Whenever I write about my Goodwill finds, I inevitably get comments along the lines of “Your Goodwills are so much better than mine!” and “You have such a good eye, I never find anything at my Goodwill!”
I am here to tell you that although Portland’s thrift stores are pretty good, they’re not that much better than those in Albuquerque, New York, Idaho, Chicago and Ohio. (Places I have lived and thrifted.) And Portland Goodwills are not as good as their Seattle counterparts. (Seriously, Seattle Goodwills are crazy awesome and much, much cheaper than in Portland.)
And to prove my point about how all thrift stores are 99.99% junk and .01% treasure, I have some photographic evidence from the main Goodwill:
Shelves of lamps, but nothing I would want to bring home.
I think every thrift store in America has a collection of these disgusting decorative food in-bottle atrocities. Do they ever sell? Do people *want* botulism?
Heloooo, Oliver North! Are you selling weapon to Iran? Then let's put you on a commemorative plate!
Wait a minute . . . this vintage lamp is rather wonderful. And I have been keeping an eye out for a glass lamp that I could try doing a faux mercury glass technique with. And if this lamp hadn't been priced at $19.99, I would have brought it home. Instead, I left it at Goodwill for someone with deeper pockets than I.
Bobble heads and various knick-knacks. But do you see what I see?
A Ghostbusters "Stay Puft" figure. I once saw an entire shelf of these toys in a decor magazine and it looked way cool. However, it's not my thang, so I left it for someone else.
Good lord, do the knick-knacks ever end?!
And among the Trail Blazer bobbles, Barack Obama Chia heads and vintage owls I spied something special. Because when a vintage cherub is mounted on marble plinth while riding a fish and balancing an ashtray on her head, that *is* special! She's the Annie Oakley of cherubs. Quick, someone get her a rifle!
Perhaps I should have not bought the $5 cherub tschochke, and if I'd had a shopping partner she could used this little Goodwill item to "whip" some sense into me. Then again, my undersesa cherub ashtray is looking mighty fine holding rings on my bedside table.
There now, do you finally believe that my thrift stores are just as crappy as yours? Portland Goodwills are just as full of junk as anywhere else. Then again, they’re just as full of treasures.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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P.S. I was kind of embarrassed to stand alone and snap that picture of the used whip. It’s not exactly typical soccer mom behavior. Then again maybe it is. How would I know?
{ 75 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this post! This is exactly what I encounter at my thrift stores, but amazingly, I still find items on my “list” on a regular basis. It just takes patience.
Looks much like our Goodwills in Austin, except the Blue Hanger Outlet Goodwill, where I always find some real treasures.
But, oh my…that little primitive looking owl statute next to your cherub would have caught my eye and gone home with me for the right price.
Now I want to got thrifting today!
I’m a ‘soccer mom’ (okay, only one season of soccer, but does ballet, gymnastics and taekwando count?) And definitely would have been checking out that whip for my own fun! It unfortunately looks costumey. Good whips are $100 plus. One flogger we own was $300… Definitely not cheap, but not something you can pick up used at goodwill either.
I love that a reader who calls herself “Harmony” is a whip expert!
😀
Katy
I so hear you! Anytime you find something good at a thrift store, people assume that your particular thrift store is stocked with nothing but wins.
I leave empty handed all the time.
It’s part of the whole notion that people who work hard for what they have are simply “Lucky.”
Katy
so true. so so true. I recently added a quote to my fridge: “Chance favors the prepared mind.”
I do think that luck can play a role in success, but it’s only a part of it. Usually a small part.
I have this quote up in my office:
“I am a strong believer in luck and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.”
 –  Benjamin Franklin
People think I’m “lucky” because I’m always finding good stuff in trash piles. It’s not luck–it’s being a pedestrian, making it convenient to stop and check, and always taking a different route on the way there than on the way home, doubling your chances of finding something.
