![[Mr. Goodwill Hunting]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3goYvmBX_o/T28i3glvpQI/AAAAAAAAEzM/6kNJwaaqJZ0/s1600/2bMrGoodwillHuntingBanner.jpg)
we all love a great thrift store with incredible finds as well as reasonable prices. lately there has been a buzz surrounding the fact the thrift stores have raised their prices...SIGNIFICANTLY.
here is my perspective.
some items like furniture are a hit or miss in thrift stores. sometimes i find great deals, while other times i scratch my head in amazement. yes. prices have increased, but it doesn't really affect me because there really isn't anything i am in need of...currently although a huge part of my current business is transforming thrift store finds for clients and to inspire, i don't make a significant amount of money to not desire a good deal.
i think thrift store prices should be lower than anywhere else. most of the items are donated for free...so price hiking does set me on the edge of my wingback chair.
i think some stores read blogs, watch shows and fumble through the interweb to see how to price items. which i am okay with. however, $45.99 for a plate...uh no (mind you it eventually went down to $3.99 because no one bought them).
i do worry about honest families that hit hard times and shop thrift because their income is fixed. a $99 dresser to put their children clothes in can be quite much. however, the 99 cent pants and dresses does seem to balance that out...i think.
i do know many thrift stores use proceeds for programming and to help with community empowerment efforts. these type things i am all for. i also know my purchases helps to fund salaries for some of the employees...i think.
in essence some stores have gotten savvy and have increased their prices. are blogs to blame? are news stories about a 99 cent plate being sold for $5,000 raising eyebrows?
honestly, i dont know.
some thrift stores like goodwill and the salvation army prices clothing according to group, regardless of the brand. value village prices items individually and are color coded which offers an additional discounts depending on the day.
i dont mind paying a bit more for something that i like, but if i think its too high, i simply don't buy it. if everyone else feels the same way, sometimes stores will lower the price.
the salvation army has an excellent policy (nationwide...i believe) if furniture has been sitting for 7 or more days they reduce the prices. that i like.
i dont know all the major chains and i certainly don't know all the thrift stores local to your city...
so let's cut to the meat of this post...
1. so why are some thrift store prices going up?
2. are thrift prices in balance to everything else in society?
3. why do they price items so high if they are being donated for free?
4. who does the pricing?
5. what is the money used for?
6. if we complain about high prices do thrift stores even care?
7. are prices really that high or are we complaining too much?
8. should thrift stores profit like any other retail store?
9. what is a thrift store?
10. do thrift stores even read this blog...lol?
82 comments:
Sometimes a thrift store will have a really well made old piece of furniture...all wood and it is only a few dollars, sitting right next to it is a Target fiberboard piece of furniture that has a corner damaged and they price it at $50.00. The piece is sitting at Target for $75.00 new ...not damaged. I always take the ugly furniture that nobody else wants....good quality stuff.
I'm glad this discussion is on... I get pretty annoyed at some of the price-hiking I've been seeing. The main thing that irks me is when the thrift store price is actually higher than what the item sold for at a store, or what a previous owner tried to sell it for at a garage sale. I see SO many items from the dollar store at Goodwill, priced at $2.49. Ridiculous. While I do understand that random pricing by size or type sometimes means you'll find a killer deal (like the Salvador Dali lithograph I found for $2.99), it also means there are tons of items that are totally overpriced, which DOES hurt those who are on a tight budget. In general, I just realize that most of the items are priced by misc. minimum wage employees, who may not have a grasp of where certain brands are made, or the retail price of items, and they are just following their charts. I do think prices are rising though, and sites like Pinterest and blogs give so many people the idea that they can fix anything, which makes for higher competition to find the best deals. When certain items are selling immediately, stores will take notice and raise prices accordingly.
In our area in the past year...the prices at the thrift stores are sometimes higher than the prices at the local malls. I have always enjoyed thrift shopping it is an exciting treasure hunt. I never know what I am going to come home with. I just hope the prices settle down, if they keep going up...I won't get to go on many treasure hunts.
The bottom line. You need to hit the neighborhood flea markets and home garage sales and run ads on craigslist what you're looking for and also get stuff before it gets to the thrift stores. One thing thrift stores don't have are a team of dumpster divers in your neighborhood. You'd be surprised how many people in your neighborhood want old stuff moved out. They will practically give you the stuff the free. I think some of these thrift stores are going to put themselves out of business because some are just plain gouging. I'd rather pay more to the lady at the flea market who has rehabbed furniture herself before giving it to a thrift store that is gouging.
I live in Nebraska and have definitely noticed the thrift prices rising, and significantly, within the last 6 months. I just mentioned in my blog the other day that I thought the pricing of some shoes at our local Goodwill's have become a bit too high. Today, for example, I came across a new pair of Nike golf shoes that were priced at 49.99, really?! Who the heck would spend that much on a pair of golf shoes at Goodwill? A pair of 49.99 golf shoes does not fit in with the G-dub clientele. Could I afford a 49.99 pair of golf shoes, yes, but I (and others) are going to GW for a bargain.
Now, I do understand the cost of doing business has gone up. It costs money to heat and cool and have electricity running, and we all know those utility prices have gone up. And the trucks they use cost money to maintain and fuel, which have gone up too. Labor costs have increased, employee insurance, etc. So, I can see why prices have increased. But I think some of the pricing (those 49.99 golf shoes) needs to be re-evaluated.
The pricing must not be too bad overall yet, because I keep going there and finding bargains, like on Monday, Burberry's trench coat, full length, 14.99....woot!!
Yes, I do think that the thrift stores that I go to are priced rather high on a lot of items. I believe now that there are shows and so many blogs that has increased thrifter's, to where the stores feel that they are able to raise prices. I will not pay but so much for a item if it is used....I'd rather go to a retail store and find it on sale and buy it brand new.
Funny how this topic has had me 'up in arms' lately! There have been numerous times in the past couple years where I have left the GW, literally angry (and I am not typically an angry person. Really, writing that makes me feel somewhat ridiculous! So, I told myself, if this place makes me angry, I shouldn't go here. It's that simple (and I should probably write the manager a letter, since that's just good sense).
There are smaller thrift stores in my area who haven't increased there pricing. They also are non-profit and their proceeds go to other local charities. I decided to donate my unwanted items to them and to scout their store first when thrifting. It only makes sense, and if we decide to shop less frequently at unreasonably expensive thrift stores, we should write them and tell them why!
--Katie
www.blah2beautiful.blogspot.com
Creatively Living
We must be in the same area because there were some golf shoes priced at $49 where I was. Lol
So not all thrift stores get their merchandise for free.....some, community thrift and vintage in mt. Vernon, WA, where I find Spectacular things for cheap purchase and clean up items....before they sell.
I tend to only buy little stuff at thrift stores - whatever will fit in the trunk of my Corolla - so I can't comment on the furniture except to say that the Goodwill in the Oklahoma City suburb where I live never has any NICE furniture to sell. They're still trying to sell 8-tracks down here! The better deals are actually garage sales more than thrift stores. That's how I furnished my first apartment, and I still have my Peacock chair, which I did manage to get in the back seat of my old car once I angled it and reclined the front, that I bought at a garage sale for $5 in 1990.
Peacock chair Ms. Iris!!! Gotta Love it!
One thing that has bothered me about thrifting recently is that the closest shop to my home is the Salvation Army, and I've had good luck there over the years (such as a wonderful chair I've had for 17 years and a fabulous $3 bedskirt). However, I've been really conflicted by Bil Browning's campaign to stop contributions and shopping to the SA because of their anti-gay actions. I don't want to be disloyal to my many LGBT friends, but what about the folks who work there and I've gotten to know? Not to mention the prices HAVE gone up considerably, and I live in the back of nowhere, so it's not like my local store could claim big city costs.
#4 all the way!!! that is the real problem!!!
Some days the prices are great and other days the @#%@^# 4 must be pricing them!!!
In every adversity there is a seed of something positive. I'm thinking that if you're really good at thrifting, you set up stores like the shabby chic lady did. You don't have to sell at high prices but you compete with the thrift stores. You know what's workable. The thrift stores don't. Also, I'd like to see some online websites where people sell their stuff, like ebay, but stuff they found that they couldn't use and perhaps another thrifter could use it. I'm not buying increase in costs for the thrift managers; because as it is on a lot of merchandise they are making 1000% markups.
I say compete with them. But do it online; get organized. Help each other to set up stores( sell a cheap package on how to start your own) and then twitter and facebook where people should go.
I'm sorry. When businesses get greedy, then its time to fight. Don't stop. Organize the information you have and they will be begging once again for your business. Another example. You can get stuff, clean it out and up and your competitive edge in selling is that your stuff has been treated and is bug proof, smell proof etc. There are so many people out of work and I bet they'd love how to design a good thrift store but with fair prices and have it supported by a network of thrift interior designers world wide. Again, it's time to take the knowledge you have and organize it and help people in other ways: like making a living fairly.
So...I found you, mr. GWH on the Nate show. I have been inspired.i wish I could post a pic
I also know that in our region, having gone to show pics of what I did to a nightstand purchased from the owner, that theft is HUGE and costly for their thrift store....
I grew up in the days when shopping at Kmart or Sears for a school wardrobe was sure to doom my middle/highschool reputation. The only thing further down the list was for my grandmother to MAKE my clothes, or to shop at Goodwill. I'd likely rather have gone naked!
I now realize what I put my parents through and I openly admit that over 3/4 of my 5 year old son's clothing comes from thrift or consignment.
Thrift stores started out (I think) as a place for "poor" folks to obtain SOMETHING to put on their backs, shoes on their kids feet, and SOMETHING to sit or lay on. It's evolved into something that's MUCH more "socially acceptable." (God bless whoever (anyone know?) started this revolution.) If the prices are too high and you are in NEED of something, all you have to do is ask. Sometimes it will be given for free. But if it's merely a WANT, skip it. Check back in a few days (if it's still even on your radar).
I sure would like to send you a pic of my 'mr gWH find! It was so ugly, I thought I might have to toss it. I did spray paint, new hardware and was so very excited! And I was brave with color like you are!
I think Goodwill was definitely for the po' folks. Sadly enough, the poor will always be among us.
So have thrift stores evolved into something more than helping others?
My last comment. The thrift stores were for the "poor" at one time.But think about it. The TV shows and media say they are helping the poor to learn how to decorate their homes on thrift but the TV shows also get big advertising dollars. It seems when media gets involved in a big way in "poverty", out comes the poverty pimps,in the form also of charitable businesses as well. The fact that many of these stores are now going up on prices mean they think the "poor" can afford it or perhaps they think there are "middle class" people who are paying less for goods so they can save money. The world has certainly changed and what was once perceived as "poor" has changed. There are many, because of the greed, we see who believe that to pull yourself up by those bootstraps is getting more and more difficult...a lot to think about: charitable organizations gouging??what's next?
I think I may have posted too much, but...I think it's an alternative to conventional shopping. As Kim T. Said, it used to be hidden and now, thankfully, it is something to brag about. Good finds, great loathing! I think Nate and mr goodwill hunting have made it cool, fun, and let us have fun with decorating in a tough economy!
Where I come from, small city in Western Australia there are only 3 thrift stores in town. All clothes are reasonably priced $5.00 shirts/jackets 2.50 tshirts. That I can live with.
Its the chairs and furniture thats hard. My g'mama needed a new chair but she refuses to buy brand new and shops at thrift stores. (she is a pensioner and is always trying to make her money go a little bit further) I found a decent chair at the thrift store that would require some paint (nothing fancy) and they wanted to charge me $35.00! To me that seems unreasonably price for a dinged wooden chair with no fancy detail. I then convinced my gmamma to come with me to target. We found a perfectly brand new chair for 15.00. She now wants to go to target next week, because there are more bargains.
Go figure.
Where I come from, small city in Western Australia there are only 3 thrift stores in town. All clothes are reasonably priced $5.00 shirts/jackets 2.50 tshirts. That I can live with.
Its the chairs and furniture thats hard. My g'mama needed a new chair but she refuses to buy brand new and shops at thrift stores. (she is a pensioner and is always trying to make her money go a little bit further) I found a decent chair at the thrift store that would require some paint (nothing fancy) and they wanted to charge me $35.00! To me that seems unreasonably price for a dinged wooden chair with no fancy detail. I then convinced my gmamma to come with me to target. We found a perfectly brand new chair for 15.00. She now wants to go to target next week, because there are more bargains.
Go figure.
Our biggest local thrift store is non profit and the proceeds are used for grants to other non profits in the county. It is a very worthy cause. The other two stores are also charity related - animal rescue and food bank. I have noticed lately that the big thrift store has been pricing it's furniture higher than usual. Some of the items are moving and some are not. There is a leather covered corner desk that I felt was overpriced and is still there. They marked it down and it still didn't move. What is the point? The goal is to sell. I realize they want to get as much as they can but low income folks come here to get items for their homes. I guess their thinking is folks like me also come in and would pay a premium for a really great find. Well, I didn't. Like everyone else I'm looking for the next great find at a really great deal. That to me is the point of shopping at a thrift store. Hence the word "thrift".
In central Indiana, in the last few years, GW has been building like crazy. They have even closed a building, and built in the same parking lot on Mich. Rd. in Indy. Is the square footage really that important??? I'm a "housing" thrifter, buy old, and work on it yourself, so seeing this and higher prices make me cringe.
Mrs C,
They built another shiny glossy building? Like Wal-Mart...in the same location? Perhaps it's...well I cant give a good reason.
I invited everyone to participate in the discussion. My local district said they would drop by.
