Three ways to get good buys at Goodwill
It's like a box of Cracker Jack.
If you're hooked on fashion but your wallet's not cooperative, you can
pick up some great bargains at the Goodwill Store in Colonie (think Gap, Ann Taylor, Jones New York, Abercrombie and Fitch, Dockers, J Crew, and more -- some stuff still with store tags!).
Thrift store shopping takes a different mindset, though. Here are a few things to keep in mind so you can make the most of your Goodwill trip:
Shop for the color of the week
Each item's got a colored plastic tag. Items tagged with the color of the week (posted on the easel in the doorway) are 50% off.
No tag, no sale
Items without tags aren't sold, no exceptions, so double check to make sure every item you fall in love with has a tag or a price sticker. It's awful to have to part with a great find at the checkout line.
Keep your options open
If you're looking for a specific item like black pants or a dress shirt, you may be out of luck. But if you're game for browsing, shopping at Goodwill is sort of like a Cracker Jack box -- you might end up with the equivalent of a pink plastic ring or just a smiley face sticker.
Among my recent prizes: a red Nine West purse for $4.99 and a $235 silk Laundry by Shelli Segal blouse for $19.99!
Earlier on AOA:
+ The Brunswick Goodwill: a great place to score new, or nearly new, stuff cheap
Find It
Goodwill in Colonie
1 Fuller Rd
Colonie, NY 12205
(518) 459-5580
Other local locations:
720 Hoosick Rd in Troy
1400 Altamont Ave in Schenectady
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Comments
I always thought I was too good for Goodwill, but, my bank account disagrees. Thanks for the tips, I plan on checking out their store this week. I have the fashion sense of a rodeo clown so I doubt I'll have any trouble.
... said Pantaloons on Sep 15, 2008 at 11:46 AM | link
There are two other stores in the area (we don't all live in downtown Albany you know!)
Troy on Hoosick Street
Rotterdam on Altamont Avenue.
... said kmg on Sep 15, 2008 at 12:27 PM | link
@kmg: You're right! We've added the other locations. (And check out AOA's trip to the Brunswick Goodwill earlier this year).
... said Greg on Sep 15, 2008 at 12:56 PM | link
I hate to be disagreeable, but I've always found that goodwill store to be pretty limited in scope and selection. Plus it's in colonie, ehwww.
... said Jackers on Sep 15, 2008 at 3:34 PM | link
I am not familiar with the Goodwill experience. But in a similar vein, I hope you are not unaware of the treasures at Salvy. I have scored great bargains at three different local Salvation Army branches.
... said KM on Sep 15, 2008 at 9:25 PM | link
I agree. I have shopped at Salvos for years and have many great items to show for it. It's like a treasure hunt. You never know what you will find. My personal favorite is the Salvation Army store in Scotia.
... said Bonnie on Sep 30, 2008 at 10:45 AM | link
i like to know how they get their prices, they are very high for used goods and you can get new stuff for cheaper on sale. who is the manager in this store they need to reduce there prices. and mark 1/2 the stuff. It us to be fun in there but now its like a dept. store and its not cheap for people who really need a break.
... said Joann on Nov 14, 2009 at 8:00 PM | link
Sigh. I visit this Goodwill once in a while and it is a crapshoot; some things are a bit pricy, and they have a lot of stock that's just remaindered stuff from Target.
But, I have trouble shopping at Salvation Army because of their discrimination issues. I really don't want to give money to that organization.
But hey, you know you can buy online from Goodwill? Yep, possibly setchy used stuff, now purchasable sight-unseen!
... said B on Nov 16, 2009 at 1:41 PM | link
I actually spend more time DONATING to Goodwill than I do buying from it. In addition to clothing donations, Goodwill also takes old computer equipment and phonograph records. So every weekend I make a charitable donation to Goodwill, in boxes of records that I never listen to any more. Let someone else enjoy them and let Goodwill reap the benefits.
... said Chuck Miller on Nov 16, 2009 at 3:16 PM | link
Just throwing in my 2 cents at this late date...if you want men's suits from the 1960's (think the Mad Men look) through the 1980's check the Colonie Goodwill. As with any used clothing store finding your size is tricky, but I've had some success: a tailored suit that fits me well and looks sharp for $20.00 - it cost the original buyer around $700 in 1986. It's also great for fancy retro neckties.
... said Eric Stott on Apr 27, 2011 at 3:22 PM | link