Oh man! I’m one of those people who’s always marveling at the things you two find! I totally didn’t mean to suggest that it doesn’t take dedication to weed through the junk to find the good stuff.
I have started making a weekly stop at the thrift store on my way home, and my persistence is paying off. This week, I found a Working Glass tumbler all by its lonesome, and a nice teakettle.
So glad that other people’s thrift stores have those inexplicable “things in jars”.
I love your take on all the stuff you leave at your Goodwill and that’s why I read you. Thank you for showing us these items and your opinions of “these treasures!”
I am nothing if not opinionated! 😉
Katy
thanks for the post… But it seems that the goodwill you went to was very organized… mine on the other hand looks like a bomb went off in it… the shelfs are so messy…… At least at yours you can see and look…
It’s funny you mention that, as this Goodwill just rearranged all the merchandise, and the shelves are uncharacteristically tidy at the moment.Give it a couple weeks and they’ll be back to normal.
Katy
Mine, too. You really have to search and it’s a little yucky as well. I have found some nice clothes however.
Plus it’s a lot cleaner than most of the thrift stores in my area. I have to take a Benedryl before I got shopping.
Most of the knick-knacks – might have come from my house! I’m downsizing and have contributed many MANY objects de art to Goodwill, Salvation Army and Helping Hands. (And there’s still more to get rid of!)
Thanks for the inspiration! Love reading your posts 🙂
Aww, thanks!
Katy
Stay Puft! Plllleeeasssseeeee, I want the Stay Puft!!! 🙂
🙂
Katy
Did you really bring home the angel?
You betcha! I soaked the top half in a vinegar-water solution and the glass shined right up.
Katy
It does go with your style. I had a Victorian style home about 30 years ago. I still love to set things on doilies.
You could’ve bought the food-in-a-bottle infused vinegar to clean your cherub. Sometimes I take vinegar like that when I go to fill-a-bag sales.
I just assume they’re full of microscopic vermin.
Katy
Ok. Did you see the lightbulb turn on in my head? I have been searching everywhere for a reasonably priced set of lamps for my bedroom. They don’t have to match, but they need to be nice end table lamps. That play nice with everything else.
I’ve been to TJMaxx, Ross, HomeGoods, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT GOODWILL! Going this weekend.
I could practically skip all the way there 😉
Good luck! It’s totally hit or miss, but don’t let that discourage you!
Katy
Mandi Gubler of Vintage Revivals was on the Nate Show. She said anytime you see a pair of old lamps, Buy Them. Pairs are hard to come by. You can fancy up any old lamp. If it is really ugly, you can add gesso, or Sculpy and change the shape. Or you can wrap batting around it, then a drop cloth or burlap, then paint.
Interesting advice. Although I’m not into the match-matchy look myself.
Katy
Ask about a return policy and make sure you keep the receipt! It may vary from GW to GW, but the ones in my area will accept returns for merchandise that doesn’t work (but only as store credit).
There are other thrift shops in my area that will not accept ANY returns at all.
Reese, if you love the size and shape of a lamp, but the color is all wrong, think–spray paint! There’s not much that a quick spritz of paint in the perfect color won’t fix! Happy hunting!
I agree about the spray paint. I bought two brass lamps that were really nice. I painted them silver and put a wash of watered down black paint over the silver once dry. They look great!!
Take a light bulb- you might be able to test before you buy. And, yes, I carry a light bulb in a plastic container in my purse on my outings.
GREAT post. And, yes, I totally honed in on Mr. Stay-Puft in the bigger picture!
I think this post illustrates why thrifting may be difficult for the newly frugal. It requires persistence and the ability to leave empty-handed most of the time. For people used to buying lots of stuff, it’s not a way of shopping that comes naturally, and it can be a little bit dangerous if you don’t have the willpower to walk away. My mantra is, “Shop constantly, buy almost nothing.”
