Redheaded Jill

Did you know there are goodwill outlets? They’re a little bit intense, but the prices are amazing. While most goodwills and other thrift stores are raising prices and oftentimes charging MORE than retail value for items, the outlets are the last stop for any unsold goodwill products.

Everything at the bins is sold by weight. You are charged a certain amount for homegoods, shoes, and glassware per pound. If you buy over 30 lbs the price is a little less per pound. They don’t do shopping bags, so lots of people use laundry baskets or totes if they don’t have enough carts. You load your items into a cart and they weight it. Then it’s up to you to load it willy nilly into your car.

Goodwill outlets are wild. People are competitive and pushy. You might have to watch your cart to make sure people don’t grab your treasures. There’s always people looking for their specific items to resell. Where we go it’s usually shoes. People grab shoes and throw them into their baskets without even really looking at them. They just want shoes. Some people are like that with toys.

The bins are literally these giant bins on wheels. Like… 10×4 feet. They line the room and all the bins are numbered. They’ll shout, “Bins 4-8 are getting replaced! Everybody move!” Then you’ll step back and they’ll wheel out bins 4-8 and replace them. They give a talk about, “No pushing, no fighting, etc…” and then say, “GO” and people rush the newest bins.

I like to look through the bins people have already scavenged. I always find treasures and it’s less crowded. My mom scours the bottom of the bins for little toys and action figures. I look for glassware, name brand clothes, and kids books. Mom goes all the time, I’ve been 2-3 times. If you’re in the resale business the places you’ll probably earn the most profit are yardsales and the bins.

This week I found: a vintage knitting guide, a children’s book about the color teal, a framed farm scene, unopened mole leather notepads, greeting cards, vintage floral tray, several hand sewn dresses, an LL Bean hoodie, a fancy corduroy jacket, a medieval maiden costume pattern, several Atlas jars, a collectible teacup and saucer, pot holders, a cooler, a leather bowling bag in good condition and more. I spent maybe $30.

The bins aren’t a place I can frequent just because it’s overwhelming, but it is still a fun experience for once in a while.