department, the average top costs $6.99 and the average bottoms costs $8.49.
The ENTIRE company is changing to this system. There is NOTHING we can do. They started it in Canada and apparently it worked up there. So, they implemented it to the rest of the company. It is unfortunate and I will no longer shop at Savers.
Taylor says
Oh, and everything is now priced based on condition of each item, NOT brand name. THAT’S why you see Faded Glory, etc. (Walmart brand) stuff priced so high. It is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of.
This also means that more expensive brand name items should not be priced as high since it’s based on condition. But, I regularly see brand name clothes such as White House Black Market or True Religion priced JUST as absurdly high as they were before.
Jennifer says
I am someone who actually needs thrift stores,it’s not about getting a deal for the thrill of it. It’s more like a thrill of,oh,finally a piece of clothing I can afford and afford necessities as well. And there are some months I can’t afford thrift store prices (The more reasonable ones,anyways),or even dollar tree.
But….prices keep going up,and up. As well as often are not priced due to true value. For example,sometimes I find a silk top for less than a cheap polyester stained dress….why? Or even a cheap polyester t-shirt…it’s strange. I too have found dollar tree items there for same or more. I do sometimes find affordable prices on housewares,pots and pans,which is helpful.
I do resell vintage, and occasionally name brand. This is NOT a fun side gig for me,it’s actually mostly stressful and painful,but it’s the best I could come up with while I wait for disability using previous skills. I don’t make enough to live on,and thrift store prices going up more,it’s getting more difficult. I really dislike that people think “reseller”,and think they make $1,000 a month,I am lucky if I make $100.
Very few people know what decade and fabric vintage is,I’ve spent a long time learning about it,plus then learning how to clean it. I’ve seen people just take vintage and trash it for halloween,which is fine for 90’s,some 80’s and 70’s that are more plentiful styles and cheaper fabrics,but very sad for the 1960’s and earlier vintage that is becoming more rare. And sometimes I’ve seen a nice dress sit in a thrift store for a few months,priced too high,and it gets tried on and dragged around so much it loses much of it’s value.
I am finding that true non-profit thrift stores are usually at least half price,for clothing and crafts,at least. There is also a non-profit crafting thrift store here which is more like thrift store prices used to be…besides,it’s difficult to find craft supplies in most thrift stores now.
jeanna says
I was just recently in a local thrift store and I saw one of those shopping bags that marshalls, tj and homegoods sell for 99 cents – marked $4.oo!!!! I only noticed and looked cause I had exact same bag at home.
Cindy Weese says
I work for a nonprofit organization that provides housing and services for domestic violence victims and homeless families. We receive almost 50% of our organizational revenues from our two thrift stores, which we operate to generate funds for our crisis services because grant funding and individual donations are not nearly enough to cover the number of people we serve.
Our thrift stores are sometimes criticized for pricing items too high. We listen to this criticism and try to mark the items at a fair price. What I think thrift customers may not understand is that it thrift stores may not have inventory costs, but they have all the other costs of doing business that other retail stores and at least one other cost that department stores don’t have. We have to pay for staffing, utilities, racks, pricing guns, tags, cleaning supplies, snow removal, landscaping, and building repairs (which can be much higher in the older buildings that we own compared to new department or mall stores.) We also have to pay exorbitant garbage fees to dispose of all the broken and soiled furniture, appliances, worn car tires and exercise equipment that is dropped off after-hours.
Our thrift stores give away tens of thousands of dollars in charity care in the form of clothing, furniture and household items every year to our program participants and the clients of eight other human services organizations who we donate our “store bucks” to to distribute. Many of our employees are women who have used our services before or who have worked low-wage jobs before coming to us. As an organization, we adopted a minimum wage of $10 and we offer health insurance and retirement benefits. These are very costly benefits, but we believe in paying a fair wage for the hard work of our store staff. Frankly, I think the staff deserve more for working 8 hours shifts on their feet, lugging heavy bags up and down stairs, sorting through donation boxes and bags that can at times contain filthy items and pet and human waste, and serving as sales clerk and part-time social worker for those folks who like to hang out in the stores when it is a better environment than the place they sleep at night. The only reason we don’t increase our minimum wage above $10 is because it would decrease our profit margin, which would decrease the number of emergency motel rooms that we can provide for homeless families.
I know that there are for-profit resale stores, but my comments only relate to nonprofit thrift stores (however, I also have concerns about the lack of community charity care that Goodwill provides.)
