The TRUTH About Chain Thrift Stores

Somewhere along the way the concept of a "charity shop" got turned into chain for-profit thrift stores that are ever-increasing in popularity but... is that a good thing?
Subscribe to Future Proof!
/ @futureprooftv
Follow our SHORTS Channel!
/ @futureproofhealth
Stay updated on our socials
Instagram: / futureprooftv
Facebook: / futureprooftv
TikTok: / futureprooftv
Reddit: / futureproof
For further reading, check out the sources for this video here:
docs.google.com/document/d/e/...
Script: Holly Maley
Editor: Kirsten Stanley
Animator: Zachary Kastrukoff
Project Manager: Lurana McClure Rodríguez
Host: Levi Hildebrand
Want to work with Future Proof? Get in touch:
[e-mail]

[@rowynnecrowley1689]

What really irritates me about Goodwill is, they get their stuff for free, then turn around and charge outrageous prices for it. If I can spend $75 on a used coffee table, I can spend that same money on a brand new one from Walmart. Also, where do you get off charging so much for something you got for free? I'll go to a regular thrift store before I go to Goodwill.

[@christinewatson1989]

I know right?! Their prices are nuts. I can get an item for $3 at Value Village that would be $10 at Goodwill.

[@fiskey7514]

worked at a goodwill, i specifically would complain about anything i found that was really unfairly priced. had to convince someone to take the price down once because they were selling it in a beat up box for the same price as it was brand new. hated those people in the back who priced shit.

[@great-garden-watch]

$150 for a print in a frame at goodwill . Brand new at home goods I’d say absolute tops would be like $80. I bought something called solid brass from the shop goodwill website. Complete lie. Painted metal.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

@@great-garden-watch Bring along a magnet, among other things when thrifting

[@SnarkyRC]

You just gotta know when to go. They change their prices depending on the day. I walked out with a whole component stereo system for $5 from goodwill.

[@AliyahLea]

While shopping at my local Goodwill I noticed the manager going around to all of the employees asking if any of them could work later because someone had called off. Later I overheard one of the employees asking another if they get paid overtime… the answer was “no, but we get store credit based on the amount of hours of overtime we work.” They pay their employees for their extra efforts with fake money to use towards donated goods that the stores obtain for free

[@KutWrite]

Well, if it's OK with the employees, so... ?

[@garyholt8315]

my local goodwill get more like walmart all the time. constant in store ads on the intercom. not nice.

[@sabine3769]

Crazy

[@grizzlybear4]

​@@KutWritethe employees just put up with that because they have to. I am sure most would be working for normal employers if they could.

[@rosacam6765]

😮 that is horrible 😢

[@proudgrandma1268]

Family member told us not to give her things to Goodwill when she died. She agreed on St. Vincent de Paul. After she passed, we took the items family did not want to St. Vincent store. They were so grateful, and it made us feel happy because they served the inner city population.

[@okamijubei]

Sounds like they're better than Goodwill

[@connie9]

St Vincent is worse than Goodwill in my area of TX.

[@craigbaxter4595]

St Vincent in Green Bay used to have great deals,now they’re prices have soared

[@connie9]

@@craigbaxter4595 Same here in Dallas. Their pricing structure is all over the place & doesn't make sense. I have to really look to find a deal anymore. Finding a good deal is why we thrift.

[@ruthanneluvsvacuuming6653]

At. Vincent DePaul actually helps people They have a soup kitchen and other services which are funded through donations and profits from the stuff they sell They help with different aspects of helping someone find employment

[@justpippyj]

I shop at Goodwill all the time. And the price hike in this last year is unbelievable! EX: Why would I pay 12.99 for a USED WALMART shirt that has a stain or maybe a tear...WHEN I CAN BUY IT NEW AT WALMART FOR $11??? I have limited my shopping there no because it's no longer a good deal.

[@viperdemonz-jenkins]

they have not been thrifty for over 2 decades that I know of. worked for them in 1998.

[@mysticmisfit777]

That shirt would cost 1.99 at the store.

[@kj3d812]

Not long ago I was shopping at ARC Thrift Store for some items to repurpose into crafts, and they literally had a broken stand of some sort (who knows what it used to hold) marked $135! Yes, that's ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS. Whatever it was, it should've been in the garbage or recycle bin, because it was utterly useless for any purpose and most certainly was not worth what they were charging for it.

[@mysticmisfit777]

@kj3d812 one man's trash is another mans treasure.

[@kait1291]

This is incredibly timely as I just donated men's professional attire a few hours ago. All it took was 2 phone calls to find a real, live human who works directly in prepping homeless men for job interviews.

[@ross4]

Wow, what a great idea. I love that

[@maebandy]

2 phone calls when you have children is a Ryan Reynolds seducing you with sarcasm sized fantasy. But thank you for letting me dream and be inspired for that future.

[@melissamartin4183]

Do you have the name of the organization? Do they do women's clothes as well? For families?

[@MagesseT1]

​@@maebandy🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 the picture in my mind - thank you, thank you!

[@richardscott8159]

The Salvation Army is one of the stores that I give to, when I was young they really helped us out! I don't know if they still do it, but they used to give out Christmas food baskets and so did the Shriners Club. We didn't have much, powered milk to drink, and mix up the yellow dye in the margarine packets, so getting real butter and whole milk was a really treat!

[@rickschucker9697]

The owner and CEO of Good will paid himself $2.9 million last year. It is a scam not a charity.

[@billglenn4908]

There is not just one CEO for Goodwill. There is a CEO for each region that Goodwill has as in goodwill of north Georgia, goodwill of Chattanooga Tennessee, and goodwill of south Florida. For examples. It is different for each region. They are not all the same as you may not realize there are several regions in each state.

[@theMahr28]

Truth. This "the ceo" is a rumor that people keep spreading without knowledge.

[@EricJohn2008]

But I've been to Goodwill stores in Seaside Oregon to Atlanta, Georgia and many in between. They are all scams disguised as thrift stores that give back to the community. I ve never seen such a self-serving lot of greed claiming to service a community in my 65 years on this planet. Don't darken their doors ever. @@billglenn4908

[@lc6636]

That is an ongoing lie. I work at Goodwill. No one gets paid 2.9 million dollars. All Goodwills are separate companies in different areas.

[@grizzlybear4]

@billglenn4908 there are CEOs for each region, all grossly overpaid. SCAM.

[@user-wd5qw2sr4d]

My daughter was moving back to Alaska and did not want to take her fairly new leather couch and two matching chairs. We had Goodwill pick them up because she couldn't sell them in garage sale. The day after they picked them up, I saw the couch and chairs on Craigslist! The price was around $400 or so. I figured either the manager or employees bought them for a small fee and resale them at a higher price. Making a little on the side. I talked to a friend and she yeah, they do that all of the time. Makes me sick.