Id love to hear their side.
sorry for overposting, no coffee yet today.
on the question of thrift stores making profits, I know that the Methodist thrift in our town donates everything above expenses to various charities in town, so our crisis pregnancy center, where I volunteer, has benefitted from it greatly.
I actually do shop around for thrift, I know GW has set prices, so if I need quantity on something, like sheets for quilting, I go somewhere else. I will also go to a higher priced consignment if I want a nicer item I don't have to ransack the racks for.
i blogged about this a few months ago when i was searching for green glass to use as centre pieces at my wedding...i do think that blogging is partially to blame for the increase in thrift shopping and therefore the increase in pricing. however, as a blogging community, i've noticed that we've become much more creative which i absolutely love! (i.e. mr. gwh using fabric paint on those wing backs...) i just look at this road block as a challenge: i only bring a limited amount of money and i've become more savvy, i know what a deal is now, and i don't mind putting a little more elbow grease into my projects!!
Went to my local GW in October or so. Big, beat up dresser for $100. I was shocked. I mean, this thing was a mess. So the gal I was with asked why it was so high. The exact quote in return, "Why, so you pinterest bloggers can make more money off of it?"
I was again completely shocked. Are some people paying these high prices, meaning, the folks that have not been thrifting as long as we have?
@Jen,
WOW! Did they really say that? I do know people who repurpose thrift store finds (I do myself), but their price reflects their time and creativity.
Interesting. Interesting.
I use to go as a child with my mom back in the 70's to thrift shops when most people wouldn't be caught dead in them, she was an antique dealer and knew where the market was untapped. The stores all smelt old, musty, and worst. But as the word got out about the good deals more people went and they became chic in their on way, the buildings got bigger, fancier and they added back ground music. As the prices got higher. If put to a vote, I like the old thrift store days better.
Lisa
Our thrift situation in Dallas, TX is just plain pathetic. At our true thrift stores, you have the choice of either paying medium-level prices for things that should be pennies (used Gevalia coffee canister for $15 anyone?) or paying outrageous prices for anything that is even in any kind of shape where it could be repurposed. Anything with any kind of cool factor can only be found at the Antique Mall and paying $22 a plate isn't going to happen. The owners of those stalls are A) vacant from the mall and B) refuse to haggle when the mall owner is (finally) able to contact them. You know what a plate - or anything - is actually worth? WHATEVER SOMEONE WILL PAY FOR IT. Grrr. Sorry for the vent but I thank you for letting me do it! lol
I volunteer at our Junior Welfare League thrift store in town and we recently changed our prices. They are still extremely great deals ($15 for a Joseph A. Banks suit, $12 for Ann Taylor suits, $8 cashmere sweaters) We have had some comments from our frequent customers who are not bloggers or pinterest addicts that the price increase has been hard on them. However, due to the increase we have been more selective about the items that we take in which makes a better quality store so that we can raise more money for charities. It is funny you brought up those golf shoes...we had someone bring in a brand new pair and we listed them on ebay because we hoped that we could get more money that way. We also list the few furniture pieces on Craig's List to find more buyers. I think these stores that are gouging prices need to worry less about pinterest and keep the focus on helping others.
Hey, Rashon, I'm one of the old time thrifters, been at it for about 20 years now, way before it was cool. My fave is still yardsales, that is where I have found the best deals on furniture & fixed them up myself. I have found some things at thriftstores along the way & still love to browse them for clothes & extras. I totally think they know about the surge in popularity of thrifting with all the blogs writing about it all now, so that is probably to blame for the increase in prices. And the fact that more people are thrifting now. It is still a matter of getting out there & learning what a good deal is. That is how I honed my skills, by doing it for so long. You then learn what is good & what should be left. I think this thrifting trend is here to stay for a very long time!
I feel it's a supply/demand issue and with more folks thrifting for either economy's sake or to be green or trendy the prices have gone up. Add in overhead for the store and paying employees, etc. and prices tend to rise. I agree with Rhoda that the longer one thrifts the better eye you have so you know that deal when you find it. I started thrifting when I was in college for clothes and furniture and that was 20some years ago, too!
I haven't noticed a huge hike in prices here, but the inconsistent prices on things gets me more. For example, a $20 solid wood dresser sitting next to a "newer" particle board one for $50 in the same basic condition. Doesn't make sense.
Most thrift stores are non-profit and support charities. Perhaps prices have also risen to support the higher number of people they are helping because of the economy and fewer cash donations. Just a thought.
Yes, I think the DIY shows & blogosphere have added to the increased prices. Supply & Demand! I do hope that the people who are in real need of these items have a special card that gives them the reciprocal pricing...not the inflated prices.
More money = more program funding to help to those in need...and there are many, so I am A-OK paying the prices.
Another great bonus of thrifting is the recycling value. One persons trash is another persons treasure! Isn't that the truth! My home is filled with them.
My goodwill is 3 stories...how lucky am I! I love spending hours on a rainy Saturday perusing all the goodies looking for hidden treasure...and I have found many. It gives me so much pleasure to hunt and contribute to a great cause.
Thanks Goodwill!
It is so nice to be a part of this conversation. I think thrifting is a double edged sword. I didn't complain when I too found a Burberry coat for $12.99, but a few days later I found a very cheap sequined vest for $19.99, or Walmart clothing marked higher than it sold for in the store. I would advise that you speak with the manager in a polite and out of the way place and explain your concerns. I encourage you to contact the organization in your area and let them know how you feel in a polite manner. Smart phones also come in handy when you can show a retail price that is much lower. All you can do is try to make your concerns known and hopefully they will listen. That being said, I do think that every once in awhile everyone needs to go retail shopping in a mall and just see how high the prices really are. Sometimes that can help with perspective.
I live in the Detroit area and have been thrifting at Sally Ann (salvation Army) for years. The economic condition in Detroit has lead to an increase in need and a decrease in donations. I think that has lead to higher prices. Just be patient. There will be a markdown. I shop often and find deals. I buy most of my 2 year old grandson's clothes and toys there. I'm a stay at home grandma. So I don't have the cash I used to, but I have more than others.
I believe that there are a lot of antique and vintage dealers scouring thrift shops and that the thrift shops are on to this. Big time. So the stores have done their research and rise their prices accordingly. And it's also supply and demand. If they can get away with selling at those prices, why not? The problem with that is that they're now becoming a money making business instead of providing a service to low income people.
Ahh…a topic after my own heart <3. I have been in a thrifting family long before most of you were born. Long before it was cool. It started when our weekly family outing was to a local auction house. They sold general merchandise, not antiques or collectibles. The fun part was you never knew what you would find. From that we went garage “sailing”. My mother would grab the newspaper (long before Craigslist) and her map (long before GPS) and map out a bargain strategy. We made a day of it on Fridays or Saturdays. After that it was flea markets. And, then the thrift stores. I would say it is in my blood.
I have indeed noticed that prices are going up in certain areas. I recently overheard two salespeople talking in my local GW about pricing a certain clothing item. One said she priced it that way, because it was such and such price in a retail store (about the same price). Sad, but I guess for them it is whatever they deem it is worth.
