Has Goodwill/Salvation Army & St Vincent Depaul become unaffordable?

[sweatingforabuck]

Originally Posted by ShouldIMoveOrStayPut...?

I think you're right about the Wednesdays, I drove to the West Babylon S.A. to drop some donations into one of the outdoor metal boxes and could hardly get in the parking lot it was so crowded.

One of the donations was a new wool suit I never wore (still had tags) and a passerby stated they will most likely prominently display it to get a high price. We got talking for awhile and she said they are running the place like a department store and normally there are no bargains unless you arrive at the opening bell on Wednesday. Other times you have to pay $5.00 and up for something you would normally consider shredding for rags.

She went on to theorize that part of the reason they run it like this is the resale "pickers" (ebay, etc.) that troll the place where skimming off all the best stuff at bargain prices and they decided if anyone was going to get a higher price why not them?

That's exactly right. It is the Ebay resellers that are ruining thrift shop shopping for us all. Although Goodwill has its own Ebay stores now so whatcha gonna do?

[okellies]

Personally, I have found lots of good clothes at Goodwill, Savers and Island Thrift. $5 pants and $3-4 shirts at Goodwill. I bought some picture frames from a place called Island Thrift for .99 cents (solid wood frames too, since those usually go for about $4 in a normal store).

I think it depends on what you're looking for. Also, look for half price days at all the stores, when certain color tags are on sale.

I've also found great deals on Craigslist, but that's usually by happen stance.