Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m getting old I don’t get out enough, or maybe I don’t know the cost of things anymore. Take a look at some of the ridiculously overpriced things I found at Goodwill the other day, then someone PLEASE explain why Goodwill is so expensive and who is setting the prices.
Because I don’t get it. How can a single, used canning jar be selling for $4.00? Granted the price of quart sized canning jars have gone up, but if you bought a dozen jars at Goodwill it would set you back $48!!! That’s over THREE TIMES the price of a new set of jars that come with the lids and rings!
Is it just me? Am I the crazy one? C’mon now!!
You know those glass vases that are sitting in the “FREE” box at the end of every garage sale? Goodwill is selling them for $6. Ummm No. If you’re desperate for one, pop by the dollar store and pocket the savings.
How is it possible that a used CD is now $7.00? I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that whoever donated this cd, probably couldn’t even get a quarter for it at their yard sale. But again, what do I know?
Can I interest you in a pair of old sneakers for $13?
Fact: You can buy a NEW pair of sneakers at Walmart for the same price or a buck or two more.
How about a pair of used jeans {previously sold at Kohls in the $20-$30 range} for $20?
What am I missing here?
Yes, I understand Goodwill is a business, and that they give back to the community, but something tells me more people would be willing to donate their stuff there and they’d make a heck of a lot more money {and help more people} if their prices were a bit more reasonable.
Have you been to Goodwill lately? Are these the same prices you’re seeing in your area? Am I off my rocker here? Do you think any of these things are a good deal?
~Mavis
Jess says
Pre-2020 fiasco Goodwill had some Gooddeals…. once they lifted orders and you could go back inside and shop I noticed that pricing had JUMPED! I have not been back at all! I no longer am out scrounging to score deals for 3 growing kids. I spend more time trying to thin my house of unnecessary stuff PLUS something about Goodwill sets my allergies on fire .
SYLVIA PEREZ says
I live in southern CA and I do go to the Goodwill but only on the last Saturday of the month. Because all items are 50% off! I believe that is why the items are hiked up in prices. Also in Thursday, the furniture is 20% off. They continue to rise the prices, might as well go to Macy’s clearance items. Matter of time.
CJ says
I stopped donating and shopping at Goodwill 20 years ago. During my late 20s my friends and I all noticed that Goodwill wasted a lot of donations and that the prices on just plain no name stuff was the same as Walmart or Target etc. Now we have a yard sale or donate it to someone we know who needs it or is having a yard sale or church fundraiser sale.
Billie Helmkay says
Their prices are crazy. The people who usually shop at Goodwill need the bargains. But half the time things I’ve bought new at TJ Maxx are more expensive there and they’re used. Plastic bins that are old and dented are the same price that Walmart sells them for new. I get that you’re saving something from going in the landfill possibly, but yes if it was $2.99 instead of 699 I would grab it but I’m just going to go down to Walmart and save having to clean it out
Dawn says
Prices at these type of stores are out of control everywhere, including here in Canada. The only place I find great prices anymore are small town not-for-profit thrift stores.
I don’t think that these thrift stores are the charity centered places they once were. I think they have become big business.
Audra from Ohio says
I agree, Dawn. My mom volunteers with a locally run thrift store that uses all of the sales to fund scholarships and grants for community organizations.
They are located in a low-income area of town and sell books for .25, clothes for a couple of dollars, and have a free t-shirt bin.
Now I only donate to them, because I know they are helping people have affordable options for buying things they need as well as doing a lot of good in the community.
Brianna says
Goodwill has lost their mission of being and affordable thrift store the past twenty years. They have over 135+ CEO’s each making $200-750k, not including all the other hierarchy support positions. https://mediacoverage.com/examining-the-controversy-the-impact-of-goodwill/
I do not shop there as it is too expensive for used goods. They have a website they put their valuable donations on and those are overpriced. They started getting expensive when people started side businesses as resellers online. I haven’t been inside a Goodwill in years and don’t intend to shop there. I buy used stuff, but not from there. I had a friend who used to work there and she often told of how employees would put certain stuff aside for themselves or their buddies and not on the floor, it bothered her and she tried to address it with the manager and crickets, she was only there a short time. One Goodwill near me has a big problem with theft, but I don’t think it is because of the high prices.
