ok so i'm going to a goodwill outlet any tips?

[Sarahlacewing]

Good advice above.

It's dirty and often there is broken glass so bring gloves or be really careful.
Dont let your purse out of your sight.
cover your cart with a sheet so other people can't see what you have and be tempted to try and steal.
Be prepared to dig. Look for pockets of toys stuff tends to be grouped together.
Books, clothes, etc are weighed differently than general merch.
Some big ticket items will be priced, usually electronics. Here the tags are green and have a date on them.
When they bring new stuff out most people will line up and wait to get first crack at it. Rules are not to touch things as they go by. You cannot touch the carts till they come to a complete stop.
Grab anything that even looks good in the new carts. You can sort through it later.
Often I will have a bag or basket to use when new carts come out that way I can carry more without stopping to make a cart drop... You won't be able to have your cart next to you in the rush or a new isle. Either have a partner or leave it somewhere in eyeline but out of the way.

[skyrocketneko]

Sounds scary! I just looked them up and there are a few in Denver, but I'd be too nervous to go. I mean... The regular thrift shops are dirty enough for me, yuck!

[HavACrumpet452]

Oh but this is interactive thrifting. Its the best!

[Sarahlacewing]

Plus the scores are ridiculous.  I mean you can find a lot of great stuff for just cheap cheap cheap.  It definitely satisfies the bargain hunter in me.  And it's exciting.

[Prince Primbrose]

Now I really want to hit up Goodwill again... Maybe I'll try tomorrow morning to see what I can do. When do they bring out the new bins of stuff? I've never been around when that happens.

[Lorelei Redfern]

me nd my mom are going.. and my mom has an idea to stop theives.. but i like teh idea of a  sheet

while   my  hopes are high  mom says to not  expect much becuase its proablly   jsut going ot be crappy stuff as theyproably  will send the good stuff to sell online. but i'm hopefull

[Cron Sacchariferous]

For me, some days I get lucky and other days not so much. I suppose it depends on what day you go there and what location (is the place hopping mad? or not.) I've only been to the one down the street from me and I usually just try to find bottles and apothecary stuff for my mate and I. I barley have any luck finding potential rescue toys though. But yeh, I agree with many people ^^, It gets pretty skeevey sometimes.

[Galactica]

Bring Gloves, move fast, don't let the pushy people take your stuff or push you out of the way-

Sometimes I just don't have what it takes to go "dumpster diving" as we call it, but you really can find some neat stuff for wicked cheaps  (hence the crowds)

If you con find out when they put out the toys (middle of the day? morning? which day) - that will be helpful.  The competition is not nearly as fierce if there are no new bins being wheeled out, but of course the likelihood you will find treasure is way less too ...

[Lorelei Redfern]

Bring Gloves, move fast, don't let the pushy people take your stuff or push you out of the way-

Sometimes I just don't have what it takes to go "dumpster diving" as we call it, but you really can find some neat stuff for wicked cheaps  (hence the crowds)

If you con find out when they put out the toys (middle of the day? morning? which day) - that will be helpful.  The competition is not nearly as fierce if there are no new bins being wheeled out, but of course the likelihood you will find treasure is way less too ...

i have acutly  gone "dumpster diving" where i used to live in an actual dumpster behind goodwill.  it was legal there was even a light!  anda way in and out.  it was fun.

and when  i called  she said  they  periodacuitly  put new stuff  out all day.

[MonstarNomNom]

I wish I could go with you! I don't know of any goodwill outlets near me But you'll have to show us your haul if you find anything! ^^

[Lorelei Redfern]

I wish I could go with you! I don't know of any goodwill outlets near me But you'll have to show us your haul if you find anything! ^^

maybe soemtime you'll have to make a trip down here! and we'll go!!

[MonstarNomNom]

Totally! ^^ I dream of going to a Goodwill outlet one day! :3

[Angellove]

skyrocketneko if you want we can go together.

[Sarahlacewing]

Now I really want to hit up Goodwill again... Maybe I'll try tomorrow morning to see what I can do. When do they bring out the new bins of stuff? I've never been around when that happens.

Depends.  Around here it takes about an hour to get a line ready so we put out a new line every hour or so.  Saturdays are high volume days so that translates to more workers and more volume.  Weekends they stop putting stuff out in the late evening usually because it takes so long to clean up.  Lunch hour here is around 1.  So your best bet is Saturday (sundays often have skeleton crews) or weekdays between 8-12 3-7. We opened at 8 round here so 9-9:30 a new cart comes out unless we had a hold over from the night before.

[Prince Primbrose]

Now I really want to hit up Goodwill again... Maybe I'll try tomorrow morning to see what I can do. When do they bring out the new bins of stuff? I've never been around when that happens.

Depends.  Around here it takes about an hour to get a line ready so we put out a new line every hour or so.  Saturdays are high volume days so that translates to more workers and more volume.  Weekends they stop putting stuff out in the late evening usually because it takes so long to clean up.  Lunch hour here is around 1.  So your best bet is Saturday (sundays often have skeleton crews) or weekdays between 8-12 3-7. We opened at 8 round here so 9-9:30 a new cart comes out unless we had a hold over from the night before.

Hmm... alright, thank you! I guess I'll have to try to get out there first thing in the morning and see what I can do.