Tips and tricks for shopping the best deals at Goodwill and thrift stores.
This post has been a loooooooooooooong time coming. Actually, there probably aren’t even enough Os in that word.
I walk through those automatic sliding doors of my neighborhood Goodwill and suddenly I’m a straight up boss. Macklemore style. (Did you really think you’d be able to read a thrifting post without that reference? Mission accomplished, friend.)
Image: Rappahannock Goodwill
I sorta kinda maybe most definitely absolutely have a Goodwill addiction. But in a good way. Not in the way that you’d catch me on an episode of Hoarders; thank goodness.
In one year, we furnished the majority of our entire house by shopping at Goodwill and Craigslist. I already wrote ways to score on Craigslist a few months ago, but Goodwill can be equally as rewarding, if not more. Really thrift stores in general rock, but I’ve just been very lucky with the Goodwills in my area and have learned the tricks.
So here ya go. Goodwill shopping secrets revealed: (Pardon my low-quality cell phone photos.)
1. Visit regularly.
I visit my local Goodwill usually once a week, sometimes twice if I have the time. Ours is literally 5 minutes from our house, so it’s easy to pop in often. Some days I score big with incredible finds. Other days I walk out completely empty handed. But I’ll never know unless I stop in and check out the goods.
If you’ve never had any luck at Goodwill before, it might just be because you went on an “off” day when their stock wasn’t so great.
2. Stop in at prime times.
I’m not even kidding in saying I almost don’t want to reveal this little tip. But honestly, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t? When the yard sales in your area are in full swing, chances are your local Goodwill will get a spike in merchandise too. (Winter can be a bit of a dud.)
Since most yard sales are on the weekends, I tend to have the most luck on Mondays after items have been donated. Most people usually clean out their closets and storage areas over the weekend. And if you hit up the store after a holiday weekend, you can expect an even bigger selection since most people have more time to purge their stuff.
I visited my store last week the day after Memorial Day and it was packed with all kinds of great furniture. Just the week before, there was hardly any furniture at all.
Visit early too. Some days I manage to get to Goodwill when they open and there is already a line 5-10 people deep at the still locked doors. It doesn’t happen often for me. But when I arrive at opening time on a Monday or Tuesday, I can pretty much guarantee an amazing find.
3. Know what you’re looking for.
I keep a list in mind of items I need to be on the lookout for. I have my route planned out and typically stop in at the furniture section first, followed by the frames/mirrors, home decor, lighting, and holiday sections. Yes, holiday sections. You wouldn’t believe all of the great Christmas decor I find smack dab in the middle of summer. I decorated for Christmas last year with tons of it for dirt cheap.
Do you spy what I spy? That ornate scroll mirror is way too pretty to be homeless. But I left it for someone else to enjoy.
I’ve found a vintage typewriter, desk lamp, and globe for our office, a lamp for Olivia’s room, a dome clock to transform into a cloche, and all kinds of books, sheet music, and prints to decorate with- so many little things get a new life at our house.
4. Think outside the box and get creative.
This could probably be a whole ‘nother post all by itself, but just know that so much of what you find can be repurposed and madeover for what you want with a bit of imagination.
I saw this dinged up coffee table for $5 last week. (It was already sold though…boo.)
It didn’t look like much, but with a little paint and some wood planks on top, it could end up looking like this:
Source: Centsational Girl
5. Don’t hesitate.
If you see something you like, snatch it up. Take that furniture tag and run. (Not literally out the door…you know what I mean.) As you shop, you can make the decision if you really want to buy it. You can always put the item back. But the best items aren’t on the floor for long, so don’t miss out while you are deciding.
I was actually standing and looking at a beautiful vintage birdcage sitting on a shelf the other day trying to decide if I really wanted one more. And a lady came along and grabbed it right from under my nose. I mean wow. It’s a ruthless jungle in there with some people.
6. Make sure the price is right.
Since thrifting has increased in popularity, Goodwill has taken notice. And sometimes they do seem a bit pricey. Don’t buy something just because it’s there. Chances are others won’t buy an item priced too high either and you can come back in a day or two when it’s marked down. This coffee table I madeover was originally marked at $50, and I managed to buy it at $20 a few days later. Patience pays off sometimes.
7. Donate something every time you go.
To keep my thrifting/hoarding tencencies at bay, I try to take at least something to donate every time I visit. It keeps the hubby happy. 😉 And makes our house look less like a crazy junk lady lives there.
8. Visit stores in higher-end neighborhoods and/or multiple locations.
I’m lucky to live on the outskirts of one of the wealthier neighborhoods in our city. I can’t even believe some of the expensive pieces of furniture I find for total chump change regularly. This dining table I spotted recently was a looker! Some liming wax could really make that yellowy wood sing. Those chairs had major potential too.
I don’t really find as many great things in the more impoverished areas. But I still sometimes get lucky, and it’s interesting to see how much the merchandise can vary. The more rural areas are more likely to have country style decor, and that can be fun. I’m still on the lookout for an old milk can though.
9. Only buy items you are truly excited about.
If you don’t totally love it in the store or aren’t excited about an item’s potential, leave it. Don’t buy something just for the sake of buying it. Walking out with nothing is okay. You’ll have better luck next time.
I so wanted to take home this china cabinet. That quatrefoil has come back into trend and would come to life with a fresh coat of paint on the piece. It was being sold at $65. Not too shabby.
10. Remember that paint can fix (almost) anything.
If you find a beautiful dresser with lots of scratches, chalk paint will fix it right up. Don’t like the color of some pictures frames? Paint those bad boys. Almost all of the frames on my gallery wall came from Goodwill and they were all different colors.
Transform an old brass light fixture into something that will match the rest of your lighting. I found our stairway light for $17 at Goodwill, luckily ready to hang. Paint would have been an easy fix if I had wanted to change the finish.
Even upholstery can sometimes be painted (just make sure the upholstery is still in good shape and doesn’t have a smell…ew.) Don’t let the color of something limit you.
11. Look for quality.
If you find a dresser with dovetail drawers, that’s a winner. If a chair is nice and sturdy, it has lots of potential. Brand names are a plus too. Our dining chairs were made by a high end company called American Drew that sold me on them.
This console table I madeover was made my Broyhill, a brand I knew, so I felt confident in buying it.
I even found a set of 8 Crate & Barrel white coffee mugs for 50 cents each a while back. They’re my favorite!
12. Know the sale days.
(Note: Sale days and discount programs vary by region, so check with your local store as it might be different from these.) Tuesdays are student/military discount days and you can get 20% off your entire purchase with your ID. On Wednesdays, seniors 55 and older can get 20% off the entire purchase. Goodwill has a Customer Value Program and Email Club with special discounts and coupons too.
There ya go. I just spilled all my secrets, and now I might have some fierce competition. But I always love passing on what I’ve learned. And who knows…maybe in another year, I’ll have learned twice as much. That I will, of course, share with you all over again.
Follow:
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter | Google+ | Bloglovin | Hometalk
Great tips, Lauren! The Goodwill’s in our area have gotten so outrageously high with their pricing we rarely even look there anymore. Fortunately there’s a few other thrift shops in our area that have awesome finds and much more reasonable pricing. You’ve done some amazing transformations with the things you’ve found!
I’ve noticed it can vary. There is a Goodwill I’ve visited about 30 minutes from me that it always significantly higher in price than the one 5 minutes from my house. I haven’t had any luck with other thrift stores in my area yet. You’re definitely fortunate to have some good ones in your town. Maybe I haven’t dug around enough yet. Thanks for the love, Amy! I always love your transformations too.
Gee Lauren, wish you lived close to me (Arizona) I have 2 milk cans!
You should know I’m totally jealous right now. 😉
What brand of liming wax do you prefer? I’ve never used it before, and do you use this over chalk paint or just plain wood? thanks!
You can buy liming wax already mixed if you’d like. Briwax makes one that’s great. You can also make your own using 3 parts clear furniture wax (Annie Sloan is a good one) to 1 part white paint, mix well, and you’ve got your own DIY liming wax.
I had a horrible experience today at the Goodwill in Fresno, CA. today. I found a “Jones” coat I just loved at a very reasonable price. I am always thrilled when I find that one good buy. A young male employee was listening when I exclaimed over the good deal. When I went to check out he told me he could not sell the coat at that price and ripped the tag off. I asked what I could pay to get the coat. He refused to sell it to me. I was so disappointed and angry. I am still up because I can’t sleep thinking about it. Is that legal?
Hi Mona. . .I keep quiet when I find a terrific deal @ GW. I pay for it & skidaddle out of
there. I’ve purchased Longaberger baskets for $1.00-2.00 before. . .well, not anymore as
GW now puts them in the Treasure Chest section. At our local GW they have an antique dealer that comes in and prices vintage/collectibles, etc. It seems that they put dealer prices on the objects, but people still buy it. Your experience with the coat shocked me!
I’m not sure what I would have done except talk to the manager. Seems the employee
overstepped his job description. Hope you have some better shopping experiences.
That’s terrible! Employees at our Goodwills in Midlothian Va area are not allowed to purchase merchandise.I would of asked for the manager.
This same thing happened to me at a local Goodwill. I went straight to the top and reported the employee. I doubt she still even works there.
Yes, please keep quiet about any good deals you find at good will. My husband was in there and found a book that was valuable which he resold, he shot his mouth off and now they scan every book they sell.
you should have talked to the manager, if it was priced, or not marked up they should honor the price.