Patti Vanderbloemen says
Bingo! Prices are high to fund the salaries of their overpaid upper management.
Jennifer McKelvie says
You are so right. That’s why I give to The Salvation Army!!!!
Tina B says
Same. I refuse to shop/donate at Good Will. Their prices are ridiculous and the folks at the top have huge salaries.
I donate to the Salvation Army or the Sheriffs Youth Ranch (Florida organization).
Mavis Butterfield says
🙂
Tracy says
It is the same way here at our Salvation Army thrift store and The Thrifty Shopper. The prices have gone sky high. Not so thrifty anymore.
Mel says
I haven’t been to an actual thrift store in ages, but online thrift stores like eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari seem to be going up in price as well. I assume part of the answer is just that they can, so they do.
Mrs. C. says
A lot of re-sellers shop at these places and then re-sell the good on line. Could these price hikes be a way of discouraging that?
wendy panozzo says
As a re-seller this is just not true. Thrifting has become very trendy and popular particularly with the young people. Also, after Covid and the inflation rising they jumped on the band wagon with all the other stores to raise prices because they could. I can’t afford to shop at Goodwill or Salvation Army to re-sell any more so they have pushed us out as well. Let’s also take into account how much clothing is sent to the landfills. They only sell a percentage of what is given.It’s just plain great at this point.
Laurie Matzko says
Agree 100%. I am a reseller and I don’t shop at any of our local thrift stores. Sure I may find the rare “gem” if I did, but pricing is ridiculous. I have literally seen items priced higher than if they were new. Not sure who is pricing this stuff-apparently everyone thinks they are a seller now. I do shop at our local thrift outlet, where all items are $1.19 a pound or less. However, all of the other resellers who used to go to the thrift stores are now there as well. (also lots of the younger crowd looking to buy for themselves) It is certainly a challenge!
sarah says
As a reseller, I think it definitely helps to contribute to it. A lot of resellers go to the goodwills and bins, in my area, because there is a lot of great stuff. That being said, if goodwill knows it has something that is worth decent money, a lot of times they will put a higher price on it, so then they get the profit vs the reseller. Which I can’t hate on them for that.
Tammy says
I’ve seen Goodwills in Virginia where the stuff was donated from Target’s clearance and still have the Target sticker on them — and Goodwill is charging more than Target was! It’s ridiculous. I tend to shop more at local thrifts than at Goodwill anymore. Considering it receives the items for free, and you’d think the goal would be to sell it, Goodwill’s pricing is outrageous sometimes.
Brenda Robertson says
Holey Moley, those are certainly expensive jars and clothing items. I am in north central Indiana and jars are at $.99. Prices have certainly increased and it is sometimes ridiculous for the item. We have two Goodwill stores in the town I shop. There is a disparity in pricing for children’s clothes of a $2.00 on tops and also other items. I usually try to donate and shop at a charity shop in town that supports the local homeless. They have better quality and cheaper prices (Ladies tops are $2.99) They have color tag days at 1/2 off. My purchases directly benefit the locals, so it is a win.
Tammy says
The Goodwill prices vary by location. Here in my area of SC, I have been buying canning jars for $.59 each at my Goodwill. I even got some of the 4-oz. jars for $.29 and $.39 on my last trip. My best score this last month was an unused Instant Pot for $10. I could tell the stainless steel insert really hadn’t been used. I was super excited about it because I’ve been wanting one for quite a while but I have a regular stove top pressure cooker so I didn’t want to pay out $120 for an electric one. I have really been enjoying it, so I’m glad I was able to snag it.
