Interested in having my own second hand store, any advice? (Baltimore: for sale, buy)

[ameme234]

I've worked for Goodwill (both DC and Baltimore), and liked the idea of what they did, but not what they really did behind the scenes.

I've been interested in having my own second hand store. I would donate most of the money to charities. Does anyone have any advice on making this a reality?

Thank you.

[Flamingo13]

Here is the business forum: //www.city-data.com/forum/business/

[skeddy]

don't do it

[Digger 68]

It's a racket. People will bring you stuff. That's a plus, you don't have to look for items since you will be charitable.
I am assuming you will have a free standing shop, building. And will you sell the better/best stuff online like GW is doing now?

I think Goodwill is a racket. I have found a lot of great stuff there over the years, but it's almost impossible to get anything good out of them anymore. And their prices can be very nutty. I am sure the GW's closer to DC are better (My local GW was a friggin goldmine for a long time, and I am in northern Baltimore County). Especially by the pound shops. Of course people are literally fighting each other to get stuff in those places.

I could write an essay about this.

[cwitty]

Originally Posted by Digger 68

It's a racket. People will bring you stuff. That's a plus, you don't have to look for items since you will be charitable.
I am assuming you will have a free standing shop, building. And will you sell the better/best stuff online like GW is doing now?

I think Goodwill is a racket. I have found a lot of great stuff there over the years, but it's almost impossible to get anything good out of them anymore. And their prices can be very nutty. I am sure the GW's closer to DC are better (My local GW was a friggin goldmine for a long time, and I am in northern Baltimore County). Especially by the pound shops. Of course people are literally fighting each other to get stuff in those places.

I could write an essay about this.

Spoken like a true picker


This dude knows what he's talking about....I generally stay away from GW...but occasionally you can find some good stuff from time to time.


I'm opening up something here shortly like the OP, except mine will be for profit.

[ameme234]

Thank you. Sorry for the late response.
-I also asked in business. I did not know there was a business section..

[InchingWest]

Originally Posted by Digger 68

It's a racket. People will bring you stuff. That's a plus, you don't have to look for items since you will be charitable.
I am assuming you will have a free standing shop, building. And will you sell the better/best stuff online like GW is doing now?

I think Goodwill is a racket. I have found a lot of great stuff there over the years, but it's almost impossible to get anything good out of them anymore. And their prices can be very nutty. I am sure the GW's closer to DC are better (My local GW was a friggin goldmine for a long time, and I am in northern Baltimore County). Especially by the pound shops. Of course people are literally fighting each other to get stuff in those places.

I could write an essay about this.

Goodwill is a HUGE racket. The CEO and top executives all pay themselves millions while paying parolees and similar folks minimum wage.....all for huge tax write-offs on their part.

Don't give things away to Goodwill. There's no point since the vast majority of people don't itemize deductions anymore. Don't buy things from them either. Ditto for Habitat stores and similar. They are all huge rackets.

[Digger 68]

Well I did find this the other day for a $1

[Richard Martin]

Originally Posted by Digger 68

Well I did find this the other day for a $1

Average sale price of this 45 is $7.99. There are 4 for sale starting at $67.48. Check back with them in a year and they'll probably have lowered their prices significantly. https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/4133963?ev=rb

[cwitty]

Records are a good picker hustle, esepcially in the mid atlantic area. You really have to know what you are doing and be consistent. Dont rely solely on GW though.