OMG! I just threw out one of those whips yesterday. It was in a box of Shtuff that my MIL hauled down for my hubby. I didn’t think anyone at goodwill would want it. My initial thought was to re-purpose it for a clothesline, but I went with bungee cords instead. Maybe my hubby will get the picture this time, lol!
And Really? A Barack Obama Chia Pet?
Thinking the same. How do they come up with this stuff.
They did a presidential line. ^^;
I am more of a Craigslist and garage sale person because of the nature of the Goodwill. I shudder when I think of trying to control my 1 and 3 year old in the close confines while scouring the shelves. But I do love me some good hand me downs and cast offs;)
I don’t think I was hitting the Goodwills when my boys were 1 and 3.
asleep in the stroller would be the only way to survive.
Rule number one in our house. Mommy does all the grocery shopping and thrifting. But Mommy gets to do it ALONE!
It is pretty much the only time I get for myself lately, so I often start my “shopping” days with a latte or iced coffee treat. Then I plug in my iPod with all my “mommy only” playlists. Ahhhhh, relaxation!
They are certainly better than our Alaska thrift stores and I love to see your treasures.
I agree with several of the comments above re: the need for persistence in the face of disorganization. One thing that can help with this is making friends with the staff (assuming that your local thrift store doesn’t have constant staff turnover, that is). The lovely lady who has the thankless job of organizing the books and bric-a-brac at my local Salvation Army superstore has pointed me in the direction of several good finds.
The Goodwills here staff too many people to make this tip a possibility.
Katy
okay, your Goodwill does have some of the same crap as mine.
A whip? hmm, i could see that being put to good use but not for anything i would write in a comment. (just kidding 🙂
you still get some of the coolest finds!
My local Goodwill is a pile o’crap nightmare. There is no rhyme or reason as to how things are organized. “Oh, a space! I think I’ll stuff it there!” I rarely go there.
OTOH, the Salvation Army thrift store is an organized dream. And the prices aren’t bad, either. I make sure to compliment the staff when I am there on how nice and neat the store is.
A nearby St. Vincent de Paul thrift store is also very well organized and tidy (and huge). It is worth the 20 minute drive to enjoy the 50% off of everything sale on the first Monday of each month. Jeans for $1.00, shirts for .75, dresses for $1.00. Definitely worth the trip.
Like others here, my knowledge of what would be a good buy to resell is minimal. I know of a few things, but I rarely see them. I mostly shop thrift stores for stuff I need – clothes for work, household items, various sewing and craft supplies. Often, I’ll not find a thing. But I find shopping thrift stores to be a fun adventure and a cheap diversion that has often netted me things I need/want for a fraction of what I would have paid in a retail store (I love my $2 Minnetonka sheepskin slippers and my $1 Anne Klein blouse).
Your Goodwill has much better shoes. (That might be because people in Portland walk more than people in Los Angeles, and buy better footwear to begin with). It’s really hard to find good walking shoes in thrift stores here. Or vintage pieces at any price.
Also, that store discount card? That is something I have never seen outside of Portland. Your Goodwill is AMAZING.
Sadly, they are no longer issuing Goodwill “Club Cards,” although they continue to honor the old ones.
Katy
I WANT the Marshmallow Man! Awww <3
We don't have thrift stores in Italy (big SIGH) but the rule applies to flea markets!
Re. the previous post, a friend of mine collects and often resells on eBay vintage toys and stationery. She makes good money!
Am I the only one who loves junky, disorganized thrift stores? The “nice” ones tend to be too expensive, and often they weed out the interesting stuff, in favor of newer junk like you could find at Target.
I agree there is a lot of crap but just today I scored a real cultured pearl 18 inch necklace for $2.50. it was hung up with a lot of cheapo fake pearls! Mary<
That is awesome!
Katy
That lamp was very cute. But 19.99? Did they forget they are Goodwill?
I would have paid up to $7.99. Yet it was gone today, so someone felt it was worth it. I brand new crap-lamp from Target would have been the same price or higher, so it wasn’t actually that bad of a deal.