There are other thrift stores in my area that price things insanely high. I was recently at a thrift store that had an old baker’s rack for $575. LOL
When thrift stores get concerned about people reselling things, their prices go higher than even Facebook marketplace. Then it becomes unaffordable.
Rosemary says
I donate (and shop) at a local thrift store that supports a home for troubled teen girls. I haven’t shopped there lately so I don’t know if their prices have increased. When I do go there, I wait for the 50% off days. The last time I checked their clothes, shirts were about 3.00-5.00 – with 50% off they would be 1.50-2.50 which is a decent price. I haven’t been to Goodwill in a very long time but the last time I was there, I did notice how expensive their clothes had gotten (and some of their items were priced higher than Walmart). Such a shame.
Emma B says
Some say it is because of resellers. whatever it is, it is insane. I once found a Walmart brand summer dress at goodwill priced more than what it was at Walmart.
Cindy says
Goodwill has changed the way they price things. If you notice the tags are different colors now. Every day a different color is “on sale” for half off. My issue with this is if there is something you might be interested in it won’t be there on the half off day. I’m definitely buying less there.
Peg says
We have two Goodwills here, the newer one has always been pricey, and the older one is a little more reasonable. Even the local thrift store is high priced, even though I still go there to drop off grocery bags and do a little shopping. Most of the time I do walk out empty handed. My favorite shopping venue is the last day of a multi day estate sale.
Jamie says
can find much better clothes and shoe deals at Costco for brand new things! Yesterday Costco had 2 packs of the heat wear long under wear for 2.97!
Sluggy says
Oh, let me tell you how I really feel about Goodwill. ‘-)
Goodwill says they give back and help people but very little of every dollar they receive actually gets funneled back into the disabled community. They are a big greedy corporation that has a GREAT business model by feeding off of the community at large’s emotions and browbeats businesses into making donations and gets all their inventory for FREE! Then they mark things up(every store or region of stores seems to have their own way of pricing, or should I say overpricing)all this FREE inventory.
Have you seen the salaries the CEO and Executives make? $232,402 a year on average for a highly placed Executive and $652K for the CEO the last time I looked. Compared to the minimum wages they pay their store employees, who do the actual work, this is so wrong!
I’d rather leave my discarded items or no longer needed items with a Free Sign at the end of my driveway or hold a Free garage sale. I refuse to support this corrupt enterprise.
Elly says
100% They also attempted to prosecute an elderly family friend of ours with dementia for shoplifting when she escaped from her care home. Her daughter explained the situation and offered to pay for the item she tried to take and they still wanted to press charges. But you you know, they “help” people with disabilities – insert eye roll here.
Mavis Butterfield says
Unbelievable.
Eli Rose says
The only good thrift stores I have seen lately are ones that are local and not a big chain like Goodwill. I have disliked Goodwill for a while, as they have some issues with the way they run business and treat employees, and now they are insanely expensive!
Meg C says
I, too, refuse to shop at Goodwill for thrifting because they are far & away the most expensive “charity” thrift store in our area. In our area, Salvation Army is the cheapest followed by Savers (is that Easter Seals?)? I ONLY buy items that are the 1/2 price colors for that day/week. I’ve trained my kids to do the same LOL
Our local Salvation Army furniture bank, however, is 1000% overpriced and I often wonder what kind of formula they use to price the furniture pieces. Things that I have researched on Amazon for the $60-$80 range are being priced at $200-300. It’s nutso!
I think garage sales & estate sales (esp the last day!) are the best places to get the best prices these days.
Mary G says
Wow, that is crazy! I haven’t been to my local Goodwill in a while, but I did notice that prices were higher than they had been. Quart canning jars were $2, I think, and used jeans were generally $10. Too high in my opinion, but not nearly as high as what you found. I usually shop at local charitable thrift stores (benefiting a women’s shelter, etc.). Prices there can vary, but jeans (sometimes in really good condition) are $4, but you can often find them for half price and occasionally for $1.
