I'm really disappointed with recent Goodwill prices.
In the past several years they began to price coats above their normal price ladder. Halfway decent coats are now individually priced; they regularly sell from $20 to $60 and up. Jackets used to be five dollars but now they're being priced up individually and considerably, ranging from $15 to $50. Why pay that much for a plain used coat when you can get something for less than that new?
I've noticed that they automatically jack up prices of certain brands like Vera Bradley and Coach no matter the condition - I saw a 7-year-old VB patterned bag with the monogram "WJM" for $27.00. The donated coach bags are priced at $50. Seriously, I could buy these items for less on the internet. I don't go to Goodwill to spend that kind of money.
They are stingy about clothing sales: swimsuits, hats, and gloves are somehow excluded from the clothing category. If you're curious, shoes go from about $7 for flip flops to around 12-15 for dressy shoes and sneakers. Framed prints go from $6 to over $30 depending on size.
The books at the GW fashions next door (an extension of the store) are often overpriced but they go on sale 35% on Mondays. Let me give you an example: Old hardcover Harry Potter books are priced at $19.99 across the board despite the fact that you can buy them from several used booksellers on the internet for 99 cents plus shipping. The twenty dollar books included ones with writing and tears in the cover. The cheaper items aren't a lot better: the pulp paperbacks have gone up to 2.99 from a mere .75 cents a few years ago and hardcovers routinely go for 5.99 or more. I remember a few years back when hardcovers were just a dollar a piece. Expect to pay $3 - 4 dollars for a cd.
I found this ridiculous type of pricing at many of the Goodwills in Tallahassee. The bookstores especially are trying to imitate upper class consignment stores and boutiques. You will never find a hidden gem of value - you can be sure that every suspect book or object has been Googled to find the value before pricing. Part of the thrill of going to a second hand store is finding a diamond in the rough or at least a bargain but that opportunity has been all but eliminated by greedy shop owners.
They can be a little dishonest with sales pricing. Like big chain stores, they often post signs like " Christmas sale" only to find that a single category like housewares are 25% off. Well, that's no a big help when they try to sell a used pasta draining pot for $25, and yes that is a real example.
It infuriates me. Goodwill receives their items for free and they cater to a lower and middle class crowd. The sheer greed of this once charity shop will no doubt lose them many customers. I have resigned myself to never visit Goodwill except on their half-off clothing days (Monday). They are milking their customers for everything they can get.
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