Janet Taylor says
Your overhead costs may be relevant in your case but I have shopped at a store run solely by volunteers from the nearby Church, the only person to earn a salary is the manager. Since the onset of Ebay prices are compared and that is what is charged..way to high for central ,Illinois, jeans prices have escalated from $1.50 to $3.50 and up saw one pair fron $8.50 Mens NFL jackets $30. come on they were donated…when I see store prices like that I quit donating goods there..I have taken truck loads of items to this store alone..now that I have seen the recent pricing that all stops.
Ms. Donavan says
It is so disgusting that the GW(A Non profit organization)has turned into a money hungry organization. The prices are outrageous!They charge based on name brand,real gold they weigh the gold and charge crazy prices,what the item is etc…They no longer sell jewelry in the stores.They have an appraiser and sell it online. What happened to helping the less fortunate? It should be illegal for the GW to charge the prices that they do. We have an organization working on making that happen!
C Rizzy says
I don’t know how Goodwill got this great reputation. They are a charity racket. Are you seriously telling me that they spend all their profits on those tiny cheesy job centers in the occasional Goodwill? Please. Many Goodwills are privately owned and they pay VERY high salaries to a lot of people while paying disabled people pennies an hour and many other employees minimum wage.
They are now buying closeout merchandise from Target and reselling it. They sell all their garbage goods in their stores and sell anything worth money that can be shipped online. it is amazing though, people keep shopping there and donating stuff so Goodwill put a ridiculously high price on it. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen a goodwill price HIGHER than the new price tag on the bottom of the item. I have stopped shopping there at this point.
Valerie says
Totally agree that Goodwill prices are wayy too high! I have also seen what looks like customer returns from Target, judging by the poor condition. Seems like the quality has gone down and the prices have gone up ever since they started their online bidding site. These practices seem to be catching up with them–business dropped so much at the one in my area that it closed last year.
Annette says
Here’s a little something I was discussing on my Facebook page.
How often have you heard someone complain about thrift store prices? The standard line is: “They get all that stuff for free!”
As someone who has been in the non profit business since 1985 ( on and off) let me clarify that nothing is free. I’ll let you do the math here.
Monthly Expenses;
Payroll; At least 8 full time employees… with at least 4 part time. ( 8.50 to 12.00 … so figure 10.00 an hour for each person on average)
Mortgage or rent:
Large retail space.
( I’m not sure what anyone is paying but 20 YEARS ago my place of employment was paying 1,400 for a run down building plus any repairs in it.
Cost of, and maintenance for, Trucks to pick up and deliver donations and purchases.
Minimum 40.00 in gas per day to run trucks.
Insurance on trucks.
Liability insurance for the business.
All store supplies including tagging supplies and equipment, ( hint: well over $2,500 a year ) toilet paper, paper towel, general cleaning supplies and equipment, tape, cash register tape, photocopies, etc etc etc.
Dumpster and dumping expenses ( thanks to all the garbage abandoned at our door that we have to dispose of)
Utilities including heat in the winter, air in the summer and electric all year. Cost of maintaining and purchasing furnaces, air conditioners, lighting. Plumbing and other incidental expenses.
Snow plow services.
Telephone service.
Internet service.
Credit card machine fees. ( $2,000 plus a month. )
This isn’t even everything.
But add these up and tell me how many .49 cent to 2.99 items we have to sell just to keep the doors open.
( our 2 most common price points apart from furniture.)
Now take into account the things we give daily to hurting people free of charge. Clothing, household items. Food ( which we purchase) .
Then tell me how rich someone is getting at the end of the day, if there is any profit left. No one. Those few dollars are sent to a fund for emergency repairs like the 10,000 it cost to fix our air conditioning last summer because people were so hot they couldn’t shop.
Not for profit means exactly that. Our doors are open to help the community in tangible ways and also to provide the public with a fun and reasonably priced place to shop.
So if you still think that 2.99 is too much for a pair of adult jeans, or .49 cents for a beanie baby, or you think 49.99 for a vintage 1999 Super Nintendo with 5 games was too expensive, or that 14.99 North Face jacket, or that vintage Monkees Lunchbox in our collectors case for 49.99 ( the one that a customer put on eBay and made 125.00 on…) please know that we are doing our best to keep the doors open. We might not always get it right but we try.
We try to be good stewards of the donations people give us to help others. If we could do that by giving everything away we would. It just doesn’t work that way.
Yes, some stores are more expensive than others. I can’t answer for everyone.
Trust me when I say we don’t know the value of everything. Like that $2,000 first edition copy of Interview with a Vampire we sold for .99 or that rare Majolica vase that was scooped up for 3.99. There are always treasures to be found. That’s the fun of it!
