Anyone know how Goodwill works?

[mscher]

Re: Anyone know how Goodwill works?

I have a family member that works in a similar store. I can tell you she or anyone of the other employees does not take anything home. At least in this store. She does the pricing and yes they do price stuff high. The things is, either you pay that price of call the manager and get it a lower price. It is up to you.
Pawn shops also gets me. Stuff there is also pretty much at the same price as retail. They obviously do not live off the sales but off the loans...

Pawn shops set high prices, because they know that either somone will pay it, or haggle them down to a more reasonable price.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Anyone know how Goodwill works?

She does the pricing and yes they do price stuff high.

Can you ask her why they price stuff high? Wouldn't they move more inventory if they priced it lower? Just seems wierd a place would expect you to call a manager to lower a price. I'm dying to know.

BTW- Hi! Haven't seen you post in a while. Hope your holidays aren't too crazy.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Anyone know how Goodwill works?

We don't have a Goodwill close to where I live, but we do have a Vietnam Vets store and a "Red & White." I bought a small TV stand for the Tyke's room a few months ago at the Red & White, for 7 bucks. Its typical laminated "chip board," but its in very good condition and works fine. I like the fact that in buying it, I helped some folks get some job training and make a living.

I also donate to these stores. One of the things that I am doing over the holidays, is to go through a lot of accumulated "stuff" in my house. I'm just tired of looking at boxes and shelves full of things that I haven't touched in ten years, so its all going! On Monday, five boxes of books went to the Red & White and I now have a bunch of new space in my home office!



???

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Anyone know how Goodwill works?

We have several Salvation Armies in my city, as well as Value Village, and Rebuilt Resources..

I have done service work for both the Value Village and the Rebuilt Resources, and spoke to the managers of both. While I cant' answer the question about the prices, the concept of the Rebuilt Resources is pretty cool. All the donated stuff is sold, and the money used to cover costs, the government subsidizes the wages of the employees, and basically the goal is to TEACH people how to work in retail. We're talking about the unfortunate few people with very little skills of any kind. They get taught how to work with customers, how to handle money, how to do inventory, and all the essential "business" stuff.... from pricing, phones. interacting, cleaning, etc..

These people eventually go out and work in the real world.

The prices I've seen are dirt cheap... I have seen some amazing deals had by friends, but I've never personally shopped in any.

 

[i386]

Re: Anyone know how Goodwill works?

Items at our Goodwill store are very reasonably priced. Things we no longer want that are still worth having, we donate to Goodwill. We shop there sometimes too. She likes to buy books, and I occasionally find something I want. Some of my favorite coffee cups come from there.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Anyone know how Goodwill works?

I have been doing other stuff that have been consuming my time. I will probably finish up fixing that boat and keep it a while longer.
She don't have an explanation of "why". She's been told to price stuff accordingly as how it looks. They get plenty of stuff with tags on I so that is pretty much retail. Used stuff in good condition is under retail but still high on my opinion. Heavy used stuff is cheap... Just like they said here, everyone in that store has some ptoblem getting a job in a regular store. Good place to earn an honest buck.

 

[skargo]

Re: Anyone know how Goodwill works?

I own a consignment store, and sometimes buy stuff from the local Goodwill during their red tag sales to fill gaps in my inventory.
Just last week my wife bought every snowsuit and pair of boots for kids they had. We sold out in a couple hours, due to the blizzard we got.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Anyone know how Goodwill works?

My wife gave a bunch of stuff to the Goodwill and one of the items showed up at my sisters yard sale, now all of her stuff goes to the salvation army just so my sister doesn't profit from it anymore, talk about a Cat fight! my wife thought she was helping the needy only to find out suv driving driving stay home soccer mom (my sis) better off than we are, was capitalizing.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE