Goodwill Store Reviews
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About Goodwill Store
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Unique and quality merchandise
- Good sales and discounts
- High prices for second-hand items
- Inconsistent customer service
- Poor handling of donations
Goodwill Store Reviews
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Reviewed Feb. 17, 2015
I live in Evansville Indiana, and the experience happened not to me but a very close relative of mine who worked at the Goodwill on 1st Ave in Evansville Indiana. Someone donated a couch infested with bed bugs and still put it out to sell. Gross!
Reviewed Feb. 16, 2015
I live in Port Angeles WA and go to our local and Sequim Wa GW store often for electronics. I have had to return items several times cause they did not function. Came back to the GW the next day to find the returned items back on the shelf for sale for the same price as I paid. How do I know they are the same items, you may ask. I know cause I mark them with a sharpie marker. When you return something to the GW you don't get cash back. You get store credit which is fine with me. The problem is is that when they put the non working item back on the shelf some other person will buy it and bring it back and end up with store credit. Over time this non working item that may cost in the beginning $10 will net GW a lot more than that until someone decides it is not worth bringing back and just throws it out. So this $10 item that the GW got for free could possibly make the GW hundreds of $. Wow what a scam.
Reviewed Feb. 8, 2015
Goodwill in Shreveport, Louisiana have all become rip offs! The one on Shreveport Barksdale Hwy...electronics 20-30 years old - waaaaaaay too expensive!!!! Old TVs - got to be kidding me - 200 plus!!!!!! Y'all are ripping people off - rich, poor, whatever race. It's all being sold too high!!!
Reviewed Feb. 5, 2015
The store manager at the Austin P Hwy. store in Memphis Tennessee is out of control with her pricing of "boutique" items. This practice turns customers off to purchasing items in your store and actually will end up hurting your business in the long run. Before your stores implemented the boutique pricing plan or whatever it is that you call it I used to spend at least $100 every time I came in the store and I visited the store two or three times a week. Now I usually only spend $10-$15 each visit...and I'm not the only one and I know that to be a fact. As a customer it is insulting to see items that your company has paid nothing for marked up to near retail prices. You really should rethink this pricing practice.
Reviewed Feb. 4, 2015
Later part of 2014, GW changed their policies. No more returns (not even credit on cards in my area) and no exchanges. In addition, no more colored tags for 50%. Prices are now so jacked up you can buy many of the items at a retail store cheaper. In addition, none of their employees can afford health insurance benefits on the low wages they offer. Meanwhile, all the CEOs make over $600k a year. This thrift store has lost the meaning of their name, GOODWILL. They opened all these new stores. I hope they go under just like K-Mart did when they stopped with the Blue Light special and then realized that was driving their biz and they tried to bring it back and it was a failure.
Reviewed Feb. 4, 2015
I bids $35 on Sony home stereo $10 more than other bids a week ago. Then I got a call Saturday said I win the bids then I told them I pick it up Monday. Then Monday I drove 43 miles to get there and take times off of work. Got there whoever give my bids to someone else?????? WHY????? And whoever say sorry can't do nothing about it. No credit or anything?????? For gas????? ** BOB this is my last stuff donated to any Goodwill (give over $800.00 last year plus buying stuff there).
Reviewed Feb. 1, 2015
The store at 1030 Greensboro Road in Eatonton Georgia has horrible employees. They buy from the store so there is nothing ever good on the racks are on the shelves and if you ask for someone to help, they'll walk into the back and stay gone. It's almost like you have to beg someone to help you move something or to get something off a shelf. I hate the store and I will never visit it again.
Reviewed Jan. 31, 2015
Worst customer service, the Manager there is an joke. I will never go back to that store again. And the people who work under him are jokes too, always have an attitude. Worst place to shop.
Reviewed Jan. 30, 2015
Items are overpriced, bad condition. Store always a mess, dirty. Crap is what they try to sell at highly inflated prices. On the internet site there is RAMPANT shipping overcharges, which GW is pocketing if the consumer does not check. Items packed poorly and arriving damaged - and items taking as long as 3 wks to rec.
Reviewed Jan. 30, 2015
The store manager at a Phx store Trespassed myself & my disabled son from all Goodwills on the grounds we created a distraction to the workplace, after I asked to see the video of an incident in which my son received a fat lip from one of their employees: and, after reporting one of their employees for trying to extort money out of me for personal access to all of the valuable products in his department.
Reviewed Jan. 29, 2015
I went to the store to purchase a dresser and a chester for my apartment. They only had 2. I asked to speak to a manager and a young lady and man came to the front. While I was talking to her he was pretending to look at clothes. I asked her if she could go down on the price by 20.00 and she exclaimed she couldn't do anything for me and walked away. Her and the guy went in the center isle and had a conversation about me in which was rude. She then informed me that on Monday it will go half off. No help...
Reviewed Jan. 27, 2015
I had just signed up with this auction site won book auctions at two different Goodwill stores. The first shipment from the Tucson (AZ) store arrived badly packaged and damaged. I took careful pics documenting the damage and filed a complaint with their Customer Service. Even though I had not opted for insurance, they still refunded me the full amount, including shipping & handling. They also apologized.
The second book order arrived a week later from Goodwill Industries of St. Clair County (Port Huron, MI). It, too, had not been packaged properly and arrived with damage to the cover, pages, and corners. I once again took careful pics to document and filed a complaint with Customer Service there. It took several days to hear back from them, but I was very pleased to see that they, too, apologized and refunded the full amount of purchase, including shipping & handling.
Both times I wrote I was very polite and stuck to the facts. Even though I'm disappointed that the shipments were damaged and not packaged well, I am still satisfied with their response. I didn't even ask for a refund and in both cases it was given. I think that is worth a 4-star review for shopgoodwill online auctions.
Reviewed Jan. 24, 2015
So I am getting rid of size 4-6 girls clothes and sheets, blankets, curtains and toys. To be honest I was thinking about burning all 7 trash bags full of stuff rather than drive the 30 minutes to a Goodwill to donate them but it's all justice or name brand clothing from my 3 girls age 4-8 and I thought hell I will bring them down and maybe get a tax write off. I get there and ring bell and the lady is rude. Doesn't really want to unload all this stuff. Get it unloaded and she's like "Ugh I smell mold people!" I'm sorry but I prewashed everything before bringing it in. Then I ask for a receipt and she says "OMG, this girl wants a ** receipt." Worst experience ever and have no doubt next time no matter what brand my children's clothes are I will throw them away before ever going back!!
Reviewed Jan. 22, 2015
ShopGoodwill.com is a shyster auction sight. Beware, for they are often diabolical pimps of the overcharging for postage and tacking on stupid "Handling Fee" charges trade.
Even if you scope out an item that you want and bid your maximum in the last 10 seconds of the auction, well be prepared to be outbid by the store's own automated shill bid. That's their way of having a hidden "Reserve" if they think you got the item too cheap.
But be aware that if you win an auction you pay your bid and not the bid of the bidder behind you like at e-Bay. That alone scores them more money. But then their stores like the Middle Tennessee and Tacoma, Washington ones tack on crazy high postage that they score money on.
I've seen the Tacoma store go from having quasi reasonable postage of $12.81 on a ground shipped 5 pound guitar to the outlandish $37.99 + $10 "Handling Fee" the way they do now. And the friggin' Middle Tennessee store will do a last second shill bid of $547 on a Sigma guitar rather than let it sell at the already inflated $280 that classic guitar fetish clowns had bid it up to. The damn Middle Tennessee store has resubmitted that same little Sigma guitar 9 times that I know of.
DO NOT support ShopGoodwill.com EVER. Well, go ahead if you're a moneybag and can afford it. Too many people know about it, so there's no way in hell you'll ever hunt something down that's primo and score it with a last second bid at a bargain price. Because I guarantee you that someone else has put up a crazy high bid that they will bail on just to ruin the auction and hope the next time it comes up they have the money. That's right, folks. In that ShopGoodwill will not award it to the next highest bidder like they do at e-Bay, because they'd rather sit on classy items than let them go on the cheap.
And that's why the Manager of these stores enters the shill bids that sensible bidders can't beat. They know that some wealthy bidder will go the big bucks someday and they are willing to illegally rig auctions until that day comes. All in all ShopGoodwill.com is a sham; just a disreputable shack for lesbian and ** drug addicts to hang out. Do not support their idiot mission of getting burned out prostitutes back on their feet and whoring at the truck stop again.
UPDATE: ShopGoodwill.com (at least many of its participating stores on the auction site) is now straight-faced telling a whopper lie about how FedEx and USPS charging big "Dimensional Weight" fees for packages--as in $39.99 for a boxed guitar even if its packed weight is only 9 pounds. I don't believe it. But, if it WAS true then why the heck does Goodwill refuse to go with good old USPS, hey? I'll tell you why. It's because operating fraudulent on-line auction sights and then shipping by USPS is a Federal Offense, that's why. Oh sure, they are still in violation by shipping FedEx and USPS, but State's Attorneys wont touch them in light of "more serious" stuff involving their time.
Now one small word in defense of Goodwill. In that it might be the case that they are paying a fee to FedEx and USPS to pickup sold items at the store--that's a reasonable assumption being that every employee at Goodwill including the manager are burned-out druggies and whores on parole and don't drive. But COME ON, that pickup fee CAN'T be that big, COME ON! Goodwill is definitely pocketing some easy money and passing it on to the buyers, both with postage as well as "handling fees" to be sure. I look for them to soon put up a fraud online purchase tax calculator like BestBuy does and pocket that, too.
This is all highly unconscionable in light of Goodwill supposedly being a thrift store; a thrift store that hides behind a tax exempt/non-profit Jesus halo and angel wings "Mission" to give entry level crap jobs and hence work experience to society's casualties and undesirables.
Here's an example of how ShopGoodwill.com is unreasonably handling their goods. Case in point: A new and warranted 15-watt Epiphone acoustic guitar amp that can be bought for $99.99 free ship and no tax at MusiciansFriend.com. Well a Goodwill store has put that item up on a auction that also has a "Buy Now" for $59.99 link. Okay so already we're over 1/2 the new store price and leaving the "thrift" zone, especially considering this is in no way a "vintage" amp as in a '60s tube amp; it's just a poor man's solid state, China-made, pitiful squawking sucker. But here's the kicker. That damn store has also placed a $59.99 "Reserve" on that piece of crap, and its shipping is $43.99 and $7.00 "handling charge." That's right, folks. That ** store has locked in that guitar amp at a $110.98 price to you at it's cheapest. $10.99 OVER the new and warranted price with free shipping fer-cryin'-out-loud!
Reviewed Jan. 20, 2015
NO MONEY BACK. Goodwill, the thrift junk secondhand store who gets everything for free has sunk to the lowest level. AFTER A PURCHASE THEY WILL NOT REFUND! You will be offered a gift card for the amount to spend in their store, oh how nice. In a store where you typically can't tell what you bought until it comes home and you have a chance to check, this is unacceptable. I had not been in one in a while, now I guarantee this is the last straw. Goodwill is a crooked big profit business which cloaks itself in being wonderful and humanitarian. Walmart is more humanitarian by leaps and bounds.
Reviewed Jan. 15, 2015
I guess every store is like a monopoly. One GW used to be a good one till they hired a dumb girl whose job was to price shoes. I don't know what she'd been smoking but since she began working there their prices went through the roof on shoes in their case. Like one day I walked in when she was placing their shoes in their case and pricing them....I asked her why are these prices so high?? (Example: Michael Kors women's worn boots: $84.00, men's worn Nike sneakers: $56, you get the picture). I told her "I can go to Macy's and use a coupon and buy brand new in box shoes by these brands. She was shaking her head like "no" and continued to mark ridiculous prices....I guess they began pricing these shoes high because there was one dumb-butt re-seller who was going around in GW and yelling out loud that she sells shoes on e..y - after that all hell broke loose. Now their prices are insane!!!
In another store, cashiers often chat about "re-sellers" and laugh about them. I find it unprofessional. In another store I noticed that a manager who used to work in another GW moved to that other one. That other one does get a lot of upscale/high-end items and I've seen him load his car with GW bags. I thought they don't allow employees and managers shop there but looks like its not the case.
Reviewed Jan. 14, 2015
I am so disappointed with the Goodwill in Destin, FL. Where there used to be treasures and enticing merchandise, there is now outdated, worn crap or items priced so ridiculously high that you can purchase it new for the same, if not less, cost. It appears that anything of any value whatsoever is being cherrypicked out of the back and, according to employees, placed on ebay. For example, at one time they sold donated jewelry. Now it is all being placed on ebay per their employees or sold to 'certain people' (witnessed) at a VERY cheap cost. Yet this mysterious 'ebay' seller is no where to be found on that site. The saddest thing is the average consumer is duped by the thought that they are donating to a worthy cause.
I will not be shopping OR donating there any longer until I see some quality merchandise coming out onto the shelves consistently once again and not simply overpriced Chinese crap, Target rejects, broken glasswares, stained clothing, and cheap dollar store jewelry priced at 10 times the price. If they are putting everything 'good' onto ebay then what is the purpose of their crap store?
Reviewed Jan. 13, 2015
Everything is expensive, is like if they were new, and the new items, is better to buy them in another store, they have the same price. I would say to people, stop giving your donations to them.
Reviewed Jan. 12, 2015
This makes me absolutely nuts! When I found out that I can no longer buy goods at the stores because everything is going online, I started buying online. Their prices are absolutely insane! Their shipping is out of this world. I ship on eBay everyday at one third of the cost they are charging. They are making a fortune on the shipping cost. I think it is ludicrous that people are donating items and Goodwill is making a fortune off this. I really do hope that a hundred percent of their profits are going to where they're supposed to go. I doubt it! Not only do they charge so much for shipping, but they don't ship it out until at least 5 to 6 days later!
If they were a regular business they would be out of business in no time, but they have left us no choice, all the thrift stores now are scammers and they have managers that sell to dealers on the side, you cannot just walk into a store and find a gem in the rough. But unfortunately, I collect vintage Barbies and there's no place else to get them.
Reviewed Jan. 11, 2015
Found good pair of pants for $9.99, try them on and they fit... I'll buy them. At the checkout up front, the cashier looks at the tag, quickly says, "Oh, sorry but this tag has been altered." Long pause and looks at the tag and says, "Look it was pulled off, there is a tear in the paper and someone put a lower price tag on it." Pause... Then said, "These are REALLY $12.99." I said, "They say $9.99." Then she said, "I can't sell them to you for $9.99, I need $12.99..."
I asked to speak with the Manager... but then the manager came up and said the exact same thing and stuck to her, new higher price... LOOKING DOWN THE WHOLE TIME, not looking me in the eye, saying, "Someone switched the tags." I paid the extra $3 bucks, but let her know "I was not the person who switched the tag." I also told the manager, "I think the tag was switched by an employee..."
Really, I think this is what they do, they mark the tags lower and then when you get up to the cashier they tell you it's been tampered with and then say item costs MORE. Is this FALSE ADVERTISING AND BAIT & SWITCH? Does Goodwill have such high "Quota" that they tell the employees to change prices and lie to customers, insinuating that the customer changed the prices? Personally I feel it is their POLICY to change the prices. Who benefits? Who profits? WATCH OUT FOR THE SWITCH-A-ROO PRICE TAG SCAM. GOODWILL IS not so "GOOD" after all.
Reviewed Jan. 9, 2015
Went to Goodwill (West Melbourne) and picked out some really cute items and it wasn't until I was walking out of the store and got to my car that I realized I was charged twice for the same shirt. I went right back in thinking it was a simple mistake - they would fix it. No big deal. Well not only did I not get my money back, but the manager was very rude. Told me I wasn't overcharged, that I was undercharged. Then said she had to go check the cameras to make sure I wasn't stealing!! After waiting for a while for her to review the footage my sister in law saw how upset I was and went to the office and asked for my receipt back so we could just leave. She was still watching the video. Anyways got my receipt. She said her name was Amber but she didn't have a name tag so not even sure that was her name. We had asked many times for her a corporate number and kept getting the run around.
I will never shop or donate to this store ever again. It was the most insulting experience I have ever had at a store! My husband has been a manager for 15 years and has never treated anyone like this. Not sure what her problem was but she made a huge deal over a $3.69 shirt and didn't even apologize. So disappointing. I used loved donating and shopping at this store!

Reviewed Jan. 9, 2015
** unfairly fired me. I was working at the Haight street Goodwill for 2 days, and I broke my foot and had to go to the hospital. She fired me and has yet to pay me for my hard days work. I think this company is a complete joke and I plan to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office of CA.
Reviewed Jan. 9, 2015
Bought $300 of high end crystal described as excellent with no chips or cracks. Received and four had chips. Contacted Tacoma store where they were sent from and was told "too bad, you bought as is." Their description was clear "no chips." Rude and nasty and would not make any adjustment. Tacoma store is a total rip off. Buyers beware, they don't care about you and will ship anything in any condition and lie about its condition. Had trouble with New Jersey store also, same go around. Looks like Goodwill doesn't have much "goodwill" towards its customers.
Reviewed Jan. 2, 2015
I could write a novel on my horrible experiences with the GW website, but I will have to show SOME constraint. Where do I start? Shipping - I don't think they actually make any money on shipping, but many of the sites refuse to use anything other than FedEx and USPS. This is because it is so much easier for them. For example, the Columbia-Willamette store, which is in Oregon, I believe. It does not matter what you buy, how low the piece, or how small or light the object is. If you buy a 2 oz. gold chain, or a one-pound purse, you will pay the minimum one-pound rate, and there is no champ in their minds. The price for shipping a 1 oz. gold chain, including handling is $11.82 plus $2.00 handling. $13.82 for an item that can be shipped for around $2 30. Yes, it is criminal. But they will not listen to reason and will tell you to shop elsewhere if you don't like it.
Some of the other stores will set a fixed shipping cost of say, $5-6, still using USPS/FedEx. Don't know how they do it, but many do it, so it must not be hard. But not Columbia-Willamette. You pay the full one-pound minimum plus handling, which is high compared to a lot of other stores. Trouble is, they have a lot of good stuff at that store. Particularly art. On a lot of this art, the painting or drawing is nice, but the frame is crap. No problem--just ask them to pitch the frame and ship without it, right, to save on that crazy-expensive shipping? No can do. Against policy. They refuse to do it. They will do absolutely NOTHING to help the customer save on shipping. Very, very frustrating.
Then there is Waco. "Goodwill of the Heartland. " I bid on a few things from them. Then, suddenly, they were refusing to accept my bids! I wrote and asked why. No response. I called the store. Asked for the manager. He was never in. Finally, after begging, literally, for an answer, I was told that my messages to them were "unacceptable." Now I'm not really one to write anything hateful, but I can be sarcastic. I also have a sense of humor that, I guess, some people find offensive. So when I asked for an example of my "unacceptable" messages, they told me I had written something like, "good luck selling this butt-ugly ashtray..." Something like that. I meant it to be funny, because I remember the item in question was absolutely horrible and I think it was chipped up, too. But they were not amused. No sir. To this day they refuse my bids, even after I wrote the district manager. Guess she doesn't have a sense of humor either. Oh well. The way I see it, as much as I spend on shopgoodwill.com, the "Heartland" store is the loser. I don't lose sleep over it.
Then there is my ultimate Pet Peeve. Stupidity. I purchase a lot of art for resale. Original paintings and drawings, some photography, a few sculpture. But I do NOT buy prints, posters, limited editions, etchings, serigraphs...you get the picture. ORIGINAL ART. It never fails, though, that at least one out of five pieces that I receive are prints. This is a tremendous hassle. Usually they will give me a refund, but they want the thing back. So I have to repack it and drag it back to the post office, or best case, have the carrier come and pick it up. Even when I question the seller beforehand, "Are you SURE this is an original?" I get prints. Once, when I pointed out to the lister that the characters "12/100" mean that this piece was number 12 in a series of 100 copies, and I needed to return it, her response was, "I'm sorry, no. Art is art." I asked for her supervisor's email, and she straightened it out for me, and I requested that she please educate her employee on the difference between prints and originals. She said she had, but when I asked the girl who wrote the listing if she would be more careful in the future, she answered with, "I don't know what you are talking about. Art is art." Forwarded this to the supervisor, with no response.
OK, last one. The Finger Lakes store. Please pull up their items and take a look. They are not a Goodwill store; they are a very high-end art gallery. And please take notice of the column of zeros under title "Bids." Even the geekiest, worst piece of garbage they have listed has a "fair market value" (a term they use in every listing) of like $474.00 and a "Buy it Now" in the thousands. I've written them, expressing my incredulity, but was informed that they have "art experts" whom they are consulting and these prices are firm. Now, after it's listed several times, they may lower the price to $9.99, but it will STILL have a reserve price in the stratosphere. I have been watching their art (and damn it, they have some great stuff) and in two or so months, I have never seen ANYTHING with a bid. It makes me crazy, because I would love to be able to try to win some of it, but with an opening bid of $800, who is going to bid? I even bid on some sterling spoons a couple days ago, and bid about the current value of the weight of the silver, and I kid you not, it came back that I hadn't met the reserve. They have a reserve on everything but the junk. I don't know how they are making a dime and "helping" their target group, people who need job training. But it infuriates me!!!
I could go on and on, but I won't. I'm very glad I found this site. It gave me a chance to vent. What I've written here is just the tip of the iceberg. Goodwill Industries is NOT a charity. It is a for-profit organization, and the various stores are franchises. I don't know what they call it or the details, but that's how it works. How much they donate to helping people, I really don't know. But neither their stores nor their website are "thrift" organizations who sell to the needy, that's for sure! Thanks for listening!
Reviewed Jan. 2, 2015
Employee's get to take items straight from the donator and keep it for themselves before even going through a process at all. Someone comes to the store to donate brand new stuff, and just so happens such and such is there and she's taking this stuff home without even putting them on the shelf for people to buy. Then turn around and say, oh I didn't need it or couldn't wear it (lie) and so since I paid for it, it's mine to do with what I want to, and that is sell, sell, sell for a huge profit. That is wrong, wrong, wrong, I'm pretty sure there is state and federal laws against this. Meanwhile, very poor people still have nowhere to shop and buy stuff dirt cheap, unless they happen to work there.
Reviewed Dec. 28, 2014
I have tried to buy a couple of items a couple of times from goodwill and each time I try to buy them, they would change the price, is making them more expensive. I ask them why did they do that, they said because their manager told them. They’re more expensive on ebay so come to find out their pricing their stuff from ebay. I also went to a couple of the other goodwills and looked at some of their prices and then looked up that same item online on eBay and their prices are as well priced off eBay. I will never shop at goodwill again store #559 6719 bells ferry road Woodstock game 30189.
Reviewed Dec. 27, 2014
The Goodwill Store nearest us is in the adjoining town. EVERYTHING in the store is donated. In our Goodwill Store most everything is priced like retail or close to it. When Monday starts the week with a different colored price tag for the week's discount, that color tag is few and far between. Also, Wednesdays are seniors discount day and the items in the store seem to be depleted but the next day the store is full of products. I have also been told by other shoppers that price tags are being Changed to a higher price. I had shopped Christmas Eve looking at several larger items but did not purchase due to high price. On December 26 I went back because ALL items were to be 25% off but the previous items I had looked at had a price sticker of at least 30% higher than on Christmas Eve. Myself and many, many others used to believe that these stores were THRIFT STORES...!
Reviewed Dec. 27, 2014
I went to the Goodwill in Cookeville 3 days before Christmas and the prices had really went up a lot. Needless to say I did not buy much. Then returned today, just to kill time, one regular pillow case $5.99 and one curtain panel with grommets $12.99. These prices are much higher than ANY store in Cookeville plus all the stuff is given to them. I will not only never donate another thing to them but I will never go there again if they do not lower their prices. Will be glad to shop and donate to Habitat For Humanity from now on, as will my friends. The store here is much higher than your stores in Nashville and Dayton, Ohio even. Sad and very greedy.
Reviewed Dec. 20, 2014
I thought GW was supposed to offer goods for the poor at prices the poor could afford? So how is a poor person supposed to have high speed internet and a credit card or paypal account? So a retail manager tells me all the good stuff goes to shopgw.com. So, I was looking to buy a shirt, a Ralph Lauren tank top, it didn’t even have sleeves. Shipping was $15 including handling! I have an online mail order business and I ship items all day everyday. I ship shirts and know that a T-shirt cost less than $3 to ship. A sweater that weighs over 1 pounds still cost less than $9 to ship. GW is charging $15 to ship a shirt WITHOUT sleeves. It weighs 10 ounces, that should cost $2.76 for First Class Mail through USPS. Why would they use UPS and ship everything at a 1 pound rate? That is beyond me... Oh wait, I know, they are POCKETING the extra shipping.
Now GW goes through every item they get donated and hand pick what goes online to sell. This was told to me by a manager of a location where I live. So the rest of the poor people get to sift through the garbage while people who can afford to go online and pay TRIPLE what the item is worth, when the items were supposed to get to the people who couldn’t afford such items. What I sell on ebay is selling FOR LESS than what the GW sells their items for. I actually have people writing me thanking me for such a good deal on clothing and that the GW no longer offers anything good at the retail locations. IT’S ALL ONLINE NOW, out of the reach of the people they are supposed to be helping. Not only that, THEY LIE ABOUT SHIPPING and rip you off even further! GW has gone so far from its initial values, it is sad. I used to remember going to the GW and finding all kind of cool stuff. Now the retail locations are almost like dumpsters. Now I know where all the good donated items have gone. They have gone online, away from the people they were meant for.
Reviewed Dec. 19, 2014
I went into my local goodwill yesterday and purchased an entertainment center, so today I get a truck to go pick it up and they resold it shortly after I left the store yesterday. How nice was that for the store employees to just set my receipt and sold tag to the side instead of placing it with the item I bought. Very disappointed on how things work there.
Reviewed Dec. 17, 2014
There is absolutely no reason to justify the theft of donated items by employees of Goodwill! Employees at Goodwill get paid; the managers make $40K per year. Some customers there rely solely on what Goodwill sales to make a living, How is a Goodwill manager or employee allowed to divert donated items for their own personal use? As opposed to the needy child or customer with no job? State and Federal Law strictly prohibit any kind of misappropriation of items donated to a non-profit (501(C)(3)) organization by employees, There is a pattern of widespread theft of donated items by Goodwill employees throughout the United States! I am not saying all employees of Goodwill steal donations, but, if you are ever in a Goodwill store and are wondering why there only seems to be a bunch of worthless junk & trashy clothes, well it's most likely because the Goodwill employees have completely ripped the place off! And the Goodwill store & customers are the victims of this rampant employee theft of donated items at Goodwill stores.
Reviewed Dec. 10, 2014
At shopgoodwill.com, it seems they let anyone describe the item and almost always misdescribe the items and omit defects. When it comes to shipping, the shipping cost is super inflated. Just check and see.
Reviewed Dec. 9, 2014
I have been having a great time bidding at shopgoodwill.com. I pay special attention to our local shopgoodwill.com because I will not have to pay the shipping -- making my dollar go a little farther than someone bidding from out of town. We are heavy supporters of Goodwill. We have donated almost monthly, and I shop the Goodwill stores weekly and the shopgoodwill.com almost daily. No more. I went into the administration building to pick up four won-and-paid-for online items and to notify them that I would pick the just-bought-auctioned items tomorrow. (They say they need a 24 hour notice, but in this case the employee noticed that I was the winner of six items and brought them all to the receptionist for me to pick up.) The receptionist told me I could pay for the two new items using an onsite computer. I thought, "Great! I won't have to come back tomorrow!"
I logged on, paid for the two newer items through Paypal. She looked at what I was doing and said, "NOW, what website are you on!" I told her, "Paypal" and her voice lowered and said, "Oh, I've never seen that." I asked her if she wanted to look on the screen for confirmation. She looked and said, "YOU PAID FOR THE SHIPPING!" I said, "Oh shoot, I was rushing and missed it." (I was rushing because of her attitude. I wanted to go.) Reception Lady started chiding me saying, "You have to pay attention! I can't believe the amount of people that just pay for things and don't even look at their bill." She was very condescending and reworded the same sentiments about 4 different ways. She asked if this was my first time.
At first I thought she was asking, "Are you ignorant?" because her of her tone. She then explained that they will sometimes refund for the first-offense. I asked, "Who do I need to talk to?" "Well...I'll have to call a manager." She said it slowly and with warning, as my mother would say, "I'll have to have to tell your father." The receptionist talks on the phone to the manager with heavy breath, explains my error. I wonder what Manager Lady said because Reception Lady responded, "I know, I know." She might as well concluded with "stupid customer". Manager Lady arrives (does not introduce herself, no common courtesies) and gives me the same lecture, with the same tone, the same condescension, the same lack of gratitude for supporting Goodwill.
I gave her my own lecture about lecturing. I told her she could have come out with a smile and said, "No problem, but just so you know, we can only do this once." I would have apologized. She said, "Well, we have a lot of customers and it happens all the time." I was thinking, "Well get a new job if you hate it!" She told me that they would refund this one time and she walked away. Neither the receptionist nor myself knew what happens next. I asked the receptionist, "Am I waiting for a receipt or will I get an email...?" She had to call the same manager back and then told me it would take 7 to 10 days. All stores have to deal with customer errors. It doesn't give anyone the right to belittle someone.Your business has customers. Customers make mistakes! Apparently, they do not want my business and I will oblige.
Reviewed Dec. 9, 2014
I went in to buy a Christmas tree from Goodwill. I couldn't believe the prices one tree had a price of $139.00 another $129.00. This is wrong, you can't return the trees if they stop working, to charge this kind of prices is wrong. Goodwill has bad will. Cheating the poor. This is bad. The location is Highway Six and Vicksburg Subdivision.
Reviewed Dec. 5, 2014
I have decided it just might not be worth shopping at. Every time I go in I am shocked at their prices. New prices on second hand stuff. Most people with common sense can see this. I think you will lose a lot of customers if the prices don't come down.
Reviewed Dec. 5, 2014
Goodwill on Cobb Pkwy - This location has the worst management team in business. There are a total of 4, and 3 have no clue. There's always mention in the workplace with employees vs the general manager who's a real **.. They are all about money and don't give a rat's ** about their employees. The prices on the free given donations are ridiculous. The corporate office makes it no better. There are many other businesses to donate goods to and I will urge you all to search for them before ever giving anything to goodwill. The company/corporate office itself has very bias, disrespectful, and very rude ** staff ever. I wish them all the worst.
Reviewed Dec. 4, 2014
A friend of mine in Wilkes Barre, PA lost everything and became homeless. He finally got a low cost place, and he went to Goodwill, Salvation Army, Volunteers of America for help with furniture... and every single one of these firms said they had no donations for the needy, just cheap prices! I was stunned. How can they take donations, and sell for profit - what is going on here and why do they have non-profit status when they are in the business of making profit and ripping off the donors and the needy! What has happened to America? I am ashamed of us.
Reviewed Dec. 1, 2014
I was dropping off clothes and tvs at the Goodwill center in Bay St Louis MS. Two older women were doing the same thing. We both noticed there was stuff in the dumpster we wanted to look at. Next thing we know the police show up! The new employees called the cops on us! The cops explained to the workers that we can dig in the garbage! There is no law! The goodwill employees were very very rude! They also banned us from ever donating and coming back to the Goodwill. This is crazy!!!!!!
Reviewed Nov. 28, 2014
I have shopped Goodwill stores all over the Continental United States, more times in Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, Florida, Colorado, and Connecticut. Truthfully I am appalled with the association of its workers and their wages and working conditions. As I am 65 years old and my home is 50%+ Goodwill merchandise decor/clothing, I am disgusted knowing my monies spent on the over priced merchandise has not been used as "advertised and policy promised". In my lifetime I grew with Goodwill's growth from its initial beginning as a "THRIFT STORE" chain of second hand merchandise with inexpensive prices. Even then, the "Big Shots" were lining their pockets with the "moolah" to take those foreign vacations and return with multiple tons of merchandise from unsavory locations for resale to the needy public in the USA.
Let's put our cards on the table.....Goodwill is an out of control "Super Sized Yard Sale with Million Dollar Store Buildings to sell their mostly donated BOOTY!" Selling stuff for almost/and sometimes higher prices than new merchandise at reputable stores. So many times I've purchased items that in one way or another is defective or had a "history" preferred not mentioning.
The unfortunate workers, at one time described to me by a Goodwill employee as "Water-heads, Hillbillies, Spikes, and ** was all Goodwill wants to hire to pay them peanuts cause they know no better!" These "type" of people with challenges I've found being employed with pride at grocery outlets making the minimum wage+ as baggers-greeters-helpers in an atmosphere of friendly surroundings. These suits at Goodwill should be ashamed of themselves as they are actually no different than "Pimps in the Garage Sale Business or Domesticated Drug Dealers" fencing merchandise instead of the drugs. They should be incarcerated like the common crooks they are. They are far from being "Honest, Hard Working Providers For The Advancement Of The Employment Of The Disabled". Their yearly reports of how they spent thousands on their "helping the unfortunate" is a crock of manure.
Let's investigate the other 80% of the pie not mentioned that found its way into the pockets and accounts of the "unknown" like it's a MAFIA run corporation."BOYCOTT GOODWILL" and shop the local thrift/second hand stores for bargain prices if that's what you're seeking, but keep in mind, those store are just "miniature" Goodwill stores that hasn't had the opportunity to rape the public....yet. They are STILL a business to fill a bank accounts for someone. You can always count on the honest faithful God's Church Socials and occasional rummage sales that the monies are needed and used for the good and not "drinks with tiny umbrellas" lounging on a white sandy beach while on a European massive "merchandise buying excursion". CASE CLOSED!! Oh, and may GOD BLESS CMB P.S. The other stores in the same line of operation are also in the business of "self enrichment too". The list is endless! The public is being duped, wake up!!!
Reviewed Nov. 24, 2014
Goodwill used to be a decent charitable organization. Now it is just a money grabbing corporation. Some managers make hundreds of thousands of dollars. The prices of items are for a donated used article - ridiculous; they post the products also on eBay or even sell books online. Well weren't all items donated so why put prices so high even higher than retailers? Now also if the people that go there have a need for cheaper items aren't they ripping people off? I read somewhere that they pay very low wages also.
Reviewed Nov. 21, 2014
I applied for a job. I got an interview. The application did have a space in which to write my educational background, so the person who called me in knew I had a degree. So, I wasted gas driving over to the local Goodwill store, sat through an entire interview, only to be told at the END of the process... That Goodwill doesn't like to hire people who have been to college! So, the fact that I have been to college and I'm still willing to work for pennies because the economy is CRAP should prevent me from ACTUALLY getting a job?? And you couldn't have just NOT called me in for an interview instead of WASTING MY TIME. I got the feeling the lady conducting the interview just wanted to dangle the job in my face because she had a chance to belittle another person. Bait and switch - you awful **.
Reviewed Nov. 14, 2014
I purchased a subwoofer for my home computer system that did not work. I went to my local Goodwill store, located in Port Orchard WA, to return the product. I was told I would have to make a twenty-mile drive to the Gig Harbor location, where it was purchased, if I wanted to return it. Apparently, because the two stores were in different regional boundaries, the consumer is only allowed to make returns within their store boundary. The original purchase at the Gig Harbor location was horrible. I stood in line for almost 15 minutes before anyone would wait on me.
When I arrived at the store to return the product, they had to get authorization from the manager. There was no sticker on the product when I bought it so the manager, a different one at that time, made a pricing decision on her own. I discovered it doesn't work in the reverse order. You can't return a product without the sticker. I offered an explanation describing how another manager made that pricing decision, since there was no sticker on it at the original time of purchase I should be entitled to a return. I did persuade her to sign off, but she wasted a lot of my time to scrutinize such a small purchase/return amount. Imagine my surprise when, what I thought was going to be a cash refund, turned out to be a debit card with a service fee deducted for my return.
Since I was in a different regional boundary I would now have to travel back down another twenty miles to use the debit card, it will not be accepted in my home town. Thoroughly dissatisfied with this response, I asked the manager for a cash refund and was told no. Here's the deal Goodwill, don't give your employees the title "manager" if they can't resolve a dispute over $9.00. And while I don't think you will ever resolve this for me or respond to me, I think you should understand that you have lost ME as a customer over $9.00. Great policy Goodwill. As a business owner myself, I have to tell you how foolish your company is for alienating your customers over such an innocuous matter. Seems like more and more companies now put profits before people. Your corporation must be one of those.
Reviewed Nov. 13, 2014
I've been a long time customer at the local Goodwill in Bluffton, SC. My wife and I have made $ thousands in purchases and donations. On 10/24/14, I purchased a Fender Guitar Amplifier that was priced at $200.01. I checked out and used 250 of the discount points I'd been saving and paid $150.01 with my Visa card. I took the Amplifier home and plugged it in only to find out that it was completely inoperable. As soon as it was plugged in it made an extremely loud roaring sound that could not have been ignored if it had been tested. That was all it did no matter what position any of the knobs were in or if there was an instrument plugged into it.
Within an hour I returned it to the store and the person at the checkout stand accepted the return and said purchase price would be "credited to your account". Since that statement from a cashier at any other place of business would mean that I'd have a credit posted to my Visa card, I assumed that was what she meant and never questioned it any further. I did ask if I got my points back and was told they didn't return points but I could return when the manager was there to discuss it with her. That was a Friday afternoon and the store was very busy so I left and returned the following week and the manager (**) got online and restored my points for me.
Yesterday 11/13/14 I checked my credit card statement and was surprised to find that there was no credit from Goodwill. I immediately went to the store and asked the manager (**) why I didn't get my credit and was told they only credit store accounts and don't refund money. I explained to her that I would be leaving the area to spend the winter in Florida soon and wouldn't have the opportunity spend that much at Goodwill and really could use the money for other needs. The answer was simply "Those are the rules."
I took a chance on this purchase because I've been told by the store employees on numerous occasions that electrical items are checked out before being displayed. If this item was checked out, it self destructed between the shelf and my house. If this were a $10 or $20 item, I wouldn't complain but I'm retired on a fixed income and $150 is a considerable amount of money to me. Unfortunately by the time I discovered there was a problem, the receipt had been disposed of. I do however have my Senior Awards card that links to my account number **. I would appreciate a refund of my money as soon as possible.
Reviewed Nov. 12, 2014
I used to shop Goodwill for many reasons such as the obvious, great prices and usually nice items, helping support the employees. Well, now I find the "employees" are helping themselves, such as taking the good items or calling in family members to come immediately and purchase said items. But the thing that stings me is now Goodwill selling on eBay. It's like stealing. We good natured people donate items to them to be sold to help everyone involved. But now they pick through checking and pricing items to be sold on eBay. They have raised their prices so much so I no longer shop there. There aren't good items left to buy at the store because they have confiscated them to sell to make more money from donations we make! They don't even bother to check or test what they do advertise on eBay. It's gone too far, I say boycott them, they are crooked thieves. Don't donate or shop there, there are plenty of other thrift stores just trying to get by. Screw those corporate mongrels at Goodwill.
Reviewed Nov. 11, 2014
Goodwill in Cookeville, TN - Nothing happened.... But, like everyone else I feel that Goodwill is overpriced for items that were given for free. This does not help the poor. They need to weed out a lot of their stuff. Not good when you see broken dishware or toys lying around either.
Reviewed Nov. 11, 2014
Goodwill Covington GA - I am 32 yrs old, 4’10” and 90 lbs and my kids are 10 & 14 and yes, are my size and bigger already. Every time I go into Goodwill they insist on charging me for adult prices on the kids’ clothes. I have even took my kids with me to prove that I was buying them for my kids and yes have even had to get the manager and argue with them as well. A 10 in girls is just that: a 10 in girls, but because I could wear them they see that it magically becomes adult price. :/ Going to Goodwill today and ready for this to happen and yet again, but I gotta plan this time that might just give proof on what they do to me. :)
Reviewed Nov. 7, 2014
I told them it would close without batteries and they just said, "We cannot refund your money." CROOKS!
Reviewed Nov. 2, 2014
I once worked at Goodwill, the manager and assistant manager would take all of the good things out in the back door and take them home. Also I use to shop at different Goodwill 2 to 3 times a week. I have to say I have not been back in months. Everything is way overpriced. I know it is supposed to be for a worthy cause, but I only see management getting their pockets lined. The people that are low income cannot afford to shop there. It is not a place to find a bargain. I will tell everyone I know, to give their donations to Salvation Army.
Reviewed Nov. 1, 2014
I have just recently begun to shop Goodwill online as it appeared that's where all the name brand etc. stuff is now. In the few shorts weeks I have been purchasing items, I feel I have been ripped off to say the least. For instance, In the listing it said Harley-Davidson Men's Riding Leather Large Jacket, but when I received the item it was a Boy's Size Large 14/16 PVC Faux Leather Jacket. Another purchase I made was for a Lot of 2 pair of Lucky Brand Jeans. The photo pictured a pair of brand new pair of jeans with the tags still attached on the front right and left pockets of the jeans and a sticker running down the back right leg. But, the jeans I received had no tags and were definitely not new. I am just very disappointed with Goodwill all the way around. It has turned into a huge place to rip people off. In the future I will not be shopping online or in their stores.
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2014
Middle Tennessee Goodwill Berry Hill is a joke. Employees steal donations off the drop-off dock and the trucks and sell it out a side door. And yes management claims does claim that patrons are lying whenever they report it. They need to have their tax exemption pulled. They are making so much money they don't care what happens to your donations.
Reviewed Oct. 19, 2014
I usually shop at Goodwill at least two or three times a week. I use to find great deals... Now, all I'm finding are a bunch of ripoff artists... One Goodwill in Owings Mills Maryland had it set up where you could bid on items that they would put in a display case. The highest Bidder would win. They have Football Jerseys and they put high prices on them even if they are fake Jerseys. Once I found a pair of shorts and it had a Walmart tag on it that was 8.99. The Goodwill missed it and put a price tag of 12.99 on it. I asked the saleswoman how could they sell the item at a higher price? She laughed and changed it to 8.99 and I put it back. They have TAG days in Eldersburg Goodwill... If it's Red Tag, it's half off. I've noticed that the DVDs that are all RED will NOT be RED on RED TAG day... Or whatever day it is... You will find the tags have been changed. A bunch of crooks...
Reviewed Oct. 17, 2014
I worked at Goodwill for two and a half years. I recently walked out. Corporate went behind our backs and promoted another employee to be a lead at another Goodwill store. We were all there way before her. The job was not posted either. I have worked my butt off for that place knowing they do a lot of things that they shouldn't but I needed my job. They are very greedy people. All they care about is money. They stick their noses in the air when it comes to the poor. Like I always said, they should've called themselves GREEDWILL!! I will never shop there or donate there ever again!!!
Reviewed Oct. 7, 2014
Whenever I have bid and won auctions from the Orange County Santa Ana location, they ship at least a week or two after payment. Why place so many items up for bidding when you don't have the staff or desire to ship items in a timely fashion? Two weeks to ship out items is unacceptable. You have my funds, I am a customer and yet it is as if you are doing me a favor.
When emails are sent the responses are curt. Customers are treated as if we are bothering them and they are doing the customer a favor. Other locations have decent customer service, but you do need to anticipate not all items will be in decent condition. They do tend to overestimate the value and condition of items. Consider shipping plus the handling costs before placing a bid. Goodwill auctions is definitely not customer friendly.
Reviewed Oct. 2, 2014
Goodwill employees notifying their family members when items of high value (specifically jewelry and furniture) will be placed on the sales floor. Family member enters store and purchases several specific "mixed grab jars of jewelry" and exits the store. This is completely unacceptable and unfair to loyal shoppers that invest time and money to support their local Goodwill stores in hopes of occasionally finding a treasure or simply doing a good deed. Not to mention having to remove many items from the overcrowded racks of clothing to simply have room to flip through the items.
Reviewed Sept. 29, 2014
In the past year, the prices at skill local Goodwill stores have become so high that you can go to retail store and get cheaper deals. We go to thrift stores to get bargains. I will no longer skip at Goodwill anywhere - Salvation Army and local only.
Reviewed Sept. 24, 2014
I started working at Goodwill (Santa clara store) in August. I thought my record was really bad and this company will hire anybody. I mean literally anybody regardless of background. They have all their money invested in loss prevention. I had loss prevention come and tell me how they saw me steal something from the sorting bins. He wanted me to agree with a lie, I didn't and they fired me 3 days later. These people are running a sweatshop. They work you like a dog and claim they're helping the community. I knew from the minute I walked in their main plant that this place was not safe. All the people I knew from jail were there - not a good sign. I wish I would have never worked there. They have a policy called whistle blowing which basically means snitching. And all the employees trying to gain rank are using it. Worst experience I ever had.
Reviewed Sept. 21, 2014
Goodwill's auction site is doing something fraudulent in the bidding process that they refuse to explain. Goodwill's auction is done by proxy bidding, which means you enter the highest price you are willing to pay for an item, and then minimum bid increments are taken out from your maximum bid if you are outbid, until your maximum bid is reached and you are outbid.
I placed a legitimate $400 bid for an item to ensure I would not be outbid. $400 was the actual resale value of the item, if it was actually of quality used condition. My bid was accepted by Goodwill and the item's price was then set at $52. I did this the day before the auction closed. The day of the auction, Goodwill banned my account from placing bids, and locked me out of the other auctions I was participating in. Goodwill retracted my bid and closed my account. When I inquired as to why this happened, I was told I could only have one account. I only had one account, and I question Goodwill about the accusation, for which I received no reply.
So essentially, if you place a bid for an item that has a high resale value, someone at Goodwill will report you for abuse, so that a lower bidder, possibly an employee, can come in and take the item at a lower price. Interestingly enough, I had placed a $700 bid on another item, but for some reason, that bid is still in effect, as other bidders try to outbid my "willing to pay price", yet Goodwill has not retracted this bid, even though they closed my account, banned me for abuse and accused me of multiple auction accounts with no basis.
Goodwill is happy to keep my $700 bid on the other item in order to inflate their profits. Goodwill will manipulate a bid to a low bidder or to a higher price if it is in their interest to do so. Technically, both of my bids should have been retracted, if I was truly an abuser, yet Goodwill want to ensure that the $700 bid is not canceled, so that someone will come along and outbid me and pay Goodwill a nice auction price!
Goodwill's auction is shady, and so is their customer service if you have an issue. Goodwill could have said that it was a technical error that made me lose the auction and account privileges, but instead they outright accused me of fraud when I had done nothing wrong. I did not have multiple accounts. The likely truth is that someone running the Goodwill auction on the technical side is doing side deals to help themselves, friends, family or other resellers to gain high value items from the auction at the lowest prices. The items are probably then resold on eBay, Amazon, craigslist or wherever. There is fraud, and it is a shame that this can happen in a company that has such a good mission to help others. Goodwill seriously needs to correct this issue at their Orange County headquarters.
Reviewed Sept. 17, 2014
Customers, also known as patrons, should be aware that customer service at Goodwill is different from any other retail store they might shop. For example, patrons should not ask any workers to fill the loose toy grab bag table, because that is not their job. It will be considered harassment if the customer does this, even if they asked management first and didn't so much as get an acknowledgement that they were there. Further, the loose toys are not as important as the other items that are sold in the store, so if that's all the patron is interested in, that makes said patron less important than other customers, even if they spend a lot of money on loose toy grab bags. (It appears that that money is less important than money that is made on other items, too. It is possible that money made on the sale of loose toy grab bags does not spend the same as money made on the sale of other items, but further study needs to be completed before this statement is considered factual.)
Also, customers should not watch or wait for new items to be brought out of the stockroom, because they will be labeled a Reseller. Resellers are bad. Other customers will resent Resellers because Resellers are always faster than regular customers and will always get to the good items before regular customers. Also, Resellers are highly frowned upon by workers at Goodwill for reasons that are not well understood at this time, but probably stem from the fact that the workers think they should have control over items even after they have been swapped for money (this is referred to as selling by other businesses, but ownership of said items is usually relinquished to the buyer, so this obviously does not apply to the type of transaction completed at Goodwill). There is research suggesting that some workers (including management) resent the fact that they were not able to catch any valuable items so that they could resell the items themselves, but it remains to be seen whether there is anyone employed at Goodwill who is willing to invest the time and energy necessary for being considered a Reseller.
Further, customers that watch for new items and get to new items first will be considered and labeled Resellers without any other evidence that might prove or disprove whether they are or are not in fact a Reseller and without any discussion on the matter. Under no circumstance should patrons, especially those labeled Resellers, complain to management about any bad customer service. This is also not well understood at the present time, but researchers believe it likely stems from the fact that most bad customer service is coming straight from management. If complaints are lodged, management will deny any and all wrongdoing (even when it is blatantly, laughably obvious) and will then accuse the customer of harassment and asking for special treatment. On a side note, expecting loose toy grab bag tables to be replenished regularly (especially more than once a day) is considered to be asking for special treatment. (See previous section stating importance of loose toy grab bag tables and the customers who are interested in only these items. Also see section referring to replenishment of loose toy grab bag tables as not being the job of any particular worker.)
It should also be noted that management will not answer any inquiries into the replenishment of loose toy grab bag tables unless absolutely necessary. It remains to be seen whether refusal to answer inquiries is done purposely to incite further inquiries by the customer to other workers just so that the customer can be accused of harassment, but it seems likely that this is at least part of the motivation. Also, if a customer is accused of asking for special treatment, the special treatment they desire will be denied, but they will be offered a consolation prize of a different special treatment, such as being told that the loose toy grab bag table will be replenished early the next day. Patrons who are not able to be present for replenishment should expect the same garbage on the loose toy grab bag table that they've been looking at for the past few weeks.
If a customer makes the mistake of lodging a complaint, they should expect any observations they have made with their own eyes to be soundly rejected, denied and dismissed not only by store management but also district management. Observations include but are not limited to things such as items being brought out of the stockroom to a particular customer, shopping carts loaded to bursting 10 minutes after the store has opened, items left just inside a stockroom door with a lower price than they have when they come out onto the sales floor the next day. This last situation will only occur when a customer expresses interest in said items and asks when they will be brought out to the sales floor; customers should also expect to wait til at least the next business day for the items to be brought out to the sales floor. Patrons should review the section concerning their labeling as a Reseller.
These statements are to be accepted and implemented by any and all employees of Goodwill even when said customers, patrons and Resellers are regular customers who spend copious amounts of money in the Goodwill store. After all, customer service at Goodwill is different than what customers would expect to receive at other retail stores, and very different from the courtesies these patrons would grant to anyone in their own everyday doings. In closing, patrons who wish to be treated with respect and courtesy should avoid their local Goodwill stores at all costs.
Reviewed Sept. 14, 2014
I arrived at the Goodwill an HR before closing time along with a friend. Shopping is always great there and I've donated many, many, many bags of clothing items along with furniture, etc. When I go to Goodwill not only am I looking forward to shopping and finding high quality items for a cheap price but also the employees are extremely friendly. This particular experience was great until I got to the register. Long story short... Me and my friend pulled the cart up to the register. He places one item on the counter with a green tag that says 8.99 (green textiles are $1.00, half off is blue). She grabs the item and starts talking really loud "Uh this is not supposed to 1.00. It's 8.99." Mind you we are just standing there not saying anything. "Yeah because blah blah blah... Okay I get that outerwear are not counted…"
She proceeded to be obnoxiously loud and even answers her own questions. I put my two 1.00 items up and he puts a class up. She puts everything in one bag... I say isn't this supposed to be wrapped? She says I thought y'all were together?? I say umm we are together but this is my stuff and that is his glass so it should be wrapped and put in another bag. She pulls the glass out slams it on the counter which makes a loud noise then she decides to make the ugliest face at me rolling her eyes... My friend saw her. I didn't however it was the worst customer service experience I've ever had with Goodwill.
Reviewed Sept. 11, 2014
Today a bad thing happened that I never had it in my whole life! After work I went to Goodwill here in Gallatin TN. I shopped several clothes and I even fit them in the fitting room. After all I went to purses area. I found a nice white color Guess purse, then I try to put my wallet, keys and phone - see how they look like and I leave it for a while, and continue searching more purse. I found a pouch a pink purse. You won't appreciate it because flat and I wanted to put paper but there's nothing there so all I have are those clothes in my cart & I put clothes in there to see how they look like again. It was pretty. You can see the beauty when there is something inside the bag like thinking as if you put your stuff inside, and I leave it that way because I love to see it and excited to have it and continue shopping again And found another one.
When I was in the bags/purses area I know there was a ladies (she was there too) talking behind my back with other associate and some customers that go back and forth on my way. So they know and saw what I am doing And do the same thing on another purse I found. So when I was about ready to check out, walk down to the middle aisle toward cashier, but before to see the cashier, I stop close to the empty clothes rack that has been set there. I started separating those stuff I need and I don't need and I start with the clothing and hang them back to the rack instead throwing it there. But I didn't do it - instead return them back to each hanger and hang them nicely.
When I started removing the clothes inside one of the purses and desegregating those clothes that I don't need to buy and hanging them back in the rack. And all of the sudden, I was shocked with this lady told me I'm a thief and pointing her fingers at me, saying grab my cart away from me and says You're not buying anything here! You're a thief! You're not welcome here anymore!! And she said go out! She stated she is going to call a police If I won't move out! I was shock! Looking at her that I don't know what I did! She says you are caught on a video! She talks so loud at times. And as I look around me all customers, cashiers up front everybody's eyes on me! Staring! Everybody! Some were wondering what's going on when she harass me. She was pointing her finger on me.
Didn't understand what I feel and don't know what to do! That moment I told her I'm proceeding to pay all my stuff (referring the stuff in my cart). But she took it from me and telling me I'm not buying anything here! (She's referring to the Goodwill, Gallatin, TN) Telling me I'm not welcome here anymore! Plus pointing her fingers at me! And she's Saying, I will call a police if you don't go out! So go out! She embarrassed me in front of many people! Discriminating me for not allowing to buy anything in Goodwill store! Accusing me THIEF! For the thing I don't do. You can tell me I'm thief if I go out the building with those materials! Without having to pay for it. I'm about going to see the cashier to pay them all and I even telling her "Oh there's a clothes inside the bag; I need to remove it and ready to check out." But she block me on my way and accused a thief!
I'm a customer. I'm a constant customer here (Goodwill store in Gallatin). Last week I shopped there too, and bought purses also and I do what I did today, but before leaving the building I make it sure to pay all my stuff and remove all the stuff I put inside the purses that I'm going to buy and I don't have any problem at all for 12 yrs since I arrived here in America because I don't steal! When I shopped, I make sure to pay them all before leaving.
Because I was accused thief! And she is going to call a police if I won't go out so I did brought with me my red wallet, phone and car keys and left the building. I try to explain, but she won't Listen! Because she accused me thief! Before I left someone from that store associate I talk with that I wanted to see the manager but only to find out her she's the manager. Her name is **. What she did to me is harassing, humiliation, discrimination! Accusing me thief! Misunderstood me. I was raised by my parents to be honest. I'm employed full time & I work hard with dignity in the company - become associate of the Year, consistent associate of the month, associate of the quarter, and currently an associate of the month. If I'm a thief to our company itself lots of good stuff, but I don't dare to do it because it is wrong! Thief is against the law and punishable by the law!
Reviewed Sept. 10, 2014
If your account was closed online (someone mentioned hers was), I would be thankful because bidding at the Goodwill auction is a huge, unfortunate chance you take. You may as well plan on getting scammed in some form or another if you do win an item. When you win, you will be lucky if the item isn't broken, misrepresented completely, while you very likely have to deal with the unimaginable inflated prices, overcharged shipping, etc., knowing that you were taken advantage of.
The people who actually list the items on these Goodwill auctions are experts at deception when they describe the item! They are trained to leave out mostly all of the very important negative details known to them, yet they find a way to over-embellish the good/fairly decent details that "might" or "might not" be completely true. Goodwill has made this into an art-form. One method they use to deceive bidders is when they list a lot or "goody bags" of whatever items they can "bunch" together, yet hide the majority of what a winner will be receiving. They make the bidder think there is something wonderful in the deal, as is described in the listing, but when the bidder receives his winning items, all he receives is junk (junk that no one at Goodwill wanted to keep for themselves beforehand), a pile of crap that should have never been put in that lot to begin with. Maybe there are a few hoarders out there who might like to spend their hard earned money on **, but at least give buyers truthful details explaining that mainly a bunch of ** is in the lot.
I also believe and have read repeatedly that shilling goes on in their bidding practices. I have seen, for example, a used iPad sell for over $300, one that wasn't even tested, was cracked on the screen, yet some potential buyer still bids on it at $300++ when you can purchase a guaranteed refurbished/used one... even ones with a warranty with no cracks, etc., on eBay for under $200... or a new one for not much more. It makes NO sense, yet some aggressive bidder keeps driving up the price against one other bidder. This broken iPad was on "fire" on Goodwill site, and although the much better ones on eBay were being watched, the price gouging and frenzy was nothing like what was going on at Goodwill when eBay is a much bigger, more reputable auction! No sane person would pay that price anyway for something already broken and not guaranteed.
The same user IDs, also, are showing up on very high opposing bids on many of the similar products in a particular category, yet if you observe for some carefully, these exact same products are still being re-listed over and over when the true bidder sometimes backs off and finally realizes in his moment of spontaneity that the price is way over what any human should pay, leaving Goodwill to have to re-list the item again and again since the shill bidder outbid the real buyer. Sure a buyer may not pay in some cases, causing re-listings, but not as often as this is actually occurring. Besides, the same opposing bidder would be kicked off the website for a certain number of non-payments. I wish some reputable governmental agency would step in and monitor the Goodwill online auctions full-forced. I am sure it would be shut down. It's is wrong and deceptive on so many levels!
I realize that there is some good that Goodwill does, but I think most of it is a farce. Even some employees have the audacity to keep the good items for themselves, as has been discussed around the country. The part that I find most despicable is how a disabled person is paid 22 cents an hour or under a dollar, with Goodwill gaining glory for hiring a disadvantaged person. The truth has partially come out on this, but this is wrong, purely wrong, on so many levels and is only exploiting the handicapped.
Like some people said, find a church or another honest charity to donate to. Stay away from the Goodwill auctions. I used to believe in Goodwill (most of my life), but with a little digging and more, I feel they should be investigated very thoroughly and shut down. Moreover, I do wish some new, wonder non-profit group that was truly out to help the needy would come in and swallow Goodwill! This place has done enough destruction for way too long!
Reviewed Sept. 2, 2014
A worker stated to another employee that some of the customers "are nothing but zoo animals ". I looked and was shocked and they start laughing. Also they call DCF on people who shop in the store with their kids, stating they have no control on them.
Reviewed Sept. 1, 2014
I shop at various Goodwill stores through the upstate of South Carolina on a regular basis and have been doing so for years. I have had the same problem over and over. These stores put "designer" brand purses (Coach, Kate Spade, Gucci, Prada, Hermes, etc) in the front display cases and charge 10x the price of other purses even though these "designer" purses are VERY OBVIOUS knock off/fakes. Not only is this really unfair to buyers who may actually think these are authentic purses, it is also ILLEGAL!!! I have talked to managers, sales associates, etc on multiple occasions and they always say "we are not selling the brand so it isn't illegal" BUT tell me this... if they are not selling the brand, WHY are the items marked up to $40-$60 (vs $3-$6 on other purses) and placed in a front display case instead of on the racks in the back?
One might say that the purses are not obvious fakes, and the sales associates are not aware. I find this to be laughable. Yes, every now and then there are some decent fakes but MOST, as in 90%++ of these purses are such poor quality with missing stitches, "designer" labels that peel right off, super cheap fabric, crooked designer logos, etc. Just very, very obvious that these are not $300-$5000 purses.
On one particular occasion I was checking out and an older lady was looking at a VERY fake Gucci purse in the display case next to me. The purse was a disaster - something a fraudster probably sold for $10 at a flea market to people who could care less that the purse was so fake, it was actually sad. This purse was priced at $50. I nicely told the lady that the purse was a fake. It was not authentic Gucci and it was illegal for them to sell it as such. The woman said she knew it was fake but didn't care. The sales associate got prissy and told me to mind my own business. I told them, again, it was illegal to sell these knock off bags. Trademark infringement is just the beginning of why this is wrong - most of these bags come from groups who use child labor, who are involved with drugs, sex trafficking, child trafficking, and terrorism. This company, Goodwill, does not seem to care that what they are doing is wrong.
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2014
My family and I have shopped at Goodwill for 6 yrs. We go there every Wednesday and every other Saturday. While we look at the kids' clothes, my kids are in the toys picking out what they want. Standing right on the aisle across from them, a female employee told my son to go stand with his family, he's not allowed over here in the toys alone. It's 8:30 pm and my husband, kids and I were the only people in that area. Another employee told us they close in 20 min and I need to go check out. Excuse me, but this isn't Walmart where the checkout is a line that's 20 people deep and full cart loads. Customer service was rude and I feel if you have a problem with my kids being in the toy area, then address me, not my 5-year-old son, and yes I heard her tell him but she needs to address me instead of telling him he isn't allowed in the toy area and to go stand with his family. 43rd Ave and Thunderbird Goodwill needs to teach their people better customer service.
Reviewed Aug. 23, 2014
On top of their normal practice of raking in $500k+/year executive salary while paying disabled workers < $1/hr through a loophole in the minimum wage laws (this information can be found online), they have decided to engage in an unfair lawsuit against me for driving a truck I purchased legally with their logos on it. They are suing me for 2 million dollars per trademark per infringement.
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2014
Purchased a defective watch. Even bought a new battery, however, it still did not work. Contacted the person in charge at Goodwill and they did not care and wouldn't refund my money even after I say I would ship the watch back!
Reviewed Aug. 11, 2014
I worked at this store and I can tell you that there is no goodwill in this store. The managers and some workers who are friends with the managers make fun of and talk bad about the customers. It's worse for the customers who come in all the time and make the store money. Some workers (again friends with managers) are allowed to do as they wish. Work if they want, stand and talk if they don't want to work. Others, the lower workers work our butts of trying to keep up with everything that needed done. Managers took as many breaks as they wanted and sat in the office a lot. If we were to help a customer "for too long", we would be in trouble - lol. Store needs a new head manager and complete restart. They are so greedy that they refused a cost to a homeless man during the winter time. And workers were not allowed to buy him one or they would be written up. Maybe not all Goodwills are like this one but this one is in need of help fast. So much more to say, just not enough time or space.
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2014
Goodwill in Waterford lakes, Orlando, FL - I saw boxes with manager's names on them next to the processing area. This just does not look right. I would not be surprised if the managers are taking choice items for themselves rather than take those donated goods and put them the floor. That is just wrong. I worked at this store for a couple of months but had to leave because of harassment from a **. I never did anything to her. Her supervisor, Mr. ** is a do nothing manager. I went to him several times about it but to no avail. She did many things to me and this is all documented but the worst thing she did was to say I took something when she knows I did not. I was detained and subject to false imprisonment and searched but to no avail because I had nothing, took nothing. A complaint was filed with the Florida Commission on Humans Relations and the atty for Goodwill agreed to a mediation and thus settled the matter amicably. I cannot disclose the amount. Sometimes justice is served. :)
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2014
I know that the Goodwill keeps their employees close or at minimum wage. I know they get free labor through using individuals that have drunk driving offenses. I know that they get all their products for free. This is straight up greed. They get donations every day and only put out used items that can be found at Target or Pier 1 imports. Cheap Chinese made junk. The stores have been sterilized of all good vintage items. This is absolute corporate greed. Why do they have an online store? You need fewer employees at an online store. I thought it was about jobs. Yeah, right. So all the good stuff goes to the online store to maximize profits. They treat their employees like slaves. It is a bald faced lie. I will go with my gut. Thank you.
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2014
Thursday, July 31, 2014 I bought an electric dryer at Goodwill on Rufe Snow in Fort Worth. I had to borrow a U-Haul to pick it up. I plugged it in today and it does not work. I called Goodwill and spoke to Amanda. She told me they do not test dryers to see if they work before putting on the floor, ever. I now have no truck, no way to return and I am disabled and now have no dryer to dry clothes. They should tell the consumers their products are not tested and not guaranteed. Why put broken products on the floor for sale? Signed: livid and wet pants in Fort Worth
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2014
I have been shopping online at the Goodwill auctions site for just a few months now. Most items I have won have arrived packed very well, though I did receive a carnival glass bowl that was in pieces and the packing was very shoddy to say the least. The manager of the store did give me a full refund including shipping, though which was good. However, my BIGGEST complaint about this company is the unbelievable shipping costs which are inflated and the HORRIFIC handling charges! A place in Florida actually charges $9.99 in handling charges. Is there no control over this??? Some stores can be as much as $4 or $5 handling charges along with inflated shipping fees.
I buy and sell frequently and know from experience that these shipping charges are not accurate. I am hoping someone will eventually see this and put a stop to it. They are making plenty of money off of the items they sell, tons more than they would make selling in-store, so I see no need to charge these exorbitant shipping & handling fees. I refuse to buy from these stores that charge huge handling fees and hope someone will eventually see this and do something about it!! Where is government regulation when you need it?
Reviewed July 26, 2014
I was shopping and the manager touched my butt. There was no consequences to the employee but truly a bad experience for me and the outcome hasn't been determined yet but less than 24 hours later the police closed the case with no real investigation done to my knowledge. Very disappointed with the police. Where have woman’s rights gone?
Reviewed July 25, 2014
I purchased a sandwich size bag of jewelry from the Tallahassee Goodwill store on Mahan Dr. There were about 30 bags on a table and on the edge of the table is a piece of paper stating JEWELRY with $9.99 underneath it - NOTHING else on the sign. I purchased 1 bag and went home and opened it. In the bag - over 1/2 of the bag was Christmas garland that is not jewelry. I immediately went back to the store - total time from purchase was maybe 15 minutes and the girl who rang me up I told her about the item, showed it to her with her and she said there is nothing I can do - we don't do exchanges or refunds.
I could understand if it was broken or there were missing pieces if it was jewelry because that is what they had on their sign and that is what I had agreed to purchase but what they sold was NOT jewelry. She went and got the manager and she said that they probably didn't know what it was so they just put it in the bag. I told her, if they didn't know what it was then it should not have been in the bag labeled jewelry because you are suppose to be selling only jewelry. If it was other items, it should have been listed as jewelry and misc items. If a company lists something for sale and then sale that item and it is not what is listed - then that is FRAUD in my opinion.
Reviewed July 15, 2014
They blocked my home address and therefore shut down my account because a former roommate had a few unpaid for auctions through them and my home address was flagged. I asked them to please review as he moved out and please re-establish my account so I could bid on their garbage, even though their prices are outrageous (LOOK AT SHIPPING COSTS!!!), terrible descriptions, and even worse pictures!!! Complete junk, seriously all garbage. I seriously don't think they review anything, just send you a denial e-mail. I'm so done! Don't ever put a maximum for a proxy bid, as they will bid it up to right below your top amount. Scammers. I have cut way back on shopping in their stores. Now I will never go back. Who do they really help? Themselves! Thanks for NOTHING!!! I will repost this complaint everywhere possible!
Reviewed July 14, 2014
I won an auction for two of the pictures focused on the title on the AT&T packaging box (OtterBox defender case & holster) and the AT&T price $49.99 on the back. The item description was "AT&T OtterBox Defender Case and Holster In Case". The condition was "IN Box Not Tested." It sold for $9.99 plus $3 handling and $11.17 for shipping. The original AT&T packaging box did not arrive sealed and only the holster was within. Sent email asking for refund. I expect that my $25 was a donation, 1% of which will get back to the community.
Reviewed July 9, 2014
Where do I start. First, shipping charges are outrageous. Packing is horrible, I have received items damaged in the mail. I once won an auction and then received an email that the item I one was relisted when they have it, so they let me bid the 7 days waited and took my money then refunded my money with an apology that it was a mistake. Really it took over 7 days to figure that out. Then they give you basically a free pass to not pay on a couple items then you get banned from bidding on the site. I have a few people who live with me and I am the only one with a credit card so their accounts got suspended for violating a policy of multiple accounts, then they tell me my name has been flagged. Really, this is supposed to help people and all its really doing is helping their pockets get fatter. What a waste. Do not go to this site. If you do pay attention to shipping charges you win an item for $5 you wind up paying $25. Go to eBay or amazon and get new for cheaper. Look elsewhere, they have so different stuff but it will end up costing you a fortune in the long run.
Reviewed July 8, 2014
1 box of very important family pictures was mistakenly taken to Goodwill when moving. I immediately called the headquarters on 7th St. in San Jose Ca. And I followed up with an email. This worker there named ** sent me an email telling me to describe it. I sent her pictures of the box, told her the location dropped off at, gave her every description of contents and told her to please let me know when and if box could be located. She never would respond to me after that. I tried calling her (no one ever answers) and emailing her over and over. Still no response. The least she could have done is respond to me good bad or awful whether they could find it or not. I know they figure it's our fault to begin with but I deserved a call back or email.
Reviewed June 24, 2014
I don't understand why Goodwill is selling online. There is a store on nearly every other block in the country. My mom visits a Goodwill several times a week and an employee explained to her that she was training the employees at several locations to check all of the merchandise donated to separate all of the "good stuff" and send it to a warehouse to process and sell online. Does that mean we as consumers that visit the stores regularly are getting only the cheapest (which are never priced cheaply), bottom of the barrel donations? What about taking care of the community?
The prices have become outrageous. I have seen multiple items where the price tag was still on the item and the Goodwill was selling it for $2 or $3 more than the price tag! How is that good for anyone looking to find a bargain or needing to dress their children or trying to save money? If everyone had money to pay retail, no one would be shopping at the Goodwill. Also, why all the discrepancies in pricing at each location within the state? I can find a t-shirt for $0.99 at one Goodwill and the exact same t-shirt for $3.99 at another. If it is a name brand t-shirt, it will cost you much, much, more.
Maybe time should be spent creating some consistency and keeping merchandise that is donated local to help the community. Also, Goodwill should consider helping people by keeping their prices fair instead of trying to get the highest prices for items online or in the store like so many other retailers are doing. At least those retailers don't claim to do "good" while charging you the highest prices in town.
Reviewed June 15, 2014
I am an avid shopper at Goodwill in the Piedmont area of NC. I recently went to the GW on South Boulevard in Charlotte. I was lucky enough to find a North Face puffer jacket (yes a jacket). When I went to purchase the jacket the manager, assisting the cashier, told her to ring the jacket up as a coat. Are you kidding? It was clearly a jacket, a man's lightweight puffer jacket. She proceeded to tell me, the price went by weight and by season and because it was a winter COAT, the price is for a COAT! We're in 90 degree weather and since when does an item of clothing go by weight or season? There were not one sign, in the store, indicating a price change for seasonal items. I could see if it were specially marked but it was not.
Ironically the same day I was told by a friend that she was charged incorrectly, by the manager once again, for a piece of lingerie that the manager insisted was a dress. This same manager charged my mother for a long nightgown when it was clearly a short one. There is a difference in pricing. Don't get me wrong, the prices at GW are reasonably priced but when a manager is clearly deciding what and how something is price, that is wrong. I will call the GW Corporate office and make a complaint but I'm sure it will be unnoticed.
Reviewed June 13, 2014
I have been buying from Goodwill’s Online Auction site for about 3 years or more, I used to buy from the site every day for at least 1.5 years. The same problems have occurred time and again, ranging from items not as described or obviously damaged but not mentioned or shown in the pictures to shipping costs being overcharged as much as 3 times the actual cost of shipping paid. I have stopped buying there daily due to the only items I saw fit to take a chance on buying are no longer sold on their auction site. Probably since so many others had been ripped off that they couldn't sell them any longer.
I was getting some very good deals every once in a while, I found that toys were about the only items that could be purchased without any significant surprises. I would only buy large lots of die cast cars like Hot wheel. This way if they were in really bad condition I was only out about $15 per 100 cars or so. Most times I would sort through them and end up with 60 good cars and the rest were junk. I have to say that at that time, I was having no complaints with them other than they were not packing the items properly, just tossed them loose in a box and put 1 piece of tape on top and 1 on bottom. I was also being charged a $4 handling fee for each order. You would think my $4 would have gone to making sure that the items would be received as they were when i bought them. Of course this was not the case and I'm sure that many other buyers soon found out that getting models that were not damaged during shipping was impossible.
The smaller cars were not as prone to damages as the larger more expensive models. Every 1:18 scale model came damaged, nothing was ever done about it. I didn't buy them any more. Then i bought many electronics items, all were listed as "untested." I found out this means junk. They will not admit or call it junk. They tested it and knew it was junk before they sold it. If it wasn't junk they would have listed it on their EBAY Auction site!!! Yup they also have an EBAY account where they are their own Charity!!!! How do you like that? They cannot pull any of their BS on EBAY like they do on their own site or they'll loose their right to sell there. They were however advertising a return policy of 14 days but then had a statement that said as is no returns in the description also. This way they can receive a discount on seller fees from eBay, I reported them to ebay about this practice.
I bought many electronics that were basically hit and miss, well over half were not working, I'd say 65% or more. I do repair electronics, so some items that were broken I was able to repair, but most of the non-working electronics had severely been damaged and were beyond repair. Most items I bought I figured even if they were not repairable I could still salvage some main parts from, but this however turned out to be untrue also. I have seen speakers with the magnets spit in 2 pieces, it may have happened during shipping due to poor preparation. Then if I tell Goodwill I think it was damaged during shipping and it's covered by UPS or USPS insurance, is this right for them to have to pay for it due to Goodwill's poor packing that I again paid $4 or more for handling fees, just to get the item in an old box that was reused and some wadded or shredded up newspaper.
Here's where things get interesting, I opened up a box that they made me come to UPS to sign for (very inconvenient) on a $7 item, with a $14 S/H fee. I opened it up in front of the UPS person on the counter. The transformer was prong first into the LCD screen of the item I bought. It was taped onto the front of it and placed in a over-sized box with nothing to keep it from bouncing around! Is it right for me to say it's damaged by UPS? No! I contacted Goodwill site and told them about this and demanded a refund on this item. They turned around and blacklisted me from buying from the store that did this! No response, just a message that appears on the screen if a bid is placed on any store from that state (OHIO) Saying "your bid was not accepted!!"
I reported them to the BBB and got a response from the Manager at Goodwill asking about my complaint. I considered ignoring him as I had happen to me, but I told about the event and he replied he did not see any purchases made by me. Wrong answer, I made sure to go back to BBB and let them know that they did nothing to resolve the matter. Kept me blacklisted and ignored my requests. That's just one of many tales from Goodwill. The most recent and this has happened several times to me was I bought an item and noticed that they had an outrageous shipping cost attached to it. So I politely requested that they check the weight and re-figure the shipping cost. I ship items like this daily through all major carriers and I just happened to own one of these exact same items as I bought so I know the weight and size of the item.
I also had just packed up an order I was shipping through FedEx as they were sending mine. My package was about the same size but was going further than theirs. Mine to Northern CA from Phoenix, theirs Denver to Phoenix, mine 8 Lbs theirs should have been 11 Lbs max. My cost without getting a huge corporate discount $7.50 their cost $28! I gave them some example prices I had figured out using various box and weight sizes. I could not see any reason for the shipping to cost any more than $18 that's with a box that's 2 times the needed size to safely ship and I added 4 lbs onto the actual real shipping weight also. Well they responded back with a "We don't set the prices, FedEX does!"
WHAT? Are you kidding me? I waited till the last day to pay and figured I'd see how they can justify the cost. It came and I found a 6.5 Lb bag of shredded newspaper in the box! This has happened before on a 3 Lb item I got a 5.5 Lb bag of shredded cardboard. There was no need for the bag of paper, it was in a trash bag and thrown into the box. The item was wrapped in bubble wrap and was fine just by itself. It also could have been placed in a box 1/2 the size. When I sent a message to the director of the auctions about what happened, I got a spam email stating the cost is determined by the shipping company!!
They used to just blatantly overcharge you for the shipping as much as 3 times the actual cost when they used USPS, but got so many complaints they switched to UPS because it's harder to check the prices of shipping cost for those who don't have a UPS account. I believe that using a Government service to make profit as a non-profit organization is considered to be Fraud! I could go on forever with the stunts they have pulled but in the end it's all the same thing, they are making billions of dollars on free items and I see them doing nothing for the communities. They hold a job fair once a year, and how many people actually are finding work through them? I never met a person who has ever found work through Goodwill, plus how much of their billions they make a year go towards those job fairs? I'll bet not more than 1% actually is spent doing anything that's not geared towards their profits. They need to be audited plain and simple.
I urge everyone to report their actions to the BBB, it does make a difference. There needs to be an online purchase BBB service that can investigate large volume sellers and shut them down if need be. Also claiming yourself as your own charity is not only wrong, it's tacky and really shows their greed. Why not donate a portion to another charity? Losers!
Reviewed May 30, 2014
I'm from out of town and my friend always takes me to this Goodwill store on Hamilton Mill in Buford, GA. When we were checking out my friend wanted to buy the seat cushions. All they had was a yellow tag but no price on them. The cashier said, "I'm sorry I can't sell this to you. There is no price tag." We're both pretty befuddled. I was next to check out and I found a maternity body pillow, but there was also no price tag and woman said same thing to me about not being able to sell it to me. Wtf?! Said it has to go through 24-hr reprocessing. I don't understand how they can simply refuse a sale. It's a bunch of BS.
Needless to say, we left extremely unhappy. I felt like I just should have asked somebody the price of the pillow before I went to check out! And I read something on Facebook the day before how Mark Curran, CEO of Goodwill makes $2.4 million profit every year for paying nothing for his products and pays employees minimum wage. Greedy bastards. Doesn't sound like a lot of Goodwill at all to me.
Reviewed May 29, 2014
I've been a regular customer since the Hemet, CA store opened (years). Prices were fair, quality items, and they had good sales. Now the prices are really high and it's for a bunch of junk. Everything has chips, cracks, damages, or missing things. Clothes are just high. All the good stuff is being taken sent to corp office and sold on eBay. No jewelry, collectibles, dvds, or good items that people donate and expect to be used for less fortunate. In this economy it's outrageous that the non-profit organization is a profit organization and not dedicated to what it stands for. Goodwill on eBay is full of negative comments about fraud, damages, never receiving item, selling items they don't have in stock, and it goes on and on. It's all about making money.
I understand they have employees, overhead etc. The employees are under paid. Also the employees can now buy items at the store. I witnessed an assistant manager buying a bunch of like new shirts that would have been marked up for the customer but their's wasn't, plus they get a discount on top. I and a lot of regulars have stopped buying and won't be donating anymore. This is a thrift store from donations, and not a retail store. A few examples: Old videos $1.99, books -pb $1.99 and up. hb-$2.99 and up. Having had a business of my own, the regular customers are your bread and butter. You can go to the local 99cent stores and buy most of the stuff cheaper. Too bad, used to be my favorite store.
Reviewed May 29, 2014
My boyfriend and I always do (did) the Goodwill thing on Sundays after church. Last week, we went in and noticed that an entertainment center I had been watching had lowered its price to $50 from $100. We went to the register and I purchased the entertainment center (my half of coupon in my hand). We were not sure if my 52" TV would fit so we asked about a refund if TV didn't fit. We were told sure as long as we didn't remove the entertainment center. Was given a receipt (associate wrote on back of receipt about the refund). We leave with receipt in hand. It was totally the associate's responsibility to mark the center as SOLD, either herself or give us the SOLD sticker to put on center ourselves. We needed to get someone to move it so my boyfriend asked his sons to meet us on Wednesday to drive the 40 miles to pick it up and take it to my home.
On Tuesday, I called GW to inform them we would be there to pick up purchase on Wednesday afternoon, was told by associate that she would tell her boss and that Wednesday was fine. We drive to Jonesville, N.C. GW and discover they had resold the entertainment center. To say the least, we were beyond upset. We had paid for the entertainment center, paid for gas to get there and NO entertainment center. Then to beat it all, she asked if I wanted to find something else instead of getting money back... ARE YOU SERIOUS???? We explained we had someone drive 40 miles to pick it up and paid for the gas, was told "oh we are sorry, someone should have put a sold ticket on the center". Such utter incompetence. It was totally the associate's responsibility to mark the item. My boyfriend has made lots of purchases there and spent lots of money and "we are sorry????". We won't be shopping in that (and maybe any other) Goodwill EVER!!!!!
Reviewed May 24, 2014
I miss the jewelry and bargain finds. Since the company opened their online store, they no longer have jewelry and quality collectibles. I am not pleased by the price increases that put their price points above local estate sales. I still shop there but I won't donate anything until I start seeing quality donations at reasonable prices on the shelves again. I think if all of us make that our policy, things will change. I also think that since most things are donated by the community, they should pay their employees a living wage.
Reviewed May 11, 2014
I went into 2 Goodwill stores and asked where the jewelry is. I am told it is being sold online now so they can make more money on it. So, the low income lady who needs a necklace for her daughter's birthday can no longer walk in Goodwill and buy one for $2. Are they sorting through ALL merchandise now to see if it's worth more online? Or will they soon be? Will there be any bargains left for us in the stores, or just junk? I want to see what I buy otherwise, I'll go somewhere else. I am disappointed in Goodwill. The changes being made are geared toward making money in a fashion that I don't consider "goodwill." It used to be win/win but I believe now that the customers are not getting a fair piece of the action. This is unfortunate for them, too, because those same customers are often donators. No more. I am driving a mile down the road and donating elsewhere.
Reviewed May 5, 2014
Most prices are retail in this part of the store. I discovered food dehydrator for 6 dollars. Cashier questioned price (that was tagged twice) and thought suspicious. He called manager who priced it two dollars higher. I am a regular, who mostly impulse buys. I did not like the fact that they change prices slightly higher. I think they "milk" the clients regularly. If the item was grossly mismarked why not ask for much more. Also, the cashiers are directed to ask shoppers to "round up" the purchase price and donate it to the cause. Goodwill is a PROFIT organization; it is not like the Salvation Army.
Reviewed April 26, 2014
I purchased an item for which I returned. When returning an item to goodwill you get an in-store credit rather than a refund. My complaint is that the refund has a 30 day use or lose policy. I think that this is wrong. Because I did not use my credit within 30 days I lost my money and have nothing to show for it. It was my money I spent in their store, and there should never be a limit on how long I have to spend it - a refunded credit.
Reviewed April 18, 2014
I have been shopped at Goodwill in the past. Few weeks ago, I decided to go to Goodwill at Main st and Recker in Mesa, AZ. I browsed from one aisle to another see if I could find anything deal. To my surprise, their prices way very high for used items. I probably better off go to regular store and look under clearance for less money. How this store sell used stuff for these high prices? They get their stuff for free from people donating including myself. They make high profits. I really disappointed to know this company make so much profits from other people. If people stop buying stuff from thrifty store including Goodwill, they might lower their prices. If some people find good deals good for you. What a shame!
Reviewed April 10, 2014
I have shopped at the Goodwill in Hernando, MS better known as the "Bargain Barn" for years. The problem is there are a group of Mexican ladies that are there all of the time and always snatch clothes and take thing from your basket. Management has been made aware of these problems on a daily basis. The Mexican pretend to not understand English and when you tell them to stop taking stuff, they just ignore you. Management does nothing. I experience a problem today with one of them snatching some clothing out of my hand and yell at her. The manager Lilly told me that I was ban for two weeks from the store after it was made notice that this lady has had several complaints for doing the same thing to other customers.
Please read the review from a customer Cheryl ** stating the same thing. I have contacted the Corporate Office and inform them that I will file a Class Action lawsuit, as there were two other ladies, this happened today as well and there were a witness. They have said they would have no problem telling everything that happen. After all of this, the Mexican lady stated she did snatch the clothing from hand in front of the manager and she still wanted to ban me from the store. I have spent a lot of money at that store. I am sure there are other customers have shopped there feel the same way I do. Many have stopped coming because of the treatment you get from the Management team. They are only interested in making as much money as they can, so they are not concern about the abuse the goes on in the store.
Reviewed April 8, 2014
Man 3 times my size, fought with me to get one of my carts, when there were more carts to be had. They allow 2 carts per person. Security threw me out after a man attacked me over my cart because I gently tapped her on the shoulder and asked her if she would like one of my carts. (She did not have a cart and I did not know she was security.)
Reviewed April 6, 2014
Goodwill Outlet Store, Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana - No company or business should be allowed to conduct operations that support assaulting, threatening, chaos and rude aggressive behavior in America. The environment promotes and supports violence. The environment should be managed and controlled. The pushing shoving, uncivilized and predatory wild kingdom activities the Africans and Hispanic customers are allowed to impose on others was clearly assault! They bully and target shoppers. When bigger males correct them, they always back down. They ignore the staff's instructions to do not shop out of moving bends. They cheer and fist bump each other on their steals. Several Customers have made videos. The store needs new management or security guards. The other stores don't allow that conduct and they correct acts of aggression and when customers shop out of moving bends. The environment is out of control. Customers arguing with staff, getting physical with each other, blatantly ignoring all safety rules. The young African and Hispanic customers were bullying, pushing and violating the personal space of other customers. It was like watching them on news reels looting during a government takeover.
Clearly, GW Management and Corporate are aware of the conduct. Their manager says they spend a lot of money and their attorney will squash all legal actions. GW employees explain they are powerless. And can't do anything beyond threaten to ask them to leave the store or caution them. Very young children are allowed to shop in the bends without their parents among broken glass and other hazards. Their children ride and play with the toys on the sales floors. Their parents insult and threaten the GW employees when they ask them to correct their children. GOODWILL's political connections must be really strong and their paid lawyers powerful because no other business or industry in America could host that kind of chaos and assaults on other citizens and get away with it.
Reviewed April 6, 2014
I bid on this item through their auction site. The description stated no damage. After my bid was submitted they changed the description to say damaged. I didn't know the item was damaged until I received it. I contacted them and was told no refunds.
Reviewed March 29, 2014
I went to Goodwill Store #5241 earlier today to purchase some items, and was picking out clothing, and a Goodwill employee ** was placing a glass globe on shelf for sale and I told her I would purchase it. I was still shopping and gave item to the cashier to hold with some ties I picked out. The cashier ** took the globe and gave it to another customer who claimed they wanted it and saw it first. I was a customer and had picked up the item to purchase, and despite the other customer's desire to purchase the item I had they should have never stolen the item from me and gave it to the other shopper. I informed the cashier and manager I would be calling corporate and the store overall manager as I was very displeased with their unprofessional and outright wrong way of dealing with this situation.
Reviewed March 27, 2014
I visit several stores in my area and all of them do the same thing. They put tags through the clothing and 80% of the time a hole is left in the fabric. T-shirts, chiffon, light weight cotton, silk is almost ALWAYS ruined by your staff. Putting the tag in the seam does not help, it still causes a snag. One of the reason retail stores put tags in the garment tags is that it does not ruin the fabric. I realize you are concerned about theft, and I understand that, but in the process you are ruining a large portion of your merchandise. I don't feel I am getting a good deal if I get home and take the tag off to find the broken threads.
I just purchased some fabric, as usual, it was folded several times and then the tag was stuck right through the middle, of course that makes it impossible to open it and if the fabric is fragile, it gets ripped. In this case it was a netting and when I took the tag off, there were 8 holes from that one tag. PUT THE TAGS ON THE GARMENT TAGS and on fabric, towels, drapes, etc. put it in one corner. You get the stuff for free and we pay you for the stuff, we want it WITHOUT THE HOLES THAT YOU CREATE!
Reviewed March 24, 2014
Jan. 2014 the beginning... I entered the Goodwill store on Mission and Ocean in San Francisco California, looking to buy sheets and blankets... I have shopped in that store for over 6 months. I have donated twice to that store. I am not a rude customer nor am I customer whom makes a mess... Recently, I've been experiencing lack of customer service from a certain worker from that Goodwill... a black older woman, is always rude to me and my partner... One time I asked her a question about sale tags and she rolled her eyes at me. Another time my partner was in a dressing room, and as she approached to open it, I said that my partner was in there and she looked at me and still unlocked and opened the dressing room, on purpose and without knocking, and held it wide open when my partner said, "Hey...**!!!!
And another time when I asked her for a dressing room and she deliberately ignored me for ten min. I waited for a dressing room, then she comes finally to open it and it wasn't for me, but for another customer...and then when I asked again, she rolled her eyes, walked away and then came back smirking saying did I need a dressing room? And then this last time, I went to get sheets, etc. This time was the worst of all and the last straw... One of the workers, a male, came up to me and told me that I wasn't allowed in the store anymore... or rather they didn't want me in the store.
When I asked why, I was surrounded by three other workers... I felt odd, threaten... Then guess who pops up behind me and startles me ... The lady who never gives me service. She said they don't have to give me an explanation. The man said that I make a mess in the store so, with that I am no longer wanted in their store... I was scared and embarrassed... and intimidated from Goodwill workers... threatened... for what probable cause? What right? I called the head of Goodwill complaints, left message after message... no one seemed to care from that dept. No seemed to care that their workers are about to cost them a lot of money...
Regardless of how you may feel about a person's appearance, preference, style etc... and if you have not observed with your own eyes any theft, or misconduct... when a person enters your place of business, that person is a consumer/Patron/Customer unless facts... actual facts (!) prove otherwise. As a customer, I have the right to take this matter and any other matter in conclusion to the highest level of justice...
Reviewed March 24, 2014
My experience with shopping on Shopgoodwill.com has been, for the most part, positive. A few negative issues like being overcharged by some stores even when items were small and shipping combined. The Orange County Store in Santa Ana, CA is VERY bad about this and, even when you bring it to their attention, they will NOT fix the overcharge. For instance, charging me $21.68 plus a $3 and some change "handling" charge for a makeup bag and some ballet flat shoes, 2 VERY lightweight items. I e-mailed them three times with no relief of the overcharge on shipping. I even sent them the ACTUAL amounts charged by USPS based on weight (their stated weight, which is overstated anyway) and it was $6 LESS. When you are caught in a LIE, you'd think they would correct it. NO, not in Santa Ana, CA Goodwill, they don't.
I have NOT bid many times at several locations because I will check on a $6 item (like a T-shirt or a necklace) and they are charging 1 to 2 pounds UPS (ALWAYS the MOST Expensive yet the SLOWEST) plus a $4 "handling" charge. Sometimes I have been able to e-mail ahead and found out that the store WILL combine shipping so it's worth it (even UPS) if I buy 4 or 5 items (like I bought some North Face and Under Armour out of one of the big Michigan ski area shops). The shipping was okay because 1 item was $14.65 but 5 items ran $17.95 (well worth it for North Face and Under Armour).
And I had a REALLY positive experience with the Goodwill Industries of Columbia Inc in Kennewick, WA. I had bought several small items each of which had a set shipping of $5. I got sticker shock realizing my shipping for less than 2 ounces was going to be $20. I paid but sent them an e-mail telling them it was outrageous that they did not combine shipping. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a NICE e-mail back plus a $15 refund on my shipping. They also told me to just e-mail them before I paid should this happen again.
Most of my items have been good quality. I did buy one electronic item which did not work. Their official stance was no refunds. However; after I sent an e-mail, I was refunded anyway. So, it is not always the case that you are stuck with the item. It depends on who sees the e-mail and gets to make the decision. I have found MOST (except one COACH item) designer items to be authentic. One COACH purse looked much better in photos than it did when I received it and I could tell from the lack of quality that it was a fake. As this came from the Orange County Santa Ana Store, they denied it and I was stuck with this overpriced fake, even after notifying them that the local COACH store verified that this was a replica.
However; I have bought several other COACH items that were authentic and verified by my friend (and fellow dog lover, we hang out together) who works at the local COACH store here. Overall, I can say that my experiences have been positive. But I research my items. I blow the pictures up and look at them with a magnifying glass. I KNOW my products. I look for crooked seams, faulty workmanship, creed numbers that are non-existent or are not for that item. And that is my suggestion for anyone else buying at Shopgoodwill or any other online venue.
Reviewed March 22, 2014
I'm a very big shopper when it comes to finding clothing for my 3 kids. I'm on a budget due to only having one income at home. So the only way to dress my kids is buying them from Goodwill. I go in when there's sales. I have noticed many times that they put item on sale but then they up the price on the article, so they could call it a sale, and they think people don't know how to count. This articles whether its clothing or home ware, gets sold like if we were at Kmart or any new department store. This needs to be stopped. This is donated items that someone used, got tired of, it didn't fit, or they no longer used. I walked into the village thrift store in the brickyard and exercise equipment was getting sold for $145.00. That is crazy. These places are for people that can't afford to shop new every week. HELP, stop this craziness.
Reviewed March 20, 2014
I live in Concord, CA. I go to Goodwill twice a day everyday. The employees all steal. It's so obvious the same items are on the shelves everyday. They sell it all on eBay. On eBay you can be whoever you want. Who's going to know right? They hire criminals right from prison/jail. If you have nothing what are you going to do, I mean really? Goodwill is all corrupt. I purchase several Barbie lots from Goodwill auction and 95% of the lots I received were totally pick through. I mean no one donates junk/garbage and that's exactly what I received. Goodwill BIDS AGAINST BIDDERS TO MAKE MORE MONEY ON THE ONLINE AUCTIONS. Goodwill is all corrupt! I mean they have a CEO, not a more humble vice president, really?
Reviewed March 15, 2014
I paid $69.57 for 13 genealogy books but I haven't received them. I paid for the books on March 7, 2014 order # **. I contacted Kansas City, Missouri and was told they were in the hands of the postal service. So, I contacted my post office gave the the tracking #. My postmaster said the books were somewhere in Missouri and they were never sent. I email the Goodwill store again and since have not received an answer as of today March 14, 2014. I want my money back. My postmaster also said that the books never arrived at the post office in Missouri to be mail. Some thing dirty in Denmark!!!!!!
Reviewed March 9, 2014
At the Destin Florida location, there are different colored price tags. Each week they advertise that there is a 50% discount on clothes for the color of the plastic clothes label. This week the tag was "white". The color of the plastic tags eligible for 50% starts Sunday. On Saturday I noticed practically no white tags, but lots of other colors, including "yellow". I went back to the store Sunday, and guess what, no yellow tags. I know they didn't sell all of this color so I asked a staff I know what happened to the "yellow" tags. She said they were shipped to another store. So here is how it goes. They keep changing the color, but send most of that color to another store which has a different color for the week. Therefore, their prices are basically never discounted on clothes, except the real worn ones.
Now they can use whatever method they desire as it is their store; however, they use phony come-on's to make you think they really discount the items already in the store. After doing some research on this organization and reading other complaints, I now believe they are using their tax exempt status while paying the top folks top $'s. There is no money going to the local people who need help. They just hire and fire like any other company and hide behind their name. The original idea of Goodwill was perfect. It is now just a bunch of greedy execs hiding behind the name.
Reviewed Feb. 27, 2014
I went into a Goodwill store, the one in Northridge to be exact. I really love shopping there to find my accessories and other stuff. There was one employee that had always seemed to be causing trouble for customers. I noticed sometimes I would hear her accusing a customer of changing a price tag or denying another customer a return (she kept insisting that the item had been switched after it was purchased). One day I asked the manager why he allowed her to work in the front part of the store at the cashier if she was constantly accusing customers. He waved off my question which showed me he also should not be working in management if he couldn't communicate with a customer... Instead he waved me off like I was a fly on his burger.
Well a week went by and I sat on a couch there in the store by the books, my fiance and I were taking our time looking through books picking out the ones we wanted. About an hour and a half went by when we noticed the store was closing. We were the last ones to pay for our books. Once at the register the Goodwill employee reached out and grabbed my summertime beach tote and said, "You need to pay for this also". After I laughed and said, "Very funny, this is mine I own this. Actually I got it here," I said cheerfully because I like it a lot. When I said this she motioned for another employee to lock the front doors. She said that the purse was not purchased at all and she could prove it, then she flipped it over and pointed to a sticker that was on the bottom of it.
I explained that I had not seen that one sticker on the purse when I removed the rest the day before. She demanded for a receipt which of course even if I hadn't thrown it away the day before I surely wouldn't be carrying it with me. I don't carry around receipts of used thrift store merchandise, who does that? She then grabbed my purse roughly and fast so I could not retrieve it. My wallet was in the purse along with other personal valuables so the only thing I could think of doing was to slap her hand as she kept my purse from my reach, "Give it back, that's my purse!"
At that moment she yelled to the other woman to call the police, to call 911 because a customer just hit her. "You just hit me and you are going to jail for shoplifting and battery for hitting me." I turned to my fiance in tears and begged him to do something on my behalf. He then realized the seriousness of the accusations, battery and shoplifting and how even though I would be proven innocent and not guilty in the very end how just being arrested could damage my career. It seemed like the other lady was going to stick with the stories against me also. "Check the cameras!", I said with a bit of hope but the cashier said, "You still hit me and I'm pressing charges!" My fiance then grabbed my purse from the lady behind the counter and got me out safely but in a total emotional anxiety attack.
I couldn't stop crying, I felt horrible but I also felt sorry for all the other people who had been victimized by this Goodwill store in the past. The next morning, I called the general manager, told him what happened and asked him to view the camera to verify I came in with the purse and that I never hit the cashier but only smacked her hand when she tried to take what belonged to me. The manager said that the police showed up and they took a incident report on a burglary and a battery that took place in the store. He agreed to view the camera, and when I called him back to make sure that the police were notified that the incident was not really an incident at all the manager had the nerve to be non-apologetic stating... what more did I want. He then said, "You didn't go to jail so why are you so upset?"
Well Mr ignorant manager of the Goodwill store, the reason I am so upset is because the actions of your employees are more like the actions of gang members twisting the truth just to entertain themselves. Mr ignorant manager, the other thing is that I am upset because I have seen you tolerate this type of plotting from these employees in the past. You see there was a crime committed that night but the crime was of your employees targeting a harmless customer to gain possession of her... wallet maybe... or maybe the crime of kidnapping...not allowing me to leave the store. Your employee lied and plotted, made an untrue police report against me. An arrest of any kind would have jeopardized my future whether I am found guilty or not. This type of behavior allowed is not only a threat to customers but a threat against society as more and more unscrupulous young workers find they can lie their way out of anything and worse, then that lie about defensiveless customers just for the fun of it, just for laughs. Thank for listening!
Reviewed Feb. 24, 2014
First day of training was to start in the kitchen. I was treated like I owed someone for this. Worked here before full of racism and bigotry. The kitchen manager is a dirty manager. They wear hairnets but no gloves. She said that they don`t need to wear gloves. NASTY NASTY NASTY! One special needs person walked around with her finger in her nose then inserted it in her mouth. I became sick! The dish water was full of food, greasy and was not changed. Then there was the community French fries. A batch of French fries were made in the fryer, carried across the floor (grease dripping) to a take out container. Needed fries plated with no gloves then what was left was shared between the kitchen manager and two of the special needs workers. Did I mention no gloves? I was asked did I want some? I'm not that crazy!
Then one worker takes hamburgers from the freezer (no gloves) and just tosses them on the grill. Well when I complained about this and said that I could not work in these conditions I got a veiled threat. I was told that I was too high functioning, that these people would never get a job in the public sector and that basically this was the norm and it will not change! How do they pass their inspections from the health department? Where is their food handlers certificates? I was moved out of this department and treated like public enemy number one!
Now there's a problem with one supervisor who lent $200.00 to another worker. She asked for her money back and got cussed out. She went to the boss (who knew about it because this worker borrows from others) got told chalk it up to a loss and a lesson! Isn't it her job to make sure this does not go on? I was seen talking this person who is my supervisor about orders and I asked about her family. And now I'm being harassed. I probably will not have a job soon so I ask you what would you do? Also I live in a house with no furnace in the basement, health problems out the yang and constantly no money. I was hoping that I could save and get out of here but now? I'm upset because I have a special needs brother and if someone treated him with as much disrespect as they do the people at this site I would raise so much hell they would know my name coming and going! So why don't someone fight for these people?
Reviewed Feb. 15, 2014
Please don't spend your money at the Goodwill! They overprice EVERYTHING! They should be ashamed of their selves (seriously).
Reviewed Feb. 8, 2014
Goodwill merchandise is not all Donated items! They purchase pallets from stores on auction and then sell the products to the consumer, also if a clothing item is missing a button it is tossed out! Baby car seats are tossed out can't sell! Goodwill don't want to get in trouble if something should go wrong. Liquor will be tossed out. Also if your name is written on label in clothing, it gets tossed out. Also any stain if found tossed. Encyclopedias thrown out! They do have very good sales though also workers do not get first choice of merchandise!
Reviewed Feb. 8, 2014
I shop at numerous Goodwills for years. This past two years their prices have skyrocketed. They have become more corporate than a thrift store. Their image of helping the needy in the community with low priced items is ridiculous now. They are maybe 15 percent less than other stores and their items are used! I went into the Goodwill in Arnold Missouri today. I shopped two hours picking out items for me and my daughter's bedrooms. When I went to check out the woman said "these are target items. Someone has switched the tags." Two blankets where should have been priced at 12.99 for a twin comforter and 12.99 for a blanket. The employee argued with me that these were newly priced items packaged from target. I pointed out they had both been washed, they were hanging on hangers, no package. There were small lint balls and hair on one and the other had a old clearance target tag that was wrinkled and had been washed. They wanted to raise the prices to 26.99 for one blanket and 24.99 for the other. They then started checking all my other items. I lost it!
This store overcharges people at the register all the time. Those items were already overpriced for a thrift store to begin with and then this just was too much. Even the other customers stood up saying those blankets are not new. Then to insinuate that I changed the prices. I shop there frequently. I was ticket. I was told by the manager that I don't have to shop there.... while the other manager mocked me, raising her voice saying "we have many customers who shop here and don't complain."
I called Goodwill home office and their supervisor told me he would review the tapes to see who switched the tags. I informed him to go ahead and do so. I will never spend another penny at Goodwill again. How can they be legally listed as a thrift store when they are buying items to sell from Target? Overpriced... then triple overpriced accused of switching tags and insulted by their corporate office also. Never again.
Reviewed Feb. 2, 2014
I donate and shop at Goodwill thinking its doing some good. I can afford to shop anywhere else I want. I donate to the shelter services in town and assist with Young Life groups. My wife purchased a rice cooker in a box for $7.00 (Mind you it can be purchased new for $20 at Walmart). We got it home and it was well washed. Plugged it in and realized it did not work at all. Took it back with a receipt and they said all sales are final. Really? Would it not be more advantageous to just take it back and throw it away and keep a regular shopper. They would have lost nothing. It was given to them. Now they have lost customers for good. I'll buy second hand items and donate to Savers now.
Reviewed Jan. 31, 2014
People get on here and talk about this company have to realize... they are in it for the money. They use the excuse that they help people that way they can donate a little by law and pocket the rest. If you look at the big wigs of this company you will see their salaries are much higher than the average person. They only have to donate a small percent to charity to be a considered a non profit so that is what they do... Not to mention their online auctions. I fell for the auction once and won. They took my money and never gave me my merchandise but I won't complain.
I just will not do business with them anymore "EVER".... "a snake can't bite you if you stay far enough away from it." They get all their stuff from donations and people just keep on giving instead of giving directly to someone that is in need and then later complain about it. STOP giving to people that are rich and you can quit complaining about it.
Reviewed Jan. 10, 2014
My family have donated more than 400 trash bags full of good clothing, blankets, furniture, toys, electronics, athletic equipment and more to Goodwill over the years. I have 4 sisters and 1 brother all of whom have played sports and been active in clubs and organizations our entire childhood and everything was always donated to Goodwill. My church would collect donations once a year by setting up donation spots and I was an active participant until the age of 16. We would collect bags and bags of donations, all were given to Goodwill. As I got older (I am 23 now), I choose to donate all of my designer items to Goodwill instead of selling them on eBay, thinking someone who would never be able to buy them would enjoy. I moved to another state last year and stopped by a Goodwill store for the first time ever.
I was accused of stealing, threatened, and held by a Loss Prevention Officer who left a number of bruises on my body, went through all of my personal belongings, and arrested. Yes, arrested. After the officer watched videos proving me innocent, he changed his story of what I store 3 times. Conveniently (for him), the part of the store (the middle of the store) where he held me, embarrassed me, beat me, and threw anyone who tried to help me out of the store, was not on video (yeah right). I am a 85 pound female and he was a over 200 pound male, who claims I was fighting to get away. I never had a chance if I wanted to. I was helplessly knocked to the floor where he held my arms behind me and aggressively twisted them back and forth putting on an act that I was attempting to get away.
I became screaming, "Please stop, you're hurting me" but every single employee was on his side. The police came, arrested me, and refused to even listen to me. I was put into a jail cell for hours until finally a police officer told me I could leave. I lost my new job because I showed up late to work. A year later, I still haven't heard 1 thing about my arrest. I called the police station and they have no record of my arrest, even though I was finger printed and had mug shots taken. DO NOT SHOP OR DONATE HERE. This story is 100% true and not to mention, I never stole ANYTHING. The fact that this happened to me is still unreal. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COMPANY? This happened in Bellevue, Washington and officer was "Jeremy".
Reviewed Dec. 21, 2013
A prominent Goodwill Store Mgr. in Central Florida announced Nov. 23 that "Goodwill decided it is too expensive to recycle so the company is not doing that anymore." I asked, "Does this mean this stuff is going to the landfill?" She snapped at me in front of others and said, "I don't know and I don't care." This has been supported by the "Loss Prevention Manager" on Dec.18, 2013. Basically, your clothing might be accepted. The rest of what you donate to Goodwill Industries in Central Florida is going into massive "salvage wares crates" which go to the landfill. The Loss Prevention Manager laughs and tells stories of the few employees who toddle out and "look like homeless people" to push around the destroyed "salvage wares crates" to pick out something which might be intact enough to sell.
He also bragged and told numerous stories of putting people in jail for theft including for abandoned items left outside locked stores. His favorite capture involves a doberman pincer who appears and eats the looter. Dec. 15, 2013, Goodwill Industries announced "the Donation Express Locations will go to Piece Work" production where you only get paid for an item you price. You don't get paid for the customer service or shop cleaning, or hauling 40 lb. crates on a continual basis, just for the item you price. Piece work will go to the senior employees who have 3-7 employment in and are the fastest. Disabled employees are paid by companies that have a project specifically for them and can benefit from the legal right to avoid minimum wage.
Part time women are issued fewer hours than men. It takes 7 days to obtain 25 work hours. I was fired because "Florida is a free will state, and you don't fit." A copy of the separation document was denied me. When I asked for it, I was told, "Call Human Resources." There are a LOT of people in Human Resources. This Manager refuses to answer phone calls or Email. She had sent me on wild goose chases to get the most simple information and she refers to management like this: "Corporate is a Black Hole." Recycling......
Reviewed Dec. 18, 2013
Goodwill promotes the fact that provides JOBS. Well so does every other business, yet they are not allowed non-profit status. The owners of the district are enjoying benefits that other small business owners can only dream of. All businesses must pay for their merchandise, Goodwill gets 90% + donated to them. Businesses must have sales to remain competitive - not Goodwill. Did you get burned out or lose personal belongings in a disaster? Don't call Goodwill for help they will only offer you job training. The richer the area where the stores are located, the more difficult the return/exchange policy.
The owners of the franchise get greedier. I have asked several local managers (with tongue in cheek) what do they give the people in the back to drink who do the pricing? It sure isn't water! I really resent how they split sets up to sell pieces individually and push bidding on nicer items. I have found a way to beat them at their own game but I will not publish that publicly. More investigation needs to be done on the franchise owners of Goodwill districts and expose them for unfair business practices. Also encourage donations to more reasonable thrift stores and to churches that really help people. Goodwill has a terrible public relations image and until enough pressure is put on exposing the franchise owners then they will not change for the better.
Reviewed Dec. 10, 2013
I have not received a reply or acknowledgement of my email to Goodwill so I am posting a copy here, thinking that maybe some TAC relations department will see it and feel guilty. On the afternoon of 4 December 2013, my wife and I were shopping at the Goodwill store in Ashtabula, Ohio. My wife wanted to try on some clothes she had selected but the dressing rooms were locked. She requested that a room be unlocked but the cashier said she could not open the door because there was a line at the register. My wife waited for some time and finally asked another employee if she could open the door. That person said she could not because she was going to another part of the store.
The employee at the register finally came over to open the door after she had finished with all the customers waiting in line. She opened the dressing room for my wife and my wife was finally able to select her purchases. When my wife exited the dressing room, the second employee was waiting outside the door and told my wife that there were only three people working the floor and that my wife was very discourteous to keep asking for someone to open the room. My wife apologized to the employee, but she made my wife apologize to the clerk at the register.
I believe this is a serious breach of relations between the Goodwill store and a customer, my wife. Making my wife apologize for wanting to use the store facility is in no way acceptable. I will expect a reply from whatever customer relations department Goodwill Industry maintains concerning this matter.
Reviewed Dec. 10, 2013
After shopping in Goodwill most of my childhood, into Adulthood, things have changed for the worse. Yes when I can still find something I TRULY needed, I'm grateful. This however is far, and few between. As a frequent consumer, I see the difference between cost in some stores, putting an item in glass cases to mark them up. For me I Need Stores like Goodwill in my life, but not at the same cost I can buy it in a Large Retail Store. The prices are now SET so that those with the most Money, gets the Best Deals. It is no longer an even Playing Field. I have seen some stores refuse to bring out sale items because of a few hang-arounders, I call them. Those that wait for each rack and buggy to come out so they can get dibs on the best stuff first. This is not fair as well. Sales people acting as if the property is theirs solely, to make any judgement call about it.
NOW THE GOODWILL ONLINE AUCTION, has taken it to an all new level!!! When I do bid for something I always feel as if someone from inside drives the price up, and up... Then I realized you are TRULY paying the retail price by the time you have added s&h. Things I would love to have a chance of buying it because the person who donated it surely didn't realize it would be sold to the highest bidder. That would be most who need the store for our goods at an AFFORDABLE PRICE!!! Yes Goodwill, who is your target market? It is surely not the working, and hi-lo class consumers. We can't afford you any more. Not much of what we want and need. I even showed a Manager the cost of a Coffee Pot at the store, as it was costing the same as a new one would, SAME NEW PRICE. I was told because it is new and expensive the price would stand unless it didn't sell after a certain time. Yeah right, it was sold before I left the store, I was floored.
Another thing, splitting up sets to charge separate prices for a set, drives me nuts. Most times now, because it still feel like Home to me in some distorted way, I will just WINDOW SHOP AND WISH, AT GOODWILL!!!!! THAT SHOULD NOT BE. The help if you need clothes project is horrible, because of what they give you to choose from. Oh no, not the good stuff, but stuff you wouldn't want. I still Love My Goodwills, but I now sell for cheaper, donate to Individuals, or to churches, and missions. Anyone who does not have the Money for Clothes, and Shoes so they can Feel Better about Themselves. Not Everyone Have Goodwill Money. Sure would be nice to see some changes to Accommodate the Times Now. It's HARD OUT HERE!!!
My Daughter who also shops Goodwill, recently found Bed Bugs where she had put some clothes to be washed form the Goodwill Stores in Simpsonville, Maudlin, Greenville, South Carolina area, but I can't find any reports on this Topic. She can't be the only one. I still have my bed bug clothes tied in YES 3 Plastic Bags. The items are nice, but the few bugs I saw were not nice at all. Luckily for me I had not yet taken mine out of the Bag while She will be out of The Children's Santa Money/Savings, loss of a Pet Puppy, Guest in Her New Home, over $1,500.00 for a COMPLETE THERMAL REMOVAL!!! Single, no Gov. assistance Working Mother. No Gifts for Anyone Now. She has lost weight because she can't sleep, BED BUG BITES ON HER AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER!!! She jumps at any tiny thing that could possibly look like a Bed Bug. It's ALL JUST FRUSTRATING, SAD AND DISAPPOINTING ANY WAY IT GOES.
Reviewed Dec. 8, 2013
With no heat nearly all winter so far, Employees wearing heavy jackets and the store is 50° and colder on cold days, even colder in the back. Employees are stiff, cold hands, achy bones while excuses continue to flow for the lack of heat. There is a simple answer in my opinion. The store is being run with a sweatshop Third World country mentality who will pinch profit by any means. This is not an isolated issue but one of a continuance of disregard for workers who are treated more like pawns in a chess game to be sacrificed for profit. It would be nice if consumer organizations would do some undercover investigations of the so-called non-profit organizations who are no more than profit organizations who run a mock charity to the ultimate goal of lining their own pockets.
Reviewed Dec. 7, 2013
Benevolence not include, goodwill towards men a thing of the past, Goodwill gets countless donations to help who? While the woman technically should not have given the jacket to the homeless man without authority, her intent was not malicious, selfishness or greed. Well, Merry Christmas, homeless man, I hope you freeze your ** off, truly yours, Goodwill.
Reviewed Dec. 5, 2013
Yes, i'ts true. I've said this for a long time. We will no longer be donating to the Goodwill. I've found another charity retail store that actually helps the town it was built in. Goodwill does not resell to the public the jewelry that people donate. It is sent to a distribution center where greedy people go through it and put it on a Auction Site for mega bucks. Goodwill gets proceeds for free, hires workers for cheap to go through all that stuff and the public doesn't get a chance to even get a good deal on it. The prices are ridiculous. People go to the goodwill to get something for a great deal. I tell everyone about the new store in town and they have great stuff and great prices plus they have a food pantry and give to the needy!!!! That is what you call Good Will!
Reviewed Dec. 3, 2013
Why is the Goodwill so expensive now? I went in on Friday the day after Thanksgiving and everything was way overpriced. They had a new set of sheets for 29.99. Seriously I can pay that at any regular store. I go to the Goodwill because I can't afford to pay 29.99 on some sheets. If they think something is name brand they sell it for crazy prices, some coach boots were 80.00 - that's just insane. I wonder if the people that donate all this stuff know how high priced it ends up being.
Reviewed Nov. 28, 2013
At a Canoga Park, CA Goodwill thrift store, I saw a small French style chair in the back room. I asked an employee when it would be put out for sale because I wanted to purchase it and he said in about 10 minutes. I waited 20 minutes and no chair came out. I asked the store manager about it and she said she'd check it out. She never came back. I stopped another employee who agreed to ask the manager what happened. She came back saying the manager wasn't going to sell it because it had a crack and Goodwill could be sued if someone bought it and was injured. I told her I could easily fix a crack and still wanted to buy it.
Again the manager refused to sell it. I also mentioned that most of the stuff in the store were damaged, stained, chipped or cracked, so what difference was this chair from other items. No answer was given. I left the store disappointed. Three days later, I went back to the store and the chair was still in the work room. There was a different manager on duty that day so I asked her about the chair saying I wanted to purchase it and she said she would have it priced and put on the floor in about an hour. I again told her how much I wanted the chair. I couldn't wait there so I left and returned in a few minutes over the hour. But the chair was gone.
I asked an employee who said he just put the chair on the floor and immediately someone bought it. I was pissed and went to the manager and asked why she couldn't hold off putting the chair out until I could get back to the store especially when she knew who I was and that I wanted to buy it. She said the store didn't hold items for anyone and since I wasn't around, someone else got it.
This is poor customer service and a complete disregard for customer relationships. Two different managers giving two different stories and both not wanting to sell me the chair when it would have been a quick and easy sale. I thought Goodwill was in the business of raising money from donated items by selling them to us. This action by two Goodwill managers was a power play to show customers that we are totally unimportant to them. I am so disappointed to not be given the opportunity to purchase this little French chair when I told everyone in that store I wanted it.
Reviewed Nov. 17, 2013
For many years, I have shopped at the Goodwill store on the south side and I realized that the store has never had any boy's clothes over the age of 2 yrs old. Where are these clothes? Years of looking and never ever found anything. So I stopped trying to shop there and started to go to other second hand stores. Also I have been looking for receiving blankets and for years nothing but I was at the till and saw bags of receiving blankets cut up for rags they were charging $1.99. I bought a bag because I was curious and the material had nothing wrong with it.
And how do they help the handicapped with jobs because I have a handicapped brother who can't get a job. Never see them in the store. Where is all the profit going, to the Philippines? They run the store. Then one Xmas, I bought some Xmas stuff and because they don't offers bags for your stuff, I had to make 2 trips to my car with my stuff and when I came back in the store for my other stuff, the ladies there had resold my stuff and a big argument with me and the lady. I had to take a loss and walk away. We need to take care of our own people first, not the Philippines.
Reviewed Nov. 15, 2013
I was in our local Goodwill today and found an ornate cookie jar LID ONLY that was marked $4.99. I asked the checker if it was the price including the jar, she said yes and another lady went to see if she could find the jar. The first lady said if it wasn't found, she would only charge $1 or $1.99 since it was just a lid. I was fine with that. The second lady didn't find it and told me if I wanted it, it would be $3. I said I'd pay $1.99 at the most, she refused.
As I was about ready to pay, the second lady told the first just to "throw it away, since there was no jar." WHAT??? I told the first lady, loud enough for the second to hear, "She would rather have you throw it out than take my $2? That's stupid. You're going to lose a sale over a freakin' dollar?" Goodwill has become very greedy and overpriced anyway. I don't think I will be shopping there anymore.
Reviewed Nov. 15, 2013
Today I was in a good mood and decided to go shopping. After picking several items, I headed towards the dressing room, where they were 2 Latin workers cleaning up the dressing room. As I was waiting I notice the new black security at the door staring in my direction. The workers finish the job and I show them the 3 pieces that I was going to try on, leaving the other items by the door since you can only try 3 pieces. As I was to reach the door, I notice the black security rushing toward me and ask me, "HOW MANY PIECES YOU GOT?"
I was caught off guard, noticing his nasty attitude. It was very clear that they were three items, you can tell right away being that close. I responded, "I Got three, would you like to count them?" as I show them to him. He didn't reply and I walk inside the room. When I come out, the gorilla security was standing outside, waiting for me and told me, "I don't like that way you talk to me. If you don't like it leave the store or I will throw you out." I responded feeling harassed, "You ask me how many pieces I had, and I answered your question. What's the problem, plus I also show the workers the pieces." He repeated that he didn't like the way I responded to him, and that I should leave the store or he would throw me out.
I notice his nasty superior attitude as if he was the grandson of King Kong. I saw the manager walk by, another black man as this was happening and I approached him, and told him what was happening with the security. The manager answer, "We are changing the store" and walk away. I notice right away that this ** was on the security black side and that it was nothing that I could do. I got out the store noticing also that the store had way too many new ** working there, and that they were using the Latinos to do that hard work since ** don't like to work. I realized that these ** were ganging on this stores, acting as if they own it with a superior nasty attitude and they were getting away with it by protecting each other. I had donated so much good stuff to that store over the years, but now knowing what disgusting infested operations these ** are running there, I'd rather throw away my donations to the garbage.
You might think that I'm discriminating this creatures, but I'm here to tell you that they are doing a good job discriminating themselves. You get judge by what way you present yourself to others. It's not my problem, or an body else problem that you're black, fat and ugly. If you throw nasty out there, nasty will return right back at you. This store is located on Sunset Boulevard & Vermont, Los Angeles, CA.
Reviewed Nov. 13, 2013
I used to go into the Goodwill to buy the jewelry to re-make and wear as an inexpensive way to get new jewelry for myself. I noticed that the jewelry was not being put out and asked the people in the Santa Rosa California store why. I was informed that all of the jewelry was now being gone through and then being put on the Goodwill auction site. This is such bull crap. They are stealing from the public, not giving the public a chance to buy it! Please people do not donate to Goodwill! Give it to your local charity! Goodwill of the Redwoods in California is stealing your property and keeping for themselves.
Reviewed Nov. 10, 2013
We are big Goodwill shoppers, or at least we were. I live in Bowling Green, KY. For years, one of the Goodwills in town had the "toy bin". It was great! Small toys are very expensive if bought new. You could go through the bin and find all kinds of small to medium toys for $1 a bag. Because of some very greedy people coming in and basically taking all (I’ve watched some just put everything in their cart without even looking at what they had. This done for resell purposes), they discontinued the toys.
They attempted to put the toys pre-bagged and selling for a high price but then you ended up with a bag of stuff that was mixed up or not the complete toy. In either way, sometimes there was rather gross and hazardous items, you had to use care when handling (example: extremely dirty toys, soiled underwear). The employees obviously would just dump the items in without looking. Now the bin and toy bags are discontinued all together. These items are given for free.
Why can't you just make rules for the toy bin and if rules are broken then that person is banned? Rules like only so many bags per visit, be polite and work together with others to get the sets needed, no reselling (only buy to give to kids), etc. It can't be that hard. Also, recently we have noticed that the prices have gone up. These items are donated. Realize that if you want to sell, you have to mark these consistent pricing and at low prices. I have seen a lot of items lately with prices that are higher than the stores' pricing brand new items.
Reviewed Nov. 5, 2013
A used purse, not a name brand, $25.99? A used pair of shoes, $15.99? Small candles that you can buy at Walmart or the dollar store for a $1.00 Goodwill wants a $1.99. Okay, I know most of this stuff is donated and meant to help the needy and less fortunate. But I am a mother of 4 children and can't afford to shop here. I get better buys at JC Penney's and Walmart or FredMeyer's on the clearance racks and it's new. The Goodwill industry has become so greedy, expensive and noncaring. I think they need to be regulated just like all the other retailers if they are not already. Goodwill industry, shame on you!

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2013
I saw the attached public post on the Facebook page of **, Goodwill Center Managers of the Mayfield, KY store. The business decision that Mrs. ** referenced is a private nature and extremely unprofessional and egregious for someone in management to say not only to another person but, on a public forum and openly about demoting an employee and this employee cried in result. I think Mrs. ** needs to be demoted to the lowest of low as she quoted in her post that hourlys were.... Perhaps her managing techniques is why Mrs. ** isn't succeeding in management after 9 yrs and is posting on Facebook about herself feeling like a failure!!
The Murray, KY store that she manages is filthy and reeks of pretentious smells as was the Mayfield, KY location. I would start with cleaning up management, the store and perhaps everything else would fall into place. Murray, KY is a college town... That location should be thriving but, It isn't because of poor management, lack of obvious intelligence of the operating manager and organization of the facility. The Murray store should had already closed its doors and why it hasn't is unbeknownst to me but, I look for it to in the very near future. Lastly, anyone who post business decisions and the employee's reaction on a public forum cannot be a good business leader but, a moron.
Reviewed Oct. 17, 2013
Overall, I am very happy with the Shopgoodwill.com site. You are able to bid on name brand quality items and win for pennies on the dollar versus new price. I was seeing a problem with shipping prices on small items like watches, so I sent a few emails to different stores and the corporate site. I am now noticing lower shipping prices on a lot of the watch auctions. Seems like someone is listening. Make sure you read the description and terms completely so you know what you are bidding on. Not only is it fun looking at all the auctions, it is a perfect way to get your Goodwill fix anytime day or night! Anyone looking for a deal or on a budget should check out Shopgoodwill or visit your local Goodwill if one is near. There is always a deal to be found!
Reviewed Oct. 5, 2013
I love shopping at all the Goodwill in Central TX and I hit as many as I can weekly. Well, except one. Goodwill located on 31st in Temple, TX has a store manager with a very snooty, hateful attitude and acts totally unprofessional. The cases at the registers in all the Goodwill are, say on watches, if they are not marked, the cost is 2.99 or that's what it is supposed to be. This manager takes them out of your hands and marks them up very, very high. Any other Goodwill still honors if not marked. This manager is rude, has been seen rolling her eyes at me and my party.
She was even saying hateful things about me to the next lady in line not knowing that she was talking to my best friend. Out of my friends and relatives, we spend a lot of money every week. Just not at that Temple store. And today being grand opening day at the new store in Belton, TX Goodwill, seeing her there, I put the whole basket back and walked out. She needs to be fired and replaced with someone that has a nicer personality.
Reviewed Sept. 27, 2013
At the store here in Iowa Falls, IA they get leftover donations from garage sales. They then put the items out for sale without taking off the original garage sale price tag. The Goodwill prices are always at least two times the amount of the garage sale price. How greedy is that for leftover trash?
Reviewed Sept. 26, 2013
I am a current employee of this company, unfortunately. I've been with this company for almost 3 years, and in the 3 years I've been employed, I have seen A LOT that goes on. I have watched how GW treat their employees, myself included over the last several months and it's depressing working for these people. When I was first hired, we had a new store opening up, which I helped set up... 2 months later, I was offered to "move up", resulting in transferring to another store, the next town over. With a decent "pay increase", I offered the position. I spent 1 1/2 years at the next store, worked with a manager that was hateful and disrespectful. What's really bad, is I was her assistant and we never saw eye to eye. Personality issues, BIG time.
She transferred to a new store that was opening, and another manager came in, and she and I got along very well. However, months down the line, my position got "let go" because of our tiny store "not meeting budget" every day. Granted, it was a SMALL store, with unrealistic budget quotas that didn't get met EVERY single day we were open. I was offered to the store that I am currently at, the same store that the DISRESPECTFUL manager that I worked with, was managing. I thought, "Oh boy, now I'm working with HER...again?"
In result of having my "job title" taken away, I also had to take a 3$.00 an hr PAY CUT. That was a year ago. I have watched the same manager that I originally work with, harass, threaten, intimidate the co-workers and myself... There have been quite a few people that have quit working at my store. Just the other day, we all had a meeting and the manager and her RUDE assistant manager flat out told us that they've not been able to refer any of us as "employees of the quarter" because NO ONE is doing "their job properly"....How can we? We don't get any praises, and when "quotas" are NOT met as they say, we get harassed for it and blamed because our store is "not making budget like we should"...
This is a big store I work at and we have a lot of middle/high class customers that come in our store to shop... I have watched personally how the manager and her assistant manager have treated us and there is A LOT of favoritism. there. We get threats if we "are not doing our job the right way"... The only reason I can't quit is because I have a family to support. And oh yeah, I've had a raise in 2 years. Right now I am being transferred... again, to where I get to work with just 1 person, and get this, I am getting a $.50 "raise" but not 80 hours every 2 weeks... so I lose about $110.00 a month by accepting this transfer, but at least I don't have to listen to the negative BS that goes on in the store I'm leaving.
And oh yeah, the assistant mgr is one of those who has let her job title get to the best of her, and she screamed at me the other day for no legit reason, and to top that, at least I don't have to listen to her pitiful sob stories about her teen-aged daughter, who is a troubled soul and needs THERAPY, big time. The assist mgr. gets on my last nerves, and I am GLAD I am leaving that store. Too bad I can't leave this company, because I have a family to provide for. If ONLY upper mgt knew how these 2 managers treat us, them 2 women would be out of a job. And I am ashamed that I work for this money-hungry type of company, but unfortunately, the job market is horrible, otherwise I'd be leaving this company. I will eventually when something better comes along. I've always treated everyone with respect, but they don't care. It's all about money. I can't complain to HR because I am afraid I will lose my job, so I don't say anything because it does no good.
Reviewed Sept. 20, 2013
I was told today by a Goodwill near me, where I have frequently donated a lot of things, that she wouldn't give me a receipt because I was only donating 2 items. Then I was told the items were junk that she couldn't sell. Well, I got my receipt, but not without insults and an argument. I now realize after some online research that Goodwill is not a true charity but a scam, who sells more expensive items for their own benefit and maltreats lower employees. I hardly ever purchase anything there because the clothes are horrible for the most part and I have too many things already. I will only donate to true not for profit charities now or give things away directly to people at free list.org. A much better way to recycle things.
Reviewed Sept. 20, 2013
I have been shopping at Goodwill for over 14 years. It originally was designed for most people who wanted thrifty clothing or other household items, etc. It was my favorite place to go, plus other thrift or consignment hospital shops. I have been a faithful customer, and donated several times. Back in the 80's... the people I know, would never even go to a Goodwill, as they thought it was, well... gross to wear someone else's clothes. But, I learned they had incredible bargains. But, as time went on, they became more and more "known". The usual empty stores, now had more and more people over the years.
Goodwill, began to hire people, who had knowledge of their donations, almost like antique dealers. Their low prices, and fair prices... slowly shifted. Some things began to be overpriced. And, over time... Goodwill "soared" to stardom, as people realized they could get "quality" clothing at a fraction of the department store cost. But... Goodwill turned itself into a profit type company. It no longer catered to people who didn't have a lot of income, but to people with money. It is fair to sell to anyone, but Goodwill's image became like they were like Macy's.
Now, the innocence of their business, is a full blown industry. The image of helping workers who are not qualified to work in the outside world, "changed" radically...and the workers are educated, skilled people... and the so-called, mentally or physically challenged people... I don't see anymore. Now, they have turned a once pleasant shopping experience into a circus. While I still shop there on a regular basis... I recently saw the unthinkable. While closing a store, they make incremental announcements, for how much shopping time you have. So, you try to get finished at their closing time.
A couple of months back, I was the last person to leave... so I thought. As they let me out, and locked the door, I went to my car, and when I looked back at their front large window, the "two" people "who" were still "shopping", as "I" left...were there, in the "locked up" store. A man and his young daughter pulled up and parked, and "read" the hours sign, and got back in their car. I remained in my car, as I watched the manager, with the "two" shoppers, a man and a woman, in front of the jewelry counter, and he had a jeweler's loupe. They were "catering" to these two people, while they had "already" emptied the store of the other shoppers.
So... truth be known... Goodwill is playing the non-profit masquerade. Dealers are now, better than the rest of us. We are now, not equal to the rest of society. They were purchasing jewelry and china type objects. I sat there and watched from my car till they let them out. They saw me... and that's exactly what I wanted to them to do... see "me" seeing "them". Apparently their money is more valuable than the rest of society. But they appeared like they were being wronged by me just sitting there, watching them get into their car. Yet...their greed consumed their conscience.
I also shop at the outlet. If you want to see pandemonium... it's like something out of a movie. They ring a bell, while people "charge" like bulls to an arena. One particular group, grabs every shoe(s) there are, with some small exceptions. If an elderly lady needed a pair of shoes...forget it. She would be laying on the floor, and maybe stampeded in the process. I've been hit by carts, had my foot ran over, and seen a lady almost go down. I had enough!!! The once favorite place of my spending, has now become above itself.
I called the executive branch, and after several voice mails, finally got a "person" to answer. But, this was a worse nightmare than what I've already talked about. The man, literally, got so angry at me for being "honest". He slammed the phone on me, because I told him the truth. I was going to call the attorney general's office, if it was possible, and he freaked out on me. He first got mad, because I had initially studied the history of Goodwill, and found out, it was founded by a Christian minister, who got items for the poor, and gave them back to them to clothe them and help them. He blew up at me for mentioning the Christian foundation of his company. He said it had nothing to do with anything. But that is not true.
Their title, "Goodwill" is 2,000 years old. Most of us have heard at Christmas time... Peace on earth, and goodwill towards men. Yes, Jesus Christ was born. That's why the minister started goodwill to "start" with folks. But... I am not trying to put 2,000 year old meanings, to today's world. I'm merely stating a fact. Goodwill is not about the Bible. But...it was supposed to be about, helping people with learning, and physical needs to sustain "it". Now...it really still does that. BUT, THERE IS BIG BUT HERE. All our donations, and purchases, fill the pockets of the well-nourished, bigwig executives who "run" Goodwill. See...the non-profit company, is quite profitable.
Now, I am not saying that those who run Goodwill, don't deserve a decent salary. But search the internet, and you will find out the "salaries" these people are being paid. Ask them... Do you pay your workers equal pay for equal service? Just because they have college degrees, and the poor worker whose shriveled hand, pushes the keys on the cash register isn't as "capable" as the higher ups "are"... Funny how their salaries don't even come close. Yes..the typical American dream... Management corrupts, and cleans up. While the people on the bottom, are still the people "on the BOTTOM". But, folks, this is our country. So, what's new?
Goodwill was once a fair, and enjoyable place to shop. There are countless people who are really kind and devoted, and really "care". But the execs... just keep licking their fingers to count their earnings. Talk about abuse. Just like football, or any sport. The guy who cleans the stadium gets squat, but the players, get millions. My phone call was a disaster. The man yelled at me, scared me, and he sounded like he needed to be put in a straight jacket. All because I exposed "the truth". At the outlet, they dump all the donations into large rolling containers to the selling floor. There are broken glass, sharp edges, knives, etc. And innocent children and people are grabbing for their lives. It's just a matter of time.
After I had called him, and left several calls to the "head" of Goodwill, I knew, she did not have the guts to call me back. As big as her paycheck is...her guts don't match. Because she knows I am right. And one of her sidekicks, the safety so-called titled man, blew up on me like a monster. I mean, literally. Even, if I was off my rocker, and called him, he showed not one ounce of professionalism. And "he's" got a big title there. He was beyond anyone I have ever spoken to in years of business. He really should be working at the correctional center. Not a place, named "Goodwill". But, since they are letting so much go by, and pretending they don't know about it...is pure folly. They have cameras, and other workers who know and see the truth. But, it's always about the buck stops here.
I can actually tell you, I am afraid of that man. Yet I don't know what he looks like or where he is. But, I can see, Goodwill, is not prepared to play "fair". But I also want to be fair here. I still love Goodwill. And many people, both poor, middle class, and rich...shop there. There are wonderful bargains to receive. But it's the people in their ivory towers that run the ship. There above us all now. Goodbye, non-profit, hello "greed". Bye Bye, honesty and integrity. Hello favoritism, and selfishness. It's a sad day, when someone steps up to the plate, to "tell" the "truth", and like the usual courtroom dramas we know and see, the victim becomes the "accused".
After my horrific phone conversation with him, of which there were (2), because I called him back by mistake, after he hung up the first time, I am ashamed to tell people what goes on behind the scenes. But, as I said, it's still the best bargain for your money. But, you do have to use integrity while purchasing. Yes...as another wrote, some of their items, but very few indeed, cost more than the actual store from which they originated. Sometimes, you'll see a dollar tree, $1.00 item there, for $2.00. But, you have to read the labels. Now, they don't do returns, accept on electronics. But overall, it, as I have repeated, is still my favorite place to shop.
For 20 some years, I have told countless people to go there, and how wonderful the workers were to me. But, when I saw abuse, unfairness, and safety issues, I got punished for sitting in the "jury" seat, and giving the verdict...guilty as charged. I want all who read this to know, that no matter where you live, each Goodwill may vary from area to area, state to state. But, remember...use your sense there. And your cents, will carry your purse strings a lot stronger. Forgive my very long story...but the truth be known...both the good, the bad, and the ugly. So, when you go there, if you do...enjoy the blessings that exist. And be a blessing to others. Like the man who founded it...based on pure motives, of a sincere and merciful heart.
I guess if he was alive today, he would probably go into shock. But...as they say...it is, what it is. Get the most for your hard-earned dollar. And share your love, with those who are not as equal financially to you. Thank you for letting me, let it out. For being patient, and kind. And may God bless all who readily accept His blessings, if they so choose. In Jesus' precious love...
Reviewed Sept. 17, 2013
I had a yard sale on Friday and Saturday. I had several items left. I worked from 8am till 8pm on Monday September 16th. On my way home I stopped by the Goodwill store in Waynesville, N.C. I was at the tailgate of my truck getting ready to open it. I was going to unload the things when I heard someone yelling "What are you doing here? You are trespassing. You need to leave. I am calling the law." I stated I brought items to donate. She said "you can not donate after closing hours." She would not let me leave my things, didn't even look at them. She kept yelling and screaming at me and said I was trespassing and she was calling the police. I told her I was unaware of any rules of after hour donating and I did leave. She said she got my tag number.
I will not be back to Goodwill. I will take these items and anything I have in the future to Salvation Army or Haywood Christian Ministry. That girl needs to be fired. No one should have to be talked to like I was.
Reviewed Sept. 9, 2013
I was employed with Goodwill for 4 years. Goodwill claim to help people but that's not true. I was absent several times because I was sick but each time I was excused by a doctor. Goodwill still wrote me up and told me I was not allowed to go to the emergency room for illness. One of the illnesses was respiratory infection which caused issues with my breathing. The other was a real bad urinary infection to where I was pissing blood. Even though I gave them a doctor's slip, they still fired me because they said I should have called before my shift.
How about I'm scheduled to be at work at 8:00am? I called the store 8 times at 7:47 am. I didn't get an answer. The manager said, "Well, you should had called back at 8:00 am." I showed her I waited to call again and it was like 9:00. I had to call twice then because I didn't get an answer. I went back to work and was fired for it. I believe there was something personal against me. Because at that time, I have been at work on time for 5 months, have not missed a day and they turned around and fired me for going to the doctors because I was sick.
Reviewed Sept. 4, 2013
I was at a Runnymede location in Toronto. The manager kept saying he was bringing out some pictures from the loading dock. I was there for hours, spent 200.00. The following day, I spent money and hours; the frames, etc did not come out... The following day, picture and frame, and furniture half price day, they did not bring out the frames and pictures that I wanted. The assistant manager said the loading dock was cleared of them. They were there. It was night. When they thought I left, I saw a clerk carry one of the pictures towards the store entrance.
Reviewed Sept. 1, 2013
I used to like our area GW stores. I started shopping there looking for American Girl books for my daughter and she is now starting college. So I'm not a newbie. Over the last few years, prices have gotten crazy high on some things. The stuff is donated for the most part. Can't help but laugh when I can (and do) go to Kohl's and buy new items cheaper. Or when an item at GW still has an original price tag that is LOWER than the GW price!
But what really got me was this - our Goodwill (NE Ohio) gets new items from Target. They are priced with a red ticket and rarely get marked down. They are rarely a good deal as Target often discounts their clearance stuff anyway so it is often cheaper to buy from Target. We also have a closeout store called Marc's in the area which also gets Target items. I bought a brand new 8x10 area rug at Marc's that was from Target. I paid $20. It was such a deal I went back and bought another one. The following Sunday at Goodwill the same brand, same Target merchandise was...$99!!! Are you people insane? You are a thrift store. I know you don't get these new goods donated and they are higher priced but come on. To be $79 higher than a store in the same city is ridiculous.
Reviewed Sept. 1, 2013
Durham, NC Goodwill Roxboro RD. - I was checking out at the counter with a pair of pants and two shirts. The cashier looked at the tag on the plaid winter style field and stream shirt I was purchasing and told me it was a higher price than what was stated. She told me after looking at the brand tag that it was considered a sweater? How is a button-up winter shirt a sweater? I asked for the manager and followed her to the back with the shirt in hand. She kept pausing and looking back at me, before going behind the double doors. After a minute or so, she came out and saw the shirt in my hand, then forcibly grabbed it from my hand. I was telling her that I wanted to show it to the manager, but she said "NO, I'LL TAKE IT TO HER AND EXPLAIN".
She saw the manager and as I peeked through the door crack, she showed her the brand tag and I saw them talking looking at me. The manager said, because it was a thick winter material, it was considered a sweater at a higher price. Every time I have visited this particular store, the price jumped at the register on everything I brought to it! Does Goodwill policy allow people to make their own prices at the register? I know some proceeds go towards the needy, but not enough of them for this kind of stuff! Items that were marked one price, jumps to a higher price at register.
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2013
I called the district manager of South Florida, Lorraine, to file a complaint against the new manager of the Goodwill at 441 (Nathan). For the past 2 weeks, the prices are all over the place (first week manager was on Vacation & second week, new manager Nathan was in charged). Once I questioned a price on some spoons (ALL Goodwill's have always charged me 0.25 cents per silver plated spoon & today they wanted $10 for 5 silver plated spoons!!), the manager was rude and gave me an attitude. I am an educated person and I expect EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE so I called Mrs. Lorraine to let her know, and to my surprise, she was just as rude or worst than him. NEVER did she apologized to me and the whole time she defended him (they stick together if you know what I mean!!). I am writing a letter to corporate and I will also send them a copy of all my receipts and statements from the other buyers (as she seemed not to believe me). I normally spend between $100-$200 a day (Monday through Friday) and some Saturdays. They lost a good customer over a single word - I am sorry you feel that way. I think Mrs. Lorraine needs customer service classes.
Reviewed Aug. 11, 2013
I frequent the Goodwill Store in Lancaster every week. On Sunday August 11, 2013 an incident happened that I feel was inappropriate. I was in the bargain room and I need to use the restroom and it was an emergency, so I rushed over to the other part of Goodwill to use the restroom and a man was in there cleaning one of the stalls. I said, "Excuse me I need to use the restroom." He replied, "No you have to wait". I can't this is an emergency! He replied, "Hurry up, you're holding me up from my job." I feel this was not very rude behavior on his part.
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2013
On one fine Tuesday (23rd July or the Tuesday before that), I bought few books from Goodwill, Brampton on Chrysler Rd and went on to pay the cashier. After I made the payment, the cashier gave me back my balance. There was something funny about the way she handed over my balance so I counted it back. Then I noticed one of the five dollars was torn. I asked the cashier to hand over same amount in good condition. Next set of incidents made me regret buying from Goodwill. I had to wait till another customer pay from cash for the next thirty minutes. The cashier told me that I have to wait till another customer pays in cash and that never came for the last thirty minutes. I waited and waited. Nothing came. Then another co worker, I felt higher in rank, came to the cash register and I told him my grievance and asked to change it. Then he did. I went half an hour late for work. I get paid by the hour.
Reviewed July 27, 2013
I have read various complaints about different Goodwill locations. They must have been in some that we have not been in, because wherever we are we always look for a Goodwill store to see what they have to offer. It is true that some things are dirty, but that is because that is how they were received. We always wash or clean anything that we buy before using it. We have been pleased with the locations we have been in - with the merchandise being offered as well as the personnel working there.
Reviewed July 15, 2013
So, is it a scam? Maybe. But you should be aware that shopping at Goodwill poses a potential health risk you may not be aware of. I worked a local Goodwill for two weeks (that`s all I could stand) and was amazed at what was donated and what was put out on the racks. Donated items ran the gamut from good to bad to trash. All mixed together, thrown in the same trash bags and boxes. From rotting trash to dirty diapers to stuff I couldn't identify to dirty drawers (literally), disgusting, nasty, all over everything, yuck... So, from the trash bag to the sorting table. That shirt that was in one of those disgusting trash bags was priced and put out on the floor. Disgusting.
I ask the manager, "Doesn't that pose a risk to the customer?" The answer was something like, if they don`t wash it first that`s not our fault. This was not the only case and it gets worse but I`ll keep it clean for this forum. Maybe we should realize that we can get serious diseases shopping at these places. They do not wash the clothes yet we try them on in the store! There could be MRSA, strep, corona virus and who knows what on these clothes. They don`t care about the customer, the people who sort have to produce so many pieces or else they are out of a job. So, as long as it looks ok, out it goes on the floor. Maybe we should think twice before rubbing up against some donated object at Goodwill. It may come back to bite you, seriously. Signed, Mr. buying new clothes from now on.
Reviewed June 27, 2013
They get all these clothes, household items, accessories, etc. donated to them. Yet they charge an arm and a leg for them and also pay their employees minimum wage. They are such a rip-off! I can get the same things at the dollar store or at a garage sale for a fraction of the cost.
Reviewed June 23, 2013
To know that the donations we have given go to pay executives over $400K pa while the lovely in-store workers can get as little as 20 cents per hour is not only disgraceful, but downright wrong. Also, to know that disabled people get tested on their dexterity as the basis for deciding their meager compensation has to be a civil rights issue. The government needs to wake up to the wrong being committed here and redress the situation quickly and fairly. The executives in the meantime should be ashamed of themselves.
Reviewed June 23, 2013
I was in the store in Elkhart, Indiana on June 22 where, on the sign, it said, "Goodwill loves Moms 50% Sale on June 22." After I had picked out my clothing, I got to the register and the clerk rudely told me I misread the sign. Apparently, Goodwill is running a promotional thing that you have to buy something in order to get the 50%. I don't know; the whole process was very confusing. No one gave me store credit for what I purchased. No discount, nor did I receive my 50% off either. Stores shouldn't false advertise just to get customers in the doors.
Reviewed June 21, 2013
I was kicked out of a Goodwill Store in Oakland by the manager. When I asked why, she told me she had told me not to come in there again. I never even saw this woman before. I was with my son and many people were around. It was embarrassing. I am a disabled veteran. I am also a minister at First AME church. I work with many people. I don't even have a parking ticket. I tried to talk with her and she told me "We can refuse anyone." But the accusation she made was not right and I should have been given a reason. I have given Goodwill many donations. I have never been treated like this at a store. Then when I tried to talk with someone else, they turn their heads like I was not there. What can I do? Please help.
Reviewed June 10, 2013
I go out to the grocery store about twice a week; Goodwill is in the same shopping center, so I pop in to see what's new. I would see items with a color tag that was not "the color of the week". After a few weeks, I would notice that the item was still there but the color of the tag has changed. I have asked a few times why this was, and the only response I got was I must be mistaken. The first few times, I shrugged it off to "Maybe they got another of the same item and I was mistaken."
But after that, I started taking pictures of the item with the camera on my phone. An example is that I went into the store and the color of the week was yellow; there were hardly any yellow tags in the entire store. I came back three days later, when the color had changed to green and the store was full of yellow tags. I had been watching one item in particular for about a month, and the color always changed so the item would never sell at 50%. If you inquire about it, the answer is always the same: "No, you are mistaken, we do not change the color tags once they are put out for sale." Well, if they aren't doing it, then who is? I have not seen any customers walking around with tags or scissors changing the tags.
So, in my opinion, Goodwill is just a ripoff trying to make as much money as they can. At least other stores are honest about their pricing practices. And to make matters worse, Goodwill's prices are higher than Walmart, Target, and even the Dollar Tree. I think they should lose their "non-profit" status and be forced to have an independent audit company come in and see exactly what is going on there and where their profits are really going.
Reviewed June 8, 2013
I went to the Goodwill in Bloomington, IL. I went to purchase a few things, one of them being an average sized stuffed bear. It did not have a tag on it. This store did not have set prices for things like the Goodwill in Springfield, IL where each item was individually priced. The cashier said she couldn't sell me the bear, and she would have to send it back for reprocessing. It would be out for sale within 48 hours. Huh? I questioned it, and she told me she could scan one of my other items again and sell the bear for that price. She picked the highest price item I had, which was $3.99.
Hello! The most I've paid for a stuffed animal in Springfield is $0.96. I told her that and she wasn't willing to sell it for less than $3.99. Crazy stuff. She said the Bloomington store is part of the same group of Goodwills that Springfield is in, but for now, Springfield is way cheaper! In Bloomington, my mom saw a used pair of pants for $9.99. What? Used clothes shouldn't be so high. One of our Springfield stores will be closed for the next 2 weeks. I pray they are not going to change their current way of pricing, but I have a feeling that it's coming. If it does, I will not be shopping there for much longer, and I won't be donating to them either.
Reviewed June 3, 2013
I am a long-time supporter and employee of the NON-Profit organization OHIO VALLEY GOODWILL in Cincinnati. Ohio terminated my employment after a 9-year career. I was terminated on May15th while protected under FMLA. I had never been formally disciplined and/or spoken to prior to my termination. If this organization is in the business of helping people with disabilities, why terminate a person with a disability? In my opinion and my experience, this organization's executives have let GOODWILL's proud mission slip out of sight.
I will be moving forward to bring awareness not only to the inner workings but also to the disrespect they have given to the community by accepting hard-earned taxpayers' money for grants that GOODWILL promises to use for training people with disabilities, yet Vice President GAIL HANA and Doug Ostholthoff have brand new organizationally paid cars. GREAT WAY TO USE GRANT MONEY. Although this is just one division of GOODWILL across our nation, I'm sure other Goodwills face the same problem, but the community, hourly paid employees, and those they serve have no idea what is really going on...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Save the job of a person with a disability before a new car.
Reviewed May 2, 2013
Today, when the Goodwill at zip code 19606 in Reading, Pennsylvania open at 9am, I was run into very hard with a cart by a black lady hurrying to the shoe section. Customer service saw what happened and did nothing. My 11 year old daughter was also run into by her husband in the back of her leg which still is hurting her. Something needs to be done to control the insane shoppers from out of country.
Also, at night when this store closes, customer service demands that we must be out of the store by 8pm and are very rude to customers. They treat us like children and sometimes turn the lights partially out before 8pm which caused me to trip on something that was dropped on the floor. Something really needs to be done about the craziness at this Goodwill and the rude customer service. I honestly think security would not be a bad idea. It will help prevent lawsuits.
Reviewed April 26, 2013
A few weeks ago, I went in to a Goodwill store in Stockton, CA on March Lane to see what catches my eyes and when I walked in, it was really hot! I mean, really "hot"! I couldn't take it; I walked out and I went home. I went back today (4-26-13) to the same store. Their bathrooms are out of service and there is no ac on. Come on! Summer is coming up and it gets really hot here, around 100s. People complain and they don't do anything about it.
Reviewed April 20, 2013
I went to the Goodwill on West Market in Johnson City, TN, at 6:30 or so on Friday, April 19th. When I walked in, the lady behind the till spoke loudly at me as I entered and told me I owed her an apology (she was older with white hair). I looked behind me, confused. I actually thought she was making a joke, messing with me (all fun and that). It turned out that a week or two earlier, I found a seat cushion I almost bought, but saw it was damaged. I know Goodwill sends back damaged stuff (and discards them). So I said I would buy it anyway at a discount. She said nope. I asked if she wanted me to put it back on the shelf (I am pretty nice at these places, I often even tell them what something is for, when they don't know, or help them figure out how to use something).
Anyway, as the wife and I were leaving (on that previous trip), I mentioned to my wife that it was odd that they wouldn't discount us since they're going to have to pay shipping costs to send it back, and probably throw it away whereas I would have bought it at a discount and they would have made money instead of lose it. Frankly, I've gotten discounts on damaged items before, so it was odd. It turned out that the lady was deeply offended by my comments to my wife about losing money and shipping costs. She was ringing up a customer and still stopped in the middle to bark at me and demand for an apology over the other customers about what is nothing. It was rude, inappropriate behavior, and sickening.
I was still confused over it all, but apologized multiple times anyway (frankly, I should have said, "You are right, I apologize, I am sorry that you are so childish that such a small thing would sit with you for over a week, a thing that was a nothing at all"), but I am nicer than that and generally confused. So I got a bit displeased and left the store (I didn't want to be anywhere around her); the other customers couldn't tell why she was acting that way. It was pretty uncomfortable for us all.
As I look back at it now, she did look like the lady who threw my wife and I out of another location for having a service dog. So maybe it was the same lady and she was holding a grudge. Oddly, after we were thrown out of that other location and it made the news with the State Senator being on camera saying it was wrong, that other location closed down like 6 months later. It probably was the same person.
Reviewed April 14, 2013
We bought 4 t-shirts. They were $2.00 each. The manager said all ladies t-shirts are 5 dollars. The store signs say all t-shirts are $2.00 regardless (whether men’s or women’s) and the cashiers agreed the manager got rude and said they were $5.00. I asked for my money back. She did it. I took pictures of all the signs showing they are all $2.00 unless marked otherwise. This person is bad for the store. We have been doing business for 45 years with this company.
Reviewed March 28, 2013
My friend and I were shopping at the Goodwill store located on Rt. 59 Bartlett, IL. There were many children in the store running under and between the clothing racks, many seniors were also present and concerned the children would cause them to fall and injure themselves. I asked for the store manager. I was told by the manager who was very arrogant and stated he was not hired to manage the children in the store, and every store in the US has the same problem, and he was not going to lose his job by telling the parents or the children to control their behavior. I suggested that if the children who were completely out of control caused a senior to fall and get injured, they would sue the Goodwill. He walked away and the kids continued to throw toys and roll push toys through the store and run jumping through the clothing racks, pushing and running up against older customers. Again, the store manager ** refused to do anything. I suggested I could stop patronizing the Goodwill industry; he made no response.
If this continues to be a problem, I am sure it will. I will not continue to patronize the Goodwill stores. My safety is more important than a bunch of out of control kids and parents too ignorant to teach their children how to respect others; and the fact that the Goodwill industries allow such behavior tells me that you prefer the business of the ignorant barbarian's than good customers who spend lots of money to support you. This entire world is catering to a particular population. Well that is not working for me, thank you.
Reviewed March 25, 2013
I was in the Walker, LA Goodwill store and the sales clerk and manager tried to say that a "set" is sold as two pieces. Surely, if the item is clearly marked 1 of 2 and 2 of 2, it is considered as one piece. You don't go to a department store and get charged for each piece if it's intended to be sold as one.
Reviewed March 16, 2013
Let me just start off by saying I love the Goodwill. Thrifting is one of my favorite things to do, especially when it helps other people. But the prices lately have been insane. At the Westport, CT Goodwill, most items are priced at or above $24.99. Listen, I know it's in CT, but I go to Goodwill to get a bargain! Last week I saw a ripped up, old, fur coat there for $800. Here's the thing. It's not that I don't know what things are worth. It's that they get these items for free and are charging more than a heavily used and damaged clothing item is worth. I would love to support it because it's a good cause, but I feel like the CEOs are dipping into the profits a little too much lately.
Reviewed March 15, 2013
Today, I witnessed two new (one with short red hair and one older lady with long black hair) employees of Clarion, PA Goodwill speak very rudely and impatiently to two well known good customers. The red head ran up to the register where an older employee woman was and talked so sweet to endear her to her. I don't know what is going on, but the price you are charged is not the ones on the printed out price list above the section. It's not the customers doing wrong; it's the employees and the back door. Many do not shop there now. Close down the store some day, put in a camera in the back room without telling anyone, and you will find your guilty ones. I don't think I will shop there either. They make you feel like an inept child, a criminal.
Reviewed March 3, 2013
I complained to the vendor that the weight was overestimated. Shoes have been sent to me in a box loaded with peanuts to overestimate the weight. I bought a postal scale and have been checking their weights. They are definitely off. If it is 2.1 pounds, they charge you for 3 pounds to inflate the charges. A 1/2 pound sweater was estimated at 2 pounds. They use expensive carriers and charge the customer insurance for something like a handkerchief. They change a flat 5% handling charge. I complained and I was blocked from the site. I am extremely angry. The handling should not increase with the price of the item. I am also not sure that they themselves do not bid up the item. Packages have arrived opened. Wrong sizes have been sent, and broken and defective items. They are not operating as if they are selling donated items. I am extremely angry at the way I have been treated.
Reviewed Feb. 24, 2013
Your prices have just gotten too high, the Temecula store in California for example. I have stopped shopping there. It is better to go to Ross, or Marshalls, or TJ Maxx, and get a new item at a lower price. You really need to lower your prices.
Reviewed Feb. 18, 2013
I don't understand why somebody's used polo shirt is seven to eight bucks. That is ridiculous! I went to shop at the Goodwill in Georgetown, TX and everything is overpriced! You shouldn't price things that are given to you for more than it's worth!
Reviewed Feb. 17, 2013
The pricing at the Collierville TN office has gotten out of hand! Donated items that are free to you should not be the same price that I could buy them new from the store! Especially used items should not be the same price I could buy them for new at the store! Apparently, Walmart has started donating all their returned, overstock, just want to get rid of its merchandise! These items are grossly overpriced and when I buy something still in a box that is taped up, I expect it to work and have all the pieces! But no, now on at least 3 different occasions, I have purchased items still packaged and yes, all 3 items either had missing parts and did not work! Well, it won't happen again! And I will spread the word to every person I see in the store attempting to buy these items! You are ripping off your customers and you know it!