[@HBLADY]

I worked at a thrift shop years ago and all the proceeds went back into the charity. We had good items, well priced and nicely displayed. It really was a labor of love for the lady who started it. What always hurt me was discovering how many people stole from us. As for Goodwill, they have really jacked up prices lately even on things you can buy new at the 99 cents store! Will definitely donate to the smaller shops from now on!

[@ajum89]

I also volunteered at a thrift store run entirely by volunteers. We didn't let people take big bags inside due to theft. The store also had a day where people on assistance came to shop for free. Goodwill, apart from prices, also ships a lot of its leftover clothing to countries in Africa, causing waste in those countries, since many of clothes are not wearable anymore

[@HollywoodBob39]

Prices have went through the roof because a number of years ago, Ebayers and resellers have bought anything for pennies on the dollar to resell. This drove up the demand and Goodwill eventually caught on. They now seem to price most goods at near retail prices.

[@niagarawarrior9623]

the local goodwill, and value village here have consistently been selling $2 items from the dollar store for $9 or more. the value village here is right next door to a dollar tree, it becomes pretty obvious that some of the things there came right off the dollar store shelves and onto their own.

[@QuePasaUSA]

One Goodwill here in Yuma won't let anyone use the trying room since the pandemonium started. Another customer told me that it's a tactic because they know people will still buy the clothes without trying them on and if they want to return it, they don't accept it. So the store always gets more money while the customer loses. It's such a shame.

[@LRoy555]

Yes small stores or pla es where they give them free to homeless or people who really need them.

[@DOCTORJAN714]

Goodwill has lost their minds with the way they price things over the last few years. It seems that they've forgotten their mission and only concerned themselves with their "bottom line."

[@juliao1255]

Yes!!! Right? That's because they are a for profit company, not a non-profit charity!

[@sandybruce9092]

I bought used jeans/Levi’s at Goodwill way back in the early 1970s and paid around $3 or so. I don’t even waste my time going there and haven’t for many years!!!

[@safetybuddy]

I’ve known this for years. Good will employees have told me that the good stuff is picked out and sold online and the junk is put on shelves in the stores. I remember 30 years ago you could find great merchandise to buy in the stores for a very affordable price, not anymore.

[@joefran619]

I find tools at a great price, I buy when I know its a good quality item. Recently found a Bosch brad nailer which I have used a few times for 6.99.

[@grizzlybear4]

I have seen so many dirty, torn, and irreparable clothing items there. Really combed the stores when my chips were down, bought nothing, then held onto my ancient clothes, which I actually had repaired and which were in better, cleaner condition.

[@gaarcemail]

The salvation Army does the same. All the good stuff is sold online, and the mediocre or cheap stuff is sold at the store, but at least you can buy stuff lower than retail.

[@lzrd8460]

There is actually an expert on antiques on You Tube who shows how charity shops call her in to their warehouses to pick out all the really valuable stuff BEFORE it goes out to be sold to the public. So, I have to believe they are selling it for much more online. So much for helping the understand privileged to furnish their homes!

[@lzrd8460]

So interesting, thank you for the history lessons. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@robotparts]

I was in line at a Goodwill recently when a salesclerk let a veteran know they STOPPED giving senior and vet discounts. The clerk proceeded to ask the ex-serviceman for a DONATION TO HELP THE VETS!!!

[@bdude630]

thats not i true i work at one and they still don but only one day a week witch i agree is lame.

[@SnarkyRC]

​@@bdude630 which witch?

[@lynnjudd9036]

Omg! Talk about "bitting the hand that feeds you". That is the ultimate.

[@Raesling1]

And now they don't even have bags!! You have to buy their bags if you forgot your own.

[@deanna8217]

They still do it here.

[@conniegheer576]

I own a small, for profit thrift store. I'm not going to get rich any time soon because I made myself a promise to be less expensive than the Goodwills and Salvation Armys out there. My main goal is to keep as much clothing (and other stuff) as I can from going to the landfill, so I also recycle/repurpose whatever cannot be sold. In addition I donate a percentage of profits to a different local charity 4 times a year.

[@booboo699254]

Kudos! that's awesome and hope you continue to do well.

[@Mr210619]

Somewhere I would shop just off the bases you're tryna keep as much from going into the landfills. Goodwill does not care and will gladly fill them up

[@MacNCheesin]

You are an awesome and pretty cool person

[@yutiekadalal6744]

That's awesome! What's your store called?

[@conniegheer576]

It's called The Haberdashery

[@nicolebellemore703]

I used to think Value village was the best store around until.... I learned that they started to charge in-store prices for used merchandise, AND they don't really have a return policy, AND they got rid of their dressing rooms so you can't even see if things fit to get around that dumb return policy, AND they lie about the level of charitable they actually are, AND their CEOs make a ridiculous amount, AND I found out about their terrible recycling/waste refuse, AND their low worker wage/work environment, AND.. must I go on??? Value Village and Savers really need to get it together.

[@gwarlow]

@Nicole Bellemore According to their CEOs, everything is just fine. ;-)

[@proudmanchild165]

Yes they are terrible!

[@amanduhcase]

It's the same company I think?

[@tatianalyulkin410]

Wanna know what Savers is doing in Redwood City, CA. They got rid of all the cashiers. Imagine- you've been working in a hot kitchen all day and before you go home you decide to treat yourself to, say, a new mug and a couple of Warriors T shirts. But instead of enjoying your shopping experience you gotta play a salesperson and ring up your purchases!

[@evelynfidler6285]

I agree when they did away with dressing rooms and jacked the prices, I really only look for books

[@DillDough4u]

I started donating my things to a local thrift shop that is ran by volunteers, and 100% of proceeds go to animal shelters. These types of thrift stores are everywhere, just have to look it up online. Please consider doing the same 🐶 🐱

[@juulian1306]

I like to donate my things to a "freeshop" in my city that gives them away for free (or a donation towards rent if the customer wants to and can).

[@williamsalin3509]

My wife is passed away now but she loved shopping GOODWILL, I would wait in our car for her! Many times I would watch employees loading their cars with the stuff just dropped off for charity! Many times we saw the employee theft.

[@susieangelo6410]

100% Facts! Many of their Employees has their Relatives/Friends "shop" in the store and fill the shopping carts full then leave it by the register, as the Cashier/Employees bags the contents, then leave them nearby as if they were "Paid." Looks around, signals and out the door they go to unload into a parked car in the lot as the Driver drives off. So what happened to the Shopper? Still in the Store filling up another shopping cart! Disgusting!

[@rridderbusch518]

@@susieangelo6410Here in New York state the "employees" are actually a day-care for the retarded (or other problem.) It's legal here to pay them *sub-minimum wages.* The worst I heard was one man who worked for *70 cents* per hour. I don't blame them one bit.

[@debbiewhitman5455]

I took a telescope to the checkout once. It was in good shape and maybe about $20. The person at the checkout said it was an incorrect price so he could not sell it. I figured that he pocketed it and not repriced it.

[@naturalnashuan]

@@rridderbusch518 And it is legal. The alternative is to pay a non disabled person to be with the disabled person during this time. My best friend has that job. It isn't a living wage for the non disabled person. Goodwill takes advantage of the lack of well-paid caregivers by offering free daycare plus a tiny bit of money. The best solution is for extended families and church congregations to care for their members who were born disabled or severely disabled in childhood and kept alive. Someone has to fill that role, don't pawn it off on others.

[@naturalnashuan]

⁠@@debbiewhitman5455 That is usually the situation where they think a customer switched the price tags to pay less. People do that. I go to many estate sales and thrift stores. Switching tags is a common form of theft by deception. Other times I've seen that is when an item with some form of personal digital storage gets put out for sale. Goodwill has a rule against it.

[@concerned1144]

I figured this scam out years ago when I heard the owner of Goodwill has his own island. So now, nope, no longer donating to them and shame on them for treating these poor disabled this way. They will have to explain their actions when facing God

[@sophiemeade304]

I like the small local ones not only because they aren't as deceptive but also because (at least I'm my experience) they tend to have better quality items. My favorite local thrift shop even has a bookcase near the cash with locally made art (not donated but the money goes to the artist who are often students or resent alumni of my art school down the street from them)

[@Stacy_SJA]

That art selling idea is genius!

[@Nan-59]

@@Stacy_SJA yes! How cool!!

[@jackseve]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Clearly, your delusional. The best Goodwills are in affluent communities with some of the most exceptional prices. We are talking about brand name items from major high value big box stores. Neiman Markus, Macys, and etc items in these stores are often NEW, with tags on them sold for $0.50-1.00. So to say the “smaller and local” stores are better is really delusional. Smaller local stores sell intensely used/worn items from discount retailers sold for the same damn prices as discount retailers new items.

[@Nan-59]

@@jackseve *you're Clearly, you don't know grammar. 😆😵😎✌🏻

[@cafsixtieslover]

Me too. I get lovely stuff often brand new.

[@brianjacobson297]

I worked for Goodwill from 2011-2021. I worked in the E-com department, listing items online for sale. It was actually a pretty enjoyable job, and as my first full time job, got me into my first apartment. But then, one day, out of the blue, they moved it 40 miles away for no good reason and told me to go work in the store if I couldn't commute (i.e, take a 4 dollar paycut and lose my independence, even though I'd be working harder). It's only 7 years after that, and 2 years after leaving Goodwill that I was able to forgive them only in a "I won't let you take up anymore space in my head" way. I just wish they could be prevented from doing that to anybody else.

[@dragonf1092]

They shouldn't be selling anything donated period,it should all be given away free to whoever wants or needs it. Goodwill should be charged with fraud, racketeering, predatory practices.

[@tdee1575]

As a former thrift store supervisor, I can guarantee (at least at Value Village) the clothes absolutely DO NOT get washed.

[@maryr7800]

I know for sure they're not washed by Goodwill and SA either.

[@camellia8625]

Gross. The least they could do is wash the clothes given they are paying nothing to get the clothes in the first place.

[@okamijubei]

Which is why I usually wash them clothes before I donate them.

[@grizzlybear4]

​@@maryr7800yup... both organizations sell dirty stuff.

[@stacythomas9916]

@@okamijubei don't bother. your donated bags are just dumped into huge hoppers right next to other stuff that people didn't bother to wash. Just make sure you always wash or sanitize anything you buy from a thrift before using or wearing it.

[@dalecorne3869]

I used to work for Goodwill as a truck driver to pickup items from people. It was more like a job as a pirate. Myself, and whoever was working with me that day, would always take our pick of whatever we wanted FIRST and then only took back stuff that we didn't want. I wouldn't give Goodwill a single thing if I were you.

[@stacythomas9916]

People like you are the reason that many Goodwills discontinued doing pickups

[@dalecorne3869]

@@stacythomas9916 Everyone at Goodwill was the same, it wasn't just me, and that was a LOOOOONG time ago. I'm not that person anymore.

[@Mojo_Radio]

Goodwill's in my area have started pulling all the good items and selling them on Ebay for near retail (pre-owned retail) prices. If people knew their donations were going to an online resale business, I think they'd probably donate them to a homeless not-for-profit or a food bank or something. Goodwill increased prices during the pandemic as well, while refusing to accept returns for damaged or non-working electronics. Lost a lot of their "good will" in my books. :P

[@thomasmonroe7947]

If you have your receipt, have not altered or removed the original purchase price sticker, bring the item back within two weeks, there is no problem, just like Wal-Mart, Target, etc. As for rising prices….been to a gas station, lately? And, GW has been auctioning items for years to maximize the potential earning of valuables to help pay for and create new public serving programs. Yes, the items are donated-they’re free. Building rent and maintenance are not. Employees need to eat and pay bills. The programs being paid for are positions that require human beings to be staffed in order to make them work. GW got stuck with a 1.5 million dollar refuse handling bill last year just in the northern New England area because people will donate things they know they should take to their dump but stick GW with paying that fee then ask for a donation slip to chisel money out of the government for their broken microwave or grocery bag of torn, soiled t-shirts or dirty socks. Supporting things live two brain trauma centers isn’t cheap. Don’t know if you’ve ever known any wounded vets but, sometimes, they come back alive but need to relearn things like how to eat, walk, talk, etc. Someone steps of the curb wrong or slips on ice and smacks their head, has a car accident, whatever, sometimes needs critical assistance to find a path to recovery. No one is standing there with a pot of gold next to them.

[@childrenslivesmatter3073]

You never see jewelry in their stores anymore. It all gets sold online with other valuable stuff.