Not legal, but I don’t think there’s much you can do. I’ve had my share of tricky sales clerks in the past. They would manipulate the tag when I was at the register and not looking.
So just keep quiet next time if you find something good. Pay for it, and run…
I never say anything either, but it’s rare to find a super good deal anymore. I’m sorry you had that experience.
More collectible items no longer hit the floor in our stores, but are automatically added to the Goodwill website where they can command more money (I was told this by an employee). Kind of the way of “thrifting” these days. If you do find a prize, consider yourself lucky. Even clothing with any kind of “label” gets a heftier price tag. And books? Good grief. Most I can buy less expensively online.
At our stores, employees are allowed to buy, but items need to be on the floor for three days (or so I was told).
I too shop and donate to GW but I recently found out that Good Will is Not non profit. It changed how I donate but not how I shop.
Also, they ship to other stores. I asked one time why so many t shirt from so & so, they said they just a shipment from there.
When I first began a number of years ago, Tshirts were .99 and 1.99, now they are up to $4 and 5.
I have found the Salvation Army has tried to do better in pricing and their furniture is exceptional but they do admit. Antique dealers.
Back when I started hunting it wasn’t “shabby chic” and now its a trend. My GW has auctions for the good stuff. Like I said they are a corporate own enterprise and they hire folks in need but they are in business for personal gain not charity relief.
Goodwill is non profit they’ve helped over 300,000 people find jobs They pay for their training and schooling. People don’t understand that Goodwill has to pay rent on the building, power bill, water, sewer, garbage, supplies, the trucks that go miles and miles each day, then you have all the employee’s they have to pay and repairs the list goes on and on. Yes I work for Goodwill in I’m very proud of it. Thank you have a nice day.
I just decided last night to no longer work for Goodwill. After only 6 months I found out over and over that the good in Goodwill is not good at all to employees. They have poverty wages handicapped employees who should be allowed the employee handicap parking space are told handicap parking doesn’t apply to them. They let everyone park in the handicap space. I was given so much grief after I requested they follow the law that I no longer work for “Goodwill.”
The current President and CEO of Goodwill is Jim Gibbons, who in 2015 received a total reported compensation of $712,202. Yes they have to pay rent. They build beautiful buildings and the pay their CEOs alot of money.
Sadly, a lot of the donated items at our local stores end up at the bin store without ever seeing a shelf. I only donate to Goodwill on the rarest of occasions now, preferring to give to thrifts that truly appreciate the items, and price them reasonably, as opposed to boutique-y.
Goodwill gets so many donations they can’t possibly put everything out. There are many videos & news stories on it. Americans buy so much stuff & clothing & donate so much they along with most thrift stores can’t possibly sell everything. Most of the smaller thrift stores don’t want certain items or as Salvation Army in my area don’t want anything too old, any kind of markings, put together furniture, etc. We have many thrift stores where I live & their prices are higher than Goodwill & that includes Value Village (which is about double or triple on some things than Goodwill) & Salvation Army. The thrift stores in our area actually post online (if they’re active) & put up signs not accepting…..whatever they’re getting too much of at the time. It’s usually furniture, clothing, Christmas, books, movies, & baskets. I think we have about 50 thrift stores in a 30 mile range from my house including neighboring towns.
WOW!! This is interesting.
I luv your tips lauren. I must share a story with you…..I have been shopping at the “TREASURE” store for many, many years. Out of necessity really. And as you write, some days are filled with wonderful treasures and others, well, not so much! You must go at least once, sometimes twice a week to reap the benefits! I ran into a very “sticky” situation last year at my very favorite shop. I noticed that early in the morning the local Antique Dealers would come into the store and be given access to go in the back and get “first crack” at all the items before they were priced and put out in the store! I made it my mission to go back every morning for a week to make sure I wasn’t mistaken. Lo and behold…here were the “Dealers” getting away with some incredible bargains that you know they were going to mark up and put in their shop!!! How unfair! Pawing through everything like it was their own private little jewels!! I was on the phone so fast calling the corporate headquarters demanding that something be done immediately! I was so angry! What about us …the small little everyday person who shops here because they can’t afford to go to others stores? It is a shame because it continues to happen, so they raise the prices because they know the dealers are re-selling and who suffers?
Wow, I often wondered about that. I donate a lot since we own rentals and so many tenants leave behind a lot of stuff. Many times when I was donating to the back entrance, I saw some beautiful lamps, a bird cage which was so ornate and lots of nice quality items. Yet, I go often enough inside to our Salvation Army store and never see any of the things I see when I drop off items. I even asked if much of this goes to another Salvation Army store and I was told yes but not much. So that had me thinking am I going on the wrong days or not early enough. But it would make sense that these dealers if they donated some “cash” may get first crack at the inventory. Something to take notice.
I have found that I can go to Walmart and buy things cheaper then Goodwill.. I cant figure out why the charge so much?
I was surprised last trip there. Dollar store used items were 1.99. It’s fun to look around and I have found some stuff but they are getting higher priced.
Amy, you took the words right out of my mouth. Same here for the prices at Goodwill. I do not shop there or donate there. I think they are beggers and thieves actually with all the trailers sitting along the road side to drop your donations off. And thieves for the outrageous prices, it’s terrible. That sounds harsh, but in my area it’s true.
I too have found other thrift stores and they go to a good cause like animal rescue. I try not to go too much, because I buy too much, my house is already full.
So, so smart of you to buy things and make them over for resale. It gives you spending money to decorate. And you are so good at it.
I’m thinking it really varies by region. The same thing I told Amy, there is a Goodwill 30 minutes from my house that always has higher prices than the one 5 minutes from me. I know there was an article that circulated on social media a while back about Goodwill’s profit margin that ended up being fabricated information and was fact checked my Snopes. I’m certainly no expert on where their money goes, but regardless if there is greed involved, I do know the workers there have disabilities or other needs and need the work to help with personal and economic independence. I visit other thrift stores as well, like one in my area that supports the Humane Society, but they don’t usually have much of a furniture selection. I’m still on the lookout for more not-so-well-known thrift stores too though. Just not much luck so far on my end.
Goodwill is a terrible organization. They hired my hardworking handicapped daughter. They required her to work 12 hrs a day for 7 days then 7 days off for 89 days. This was grueling for her but she needed a job so badly. A day before the 90th day, when she would have been eligible for health and vacation benefits, they laid her off and hired another young woman in the same circumstances. We investigated and found that they did this over and over. They keep a small core staff and cycle through others to keep from obeying labor laws. We consulted a lawyer but were told that in our state as a “free will state” they could fire you for no reason at all. So, then Steph had a firing on her record.
If you are just looking for a bargain without any social consciousness, do shop at Goodwill. But if you care at all about the scheming of this multibillion dollar ripoff machine, please shop at Salvation Army or somewhere. Did you know that Good SELLS all its’ clothing in war torn and poverty stricken countries such as Africa and Darfur? Please check and don’t patronize this evil giant.
Please note that as said before, all regions are run different. Most people do not realise that Goodwill is separated by districts and each district has it’s own policies. Also, in some districts, each store’s manager is able to make their own policies. In most stores this behavior is not condoned but I also have to say that most regions have gone to the majority of it’s employees being part time, so they don’t have to pay benefits. I do agree that the Salvation Army is better at community support. Also the clothing you speak of being sold in poverty stricken countries is normally sold for pennies a pound. And it’s the clothing that has been pulled to put in new. All items have a five week “shelf life” and then are pulled. Most stores have worked at figuring out new ways to keep as much merchandise as possible out of the landfills.
Why did you allow your handicapped daughter to work 7 days a week, 12 hours a day? I’m not handicapped and even my mom would have put her foot down and said no way was I working there.
I find this story very disturbing on many levels. Why would you allow your handicapped daughter to work 7 days a week, 12 hour a day? Not only does Good Will NOT allow this, it is against all policies. This is complete BULL CRAP! How do i know? Because i work for The Good Will
That is so sad. My friend worked at goodwill for about 5 years they said she had a felony on her record and fired her why did they wait so long should be able to sue them
I am so sorry you were treated that poorly. My son works there and he is boarder line special needs so he took the job, but I wish someone would make the company do the right thing, and it should be non profit right down the line. They do hire and train people who would otherwise be unemployable, but there is also a big push for profits, and the ceo makes a salary in the six figures.
I won’t go there anymore. Sal army is the lesser of both evils. Outrageous and nasty staff. Savers is better.
I thought that Goodwill prices have been steadily going up – glad to know it wasn’t just me! Great tips here, especially going on Mondays…I’ll have to try that in about a week at my local thrift stores. 😉
It does seem inconsistent sometimes. But if they price things too high, people simply won’t buy it. After a day or two, it gets marked down. Even if they’re not always smart a pricing things, buyers are smart enough not to fork over that kind of money.
I find that the better the neighborhood the store is in, the cheaper the prices and the worse the neighborhood, the worse the prices. I love the Goodwills outside Beverly Hills, CA. Most of the Goodwills in CA have been awesome but I don’t go there to help charity. I just go for good deals. I know they aren’t helping anyone but themselves. For awhile, they were even asking for extra donations at the cash register.
Hi Kathleen,
I’m probably going to the same stores as you do. I go quite a lot, and have experience with labels, merchandise, and prices in general.
