I was initially excited last week when I read about Goodwill's new online store. I thought I'd never miss a good deal again, now I can browse hundreds of thousands of thrifted items from home if I need something specific and don't have time to browse multiple stores over a span of weeks. But I was actually shocked and disappointed when I visited the site and saw that these weren't goodwill prices at all. The first thing I checked was their home decor tab and a $50 throw pillow is recommended. Next I see a $70 mattress topper. A $100 quilt. So I went to the clothing tab thinking surely it would still be $6 shirts and pants and $2 accessories. But instead, $100 purses and $50 blouses.
What is this?? Am I missing something? These items are still donated, right? In all honesty I did expected some upcharge for the convenience of shopping online but nothing like this.
Then I realized that now, anything donated that could potentially be sold for a regular retail price is never gonna end up in-store. It removes the treasure-hunt quality of scouring your local goodwill. You usually know that most of what you go home with is probably worth about what you paid for it, but every now and then you strike gold. You get a name brand you love or a solid piece of furniture, maybe a collectible item or a nice piece of art for a fraction of what you would've paid anywhere else. But now my bet is that the physical stores will eventually just be the worst of what's donated. If the website does well they're only gonna lean into it more over time. It just feels like the end of an era for goodwill.
Maybe I'm too sentimental about thrifting but I thought I might find one or two people who are thinking the same thing 🤪
October 13, 2022 at 11:44PM