Salvation Army is also hit or miss. Clothing pricing has remained about the same. Furniture is a little over priced, but marked down the longer it remains on the floor. Frequent visits are key.
There are several other local thrift stores that I frequent from time to time. Our hospice thrift store, sadly, has pretty much gone to retail pricing these days. I am all for charity. I donate to them. But I don’t expect to pay new prices for used items. I am not offended, but a small discount would be in order don’t you think?
My best clothing finds are at my favorite local high end consignment shop. I know the salesperson that runs it. They pull inventory twice a month, drastically reduce it and I know which days to go in. I can buy big brand name items for as little as $2 per piece.
As for the prices going up? My feeling is that it is a supply and demand thing. More ARE thrift shopping these days, because of the economy. Some are trying to pinch pennies any way they can. I don’t think, in all cases, that the stores are necessarily becoming greedy. They just don’t always have the inventory to move that they used to. Yes. Some DO over price.
My advice, get to know the salespeople in your local thrift and consignment stores. Find out what days most things come in and when to expect markdowns. They usually are happy to accommodate, because they appreciate the repeat business.
I love thrifting! It is the thrill of the hunt!
I think GW may be the worst. They get lots of donations from places like Target on top of individuals' donations, and as someone else mentioned, they seem to barely under-price the donating store for castoff merchandise. No longer do I find good old things there, but instead shoddy discount store stuff still in wrappers. When I did find a small blue glass pitcher I wanted, it was marked so high it was ridiculous! As someone else said, some of their things seem to be priced for non GW shoppers these days.
in the new orleans area, where i see the biggest price increases seems to be in furniture and housewares. clothing seems about the same, but i have noticed at goodwill, some of the plates, vases, etc. are now priced higher than at dollar stores and big box discount stores. art is also much pricier than it used to be...it was once cheaper to by thrift store canvases to paint over---now new ones are cheaper!
I think, in this economy, thrift stores are beginning to feel that while they are popular they'd better charge more and make more while they can -- any businessperson would. But sometimes business folks are wrong and ultimately fail.
I buy a lot of furniture at HFH Resale Store in Rock Hill. They are fairly careful about what they take. They turned down a double incliner from me that hurt my feelings but they were correct it is not in the best of shape. That said, they're too high but the money goes to a great cause. I try to buy things that have been discounted but anymore they move things around and get them sold before the 50% discount comes around. I did just get something this fall that they overlooked and told me as much. I'm glad stores like that are around but I wish they charged less.
I work for Goodwill, but am not speaking for them officially. I just wanted to say that it's a common misconception that Goodwill exists to sell things for as little as possible. There will always be great deals at Goodwill stores, but the goal is to generate as much revenue from each item as possible. Goodwill’s mission isn’t to run thrift stores, or even to give disabled people a place to work – it’s to provide job training and placement programs and services to people with disabilities or disadvantages (like at risk youth & low-income senior citizens). Selling donated items is a great source of funding for those programs, and every dollar means 92 more cents to help people. Some of the programs offered by the Goodwill I work for are for culinary skills, barista training, warehouse logistics, custodial, construction, and the more general things you might expect: office/computer, youth mentoring, financial education, job interview/resume help, etc. I'm not management and I don't make a ton of money but I am really proud of Goodwill's programs & I love my job!
Someone mentioned donations from Target. Just fyi, as far as I know, Goodwill actually has to buy those things from Target (discounted, of course). Also, keep in mind that you can always call or write to a store if you're running into crazy price issues (like a Target item priced higher than it was sold for at Target). I can't be sure about all organizations, but a good number of them will do their best to fix those sorts of problems once people bring them to their attention.
@OurGoodwillStore
THANK YOU SO MUCH for writing in! This is so helpful to the readers & consumers.
I agree that shopping at thrift just does not carry the stigma like it used to. When I started thrifting in college, I would lie to friends about where my finds came from. Now, it is like a badge of honor! I am in Los Angeles and have dozens of options in my city for thrifting. I do find prices are going up and it is harder to find super cool stuff. The hunt is longer now.
At my favorite thrift store, the prices have shot through the roof on many of their big ticket items. However, I found two Stiffel lamps for $2 a piece and a beautiful cabinet for $25. It's hit or miss as far as pricing. It really does make a difference if you know the sales people too. If you are nice to them, they usually want to help you get the best price on the things you really need/want.
I love my local thrift stores and usually make a daily 10 minute stop if I'm in their area. It seems that GW is often low on the totem pole when it comes to getting good furniture donations but I did pick up a small four drawer chest from them yesterday at an OK price. I knew it was cheaper that it originally sold for but it appeared high for GW ($39.99). This morning there was an Ethan Allen hutch, no desk or base, that they had priced at $79.99/now down to $59.99. What are the chances that someone would need THAT style in an old hutch? But, I do have to say that if you talk to the manager, they often will "adjust" the price - if its been longer than 7 days they rather it move on out the door. A good deal should be just that - a good deal for both the store and the consumer. Our SA is almost across the street from the flea market and vendors often buy from the SA and resale in their booths. I just try to go to SA on Wednesdays and get 50% off or Fridays and get 30%.
Good discussion! I've been on both sides of the issue. I've been a thrifter for many years, always looking for a bargain.
I also worked for a non-profit thrift store for a few months this year. It's a tricky balance between giving the customer a good price and being able to cover the rent and generate income. Costs to maintain a building do increase as well. Most of our workers were volunteers- (only 2 paid positions), so yes, pricing was somewhat inconsistent.
For another perspective, we had customers who came in and changed price tags, conned our newer volunteers, and flat out stole things. We had a lot of really good regular customers as well, who understood the markdown schedule and honored it.
I don't like some of the high prices at thrift stores either, but I just walk away, same as I would do if a price is too high for me at a regular retail store. Supply and demand will ultimately determine prices or put a store out of business.
I agree. As stated earlier there isn't much I really need at this point by way of furniture or clothes.
I do come across good deals every now and then.
Sometimes I feel the need to hoard them. LOL.
I have definitely noticed that prices have gone up especially at a local charity thrift store chain in my city. Funnily enough, they also closed two of their four stores during that same time. I'm not sure if there's a connection. All I know is that when I first moved here almost five years ago that place was awesome! I would buy furniture for unbelievably low prices. Now all their furniture is overpriced in my opinion and the only time i have bought there recently was when they had a half off sale to get rid of a huge lot of rattan chairs that were exactly what I was looking for. Also, I haven't noticed any improvement in their inventory during that time either...oh well. I have noticed clothing has gone up too, but, I think a little more slowly. Also, I almost never buy clothes unless they are on sale so it doesn't bother me as much. In the end I still think it's persistance that gets yo uthe good deal. I still find amazing deals at stores and just smile to myself knowing I am the one who know the real value of an item. So, in spite of the hikes I STILL love thrifting and think it saves money if you know what you're looking for.