I purchased several great items recently, and it’s strictly because the person pricing the stuff wasn’t familiar with what they had. Like a Paloma Picasso handbag for $7.99 which I’ve found on Ebay for $500; a brand new Le Creuset bean pot for $4.99 retail $150; a French confit pot for 5.99 and it normally goes from $300 and up; a brand new perfume for 4.99 retails for $95, etc.
I moved to NM from Indy last year. The prices in NM are 3 or mores times higher than in Indy. Used Mr Coffee coffeemaker, for example, can cost up to $25!!!! They only have one day here when you can get a discount. They never mark things down. In Indy they dd the colored tag system. Every week a different color tag was 50% off. Here one day a week you get 25% off of items. But that is every thrift store in Albuquerque. It is almost impossible to find anything you want. One thrift store has a “Senior Day” on Tuesday. Sunday and Monday they don’t replenish shelves so that Tuesdays is the left overs they can’t get rid of. Wednesday morning the shelves are overflowing-but at least they have the colored tag system for the week-which is better than shopping senior day. It is pitiful how many seniors show up for this.
I have purchased online from the Indi Goodwill, and I do find everyone there I have spoken to to be professional. Since I collect dishes every thing in tableware I have purchased has always arrived in perfect shape and professionally packed.
It definitely seems inconsistent, but if you wait, the price will drop. For me, I’ve noticed it really varies by location. One Goodwill 30 minutes from me is always priced higher than the one in my neighborhood, so it helps to visit several until you find a winner. Other buyers aren’t likely to pay the higher prices either.
Thanks for sharing your Goodwill shopping secrets!! I live 10 minutes from our local GW and go there often. A lot of my decorating décor is from there.
~Cindy
That’s great, Cindy! Bragging about those thrifty finds is always fun too, isn’t it? 🙂
I live in OHIO.I shop Goodwill almost daily.We get discounts daily.Seniors,AARP,Military,and so on.We have very good prices on everything.Our Goodwill does buy-outs from Department stores that are a little more on somethings.But,not on the clothing.The clothing is hung with all the other, at the same price.The store is set up like a Department store,very neat,clean.Just a week or so ago,they lowered prices on everything.These prices will not go up.I donate all the time.This store has alot of the same people, who started when the store opened.When I donate,I don’t care what store sells it.The Goodwill here in OHIO has schools to teach people how to better their life,by learning a trade.The people make at least over $9.00 an hour to start.Sorry, this is so long.But,I wanted to let people know ,not all thrift stores are alike.
I agree with Amy and Allison. Goodwill in particular has lost its way in terms of a non-profit mission. Their prices in no accurate way reflect the demographics of their core buyers. On top of that, our local Texas Goodwill store needs a serious overhaul. It’s dark, dingy, and downright scary to visit. I truly miss the Deseret Industries thrift store back in Idaho. These folks really know what they’re doing. They are brilliant at merchandising, lighting, and service. And while their prices did start to creep upward, they took measures to reverse the trend when the increases were met with opposition.
I can see what you mean, Ardith. And there was actually a false article circulated on social media for sometime that has since been debunked regarding the profit margin. Snopes.com has more information on the fact checking of it. I don’t like seeing the way they price things sometimes either. It’s hit or miss with their furniture for sure and doesn’t seem consistent, but then I’ve discovered great finds that keep me coming back. I’m lucky enough to have one in my neighborhood that is fairly new, clean, and friendly, but I definitely know there are some not-so-great ones out there. Demographics certainly play a part. I really wish I could find a great thrift store in my area and I try to visit one close to me that supports the Humane Society, but I haven’t been as pleased with their selection or pricing either. It seems like the increase in pricing has been across the board no matter where I thrift.
I’m gonna disagree with the “snopes” thing.its an ordinary man and woman that does a little “digging and quite frequently is wrong. When you look at the company portfolio, you do, indeed, find that the CEO’S are literally getting rich off the poverty level people of America. It makes me sick.
I agree
Most Goodwill stores follow the mission of giving persons a helping hand with employment. In our are they focus on mentally handicapped people job support.
They are well respected in the community. Yes prices have risen, but so have the wages they pay their staff. Far better than Value Village which is just a corporate company donating pennies to charity.
What do you mean, Snopes “quite frequently” is wrong? You don’t give examples in that, or backing up your statement that goodwill is getting rich off “poverty level people.” Stores that sell low-quality merchandise for 10000% profit (like Walmart, or Old Navy, or basically any big box store) are getting rich off poor people. Goodwill helped me furnish my home with quality furniture for literally 1/100th of what I would have paid to buy cheap crap made in China from Walmart. Please find a different soapbox to stand on.
Thanks for the “shopping secrets”….I would love to shop at your Goodwill – it looks like a large store with a great selection! I am definitely a Goodwill shopper and have found some great deals! One thing that’s interesting in our Goodwill – one week the prices will be higher, the next week they will be lower – almost like it depends on who’s doing the pricing each week!? We don’t have the discount days with percentages off – our stores choose a color for the week and the items with that color tag are half price. Great “tips” – some of them I’m already putting into practice when thrift store shopping!
Have a great week!
Lanita
I’ve noticed that too, Lanita. I’m wondering if they price items lower when they have a lot of stock and are trying to push everything out the door to sell fast. And on the weeks they don’t have a lot of donations they probably price things higher to keep it on the floor longer and get the buyers who are willing to pay more since the store has the space. That’s just my theory. It could depend on who’s doing the pricing too though, I’m sure. Maybe the discount days is a regional thing? I was thinking it was all over.
I love Goodwill too! I can find some great new stuff from Target too. And your right, paint can fix almost anything! I even just painted a pair of shoes! Thanks for the tips!
No way! Shoes?! I’ve never thought of that! I think Target has a partnership of some kind with Goodwill because I see new Target items there a lot too. I’m glad Target donates their unsold items rather than destroying them.
You are really good as seeing the potential in pieces. I would have overlooked some of your great finds!
Eilis@MyHeartLivesHere
It has taken some practice for sure. 🙂 Two years ago, when I first started thrifting, I wasn’t very good at visualizing. Thanks for the love, Eilis!
We have several Goodwill outlets in our area in NC. Their prices are much more reasonable than regular Goodwill stores. They charge by the pound: $1.25 for clothes, toys, and household items; $.59 for books; furniture and electronic devices are individually priced but are usually reasonable. I love to go there! I have found several items that I have resold on eBay for a profit! I usually come out with 2-3 garbage bags full for around $25-$30.
That’s amazing, Tasha! I’ve heard great things about the Goodwill outlets but haven’t had the chance to visit yet. I’m in NC too so who knows, you might see me there one day. 🙂
Where in NC, Lauren? I shop all over the state (live in Wilmington) I bet I could give you a tip or two on local stores in addition to GW;)…
We’re in the Charlotte area. 🙂
I stalk Goodwill. I try to get in there once a week. I love all your tips Lauren.
I do too, Michelle. I’ve started becoming friends with the workers…that might be a sign I have a problem. Haha
I went to my local Keystone Goodwill in Exton,Pa to have my military discount put on it. He told me it was only 10 0/0 and I would lose my 55 and over 1/2 off on Monday discount. It’s different everywhere. I have a different card for Wisconsin and one for Michigan. wow!
Aw boo! That stinks! Seems ridiculous that they would deviate from what is listed directly on the Goodwill website. :-/
Thanks for the tips. My mom loves shopping at her Goodwill. I’m sharing this post with my Facebook fans. Stopping by from The Weekend Retreat.
The Frugal Ginger
Yay! Thanks, Ashley! I appreciate the share!
Really great tips, Lauren. Thank for sharing!
Thanks, Cynthia!
Lauren, these are such great tips! I have tried to go to goodwill so many times to get stuff for projects, but I never have luck! I think my biggest thing is I go at odd times, like end of the week. I am going to try on a Monday like you mentioned. Makes sense after garage sales, etc. Have you ever shopped goodwill online? I’ve heard people say they have done so before. Thanks for the tips! Have an awesome weekend!
Definitely try it on a Monday. First thing in the morning is even better, but I know most people can’t do that with work hours. Hope you have better luck next time around! I’ve looked around at Goodwill online but I never really had much luck there. I feel like the prices are better in store, and even then the pricing seems to vary by location.
These are great tips. I like your rule of donating something, too. Thanks for posting. Hello from Handmade Hangout.
Thanks, Melissa! Definitely. If I didn’t donate, I’d be a crazy junk lady. Haha
These are great tips! My husband and I are big thrifters. So many of the things in our home our finds from local thrift stores! I think the tip we’ve seen to be the most important is to visit regularly. Probably 75% of our visits involve walking in, exploring for 5 minutes, and walking out empty handed. But those 25% of visits where we find something we love? Totally worth it. 🙂 {and our favorite local thrift store is right next to Starbucks, so we might as well pop in and get a coffee, right?!)
Thanks for sharing!
I totally agree! I walk out empty handed most of the time, but those score days are sweet sweet victory. 🙂 I wish I had a Starbucks next to mine! Lucky!
Great tips! Shocker… I had never set foot in a Goodwill until a year or so ago. Now, I’m there all the time. Thanks for all the advice!
It’s addictive, right? 🙂
Great tips! I always carry something around until I decide and it usually turns out to be my best buy! Can I add another tip? Go around at least twice. I always see the best stuff the second or third time around. I don’t get to stop by my Goodwill once a week but when I do I usually find something to buy. The picture of your Goodwill is A LOT nicer than mine! I do have some donations to drop off so I will be checking it out soon.
