This goodwill employee told me something and its a game changer! goodwill thrift store 

As a former goodwill employee, sometimes we’d rather give worthwhile things to the people rather than the corporation. We ain’t stupid, we just sick of being paid minimum wage

I don't know how Goodwill gets away with calling itself a non-profit. Donated items are sold at ever-increasing prices, and upper management does quite well financially. Definitely a for-profit "charity."

It surprises me how much they jack their prices up for getting everything for FREE. I love going to goodwill but when their stuff is stating to become higher priced than Walmart, there's a problem.

Our Goodwill is so ridiculously overpriced that I won't even go in there anymore. I used to spend quite a bit there, now I spend ZERO. Goodwill has lost its Goodwill. They are just another greedy organization that is in need of competition and/or a reality check.

I watched this because it was at Goodwill. Have a friend who was convicted of DUI and sentenced to community service. She was sent to work at a Goodwill store, sorting clothing coming in. While there, they received 12 of those skateboard looking scooters with the handlebars, new and in the boxes. They were supposed to be on the floor in 2 days and I wanted one for a kid. As it turned out, it was close to the holidays and none of them made it to sale. Employees walked out with all of them and she was told it was kind of a perk as they saw it. She added that it was not uncommon for the best stuff to leave via the rear door. I went from supporting them to avoiding them completely. They have also jacked up prices and it was becoming more and more of a challenge to find real bargains.

Goodwill “helps” people like my husband. He was seriously injured on his job. Worker’s compensation was going to force him to work at Goodwill in spite of the pain he was in and the need to HIRE someone to sit there in case he needed the toilet because he couldn’t wipe himself!!!!!!! The ONLY reason he wasn’t forced to do this is the person who made the decision at Goodwill ended up being someone we went to church with who knew how badly he was injured. Goodwill is a HORRIBLE company!

My aunt worked at Goodwill and she definitely had first pick of items to resell. I donate to the local thrift that helps people with addiction issues. I know they cherry pick, too, but at least it’s local profiteering.

The thrift stores have caught onto people buying and reselling and raised their prices. Truly needy people can’t afford anything anymore

I have found new pans at Walmart more affordably than used ones at Goodwill. When I got my first professional job, I had to get my clothes from the Salvation Army to be able to afford to dress for work. Now I can't afford Goodwill clothing prices, and go to real thrift stores instead. The only things I buy at Goodwill are some shoes now and then, and the occasional book or movie. I see tons of resellers in there scanning books, movies, clothing labels, ties, and glassware and ceramics. They all have their phones out, and will knock you over to reach past you and grab a plush or paw at things on a cart. Indeed, the genuinely needy don't get much from there anymore.

Goodwill becoming way too expensive!! I started looking for mom & pop thrift stores instead!!

We've stopped giving to places like Goodwill. I found someone online that sells things to help raise her kids and we give everything to them or small charities now. And as some people in the comments have said "Goodwill is helping people in the community and that's why there prices are so high" I have NEVER heard of them helping anyone but themselves! My husband and I were homeless for 3 years and help is far and few between, Goodwill never showed up on our radar in any way shape or form! So who exactly are they helping if not people in their own community?

Goodwill advertises that they help disabled people. My son worked there and there were expectations of the workers that were very unreasonable. 4 racks of clothing is what he was supposed to do. He could only manage 4 if he worked through breaks and his lunch! Everything is donated. Prices should not be so high. Some things can be bought cheaper at Wal Mart! There was nothing done to help him reach their goal. They are greedy! The only people they help is themselves!

I only donate to Salvation Army. They are the only ones who helped me back in 2009, after the crash to pay my electric bill in Colorado so I wouldn't freeze to death. They also fed me from their food store. My experience with "goodwill" was several years ago I donated some very nice items because I was moving overseas, and the worker who took the boxes went straight to his car, loaded them in and drove off. I reported him and he supposedly got fired but who knows.

At the goodwill in my city the employees say that store management actually takes whatever items they want first.

This just popped up again and I saw an old comment of mine. Anyway, we found a thrift store operated by a local church and bring our donations there. The help people directly and are so nice and appreciative. We even get profuse thanks for bringing nuclear plastic bags and new home made items. That's where my stuff goes and will from now on.