Great discussion! I loved reading everyone's thoughts!
Great discussion! I loved reading everyone's thoughts!
Another side effect of blogging/pineterest is less donations.
That old sweater, you used to donate. Now you are holding onto it to refashion.
I mostly only look at clothes and "home decor." Haven't shopped at GW in a long time because of the prices and even thought the other day at my favorite place how high the prices where! They frequently do 25% off sales and rotate the clothing, so there's that.
It's because Goodwill has it's own store on line where all the great stuff goes...I have been shopping at Salvation Army now for deals...wow what a price difference..you can actually find treasures...sometimes the goodwill prices it a couple of dollars under the actual store...wow...that sucks...phyllis
I didn't get a chance to read through all of the posts, so maybe this has been said already but in addition to the demand of thrift store furniture lately, I think it's a way--maybe the only way--that non-profits can boost their income in the bad economy. As someone who works closely with several non-profit agencies in my area, donations and income from their annual fundraising is down significantly, which makes me wonder if the thrift stores that run for the benefit of non-profit organizations (like Goodwill and Salvation Army) have raised their prices in an attempt to recoup some of their losses from donors and fundraisers. And, since thrift store finds have become such a big market lately, I think they know that they can still get maybe just a little more out of that old piece of furniture. But I will say that I have stopped shopping at the thrift stores for furniture almost completely and stick mostly to classifieds in my area because I can usually get things for a MUCH lower price.
Thrifting, shopping in thrift stores, is the hottest trend in fashion, branding, and recession proofing all things family. As with any other entity, thrift stores are thinking of their bottom line and how to maximize profits.
HOWEVER
This method is going to or will start a horrible backlash. For seasoned-master thrifters, the backlash would mean to halt the processes. For newbies, they won't know the difference or think it's a rip off.
Thrift stores need to stay true to their essence and leave the prices alone. Their core is to help those who need assistance not roll with the flow.
Yes...here in Canada the prices seem to have gone up a bit too at our local Thrift Stores, however, I don't begrudge paying the prices because not only do I have a wonderful time looking on the bottom shelves for fabulous finds, but also feel good about contributing to the wages of the employees who work there. If hiking up the prices means the employees get a wage hike, then I'm okay with it. Some of the employees are people who wouldn't be able to find work due to medical or mental issues and I've always found them to be such helpful cheerful people to deal with. Afterall, we all have so much, especially if we're out searching for finds to redesign or revamp for our homes & blogs, don't we? xo wendy
I live in Birmingham Alabama and our thrift stores have NEVER had the deals and finds of other cities. I was talking to a friend about it and she pointed out that our Jr. League has a once a year Bargain Carousal and all the ladies (most affluent) in the league are required to make a quota to this sale, so none of the good stuff ends up at thrift stores, only their sale. So, in my city, the thrift stores are not even the issue - all the good stuff is not there anyway!
I just found your blog and LOVE it, this topic spoke to me so I had to comment. I live in the Texas hill country about equidistant to Austin and San Antonio. There are numerous GW and SA stores in the area, and their prices have definitely gone up. I've heard it's also partly due to the economy - more people are shopping thrift stores: more demand = higher prices. I have been trying to find out the percentage of GW's profits that actually go to helping people, and can't find it, so feel a little funny about spending my money there. I have drifted away from the big thrifts to support local ones - I am fortunate to have several within a 30 mile radius that offer good deals and support local charities (meals on wheels, a senior center, a food pantry, etc.) One of them gets "real" antiques and displays/prices them separately - higher than thrift price, but better than antique shops. My absolute best deals on furniture have come from local auctions - I have gotten FABULOUS stuff for as little as $5 (at one auction, I got over 40 solid core paneled doors, some french doors, some with glass or ceramic knobs, plus 10 old wood screen doors, plus a plethora of old screen windows and fence pickets - two truckloads - all for $5 - it cost more in gas to haul it home!) So while I still peruse the thrifts occasionally for clothes, my furniture finds are coming from auctions ... just my 2 cents.
Patty
Sometimes, thrift store owners are "so" in love with their items. Perhaps the items held some type of sentimental value, maybe the item is homemade. However, they do not realize that overpricing an item will not put any currency in their pockets. My advice to thrift store owners: Lower the prices and a thrifter with a great eye will re-breathe life into that relic and hopefully enjoy it as many years as you did.
Here's one for you. Has anyone noticed all of the counterfeit designer goods that are priced higher and displayed in the showcase? I keep seeing fake purses priced in the $30 to $40 range in the thrift stores.
I live near Salem, Oregon and BOTH the St. Vinnie's in town went OUT of biz due to their overhead costs being too high (their statement, not my take). Rent on their newer building in a strip mall (an abandoned Michael's craftstore) was too high. They continue their charity work in town but how they're funding it outside of direct donations, I have no idea. Their stores ARE missed, though! And I don't know if other St. Vinnie's are closing across the country due to similar reasons. Personally, I can't help but suspect that perhaps poor management was more the culprit than high overhead costs.
It's easy to overlook the fact that thrift shops are businesses and have the same overhead costs as any other.
Goodwills in the Salem, Oregon area also color-code their merchandise for daily mark-downs but Goodwill is also the worst offender, over-pricing-wise, around here. There are two Goodwill "Outlet" stores in the general area as well. These are basically HUGE junk shops with little to no organization...just stuff dumped into low rolling bins they routinely move in and out during the day. I've found many treasures there but digging through junk isn't everyone's cup of tea. I've also run across truly gross crap there. It's always a gamble. Conversely, in Portland there's an UPSCALE Goodwill downtown which sells a lot of the truly valuable clothing and collectibles they take in from around the state. Talk about sticker shock! The store's very small, though.
Salem has a modest-sized Sally's, a big Value Village, and a few other thrift shops, most notably the Humane Society's and a rescue mission's. But folks have a tendancy, I think, to overlook smaller thrift stores in favor of donating to the big three (Goodwill, St. Vinnie's, and Sally's). Around here, Goodwill will literally take ANYTHING that's not a major appliance. St. Vinnie's was notoriously picky and they ticked a lot of folks off that way. (It's probably at least one of the reasons Goodwill wound up having "outlet" stores!)
I've seen absolutely absurd pricing in every single thrift shop I've ever been in. Most of these places are staffed by volunteers who typically know little to nothing about the retail/resell business and certainly not specifics such as books or collectibles or electronics. It's a crap-shoot wherever you shop. However, I've HEARD that SOME thrift stores are willing to haggle. Where these stores are around the USA and which ones they are...I don't know. I'm usually too shy to haggle. I would IMAGINE, though, that IF they TRULY want to move their stock, at least a supervisor would be willing to listen to a reasonable offer. I hope!
What upsets me about thrift shop pricing is seeing USED dollar store or Walmart crap priced double or even triple its original cost. What the...?!