Yes! Totally agree! That’s a great tip. I hadn’t thought about that one, but you’re right. I find some good stuff the second time around sometimes. Our Goodwill really is nice compared to a lot of others I’ve been to. We got lucky.
Another thing about donating something each time you go… At least here where I live, the “tax receipt” that you get has a 10% off coupon. So donate first, get the receipt, then go shopping!
Great tip, Beth! I don’t know if they have that where I live. I’ll have to pay attention to that next time I’m there.
Monday’s everything has been bought The weekend.at our goodwill store. I buy all my clothes there.people ask me all the time where I find all my beautiful outfits. When I say goodwill they look shocked.women donate their clothes when they buy new ones. I knew a young woman who sold all her clothes at yardsales at the end of the year and bought all new summer clothes.
I like to shop at goodwill and I love what I find.
The goodwill near us is getting pretty pricey, too, but if you donate stuff before you go in they will give you a coupon for 20%!
Good to know, Tara! Thanks!
You should look for a Habitat for Humanity “ReStore” near you. Never know what cool stuff you’ll find, our store had booths and tables from the Red Lobster restaurant that was remodeling!
I’ve visited the Restore near me and they’re always insanely overpriced, but I know other people in other regions who love their Restore. I typically find the same type of furniture for half the price or even a quarter of the price of the stuff at Restore. But I’ve had people tell me it’s the other way around for them at the Goodwills in their area, so I guess it varies.
Here in Ft Worth, we have a Goodwill outlet!!!!! Yes, that’s what I said!!!!! It is everything that the regular stores can’t, won’t, or didn’t sale. The price is $1.39 per pound. I went into the store just looking for things I could make into quilts…… It has made my addiction so much worse!!!!!!! But in a good way!!! The store is made up in big bins.. and everything is just put into them and you have to hunt through them. I’ve been told it’s like a Jerry Springer show some days. That’s when the good stuff is being put into the bins!!!! I don’t go in looking for the good stuff (even though, there are some), I just want material to make quilts and rag rugs.
I’ve heard great things about the Goodwill outlet! I haven’t been yet since it’s not a short distance from me, but that’s great to know you’ve had so much success with it. I need to check it out…maybe without the Jerry Springer show drama. 😉 Making quilts and rag rugs from remnants is a great idea! I bet you find all kinds of cool fabrics.
I love goodwill! I’m lucky enough to have one 5 minutes away and every week a different color is 75% off on Sunday and Monday! I try to go every Sunday 🙂
I’ve heard of the color discounts too! We don’t have those in our area. I wish! It must vary by region because I’m hearing about all kinds of different discount programs from different people all over the U.S.
Wow, your store looks wonderful! Ours, not so much 🙂
I wish ours carried furniture. I checked several around Tulsa and finally asked why there was no furniture to be found. You have to go to an auction held once a week! If you work… So sorry, you lose
What in the world?! That’s crazy! And definitely not fair. After all the feedback I’m getting from other people, Goodwill seems to vary a lot in its policies and discount programs across the U.S. That really stinks. :-/
I literally saw the same exact little hanging light at my local Habitat for Humanity store yesterday for $5.50. I stared at it, walked away, went back and stared again then left without it. I’m leaving my house right now to go get it because of the inspiration you gave me! I also buy ALOT of stuff from Goodwill. We even go when we’re on vacation! Thank you for the Goodwill secrets!!
Oh wow! Hope it’s still there! I’m always tempted to try Goodwills in other areas when we’re on vacation too. I bet you’d find some cool stuff out of the ordinary from where you’re from.
In our area (Arizona) they have a nice web site and you can sign up for monthly emails where they give you printable coupons for 10-20% off on purchases over $10 and also check their monthly calendar for special offers on different days, such as 50% a certain colored tag. And my favorite is every other Saturday is 50% everything in the store except food and new items. But you have to check their calendar for when those are.
That’s awesome, Emily! I don’t think we have that same deal in my area. After reading so many discounts out there, it looks like it varies a lot by region.
I love thrift shopping and you have provided some great tips. I LOVE what you did with the console table BEAUTIFUL!!!
Thank you, Katy!
Hi Lauren I am a Goodwill girl too. I furnished my whole house with mostly Goodwill and tag sales….I am soooo proud of it…and not at all ashamed to say I will never outgrow the Goodwill store…Love it
Thanks
That’s great, Maureen! I totally hear ya on being proud of it. When people come over and want a tour, I have so much fun telling them how little I spent on each piece of furniture and seeing how amazed they are at the teeny price tag. It’s a fun shopping game for sure.
Hi! I love your article! I wished you lived in Arizona…lol..I’m a manager here at one of the many Goodwills. You’re definitely right about some of our specials. Here are specials are; Sunday’s Student, Teacher and Military- Tuesday’s Senior Day ((Seniors and Military should be everyday I’d you ask me 🙂 )) Thursday’s Dollar Day where the sale color of the week turns into a $1 or less because on Friday’s our new color of the week comes out.-EVERY OTHER Saturday is our 50% sale! Everything in our store becomes 1/2 off! Except for our new good such as Matresses, Rug and Pillows…they have their own deals during the calendar year. And our coupon that you can download on to your smart phone or print it out. It’s 20% off of any purchase that is $20 or more. It can only be one item or 10,13,20 items, it’s doesn’t matter just as long as it’s $20.
And you’re Soooo right about the yards Sales, every Monday we put them out on our floors. AND….we roll out 3x a day with more items!!! So there is always a chance that you’ll find something you like or love. We also have 8 color of tags, that means that the products have a 7 week rotation and if by them the products don’t sale, we ship to our huge warehouse ( called the Rock) where you can buy items buy the pound! Like pursues, clothing, linens, furniture, household good (kitchen and decor).
And a lot of people, churches, other organizations go there and buy clothing and linens and shoes for the needed, such as the homeless, the underprivileged, and send over to other countries for missions. So we do have quite the deals going on.
We also have Career Centers, where we do help put people to work. Our staff members at the career centers help you pick out which job suits your needs, help you with your resume and prepare you for interviews and help you learn more about that job. Thank you so much for writing your article. 🙂
For out-of-town thrifting I use an app on my phone: ThriftBuddy.
You can look up stores by location or when traveling, let the GPS feature scan for stores around you. Very cool.
Good to know! Thanks, Pam! I’ll be downloading that for sure!
Thanks for sharing these great tips! I’ve been visiting Goodwill recently. I bought a few baskets and other things to decorate my craft room. You have found some great items at your Goodwill, and you made them look beautiful! I’ve seen some really cute dressers, and even a piano, but I don’t have room for it. I’ll make sure I go on military discount days! And I’ve been meaning to donate some of my old clothes and my kids’ clothes that they’ve outgrown and toys. My house looks clutter free UNTIL you open a closet or our storage shed. That stuff has to go! I’d like to live a minimalist lifestyle, but I know that’s not going to happen. I love to shop too much!
You just described my house exactly! Haha We try to keep order around here but those closets…oh Lordy! The donating fairy needs to visit my house because it’s so hard to part with things sometimes.
Love the tips and love how you can make something so ordinary to wow!! Can’t wait to go thrift shopping now!!
So glad it could help, Amy! Having to tap into your imagination on those thrift shopping trips is part of the fun for sure. 🙂
Have yet to find all these amazing things…in any goodwill that I have visited! Just tons and tons of clothes but have anyone noticed that you can go online and Goodwill have an auction site yes big time profit for Goodwill
I’ve discovered that Goodwills vary a lot. The one near my house pretty much always has some furniture and their prices are really good. I just picked up a coffee table for $5 the other day. But if I go across town to another Goodwill, I’d be paying $40 for the same kind of table. Makes no sense, and it’s not consistent at all. It’s frustrating for sure. I’ve looked at the Goodwill auction site, but the pricing there seems way too high for me too. It seems like a lot of thrift stores have taken notice of this new furniture flipping trend because the pricing seems to be on the high side at Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity Restore too, but maybe that’s just my area.
Great tips! We are about to have a Goodwill store opening in my town and I am so excited! Will be stopping in often. Love the pieces you have refinished, especially the blue console table!
Thanks, Carol! That’s so awesome! I’ve tried to find some great hideaway non-mainstream thrift stores in my area but haven’t had any luck at all. Total Goodwill fan over here. 🙂
I discovered that the reason our Goodwill prices went up was due to ObamaCare it forced Goodwill to provide insurance for all employees and that costs was over 250,000 just for my area. Their overhead went up so the prices went up to help keep people working. Pass this on if you like to help customers understand.
Ohhh that makes sense. I didn’t think about that. I know I’ve seen prices go up across the board- Habitat Restore, Salvation Army, smaller thrift stores, everything. I thought maybe it was because upcycling and thrift makeovers have grown in popularity but that makes sense too.
We shop at our Goodwill regularly. I am close to one at home and one at work. As a teacher, I great great things for my room as well as things for home. We are blessed: Sunday-teacher discount; Tuesday-senior discount; Thursday-$1.00 day and Friday-military discount. Once a week, there is a 50% off day. They do price them high sometimes, but the discounts bring them down and, as you said, patience is the key. Great article!
Wow! Y’all get great discounts! I decorated my classroom with a lot of thrift store finds back when I was teaching too. I’m sure your students are blessed to have a teacher who cares so much about making her classroom inviting for them. 🙂
Thanks for these tips, Lauren! I’ve recently discovered thrifting and I’m addicted. 🙂 I find a lot of food blogging props and stuff for the kitchen. I also really love Salvation Army and have found that the prices are a little better than Good Will (at least in my area).