My sister tried to donate to Goodwill one time she had a friend that was a hoarder of stuff so she tried help her de-clutter by taking stuff to Goodwill instead of just throwing it away it. She had several bags of Clothing, household items Knick backs ect.. When she got to Goodwill the employee said you need to open up each the bag and they wanted to look at each item before they take them it. My sister told them she if that was the case then she would spend the time herself and just have a garage sale and sell it herself. She told the employee the stuff was nice and in good shape and resealable but it was not hers and she just wanted it gone out of her friends. So she ended up NOT donated it to Goodwill but another small local thrift store who were more than happy to take the items.

I know someone close that works at Goodwill. Some very nice items donated by good people. When some employees see the "good stuff", it is set aside until they can call a friend to come down right away and get a crazy deal. Like a brand new shop vac for $5. When the friend shows up, the employee rolls out the item and it's gone for sale online. The whole operation is flawed.

My mom worked for Good Will. She told me when something good came in the boss and her cronies would run to the back, pick out what they wanted and then brought what’s left up front.

I don't buy much at thrift stores, and when I do, the best deals are definitely at the smaller stores that are not part of a chain. I go to live auction sales, where I almost always get absolutely amazing deals.

Nothing at goodwill should be over$5 , except decent looking furniture and furniture shouldn’t be over $50, it’s been used, back in the day it was called give your used things to others without charge, now we buying used stuff, wow. Then after your purchase they ask if you want to round up to squeeze more of your pennies for used items and again I say wow.

I work for Goodwill. Due to inflation now, they increased almost every clothing item by a dollar and something cents. I don't know about hard lines because I deal with the clothing side. We all did get a pay increase though, twice very recently (11 to 12). I started working at Goodwill about a year and a half ago, started at $9/hr, now at $12.57. Our policy states employees CANNOT take items for free or buy color of the week. They can buy any other color except the ones currently being put out. But yeah, I don't like seeing the price increase... especially the KIDS clothes being almost the same price as adults?? That makes me mad.

The days if finding a gem in this thrift store ate over!

Plushes are 50 cents around here most of the time i buy some every week even if they arent sellable so my dog can put stuffing all over the yard . I mean who doesnt want massacred plushes all over the front yard.?

I witnessed a person walk in the front door of a local GW, go up to the clerk who just handed them what looked like a new and very nice bedding comforter set from behind the register counter. They chit chatted for a while about some friend they had in common and how perfect the bedding was. Then the customer left out the front door without paying anything. I’ve never gone to a thrift store with the same expectations again. Although I actually felt foolish later that I found that surprising.

I worked at Goodwill Durango. it was a horror show. The manager played workers against each other and fomented injuries to force drug testing ( weed is legal there) and dismissal. The sorting process required all collectibles to be sent to “e commerce” but the managers were stealing a lot of this merch. I was injured and will eventually need a surgery on my hand. Bad will, very bad will.

Let’s all just try having less stuff and buying less stuff. Then we’ll have less stuff to feel resentful about having to donate for free to Goodwill. And I have totally learned this lesson the hard way.

The CEO'S make 6 figures. Disabled workers make anywhere from .22 cents an hour and above (not much more than $2.50 hr) they are starting to price items coming from the dollar tree at $2.99 IT IS INSANE!!

I look for thrift stores that support things like battered women shelters, pregnancy crises centers, children’s advocacy centers. Most sell nice stuff & very good prices. They usually have things from clothes for the family , furniture , glassware , pots pans, all kinds of misc. all you have to do is research or check with your local church & ask if they support any of the places I mentioned. I know there is one called St. Andrews thrift in McComb , Ms that’s good prices

Good will does not give to the community, it is a profit selling store for the man that owns them

I worked at Goodwill for a whole year, they would have a "senior sale" these people would think they were getting a deal but in reality they were paying for what the price should be for used furniture and items

You can wash the stuffed animals in Dawn, it cleans them very well. A couple of drops in a sink or bucket of water will restore the toys to brand new looking. Or you can use a sponge with a little water and a drop or two of Dawn.

Peroxide with DAWN detergent will clean anything. 2 parts dawn to 1 part peroxide, place in spray bottle. The mix will be blue as long as the peroxide is active

$2 Thursdays at Goodwill on a specific color of the week. (used to be $1 went up this year 2022) Always 25% off and 50% off the colors of the week. $1 Wednesdays at Salvation Army (may be higher now not sure). Ask the cashier about any discount days as soon as you walk in. Don't feel ashamed to ask about bargains in a thrift store. As some of you mentioned prices are high and really you can find cheaper prices at Ross, Marshalls, TJMaxx, and Burlington in the clearance sections. But definitely worth shopping at Goodwill and you can find great deals.

