Why strolling throw Goodwill, I’ve noticed that their prices have somewhat gone up (insert gasp here). I mean, I can’t speak for everyone in every part of the country, but as far as the one’s I frequent, the prices aren’t what they use to be.
There was a time that I could go in and find end tables for about $15 (sometimes 5 and 10 bucks!)
Wanted a chest of drawer? Oh that’s a good $25-$30 easily. Now? AT LEAST $75. And what’s bad is that the prices have been marked down from previous weeks to that $75 because at first they marked it at $100 or above and people were not buying…
Let me do a side note here: Obviously I know that the prices I am complaining about are still pretty good deals. I’m just speaking on what I’ve noticed as far as prices being different (higher) than what I would have seen months ago and the years I’ve been thrifting at Goodwill.
This piece (above) had been marked down like THREE times! First of all, I would actually spend a little more for this. But it’s literally falling a part. And the veneer on the side of the table is falling off. I’ve been in this same Goodwill for two weeks and it’s still there…
I was excited to see this mirror! But when I walked up to it, I was surprised by the price. $25…WHAT??? What happened to $7? Again, this may be a deal to some of you, but for me it was surprise!
I just knew this table was going to be next to nothing given what had previously been done to it. Nope, $25. If this one gets marked down, I’m buying it!
I wanted these SOOOOO bad! They were $30 a piece. I just about banged my head on the wall. $30 a each? Oh I totally could have gotten them two for $30 in the past like I did these
What I’ve come to realize is that I really have to venture out for my treasures now. I follow Goodwill on twitter and they follow me, which mean they follow a lot of bloggers and possibly read our blogs (well, actually I KNOW they read our blogs). They know that we love Goodwill. What I have decided to do is shop my local not so blogged about thrift shops to find my treasures…
So, have anyone else experienced the recent change in the way Goodwill’s prices have changed? Or is it just me? Or have your Goodwill always been on the pricey side?
I need to learn how to take better pictures of fireworks
Happy Independence Day to all of my American friends! And thank you for our men and women that fight for our freedom every day and for those that have fought and given their lives for this beautiful country we live in!
26 comments:
Happy 4th, friend!
Lori
www.lorimayinteriors.com/blog
The Goodwills in Houston are on the pricey side. I saw two great bamboo chairs that I really wanted, but they were $30 each. So, I had to pass. A week later and they were gone. But they do have a 30% sale everyday. They have a sign up and if the sale is for blue tags that day then every thing with the blue tag is 30% off. It's a different color everyday. Have a great 4th of July!
I think that the Goodwill stores are pricey in StL too. My thoughts are this...they are getting the stuff donated to them (free of charge) at least let us feel like we are getting an awesome deal. I understand the kind of work that Goodwill does with the money that they make, and I am all for that but it just seems that they could go alittle easier on the prices.
Happy Independence Day to you and your boys!
Very interesting...I think businesses, even Goodwill, will raise their prices if they see there is interest to whatever point they can until they reach the resistance point.
I would love to grab that mirror, can you imagine it is a great color?!?
Janell
I think they are onto us! Our local thrift store, Salvation Army, is really pricey as well. But I have a few hidden gems where prices are fantastic!
It's all in how you look at it. I collectively look at all of my inventory instead of piece by piece. I have gotten fabulous pieces for free or for a couple of bucks and then I have things that I probably overpaid for, but I think that's how the game is played. I hope you get the glass top tables and the $30 tables too. Stop by for a blog visit!
I've noticed an upward tick in pricing at our local thrift stores, too. I don't begrudge them trying to make more money, since renting their spaces, etc., must also have rising costs, but I do balk when I see a used item for a price that is more than or very near the price for the same item, new. That's been happening a lot - I saw a red Ikea shelf a few weeks ago marked for more than Ikea sold it for, new.
I think in some respect they are taking advantage of the general feeling that if you are in a second hand store, you must be getting a bargain. I've realized you have to do comparison shopping everywhere now and use my smartphone to look up pieces I recognize to make sure they are fairly priced.
I have noticed a MAJOR price increase at the Salvation Army store in DC! I saw a mid century dining set about a month ago and asked the manager the price, he told me that it was $400 (which was a decent price for the table given its condition) but then he tells me, "I know I could sell it for more on Ebay"..HUH??!! so my guess is that these managers are using the internet for their pricing. I used to get awesome deals on furniture at the SA but I pulled up to donate a couple of chairs and nightstands on Saturday and the guy says, "all furniture MUST be in good condition, I have to check it before we can take it"...what happens to pieces that are not to the guy's taste (mind you this is not a manager, just a regular worker)--not saying he can't have good taste, but lets be honest! I'm noticing a lot of overstuffed couches and fewer vintage pieces in the stores...its a shame!