It really does become an addiction. 🙂 I have to force myself to donate things so I don’t become a hoarder. I’ve been to Salvation Army once or twice but we’re not lucky enough to have one close to us. Habitat for Humanity Restore is great too, but their pricing seems to be the same as or higher than Goodwill. I love their cause though. 🙂
I don’t understand why when the Good-Will gets the Target clearance items why they are more than when I saw it at Target!!! then I wish I had bought it at Target because I don’t want to pay more. Do all stores get the Target clearance items?? any one know??
Really?! That’s ridiculous. We don’t get the Target items at the Goodwill closest to me. It’s crazy how much prices vary by store. The one near our house is great, but then another Goodwill I’ve gone to a few minutes further into the city has the prices way higher. It’s not consistent at all. That’s why I’ve had to try several until I discover one or two where the pricing is good.
I’ve seen Target items at my Goodwill in the Chicago suburbs.
I know what I want so when I go in I am looking for something in specific. Like Glass trees, I found two this summer. When Iw as looking around Christmas last year forget it. I guess getting furniture at a good deal and waiting if it is too expensive is a great idea. I am not sure I have seen furniture in our store. Anyway thanks for the tips.
I’ve noticed that furniture is really tricky. The weekends and Mondays is usually when they seem to have the most furniture. And then some days there’s hardly any at all. If they have a very low furniture stock they do seem to jack the prices up, but if they have a lot of furniture on the floor, I’m more likely to find a big bargain.
Thanks for Sharing! I Love going to Goodwill, Especially, the first Sat. of the month. The whole store is 50% off.
Oh wow! I wish we had that deal at our location!
I recently purchased a nice winged back chair at a garage sale, plus a few years ago I purchased one at Goodwill for $10 and $20 dollars. Both chairs are on good shape but a little dingy. The colors are not my choice though, 1990’s mauve and light blue. Any tips on changing the color of the apholstery? Either re-apholstery get or dyeing the current apholstery?
That’s wonderful, Cheryl! Upholstery is definitely one thing that intimidates me in the DIY department. I’ve heard of using chalk paint on fabric and a lot of people who have tried it have told me it turns out beautifully! You can search “chalk paint fabric” and find all kinds of tutorials. I haven’t attempted it yet, but I really want to. From what I’ve seen, you can mix the chalk paint with fabric medium so it won’t be stiff or feel like paint at all. If it won’t cost too much, maybe even see how much it would be to get them professionally reupholstered? I imagine if the batting and foam is still in great shape, it should be fairly reasonable.
I would so love to shop at a decent Goodwill store. We have a Goodwill store in Kimball, TN, that hardly ever has decent home goods. The shelves are mainly bare and no substantial furniture shows up. I relentlessly go in about once a week on different days hoping to find something to buy and I leave empty handed. I won’t give up but I do wonder why they never have anything decent to sell. I have seen some large trucks with deliveries but it is mainly clothes that have seen much better days. It’s bad when you can’t find a treasure to breath new life into or repurpose!
Aw I’m sorry. 🙁 I’ve been to a few like that before and decided to try other locations and then found some great ones that way. Some just get better stock than others depending on the town/neighborhood they’re in. Maybe there’s a Habitat for Humanity Restore or Salvation Army? There might even be some great hole-in-the-wall ones that are worth trying.
Awesome tips! Thanks so much for sharing them:) I love Goodwill although I have no more room to bring home the awesome finds I get!
I know what you mean! I have to force myself to donate things when I go shopping there just so I don’t become a crazy junk lady.
You have fantastic suggestions for thrifting! I am trying to get better at accessioning my home with less expensive items and have recently discovered chalk paint. You have really opened my eyes to the potential some of the things I never would have looked at before!
So glad it could help! I’m a total chalk paint junkie. It’s a thrifter’s best friend for sure. 🙂
it may be in the comments above … to add to #7 , when I donate here in Oregon , I get a 20 percent off coupon
Oh wow! We don’t have that deal here but I wish we did!
The Goodwills around here (Northern Virginia) vary slightly in quality and selection but are NEVER bare shelved. I find lovely and very useful things there, especially craft items. It is true that the prices have gone up but I get a senior discount and I’ve also noticed that they have become quite generous with the 1/2 off everything sales! I had never seen Goodwill discount merchandise before so drastically but its been a once a month occurrence here lately.
I really like the tips, Laren, has posted on her website ?!!!!. I feel that no matter how old you are, you can always learn new things?!!!!.
I just love what she has done with the furniture pieces, Wow! Just great?!!!. I will be looking forward to any other tips she feels free to share☺️
Hi do you have a tutoral on the Drew chair remake, the chair is great. Thanks Claudette
Hi Claudette! I do! Here is the link to the chair tutorial: https://www.blesserhouse.com/2014/11/knock-off-no-sew-dining-chairs.html
I live in northeast Ohio. I have another secret to add. The last weekend of the month (Fri & Sat) is 50% all donated items. I take my 25% off coupon from a local marketing publication, and hit Goodwill after dinner on Thursday. I don’t get the 50% off the merchandise- but I get 25% off all the items sitting out for the 50% off sale. I will give up the extra 25% for first dibs of items that are set out for the weekend sale.
That’s awesome! I know what you mean. Early bird gets the worm.
I, too, love the Goodwill store by me. I go there twice a week and I’m always almost lucky to find furniture, brand new clothes with tags on, and great frames a lot of vintage finds for my business, brand new target items at really low prices. And my store is priced decently. I have a rewards card and get a $5 coupon quite often, plus discount on your birthday and discount Sundays. This store is new, clean and everything in its place, the staff greets you and they seems happy. But I agree that each GW store depends on the area and demographics, and who runs each individual store. I will donate to my GW store any day, even if they are non-for profit, it still provides a job to disabled or disadvantaged individuals. That’s good enough and I don’t think of it as some CEO is getting reach off of these donations, I just try to help out in my community, that’s how I look at it.
Wow! I need your Goodwill in my life! That sounds great!
great article..
our local goodwill stores have a different color tag for 99 cents each week.. so Mondays are always busy..
I prefer the local charity thrifts to goodwill.. rather support them with my donations. goodwill is NOT a charity..
I too have furnished our home with redos from thrift stores 🙂
not to mention a lot of clothes.. & my daughter loves to buy men’s T-shirts , cut the up & crochet rugs ..
thanks for posting..
LOVE your pic frames too..
In Canada Goodwill is a charity, Value Village is not. Last I heard it was also charity in the US also.
Gosh.. that dining room table and chairs with the blue seats looks just like the one my Grandma had.. You’re not in Montana are you? LOL
Haha! Nope! I was very tempted to buy that one and give it a makeover, but I’m pretty sure I’d be in the doghouse if I brought home one more piece of furniture.
These are some awesome tips Lauren. I would have loved to had that scroll mirror. I have been on the lookout for one like this at my local Goodwill. We don’t have great stuff like this and we only have one Goodwill. However, I did find a beautiful set of china tea cups a few weeks ago. I felt like I had ht the jackpot. Thanks for the tips.
Glad it helped, Trish! I’ve noticed the selection does vary a lot depending on the location. And the prices can be really low at one store and way too high for my taste at another store just a few miles away from the other. It’s a lot of trial and error.
I love all the crafts you did with your finds. My mom and I shop Goodwill often and we shop and several away. I love that if you GOOGLE local Goodwills it gives you a map with a list and how far away they are from your standing location. Thats my go to find those Goodwills when I’m traveling.
Our local goodwill puts good stuff out on Tues and Wed. Monday is so picked over from the weekend there’s no reason to go.
Yes! I love finding flea markets and thrift stores that way too. Tuesday seems to be a good day around here for us as well.
i wish our Goodwill stores looked like the one in this article!! it is so bright and organized!!! all our stores are small and junky! they don’t make you want to keep going back every week – you are in such a hurry to get out of there! LOL
Ooh yeah. I know exactly what you mean. This one is in a high end neighborhood of Charlotte but I’ve been to others before that definitely weren’t as inviting.
My family is addicted to goodwill shopping. But we find so many good deals we would be stupid not to go. My husband works out of town in different cities and states for a week or two at a time , so to pass the time when he’s somewhere different he hunts out the goodwill stores wherever he’s at. Talk about dedicated. He does have to limit the size of his purchases but he did come home one week with a huge executive office chair in his back seat.
Wow! That IS dedication! I’m impressed!
Our store (VA) has a tag sale- whatever color the tag is that week it’s 50% off.
Weekends they sometimes run 2 colors. It changes Friday morning.
If you donate something ask for your receipt and 20% off coupon.
If you change your mind when you get home. Doesn’t go, doesn’t fit etc
Return in 5 days and you get store credit on a gift card for future shopping.
Every Goodwill prices things differently based on the customers they get and what they have figured out they are willing to pay For example, if you go to a Goodwill in a nicer area, generally they will price things a bit higher than a Goodwill in a not quite as nice area. Not every Goodwill is run the same. Goodwill of North Georgia has their senior day every Tuesday and offers 25% off for anyone 55 or older. They also offer 25% off for any veterans, military, firefighters, EMTs and Police on Thursdays. There is also a new color on sale every week for 50% off. The new color begins every Sunday. Some Goodwills, such as the Goodwill of North New England offers a sort of frequent customer card that you pay a $10 a year fee for and receive 10% off of your purchase every time. Every Goodwill is different. They are not all owned by one company. The policies and procedure and even the mission is different for each Goodwill company. So i feel it is important for people to understand that just because I Goodwill in say, Tennessee may be run one way, doesnt mean that a Goodwill in a different state is run the same way.