[@Mojo_Radio]

​@@thomasmonroe7947 Maybe the Goodwill's in your area accept returns but not in our area; there's always a big sign that says Sales are Final No Returns. They accepted returns for electronics previously but during Covid they said they couldn't because of the risk of them being contaminated (and now they just kept it that way). Walmart and Target are big box retail stores selling Brand New goods so it makes sense they'd have a return policy. If you develop a relationship with Goodwill's in your area (buying thousands of dollars of clothes per quarter) you can't really be complaining about store return policy with managers, even if I could do a charge back through my credit card. :P Rising gas prices have happened mainly due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine causing tightening on the global oil supply, and a little from inflation. Inflation can be one explanation for increased prices, but during March-September 2020, while in peak-Covid (and while most retail prices were stagnant because of low consumer spending), my local Goodwills were increasing prices at the same time as they closed all fitting rooms, stopped accepting returns on all items as well as having less staff overall. I get that it's a business, but operating costs are just a cost of doing that business and they have billions in revenue which means lots of profit. Less than 1/8th of Goodwill profit goes towards charity and they are somehow a nonprofit organization in they eyes of the tax man. The CEO makes millions in compensation per year that doesn't go towards "job programs," as good as those job programs are (and they are good for convicts, veterans, young people, people with limited job experience). Goodwill's in my area have gotten to the point of charging $59.99 for a product with an open, dented box that you can buy brand new for $39.99 shipped on Ebay. Few years ago it'd be $10.99 or $19.99. Beat up Brooks running shoes for $32.99 when they are shipped in cleaned pristine condition off Ebay for $29.97. Few years ago same shoes were $9.99 or $12.99. Not to mention pulling every recognizable item that's worth more than $50 to sell online (barring some clothing pieces they don't notice). I've seen the Regional Managers come around with clipboards of brands for the Store Managers to pick out of the donations and they just give that list to the guys in back. They must have hired some business school grads who told them they could charge 50-75% more for their items and they just ran with it. They are a business and I get it but in all honesty it's just hard to justify shopping at some Goodwill's (and maybe it's just my area that's this bad) when other Mom and Pop thrifts have $10 bag days, or $1 clothing days. I can always go to garage sales or the flea market and get bulk name brand clothes to flip, why would I go to Goodwill if they are bleeding me for stuff they got for free.

[@thomasmonroe7947]

@@Mojo_Radio yeup. Don’t know what area you’re in but GW in New England does not operate like that. That’s what I meant in a post I left earlier about Goodwill being a brand name that is not affiliated nationwide. Very different animal. That’s why I suggested not generalizing but rather speaking to specific stores that are out of line with what they do.

[@jackiep3604]

Nope I would send it to goodwill stay because the money goes back into the economy and paid for people to have jobs and thus afford a house and no longer be homeless. What you say is good will should hire the homeless to work with them not stop giving to good will because let's be honest if you are homeless where would be put all that clothes? On the streets? You know something that is hated? No let good will sell it and hire the homeless instead. Make more sense then giving it to the homeless who doesn't even have a closet.

[@GlycerinZ]

I used to work for Goodwill. I helped them start an electronics recycling program. The tech dept I was running was making $50k+ a month and it was NEVER ENOUGH. They also denied any raise I requested, even when I was managing over half a dozen employees. However my boss was getting paid a lot. I left after a few years and a couple years after that, the program was ended. Goodwill sells everything they can for profit.

[@alzorama2876]

My husband worked for them for a few years on a part time basis. Yes, they are absolutely terrible employers.

[@MyreneHanley]

Yup, i worked there i was a clothing processor but the company always wanted more sales and more pieces, i used to do 800 clothing items a day until we had to do "power hour" where we work in front of the store before opening to clean for an hour. It was so dumb, and it took a rack from me which my racks went down to 700. I love my employees but i just got tired of the company wanting more and marking up the prices. I'm happy to hear you left, I hope you have a better job you enjoy.

[@monolyn]

As a disabled person who worked at Goodwill.. they really do just take advantage of you and treat you like dogs. I was paid 10.10 an hour there doing at least 3 peoples work and being shuffled around to different areas daily. The managers CONSTANTLY set unrealistic goals for racks and items out onto the floor and hounded us if we did not get it. The work was dirty and grueling and physical. It was my first job and they took advantage of me over and over.. sometimes not even allowing me breaks that I should have gotten. I ended up quitting after a manager confronted me about punching out 5 minutes early(which was allowed) and tried to make me stay infront of everyone. I took the bus and that 5 minutes was the difference between taking an hour to get home or 2. I work at Amazon of all things now and earn 19.20 an hour and the managers are ALL nice to me. I have NEVER had to deal with anything like I did at Goodwill here.

[@gregkareem9824]

I'm sorry this happen to you nobody deserves that humans can be so cruel nowadays

[@grizzlybear4]

Have you given a review on Glassdoor? The comparison between old job and new would really catch the eye of readers.

[@kristenlewek3594]

Facts

[@naturalnashuan]

Wow, a workplace that's worse than Amazon is really terrible! Thank you for working. I'm disabled too, it really hurt when I worked for people who clearly thought they were doing me a huge for "employing" me for sometimes no money at all.

[@QueenNYC113]

My son used to work there also. He quit due to being underpaid, not being allowed to take his breaks and having to do the work of others because those people didn't want to do the task. Toxic work environment.

[@bella-bond]

This is why I started donating (and buying from) a local thrift shop run by volunteers that supports a food bank. I’d encourage everyone to look into charity thrift shops near them instead of patronizing monstrous corporations like Goodwill

[@CajunCraft24]

It’s so hard to find a charity to donate to that actually helps anyone

[@chrisrees7054]

They are, themselves

[@georgewilliams4258]

Many years ago a uncle of mine sadly died for some reason his family gave me all his clothes which would never fit me.I called Goodwill looking to donate the clothes and was asked what brand were they most of these clothes still had tags on them so I called a local church that had a thrift shop and they were more than happy to take them.

[@mCblue79]

I used to donate a lot to these kind of what I thought was a charity. Not anymore. You think you're helping the homeless and those in need but you're not. And these despicable businesses know they're deceiving people.

[@copmy]

Stop donating to GoodWill. Good for you.

[@stacythomas9916]

Goodwill IS a charity though

[@shawnmendrek3544]

Find a homeless person, ask them their size, go get a jacket for them. Problem solved.

[@naturalnashuan]

Why would you think you are helping homeless people? The major chains don't make that claim at all.

[@naturalnashuan]

@@shawnmendrek3544 Or to a homeless shelter. Some shelters and advocate orgs do give and take clothing and specific items, like sleeping bags. I've brought things directly to small homeless camps, like insect repellent to hold back mosquitoes and beverages on hot days.

[@sandybrown7739]

All the thrift stores have raised their prices. I found a jacket I wanted and it was 30.00 dollars! These places get their merchandise delivered to their door for free! I'm really discussed by all the PRICE GOUGING they're doing!

[@mikeballard8404]

I bought a nice suit jacket that cost about 150 new for 7$, and that's how much all their jackets cost. They sell their best donations very reasonably and sell the rest to a wholesale/ distributor.

[@caloram64]

Best to shop at yard sales. Never overpriced. I quit goodwill when I noticed the way over priced items.

[@debbieholt8261]

Not exactly true. Unfortunately, there are several garage sales lately that are looking up what they have on Ebay and charging those prices. (Listed prices and not necessarily Sold prices too!)