On the other hand, since I rarely shop at "regular" stores such as Macy's or even Target or Roth's, I really have no firm grasp on what clothing (other than underwear), for example, costs new. Thank HEAVENS for the folks who wouldn't be caught dead shopping in a thrift store (or even Walmart)! THEY'RE the ones who are stocking thrift shops by routinely cleaning out their homes of all the excess STUFF they continue to buy even when it's not needed. I find such people pretentious but necessary to the thrifter's lifestyle I proudly lead. (Grin)
With the economy in the trashcan the way it is these past few years, I've noticed more well-heeled people shopping in thrift stores lately. You can always spot them because they look uncomfortable, horrified, and yet resigned to their fate. And, also because of the crummy economy, I've read that some thrift shops are desperately in need of donations due to being "over-shopped" by those very people as well as the usual thrifters.
The bottom line, I feel, is that thrift shop managers SHOULD educate themselves and their employees/volunteers about reasonable pricing. Especially books (a personal interest of mine), which are ALWAYS over-priced, even the ones in truly ragged condition. Furniture is another area they need to brush up on. With the Interweb only a mouse click away (and you can bet that EVERY thrift shop has a computer available these days!), there is NO excuse for pricing ignorance. Ebay's a great place to start for furniture and collectibles, Amazon is a good reference for books, Best Buy is good for electronics, and Target/Walmart/Macy's/Roth/et al are good reference points for clothing. These places will give thrift stores a better grasp of the real-world new item prices.
CONDITION is the other problem. Thrift shops simply cannot price something at a new price unless it's in an unopened original package and even then they need to consider the items's viability. For example, there ARE people out there willing to buy computers from the 1980s but that's no excuse for keeping dozens of dusty hard drives and monitors on the shelves.
Which brings up another point: Items that don't function. Around here, most thrift shops will allow you to test things electrical...except at Goodwill's outlet stores where EVERYTHING is sold as-is with NO returns. I can see where many stores wouldn't have the personnel nor the time to test every single small appliance or clock that comes through their doors, but when they put returned BROKEN merchandise BACK on their shelves (I've seen this happen), THAT'S just plain stupidity. Do they really think that the next person to buy it isn't going to return it as well?
The majority of thrift shops are in existence to support a charity. This is my rationale when I consciously over-pay for something that I really, REALLY want in spite of its being over-priced. Which is more often than I care to publically admit.
(And...I know...I'm long-winded! But this is a topic I feel strongly about!)
Here's something to think about: Do you know where all the stuff thrift shops DON'T sell goes?
A few years ago on PBS (I think it was) there was a documentary about just that. I wish I could remember its title.
Paper...books and such...gets recycled. But recyclers often charge thrift stores money to do so.
Fabric...clothing and bedding, etc...has, in the past decade or so, been bundled and sent to Africa where it is sold in the marketplace bazaars for extremely little money. Shoes as well. And, while it's great that we here in the good ol' USA have helped cloth the poor of Africa, the HUGE influx of clothing from our country has helped to kill Africa's textile industry. Why should they raise cotton or flax and weave cloth and make clothing when they can get it for practically nothing in their marketplaces?
As for the small appliances, housewares, and knick-knacks, they go straight into landfills or incinerators if the area they're in has one.
We are a hugely wasteful society here in the USA. Hugely. Wasteful. And we take it ALL for granted.
I observe the Mexican and Russian immigrants in my town shopping at the Goodwill Outlet store and I find myself being embarrassed for our country. These folks, living on a shoestring as it is and unable to shop anywhere BUT the Goodwill Outlet store for clothing, bedding, and housewares, are STAGGERED when they first walk in and see SO MUCH STUFF thrown away by Americans and piled high in big bins...in a store the size of a Target or Walmart. Their expressions range from amazement to bewilderment that this society they have moved into can be so wasteful.
My mom, who was a child of the Depression, used to say "Waste not, want not" and "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." And I used to think "Why?" Now, as an adult in my 50s, living in a time when just about everyone is once again, if not in the same financial boat, at least waiting on the dock to board it, I finally realize what she was trying to teach me.
Today's it's trendy to be "green" and recycle/repurpose, but I remember in the 1970s as a teenager it was also trendy but we called it the Ecology Movement.
Nothing is new under the sun.
All interesting comments, so here are some thoughts from a Boston thrifter. I frequent many types of stores, and think that all of them should be generally pleased with the increased business generated by bloggers, economic conditions etc. Old thrifters are now shopping/hunting alongside a group of new converts.
However, not all changes are comfortable, and some of the responses of some stores are uncomfortable for informed thrifters. I'm sure that some of the stores squirm when thrifters turn their finds into bigger profits (i.e. both sides adjust to the new market).
In my area, one chain of thrift stores prices anything with a Lands End, LL Bean or other recognizeable label at about twice the price of a comparable garment, regardless of condition. The label might indicate quality, but more often than not, it's just a label, and unless you are wearing it facing out, it doesn't mean that the garment is in better condition than another.
When I read the posts to this discussion, I realized that I haven't felt angry when seeing crazy mark-UPs, but generally shrug and assume that an uninformed pricer is at work and that the item will sit on the shelves until they realize their folly. (Surprising, because I'm not usually so "turn the other cheek). I do think that some stores have folks pricing things who are not as savvy as some thrifters, but I expect that.
I do wonder where the jewelry has gone, and if it's being "skimmed". I NEVER see anything even remotely worthwhile at most of the local thrift stores, with one exception. GW used to save things deemed "valuable" for a local auction, which was great fun, but no more.
In summary, I think that the creation of a large, avid, informed consumer base through TV and blogging HAS to be a good thing for business all around. Some offenses will occur, some adjustments will be made, and like one poster suggested, we can kindly give feedback and suggest/request changes as we see problem areas and hope for positive responses.
Thanks to ALL of you for your kindred spirits!
All interesting comments, so here are some thoughts from a Boston thrifter. I frequent many types of stores, and think that all of them should be generally pleased with the increased business generated by bloggers, economic conditions etc. Old thrifters are now shopping/hunting alongside a group of new converts.
However, not all changes are comfortable, and some of the responses of some stores are uncomfortable for informed thrifters. I'm sure that some of the stores squirm when thrifters turn their finds into bigger profits (i.e. both sides adjust to the new market).
In my area, one chain of thrift stores prices anything with a Lands End, LL Bean or other recognizeable label at about twice the price of a comparable garment, regardless of condition. The label might indicate quality, but more often than not, it's just a label, and unless you are wearing it facing out, it doesn't mean that the garment is in better condition than another.
When I read the posts to this discussion, I realized that I haven't felt angry when seeing crazy mark-UPs, but generally shrug and assume that an uninformed pricer is at work and that the item will sit on the shelves until they realize their folly. (Surprising, because I'm not usually so "turn the other cheek). I do think that some stores have folks pricing things who are not as savvy as some thrifters, but I expect that.
I do wonder where the jewelry has gone, and if it's being "skimmed". I NEVER see anything even remotely worthwhile at most of the local thrift stores, with one exception. GW used to save things deemed "valuable" for a local auction, which was great fun, but no more.