Thank you for all of that great information! Those are very good points, and I’ve definitely noticed a lot more lately that it varies a lot by region and store.
In my area the first Saturday of every month everything is half off. I usually find some really nice play clothes for the kids and sometimes myself.
Thank you co much for sharing these tips! My mom and I frequent Goodwill and will have to keep these tips in mind.
My pleasure! A lot of them really work for any thrift store in general, Goodwill or not. 🙂
Great tips, I know I do need to go more often! 🙂
OMGoodness Lauren I just came upon your Goodwill news! WOW Thx soooo much! Your redos are beautiful. I have donated some beautiful things to Goodwill hoping to bless someone else – things we needed to clear out of our home for other stuff. I live for a good deal even if I won the lotto I still want the “high” of a great deal”. We have a new Goodwill 5 min away & you have inspired me to go shop & rock in that store. Thx for blessing me & all who reads this. You’re the best!!!!!
Yay! I’m so glad it could help! I totally agree. I’d love a great deal even if I were a millionaire.
We just signed up for your blog & are super excited to get your emails updates & search your archives to see all of your amazing style & décor ideas!!! 😀
Aw thank you, Sharita! I hope I can continue to inspire you in some way.
This is the first time, I have been on your site. I really enjoyed it. I found information I didn’t Know.
Thanks! I will be checking back often.
Yay! Thank you, Shirley! That makes me so happy!
I’ve been a thrift store shopper for many years! I, like you, have pretty much perfected the fine art of thrift store shopping! I have a few extra secrets that I’d like to share with you Lauren. I learned these tricks from store employees and experience!
Always look behind the counters first. Most thrift stores (including Goodwill) keep their most expensive items securely tucked away. My case in point: I scored a Fendi bag for a cool $39.99. I looked up the original price online and found that it retails for $995.00! It was in perfect condition and came with the authenticity I needed to confirm it was real!!
Second secret. Always look in the furniture dept. Most stores keep items back there that don’t fit elsewhere in the store. I’ve found beautiful plant stands, side tables, night stands, ice chests & other fabulous items.
Third. Look in the linen dept. I only purchase my comforters & sheets at the Goodwill. I look for ones (of course) in perfect condition! I uncovered a beautiful Ralph Lauren comforter set complete with shams, extra pillow cases and pillows for $29.99. The bag it came in said it was from Macy’s and retailed for $229.00! I take the comforters home and wash them according to manufacturers directions and they look good as new!
Fourth. Shoes! Shoes! Shoes! I never purchase my shoes retail. A store employee revealed to me that nine times out of ten people have admitted that they donate shoes because either they are uncomfortable or too small or large. I have gotten some Gucci rain boots (not necessarily needed since I live in California!!!), loads of bling bling (I love bling!!) sandals, a pair of brand new leather boots with spike heels and loads of other great shoes!
Fifth and final secret! Look in the cosmetic section. My local GW store doesn’t have such a section but I shop at the GW’s where my daughter lives and they all have such sections. I have found professional hair care products (that didn’t work for someone else), bath bubbles, make-up and other expensive items that I normally purchase retail. And the lotions!! Some very expensive lotions. I mainly look for ones that are new or barely used and sanitize the bottles and spout upon arriving home!!
Hope my secrets help you all uncover some true treasures!!
Karen
Love this post and the tips! I discovered Goodwill when a friend of mine took me there while I was visiting her in the US. That’s a paradise!! It’s a shame we live abroad and can’t take furniture with me, but I can’t help buying small decor stuff!! It makes me feel so happy when I have them home with me for a fraction of its cost here in Europe!!
Happy New Year, Lauren!!
Add a #13. After Christmas is a GREAT time to shop. Everyone makes room for the new stuff by donating the old because it is too cold for a yard sale.
Love the pieces you showed, Lauren!! I’m very intrigued by the possibility of painting fabric because I “rescue” chairs which then cost quite a bit to be reupholstered. How great would it be for me to paint them?
While living in NYC and Chicago, I used to find incredible stuff discarded on the street or, in Chicago, in the back alleys. Not finding so much here in TX.
Thank you for sharing! Will keep the ideas in mind.
I LOVE Goodwill and all thrift stores, but I shop mainly for clothes. One thing that has kept me away from other thrift or consignment stores in my area (which is sad really, because I’d rather support small, local business) is the price. I know when my Goodwill will be offering half off a certain colored tag so I always get a bunch of clothes for about $1-2 each (and usually brand new from Target). When I shop for those same items at other shops, they are about $5 more expensive!
Another tip I would add to your list is to expect to spend at least an hour, maybe two if you’re doing clothes shopping. I have a lot of friends who don’t like thrift stores because they can’t just walk in and immediately see what they want. You have to actually do some digging to find treasure!
Thanks…that’s such a fun article. You’re the best!! What a great job sharing and so glad that you’re having fun. I cannot wait to look at the rest of your website. I’m pretty good myself at finding the deals.
Goodwill is just one of the stores that I go to. I have to say that I go to Savers
as often as possible. Do you have a Savers?
If you’re a club card member (free), they have deals every Monday, 30% off for Seniors and Veterans/Military, as a club card member you find out by email the day before a sale and get the 50% off..
I also have a little drive by town just 6 miles away. They have several thrift/antique stores but one Second Chance Thrift Store gives all of their proceeds to the local animals for rescuing, medical and fostering. All of the staff are volunteers. It’s a big favorite of mine even though they are raising their price on some things.
What I love is that you finish everything. I’m a little more ‘eclectic’ and only sometimes end up painting. The only ‘new’ pieces of furniture I have in my house are my beds!
Hey, if mentioning these other places isn’t “right” I apologize. ..just trying to spread the love.
Best to you,
Daisy
Hi
I thought you might like to ad some tips.
Tip 1: In my area, every time you donate something ask for a receipt. On the receipt there is a 25% off any one item coupon!! So, what I do is I always bring at least one thing to donate, and get one coupon and I save them up and you can use multiple coupons if you’re buying more than one thing. Sometimes the cashier will be extra kind and give me 25% off the entire purchase.
Tip 2: Our stores have Two Half off the entire store times a month The first Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the last Wednesday of the month from 5 p.m. to
9 p.m.That gives you 50% off the entire store unless the item has a purple ticket which means it was donated brand new from a retailer, like Target orJcPenney. In that case, they take 25% off. This includes everything… Electronics, Clothing, Furniture and more.
Tip 3: there is usually one color tag that is on sale for half off. ie; 50% off all orange tags. Sometimes it will be by an item such as all short sleeve tops are 50% off and they sometimes have special bins where everything is $0.99 or less.
These are some great additional savi to look for when shopping at Goodwill….
You forgot to mention shopgoodwill.com! Shop online and pick up – it’s that easy!
We have a sheriffs youth ranch that uses the proceeds to help kids. They have great deals all the time too!
Check out Goodwills near universities and colleges when a college semester is over…some of their furniture, clothing, etc. will be donated because they don’t want to cart it all home.
Thanks for the info. I’m going to check out my good will a little more often. I have a milk can that I bought at a garage sale last summer. I was going to paint it and make a flower pot out of it. Haven’t gotten around to it yet. Maybe this summer.
Did you know that Goodwill has clearance centers? There is one in Houston, TX on the northwest area of the Sam Houston toll road. The stores send all the merchandise that hasn’t sold to the clearance center and it is all dirt cheap. I have seen items at the clearance center that were in my Tomball TX store a week or 2 before I visited the clearance center. I have been in many Goodwill stores in Houston area and have never seen any merchandise marked down from the original price. I have always thought their clothing is priced to high for the amount of clothing they always have in the stores I have visited. The clothing should be half the price they have it marked at now. If you do go to the clearance center leave the kids at home. This is not a place for them as there are many broken items like glass in the bins.
Thank you Lauren for your blog! I don’t feel so alone, and now I know where to look to gain support for my addiction! LOL I have found my “group”. My name is Angie and I am a thrift store junkie. Empty handed or full of treasures, its the need to stop and check in that is more than I can stand. I guess I could have a worse addiction, so I am thankful. Keep up the blogging! We need a group leader!
I’m a sewer and crafter and I use a lot of buttons in my crafts. Buttons are expensive! So I shop my local GW and look for that week’s color-coded tags that are 50% off or on sale for $1.50 for buttons and zippers that I can remove and reuse. On my last trip I found about 6 garments with the $1.50 colored tags and probably got about $30.00 worth of buttons had I bought them at full price at a sewing center for less than $10.00. I look for wool suits that I can de-construct and then wash & dry the garment pieces to use in felted wool projects, little girl’s clothes with ruffles and lace that I can make into doll clothes, and party-type garments that I can use in crazy quilts. Shopping for these items at GW allows me to keep my hobby costs affordable.
Hello! Thanks for those tips! I have always wondered but didn’t know who would be honest enough to tell me. My only input…if I may?…..I’ve worked in high end places who donate beautiful couches, chairs and carpet but forget to mention it’s because they had a bed bug infestation which got into the furniture. So please beware! Thank you!