And while I’m at it, no, the employees are not walking out the doors with all the “good stuff”. We have cameras. If they try, they get fired. We only are allowed to shop off the clock…. same as anyone else. Some stores employees must wait until an item is in the floor a full 24-48 hours before they are allowed to buy it. And quite honestly, while fun at first, after about three months most employees are apathetic about buying a bunch of stuff they don’t need. As a cashier I don’t see anything until you bring it to my counter . I’m happy you found stuff you love!
Anyway, I hope this brings a little understanding and I wish you all successful junking no matter where you shop.
Heather Knorr says
I don’t want to pick a fight, but don’t ALL stores have the costs you listed? The difference is, brand new retailers had to buy the products they carry in their stores. I recently found a pair of pants and had found a similar pair at a new retailer. Guess what? The new retailer was cheaper. Yes, I do find some really great deals and that’s why I continue to shop. But, buyer beware – do your homework.
Heather Knorr says
My local Value Village has also now started charging $1 if you want your stuff in a bag. I think that’s ridiculous – particularly if you’ve just spent over $100. I’ll bring my own bags, thank you.
Deb Wagner says
I agree! Time to boycott! Who do they think we are…stupid fools?? Remember, We GAVE them for FREE these things and their selling them back to us at CRAZY PRICES! They hide behind the idea they help the underprivileged, but those at the top of Goodwill Industries make huge salaries!!! You should see the Goodwill headquarters in Phoenix, AZ…it’s palatial, a palace! This for profit company hides behind its non-profit status…this organization is not who they portray themselves to be!!!
S.M. says
I’ve been shopping (3) Goodwill sites in my area for about 15+ years. Over the last year they’ve raised prices to a ridiculous level. Now the clothing has different prices within categories when previously all shirts were $3.99, pants $5.99 – now mixed in the racks are all different prices. How do you explain that? The cost for all the pants and shirts was ZERO. There’s no different mark-up – there’s no different cost. The cost for all the shirts, pants, everything……ZERO. I stopped donating and stopped shopping. GREEDY GREEDY GREEDY.
Jim says
The prices in thrift stores are a sign of the times now. Most all Thrift Stores are selling donated items. The buyers are Ebay resellers trying to operate a business and resell the items for ridiculous prices. I have quit going to Thrift stores for this reason. For example used pint jars for $1.00 each when I can buy them for $50 cents new. A empty coffee can $2.95 ???? Not only this but the Ebayer and Flea market vendors waiting at the doors where the items are brought out in bin type carts, they have their smart phones checking to see what items are listing for for on Ebay and fighting over items and who saw it first !
I have noticed that items such as cameras are listed on Ebay for hundreds of dollars for “Parts” ? One I saw was listed for $899 . I purchased one last year at a yard sale for .50 cents and that was about the worth of it why they bother is beyond me. Film is obsolete and the only readily available is Fuji which produces horrible color photos and costs a fortune, yet they keep relisting the equipment over and over If it says NIKON CANNON or Olympus then it has to be worth a fortune?? Poor fools.
I asked a ebay seller the other day why he had a item listed for more than a new one of the same thing sold for? I got cussed by him. If you cannot save at least 50% of a new items price then you should never buy it.
Debbie says
I totally agree! We have a new ARC that opened in the next town over from me and I was so excited for the grand opening until I went in and saw the prices. I left with NOTHING. I have pretty much stopped going to thrift stores, because they’re not thrifty anymore. I do hit the occasional yard sale, but even those…people want way too much for their junk. It’s just no fun anymore.
Hello says
I used to love thriftinng way before it became a trend. Now these thrift companies only think about competing with “internet flippers,” but never think about people who want to be fashionable on a budget. The clothes reek of feces; at least most flippers will clean and repair the item. Thrift stores have the nerve to overprice stinky DONATED items. Goodwill and Salvation Army are a complete joke. A NON tax organization who gets FREE donations. I understand about donating as much as possible to your charities, but if you investigate Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc- most have been in scandals with how the money is managed. Go look up how much the CEO of Goodwill makes- selfish SOB. I appreciate the art of business, but thrift shops are highway robbery now. What is going to happen if our economy collapses and people need to shop at thrifts, but the prices won’t go down? I think the overpricing was done intentionally for a hidden agenda. The meaning of value is lost and subjective.
ANGELA Squire says
You have to be savvy and know what is a bargain and what is not. Also, hopefully you have a choice of thrift stores. My understanding is that Value Village uses a computer algorithm. The employee inputs the item and gives it a “quality” rating and the computer does the rest. I agree, prices are crazy, I’ve seen dollar store items marked higher than the original value. Goodwill and Mennonite central committee generally have better prices . If you take your time you will figure out which stores have better prices on specific items. Also, shop their sale days. Most of all you have to take your time and really look the bargains are still there.