[@Nirrrina]

I have a friend who used to work as a trainer for disabled people. His organization would pay the wages for a couple of months & provide an on site trainer as needed. He said Goodwill would hire these folks & then fire them once their wages weren't being covered anymore.

[@drunkbuzzard3237]

I did a lot of work for the Salvation Army in the late 1980s and I’ve been inside everyone of their offices in Southern California. The amount of dishonesty waste theft, bribery adultery, spousal abuse, that I saw during that experience was mind boggling.

[@evelynfidler6285]

As a member of the salvation army I would challenge all those accusations without proof?

[@KutWrite]

You saw adultery in the stores?

[@wendyscott4766]

I worked for salvation army for a few months before I quit. I was retired and looking for something to do. Was not a good experience.

[@okamijubei]

Do some of the people... urinate in the donation pot?

[@Paul-wo3qh]

@@evelynfidler6285 I can vouch for waste and unfair treatment of volunteers in Kwinanna, Perth, Australia

[@ryocatboy2262]

I used to work at a goodwill, and the higher ups are constantly trying to get you to raise prices. I tended to price things on the lower end for things we got a shit ton of, like drinking glasses, to get them moving, amd just got lectured for it. Not to mention the AC went out in our store in the middle of summer and they didn't fix it for MONTHS. We had people literally pissing and shitting in stuff people leaving outside of our store while we were closed (and people stealing things as well) and they never did anything to address it. While we got minimum wage and many of us couldn't get other jobs. The more expensive things we had to send to the corporate office in which they would never list them on the e-commerce site, essentially pocketing the nicer items. My area goodwill even ignore multiple reports of s*xual harassment only to fire the person for stealing. That's not even mentioning that when someone set fire to the dumpster, we still had to work for several hours after with the fumes still in the store. I cannot properly describe the hell it was to work there.

[@alzorama2876]

My husband worked at Goodwill for a spell and the horror stories are all true. The theft from the tweakers was so bad, the employees called it "Good Steal." And nothing was ever done about it. But yet the employees were all treated like thieves. It was so demoralizing. All of the donations that people dropped off after hours also were used as toilets by the homeless.

[@Askalott]

I realized this when I was at Goodwill recently. I saw little Trader Joe's flower pots for pretty much the exact same price that TJ's sells them for, and these ones don't even come with a plant. I was appalled and walked out. Never donating to Goodwill ever again. What a scam.

[@erikapauley7391]

Also- the really crappy donations (fast fashion/stained clothes) gets sent to developing countries where it is sold in bulk sight unseen. Most of this stuff is unwearable and ends up in their landfills. Lots of developing countries have huge landfills of our secondhand junk these days :/

[@susangarraway6385]

The smart living high off d none d wiser or iunsuspecting persons. The management fulling their pockets annd either paying workers nx to nothing or want dem worker for free. People always studying hw to rob others. And dnt feel they might hve small stores sell some of these items for them too.

[@Section_8_Supercars]

All of the unsold clothing gets bailed, put onto pallets, go onto a truck to some sort of warehouse

[@cynthiacole6140]

Yes. I was shocked to watch various KZbin videos of this practice, clothes sent from primarily UK and USA. This junk clothing washes up on shore completely tangled together too, mixed with seaweed etc. Destruction of the environment.

[@happycook6737]

What gets sent overseas is stuff that doesn't sell. I've lived overseas and bought used clothing that was shipped over. It is the main source of clothing and shoes in many African countries where so many try to survive on less than $1 a day

[@erikapauley7391]

@@happycook6737 I’ve also lived overseas in a country that gets the unwanted thrift store donations. I have seen firsthand the amount of this stuff that goes directly into their landfills. Not only that but it jeopardizes the jobs of textile sellers and tailors who work at an affordable rate. I have no problem sending some clothes overseas but when most of it is low quality and unusable, that’s where I have a problem. Just because people are living in poverty doesn’t mean they want to wear rags.

[@laurajane4806]

I've been thrifting for decades. Goodwill is just a corporation, however, there are many small thrift stores where the money goes to good causes. Especially for young parents, you can buy tons of clothes, barely worn, if at all, for a fraction of the cost. I recently purchased brand new Calvin Klein baby onesies for 25 cents each. i find Puma, Nike, UnderArmor items that cost $75 in the retail store, and pay about $2.00 per clothing item. i never pay more than $6 for kid shoes. Struggling parents can truly benefit from shopping thrift stores and garage sales.

[@princessmommy8]

So glad someone is talking about his. It makes me so mad. I can't believe they get away with this. The prices keep going up and up at all the thrift stores

[@sylviaodhner]

This is really valuable information. Now, I've never shopped at thrift stores because of the charity they claimed to be supporting. I shop at them because I strongly believe in buying second-hand clothing, they have good prices, they are full of variety, and they have a consistent supply of clothing even during off-seasons when most retail stores are low on inventory. When it comes down to a choice between going to a thrift shop and going to Wal-Mart, the thrift shop seems like the obvious choice. And I feel like these are important points. In an ideal world, we'd have better options though.

[@FutureProofTV]

We totally agree! Especially for those who live in more rural areas, smaller local thrift stores aren't always an option. If you've got one big box thrift store near you and it's between there and Wal-Mart, that's definitely the go-to. Thanks for bringing this up! 😁

[@judythompson8227]

I refuse to pay 60 bucks for blue jeans when I can purchase the same thing for 10 bucks or less, and someone else, bless them, has already broken them in...

[@kchutson4958]

Shop used online. I've gotten better deals that way too

[@maebandy]

@@kchutson4958 true, although the shipping is not negligible if you're not buying from a single source and if you have any concern about how your waist, legs, boobs, lack of boobs, gargoyle-esque hunchback (in my case, or at least I'm sure I see after comparing my fit with the photo online) online can feel like a pricey gamble. Sure, I know a couple of brands whose pants typically flatter my hunch but finding those in my size, price range and aren't charging catholic guilt size shipping prices takes time. If only I felt confident enough outside the cathedral to only wear a hooded cape, sigh.

[@ItachiRingo]

@@judythompson8227 jeans are 4.99

[@travisgodbold7070]

I was roommates with someone who worked here, don't work there unless you're forced to for community service. The company makes huge profits off free stuff given to them. A lot of the people who work these stores are criminal offenders forced to be there by courts. It's a dangerous workplace as well, customers will bring in items infested with insects, or it's unclean. My roomie nearly got bit by black widow spiders that crawled out of donated items. He quit the next day.