Ooh yes! I mentioned that in my Craigslist post before, but I should have mentioned it here too. My father worked in the furniture rental industry for 30+ years and he told me all kinds of bed bug horror stories. Those and powder post beetles. Blech!
Our Goodwill gives a 10% Discount for age 55 and up…Also when a donation is made, ask for a receipt, there is a 10% off coupon…..
Thank you so much for sharing these tips with us, I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and recently I was told that there is a goodwill overflow warehouse and everything is in giant covered bins and “EVERYTHING” is .75 cents per pound. I’m told when they uncover the bins and let the people go for them it is a complete madhouse in there. I haven’t done my research yet to find out exactly details and dates and times, etc, but maybe there is one like that where you live too. ?. On a side note my friend found a ring and payed maybe .28 cents for it and pawned b it and got $200. Maybe this can be your next adventure!!
At our local goodwill everything is half price on the last day of the month!
It may vary from area to area but I work at a Goodwill and going early in the day isn’t always an advantage. Our stuff is put out all day and it’s just luck of the draw. There could be nothing in the morning but then someone brings in a donation – or we get brand new store stock from somewhere.
I think one of the best things to remember about shopping at Goodwill (without sounding like I’m doing a commercial) is that it’s a mission based thrift shop. In spite of what people hear, the ‘owner’ of Goodwill isn’t rich. Again, it may vary from area to area but nobody owns Goodwill here (in Alberta). It’s a social enterprise and the CEOs are not rich.
Enjoy shopping everyone, I love seeing what people find! (Shop now for your ugly Christmas sweaters and Hallowe’en costumes…don’t wait ’til 3 days before the occasion and expect me to find something for you LOL.)
Thanks for the encouragement to do as I and my sister’s have been talking about for awhile now!
I wanted to share a tip that might be of interest to someone. I shop the book section of our Goodwill and look for children’s books that are new (there are often a surprising number of them) and books (usually protected by dust covers) in perfect condition–they must be perfect). I get them for .99 to 1.99. I store them until Christmas and then donate them to Toys for Tots. I also shop St. Vinnie’s which has a large bin of stuffed animals. They are ALL priced at .99! I go through this bin and ALWAYS find adorable items in perfect condition with their tags still on. I very often find Gund, Disney, Fur Real, Dakin, TY and other high quality name brands. I recently found a good-sized FAO Schwarz Teddy Bear in perfect condition (for .99!!). It did not have a tag, so I bought some pretty tags at Hobby Lobby, attached one, and wrote For a Special Someone on it. When Christmas rolls around, instead of donating a few charmless, terribly overpriced stuffed toys, I am able to donate a ton of really beautiful books and adorable high quality stuffed animals. I get to experience Christmas just about every time I go to Goodwill and St. Vinnie’s!!
My tip:
I go to Goodwill every few months to look for small stuffed animals for my dog toys. You will pay several dollars for similar dog toys at the store but can usually get them for 50 cents to two dollars at GW.
I stay away from bean filled toys or ones that have sewn on eyes, decorations, etc. I have 5 small dogs that love the softer toys. When they start looking ragged, I know it’s time to go shopping!
I worked at a goodwill in the Santa barbara county and 2 things I can add is when you donate you should get a 25% off “recipe ” so when asked if you want a recipe you should yes! Also Target donates ALOT!! Brand new Everything! Sometimes it goes as far as furniture video games & clothes to things on there 1$ rack .
How do you get that antique look with the furniture after you repaint them?
Thanks!
Hi Corran! It depends; there are several different methods to age furniture after repainting. But generally, after the paint dries, I use medium grit sandpaper to distress the edges, corners, and details where a piece would naturally age over time. Then wax with clear wax. And if I want it to look extra antique, I add dark wax.
Dear Lauren,
Your tips were very helpful. Thank for sharing your advice and creative ideas. I’ve been to several thrift stores but never good will. I’m looking for storage and this may be my best way. Less expensive or the cheap way to go too. ??. Thanks a million and have a blessed day.
Years ago I found that my apartment was 2 blocks from a Goodwill discount store. It was supposed to be items that did not sell in the regular stores. But, that is where I found the BEST STUFF!
I ended up going there once a week and always found something really nice for my home.
I call it my contribution to recycling.
But you are also right…. they are pricing themselves out of business in my town.
Don’t know if they are just in our area or nationwide, but Habitats for Humanity has stores called The ReStore where you can find furniture, cabinetry (one local store had two entire huge kitchen sets!), 5 gallon buckets of paint,appliances, and all kinds of materials (most of them new) for around-the-house fix ups……One of my favorite, and first, choices when I’m looking for something unique.
Hi Lauren, gotta say that I love every room you did and I enjoyed your Family pictures! 🙂 Wow, I just wished I would have done that when I could have. I sold my big home and am now in a small duplex. My Sister and I have always loved to decorate, and truly love the GW’s and Thrift Stores!! We have found so many things that there is nowhere to put them now (hahaha). Our other Sister says we should go into business together, because we love to shop but do not have the funds, shop for others with their money! 🙂 I thought that would be Grreattt! I do agree with everyone about the prices are soaring, now that so many are shopping there. Must also say that your color scheme is what I have chosen for my living room and bathroom. You are very creative and have a lot of energy, teehee, something I do not possess anymore! Have been trying to find it since I have gotten older, but, I just can not remember where I last left it!!! 😀 I am so happy to have found your site. Thank you so much for sharing! Best Wishes to You and Yours
I work at a Goodwill in the Central Indiana district and we have wonderful stores here I think. We do have the colored tag sales, where during the week one color of tag is 50% OFF then on Sunday that color of tag is 99 cents on all textile items in the store. Also on Wednesday we give seniors 55 and older 30% off. Plus the first Saturday in the month everything in our store is 50% off. This includes EVERYTHING!!!!!! We also have our Rewards Card when you get extra discounts loaded on it for free from time to time. Example is we just gave $5.00 off every $25.00 purchase (before tax) on Labor Day. Plus you get a coupon for $5.00 on your birthday month. Also when you shop and use your card and purchase more than $25.00 before tax you get 10% off that purchase.
So, you can see we have a lot of discounts. But most importantly we give back to the community. Like our Excel Center where adults without a high school education can go there free and get a diploma, not a GED but a diploma. Also if you have a child and attend our Excel center we provide you with free drop in day care. We also have a Charter high school in downtown Indy that is for those kids that get left by the wayside and fall through the cracks. It is of no cost to them or their families. Plus we hired people that are challenged and give them jobs at a regular pay just like everyone else and let them see they are worth as much as anyone else. There is a lot more I could go on about but I had better stop. lol. If you haven’t shopped Goodwill I hope you do and are able to find a store near you that is wonderful. Also you can go to shopgoodwill.com and find wonderful bargains also. That is where we send our little more expensive items. And you can bid on those items. Happy Goodwill Shopping
I recently found a toilet paper floor holder that also holds a box of tissue. The price was $14.00, which I thought was high, but stuck it in my cart anyway. We’re remoldling our cabin and this was perfect… a bear and pine tree on it! I kept shopping and found a few other pieces , kitchen placemats, matching table runner, and 2 sets of curtains. All this for under$25. 00. So, once I added it all up, I decided for the total amount I spent, not a bad deal at all!
Hi Lauren, loved you tips, I go to several Good Wills in my area and a few other thrift stores. I just love it, almost always find something special and/or unique that I can’t live without.
I have a china cabinet almost identical to the one in your photo. I am so tired of it, I was thinking about trying to sell it. What would you suggest doing to it to change it’s appearance and update it? Thanks for any suggestions.
My HATE for Goodwill is “Clothing” i buy most of my clothing 2nd hand but refuse to buy them there. There is nothing worse than having to go shopping and have to go piece by piece looking for your size.However i do buy other things there.
I hate Goodwill for clothing too. I discovered ThredUp a month or two ago and LOVE IT! I wrote about it here if you wanted a good clothes thrifting alternative: https://www.blesserhouse.com/2016/09/how-we-save-money-on-clothing.html
I found out about thrift stores from my dear friend, six years ago. I’m hooked. Sometimes there is a line to get in but that’s okay. I explain to my son’s when they were in there senior year buy your shirt and pants there. You will only be wearing them for your senior pictures. They did they both saw friends there. I have gone to some thrift stores out of our area and found what I wanted for a very good price.
Thanks. I too live five minutes away from our local goodwill. And I’m always looking for a deal. So thanks for the tidbits
Your tip “shop st prime time”- Now I don’t know where you are from but for me that’s Arlington, VA. In the warm months, first Saturday of the month is the county garage sale. You will see everything. I imagine that would be the best time to try this.
Be sure to note the color of the tab on the hangers if you are looking through the clothes. Each store rotates through 4 colors, red, blue, yellow and green. They only hang one color each week. The rotation is always the same (depends on your store) if you happen to see them bring clothes out, look at the color, those are the newest clothes.
Also, on the day before their color change, the evening shift will start to pull the clothes on the up coming weeks colored hangers so that these clothes can either be shared at another store or set for recycling. One of my local stores actually packaged their pulled clothing to send over seas to impoverished countries.
They sell those clothes in impoverished countries for lower amounts.. I work stateside for a Kenya, Africa mission and I can tell you that this is a fact.
You Goodwill Shoppers may get a laugh out of this one. My Sister-in-law and I take her two little granddaughters to Goodwill quite often.
Her daughter took one of them shopping in a “high end” store for some shoes for her. Her Mother could not find any they liked. The daughter said, in a big voice: “Mommy, let’s just go to Goodwill; they have everything”.
