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Anyone Else Notice How Pricey Goodwill Is Getting ??

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Started 6 months ago by BuffaloHawk
Latest reply from biophile87

BuffaloHawk

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I usually take my little one junking there for clothes since so grows out of them so fast. I have noticed that a lot of items are not such a great deal anymore. I was out talking to some friends last night and they also agreed.When reading the crock pot thread I considered going there but have had bad luck with there electrical appliances.That is one thing i have learned not to buy second hand.

Posted 6 months ago #
pugloverinsunset

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YES!!! Absolutely. Sometimes it is even cheaper to buy on sale at Target for the same item. Crazy. The only way to buy is if it is the "color of the day" or on Monday. FYI, the Goodwill on Dearborn is much less expensive, but of course then you have to spend the gas to get there, which would more or less wipe out any savings.

Posted 6 months ago #
bambooboy

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Going back many years I was always amazed at how expensive they were. In some cases it's bad because a lot of people who shop there don't realize they can get better deals at some stores and are probably shopping there because they can't afford it.

Posted 6 months ago #
biophile87

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There is more than one reason to shop secondhand. In addition to saving money, you are conserving resources that are taken from Nature when you buy new. Obviously, some things just don't make sense, like a broken appliance. Every time you choose something used over new, regardless of dollars, you are sparing our Global Habitat from a teeny little bit of extraction.

We NEVER EVER pay what things truly cost, since we consider what we take from Nature to be our entitlement and thus free. Our kids and their kids might think otherwise when they experience the consequences of our sense of entitlement.

Off patronizing soapbox. My apologies.

Posted 6 months ago #
pr

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I always thought the prices were high on purpose since Goodwill is selling the donated goods to raise money to help people in need (?) I think more than getting cheap stuff at Goodwill, the point is you are helping our your community.

Posted 6 months ago #
great idea

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I blame that Macklemore song bio posted a few weeks ago.

Posted 6 months ago #
biophile87

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GI: Ha!

Perhaps the higher prices will encourage us to reduce our consumption. That said, kids need to stop growing so damn fast.

Posted 6 months ago #
Nora Bell

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Take her to The R Shoppe, the little thrift store beside the Smokeshop. It's much smaller than Goodwill, but a ton more fun. I'm always amazed at what great stuff I find in there.

Posted 6 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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NB - Thanks

I used to check out Deseret Industries until I found out it was an LDS organization.

Posted 6 months ago #
phoo

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I used to live 3 blocks from Goodwill, so I went there often. I noticed that frequently their prices were random. At least when I first started going, the Ballard goodwill seemed to be the starting point for workers. So you'd have folks on the floor who did not speak a lick of english and the same merchandise could be priced anywhere from dirt cheap, to ridiculously expensive. Think serial mice for $5. $5 is the price of USB mice and if you look on your computer, it is unlikely that you even have a serial port. They are deprecated by a few old ps2 computers and >90% USB mice. Yah, there's still a rare point to them, but not for $5. $20 for a ps2 keyboard anyone? Sheesh. It's always been that way. It may be that they've started to fix the randomness by bringing all the prices to the higher level.

Posted 6 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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Funny Story

There was an item there that still had the original price tag on. The Goodwill price was actually higher and it wasn't a rare item ;)

Posted 6 months ago #
yourFriend

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use to be i could do one shop shopping buy oh my oh my now i got to run all around getting me the best price. but my wife can git a pair of curtens and make van drapes and a tablecloth out of them so that is cheep but my pants are getting expensive. is anyone out there a 34 long?

Posted 6 months ago #
phoo

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I always shop value village for clothes. They have better selection (!) and better prices.

Posted 6 months ago #
PaytonKemp-AlleyOop

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I was about to blame that Mackelmore video too, lol. Although the places he shops second hand in the video (Red light and Value Village, both on Capitol Hill) are very overpriced in comparison to our Goodwill.