After reading Goodwill’s morals and values statement, I had a great laugh! You are a joke! Just like most corporations now you are out for the good ole mighty dollar! Not for raising money to help people in need! And speaking of people in need, the majority of the people employed at the Collierville store is rude, crass, loud, annoying and in desperate need of a manners class! Never mind they are out on the floor bad mouthing any type of management in the store, they are consistently rude! They yell across the store, cuss and will run you over to get to wherever they are going! I am in this store almost daily and they continue to surprise me! And the manager did run all over the top of me the other day! Luckily I was not hurt! Why do I keep coming back? Well, I do love the search for a good bargain! Will I keep coming back, probably not! I have never been treated at any store the way I have been at this store!
Oh and I love the facet that at 7:30 they start announcing that they close at 8:00 and then when you go to check out, they have 1 register open and 10 people straightening the store! You are closing but I can't get checked out because of the long line and 1 register! And don't dare ask for the manager - he will not be found! OK I could go on and on but I'm tired of typing the many complaints I have! Just do what is honest, moral, and all the other crap y'all supposedly say you represent, because that's what it is, crap!
Reviewed Feb. 12, 2013
You keep raising your prices and in Lancaster, Ohio, your prices are crazy because a lot of items you could go to the other retail store and buy items brand new for cheaper than your prices. Insane. You are Goodwill, a used store that's supposed to help out people with not much income. Stop raising your prices you greedy people! Charge people reasonable prices for used items. And another thing, I'm not even sure you use your donations for the right things because in Lancaster, you have employees driving around in brand new cars with Goodwill printed on the side of the car. They have paint on them that changes color in the light, which I know for a fact is very expensive paint. Your stores are a joke, so fix it you greedy bastards!
Reviewed Feb. 2, 2013
I was bidding on a painting, and I was the winning bidder. On the 7th day of the auction, with only hours left, Goodwill retracted the item saying they needed to provide more information. When I called customer service, they told me they wanted an appraiser to look at the item and then re-list it. These are donated items and just because an item does not get the amount that Goodwill thinks they should get, they retract the auction. That is unethical. If they wanted a certain amount, Goodwill should have set a reserve price. Goodwill continues to milk people for every cent on donated items.
Reviewed Jan. 26, 2013
Why do you keep raising your prices? I am a loyal Goodwill customer but I am starting to think I might just stop coming there. Everything is way, way, way too expensive especially for the poor people you say you are there to help. You have to stop and think about how much the people that shop at your stores can afford and they cannot afford these prices anymore.
Reviewed Jan. 24, 2013
I recently opened a private club and needed a sizable stock of good ol' pint glasses. At first, I thought I was so clever to drive to all the Goodwills within a 10-mile radius and get as many used, non-graphic-print, pint glasses I could get for $0.99 - cool deal right, and green/enviro right? Nope. Having wasted so much time and gas, I come to find out that a restaurant wholesaler sells cases of brand new shiny pint glasses for ... wait for it ... a buck apiece! That's right, a case of 25 pints for $24.95
Dear Goodwill - where the heck do you come off with your pricing? Those used, scuffed-up glasses should not be anymore than $0.50. Good cause, huh? All I see is the continued marginalizing of the lower class.
After feeling this sting, along with finding horror stories of money laundering in Goodwill Industries, I'm avoiding Goodwills like I do with corporate financial institutions - just plain greed, I don't care how comparable CEO incomes are: greed is greed. What's that? You don't think your local Goodwill would ever have such dark secrets? Maybe. But can you imagine how difficult it must be to audit this racket? Hmm? From now on, I will only pawn my junk to Goodwill in hopes that maybe, just maybe, something will get through to the right cause - homeless shelter or something. But I won't consider giving another dollar to this smelly chain.
Reviewed Jan. 6, 2013
Most of the Goodwill stores around here are not profitable. Now please, explain to me what kind of a business genius one has to be to manage not to make a profit when: you pay your workers minimal wage and all of them are part time to avoid vacations, insurance and other terrible-for-business stuff like that; you get your inventory for free; and there are many customers in the store. The answer is simple: absolutely ridiculous or I'd rather say, insane pricing. Lately, they have started marking NWT items for 50% for what they retailed. Say there is a Coldwater Creek jacket that retailed for $100 (and was very likely bought from their website from clearance section with additional 40% off or something), they price it at $49.99.
People come to GW hoping to find a treasure for a few bucks. They do not expect to pay that kind of money in a thrift store because if I was willing to spend $50 for single clothing item, I'd head straight to the mall with much better selection. Ugly mart brand shoes are $8.99. Used Old Navy t-shirts in not so great condition are $4.99. Some ugly suit from the 80's is $39.99 because OMG, it's vintage. Hello people, I just happen to know that this is an old Walmart brand and just because the item is dated, doesn't mean it’s vintage. I have seen it so many times. People browse shoe racks, look at the prices in disbelief and just leave without getting anything, or buying something from final clearance rack for $1.99 (because if it was originally sensibly priced, it wouldn't have ended up on that rack).
And oh, by the way, I work for GW. I am the person who prices stuff. And I die a little inside every day because of what prices I have to put on the items. If a manager finds something on the floor that she considers "high end" (like an old polyester Ann Taylor blouse, 30 years old) that I didn't price high enough, she is all over me. There are quotas of how many new items we have to put out each day. I am a very fast worker, I take no breaks and yet, working full speed, I only once managed to fill the quota. Because they are insane and intended for robots, not people.
Employees are treated like slave workers. No respect, apparently since we're working for the "charity", we're all supposed to be eager to stay late without being paid, tolerate insults from managers and yelled at for not filling insane daily quota. We're not allowed to have a cup of coffee at our stations, not allowed listening to music on mp3 player, no talking to each other (there are 3 of us working together in a small room and how talking to each other can interrupt the "production process", is beyond me). On a good side, I find a nice "tip" in the pockets every single day (not everyone bothers to check pockets for lost $20 before donating) and that makes my life a little less miserable.
Reviewed Dec. 11, 2012
I was in the Goodwill Store at I-10 and Beltway 8 in Houston when I saw a jewelry box in a display case. I asked the cashier how much it was selling for and she said it was for display only and her boss had just put it in there. I asked why it was not for sale, and she only responded it was just put there for display. They did not even offer to call me when it was taken off display so I could purchase it. When did Goodwill stop selling items that were donated? Is someone holding it so they can purchase it for themselves? I have never been refused a purchase at any other Goodwill Store.
Reviewed Dec. 8, 2012
What is going on with Goodwill? The items they get are free and they are charging way too much. I was in retail for 32 years and know what china, crystal and gifts cost, and Goodwill is overcharging. I said something to one of your managers last Christmas about only for display and she hasn't said hello to me since. What kind of manager is that? I was a manager at a major store for twenty years and would never do something like that.
I also told a manager things were priced too high and she wasn't very nice. What happened to listening and acting like a manager? I don't think I am the only customer that feels this way. I have had so many people complain about your prices. Also, it is Christmas and they have Christmas items in the store but they pick out items and put only display. What is that? Those items are given free and your stores are holding them back. They are Christmas items that should be sold to the customer.
Reviewed Nov. 18, 2012
Goodwill needs to be fully investigated! Why have they been allowed to do what they do all these years? They don't care about people! The only "good will" you are doing for anyone when you donate is to the person who started it all. They got rich off of people's good intentions! They get their inventory for free and they claim to help people by giving them jobs! To that I say, "So?" Working at Goodwill is the same as getting a job at any other crappy place making minimum wage.
Every business gives people jobs! So what!? Anyone, I mean anyone can get a job at Walmart, and they don't get their inventory for free? How is Goodwill helping anyone just because they hire people? Am I the only one who doesn't get this? Of course they have to hire people, just like any other business. That's not doing good, that's just normal! There is no extensive training either. Their training isn't any different than getting trained for a new job at McDonald's or Walmart or any crappy job you can think of. They are literally praising themselves for doing what every other business does. They are now selling online and making a fortune off of antiques that rich, old people donate thinking that they are helping someone.
Most people who donate to Goodwill are under the false assumption that their items are going to needy families. Goodwill should be made to publicly announce that donated items are never given to the needy. The word needs to get out that there is no "goodwill" being done. The bigwigs of Goodwill are lining their pockets with big bucks for free. I heard about a family that had a house fire and were left with nothing, that went into Goodwill to see if they could get some clothing. They were told, "No, we don't do that." Goodwill does nothing more for anyone that any other store does. Nothing! They hire employees because they need them and because stores have to have employees! I bet it is not even legal for other people to ask for donations and sell them. How is it Goodwill can?
Reviewed Nov. 17, 2012
For years I have been a loyal Goodwill customer. In the beginning it was a thrift shop with thrift shop prices. I have watched those prices increase to a point that it's becoming almost too expensive to shop there. In the town I live in, I have watched the manager continually pull good items off the shelf that must have been put out by mistake by other employees to do with whatever it is she does (sell online, keep or send off elsewhere). I loved going into Goodwill and hunting for treasures, and still do in some locations but not ours. We recently had a new store built (interesting the amount of money they must be making to build these fancy new Goodwills), and it has gotten dirty and unkept over a short period of time (not the employees' fault, lack of good management to blame).
Today, I discovered this manager fired a handicapped man for not meeting quota! That is sickening to me. This man has been with Goodwill for years, he was a kind, helpful young man who was eager to please. This company is not about helping people, it's all about money. They have allowed a manager to run a good business in the ground and nothing is done to her. I contacted Corporate and complained, I doubt they will do anything. This manager is rude, and very unfriendly. The Goodwill manager is a disgrace to the company. Years ago, people could go to Goodwill and find a bargain. Now, it is a business run on donations, they aren't paying for those items. It has become a place few can afford to shop.
Reviewed Nov. 13, 2012
I am writing today because I have watched Goodwill get completely out of hand with their pricing. I have watched them become major advertisers with billboards on every major street, not to mention other forms of advertising that they are purchasing. I would like to see exactly how much goes to "helping others" as goes to advertising and salaries for the corporate employees who purchase this advertising and run the corporate end of this major business.
Remember this company gets their product for free. It is totally donated to them so they do not have a dime in the cost of their product. Some of the stores do sell food and dollar store items that appear to be new, so there is some cost in those items. They price some of their items as high as you would purchase a new item in a discount department store. I find that so wrong and I think they have lost sight of what they are to a community. Yes, they may help people get jobs and they may let tons of free labor work for them on a volunteer basis to complete a community service sentence they have received. But the real idea is selling items received for free at a highly discounted price to help out those who can't afford to purchase in a regular retail setting.
I just found out today, they raised the prices on all their shoes to $7.95! One pair of used Keds tennis shoes for $7.95? It is like robbery or some form of ransom. The folks that gave you those old Keds didn't expect you to charge their neighbor $7.95 for them. I believe the reality is that Goodwill is getting rich and they are getting greedy. Look at the little "side" store they have put in for the "better" clothes. They had a ladies blouse in there today for $23.95. If I had $23.95 to spend on a blouse, I wouldn't need to be in Goodwill.
The greed is coming from the idea that some people buy some things from Goodwill and resell them for a profit. So what? They are the ones going through all the items, finding the right kind of things that will resell and handling all that goes with that. But now Goodwill is going to take the profit those guys can make as well. It is so sad that Goodwill has taken this stance and has decided to overcharge for their "donated" items, so that people who need a pair of pants for $3.00 is looking at used clothes priced $12.95. It is truly a misuse of the business and I would like to see their numbers behind this "scam" of doing "goodwill" towards men! I remember when you could go to Goodwill and find something to wear to a job interview, and now you better have a job before you even go to Goodwill.
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2012
OK, for starters, my complaint is about an employee named ** from 19 Ave and Bell Rd. This woman is a bad educated rude. She does not know how to treat a customer. I travel from Mexico and spend over $200 every time I visit Goodwill. This woman, named **, treated me like a thief and offended my mother. Abusive; that we look Latino and speak good English. She offended us. We were treated badly for not buying a commodity and leaving it in a chair just like that. I think no matter what the reason is, this woman named ** is due to shut up and do her job for us as clients - that is her job. I'll never step on Goodwill anymore, won't even donate money and merchandise. I'd rather go to Saver's.
Updated review: Nov. 5, 2012
We emailed goodwill and got problem resolved.
Mrs. Head,
Thank you for your e-mail. Do you still have the receipt for the tent? Based on the circumstance, I will speak with the Regional Manager and attempt to get you a refund for the tent, but we do need the receipt.
Thank you, and please feel free to call me.
Adrian **
Dinorah **
Executive Assistant to the President/CEO
Original Review: Oct. 25, 2012
I asked the employee if it (tent) was complete and not damaged. I was told it was fine. Because of its size, it could not be opened and checked. I opened it as soon as I got home to find there were no poles. I returned it the same day and talked to the manager who said there are signs throughout the store saying returns were not an option. But I could go through and pick out another $20.00 of merchandise. They would not have that much that I could use. When I said I could not find that much, the manager said, "Goodbye." I will never shop there again. Twenty dollars is a lot to throw away! And no, those poles are no longer available.
Reviewed Oct. 20, 2012
Horrible witness of altercation: I arrived at the Midway location at 8:40 because I thought they were open until 9:00pm. Upon arriving, I saw that there were only 2 cars in the lot but there were 2 guys and 2 women there by a larger SUV type of car. One was elderly and one was short, and of Asian descent. She had her hair in a ponytail, and was wearing a pink backpack. The elderly and Asian women had on Goodwill shirts and I am 100% sure are employees at this location. The elderly woman did and said nothing wrong; she was quietly getting in her car but I heard the other associate start screaming obscenities at another female in the parking lot who was a customer. She used the following words: Please excuse my language. "** you dumb **, and something inaudible" and then got in the elderly lady's car screaming "** you ya dumb **" and got in the elderly lady's car.
Now I do not know if this was an altercation between the store associate and the lady in the parking lot, or personal on company property. However, as a customer, this is unacceptable to witness. I should hope that anyone wearing a Goodwill shirt even after hours if on the property would not handle themselves in such an aggressive, trashy manner. It makes honest, caring people like me scared to shop there, because we cannot trust the people you hire. I had been in the store one other time and seen the Asian girl with a very poor attitude, but nothing reportable. One of the gentlemen said the name **, while looking her way in the middle of the yelling. I was in a black vehicle parked at the first handicap slot in the middle of the lot. I am very, very upset and refuse to go donate to this store or purchase anything from it again!
Reviewed Oct. 13, 2012
Now that Goodwill has gone corporate, it fills corporate pockets with money that is 100% donated. It is given for free. Now, they go on eBay - they check the going price and tag accordingly. This was told to me by a Goodwill employee. They want top dollar for every item that has been donated to them for free. This is not goodwill to mankind. This is Badwill to mankind. Corporate big wigs are making a killing off free merchandise. I have loved to thrift shop for years. I will never donate or shop at Goodwill stores ever again. Besides the outrageous prices now that are only a few dollars under what you can buy the item for new, I was told that I could not purchase a coat that I was trying to pay for. The manager told me that because there was no price tag on the coat, I could not buy it.
It had to go back into the back room and go through processing again. I was pissed. And that is it for me! I told him I was going to buy the other items in my cart, but now I don’t want them, and I will never return or donate to Goodwill again. I was told it was policy, and he runs the store as he is told by his corporate manager (LOL). The truth is somehow the coat lost its price tag. Corporate does not want to lose one cent on any item. So they have to re-eBay it (the new Kelly Blue Book for merchandise) so that they can get top dollar for the item. Unbelievable. He actually took the coat from me and told me I could not buy it. Wow! Do not donate or buy from Goodwill. They are stealing money from the poor and putting it in their own pockets. Anyone who donates or buys from them is helping them steal from the poor for their own profit.
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2012
My grandmother was a life-long member of the Salvation Army and a very charitable soul who raised her children to recycle and, therefore, raised them shop at the Goodwill and the Salvation Army before purchasing new - except for personal wears. I've been doing it for better than 50 years, but I can do it anymore. In these tough times, with the economy the way it is and money having to go mostly for food or gas, I'm finding that I cannot shop at Goodwill for very much. The pricing is definitely over the top considering that "all" goods are donated (free).
The necessities, like clothing, pot and pans, bed sheets, towels, etc. are at nearly the same price rates as most department stores. I can buy a "new" shirt or a pair of pants for less at TJ Maxx or Walmart these days. The pricing is most definitely inconsistent for like items, too. And the help in most stores make you feel like you are a hindrance for asking for a price on something unmarked or for a senior discount. To ask $8.99 for a dress that will cost me $9.99 elsewhere and be new and stain free is totally ridiculous. The greediness of this so-called “not for profit organization” is rearing its ugly head. They have lost sight of what they claim to be.
Reviewed Sept. 28, 2012
I hated working there! I am a Goodwill employee; well, a previous employee with Goodwill as I have decided not to show up to work anymore. Anyway, I was hired as a cashier for a store in DE and even before I was officially hired, I could tell that the store was unprofessional, but I digress. I was hired, no training at all! I had to basically learn everything from myself. The other associates are very nice, which I loved but the white managers are a bunch of lazy losers who were there to collect a pay check and would stay in their office. The final straw with me was when I was denied my lunch break because I was the only cashier on duty and the manager would not cover for me. I hated that place and hope that the other associates quit and leave them with no one decent to work there. Not to mention that their prices are way over the top!
Reviewed Sept. 26, 2012
We're going to buy sofa and table at Goodwill Store, and I'm 63 years old. 10% discount for seniors is only on Tuesdays and Sundays. And the new manager don't want my wife to pay. He said, "Your husband has to pay by his credit card, even pay cash. He has to pay from his pocket." Is it fair for me to make me feel badly and embarrassed in front of everybody. I'm not speaking English very well. I'm Vietnamese. Someone help me. Right now, I'm scared to go out. It makes me feel so badly or someone can call me and talk to me please. Thanks.
Reviewed Sept. 25, 2012
I shop at my local Goodwill every day. It is at Red Lion and Bustleton in Philadelphia. The manager holds jewelry in the back and sells it to one specific customer only, unfair. She also has made nasty comments to me numerous times in front of customers calling me a "dealer" since I have an eBay biz. She changes prices for certain customers she likes in front of all the customers. She will accept returns at her discretion. I called management about all this and wrote on their Facebook site. Well guess what? They never even called me. They sent me a $10.00 gift certificate.
Well today I spoke to the district manager again as the manager. ** is still stashing jewelry for one customer, her friend and selling her large bags at 10 bucks or so. She is dumb enough to tell her employees to give the jewelry stashed in the office to Michelle when she comes in. So the manager told me I can't come in the store anymore. Well there goes my $300.00 at least in sales a week. Fortunately, there are tons of thrift stores around me and they can kiss my ... Please write to me if you can relate to this story.
Reviewed Sept. 23, 2012
What happened to the good intentions of Goodwill industries? I can remember when the first Goodwill stores started to open, back in the day when their intention was to sell their donated items for low, affordable prices. I remember going into a Goodwill (here in Michigan) and finding good, professional clothing in order for me to look my best in a professional office setting. Those days are gone. Any clothing, from the slightly worn to the stained and raggedy, are the same price! The same price! The consequences of this practice is that unless I know that a particular Goodwill is known to have markdowns on certain items, I will never step foot in one again. I've spread the word to all of my friends, most of whom agree, and will also not shop at your stores anymore. I hope the rich folk keep you in business because your original customer base (low income customers) will not shop there anymore. Greed never works.
Reviewed Sept. 15, 2012
My husband and I drove from Philadelphia across the Ben Franklin Bridge to Goodwill on Marlton Pike in Cherry Hill/Pennsauken. We had probably $3,000 worth of things to donate. The young boy who greeted us at the back door said he had to ask about a box spring, which was brand new, with the tags still on it. An obnoxious manager came out and yelled at us that she could not accept it. She stood there and stared at us. We had a baby in the car and she just stood there as we made several trips inside with all of the goods. She was standing there so we would not leave the box spring. She never offered a receipt, never said, "Thank you for your donations," and never helped carry a thing in. Finally, she waddled into the warehouse. I realized there was a bag and a baby bathtub left. I brought it in and she started yelling and screaming at me that she does not accept those.
I became so angry I threw the bathtub onto the ground and said, "I guess you have to take it now!" She started to raise her voice as I walked out, "You better put that in the ** dumpster right now." I have bought merchandise at many Goodwill stores and donated at 3 different stores. Never once has anyone offered a receipt. I have to beg and plead for one. At most stores, they stand and glare at you while you have to drag everything out of your vehicle. Everyone is rude and they have never once said, "Thank you.”
I contacted the corporate headquarters office in Nebraska - no response. Now, I am going to have to contact the HR office for Southern NJ. I am so disgusted that I will not step foot in their stores again. Every time I have been in a store, the managers are always miserable and yelling at employees or people shopping. Funny, my donations just paid your salary for a few months. Please do not support these stores. There are plenty of other thrift shops with much kinder people. I am disgusted by how this woman treated us. If most people were to do this, they would lose their job. More than likely, she is still there.
Reviewed Sept. 13, 2012
Goodwill treats employees poorly. Their greed is unbelievable. They have no business ethics, they pay minimum wage to those who have the hardest jobs, raises are in .10 cents increments, and employees receive a little ribbon and a $1.00 for each year of service during the holidays. All true.
Reviewed Sept. 11, 2012
I have been in the Goodwill twice this week, on September 7 & September 10, 2012. On the first trip, my 7-year-old son wanted bouncy balls. So I said yes. There is a pregnant blond that works there that doesn't want the kids to touch the toys. I told her to leave them alone, that I would have them put the toys back on the shelves when they are done. There are 4 children which make it look like a lot. But they all have the right to shop just like everyone else. So on the 10th, as I pulled in, there were some deaf people with a flat tire. I have a garage jack that I keep in my car so I was helping them. My 2-year-old wanted to go pick out a toy so I let my older son take her in to pick one out. I kept the other children with me. This took a little bit longer than usual with them being deaf. So when I went inside, the workers were bad mouthing my kids right in front of them, everyone & me. This is definitely defamation of character (this included the manager). Every time I have been in there, I have made sure the kids put whatever they don't purchase back (they usually spend $30 and up when they go).
This time when my boy had what he wanted to purchase, it was a bouncy ball again. The blond came over and took it and was mouthing off to him in front of my older son. When my older son said he was not bouncing the ball, that there was another boy there and he had just picked it up, the blond told my older son that he would not disrespect her. For one, she is disrespecting him by being on welfare and having to work there since his paycheck is tax to pay her welfare. She never said a word to me. And she would wait until I left the aisle to go to the next. She has no right to bully a 7-year-old. There must not have been a problem because she had nothing to say to me. And the manager was no help in the bullying of my son. Of course, she wouldn't. She was too busy smash mouthing my kids. Bullying a child is against the law and like I said, if there was a problem she would have said something to me, not to a 7-year-old. I was 5 feet away.
Reviewed Sept. 5, 2012
Since the new manager took over, there is hardly any merchandise on the shelves and what is there is no good. I was told once that what is donated here stays in Natchitoches. I don't believe it because I have seen the workers taking things off the shelves and taking them to the back. I am just concerned and so is the other customers complaining when trying to shop.
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2012
I went to the Goodwill on Coliseum in Fort Wayne, IN in July of 2012. When I was at the checkout, there were two cashiers running off the same drawer and both ringing things up. I do not know if this was really poor training or what. When I got home, I looked at my receipt and realized they have rung up the same item twice. I was charged 4 extra dollars and my fiancé immediately called the store and told them that we were just in and an item got charged twice. They said to bring the item back and that they would give us the four dollars back. However, I do not live near that store. I could not return until a few days later. After waiting in line forever, when I got up to the counter, I told the lady the situation and she rudely told me to move aside so she could help other people while a manager could come to help me. After waiting again for a very long time, the manager finally came and started talking on the phone in front of me helping that customer out first. Finally waiting another 5 minutes, she asked rudely what I needed. (And there is no reason for anyone to act rude towards me since they made the mistake.) I once again explained now to her the situation.
She told me like bragging that she was the store manager of a freaking Goodwill (wow) and that she can't do anything for me. Nobody there would say that they would ever give me any money back. I was angry and told her that this was a waste of my time - that I was overcharged by morons. I had to drive all the way back here and wasted more than four dollars in gas, I waited over 15 minutes for this, and then basically had to put up with her saying all she would do for me is to return my item and to give me four dollars that way! And I asked her “exactly how would that help me?” I paid 8 dollars for it. So I return it, no longer have it, and get only four dollars back? Of course, I am not returning it, because I paid for it two times! And then she just stared at me dumbfounded and speechless (LOL). Terrible service!
I have two bachelor degrees and one of which is in business management. I have been a manager and my fiancé has been a store manager, and this was so unprofessional and not handled at all properly! I can't believe for having all items donated that they have to rip off customers too. I will never shop there ever again! And that lady needs someone to put her in her place! She should not be the store manager there. So, I did not take my complaint up to the distant manager, because I can’t believe how much worse higher up management must be there if they hired her to run a store and treat people like that! I am much better, and I can be out of 4 dollars (LOL) since Goodwill can’t train their people properly and respectfully and somehow this was my fault. I just learned the only thing that was my fault was to shop there. So great job Goodwill with customer service and returning customers… and seriously, over four dollars… pathetic.
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2012
This week, the color for discount is orange. There was a card table at the store located in Virginia Beach on Rosemont road. The card table was marked $25.75 on an orange tag. This was yesterday. I got my truck and went back to get it because it was a nice table for just north of $12. When I got there, the price was now on a blue tag for $100.25! That's a $75 hike on a secondhand item which had defects. Where do these employees get off being as rude as they are and uncaring, then take items at the back and raise the prices on them after they have already been on the floor? I witnessed 2 employees taking items from the floor into the backroom, having the prices raised and then putting them back out!