Annette says
Husband “accidentally” took my favorite jeans to the Goodwill, along with other clothes to donate. Argghhh! I made a few shopping trips there to finally find them. Then I had to buy them for $6 🙁
Mary Ann says
I haven’t bought any canning jars in about a year, so I had to go check walmart dot com to see how much they are right now. A case of 12 wide mouth quart jars are $16.44 – with tax in Southern California ($1.43 at 8.75%) makes it $17.87 = $1.48 a jar WITH a brand new lid and ring! How can they possibly think $4 for a used jar with no lid/ring is okay?!
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s just bonkers! Our Walmart has them for $15.44 for a case of 12 with lids/seals.
Linda says
Perhaps it’s because overhead has gone up so much. Our electricity has gone up 25%, minimum wage is way up and I read insurance rates have sky rocketed.
Our Goodwill closed during Covid.
sarah says
I actually don’t find goodwill that expensive. At least for the stuff I go in there for- so maybe I’m missing out. I just bought a similar vase this morning, and it was only $4.99. I couldn’t buy it for less anywhere else. You can’t beat their prices on puzzles. I have noticed though the prices change drastically between goodwill districts, and within cities. I’ve noticed higher end cities have a lot lower prices, than those that are in more lower income area. One thing I can get behind that they do, is some things that would have a high resell value, they are selling it for that price vs. a reseller coming in and buying it and then selling it. There was a lady next to me a couple weeks ago who was disgusted at the price of a vintage blue ball jar from the 30s. It was $9.99. She didn’t appreciate it when I told her that that jar sells for $15- $40 in antique stores.
I do buy quite a bit on their online shop. I buy antiques mostly, and you can always find them for good deals on there.
Bec in the PNW says
Don’t get me started on Goodwill pricing! Everything is so overpriced. My kid’s preschool is having a fundraiser and I went in there to buy things for centerpieces — $15 for the ugliest candlestick that you could ever buy! No thanks. I do look for clothes at Goodwill sometimes and on ThredUp (overpriced but I favorite things and then keep an eye on the discount codes). I will also say that yard sales here in the PNW are also suffering from delulu pricing. Or I’m just getting older and my standards are getting higher.
Janet says
I’m so glad you brought up this subject. I was at the Goodwill in Seattle back in January and saw a pair of used shoes priced at $49.00. They were good quality named brand shoes but no where near being worth $49.00. What the heck is going on!!!!
NCJill says
The Goodwill CEO also makes over a million dollars a year, so I don’t shop there anymore.
Kippy says
I went to our local Goodwill recently. Hadn’t been there for a couple of years. I went there looking for jeans, after seeing the price of new ones in stores. Did get a very nice pair of OldNavy ones for $12.99. Glanced at stuff in housewares which seemed to be $2.00 more than before. The worst part of going to Goodwill was the clerk who was very condescending and rude about me getting senior discount day wrong.. Totally uncalled for. Shout out to the nice employee in donations who took my bag of donations with a big smile and happy attitude.
CindyG says
^^^ I completely agree with NCJill. Goodwill is a corporation. It used to be harder to discern that “corporate approach” with Goodwill, but now it really shows. I am an avid thrifter, but I prefer to go to thrift shops that are locally owned / directly support my area (which does include Salvation Army thrift shops). I try to go to Goodwill only as a last resort.
SueD says
I stopped buying or donating anything at Goodwill many years ago. Ridiculous prices on items, workers paid very little, and the head guys making 6 and 7 figure salaries. Whenever possible I donate items to local places that give clothing and household goods out for free to those who need.
Arbie Goodfellow says
Mavis you are so right!
Plus how can “poor” people shop there when middle class can’t.