Posted 6 months ago #
OingoBoingo

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How about a hand knit Irish sweater or Harris Tweed coat for $10, at the 'bottom of the barrel' Dearborn store?

Posted 6 months ago #
Boris

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Time soon come when will need special goodwill credit card. Apply at cashier and get 10 percent off purchase today.

Posted 6 months ago #
eric

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i wouldn't have to do with the fact that its in cushy ballard, would it?

Posted 6 months ago #
Boris

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With new Goodwill Card you save total of 1.47 on final purchase of old junk nobody want. Thank you come again.

Posted 6 months ago #
Mondoman

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Many Goodwills now sell their stuff on ebay -- I've recently bought books from the Tacoma Goodwill and other stuff from Seattle Goodwill, and each has high feedback ratings. They can probably get more for an item on ebay, too.

Posted 6 months ago #
jburgh

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Mr jburgh has to wear a suit and tie to work. He has found some beautiful high quality Italian, British, and USA made suits at Goodwill for a fraction of the price. He even found a $4,000 Kiton (I am not kidding on that price) suit for $29.99. Because they all do not fit perfectly, he has taught himself to tailor. Not only has he learned a valuable skill (tailoring), he is the best dressed guy out there. And when he tires of a suit, he donates it to Goodwill and finds another.

Posted 6 months ago #
ynh98107

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I would have to agree the prices are getting out of control. I always think of thrift shops as having garage sale prices, but not anymore. In some cases, they price some [used] items as the identical new counterpart.

Posted 6 months ago #
Jonathan Pryce

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jburgh, applauding you at the soapbox.

I recall when shopping Goodwill was considered déclassé and uncooth.

Was thrilled when Goodwill moved into the old supermarket location at 8th NW and NW 65th. It's right on the way home (as is the good old Dearborn location) so I pop in every couple o' weeks or so. Usually just the quick tour and don't purchase, but have found some swell bargains on some really nice and practical threads, both for dressing up and for the great outdoors.

Posted 6 months ago #
Corvus

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Allow me a little story about 'way back when' in the 80's when we thought we were so cool by shopping a the thrift stores. There might have even been a local news story or two about how the 'youths' who were thumbing their noses at 'designer' clothes and sporting granddad's wingtips and grandmas's floral prints. As it turns out, youths have been culling the thrift stores for eons and stores have been pricing items accordingly.

My point is this - there is no great conspiracy at work. Prices aren't 'rising'. They might be bilking Ballard, but hey what business doesn't. It is a thrift store and the pricing is done at a level not unlike you might do at a garage sale with just about as much thought. If you don't like the price, haggle!

Posted 6 months ago #
great idea

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actually, it wouldn't surprise me if all the thrift stores jack-up their prices around Halloween.

I mean someone's got to pay for that clown on the corner of 15th & 85th
no, not the SEXY clown, the other corner--I saw a guy w/ a gas-mask last week holding up a Value Village costume sign.

Posted 6 months ago #
Samkin

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I recently accidentally discovered that goodwill is also basically running their own version of Ebay - shopgoodwill.com - and selling all of their more 'lucrative' toys, etc. that way. (Think 20 pounds of lego at a time, available for either shipping or local pick up.) I know the Dearborn Seattle store use to sell their bulk legos on Ebay, so not sure when they made the switch to their own site... sure kills the thrill of the hunt and all that...

Posted 6 months ago #
great idea

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thanks for that link, Samkin.

the thrill of the hunt has moved online! woo-hoo!
now I can sit on my rump AND find a bargain.

Posted 6 months ago #
jj

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I have noticed the prices are getting a little out of control. Some items seem fair, and others seem way out of whack. I can think of numerous examples, but the one that sticks in my mind is when I went there for a computer keyboard - they were more expensive than new ones on Amazon. I considered contacting them about it - some of those keyboards are STILL there, priced higher, and have mold on them. I would think they would want those out the door ASAP since they take up so much room.