I have been a frugal spender for about 45 years. Most of my household items come from a second hand store, with Goodwill and Savers leading in purchases from me. Some of the things I buy are absolutely gorgeous and others practical. Every picture on my walls, rugs, tables, chairs, lamps, linens, curtains, clothes, large and small appliances, and shoes come from an “exclusive little boutique”, which is what I tell those who question me about where I shop. During these kinds of conversations, I get asked, “Why do you wear such “nice” clothes to work?” (I am a second grade public school teacher.) My reply is typically, “Because I prefer “nice” things.” Occasionally, I will divulge my sources, and that starts an entirely different discussion.
The “best” purchase I think I ever made was a lovely 10 X 12 pale yellow hooked rug. I paid $30 for it. It was fine structurally and had several big dirty spots on it. I think it had been under a dining table. For several months, I stored it. Then, when it was scorching hot outside, I hauled it out and hung it on our chain link fence and draped it over a couple of aluminum ladders. Next, I wet it down with a water hose and sprayed stain remover on the spots. I gave the stains a gentle brush, so I didn’t cause any discoloration from scrubbing. Then, I left it for a few hours. Later, I sprayed it with diluted laundry detergent and scrubbed that in with a broom. Finally, I used a friend’s power washer to wash the entire thing while it was hanging on the fence and ladders. A couple of spots were stubborn so I retreated them and power washed them again. I left the rug to dry out in the sunshine and fresh air. That took several days. Each day, I would shift the rug around a little on the supports to prevent it from stretching. Now I have the most beautiful rug in my bedroom that I almost hate puttiing furniture on it, because then I can’t see it.
I have done many rugs like this in my thrifting life. Top quality rugs are so expensive, and they are well-made. They easily stand up to scrubbing. Since then, I have decided that the next rug I save will get a treatment of spray spot repellent before I live with it.
Also Lauren, in our area Midlothian Va area we have the best Goodwill’s ever! We have 50% off Sundays and if you donate we have frequent donor cards.Four donations gives you 20% off and frequent buyers who spend over $20 get credit and with a full stamped card gives you 20% off your next purchase. I did not know about the senior citizen discount thanks for that tidbit!
Great article! Your coffee table is absolutely amazing and beautiful and I just can’t stop looking at it!
Also want to mention not only do you get tax credit for the items you donate, you also get to claim the miles you drove on your taxes as well! For those that go as often as you, that could really add up at the end of the year!
I too am an avid Goodwill shopper. I always have a plan and always on the lookout for just the right things for my needs. I hate when I see something that I know is a steal but since I don’t really need it , I have to pass it up. I love that just about everybody, and I do mean everybody that I run into in my stores are always friendly. Rich, poor, young and old, everyone has his or her own agenda , I call it treasure hunting! I love finding them. Thanks for sharing your love for the way of shopping with us.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
Monday is 99 cents day at the Goodwill near me. You can go in with 10 dollars and come out with ten name brand items. Many brand new with tags. Just need time to look. Recent name brand finds include Gap, Anne Taylor, Ralph Lauren (a real 200 dollar leather skirt), Sharagano dresses, the list goes on. I am impressed and excited. I have more pretty name brand clothes than I can wear. I feel so smart and empowered.
These were fun hints. I’m saving them for my Mama, queen of the Goodwill.
yours is one of the few pins that arn, t so full of advertisements I end up not reading all the way through I didn’t have to struggle to read it and it’s great info I am a good will horder and always plan on remaking stuff over get half way through then give up. you ve totally inspired me thanks! this is my first comment ever too soo
The goodwill coupon club link doesn’t work
Hi Nicole, I fixed the link. Here it is again. http://www.goodwillsne.org/special-savings/. It does say you need to sign up at the store.
I aboustouley love the things you have redone! 🙂 Well done. I love doing projects for my home and the things I find thrifting,so exciting!
Thank you. I definitely agree. Thrifting is so much fun and of course, unpredictable. Hoping you find many treasures!
wow this website blew. me. away. I LOVE to making cheap finds look HIGH END!!
awesome JOB!! a very easy click and scroll dreamy little site!
Goodwills are definitely different on pricing depending on the manager and knowledgeable employees I guess. Anything really valuable is put on online auction now. But occasionally l’ll find a midcentury modern item they’re clueless about. All in all it depends on the store and despite their employee rules, I know there’s people working there to get stuff-no doubt have partners buy stuff since they can’t. Unfortunately a lot of stores are inundated with crappy Homegood, Target, etc goods, which evidently the company has to pay for, but it’s amazing how people buy up that crap.
Really amaze your works, I am like you make things unique in the sight of the family members and I am excited to follow your tips which is you shared in your article. Appreciate so much what you’ve done.
You are terrific! Your work is wonderful. I love how you decorate and design. Might add I found a antique vanity at a thrift shop last week for 30. The mirror lifts up and storage for items inside Nice deep drawers, burnished brass hardware. By Drexel. I had a coupon for 30% off all items and since I’ve been watching this daily I asked if they could mark it down as it did need a little (tiny) bit of work and mirror inside was cracked. She said maybe 20.00 I asked if we could do 10. I got it for 10…then 30% off making it 7.50. I’ll make this look great. Got a vanity stool to go with it (free at a recycling center) and out itnin the market for 250.00. See what happens. So much fun!
Congratulations. It sounds like you got yourself quite a deal!
I was just thinking to be an expert at Goodwill hunting-see what I did there? lol But seriously, to be an expert it comes from experience. Like a scientist, from trial and error discovering specifics of inventory including who, what, when, where, why. It’s funny totally agree with everything you said and it totally makes sense.
Now, I’m no psychic but I had a feeling I’d have a more chance of finding better stuff at different locations due to the history of the towns/locations and I’m like, yeah. I’ve only been to two different ones two times and on my first visit I found about 1/3 of what I was looking for not knowing exactly and just missed out maybe once on my first trip which really surprised me.
So, imagine what I can find with these tips! The only thing to add is I think looking at the discount labels are about a week older than your visit so, they ship new things probably every week and change the prices after a week/two, at latest the weekend before the next week/two days before. But, everything you said makes total sense and this is really great stuff!
I’ll definitely be going more often and any other secrets including different kinds of items outside of furniture please share away including specifics of which ones have more eclectic things, most stock; variety etc;.
Also let me know if you stop by some in the update South Carolina. Love what you had to say, I blog myself and it’s nice for once to be on the other end of the spectrum, but reading such valuable, insightful advice. Thank you so much.I look forward to your future posts.
Thank you sweet Lauren!
Amazing site you have here! I read your tips and figured out the perfect time in my schedule to go to Goodwill in Greenville SC. Unfortunately, I was majorly bummed I was unable to go that day. I think I read in the past about going there post-Memorial day for the best finds including electronics. Now, since Spring Break is in play and Memorial Day is coming up when is the best time to go? Would you recommend either/or Post Spring Break/Memorial day or, even in between Spring Break to Memorial day? Your thoughts on the subject? Please respond? Thanks for your thoughts we need more experts like you on the subject. I immensely enjoyed your blog.
Absolutely! I’d definitely try Monday or Tuesday following spring break and a day or two after Memorial Day weekend since a lot of people purge things then. 🙂
Great article and great tips! We have a great Goodwill store here in our area, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Region. I have found some wonderful bargains there-designer purses, furniture, accessories and clothing for the office, drapes and curtains and many other things. Goodwill is my first stop on my weekly treasure hunts!
Sounds like your location is a nice one! Keep on hunting. 🙂
Hi Lauren! This was great info. #5 made me chuckle. Just yesterday my husband and I were at our local Goodwill. We found an all wood dresser in mint condition for $30 bucks! It still had the tag so we snatched it off. We walked around the store like a boss haha only to get to the register and be told someone purchased it! Apparently they forgot to remove the tag ??I was so sad lol!
Oh darn! Maybe next time!
I want to mention the danger of buying used furniture (upholstered and all wood) due to bed bugs. The eggs are very small and hard to see. Sweeping and vacuuming will not remove them all. It’s something to consider since the little buggers are becoming resistant to the pesticides used to kill them. I have been fortunate but decided not to push my luck and now only buy new furniture. 2 of my neighbors had infestations and one of them had to have her apartment heat treated twice. Her mattress had to be thrown out and for an elderly woman, it was quite an inconvenience. The initial bug had hitched a ride into her home on the back of a visitor’s coat. It was spotted and thought to be a tick. Big mistake, it wasn’t. The landlord paid for the heat treatments, but for a homeowner, how much are you really saving by buying used if you then have to pay for one or more visits by an exterminator?
Susan
Bedbugs are no joke. So I stay away from clothes and furniture in general as bugs generally won’t touch electronics. But still if something seems too ‘dirty’ I leave it. It’s not worth getting sick by whatever is in or on it. I also find myself using hand sanitizer after every visit and change my clothes as there is a distinct ‘funk’ in the air. But it’s worth it when I can get $10 cables for 50 cents and find electronics I need at ridiculous prices.
I live in a big metro area, and I also find it useful to hit the GW stores in upscale suburbs on weekday mornings.
I have found several designer men’s suit jackets, Armani and Canali etc. Sometimes I find pants that match on another day, sometimes I buy them at clearance or Ebay. I also find eletronics, cd’s and sundry items I can use. It’s my favorite place to shop.
It is a little treasure hunt game when I go in to the stores.