[@ItachiRingo]

Current Goodwill employee here. Letting everybody know that Goodwill only hires for what you would call second chance opportunitys. They can help expunge your record, they provide assistance with tuition, they will help you with the payments on a car, they can help you with housing, we have a job coach on site at every location for at least part of every shift. Ours stays between 1st and 2nd. It's honestly the best job I've ever worked in my life. I'm eternally grateful

[@ltsFears]

Lol crickets on this one

[@jorgeo1492]

@@ltsFears you and your friends are crickets

[@JennsCorner777]

Wow that's great to hear I'm glad they do some good to the local communities.

[@masilrizwan4322]

If this is true, I'd applaud Goodwill, however this doesn't necessarily mean that every branch of Goodwill does such good...

[@katelovell625]

I saw another comment about Goodwill paying less than min wage to disable people. What are your thoughts on this? Have you heard of it happening?

[@mrxman581]

I used to thrift shop in the 80s, 90s and even early 2000s, but about 10 years ago I noticed that the majority of thrift stores, including independent ones, began using the internet to price their items and items started going up in price considerably. Where in the past I could find a designer silk mens tie for 50 cents or $1, they were now going for $10-20 dollars. Even things like books too. Which explains the trend of calling these stores Vintage shops instead of thrift stores. I miss the old days of not that long ago.☹️ BTW, I mostly shopped at independent stores but about 75% of them no longer exist. All of them were run by volunteers and most closed because they couldn't find volunteers to keep running them.

[@shortdog4927]

I have found items from the 99c store listed at a higher price at my local goodwill . They also jacked up their prices during the pandemic

[@supergirl25ism]

Goodwill is a scam, I worked there as job coach. The money we would get was grants, not money from the store. Also I felt horrible when I ran workshops, when I learned they get paid nothing.

[@jackiep3604]

Nope I would send it to goodwill stay because the money goes back into the economy and paid for people to have jobs and thus afford a house and no longer be homeless. What you say is good will should hire the homeless to work with them not stop giving to good will because let's be honest if you are homeless where would be put all that clothes? On the streets? You know something that is hated? No let good will sell it and hire the homeless instead. Make more sense then giving it to the homeless who doesn't even have a closet.

[@EmeraldMara85]

@@jackiep3604 You're such a shill for goodwill, oh no more like "Badwill"! You keep copypasting the same exact post on other people's comments despite that Badwill always pays disabled below minimum wage 20 cents per hour.

[@jeffjones6951]

@@jackiep3604 Bless your heart, you disillusioned child. Goodwill's top 2 executives each earn more than A MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR, while their employees earn minimum minimum wage, like $11 or $12 per hour. And their "round it up" at the register goes to the corporation, NOT to the employees! I pray that Jesus sheds his mercy upon your naive and ignorant soul, Jackie P

[@jackiep3604]

@@EmeraldMara85 I like goodwill. They are very nice people. Just because their company needs a bit of twerking doesn't mean it's bad.

[@mickeyfusco3805]

When Goodwill raised their prices, I wanted to file a complaint. The four principals I tried to reach didn't even have active emails.

[@jeanjones1846]

I believe it. Good Will is a scam... Do not donate to this place...

[@dannyocean7090]

A "Savers" opened up near me, I went. I bought a video game. Game was $3.00 they charged me $3.30 for tax. I said "why am I paying tax at a charity? Didn't you get this as a donation?" That's when I realized that they are not a charity (helping the homeless, if anything they overprice.) They are a business...

[@dragonf1092]

If they are tax exempt status they should loose it since they are profiting.

[@xtremeyoylecake]

$3.30 for a video game? Man I would take that deal ASAP

[@naturalnashuan]

@@dragonf1092They are not a charity and they don't claim to be nor do they have the nonprofit tax status. I think they're called Class C in taxes, a forprofit that helps nonprofits.

[@naturalnashuan]

They get the stuff free, but they don't have free rent or utilities. My local store has automated frequent announcements that they are not a charity. They even go into detail in the automated announcements that when you donate, you donate to charities. This video says the charities sell the use of their names. At my local store the charity receives goods and sells them, by weight, to Savers, who sells them for profit.

[@dannyocean7090]

@@naturalnashuan well, they fooled me ..

[@jeansafron8568]

I would love a deep dive into Tj max, marshals, homegoods.

[@FutureProofTV]

Good to know, we'll look into them! 😁

[@ShirlBussman]

@@FutureProofTV I hope you really mean to do just that. 🙈

[@ericspencer8093]

Like most people I assumed that "charity" organizations were actual charities, collecting and giving to the needy. Then I discovered that a neighbor operated 3 charities out of his home, ones he founded and which he ran single-handedly. I found it very odd, because we lived in an affluent community and yet he never held any fund-raising events for his causes, nor did he advertise them in the community, but kept pretty mum about what he did for a living. A little more nosing, and I learned from another local who had done some accounting work for the guy, that he only donated around 15% of all the money he raised (online mostly) to actual causes: the rest went into his pocket. And it was legal! This guy was a small-time operator, probably only hauling in a few hundred-thousand a year. But there are so many, much bigger so-called charities doing the same thing. Beware who you give money to!

[@ziondaughter432]

It's really sad when you shop at a thrift store and find donated items priced so high, that if you added a few dollars to the item at a regular retail store, you'd purchase the item brand new. These organizations are not in the business of helping those in need. They're in the business of fattening their pockets!

[@dragonf1092]

And half of their electronics are either missing the plugins or don't work.

[@ruthmaryrose]

At Goodwill the clerk at the checkout counter asks if you want to round up your total and give them your change! I think that’s pretty bold when they’re already charging exorbitant prices for the stuff they get free! And after I found out how much money the CEO makes I was really determined not to give them even one extra penny! I am wearing hand me down clothes so the executives of the store can become millionaires!

[@lisamarielund6292]

I NEVER, EVER around up in a retail store. We as consumers have no idea where that change they collect goes to despite the cashier saying they are collecting it for “Children’s Hospital”. These stores can scam MILLIONS out of good hearted consumers using this smarmy tactic. It should be against the law.

[@timbrogan607]

I always ask for their 501(C)3 number, so I can deduct the rounded up money from my taxes. I always get the "deer in the headlights" look. Then I have to explain what a 501(C)3 is.

[@jimmie200]

A few months back, I was at Goodwill, which I go to regularly. The clerk asked me to round up and I asked who the money goes to. She said the money was being sent to the Ukraine to help the people in the war. No kidding. I said, "No!" I then asked the manager about it and she said, yes, that is what they were told, that it was being sent to the Ukraine. Then she also said that when people learn that they don't round up their total bill anymore.

[@chrisrees7054]

WALMART is doing the same thing!

[@sct4040]

Once I learned that Goodwill is FOR profit, I stopped donating to them.

[@youtubehandlessuckass]

Uh multiple sources say Goodwill is a nonprofit! I can't find anything saying Goodwill is a for-profit store. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodwill_Industries

[@proudmanchild165]

I did the same for Savers.