In the 70s I went to one with my Mom and Grandmother and at the time we had hardly any money and we walked out empty handed and all three of us felt awful and POOR! At the time Jean’s at a garage sale we’re 50 cents and they wanted 3.00 and 4.00 a pair and we couldn’t afford them. Myself being in High School at the time…I was so embarrassed. Something is very strange at that store.
angel says
I don’t shop at goodwill anymore because they don’t really do much in my community and they pay their CEO too nice a wage. I do hit up our Salvation Army because they do a ton of good in our area. I also shop a few church run thrifts and one on base. People in my area are in bad straits economically….lots of young military families and it’s a bit rural so there’s not a lot of dollars left over for many here. I can’t justify to myself paying those high prices when I know the cash goes in a corporations pocket….love your content ms mavis❤️
Sherry in Sumner says
My husband and I buy books at Goodwill stores. They are both $4 for hardbacks and $3 for paperbacks. If you buy 10 or more you get 25% off. My beef, however, is that in Western Washington state, Goodwill no longer will give you bags for your purchases, so I have to bring my own. How cheap, when everything they get is donated to their stores! I have quit donating clothing and household goods to them but after some of these comments, I will check out other smaller charity outlets to take our used clothing to.
Oh, but one funny story about Goodwill. Many years ago I was gathering clothing items to donate. In the stack, I had a beautiful red satin lace short nightgown. I had bought it thinking I would woo him one night. But then we had an argument (something we so rarely do), and I told myself I would never wear that nightie for him! So when I put it in the Goodwill donation pile, I put a note on it saying “Never worn. Got mad at husband!” Well, of course we got over the argument and are still together — after 53 years.
Lesley says
Fantastic story! 🙂
Janet says
my husband works for them and he says that they will put prices on that are higher then going to wal mart and if things do not sell within a time they will throw it away,husband has to do that and if the lady that is pricing things to put out thinks something will not sell it goes into the trash so a lot of nice things are wasted,someone would buy it.
Holley says
I lived in the Atlanta metro area before Covid and the prices at Goodwill were always outrageous! And, Salvation Army, was even HIGHER!!! It was absolutely insane. I can’t imagine what it must be now. I only go to local charity thrift stores now where the prices are still reasonable.
tc says
Here at our local goodwill, prices are similar however, a friend has found out that at the end of the day you can get things cheaper just before they throw them in the trash, yesterday she got a case of cannig jars for $5 that were about to be broken and thrown out. They also cut the cords of electrical appliances and throw them out rather than mark them down. They throw out brand new writing pads and school supplies. It is really sad and a waste. I now donate to Habitat for Humanity of local thrift stores
Tracey says
I just paid $2.50 each for new half gallon jars from Azure
Goodwill is a nasty business for many reasons
Rachel says
I’m going to agree that those prices are crazy! My local (North Carolina) goodwill does not have prices like that. Or at least no that I’ve seen. I bought a “like-new” winter coat the other day for $9.99! I will say that if you’re buying CDs, be sure there is a CD in the case!
Julie says
Prices have gone up at my local thrift shops also but, not as high as you are reporting but still ridiculous in my opinion. I find myself window shopping less and not really needing anything as often. I noticed less in the thrift stores too. Maybe people are holding on to things and donating less? Thrift or used books are definitely up in price too. Lots of junk on the shelves too.
Melissa says
The prices are crazy. I thrifted and garage sales for decades. I rarely go to a thrift store other than to drop off donations. The best value is to go to estate sales where the family just wants things gone and they are happy to give great prices.
Lisa C says
Goodwill has to make enough to pay their CEO’s million dollar paycheck . At my local one, I have seen things that came from Dollar Tree priced at 3-4 dollars.
Tiffany F says
That is ridiculous!
Prices at our local Goodwill, in southwest Virginia, have gone up, but not that high. I do find Goodwill prices in different towns and states vary greatly. I’ll only go in occasionally, and if I’m looking for something specific.
I will only donate to local thrift stores though.
Dianna says
Since Covid, our Goodwills have stopped having discounts of any kind. They used to have occasional offers such as % off or a bag of books for $5. I live in northeast TN. I browse Goodwill sometimes when I have to wait on my son afterschool for a few minutes. Very rarely find anything. I used to buy books there but lately there haven’t been any good titles (I highly suspect someone is taking newer books out, because the selection used to be so much better.)
