How to Shop at a Goodwill Store

Find out about little-known bargain shopping experience, your local Goodwill store.

While you are shopping and spending money, you are also helping others better their lives. Visit the website below to shop online, make donations, get news or find your nearest store.

You'll enjoy saving money at Goodwill, especially if you have a family or need a quick accessory or outfit. Sometimes you can even find a good furniture buy!

Most stores are clean, spacious and well lit with friendly employees. You can also buy housewares, serving bowl, cleaning products, coffee maker, food processor, appliances, computers, candles, jewelry, electronics, books and more. They carry a limited amount new items as well.

Let this be your guide to improving your bargain hunting skills.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Transportation
• Knowledge of the nearest Goodwill store.
• Money
• Time

1. Go to your nearest Goodwill store. If you are unsure of their location, go to the website below or consult the phone book.
   
   You may want to call ahead to see when their "half price" or "bargain" day is. This varies by store and item.

2. Items with certain tags could be offerings at a reduced price, so pay attention to those.

3. Be sure to try on all clothing, if possible. Fitting rooms are provided. Take a cart (if offered) to store your items while shopping.

4. Check out the Christmas items well in advance to be sure you have what you need when it finally arrives. You may also keep your eyes open for antiques and collectibles. Donations are not always sorted by value and this may be overlooked. Keep a sharp eye out for valuable items.

5. Know your prices! If you think something is not worth the asking price, do not buy it. Not everything in the store will be discounted.

6. Look over items carefully before purchasing. If there are any defects, do not buy the item. Note that clothing is often grouped by mens/womens and children's and then by color or style. Use caution when buying toys so you do not buy a recalled item. When in doubt, just leave it sit.

7. Check different locations and shop often, as new merchandise arrives daily and varies by store. Look through all sections of items you are interested in. It may take time to skim through everything, but you may find a brand new or like new household item or some clothes. The money you save in the long run will make it worth the time you invest.

8. Need a dress or suit just for a night or two? Check Goodwill first. You may be amazed at what you find there, for much less than full retail.

9. When you've found what you're looking for, proceed to the checkout. You will be greeted by friendly, helpful cashiers who like what they do will thank you for supporting Goodwill's mission.

Tips & Warnings

• Go on the bargain day for your local store.
• Radio stations will sometimes visit to promote new stores, keep your ears open for days and times. You can often win Goodwill and local merchandise.
• Watch your mail for coupons and announcements from Goodwill.
• Use caution so you do not buy recalled or unsafe items such as old electrical appliances.

Resources

• Goodwill Industries website

[ReuseItAll]

on 10/7/2008 I've always wanted to go to our local Goodwill and check it out. Thanks for the pointers!

[Haoie]

on 10/6/2008 Goodwill is great. But only for certain things.

[Alisiane]

on 10/6/2008 Goodwill has gotten a bad rap as someplace where you get horrible hand me downs that you'd only wear as a last resort. If you are willing to spend some time hunting though, just like you and the 2 commenters before me said, there are some amazing treasures to be found.

Earlier this year I had found a lot of brand new prom dresses with original tags, some Donna Karan Tops, and other awesome things that weren't necessarily my size or taste, but I posted them on ebay and made my money back 3 times over!

[favefive]

on 10/6/2008 I buy items from Goodwill. I usually look for them there and if I cannot find it on Goodwill, that is when I go somewhere else. My favorite finds are ceramic Tuscany pitcher that I bought only for $5.00, a silk curtains a dozen for $24.00 (95-ft long each, great for tall windows), and a silver candelabra for $4.00.

[MidniteWriter]

on 1/11/2008 Wow, you all have great tips and bargains! I appreciate your ratings and comments a lot!
Let me know if there's anything I missed, I am always revising and updating these articles.