[@tommydronesmaaddaaah9911]

Goodwill is still a non profit. However Savers is for profit.

[@maddieh6274]

Well they’re not lmao

[@williamhaynes7089]

@@maddieh6274 - they are, they just pay their top execs BIG paychecks...

[@haleybfeller]

Value Village is truly the worst. When you said a 'quick wash' I laughed out loud... they wash absolutely nothing.

[@aprils6154]

The only charity that wash the cloths is Deseret industries.

[@kevinadams7830]

Value Village is awful. I couldn't tell ya how many times I've seen a shirt or something with the original price tag still on it, and it is cheaper than what Value Village is charging for it Value Village charges brand new prices and sometimes more than what it was brand new

[@stevenkatz9369]

@@aprils6154 Deseret is okay - religious based.

[@dubliners0999]

I worked at a thrift store...they don’t even have access to a washing machine or dry cleaning chemicals. I have shopped Salvation Army and Goodwill and they DO NOT wash clothes.

[@TheEmbersFromAshes]

@@stevenkatz9369 So is Salvation Army and they take advantage of people with substance abuse issues by paying them with room, board, and a small stipend, and the person has to remain clean sober via the SA religious program or they lose their job/home/food. I used to work in a recovery home for men that was AA based and the residents had outside jobs making fair wages, if they relapsed they had to get sober for 3 days before they could return but we didn't roll up their stuff and boot them out. If they were assigned to the program by the legal system we didn't always have as much latitude. SA takes advantage of some seriously broken people.

[@bevmacdonald9008]

There was a time when even just being a place to buy used items was viewed as providing a service to people struggling with financial challenges...

[@idraote]

When it comes to clothes, my advice remains the same, especially for people with a good income: - buy less - buy good to very good quality - don't buy from big brands - find competent people who will repair your clothes when needed - give the clothes you dislike to people you know who might like them Create a clever capsule wardrobe: buy versatile, good quality clothes that will serve you for years and will be easy to mix and match. Choose a dominant colour (one for the cold season and one for the warm season) and only buy things that go well with that colour. I realise this brings problems: - there are people who have low wages and can't afford quality clothes. But they can go to thrift stores and hunt for quality clothes which may cost a little more but will serve them better. - younger people want to be fashionable, trendy and cool. I have no solution for that. Education and upbringing certainly play a role. - it takes a conscious, concerted effort. You may need to discuss it at length with your partner and family. - you need to detach yourself from fashion and the judgement of your peers. This might be difficult, especially in competitive work/school environments. - you need to stop shopping to reward yourself, especially when you're feeling down.

[@elizabethbotar8728]

Wonderful! I read somewhere that elegance and style are the mark of an individual and being fashionable is the mark of a follower. You've given us all sound advice.

[@jeffreysproul9110]

Good advice. I am in the process of downsizing after retiring and I am getting rid of stuff that I never have used. I bought things I didn't need and now I am making a conscious effort to only buy things that I will use. Recently I have given stuff to a friend who distributes my clothing and household stuff to poorer members of her family and those in a poorer area. Feel much better even if I don't get a tax deduction for directly helping those in need. Buying less and having less is a liberating feeling.

[@vinicesingleton5104]

The best response 👌🏾

[@missmarymary6506]

@@jeffreysproul9110 poorer family members...nice

[@patriciavandevelde5469]

So what s left? Eating,working, sleeping?

[@edoherty1996]

Thank you for this video. I have been driving around with three large garbage bags full of clothes, and I have been meaning to drop them off at some thrift spot. I have really never given this much thought, and honestly I would have just gone with the Goodwill box near my work. I am now going to do some investigating to where my donation with help the most.

[@FutureProofTV]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for making the effort too!

[@christhompson3750]

Look for some of your smaller local thrift stores, christian thrift stores or humane thrift stores that help animal shelters.

[@edoherty1996]

@@christhompson3750 Thanks! That's a great idea.

[@purplecloud2828]

Freecyle or Craigslist free

[@dragonf1092]

Better to find a homeless encampment and give it to them. People need to stop giving to charities they are all frauds, predators. Give to the homeless person,or someone suffering what the so called charity is for.

[@Tickles_The_Oaf]

A new Goodwill opened up near my mother’s house. We went there, found some nice things to try on, asked where the fitting rooms were and was told something like “We don’t have any but we have a generous return policy where you can return anything and get store credit.” We thanked her, put the clothes back where we found them and marched right out of there.

[@maddieh6274]

Most have fitting rooms. But adult toddlers often make it impossible for us to ever keep up with our jobs because they’re unable to clean up after themselves and often make as big of a mess in the dressing room as possible

[@sonigokuu]

I used to work for Savers, and we were trained to tell people to say that their donations benefitted local charities because we would pay the charities for the donations. And I live in an area where a so-called non-profit chain of thrift stores (owened by the Mormon Church of all people) is even more popular than this for-profit chain of thrift stores.

[@jonevansauthor]

Charity shops in the UK are run directly by charities, as far as I know. Often run by volunteers, and the money does go directly to their general charity work i.e. cancer research, children's charities, the British Heart Foundation etc. It's not necessarily all good, but I don't think it's quite the same. The main negative in the UK that I'm aware of is that almost all second hand shops shut down. Mostly that was bookshops, which are now run by charities instead. Few survive outside that ecosystem. That means viable small businesses closed, and were replaced by free labour in the form of charity volunteers. That's not ideal. I'm not aware of any giant corporations doing this - there are a couple of second hand chains that buy and sell electronics from the public but they give you a (small) return so it's more like Ebay for lazy consumers.

[@erich214]

I love charity shops. One down the road where I lived in South London, and was able to outfit almost everything in my room from there. I went in weekly to find amazing gems . They're definitely different to value village and goodwill on North America.

[@jackiep3604]

Nope I would send it to goodwill stay because the money goes back into the economy and paid for people to have jobs and thus afford a house and no longer be homeless. What you say is good will should hire the homeless to work with them not stop giving to good will because let's be honest if you are homeless where would be put all that clothes? On the streets? You know something that is hated? No let good will sell it and hire the homeless instead. Make more sense then giving it to the homeless who doesn't even have a closet.

[@EmeraldMara85]

@@jackiep3604 Which goodwill would pay the homeless far lower than minimum wage, just like the disabled workers working at goodwill.

[@metrork1]

eBay is for thrifty and knowledgeable shoppers who want to save money. So there!

[@emmacooper4286]

Goodwill also takes advantage of their disabled employees that they claim to “help”. They also upcharge name brands like crazy even though they were given those items. I remember being in high school and not being able to afford those brands unless I found them at goodwill, and it sucks that they’re now becoming out of reach for even the poor people who HAVE to shop at thrift stores. I saw a pair of used Nikes being sold for $50 at GW not too long ago, and it shows why sites like Shein and other throw-away fashion brands are becoming so popular.