In summary, I think that the creation of a large, avid, informed consumer base through TV and blogging HAS to be a good thing for business all around. Some offenses will occur, some adjustments will be made, and like one poster suggested, we can kindly give feedback and suggest/request changes as we see problem areas and hope for positive responses.
Thanks to ALL of you for your kindred spirits!
I'm so glad you started this discussion! If you're shopping for clothes, I believe that thrift stores offer a great value. But, if you're shopping for furniture or home decor - FORGET ABOUT IT! I've pretty much stopped even bothering going to the different thrift stores in my area because the pieces for sale just don't warrant the price. I've noticed that the "better" the neighborhood the store is located in, the higher the prices seem to be. I can sympathize with the stores to a degree - I imagine it's a very hard line for the stores to walk - raising enough $$$ to support their different programs (which are usually very worthy), without pricing themselves out of business. I really do believe that the higher prices are a reflection of what the stores see going on in the blog and design world.
One Goodwill store prices really ratty household items and frames or mirrors way too high - another Goodwill has really good prices on really good stuff. There's no consistency there. Same for other places. It's just the luck of the draw.
For two years the prices at Goodwill and Salvation Army in San Antonio have been out-the-box. It's nearly impossible to find a good deal on anything here and believe me, I visit often. Like a lot of others who commented, I'm always amazed at the prices they put on seriously damaged furniture or decorative items. Some of what I see would be nearly impossible to repair. When you point it out to them the standard response is "someone will come in and pay that for it." Normally, it's still sitting there months later. One thing they do locally that really frosts me is they apply the price with a sharpie pen on most decorative items. Who wants a permanent price on the bottom of something. Quite often, they mark an area that isn't the bottom and totally ruin the object. It happens constantly here. Thrift shopping in San Antonio is really an exercise in futility. To blow a hole in your theory Rashon, the local Salvation Army locations won't reduce the price of anything for 90 days and then it's only very minimal. And, lastly, I truly do believe the blogging world and shows like Nate's have caused the severe price increases across the board at thrift shops. I don't think they'll ever go down again to reasonable amounts. Craigs list is a much better option here.
I moved to Northern Virginia in the summer of 2008 with two weeks before I started my new job. My mission: unpack the boxes, and furnish our home. Basically, I had a license to shop. There are three Goodwill stores within a five-mile radius of that house (I no longer live there, BTW :)) and a Salvation Army. I found them all immediately. I've bought lots of clothes at Goodwill in the ensuing time, but at the time, I wanted furniture. I believe I bought a total of four items there (bed rails, head/footboard, desk, table, bookcase). The only thing I still have is the bookcase - a solid-wood Ikea job that was priced at $60. It was undamaged, and would cost more at Ikea, but that's the best I can say. The Goodwills had inconsistent pricing, but more importantly, not a single item of any value. It was all ugly - not just superficially, but truly. If it was well-made, it was irreparably broken. Most of it was '70s nonsense that had been hideous when made. The Salvation Army had a lot of upholstered furniture. Most of it was in very ugly fabric, damaged, or stained. None of it was under $100, and most was over $300 (for couches). If you have $300 for a couch, go up to $400 and buy a new piece from Ikea. The most offensive thing about that Salvation Army (on Little River Turnpike - don't even bother) was that framed pictures (even if the frame was made of fiberboard, was badly damaged, and the picture was a ripped worthless print) started at $25. If the frame was wood and merely in poor condition and any kind of decent size, it was $50 or $100. OBVIOUSLY you can get brand-new solid wood frames for less. I was appalled. And I believe the prices have only gone up. In short, in my adult life I have never found a piece of beautiful furniture at a thrift store. EVER.
But I look around my house...I have a leather-upholstered antique psychiatrist's couch: $75. World's comfiest leather sectional, classic lines, in good condition: $150. Solid hardwood roll-top desk: $75. Giant antique oak bed frame: $150. Iron and brass day bed with included trundle bed: $75. Tufted leather desk chair with nailhead trim: $40. Gorgeous oak antique armoire with beveled mirror: $125. Solid wood mahogany-stained Broyhill highboy, with included nightstand chest: $45. Solid hardwood vintage low dresser with lovely carved details: $45. (None of these prices is literally cheap, but if I'm willing to start a shopping campaign, I actually need something, and after my Goodwill failures, I insist on it being something I will want to keep.) Needless to say, all of these things I've KEPT are from craigslist. Also, go to estate sales, in the most expensive neighborhoods in town :).
I will say this about thrift stores: the stuff you just don't need is frequently a bargain. I wandered all through an antique mall in a relatively economically depressed area on the way home from a wedding, looking for a bed frame. All the furniture was obnoxiously overpriced. For amusement, I tried on a 3/4 length sheared-mink coat, real fur, from Saks, in new condition. It was $35. I don't need a fur coat (yet!), but I couldn't afford NOT to buy it :).
Also - I'm sure the blogs play a role, but I would cite the OVERALL social acceptable-ness of buying thrift store stuff as being the source of demand. Some people are still apologetic about buying from thrift stores, but I'm sure not. So I guess that explains why pants went from $2 to $7 but still haven't hit $80. Marshall's may become a competitive option...the mall never will be. (Does anyone actually admit to buying $100 jeans?)
Thrift stores have been raising prices for several years and often they are overpriced. Many times I can find an item new in retail stores for less. I rarely go to Goodwill anymore but a few weeks ago I saw a pretty pitcher. When I asked about a price reduction, I was told they just got that item in and the pitcher was from Italy thus the ridiculous price.
When I got home I checked the pitcher online, and I could buy a better pitcher w/out the crazing on Ebay for less!
Best buys -- garage sales, flea markets anyplace but Goodwill.
~Jules
I find that thrift stores are increasingly resembling big box stores in every respect. They used to be housed in older buildings in downtown cores where poor folks who tend not to have cars and so rely on public transit and walking to get around could more easily get to them. But now they all seem to be moving to large box stores far from downtown, in a very Walmart-like fashion.
I'm poor and disabled, so I shop at thrift stores because I like them, but also because I need them. But I feel like I am increasingly priced out of thrift stores.
Name-brands, antiques, vintage items, anything that's old or in better condition is being priced higher than everything else and often it's being priced out of my reach. As someone who's spent the last 20+ years shopping at thrift stores on a weekly+ basis, I'm finding it incredibly distressing. I prefer shopping at thrift stores and supporting community programs as I do so, and I loved to be able to treat myself to neat old things like clothing or patterns or hats. But now vintage purses and hats are being marked at $25 and put in the special display case, vintage jewellery is being priced at $20/piece or set (even when the stones are discoloured) and vintage knitting pattern magazines are being priced at $7 and put in the same case. I can actually buy these things for cheaper online (that's including delivery from another country!) or at my local antique mall, no haggling necessary, and often in far better condition. And those folks pay to acquire their goods, while the thrift stores get them for free! Worse still, the items sit there for months at a time. I've asked cashiers about some of the prices as I've seen them go up, and I've been told it's because they're old or because someone's compared them to prices they've seen online. An inexact science at best.
