Uncovering Treasures: A Guide to Thrifting the Goodwill Bins
Greetings frugal shoppers! For those familiar with the thrifting scene, the renowned "bins" are no secret. However, if you're a newcomer intrigued by this concept, it's beneficial to learn more, as there are great finds just waiting to be discovered!
What are the Goodwill bins?
Officially known as the Goodwill Outlet, bin shopping offers a unique shopping experience compared to traditional thrift stores. At the outlets, merchandise is placed in large bins that customers sift through and pay for by weight. Click here for a video of my last bin experience. Throughout the day, the bins are swapped out for new ones containing different items. Clothing and linens are usually separated from other goods, while hard goods and toys are mixed together. In my region, there are specific bins designated for books, and sometimes even an entire bin dedicated to shoes.
The products consist of a blend of stock. Some retain their Goodwill tags as they were removed from the shelves to accommodate new items. However, most of the merchandise consist of items that Goodwill decided not to sell in their retail store due to factors like their condition, type, or surplus inventory in that category.
Don't be afraid to dive in and DIG!!
You can find everything and anything in the bins, including brand new items!
Thrifting at the Bins: A Fun and Exciting Adventure!
When you step into the world of bin shopping, get ready for a unique and thrilling experience like no other! The bins are not just containers but treasure troves waiting to be explored. Whether you're a seasoned reseller or just looking for some hidden gems, the bins have something for everyone.
Regulars Rule: You're sure to encounter a dedicated group of bin enthusiasts who make the bins their second home. They know all the tricks of the trade and can spend hours hunting for the best deals.
Competitive Spirit: Get ready for some friendly competition as shoppers race to uncover the best items. When new bins are rolled out, it's game on!
Wait and Win: For newbies, patience is key. Let the initial rush subside, then dive in and join the frenzy. It's a free-for-all of fun!
What some might be unprepared for is the type and condition of items that get donated. Dirty underwear ✔️ soiled blankets ✔️ stained socks ✔️ I don't think anything is off limits to what people will donate. Some of the most unusual items I've personally found were a used sex toy and a huge prostetic boob, which ending up being tossed across the bins like a mad game of volleyball! 🏐
Maximize Your Experience at the Bins!
Get ready to elevate your bin shopping game with these expert tips from a seasoned pro.....me! Shopping at the bins is not just a way to score great deals but also a fun and rewarding experience for outfitting your family with stylish clothes without breaking the bank!
Bring gloves and/or hand sanitizer - it's messy, and as you dig, you never know what you're putting your hands on!
Avoid if you are a germaphobe, need organization when you shop, or are timid. People will bump up against you, reach over you, etc.
Remember to bring your own bags since they don't provide any. However, if you forget yours at home, you can likely find some at the bins.
Be willing to take a chance on clothing. There aren't dressing rooms or returns, so if you find a piece of clothing you love, chances are it costs pennies, so it's worth the risk of buying without trying it on.
If you see a cart, grab it. Carts go quickly, and often they don't have many available to start with. Some locations have limited folks to one cart to avoid the resellers hoarding them all with their unpaid goods. While you may think you won't need one, chances are you will, so grab one if available.
If you're unsure about something, put it in the cart. Even if you just kinda like it, grab it. If you decide later you did want it, chances are you'll never find it again, or it'll end up in someone else's cart. Even if it's a single shoe, hold on to it. You may come across the other three bins down.
Sort your items at the end before checking out. Since everyone does this, it's also a good idea to check the bins closest to the cash register, as that's where everyone tends to throw their unwanted items.
Be prepared to spend a few hours. The bins are not a quick in-and-out experience.
Be prepared to get physical. Heaping piles of clothes weigh quite a bit, especially when you are constantly sorting and sifting through them. Don't be afraid to deep dive! Often the best items are at the bottom!
Wash or sanitize everything when you get home. While I've never seen bugs in all my years of bin shopping, bed bugs are real, so don't take that chance! If you can't wash immediately when getting home, leave outside in a black trash bag until you are able to.
Leave the kids at home. In fact, I wish this were a requirement from Goodwill. I always feel sorry for the kids left in carts to fend for themselves while the parent is sourcing for resale. Often, they are there all day. Plus, when kids see toys they want to play with, these toys need to be sanitized!
Because you are paying by weight, leave anything you don't want behind, such as extra packaging, parts you don't want or need, etc. Love a belt but not the dress it's on? Grab the belt. I always remove throw pillow covers from the pillow and use my own inserts. You'll save more money and avoid bringing things home that you'll need to dispose of anyway.
While not the norm at all locations, many have furniture and larger items sitting along the walls that don't fit in the bins. They usually charge a flat fee for these items. The most I've ever paid is $5. If it's not priced, ask!
Things to consider when sorting: be mindful of stains and project pieces. Be realistic about what stains will and won't come out. Yellowing linens can be brightened up with a soak in vinegar and a machine wash with Oxiclean. Scratched furniture can be sanded, restained, or painted. Most hard surfaces can be cleaned of marker and grime with Krud Kutter. If something is broken or damaged, think about its potential and other ways it can be reimagined. Wreaths and greenery can be refluffed or parted out for other projects. Yoga mats make great non-skid cabinet liners (especially in RVs!), stained vintage pillowcases with crochet trim can be cut down, and the trim reused. Think outside the box!
If you need a little inspiration or upcycling ideas, check out Tiffany Gemmer on YouTube. She is a creative genius and has really unique ideas for repurposing bin finds. You're sure to be hooked as I am! She even compiled a list of Goodwill Outlets nationwide, check to see if there's a location near you!
Other things to consider:
Obey the staff. If they want you off the floor when they bring out new bins, listen. If not, you can be kicked out. The same goes for peeking under covered bins or digging in bins before they say so. It's not unusual for a location to make everyone stand against the wall during bin changes, even if they're only changing out a few and not the entire floor. Bin changes do take time; you can easily lose a half-hour or more of dig time at locations that operate that way!
If you can't find a nearby bin location, get ready for a little adventure! In recent years, some locations have closed down and reduced their operating hours. So, it's a good idea to plan ahead and check their hours before you go. The bins I used to visit were open on Sundays and stayed open until 9 in the evenings during the week. However, things have changed, and they no longer open on Sundays and have shorter weekday hours. So, be sure to double-check their current hours to avoid any surprises!
Many locations lack restroom facilities. If you need to use one urgently, make sure to purchase your items before leaving the building, as they may not be there when you return.
Before proceeding to the checkout, make sure to separate clothing from other items if your state exempts clothes from sales tax. For instance, in PA, clothes and hard goods are weighed separately. In case of a significant purchase, the cart will be weighed. If the bins are connected to a retail store, avoid mixing carts and only utilize the provided ones at the outlet, as they have been preweighed. Some locations offer a discounted price per pound for purchases exceeding twenty pounds.
Here's some bin essentials to get the most out of your shopping trip:
Hand sanitizer: https://amzn.to/3XBtdFz
reusable bags: https://amzn.to/3B82Rlz
rolling bag: https://amzn.to/4d3Jp6Z
Gloves: https://amzn.to/4ghnkVp
The bins aren't for everyone, and they can be very time-consuming, but if you like the dig and thrill of the hunt, they are definitely for you! Looking to score a good wardrobe on the cheap, get organizational or crafting supplies, or home decor items? Take a trip to the bins!
Are you a seasoned bin shopper? If so what is the weirdest item you've seen? I wanna know!
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