For a while now I have been meaning to take my camera to Goodwill to document some of the madness. Today I finally remembered, so of course there wasn’t a whole lot worth showing. There were a couple of doozies, though, and maybe I’ll make this a semi-regular feature when I see something worthy of ridicule.
This set of dishes has been at my GW for months. Months, I tell you! Why? Because each dinner plate is $9, each salad plate, saucer, and cup is $6 each. 
To be fair, it is Limoges china (pattern China Poppy), and perhaps the prices are not out of line if you were to buy it from an antique store. But this is a thrift store, and even retail stores lower the prices on items that haven’t sold in a reasonable amount of time.
This next one will really get your goat.
This pair of prints looks like it came out of a dentist office that was remodeling and updating. They are a good size, probably at least 3 ft tall. The one on the right has cracked glass. How much, you ask? Wait for it……
Yup, that’s $150. Each! There are no words.
The next item is a good one (no, really). This dresser--or is it a buffet?--came from a high-end furniture store that went out of business a couple of years ago after 150 years in this city. It is solid wood.
The price on it was $60, but today all furniture was 50% off. If I had a place for it, and was industrious, I would seriously consider it. If you can’t see the potential, check out the mad skillz of Holly at Life in the Fun Lane. Be sure to look around; she redoes a lot of furniture pieces to sell, and has an adorable daughter named Wren.
21 comments:
Their prices always surprise me. And their clothing prices??? Outrageous. New (with a sale) is often less expensive. I still like the concept of the store, so I make regular donations, but I guess I'm too cheap to shop at Goodwill!! :)
Are you sure those pictures aren't supposed to say $1.50???? No one would even pay $150 for those if they were brand new -- in fact, I probably wouldn't even take them if they were free.
That buffet would be gorgeous .. I can totally see the potential.
I have to disagree with Katherine Marie on the clothes. I regularly found Anne Taylor Loft, Banana Republic and other high end brands in my Goodwill. They were all under $5, I have never found anything at any of those stores for that price. But that is what I looked for, high end clothes. I wonder sometimes what method they use for pricing their non clothing items. Sometimes they were ridiculously high, others ridiculously low.
I get that the Limoges might be worth that, but come on, sell it somewhere that can support that price!
Our Goodwill color codes their price tags and if something sits for a bit, it goes to the clearance center. Also, on things that are worth more, they do a silent auction.
I have a bridge to sell the person that buys those prints, but I sort of like the buffet thing.
Amen, sister! Sometimes I walk out of thrift stores angry because of the prices, but then there will be a magnificent piece that they are practically giving away. I really wonder what they are thinking when they price things some times. Those dishes are crazy...I'm getting all heated up just looking at it!
I went to Goodwill today and the prices were ridiculous!!!!
That's strange. The prices at our Goodwill store are very reasonable. Sometimes I think the furniture is a bit over-priced for what it is, but the clothing prices can't be beat. Dresses- $8.99, Pants- $7.99, Skirts- $6.99, Tops- $4.99.
Things that make you go... WHAT THE HECK?!!
LOL!!!
150$ for those HORRIBLE framed pictures?! Gawk!!!
And that's too bad about the china, it's a nice set. They should really put some stuff on clearance!
I cant believe those prices!!
I am SO glad you wrote about the "overpriced" goodwill items. I hardly find anything I can afford there! seriously, it's a THRIFT store. THANK YOU for sharing
I'm just outside of Toronto and it's no different here. The one I visit most often is never consistent in their pricing. Nothing is priced individually and each person that does the tagging puts a different price. Then they wonder why people ask for a lower price when something has been overpriced.
Recently this same store has become so dirty and unorganized, that it's starting to get creepy going in there.
I'm going to do the same thing you did, show ya what it's like on this part of the continent :)
Thanks for the post.
I just wrote a post 2 days ago about the same thing!! I am SO glad to know others feel the same way I do!
Some items are ridiculously priced, especially the damaged itmes, and yet once in a blue moon you will find a bargain ... like that dresser! It's the hunt and finding that one bargain that keeps it exciting! So I guess I'll continue to haunt my local GW stores!
I also like your idea of posting pictures of "doozies" that are worthy of ridicule! I would love to see what others find ... let's see who comes up with the "dooziest" GW item!
That's crazy talk!! My goodwill tends to be overpriced too, but they have a monthly "midnight madness" sale (blogged about it here http://bibbidi-bobbidi-beautiful.blogspot.com/2009/08/midnight-madness.html )where everything is 50% off. It's absolute insanity.
I had a good chuckle when you said that those prints look like they came from a dentist office. You're so right!! Sometimes I just can't understand the prices these places put on things. Like, seriously??? I look forward to more that you are going to post!
I am in agreement sisita! I heard Goodwill has its own blog and is selling on line! What!??!It is a thrift store - they get their product from the people..as DONATIONS! Theprices ridiculous and make no sense!This needs to change..where is the money actually going anyway? I think they should explain what is going on!with the economy the way it is we need to use places like this to help the family budget. i dont know I just would like an explanation...
Holly could totally make that sucker look like the best buffet ever. She is amazing.
Oh good golly, Miss Holly!
(Yes. I know I'm a complete dork!)
Sounds like our Salvo. Although, I don't think even ours would put $150 each on those monstrosities.
The dresser?Buffet? however, oh my gosh! So worth $60. Isn't it crazy how prices can make no sense to the normal human buyer, but to the employees at the GW or SA they make total sense?
On the upside for GW, I read that they returned a donation to the owner the other day of a $500,000.00 statue in S. Florida because the owner didn't realize what they had been given.
Maybe they're making up for the loss at your store. lol.
Have a wonderful weekend!
XO*Tricia
Yep, crazy prices on the plates and pictures. Victoria and I feel the same way about goodwill, though we do still find things here and there. : )
Great deal for the buffet though. Funny, as soon as I scrolled down and saw the picture, I thought, "Life if the Fun Lane" : ), and then you mentioned her.
$150? ummmm WOW!
That was a pretty good deal on the buffet though.
Yowza! $150 for those um, interesting prints??! Sounds a LOT like my local GW...our Salvation Army often boasts high prices on furniture, but most other things are reasonably priced. :)
Wow! its the same thing at my local salvation army! non-sense!
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