This is downright unethical. This is a freaking charity and they are charging closeout store prices for stuff they don't pay a penny for. I will be petitioning against this store as this is the 11th time this has occurred. I have nothing better to do with my time and feel like everyone should know how bad they are, getting ripped off from this place. Don't buy from here. Go to the DAV and support the vets or to CHKD and support the kids. When we shop at Goodwill, we are paying money to get America back to work. Well if that's the case, then we are literally paying these people to raise the prices on us. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!
Reviewed Aug. 24, 2012
For over two weeks, we have been bidding on a 1996 Sundance car in the Goodwill in Columbia, KY. Well first, they were supposed to auction the car off to the four high bidders. They said that changed because the title did not come in. They told us to call every day and they would let us know when the title came in. They told us to keep checking on the bid and to keep coming down and bidding, which we did. Then it came down to my mom and another woman. Well, my mom called last night at around 4 pm and the woman who answered the phone at the Goodwill said the title came in and she had until 12pm today to make a final bid. Well then this morning, they called and told my mom they sold the car last night. Well, that is not right at all. I think the manager let her friend get the car because we told them last night that we were going to raise the bid to $1,500 and they sold it to this other woman for $1,450.
Then, I have tried to contact several district managers and keep getting the runaround. Something needs to be done about this and that is why I am writing to you. This should have not happened and that is very dishonest. Goodwill makes money off of people for free and then does this kind of thing to people. They should donate the $1,450 to my mother and let her buy a car for the one she lost because that would be the right thing to do. They sure do not deserve the money. My mother is 68 years old, depressed and crying. Does anyone care?
Reviewed Aug. 24, 2012
I went in to the Goodwill in Canton, Illinois. Right off, I saw a really cute antique looking dresser. And I went over to it and pulled off the tag that says take to the register with you. So after browsing the store, I went and got in line and purchased the dresser along with a few other items. I told the cashier I would have to come back and pick it up. So, she took a Sold tag out, wrote my name on it and handed it to another employee (who was friends with my sister) and he stuck it on the dresser and took it to the back. I left the store.
My sister received a phone call not even 15 mins. later from the assistant manager telling us that they had sold my dresser that I had purchased to the lady in line behind me and b/c she went around and picked it up right away, they couldn't do anything about it. She was laughing about the whole experience like it was funny. So, I had to go back into the store to get a refund. The employee that is friends with my sister came over and apologized and apologized. He even showed us another dresser in the store that was the same price. I didn't want it, but it was sweet that he tried.
The assistant manager came out and apologized, saying that she wasn't laughing on the phone, but it was supposed to come off as a disgusted laugh. There really shouldn't be any laughing at all because it was not a laughing matter. Well the assistant manager "gave" me my refund by putting it back on my card. And I also received a voucher for the store. Well, a couple hours later, I got a phone call from my sister saying that the assistant manager did the refund wrong and that I didn't get the money debited back on my card and to not come in and fix it until the next day.
By then, I was beyond livid. So today, I went in to get my refund fixed. I went in and talked to an employee and they got a manager out. Well I talked to a completely different manager today and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Well, if you hadn't taken the receipt, we would know what was going on." I was stunned at this point because, really, none of this was my fault. I said to the manager, "I took what the other manager gave me." So she took my receipt from me and ripped the receipts apart and chucked my original receipt back at me. Needless to say, I got my receipt back, but I am not going back there again.
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2012
I am an extremely loyal customer to the Port St. Lucie, FL store that has recently moved to a new location in Port St. Lucie. I frequent this store every day and sometimes twice a day. A heavy set, male employee was at the register and when I tried to purchase a $1.99 t-shirt (that I have been purchasing for years) from the rack marked "t-shirts- $1.99," I was rung up for $4.00 plus tax. I told the man that this is a t-shirt from the $1.99 rack and he told me, "That is not a T-shirt." I laughed and said, “Really?” He said only white t-shirts were $1.99. I told the employee that I didn't want the item. I then said, "That was on the $1.99 rack," (which was full of all different colored t-shirts) and he said "yup" with an attitude, turned and walked away from me with no explanation whatsoever.
I didn't even have a chance to ask for a manager and didn't want to because I was so angry at the way I was treated. If my parents and I didn't spend money there on a daily basis, I wouldn't be so upset. I've been going to this store for years and have no intention of going back. I used to praise this store to people. Never again!
Reviewed July 28, 2012
An innocent boy was fired in the Canton, Illinois Goodwill store. ** is a hardworking boy who was fired because an elderly lady the store just hired was crying for no reason. My mom knows this boy. He is full of energy and a great kid. My mom and aunt spend lots of money in that store. We also eat lots of name brand stuff that makes the store a lot of money. It's located on the square in Canton, Illinois. We were in the store that day, Thursday. ** was very friendly and he helped us. We spent $50.00. The lady was rude; she spoke rudely to my mom. ** said he was helping a customer but she didn't like that. You should check into who the store is hiring. That lady is very rude. I'm telling everyone I know not to go in that store or donate until ** gets the appreciation he deserves.
Reviewed July 24, 2012
I tried to purchase 3 fleece blankets. They were identical, literally. But they had 3 different prices. I was told the tags went on in different months and couldn’t be changed. I protested that logic would be that three identical items have the same price. I was then ignored as she looked away while I was talking. Really, prices can’t be changed to match identical items? Are you that short sighted? I will not be going back to that store. I've dealt with plenty others who understand and work with the customer, not ignore you. It’s in Hollywood, Vine St., Goodwill.
Reviewed July 22, 2012
Whatever happens to charity? Honesty? I say that because we all know how much Goodwill pays for their merchandise and that's a big fat zero, zilch, nada! Yet their prices are just climbing and climbing and they now absolutely compete with local real retail businesses that actually do pay taxes and have to buy their products. But yet Goodwill gets the best of both worlds, free merchandise and no taxes, not to mention extras such as the court mandated poor souls that work for them for free in order to avoid paying their traffic or infraction fines. I'm just floored that the IRS hasn't connected the dots yet about this ginormous corporation, which hides under charitable contributions while their CEOs earn 7 figure salaries, and they live the life dancing in the moonlight just laughing to the bank. Life is good to Goodwill. It's just too bad they do nothing out of good will!
Reviewed July 16, 2012
The weekend of July 4th, the ShopGoodwill.com site was doing a whole revamping of their site. It was shut down for some hours at different times, but you could still bid. And I did. The new launch did not go well and there were a lot of glitches in the program, so they announced that they would be fixing it the next weekend. All the while there are auctions in progress and there was bidding going on. If you had won anything, you could not pay for some reason as the feature was not functioning. Anyway, the next weekend, the weekend of 7/13-7/15, it is still business as usual, but you still couldn't pay for your purchases and there was a note to let you know that they would have the pay feature up again by late Saturday night. At some point, you were no longer able to log in for a while. I had won 3 different auctions during the time between the failed launch of its new and improved site and that next weekend of 7/13.
I won one on 7/10 or 7/11, one on 7/12 and I know that because I thought I should jot down the info on this auction as it was not showing up as a completed auction that I needed to pay for and I did want the items. The next one that I won was going to be a gift for a friend’s daughter. It was 7/13 and I stayed home to make sure I got it, which I did, by this time. Since I was getting it for a gift, I thought I should print this out. Nothing is showing up in my list as an auction that I needed to pay. Well, on Monday, they posted that they were. On Friday, they posted that they were going to roll back the whole thing that they had done. Well, in the usual fashion of Goodwill who believes they are above being ethical under the guise of being a charitable organization (a greedy one at that), they rolled it back and didn't bother saving the won auctions so that they could honor them. They just wiped out the whole week - well, not the whole week, but they selectively wiped out most likely auctions that didn't bring as much as they would like.
They said everything from 7/8/12 around 8 pm - well, that was not the truth because the Goodwill site in Santa Ana honored their auction that I won. But any of them that were not a high winning bid was wiped out. How convenient. I sell on eBay and that could never happen - it just would not happen. There are some very strict rules about things like that and shilling, and relatives or friends bidding on your items etc., they police it quite diligently. I am sure some gets by, but some of the things I have noticed on ShopGoodwill.com have just floored. They are not a charitable organization, they are just out and out crooks. From the items they bid on and relist if the price doesn't reach a good high amount, you might think that someone beat you in the auction. But hold that thought, it will show up again relisted. It is unbelievable what goes on and it doesn't take much to detect it.
The shipping is off the map, it is highway robbery. There are items that sell so high that I would think, boy, the buyers here are quite charitable. I would check against eBay to see if the item was a good deal at Goodwill, but it never was. I would think who would pay that when they could get it at eBay for much less. Well, they wouldn't I would see it come back later. Some insider had to bid the last bid and then they would list it again. I am a charitable person, but times are tough and I am not that charitable. I used to think they get a lot of the same things in the same condition over and over. They do get a lot of the same things, but a lot of them I thought I lost the auction because I am not in the business of overbidding on their stuff when I myself am struggling and then I would see it come up again. I know they don't let anyone get away without paying. They are on you like a cheap suit about paying.
So that is my story and I am curious about these auctions that I won and am not seeing in my list of won auctions. I have written emails letting them know that I printed out the outcome of the last couple of auctions because I now know that they have erased it. It is Sunday and I am curious to see how they explain this whole scam. They let you bid all week and then don't take any care to preserve the bids before they did the roll back except selectively. How do they get away with such practices? I do not know. What they do is certainly illegal, but who polices them? They need to adhere to the rules that any other auction site has to adhere to. This is appalling.
So there you have my story and I am angry, annoyed, and my blood is boiling just thinking that they think they can get away with this nonsense. I find them to be bona fide crooks. It is bad enough that they charge what they charge for shipping, but I have a choice. I can just not bid if the total price does not meet my needs or my budget. But when I do bid and finally get a decent deal and they wipe it out, it is not okay. Someone needs to let them know they don't make the rules of standards and practices in business just because they call themselves a charity. I wouldn't give/donate 10 cents to them. They are rude and arrogant and treat everyone who shops at their site like they are above any of the concerns that you may bring up to them and they don't have to answer to anyone. I want them to answer to someone.
That is it. That is my tale of the great Goodwill. I don't usually bother to do anything like write someone up or complain, but they really need a stern warning or something from an authority to let them know they cannot practice business this way. They are no better than the penny auctions that have scammed so many, including me at one time.
Reviewed June 24, 2012
I have been going to the Goodwill in Asheville, NC (Biltmore) for several years. They used to have a very good/professional staff. Their standards since then have gone way down! There is an individual from New York City who is a weight lifter and he was very friendly to me and my family in the beginning, and then one day he crushed my child's private parts while putting him in the air. I was so stunned and shocked that I did not know what to do. Meanwhile, my kid was screaming. I turned the incident into HQ via voicemail to the Charlotte, NC office of Goodwill’s HQ. I left the message anonymously because I was afraid of being harassed. Well, I was harassed anyway.
Immediately following my complaint that individual came up to me and made several snide comments to include one in which he said, "You know how to get even, don't you?" Since then he has followed me around and on two other occasions he has been physically aggressive and verbally abusive. I believe he set up friends of his to tell my child to get off the floor and then try and run over my family with their cart. It was all very bizarre. Before all of this happened, the same individual followed me around Ingles almost every time I was in the Ingles at Biltmore. I didn't think anything of it at the time. But now I wonder very seriously about this individual’s intentions. Was he stalking my child?
The sad thing is that this Goodwill has not had many professional managers and this is just one more example of a very poor manager. He crossed the line when he followed me in Ingles store and he sure as hell crossed the line when he touched my child. Why the heck would anyone in customer service lay a hand on a customer except with an intention of helping them? I am very confused about this incident and I am very afraid for my family’s safety because of the threatening behavior of this individual towards my family the last several times I have been in that store. You have lost a very valued customer and I am still unsure how the heck I became a victim. And of all places - in a Goodwill store? I’m very unsatisfied after dealing with Goodwill in NC. I’ll never be again a customer. I will shop online. It is not worth jeopardizing the safety of my family.
Reviewed June 9, 2012
Sorry to hear about the horrors some of you have gone through. I started at the bottom and have worked my way up the ranks. Here's the deal with the prices: They try to keep it simple so clothes of the same style are simply priced the same. So one long sleeve shirt may be really flimsy and really should be $1.99. On the other hand, there's a great Evan Picone shirt, which would cost much more at a consignment store or of course, if it was new. Keep in mind that Goodwill is Goodwill, but they are grouped by districts. Any racist comments and some of the stuff you guys have talked about would never be tolerated in my "group".
Goodwill is the first company I've ever worked for where I can see the integrity and the "goodness" (no pun intended). So many companies say they care about people, but they don't. Goodwill practices what they preach. So if you've had a bad experience, please report it. Rudeness should never be tolerated. But there is a method to their madness about prices. Trust me, the clothes do not go in the trash. People pay big money for huge bales of clothes. They clothe folks in other countries. So it's not like we're saying, "Pay this ridiculous amount or it goes in the landfill." Biggest problem, I think, are employees who don't give a ** and who don't get the mission of Edgar Helms. But you get that in all walks of life.
Reviewed May 18, 2012
I've been shopping in Goodwill store, located in Hernando, MS for over 4 years and never had any problem until they changed the manager. I have been humiliated and discriminated. The manager is always making racist comments about Mexicans and she's always screaming at my children. Today, she screamed at my child because he was drinking water and accidentally spilled a little water on the floor and then I told her that I was sorry and I would clean up the water. But, she started screaming at my 3-year-old and made him cry, and then she said that Mexicans are just like animals because we don't understand. I'm really angry at how she treats Hispanics and my children.
I really think that you should replace the manager. I have witnesses. They're all Hispanics. We shop at Goodwill every single day because we send all the items back to Mexico. We spend at least 100 to 200 dollars per day each person. We want to get this problem fixed because I do not feel comfortable shopping at Goodwill, and my children feel scared every time they see her because they think she's going to scream or yell at them. Please fix this problem or at least get the manager's attention. She shouldn't have been discriminating against any person.
Reviewed May 14, 2012
Banned from the store - I need to bring this to your attention so that hopefully, people can do something about this problem. I have recently been humiliated in a store that I frequented often for years. Goodwill Industries Delaware (Chadds Ford, PA) has advised me not to come back into their stores. I started shopping in this store over 10 years ago and have become very friendly with both customers and employees of the store. I have assisted some of the staff and helped them put wares on the shelves and many customers came to me to ask my opinion on items that they would purchase.
About a month before I was asked to leave the store, there was an incident where a shopping cart filled with electronics, which is something that I am interested in buying was brought out from the backroom to go onto the shelves. There was another customer who grabbed the entire cart without even looking at the items and said he was buying the whole cart. I had seen this customer in the store before and had noticed that he would return many items. I brought this to the attention of the manager on duty and backroom manager, who stated that they found nothing wrong with this and he should be able to buy the whole cart of items and that neither of them know this guy.
I contacted the corporate office to find out if this was something that they thought was okay. They couldn't believe that this happened and contacted the store manager. It was decided that when the employees would bring the items out, they would have to put them on the shelf and then the customers could buy the items. This new process did not last long. After this happened, the manager on duty that I had originally spoken with and who was newer to the store started asking all of the other employees if they ever had trouble with me and if I was a troublemaker in the store. When a few of the employees told me this, I brought this to the attention of the store manager who said, "I don't believe he did that."
From this point, I should have realized that my time was limited in the store. The manager who was asking about me would lurk around me and listen to my conversations and watch every move I made whenever I was in the store. A couple of weeks later, I noticed that there was merchandise that one of the employees hid behind the trash dumpster, I told another employee/friend I had in the store. She told the manager and they watched the camera and ended up firing the employee. At this point, I was thanked by a few of the employees including the backroom manager I spoke about earlier. One evening, when I was in the store, the guy who bought the whole cart of electronics was in line in front of me and the cashier had an issue where he put a price tag on a PC monitor from a chair. Luckily, the cashier caught this issue.
I came in another day and found a co-worker who reported to the backroom manager with the same customer bringing him a cart of electronics again. Regular customers including me wondered why there had been no good electronics recently and this is why. I believe they were holding them for this guy. One of the employees went into the backroom and took a bag of items out to the customer's car. Since the store manager was out of the store for the week, I again called the corporate office. I care what happens in this store and no one, not the employees or customers, should be stealing and with what I saw, both were and they were helping each other do it. I spoke with the head of security who said he would look into and said that I would not have a problem shopping in the store.
A few days later, a friend of mine who also frequented the store was talking with an employee who stated he really wanted a Sony Playstation and couldn't afford one. We had one that was used, but worked. We brought it back as a gift for the clerk. We asked him to ask the manager on duty if he could have it, we didn't want them to think he was taking merchandise from the store. The manager said no, that he cannot accept gifts while on the clock. We took the Playstation back and gave it to him off hours. He is really a good guy and has had a hard life, we thought we would bring a smile to his life with this gift.
Now I came into the store a few days later, got pulled aside and told by an acting store manager while the other one was out of the office that Jerry wants to talk to me on the phone. Jerry, who is the head of security, questioned why I gave the employee a Playstation. I told him the manager said it was fine as long as he was off the clock. He told me I could no longer shop in the store and that I am banned from their stores. They had looked at the video footage, no audio, and that I had threatened their employees. I feel that I was unjustly removed from the store because I pointed out that a longtime employee was stealing and his friends in management didn't like that they had to fire him.
I want to take this to court, but can't afford to so at least I want to bring it to the attention of anyone I can. They are in our community, they have a store open to the public but they say it is a private store and they can ban you from entering at their discretion. I would understand this if I had stolen or something but because I turned in somebody for stealing, this I just don't understand. Now remember, this is a non-profit organization (Goodwill) and the head of security told me, "I do not care how old you are or how much money you spend in the store and watch what you say."
Reviewed May 2, 2012
For years, I have bought from and donated to the Goodwill store in Bainbridge, GA, but will not anymore. I can go to Wal-Mart and buy new items for the price they charge for donated items! This started a few months ago, and I was told they now sell on eBay.This is nothing but pure greed. I now donate and buy from The Salvation Army. The workers at the Goodwill store here are not friendly at all but so far, at Salvation Army, they are very nice and helpful. I hope all reading this will please donate to other places that care about people!
Reviewed April 30, 2012
I have gone on disability and having a hard time surviving. I have always loved thrift stores and yard sales. I visit my sister in NC and we go to her Goodwill where you can fill a bag of clothes for a dollar. I went to mine here in town and couldn't believe the prices in there. Department stores at the malls are cheaper on their clearance racks than the Goodwill store. Dollar Tree items were $2.95 or so. Really, I used to give my stuff to Goodwill, but I know I won't now. It hasn't helped me when I do in fact need help when I have asked. There is where the government needs to work and I will be writing them, too.
Reviewed April 25, 2012
I begin my tale at the Goodwill in Powell, OH. I found a pair of UGG boots. Yay! What a score! Dad lost his job, and I have a teenager who would give her eye and teeth for them. I took them up to the counter to pay and lo and behold, they are ripped from my hands for online sale by the manager, literally. I believe I still have whiplash. She told me she would sell them to me for $50 or just put them online and get the money. What? Who? What? Did the woman who donated them know Goodwill was going to charge that much and hopefully claim that for her tax purposes? I doubt it! I have always been modest in my claims upon donation. They are used items! I don't want to lie, so why would the organization? Is there a reason I did not get the purported adult shoe price in the store?
I was offended, and frankly shocked. Wow. Hopefully someone up high is stocking away some heavy cash for their hidden summer home, because the Goodwill is charging more than discount stores that sell brand new overstock! Don't believe me? Try looking up ShopGoodwill, the resellers dream. They can bid high and resell higher. But for the average consumer, who shops at the Goodwill because of unemployment and reduced incomes, and not to resell the items for even more money (or not a wealthy person looking to buy big brands at a discount)? No more, folks. High end goods and decent items are now pulled immediately for online sales right after you donate them! Don't believe me? Go on in and take a gander.
I have ordered once from ShopGoodwill.com. To keep a long complaint short, the item I received was not what was described or shown in the picture. I ordered a blown glass ornament and it was significantly smaller than was stated in the description. I bid on another item and after I won was notified that my sale amount was $3 higher. This was after my bid had closed. After numerous e-mails and phone calls, including one that contained a threat from an employee that I would not be able to shop online anymore if I didn't pay their new price, I was told that there was a glitch in their system over that weekend that raised price amounts on items for several people. Baloney. Any nimrod with half a brain would know that it is improbable that the computers randomly tacked on various amounts to people's items. I truly believe it was a scam, adding a few bucks to everyone's sales, in an attempt to extort more funds.
And here is the bottom line. Goodwill was designed to help others both in an employment capacity and in selling to people who need items on a dime. The economy isn't a good one. Why are they doing auctions and setting their minimum bid amounts so high that you might as well buy brand new? And why do this now, of all times, when the amount of unemployed and people in need have skyrocketed? I sincerely hope the people donating are claiming the full value of the items for their tax deductions because Goodwill is sure charging it! Shame, shame, shame. I will take Volunteers of America or Salvation Army any day. Spread the word! Don't believe me? Investigate yourself! Confirm my information! Donate to an organization that truly desires to help those who are disadvantaged and hurting at heart, not one looking to sell to the highest bidder. And not to someone who would physically remove merchandise from my hands while salivating all over the boots that will be marked for $50 at a non-profit thrift store.
Reviewed April 24, 2012
Let me start off by saying that I have worked retail before and I know how stressful the job can be dealing with customers who are rude and will not cooperate. Because of my experiences with those situations, I am as nice as I possibly can be towards other retail workers and those who work at Goodwill because I am aware that they are not paid very well. I walked into the College Station Goodwill to see if I could find a pair of khakis for my new job. I approached an employee and asked, "Could I possibly get a dressing room?" since you need keys to get into them. She sort of grunted and brusquely let me in, slamming the door in my face. I tried on my three garments and went about my shopping.
When it was time for me to check out, I waited about 7 minutes for someone to notice I was standing there and it was the same woman who let me into the dressing room. I asked her how she was (instead of the other way around) and I got another sort of grunt. I know she spoke English because I heard her talking to another employee in fluent English, so I was very put off. Cashiers are meant to be sparkling and smiling individuals who make sure that the customer's experience is pleasant when they leave the store.
She was very short with me the entire time despite me being over-the-top polite with her, more so than she certainly deserved. I was a little confused about the price and asked (very courteously, not accusingly or anything) if maybe she double-rang something because that happens because sometimes scanners are tricky. She immediately went on the defensive and snapped at me, saying she did not make a mistake. Granted, she was right - I'd forgotten about a gift I picked up at the register for my mother for Mother's Day, but there was no need to snarl and snap at me. I apologized and got the same grunt as before from her and not even a "have a nice day" as I left, though I wished her one because clearly her life is miserable if she can't respond positively to a young woman being nice and cheerful around her.
Every time I have been to this store, I have been greeted by rude and inconsiderate individuals who treat me as if I am a burden to them by being in the store or assume that I am some rich white girl who is going to college with loads of mommy and daddy's money in my pockets. So why am I shopping at Goodwill? I'm not rich. I made minimum wage working part-time at a retail store until just recently and I make less than 2000 dollars a year, only able to survive because my parents begrudgingly help me out with rent at my two-bit apartment. I wish I could afford to shop elsewhere, but I can't, not on my paycheck and not in this town. I didn't get the employee's name, but her user ID at her register on my receipt is: **; ticket number ** on 04/24/12 at 11:31:33 am; station **.
Reviewed April 21, 2012
On Thursday, April 12, 2012, I went shopping at the Coeur d'Alene Goodwill store. I had a few items to return that did not fit and proceeded to do so. I was greeted by an employee named Dawn, who was very rude to me from the first moment I walked in. She would not accept some of my return items, because a couple items were mis-marked. I tried to explain to her that the whole reason I was returning them was because they were mis-marked and did not fit. They would not listen and repeatedly interrupted me when I tried to speak. She also would not accept a pair of shoes I was returning, because the soles she said "looked worn." But of course, they are worn; they are used shoes! She did issue me a credit slip for a couple of my items, and I proceeded to shop.
She came up to me around five minutes later and said I had to come with her into the backroom. I wasn't sure what was going on, so I went with her. She took me into the manager's office where there were another woman named Cinnamon and the manager, whose name I believe was Tammy (but I'm not sure). Dawn was right away extremely rude to me. She asked me if the shoes and clothing I was wearing had been stolen. She asked me to show her my shoes (which by the way were brand-new). So I reluctantly lifted up my pant leg and did. She questioned me and said to the others, "How do we know that she did not steal them?"
The manager then began to get very rude and said that the clothing I returned was garbage and that they would never sell something like that there. She showed me a pair of the shorts I returned that had a small bleach stain at the top and said these would never be allowed on the sales floor. She then showed me another pair of shorts that were what she called "cut offs," saying they were also garbage and not sold there.
I tried explaining to them all but was not allowed much room to speak. Dawn interrupted my conversation with the manager and said, "The tags are attached to the clothing, but I think she re-attached them somehow." I asked her "How is it even possible to do that?" She replied, "I don't know, but they look forced." Cinnamon did speak up and said, "She is a repeat customer, whom we have as a regular" to my defense.
Dawn then spoke up and said, "I have issued her a credit slip several times." Yes, she has, because I am a loyal repeat customer and do bring back returns. But it is in Goodwill's policy that they do accept returns within 14 days with a receipt and the original tags attached. And I have never violated that. I was told that I was not to return any merchandise gain and was shown out of the office.
I feel like the situation was handled in a way that was completely unacceptable. They had no right to treat me the way I was treated! They falsely accused me and brought me into the backroom, when they had no evidence I did anything wrong. It is not my fault that an irresponsible employee mis-marked the items I had returned. I was a very loyal customer, who shopped in Goodwill at least once a week and did not deserve that treatment. The employee Dawn has been vindictive towards me ever since I had to call upon "Cinnamon" to fix her mistakes when ringing me up the week before. I think the attitude she displayed was very immature and mean. I hope something is done about this before it happens to someone else.
Goodwill Store Company Information
- Company Name:
- Goodwill Store
- Website:
- www.goodwill.org