Laekitha I have noticed in the last 2yrs the prices have gone up and even more this last year. I think it is because of the economy. More and more people are thrifting and that drives the prices up. They can not afford some of the things they want retail so they go thrifting. It use to be a hidden little secret, but with blogging people are wearing it proudly. Therefore making the prices go up. I guess it is off to garage sales!!
Have a wonderful 4th of july with your sweet family,xo Kathysue
I've noticed the same thing lately! I really want that mirror! I'd pay the $25:) Though 7 would be even better!
I think Good Will is raising their prices everywhere. I visited one in Fredericks, VA on my way home last week, and was shocked at the prices. I left empty handed. Plan to visit the one locally this week, hopefully I will find a bargain!
I second that emotion. Houston thrifts are outrageous - all of them.
I live in the Atlanta area and the prices have shot through the roof. Just a few weeks ago, another customer even made a comment to me. I used to walk out with tons of stuff, now I'm usually empty handed. Maybe they will see the decrease in sales and start adjusting their prices back down.
YES!! I've noticed a major increase in prices. I'm sure it has something to do with the sudden increase in thrifting. Yes, these places have overhead but inventory is not one of them. Everything is DONATED. Keyword donated.
Now days most of the thrift stores seem to be competing with high-end consignment stores. Go figure.
I'm sure once the novelty wears off I'm sure things will settle down. I've been thrifting for well over 20 years and haven't seen such a surge in pricing on donated items and I don't see the justification because again things are donated...but I do have an exact idea as to why the surge in pricing.....
P.S. at the same time some thrift stores are are price gouging the "low income" people they are suppose to be helping. I don't think people realize. Just an observation that most people don't think about, but I do.
YES!! But the prices at my Goodwill and Thrift Stores have been higher and higher in CA for a while, so I feel your pain...maybe thats why I've been thrifting less these days ?
I hope you had a great 4th! I agree, our Re-store is now out of my "budget".
I completely agree with you! I pretty much boycott ours now because I can't justify the prices. Great post!
Those items are sure pricey to me too!!! Unfortunately, I don't have a Goodwill nearby, but I do have a Value Village and their prices for furniture are pretty bad too. In my area, the best place for used furniture at a good price is Kijiji, not so much Craigslist as no one here posts on there. I try to search locally because I don't drive and need stuff delivered to me.
I love your blog, have had it bookmarked for months now, never disappointed when I stop by. Take care!
Yes, yes, YES!!! I have been totally shocked at the price increases at my local G'Willies for several months now. Horrified! Like you said, I know they're still good deals, but nowhere near what I am used to. Plus I'm working on an extreme budget and they've priced me out of the market!
~Angela~
I went to the Goodwill yesterday and this print I thought was nice was $75! I almost fell over. I'm not even sure the piece even originally cost that much...
Our local Goodwill near DC is nearly as much as new-retail price. And for stuff that's not in new condition anymore. They sell Ikea furniture for more than it sells for at Ikea! Great that it's for a good cause, but I think it borders on taking advantage of their less advantaged clientele who aren't in there looking for a gem to refinish, but are just looking for their basic needs.
in my area we have 4 good will stores that are only about 20 minutes from my house in either direction. What I have noticed is the store in the poorest part of town has the most expensive prices! the one in the wealthier side of town is dirt cheap! I think it is because the poorer neighbor hood store is more often shopped then the wealthier one. there are about a dozen other thrift stores close to me and I shop them all and get amazing deals all the time. I just have to go in with the mindset that i will NOT pay more then 25% of the original price. I am not going to pay 75$ for any used furniture that someone else threw away especially when it was only 100$ to begin with. I'm just too cheap for that. btw--I love your blog!
Hey my name is Simone. I live in Atlanta, as well and have been looking for some good wills and cant find ANY... HELP
The same thing happened at the Goodwill that I regularly visit. Furniture pieces were fairly priced and now they are two or three times the price! SMH I've been keeping an eye out for a french style dresser and when I found it the darn thing was $75. Sadly, and I do mean sadly, I had to walk away. The same thing happened this Saturday when I spotted a three drawer dresser $50! There is a reason I shop Goodwill and those prices aren't it =(
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