Stitchalong

Maybe they are recycling them

DoxieMom

Forgive me that I didn't read through all the responses before posting, but I'm a little confused...even if they sell it on ebay what they get for it stays local, doesn't it? I presume they then use the proceeds to provide services for local people who need their assistance. They're a non-profit organization so it's not like someone is lining their own pockets. Why shouldn't they get the best price they can in order to fund services needed in the community?

craftymatt2

I have been to several of our goodwill stores and all I see is junk, and the prices are high, they sell clothes with stains on them, I thought when they take stuff they look it over??? They also take stuff that needs a good washing, but they never wash it. I thought goodwill stores was to price stuff so that people who can't afford it can buy it. But, we might as well go to Walmart.

mshawii

Gee after looking at these, I am going back to my store, "Habitat for Humanity's Restore". We bought a really nice Flexsteel sofa for $100. It is in fabulous condition, don't need to clean it or anything. Granted it is a floral but a nice floral not gaudy. It sits nice so you don't sink into it(I hate that). We took it out to our Mountain home. The carpet goes great with it, and so does the recliner. I also bought a lamp and shade for $5. When hubby went to pick it up he asked if they knew anything about it, and they told him an elserly lady moved into Jennings McCall which is a senior living home run by the Masonic Lodge. She had too much furniture for her 1 bedroom apartment so donated it to Habitat for Humanity.

mshawii

The baled up clothing gets sent to a factory where it is all chewed up and made into insulation, and iot is called "Green recycled insulation. It is safe for the handlers.

newbee

I have shopped at Goodwills all over the mid-west, and I am shocked to see the variety of prices, items and their conditions from store to store. Some Goodwills are priced ridiculously high, while others are very reasonable. So far, the ones in the Denver-metro area seem to have good quality for decent prices (except the one in downtown Denver), although the prices have been going up over the past few years. I heard that once thrift shops got "found" during the recession, prices started going up. I am lucky to have many thrift shops near my home--Goodwill, ARC, Savers, DAV, and others. Maybe that competition and the fact they are in a large metro area keep the quality up and the prices decent. I continue to shop at thrift shops because I get a wider variety of goods than I find at retail stores, and I often find amazing quilting things for a great price (cutting mats, fabric, batting). Once I found three complete quilt kits, including the patterns and backing for $3.99 each. But that is not an everyday occurance--I have to hunt weekly to find such deals. I guess if you have the time and some good stores, it is worth it to scrounge for great deals. At least it is for me.

martha jo

Those bales of clothes are probably sent to Mexico. That is what they did with them at the Goodwill where I use to live. I lived in McAllen for three years and you could see huge trucks full of them going across the bridge.

jitkaau

Perhaps if they don't get enough donations,they don't want to sell anything? We have four in our town - two are over - priced and two rely on turnover and do the most business and have the most donations. One town I lived in used to sell wedding dresses and bridesmaids frocks for .50c or $1.00 because no one would wear the second hand gear. I used to buy up big time. However, in this town they go for $50+ and so it makes it too expensive to make dolls' clothes and children's dresses for cheap sales.

bjnicholson

And this stuff was donated so anything they make is gravy anyway. Maybe they don't want to sell anything? :roll:

DeeBooper

I stopped in one near my house the other day also...same thing. This is why I hate to donate to them. They are supposed to be helping out people? I will give my donations other ways. I even saw wedding dresses and couldn't believe my eyes...$180.00