The thrift store I volunteer at is not hurting for donations at all. We receive donations daily, often whole carloads. There are boxes and shelves full of stuff waiting to go out, but the floor is often too full to put anything else out. But since we've recently built a new store and have to pay for its mortgage, the concern is charging people as much as we can per item to try to recoup the cost.
We recently had a 50%-off sale. We probably made just as much each day this week as we have on any of our best days, and we were able to move more product because people were willing to buy more. It's true that people will sometimes spend $4 or $5 on a used sweater, but they are so much more willing to spend $2 or $2.50 and to buy more at that price. But thrift stores don't seem to see it that way. They want to maximize the amount they make, and so they think about how much they can charge and how much someone might be willing to spend. So I often see the same item sit there for months until I pull it out and send it to another branch. Which seems so incredibly senseless. If we lowered the price, we might've sold it and actually made money from it!
People are more willing to buy more the cheaper an item is. They're more willing to buy something they're unsure of and risk returning it, and they end up really happy shoppers.
Great discussion.
I'm in a wealthy county in the SF Bay Area and I see different practices at different thrift stores. Goodwill raised its prices last year on many things, including clothing, bedding, etc. In short, on many of the items its poorest customers need. While I understand that Goodwill needs to make money, it does seem to me that it should identify some basic items needed by the truly poor and keep those prices reasonable.
On furniture and collectibles, I've been told that the suburban Goodwill and Salvation Army stores must send anything interesting to the "mothership" stores in SF, which price these items and supposedly send them back out to the suburban stores. My observation is that very few of the interesting items make it back to the suburban stores. I agree with another poster: where the heck is the jewelry? Neither of these chain thrift stores offers jewelry in their suburban stores, other than plastic beads and other junk. Where does it go? Ditto on books and antiques.
I find that the small local thrift stores that keep their donations have much more interesting items, including jewelry, antiques, and books.
Also, the managers of most of the local thrift stores are very savvy about holding anything interesting in the backroom until they can research it and price it accordingly. Some thrift stores take items to auction houses for valuations, place upscale jewelry at consignment shops, and place their best books at a used book store.
Other managers, and I'm thinking of one Discovery Store manager in particular, simply slap laughably high prices on anything that looks antique, collectible, or interesting and reduce by tiny amounts over the course of months until the item sells. Seems silly to me - seems like selling it, getting it off of the floor, and getting a new item on the floor would produce more income in the same period of time, but of course it also would require more work by that manager.
Finally, many of the managers of our local thrift stores, especially the small stores, resent the antique dealers and other re-sellers who shop in their stores. One thrift manager told me that she was not going to let the dealers make money off of her store. Consequently, she researches the heck out of everything and marks "her" things at high retail prices.
As with antique shops, I now find when I go thrifting that my best finds are the items that the dealer/store did not know the value of, i.e., did not think looked interesting enough to bother researching. I bought two Milo Baughman lounge chairs for $25 for the pair from a thrift shop that researches virtually everything before pricing things. The manager thought they were ugly, so she didn't research them. I thought they were cool, and I knew who Baughman was, so I scored.
Yes, some stuff at the thrift stores get overpriced... But the stuff people actually NEED is generally not badly priced.
If I NEED a shirt, I can find a nice button up shirt for a buck or two at most places. If I WANT a Tori Richard aloha shirt or an $80 pair of ExOfficio pants, I can usually find them (or something close; I wont complain if the Aloha shirt is from Tommy Bahama or Reyn Spooner!)for $5 to $10. Given the retail prices, those are bargains. I've revamped my entire wardrobe in the past couple of weeks for less than $100, on items with a total retail prices of nearly $2000. I'm not complaining, and I'm not trying to flip the items for a profit on Ebay. I'm just trying to live fashionably for reasonably little money.
You have to put these things in perspective: I walked out of a thrift shop today with a pair of ExOfficio "convertable" pants for my wife that I paid $2.50 for (half price sale!) and then went to the market and bought a sandwich for $3. What should cost more, a nice pair of pants or a single meal?
Did someone say Goodwill "NEEDS" the money...? Well, where is the money coming from that they will spend to open 100 new stores this year...? That's right...100 !
The articles are donated, and gosh knows, my wife and I certainly give our share and WE also notice prices skyrocketing. C'mon now, would someone pay $5.50 for a USED boy's shirt that can be bought at Walmart for $6.49 new...? Just who are the idiots pricing things and why do brand names have a higher price...>
I am retired and have a woodshop. My hobby is building and re-building oak furniture which I then donate to needy people. I always found pieces of oak at Goodwill years back and now have not found any at either of the three Goodwill stores we frequent and support for several years now.. Are they selling it out the back door...? It seems that way and I could add a few other things to that list also.
So now I have quit my Goodwill donations and will never set foot in another of their stores. Instead, I found a non-profit thrift store whose profits all go to women's breast cancer research and a fund to financially help needy women diagnosed with cancer.
And, last year I asked for a copy of the profit and loss sheet and they never asked why. The owner gave it to me with a smile and said they are proud for their accomplishment. So am I...!
Our thrift store has a sort of silent aution that you write your bids in a book and the highest bid wins (the chance to pay for it ),I have seen stuff I wouldn't buy at $20 go for large amounts of money and also plainly made fakes people are paying hundreds for .I asked the owner of the store whats up and he responds with "people should know what they are buying".I agree to a point but when I see an indian made giftshop souvenir sell for 400 dollars I have to ask myself if this is leagl price gouging or is it a crime?
Shopping in our Goodwill today made me sad. All the ladies blouses were $9.99. They used to be $2.50! To think they are not new, and who knows how old they are even if they are in good shape,is shameful. There are two major chain stores nearby and people were saying they might as well go over there if they were going to spend that much. Yes, it does impact people trying to stretch their budget.
I found your post searching for a Goodwill store markdown schedule, and I thought I would contribute my story. You see I've been going to my local Goodwill for 3 years, usually 2-3 times a week. I went in yesterday and saw 3 etched milk glass bud vases. Yippie! I collect milk glass bud vases and find them very often at that Goodwill. I was in complete shock when I picked up a vase and saw it priced for a whopping $2.99. Before that point, for the last 3 years, they have ALWAYS priced these little common white vases for 99 cents. My first thought was - They raised the prices because they see that I buy them all up, all the time. Maybe it’s just crazy talk, but deep down I really think my Goodwill is conspiring against me! lol So yeah there is no way I am buying those until they go on deep markdown. That’ll show them!!
How is an antique business supposed to compete with the thrift stores. All day they have people bringing them antiques...while dealers have to go out and locate and purchase their products. The business already took a huge loss because of the economy. Now the thrift stores are putting alot of antique businesses out of business.
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