Katy
I have actually been to a few Portland area Goodwills, andin my experience they are a bit above average. I only get to the city a couple of times a year and I can say I’ve NEVER left empty handed. I live on the southern Oregon coast. We have one Goodwill locally (about an hour away) and I try to stop in at least once a month. I think I’ve only found anything of value a dozen or so times, but their pricing often prevents me from making a purchase. I’ve actually purchased items only a handful of times.
Here’s an example: I was at the Eugene Target when they were having their Valentine’s clearance. I found a bag of coffee and french press gift box that I debated purchasing. It was a descent price, but I already have a french press so I passed. A month later I visited our Goodwill and imagine my surprise when they had that same gift box (well, probably not the SAME gift box). I thought I might actually pick it up this time – until I saw that it was $2 MORE than the price I passed on at Target!
Before moving to the Oregon coast, I lived in Anchorage AK. They had fantastic thrift stores, similar to Portland. Prior to that I lived in a small town in Indiana. Their thrift stores were more like the one on the Oregon coast. I guess my point is that the thrift stores in the larger cities tend to be larger, having more stuff. So that .01% treasure is closer to 10 items instead of a smaller store where .01% is 1 item in the entire store. Also, in the larger cities, there is a greater amount of wealth, so the products being donated tend to be nicer items. I currently live in the poorest county in Oregon. Not a lot of high end items heading to that Goodwill, ya know.
That’s not to say you can’t find a treasure in the smaller towns, but rather that you’re time to treasure ratio is going to increase dramatically. In this case, you really need to be able to shop weekly if not daily to steal a deal.
That is true. Thrift stores in wealthy areas absolutely get better donations. However, thrift stores are all about the unexpected.
Kayu
if you ever need material for a mosiac you could always buy an Oliver North plate and other plates like that to do it.
As for the bobble heads, I would use them as a white elephant gift at Christmas time for work. lol
I didn’t know that Bobble Head dolls were big in the thrift stores. It would be fun to collect some and paint them to look like the people in your family. Buy the way, Katy. Are you bringing presents when you go to Japan? From living there, but years ago, I know that “presentos” are a really big thing. You exchange presents often with people you meet. Those lamps are not so bad, and I am really picky. I could do a lot of different things with most of them. I am dying to try the mercury glass thing. But here in the Vail Valley, No One has Krylon Looking Glass paint. I will just have to use plain old silver. Maybe this weekend.
Sounds like a lot of work.
Katy
I realized today that I have a vintage glass sconce that would look incredible with a “mercury glass” finish. I haven’t looked for the Krylon looking glass paint yet, but I’m in no hurry. Hopefully I can mooch some from a friend.
Katy
I loved this post! I about fell off my chair laughing when I read your comment about the Ollie North plate. This could be the start of the next reality tv show– Goodwill Hunter!
You are too funny! Maybe someone could start a plate collection of convicted felons, or did he get a medal? Maybe the Al Haig plate goes with Ollie. Goodwill Hunter, it could be a contest like, Tennessee vs Kansas.
Competitive thrifting?! I. Am. In!
Katy
I love the thrill,of the hunt……which is why I haunt my favorite Goodwill store. Sometimes I find nothing, but still enjoy the search. But sometimes treasures abound. My Goodwill store gives a 20% off coupon on future purchases when you donate. I have a stash of those coupons and enjoy “paying it forward” by handing them out to random people in lime to pay. My best Goodwill finds have been a spring jacket for which I get an amazing number of compliments on, a new Ferragamo purse (perfect size, neutral gorgeous color) for $14 and a high quality costume jewelry pin that I had to wait out until it went half off (it was priced too high, but was uniquely beautiful). I agree some stores are better organized…….seems like it depends on the management culture. My favorite Goodwill has a “treasure island” area where they put vintage and fine china and crystal items. I have scored some amazing items there….they usually don’t hang around to get discounted though….but still a good deal financially.