I knew an employee at GW. She told me that they had to stay for a mandatory meeting and pizza party-they were limited to two slices of pizza. Funny how they get 98 percent of their stuff for free but can’t spring for more than two slices of pizza per person. Oh…and they have a very high turn over rate, which tells me a lot. They don’t treat their employees very good.

*I search for thrift stores that are honest, and fair in their pricing for used items. It baffles me that Goodwill won't negotiate its prices! But here's the catch for those who don't know: Goodwill takes all the best items, the high-quality stuff, and puts them up for auction on its auction site! They don't stock the best items in their stores. So, when you shop at the stores, you're mostly getting second-hand not-so-good items that are less than decent at their brick-and-mortar stores!*

I bought a like-new silver pot a few years ago for $20 at a Good-Will store and it’s still in good shape. But I’ve not seen anything worth buying the past few years.

Thank you! I was just about to donate a 3DS xl in excellent condition. My daughter will be happy when she finds out how much it’s worth and that she can go clothes shopping with the funds!

Here in Australia, I no longer support the biggest op shops...Salvoes, Goodwill or Vinnie's. (Haven't for years) Their prices for DONATED items are utterly outrageous!! They are a profitable business, nothing more, nothing less. My op shopping now is only conducted in small church operations.

There's a local thrift shop in my area and it beats Goodwill so hard! It has amazing finds, definitely no employees going hrough it and picking and choosing! Amazing clothes, I have even found some rare stuff. The company is also really nice, and the employees are always so kind!

I remember donating a used $20 dollar jacket n saw it on their shelves with a $60 price tag...scam

My daughter and I haven't given to Goodwill for years. They're not a Charity.

I can’t afford shopping at our Goodwill, they are too expensive for stuff that should be a dollar or less.

I love going to Thrift stores and one time my husband and I went to a Goodwill here in Florida and we purchased a small area rug that still had the Ross ticket on it so we thought it was safe to buy it. I also purchased a top so when we got home I washed it of course and to make a long story short lol we got a flea infestation in our house and scabies and that experience was the worst experience ever ! So now when we go I try to stick to kitchen ware or household stuff 🙈

Sad part of goodwill is the amount of items they throw in the landfill. Which is a tragedy, especially here in San Diego where it could be transported to Mexico to help them out.

Goodwill and other like stores were supposed to be for people who were struggling and couldn't afford brand new clothes for their kids or to start out in the workforce... Now they want almost new prices for goods they get for free! And how do they call it theft if someone takes something, that they get for free?!? They are becoming the thrives!

Goodwill prices are so expensive. I rather buy new at department stores now. I used to be intimidated to shop in the big stores but I’ve come to find out that using your coupons and shopping on weekends when stores are having the best sales is the way to go. I’ve bought good jeans on clearance for $10-15 and T-shirts for $5-10, before the additional discounts.

Our Goodwill charges $8 for a pair of jeans that are raggedy. When you get the same jeans brand new for 10. I have also seen the colors that they have up on the board they are taking those colors out of the rack so that they are not there for the half price

Congrats to all who scored at Goodwill store and online! I kept seeing Help Wanted ads for a job at Goodwill doing research and handling putting up items for auction. It paid next to nothing...I thought commission might have been nice.

Based on the comments about Good Will, I want to also warn people away from putting clothing in those bins around cities, like Planet Aid and all the others. All of those bins are emptied in a warehouse where 1. The employees take the best stuff and 2. Everything else is SOLD to charitable stores by weight, e.g. $20 for 100# of blue jeans. That’s why GW charges so much. Not everything is free. Don’t use those clothing dumpsters.

I agree the local GW charges almost as much as WM

The GW’s near me have practically nothing but clothes. The shelves are near empty, what they have is overpriced. Yes people buy stuff and resell it, but then again with donated items they paid zero for the items.

Goodwill prices are ridiculously high. Then they go and separate shades and lamps and knives from blocks.

I refuse to shop or give at a retail for profit store that asks the same customer to donate merchandise under the guise of being a charity thrift store. There are plenty of charity and hospital thrift stores or friend and relatives to give unwanted items to. My goodwill does not stretch to helping a multimillion dollar corporation stock their shelves. Donate to the Salvation Army.