My mom is adamant that she will not donate to Goodwill because the prices are so high that people in need can’t afford to shop there. Instead, we both try to give items to local shops that give to those in need for free or very low cost.
Loy says
Several years ago, my HH took a pickup load to Goodwill, including a working electric range and some small furniture. Some things were dusty because they had been in storage. Goodwill wouldn’t take them because they were not “showroom ready”. He was so mad, he just took it all to the landfill. We have not donated to them since. We only donate to local charity thrift shops.
Marti says
Our Goodwill prices are higher than shopping sales at Kohls–ridiculously high but they have rich CEOs. I volunteer at a Christian run thrift shop–we have many shoppers who have told us they can’t afford Goodwill prices but can purchase many outfits at our shop for what a pair of jeans would cost at GW. Our store is super clean, clothes are pressed and checked thoroughly for tears, missing buttons, and soil spots. All of our housewares sparkle because they are washed before putting out. Our sales have quadrupled in the last year. The shop has 5 paid employees and about 200 volunteers….and no rich CEO.
Robin says
I have seen reseller’s on their YouTube channels go to small thrift stores and church sales and clean out particular items leaving none for folks that actually might need them. One in particular came upon a few dozen new shoes by a good brand and bought ever single pair. There is enormous greed by both corporate owned enterprises and resellers.
Judy says
I just shop and donate to our two small thrift stores. All proceeds go to the local hospital. All clothing is washed and pressed. Twice a month they have “bag days”. An overstuffed bag with shoes and clothes is five dollars. They also have colored tags, for 50% off on that day. Those jars would have been one dollar. Goodwill and Sally Ann are not worth my time, ridiculous pricing.
Mavis Butterfield says
I think they have lost their way.
Linda says
I was in a Salvation Army and picked up a cute vase that was marked $5. I turned it over as I always do, and found a Dollar Tree sticker for $1. I pointed this out. The employee said with a superior tone that they had employees well-trained in pricing, so that was the final price. I never went back because there were other incidents. They went out of business in three months.
Practical Parsimony
Mavis Butterfield says
Wow.
A farm girl says
I work in a charity thrift shop and there are several reasons our prices are “high”. One: the mission of the store is to generate revenue for the charity. We are trying to earn as much money as possible for the charity we support. Two: The impact of the resellers. We have many resellers who shop our store every day and if we have a low price, they buy the item to resell. So why should our charity not get that additional revenue? It’s a difficult position. Three: The people who donate to our shop, value their donations and they get upset if the prices we sell at is too low. They are donating to the charity and they want the money to go to the charity.
Ashley Bananas says
I agree. Yardsales are where it’s at for prices. Second hand stores in general have gone up a lot in prices.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yard sales rule. 🙂
Jennifer says
I needed a drum style lampshade, so I stopped at the Goodwill store near me and made a discovery. The price on products depends on who priced them. They had two very similar drum style lampshades on the rack, one was a reasonable $1.99 the other was $4.99. Lucky for me, I thought the $1.99 was perfect for my little lamp. I saw canning jars for $1.99 a piece. It seems like every time I stop by the prices have gone up again.
Joyce Thompson says
Local Good Will recently increased the price of paper back and hardback books from $.99 ea to $4.99 ea. (400%). I donate to the store and make purchased as well. Then they started the insane question of do I want to round up my purchase amounts. Looking around the store you find many items that are broken and missing pieces. GW has forgotten they are a thrift store. In the past I have found many bargains at GW but those days are gone, GW should review and adjust what they are paying top executives and put pricing where the people who shop there can afford it. My love affair with Good Will has died.
Mark Johnson says
I’m gonna speculate that someone with a good plan could take heretofore Goodwill donations, sell the used stuff for a reasonable price, cover the store overhead, and donate the remainder to local charities. Sounds like a plan.