No. Seriously? You bought that cherub ashtray thing? (I’m opinionated too!) I have way more luck when I visit my sister in Mpls. and find so much great stuff shopping her area thrift stores. A must whenever I visit her. Sadly this only happens every year or two.
Oh yeah, that cherub ashtray thing is MINE! I do feel like there’s a lot of humorless decorating going on out there in the world, so I have to do my part to funny it up a bit.
Katy
Today I wore a “new” outfit. Slim black dress trousers that have a subtle blue stripe, paired with a black twin set with blue trim. I just paid 13.20(!) for the pants at a charity white elephant sale. A lot for secondhand, but they fit like a dream and they’re from Nordstrom. The (perfectly matching) twin set was a hand-me-over from a friend two years ago. So the entire ensemble was $13.20! I swear to you, I walked taller today in my thrift sale trousers. I love it when an outfit comes together! I so agree that patience is a crucial element of thrift and would add that if your Goodwill sux, there are still bargains to be had elsewhere. Combine patience with an open mind and you’ll be scoring deals in no time!
I visited thrift stores in my area many times before finding anything I would use. Friends would show me their great finds, but all I found was trash. I learned that my local Goodwill was trashy, but the St. Vinnies was better organized and had a bigger selection in my size. Now I visit regularly. I don’t find something usable each time I visit, but I keep in mind that I can visit the mall or a department store and not find what I need there either. I have learned a few things others might find helpful: Many clothes that are donated have the size tag removed. The employees use their best guess on where it belongs. This means that your next great find may be hanging out in the wrong section. Do a quick check. Styles change and an item manufactured a few years ago may have more ease and therefore fit, although labeled a size smaller than I usually wear . Shop for quality. My thrift store puts a premium price on all famous brand items, regardless of their quality. Beautiful clothes with a brand unfamiliar to the staff are sold at the lower, regular price. And lastly, be welling to do minor repairs.
Our Goodwill shelves look very similar to your pics, but much less selection, but I do live in a small area. My biggest problem is not knowing what is a “good” find. I don’t have an eye for such things. Like to know those rugs were antique and could fetch $100, or what is real crystal, milk glass, cultered pearls, etc.
Each person is going to have their own areas of expertise. I know about Sasha dolls, marbles, (collected antique ones as a kid) and textile stuff from my fabric-enthusiast of a mother.
There are *many* areas where I know nothing whatsoever, and I’m sure I’ve passed countless priceless antiques through the years. It’s all about buying the stuff you know about.
Also, I don’t spend much at all if I’m buying for resale. I don’t want to get stuck with a $50 or $100 item if it ends up not selling.
The braided rugs were a gamble, as I had no idea what their value was, but it was one I was willing to take at $17.98.
Katy
This is one of your best posts! …although, I suspect that Ghostbusters figure could be collectable.
We have three thrift shops in town: a GW, a GW House (which carries furniture only), and one at the mall run by a local church that helps addicts and charges $1.00 for every piece of clothes and a lot less for other stuff. We also have a college in town, so there are lots of cool stuff donated twice a year. Finally, many many garage sales, church rummage sales, and a monthly flea market. If you have the time and patience, it’s amazing what you can find!! (I have to be careful, though, I am too apt to buy something just because it’s cheap/cool/unique, without asking myself, do I really need this? where will I put it? etc.)
I carry a piece of white ribbon( easy to see in my purse) marked with the bustline width
of a blouse that fits me perfectly, and the hip and waist widths of a comfortable pair of trousers.. I know , quickly and easily, that it will/ won’t fit! For a variety of reasons, trying things on doesn’t always work, but this does!
I have success finding many of the clothes I need at thrift stores or Goodwill. Those cluttered shelves filled with odd assortments of bric brac have a purpose– inspiring me to continue my deep dig and Swedish death cleaning. As a result my home is pretty clutter free and easy to keep clean.