I appreciate the details you provide in the voice overs. It helps me understand why or why not you choose to buy something.

Yeah the first sign said The Salvation Army. I only donate to and purchase from them. They are always happy to receive donations and always grateful when you purchase items from them. I just feel as though they put their funds to great use and help those in need. 30 years ago, I took my children and ran due to an intense abusive beating situation that my then three year old told me was going on between my 7 year old son and his father while I would be at work cleaning a church day care. The Salvation Army helped us out with household items. I was so grateful to them and said that were I ever in the situation to help them out again I would, and any chance I can I help them out now.

Plush toys could be wiped w a wash cloth n soapy water w oxy cleaner for stained ones, then place in the dryer to dry or remove stains.....You did good ...BLESSING...

I stopped shopping thrift stores about 7 years ago. Thier prices are RIDICULAS. In MANY/most cases the items are more expensive than just buying new stuff.

That cash register though! I absolutely love selling those. Thanks for the contents!

Love watching you source.. Wish I could fill a bag of Plushes.. I would have presents for every niece & nephew.. Cool deal.. Thanks for sharing with us...

I like the way the items are put out in colors which makes it easier for the buyer.

I worked for charities and it's a for profit industry.They have paid employees.By law,they are suppose to give a certain percentage to the actual charity and the rest goes to operational costs,like paying employees.

The Goodwill/thrift stores in your area have me so jealous!! I am amazed by the quality of items there. Even your yard sales! Lol.

DUDE I KNOW THIS STORE!!! That table in the opening shot, as I headed to check out I glanced down and there was a ladies wrist watch...I knew what it was right away, for $4 solid 10k gold watch. :-)

Now it's garage sales and storage auctions for us💁

Have you seen the Antiques Roadshow, the one where the elderly lady bought a table and had it for years without knowing it's value? It was one of the first season shows many years ago. It was worth $150,000! She said that's her around the world trip.

Any helping community type non profit ALWAYS starts with good intentions, then within short period of time they forget why they started.

I’m so glad you have the kind of camera that keeps both hands free.

I've seen the stuff that was donated to Goodwill. There was a lot of good stuff that did not seem to make it to be sold. They also said they would not sell TV's, baby stuff? and some other stuff you would think they would take. There was no sign/publicity indicating that.

Whichever re-selling channel I watch, whether in the U.S or here in the U.K, there seems to be 4 "staple" buys that you all look for... 1. Trainers/Sneakers 2. Pots and pans. 3. VCRs 4. Vintage toys from the 80s and 90s. 😊

I buy from goodwill, but I don't donate to them. Our st. Vinny's took care of their employees during the Covid shutdown and it's a much friendlier place.

Thrift stores need to have basic prices for things whether they are fine china or dollar store items. All plates $1, all mugs $.50 etc. Goodwill puts “the good stuff” in glass cases with high prices. That is so wrong. These are donated items. Please let us find the treasures amongst the average items. They treat the workers whom they are supposedly helping like crap.

I watched but didn’t understand the secret the GW employee told you. Was it the fill a bag price? Thank you.

I’m jealous of the “plush bag” deal!!

I wish all GWs were consistent on their policies and prices. Our Goodwill is a ripoff and inconsistent on their prices!

Another great shopping trip. I so wish we had a Good Will near us in New York. Thanks for sharing.

I didn’t know BAB made other plushies besides bears. TFS!!👍🏾

The good items that actually have value are not even put on the shelves, they have staff dedicated to put those things on e-bay now and rake in 💰.

I rarely find anything I want at Goodwill. I have better luck at privately owned resale shops. I did find a beautiful rabbit basket last time a friend wanted to go. The rabbit was missing an ear. I saw the ear in the basket amongst a pile of ugly dried flowers and decided I could fix it. The employee that rang it up seemed surprised and not happy that I found the ear. She acted as if she would have bought it. Anything good rarely makes it to the sales floor. That explains a lot.

This is the most organized and clean goodwill I have ever seen. Good job

I live in Illinois and the Goodwill stores in the Rockford area have been great on pricing. They also have sales on different days by color, I believe.

My mom taught me to keep good thrift stores secret, like a good fishing hole.

Omg I was yelling at you while you just picked up hello kitty with tags and tossed her to the side. She makes good money!!!

