Goodwill Store Consumer Reviews - Page 2

SWARTHMORE, PENNSYLVANIA -- I've been shopping at this Goodwill over four years, I've been on social security disability a very limited income. Prior to going to GW I hadn't shopped other than for food since 2006. Since summer of 2012 the prices have doubled on many items and skyrocketed on other items. I am now priced out of GW. It is obvious to me that other people are also going elsewhere to shop. This particular store used to be crowded, not any more.

Today I found a pair of used shoes typically they are $4.00. These were marked $9.00! I don't know why, they were used, not a big name or anything. Old wool coats that were $10.00 last winter are $25.00 - $50.00 this winter. Used vests were $5.00 now they are $7.00. Hoodies went up as well. Used bath towels are now $4.00 each! Bath mats are $5.00. Used end table lamps range $25.00 - $50.00 EACH (shades NOT included). They charge retail prices for the used shades ugh. Pictures are outrageously priced, usually by size, what used to be $15.00 is now $40.00 and up. Today I saw $100.00 mink stole, it's been there 3 weeks now.

It is said that this is what is charged on eBay. Really?!! Well you can charge anything you want on eBay, problem is what YOU think your stuff is worth is not what others will actually pay. So to me the "eBay rule" is used by Goodwill to gouge. Over the past few months I've walked out of GW with nothing and so have others.

I used to be able to find what I thought were deals. Now I just put the stuff back on shelf or rack and walk out. The customers are talking to each other about the price gouging to each other. YOUR repeat customers are not spending like they used to. Finally no more returns. All sales are final. Price gouging and no returns. GW used to be my first stop shop. Now I go every two or three weeks and leave empty handed more times than not. If Goodwill is a non-profit then why do they charge tax on items they get free? Do they keep the tax or have to hand it over to the state?

CARROLLTON, GEORGIA -- I want to agree with the person who complained about prices at their Goodwill store in Indiana. The store I shop at in Carrollton, Georgia has gone crazy, too. They put outrageous prices on things, especially if they think it may be an antique. I used to like to shop there to find old furniture that I could fix up and sell in my used furniture store. Now, they sell their stuff for more than I do! Some examples - an old beat up antique dresser for $150, an old quilt that was nothing special at all for $200 and a chipped, no name old platter for $20!

Sometimes they print out something off the computer showing online prices and put it next to an item. Like sets of old dishes - they go to one of those sites where you can buy replacements and copy their pricing. These sites are always high priced, since they target people who are looking for a particular piece. Those are not the people who frequent Goodwill! I really feel for the needy people who are there looking for good deals. They would do much better to go buy new at Walmart (and I hate Walmart!).

Does anyone know who is in charge of Goodwill? I would love to have someone "investigate" how they are using all this money they are making. Is it going to pay for the big billboards advertising for them lately? Maybe to pay extra employees to sell their best stuff online? It all sure sounds greedy to me. Salvation Army is a whole different story. They still have good prices and I have seen them actually catering to people in need. For some reason, they don't get as much stuff as Goodwill, though. I will only donate to them from now on!

CLEVELAND, OHIO -- I am writing about a problem regarding Goodwill Industries in Cleveland Ohio...I did finally get Goodwill to take my donations, via one of their collection trailers, but I'm complaining about the staff at the main Goodwill facility in Cleveland, who refused to accept my donations when I tried to donate there when I was moving a while back.

I had a similar situation a couple of years ago at a Goodwill facility... The main facility in Cleveland, Ohio. I was in the process of moving, and had items including dishes, silverware, clothing, curtains, and two working color TV sets. I drove to the main Goodwill store on East 55th Street (which is also the headquarters for Goodwill Industries in Cleveland), and asked for assistance to unload my truck. Apparently there were no men available to assist me; just a crabby old woman who, like in your experience, dismissed my truckload of donations as "junk" and wouldn't accept it.

In the process of cleaning out my grandmother's old house, I donated two other truckloads of items to that same Goodwill facility with no problems - they always had men available to help me unload; however, that Saturday, only the cashier and her supervisor were on duty, and the supervisor wasn't that enthusiastic about taking donations. I then drove to a nearby Salvation Army facility (again the main Salvation Army facility for Cleveland)... They had a sign posted saying that they do not accept donations in person; only through home pick-up.

I then drove to St. Vincent DePaul (a Catholic charity), but found out the hard way that they closed their inner city facility and warehouse. (St. Vincent DePaul moved to a large store in a suburban strip center). Ironically, I did get Goodwill to take my donations... I drove to a collection trailer at a suburban mall, and the worker there was very friendly and helpful regarding unloading my truck and accepting my donations. After unloading my donations, I can imagine the shock that this Goodwill supervisor at the main headquarters would feel when the SAME donations that she refused to accept ended up on one of their trailers. And I would NOT knowingly donate junk.

I was cleaning out my grandmother's house, and was in the process of downsizing from her 3 bedroom house to a 2 bedroom apartment. Also, the house was for sale, since my grandmother went into a nursing home. I lived with her. Among the donations was roughly a 50 year accumulation of books, China, and other items belonging to her and my late aunt. My grandmother passed away the following October. Sorry to be long, but my Goodwill donations experiences was something to definitely post about.

MORGANTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA -- Hello, I want to tell people Goodwill's dirty little secret. If you think your unused items are going to be taken care of and be sold to people who need low cost items, think again. I have shopped there for over 6 years now and have discovered that if your perfectly good item does not sell at their overpriced cost it gets thrown away in the dumpster. I thought the whole point of Goodwill (and I've seen this happen at many other local thrift shops) was to donate items in the hopes that someone else can buy them cheaply. I can sight a perfect example of this when I purchased an Easter decoration last year. They had a few on the shelf but I only got one.

Later in the week I was back donating some clothes and what do I see in their dumpster? That's right- the other perfectly adorable decorations now cracked and chipped from being thrown in the dumpster. Why couldn't they simply discount the items more like every other retail store does? This is why I want to start Universal Free Pile Campaign. If you have unwanted items simply have a free pile in your front yard. No front yard? Ask friends and family to have a free swap meet. This way the people who can really use and appreciate your old items will have them at no cost and you are rid of these unwanted items.

Now I understand if certain items cannot be sold are to be thrown away and I have never seen any clothing items in their dumpsters but think twice before you donate your items at any thrift shop. You don't have to take your items anywhere to have a free pile in your yard and passing on items to friends and family is a great way to see your items in use.

COLUMBIA CITY, INDIANA -- There is nothing "Good" about Goodwill and its policies. There are not here to help the needy, they are here to make a profit only! I bought couple clothing items 3 days ago and asked the cashier if it would be OK for me to bring the items back in 3 days' time to return and buy again for the sale that was going on today (50% clothing items), she said it would no problem.

Today when I go back to the store to do so, a different cashier and manager tells me they will not do that, because they have to process the items and it could take DAYS for them to return the items back to the floor. In the past I have done this in other clothing and high-end stores and they had no issues, the customer came first. I guess for Goodwill, the customer doesn't matter!

CROWN POINT, INDIANA -- I am an avid thrift store shopper. It is an enjoyable experience browsing and picking up clothing and housewares in good condition at a thrifty price. I visited your Goodwill in Crown Point, In. and found just the opposite. I got a bad vibe when I entered the store. Employees not friendly or helpful. I am all for helping the needy, but the prices are ridiculously high. It is not affordable to help the unfortunate when the cost is out of line. I would rather shop at other thrift stores that help others with lower prices and be able to provide help to needy people that are in distressed situations.

I will not shop at Goodwill again. Again, the experience was negative and do not feel they are considering the people in need with unfriendly employees and high prices.

SAN DIEGO -- Goodwill in Pacific Beach has gotten out of control with their prices. When I have asked I was told it is corporate. Goodwill is to help the community with job training and resale of donated goods in local stores. With the eBay auctions some local donations never get into the stores. For the in store items they have a list of brand names and anything on the extensive list is marked a higher price. Boutique Items! Used towels are $3.99 and other items are also more than retail prices. Three blocks away is CloseOut Store where I purchased a $30.00 retail new towel for $4.99. A designer brand name coat with a huge tear was $39.99 marked boutique at Goodwill.

What is with the price gouging in this economy that is supposed to be helping the community? Many items have doubled, tripled or more in cost since the economy has taken such a downturn. I think Goodwill has gotten greedy and far away from their goals. I donated a small furniture item that never got put out. I like their books but will never donate anything to them again. I fell sorry for the people that do not know what discount stores offer that is new. Retail is chopping prices and goodwill thinks they are a high end boutique and keeps raising theirs. Doesn't make sense. Buyers Beware.

CROWN POINT, INDIANA -- I have been shopping Thrift type stores for years... Recently moved to Crown Point IN and added this store to my weekly visits. They are sooooo out of line for their merchandise. They have a new trick, signs list set prices for clothing, such as skirts $3.00, etc. But now, they add a special price tag to their "boutique line", what is that? Found a Tommy shirt, older, but marked $10.00!!!!

Ridiculous! I can go to Carson's yellow dot sale and find the same thing. The whole idea is to make a little money from us on DONATED items and benefit their organization. Who are they catering too, the rich & famous???? Needy people certainly can't shop here.. from now on, I'm donating my goods to charities which GIVE my clothes and my families clothes to people in need. How dare you try to make $10.00 off of my donated clothes, when someone who really needs it can't afford to purchase it?

CROWN POINT GOODWILL STORE, INDIANA -- Sunday afternoon I was in Crown Point, IN. and decided to go to the Goodwill store at 4:30 p.m. So right before they were closing I found an ice bucket that I thought I could use for a planter for my granddaughter. I got up to the cash register and was happy that my $4.00 item would be 75% off with its white ticket. But the lady said "I cannot give this to you for 75% off." I said "it's a white ticket, why not?" She said that "this should not be out yet, it's for tomorrow."

I should have gotten that ice bucket for the white ticket price, or do they have two different white tickets. Every 6 months I take a truck load of things to the Goodwill but never again. The SALVATION ARMY will get all my business from now on!

CROWN POINT, INDIANA -- When I donate to a store like this I expect low income families to benefit from it. Low income families can't afford to shop there. They are better off shopping the clearance racks at regular department stores. The people who have commented by saying the goodwill does so much in other ways obviously never had to go into a store like that to buy their kids clothes and not be able to afford them!!!!! People need to get out of their little bubble worlds and realize that all that glitters isn't gold. I feel scammed as someone who has donated and shopped there before. There are other ways to donate and help out the less fortunate.