Erin says
I found that Volunteers of America in the Ohio area has the best prices overall. Granted, you have to search and dig in there to find stuff but I love that about thrifting. They had super great prices. I bought a blazer for work for $1!!! They have a nice mix of modern and vintage clothing which I like.
Anon says
Frankly, you only have the community to blame.
I know several people who work for them and they increase the prices when people steal so much from the stores that they have no choice but to do so.
Even if they know who stole the merchandise and saw it themselves (even if you have it on video), many of the employees cannot do anything about it legally without risking a lot or having a police officer present at the scene to witness it.
There have been several cases where I have seen it myself from people wearing long dresses (middle Eastern type) that just stuff so many items under their dresses and behave wildly when confronted about it (despite having it on video). Of course, the person differs on who steals it but the point is that they ruin it for everybody.
This is also the reason why you don’t find anything good in your local Goodwill (or any other store meant for selling cheap stuff). They send all of the good stuff to another location rather than having it be stolen at your location because of the many people that are stealing at your local store.
Debbie says
That might make sense if they had paid for the stuff, but they get it all for free through donations. You can’t tell me that so much is stolen that they’re actually losing money. I just don’t believe that. They would sell a lot more stuff if they didn’t price it so damn high. I’ve walked away from dozens of things I would have taken home, but for the price. I actually stopped going to the thrift stores for this very reason. That’s where you’re really going to lose money.
Alice Jean says
The reason I think prices are so high at thrift stores today is because a lot of re sellers post on You tube about the bargains they find and how much money they make reselling the items. The store employees and owners watch You tube and TV too; therefore, they are raising prices so they can get the money. The stores are also checking eBay and Amazon to price check also. Goodwill have their own Shop Goodwill auction site and sometimes those prices go through the stratosphere. They also have their own Book, CD and Video Store and the prices on those items can be crazy. Goodwill also sell on eBay and Amazon, etc. The bottom line it’s all about the money, I question the nonprofit status of some thrift stores. Thanks for this article, I have been wanting to vent about this for sometime.
Lilly says
You are right! Look at how many blogs you see about upcycyling furniture on Pinterest alone. Then HGTV as well. It’s supply and demand. But what I’ve seen lately, forget it! I’ll go to Craigslist. If I’m shopping thrift, it has to be deep discounts, not 30 percent off what I’d find in stores.
Debbie says
Well that’s good to know. One more reason I’ll never step foot in another “thrift” store. I think they’ll price themselves out of business if they keep this up. I’d much rather shop online in the comfort of my own home if I’m going to pay the same prices as I would digging through stuff at the thrift store. Not worth my time.
Kathy says
Most coffee these days is sold in foil/paper packets, or plastic or cardboard containers, so yes metal coffee cans are scarce today 🙂 I’m not sure very many shoppers would consider paying $4 for one even so.
Lilly says
They have gone up…! In my opinion it’s all of the HGTV and Pinterest redo’s…they always tell you to go to Salvation Army or Goodwill to pick up furniture and paint it! THis is the reason! Their stuff is now in demand…but it’s still used stuff!
This is when I stop buying…
Anna says
I am outraged at the prices of goodwill and thrift shops these items are donated and they are selling them at a price that is retail value like it was new they should not be allowed to sale any item donated for over 3.99 that is fair in my eyes they get it for free also customers are at risk of contacting germs and diseases because they don’t disinfect the items they put them on the floor the minute they come in I’m tired of it homeless people cant even afford to buy a warm coat for the winter I know because they are getting their coats cloths and food from people regular citizens in the community something has to be done I think we should start a picket and bring them prices down who’s up for it? Goodwill is the biggest crooks in the thrift store industry I donated the biggest collection of glass beads I’m talking thousands of dollars beautiful crystal beads all in new condition I was buying them half my life I thought maybe some one who was into beading and not able to pay regular price as beads are expensive anyways after donating I went there because I wanted to see what they priced them at and they never put them in the store the girl told me that all the good stuff they put online its only the junk they put in the store but that was a lie because I looked online and they were not for sale on their website other trust me I will never donate again I will find someone and give them my items as I did I seen a woman buying a lot of clothing and I took her aside and told her I had bags of fairly new clothing and she’s welcome to have them she was very grateful as she was buying for her grandkids whicjh she was caring for and then the guy came out and asked me what was it you gave her I said what do you care its none of your buisness