Thank you! I usually check the plush’s for anything that licensed but would have over looked B.A.B. I watched this last night and hit my local goodwill today and found 11 B.A.B. Most with clothes along with a lot of other scores as well

If you find a hat you like with stains on the underside of the bill, just wash it in the dishwasher. Alone, without dishes in there. I usually put a TINY bit of Dawn dish soap on the stain, rub it in, then wash in the dishwasher on a short cycle. Don't dry with heat, instead remove it and air dry.

I'm always amazed that people buy shoes from Thrift stores and garage sales but it never shows them smelling them.

That is the cleanest, least cluttered Goodwill I have ever seen! Lol

I'm English stressful Charities in this country have a policy of getting as much as they can for each item. They also have more CEO's and minions than store workers. They are defo "Big Business" now. I have to say though the stores seem a lot cleaner on your side.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!!!

I used to flip stuff, but focused on clothing. I don't have the storage space to do it anymore. The room I used was converted to our dining room(which is what it was supposed to be anyway). Great finds though!

Great finds, give yourself a Scooby Snack

I've learned to look for quality pieces at Goodwill and to keep my visits to a minimum because you can overspend anywhere.

i used to go to the goodwill and BRING some donations AND TAKE MORE - literally boxes and bags just shoved in the car - my daughter and i had NOTHING- a blow up bed and a small square patio furniture piece ----we would go through all of the stuff and use what we needed then repack the items and save some to leave the next time we went but the BULK was stacked folded and sorted and then we would drop it off by certain areas that homeless people or low income ghetto apts etc w lots of kids can easily go through for themselves- we would be so blessed and find boxes of expensive brand names in my daughters exact size all perfect and new or the time we found a full size BRAND NEW (did not smell at all immaculate inside too) refrigerator freezer and that time we just happened to meet a guy who did similar as us but with food - he had a truck and he drove it to our house for us in the middle of the night lol- GOD IS GOOD - and yeah i know it's technically stealing but we were more like robin hood because we always saw people in the donations we had left for people AND we had a GORGEOUS HOME fully furnished decorated and stocked w appliances etc - we were blessed and we passed the blessing along - this should be how goodwill or any other place like this should operate- if people are homeless or broke they should be a able to get a big bag or box and SHOP by choosing the items they need - even if they had to take a certain number of pants shirts etc or one appliance- and work it like a food bank ---the markup is insane and we have a savers here that is a HUGE FRAUD SCAM IMHO - they do not tell you WHAT WHO THEY EVEN HELP IF ANYONE BUT THEMSELVES- but they are big and busy and for whatever reason people think it's easier to just drop their stuff off and get the tax receipt - thing is the bins and back dumpsters are so full of items THEY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO SORT THEM and what they do put on the floor IS SO HIGH PRICED ya may as well buy it new - but it's alelways bus

I think this is great that you rescue other people's castoffs and add the value of getting those items to the proper market where folks that really want those particular items are looking for them. That service is added value that is worth the premium you can charge. If people understood the value of what they had, from watching your videos, and could learn to get more of that value back instead of casting it off and abandoning it, then that is also a service by helping people appreciate and value things instead of just mindlessly consuming more and more. That service also helps you advertise your store. You are one smart guy. Thanks for sharing your process. I use Goodwill as a fabric store. Why pay a fabric/craft store for $10-15 per yard when I can get more interesting stuff for closer to $3-5 per yard by looking in the large/x-large section?

LOL You know when you are a thrifter when . . . you recognize the Salvation Army store in your video! When I'm on vacation in South Carolina, I always stop at this Thrift Store.

Fantastic Build A Bear scores. I have to tell you if you go back and that Clarice reindeer is still there scoop her. I've sold her a bunch of times over. She occasionally sits a bit but always sells especially near Christmas. That plush bag deal is fantastic!

That Nintendo is a beast. My son left (same red one he has) his outside when we lived in the mountains of Va. He couldn't find it. It snowed that winter. Lots of snow and rain during the winters. He found it the next spring and I put it in a bag of rice and it worked. We also have an even older model that has been chewed on at some point by a dog and it holds charge really well.

I have learned so much from watching your videos. I am a brand new eBay-er, and you have taught me what to look for when I'm shopping. Thank you!! I have a question... Do you always charge for shipping?

I was told that the employees at my local store were not allowed to buy anything from the store.

Our GW did away with senior discount, color of the week, closed their fitting rooms, and r closed two days of thecweek and they wonder why sales r down.

New today, first time watching. Love ♥️ that you offer less rambling & lots of good information.