Posted 6 months ago #
Curtis

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I would think they would be wanting all of it moved out the door as soon as possible...and when you think about it (and not too hard hopefully) the goods don't have a lot of overhead, as in "they're donated"!

Posted 6 months ago #
jj

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I never knew the Seattle goodwill had online stores at Amazon, ebay, and the shopgoodwill.com. Funny, all the opening prices on ebay seem to be $9.99, even the used coffee mugs.

Posted 6 months ago #
NW whippet

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We tried to get speakers that didn't have a price tag on them, and the cashier made me wait for about 20 minutes while they looked up the price those speakers were selling for online. I was looking to get a decent price for them. I had just donated some stuff also... and thought that they were going to gouge people by raising the price as much as possible by looking at what is being charged online.... It made me a little ticked off because I wanted my stuff to go to someone who might not be able to afford it new. More than being an employer for people, I've always thought Goodwill was for those who could not afford to have the pricier things.... and it seems like they are more out for a profit now.

Posted 6 months ago #
jj

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I've often toyed around with getting a stereo there, but it seems like their stereo selection has significantly dropped in the past year or two.

I guess as someone who sets the prices, it would be hard to not be influenced by watching people look up items on their phones to see if they can sell it online. Then again, why care that much if someone is reselling that stuff, at least you did your part.

Posted 6 months ago #
Norge

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They do have someone at the store that looks at all sorts of spots on the internet to set prices on some of the stuff. Goodwill on 8th made over $8,000,000 last year. And yes, that surprised me too.

Posted 6 months ago #
seattletree

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I was told there are two people who are responsible for pricing there. One is "realistic" and the other is insane. That's a direct quote...

Posted 6 months ago #
jj

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The Yin and Yang of Goodwill pricing - that's very holistic of them :)

Posted 6 months ago #
gracie

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I was told that the prices were raised to discourage the people who come in & buy in mass & then resell on eBay and such. I haven't seen "treasure hunters" in either Goodwill or Value for some time now - the ones who have the handheld machine they scan a book or record with to see selling price. They irritated me because all the good books were taken first thing in the morning by them - same with jewelry.
I've noticed at Value Village sometimes priced way way too high and sometimes higher than new.

Posted 6 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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http://todayentertainment.today.com/_news/2012/11/16/15216157-salvador-dali-etching-donated-anonymously-goes-up-for-sale-at-goodwill?lite

Fortunately, the good folks at Goodwill recognized they had something valuable on hand, and put the etching -- called "Reflection," from Dali's "Cycles of Life Suite," up for auction until Nov. 19 on the store's website. At the time of this post, it's going for less than $10,000 -- not chump change, but not exactly out of the range of many aspiring art collectors.

This should be interesting to watch http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/SALVADOR-DALI-Reflection-SignedNumbered-Etching-11802927.html

Posted 6 months ago #
pennygirl

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Expensive? It depends what you are after. Kid #1 found a Muggsy jersey for $5 yesterday.

Posted 6 months ago #
allisonw

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I picked up a great dress for a tenner today.

Posted 6 months ago #
biophile87

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VV is doing the coupon stamps again, and they have a membership card now. Got a *huge* dog crate, a ton of clothes that will be outgrown before the week is up for the Kiddo, fun earmuff and wintery accessories for playing dress-up, a bunch of random household linens, and a couple of nice tops for me for ~$26.

Posted 6 months ago #
SmartsyArtsy

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bio, does this mean you now have a dog?

Posted 6 months ago #
biophile87

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SA, no. It's an experimental compromise with the bird-killing feral cat who decided to move in with us. She just likes to sit under the lavender tree in nice weather, to the detriment of the birds. Thought I'd just let her sit there but in the crate when it stops raining. We'll see how that goes for us. Outside at large is non-negotiable.

Posted 6 months ago #
SmartsyArtsy

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Sounds like a good plan, bio. I thought the dog would be a major jump from a contained snake or lizard!! I hope it works. I had a preying hunter but mostly all he got were mice/moles.

Posted 6 months ago #
biophile87

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It's looking like Santa may bring a lizard. Have been meaning to connect with the herpetology rescue people, but keep getting sidetracked by politics / mandolins / grocery shopping / GW and VV. I best pull it together soon, I suppose.

Posted 6 months ago #
biophile87

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ack. double post post.

Posted 6 months ago #
LandsOnTwoFeet

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I got a very nice black suit jacket for a wedding at St Francis up on Aurora last week. Five bucks! I was d
riving from place to place for hours and that was my last stop. Spent more on gas.

Posted 6 months ago #
gracie

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I was recently at GW. Woman asked to see a necklace. I've seen similar ones in stores for about $45-50. They were asking $125. Also saw a coat for $199.00, pants $59.00. I went to VV and got a coat for myself for this upcoming cold weather & paid a grand total of $9.00. Pickles got a new blankie for $1.50. One thing about GW they get new products & sell at a very reasonable price - like kitchen items.

Posted 6 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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Personally I still think the prices have gone up recently but it was nice to see where to money goes in this story. I wonder if a percentage goes to the neighborhood they reside in or if it all distributed amongst all locations.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49903942/ns/local_news-seattle_wa/#.UKvTXWez8f0

An autographed etching donated to Tacoma Goodwill has sold at auction for $21,005.

The etching was recently donated at the Federal Way Goodwill station.

A Tacoma Goodwill spokesperson said the money will mean 14 scholarships for people with disabilities and disadvantages to get training they need to find jobs.

Posted 6 months ago #
Compass Rose

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BH, that Tacoma Goodwill spokesman is a friend of mine and he told me that each Goodwill focuses on helping a specific organization or cause in its area. It seems like a great model. Goodwill is a nonprofit. Value Village is not. If I was going to shop at one over the other, I'd choose Goodwill.

Posted 6 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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Cr - I generally stay away from Value Village for same reason pretty black and white here Value Village aka Savers Inc http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/search_results.aspx?search_type=simple&criteria=all&name_type=contains&name=savers+inc&ubi=

type in Savers Inc

Posted 6 months ago #
Compass Rose

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Honestly, I don't shop at either place. I'm too picky of a shopper and don't have the patience for it. Plus ... the smell gets to me.

Posted 6 months ago #
great idea

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this came to me in a chain email regarding which charities to give/not give based on actual help to the needy:

not give:

The American Red Cross
President and CEO Marsha J. Evans'
salary for the year was $651,957 plus expenses

MARCH OF DIMES
It is called the March of Dimes because
only a dime for every 1 dollar is given to the needy.

The United Way
President Brian Gallagher
receives a $375,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits.

UNICEF
CEO Caryl M. Stern receives
$1,200,000 per year (100k per month) plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE.
Less than 5 cents of your donated dollar goes to the cause.

GOODWILL
CEO and owner Mark Curran profits $2.3 million a year.
Goodwill is a very catchy name for his business.
You donate to his business and then he sells the items for PROFIT.
He pays nothing for his products and pays his workers minimum wage! Nice Guy.
$0.00 goes to help anyone! Stop giving to this man.

charities worth giving to:

The Salvation Army
Commissioner, Todd Bassett receives a small salary of only$13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization.
96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.

The American Legion
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Veterans of Foreign Wars
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Disabled American Veterans
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Military Order of Purple Hearts
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Vietnam Veterans Association
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

Make a Wish: For children's last wishes.
100% goes to funding trips or special wishes for a dying child.

St. Jude Research Hospital
100% goes towards funding and helping Children with Cancer who have no insurance and can not afford to pay.

Ronald McDonald Houses
All monies go to running the houses for parents who have critical Children in the hospital.
100% goes to housing, and feeding the families.

Lions Club International
100% OF DONATIONS GO TO HELP THE BLIND, BUY HEARING AIDES, SUPPORT MEDICAL MISSIONS AROUND THE WORLD. THEIR LATEST UNDERTAKING
IS MEASLES VACCINATIONS (ONLY $1.00 PER SHOT).

Posted 5 months ago #
angeline

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Actually, that United Way CEO salary doesn't sound too out of line, considering the huge size of the organization. I know United Way has been in the spotlight for having too much overhead, high salaries and megaperks, but that salary figure alone doesn't raise any alarm bells for me.

Great Idea's list is a bit misleading. No charity beyond the teeniest is operating on giving 100% -- they all have to pay staff SOMETHING and also have expenses to cover, even if it is just an office and an internet connection. For example, Make a Wish has an international overhead group plus state/regional organizations. The site Charity Navigator reveals the CEO of the umbrella group makes $170,000 per year and a high rating for how funds are spent. However, the group in Alabama whose CEO makes $160,000 yearly gets only a 2-star rating -- their stats are similar to the umbrella organization but they are downgraded significantly for deficits in their bookkeeping. The WA/Alaska CEO makes $156,000.

Anytime you are going to give, especially a significant amount, running the group's name through Charity Navigator is a good idea. The info is detailed but easy to understand.

Posted 5 months ago #
great idea

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actually, I suspected it might be a bit misleading (just given the viral source).
I was hoping someone would come on here and de-bunk a few!

truly though, charity navigator = great idea
good call, angeline.
http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Posted 5 months ago #
gracie

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I was there on Monday & green tags were $1.29. I got a Relic purse, that appears to have never been used for $1.29. Found it online for $75.00! The only good values I have found there on a regular basis are their books.

Posted 5 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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I got my little one an XBOX Kinect last weekend when the forecast was rain all weekend. I figured it is a good way to keep her active this time of year. We wanted to get more games and decided to check out Goodwill and scored 3 games for $12.00. Thank goodness it is walking distance since the parking lot was insane.

Posted 5 months ago #
Nora Bell

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The R Shoppe is also a charity organization, btw.

Posted 5 months ago #
SmartsyArtsy

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I just checked Charity Navigator for Make-A-Wish of VT. I don't know why it is not listed there, and am very curious about their rating. Numbers can be so misleading. VT is just such a small world and when you work (volunteer) for an org like MAW there, you almost always know what the Exec Dir is doing, and how the kids are doing.

When one of our kids would be rushed to the hospital, our director would probably be there within 24 hrs. Depending on how serious the kid's condition was at that time, she might leave home in the middle of the night and drive several hours away. If her husband was away (military), she would call on one of us to get to her home to watch her kids in her abcence. We didn't only plan and produce wishes, we created a network of ongoing support for our wish kids and their families. So, in her case, salary covered 24-hr availability, driving in snow and ice, and the absolute concern for every wish family.

Posted 5 months ago #
Mondoman

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angeline, the question is how much of the money *we donate* goes to the intended cause/service. Many charities (such as the second half ones in gi's post) fund much or all of their administration/etc from other funds, allowing our donations to work for the goal rather than supporting the staff.

It's like the volunteer initiative signature gatherers vs. the paid gatherers -- I can't help but respect the volunteer gatherers a bit more.

Posted 5 months ago #
phoo

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About the list that was posted, here's a handy link: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/charities.asp

Posted 5 months ago #
glimmerbee

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I had been shopping at Goodwill more frequently in the last three months and I too have noticed an increase in pricing but in kind of a random unsuspecting way. My initial thinking is someone hired for item pricing is severely overvaluing donations. Similar items under the same brand will be priced as if one were to have bought it new while the other bears a $5.99 deal.
Once was a time one could waltz into a goodwill and find art that had real value or amazing electronics that worked. No longer the case since all is being put on E-bay or better markets. There are still good finds there though and won't stop me from going. I just will not buy the products that seem over-priced. One time a not too special clothing item I saw was priced outrageously at $69.00 and it is probably still there.

Posted 4 months ago #

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Anyone Else Notice How Pricey Goodwill Is Getting ??

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