[@karenryder6317]

How did you find a pair of $50 Nikes at Goodwill. My local store never has things that valuable.

[@christophertiamzon2353]

Ive stopped giving to some of these charity so called, especially when i found how the profits are spent. So there, a store purporting to exist to halp the many poor to afford clothes, among others. But had a change of mind when i saw how the heads are being paid. It evolved from a charitable group into 😊 a profit center

[@naturalnashuan]

None of the big chains claim to sell affordable goods for poor people anymore.

[@thesisypheanjournal1271]

If you read the Little House books you'll see fabric starting as dresses for the older girls, then getting turned into smaller dresses for the younger girls, then being used to decoratively edge curtains, then get turned into rag rugs.

[@anaisse5686]

In the recent years, I've been very weary as to where my money goes. I've been boycotting Value Village for years now, ever since I heard they were owned by wal-mart.

[@williamhaynes7089]

he said "savers" in this video.. still a for profit

[@maryr7800]

Walmart doesn't own Savers and Value Village. I don't know how these silly rumors get started.

[@anaferreira1958]

If you could still rank the thrift store chains from worst to best that might be helpful for people who don’t have access to local thrift stores to at least know what would be a better option if you have no choice

[@jons.6216]

Goodwills are dropping like flies in my city and this has been long before COVID! I have to snicker a bit about the mark-up process because the one nearest to me (now closed) had this shady manager I used to call "Pricey Mc Marksitup" because she would go around the store and make her own tags out of masking tape and a Sharpie instead of the coded tags! I once witnessed her chewing out a floor worker for selling something she had "put behind the counter" because he sold it to someone for $6 and she wanted it to be sold for $16! Eventually she disappeared! Served her right! Hahaha!

[@shaunaurban6982]

I've been pretty disgusted lately w thrifting these days. I haven't been able to find a real thrift store, bc they've all turned into boutiques or at least have boutique prices. It's disappointing. I'm all for helping out, bt these places are getting free merchandise & now want to charge boutique prices. If I wanted to go to a boutique, I'd go to one. What is it about ppl & greed? It seems to always raise its ugly head eventually. Great clip!

[@rosemastinwood1606]

one thing that depressed me about moving to the suburbs is that there are no "small local" options, there is only the big for-profit stores. I still shop at them because its still way better than buying new, i just wish i had more options.

[@karenryder6317]

That's my experience also. I've often wondered where the "good stuff" that I donate to Goodwill goes because I usually find the resale items in the store are of much lower quality than what I had donated. For example, when I was downsizing I donated an American Signature dining room set and couldn't even find a decent smaller sized set in the store. It was all old beat up '80's oaky miscellanea. So I guess my big set got sold on EBay? Is that how it works?

[@DGTelevsionNetwork]

Move to refuge suburbs.

[@loritomlinson5214]

This makes it seem like Goodwill is a single national corporation. I believe local Goodwills are separate nonprofit corporations that may follow a general model, but still operate independently with different community programs.

[@chillydawgg4354]

Goodwill doesn't do nearly as much for charity as they'd have you believe

[@maebandy]

All.of their online sales funnel through the Los Angeles subsidiary. While not a state favorable for taxes, I'd imagine the tax free charity loopholes are gaping.

[@brianellison3525]

Then you believe wrong. It is a national chain with a set business model. It specifically does not support any charity, it's advertised benefit is to the community through the introduction of entry level jobs. Whether good or bad is someone elses debate.

[@maebandy]

@@brianellison3525 directly misleading customers leads to a feeling of pervasive betrayal and shame for being tricked. Bad. Debate done.

[@maebandy]

@@brianellison3525 looks like I already had my other comment deleted. It was to say I mean not to aggressively contradict you but add to your factual info . From their site and manual not retyping the whiole comment again just this. "Goodwill Industries as an “industrial program as well as a social service enterprise ... a provider of employment, training and rehabilitation for people of limited employability, and a source of temporary assistance for individuals whose resources were depleted." They provide credit counseling services that are really just more profit and predatory and not the hand up they base their brand on

[@robbie-annwhite5356]

Well, I stopped donating to Goodwill several years ago when I was listening to news and Goodwill was in stock market. That was about the time they were building all those new stores. Another one I stopped supporting was Salvation army. This organizations they support was involved in my decisions. Check out salaries of management and where the money goes and you may not want to support a national organization.

[@rebeccafeder9762]

Yes, yes, yes.

[@viet253]

Me too! I lost it when I came across Goodwill bidding page while searching for a used book for school. They are having people bid on donated items?! I lost all faith.

[@scottjohnson5415]

Salvation Army also discriminates against LGBTQ+ people.

[@sillygirlkc]

Every time I hear the name salvation army it boils my blood. I had a time in my life where I needed help and reached out to them and was denied for the dumbest reason. And the more I've learned over the years about how much of a hate group they are, the more I support actual organizations that actually help people. They will never get a dime from me.

[@Glitterhead]

AGREE

[@JaredtheRabbit]

I was kind of forced by my agent at WorkBC into applying to work there, and told them about their hatred. He did not believe me. So when I sent an application to the local Salvation Army store, I went mask off on the manager of the store, telling her that I’m three kinds of minorities (bisexual, atheist, and indigenous, more specifically, Métis, one of Canada’s three indigenous groups), so I can speedrun getting rejected.

[@vickiephelps5169]

My experience was the same. When I needed to escape an abusive relationship, I got zero help from Goodwill or Salvation Army and even worse they treated me like I was a bother and everything was my fault.😠

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

Same! We were hit by a hurricane and the Salvation Army informed us that they don't help with that sort of thing. Of course, neither did FEMA, though the federal government did send me an application for a business loan. (Not that i owned a business at the time.)

[@Fstop313]

Their prices also suckkkk

[@32ndspecialist]

Most thrift stores don't wash clothes before putting it on the floor. I thought that too until I worked in the back pricing clothes of a store.

[@ratboy4169]

Great video. You should tell the story of what happens to the clothes that get donated & don’t pass the test of selling on the floor. These are called rags. A piece of clothing that gets tossed in the rag bin will ultimately travel around the world & be sold 3 to 4 times in the process. In high school I remember watching an episode of 20/20 on ABC that explained the process. This was in 1991/1992.

[@serahloeffelroberts9901]

In third world countries a sizeable number of people (often widows) support their families sewing clothes on a sewing machine. Dumping used clothes in these countries destroys these cottage industries causing great hardship.

[@areneesouder]

When these used thrift stores charge as much if not more than a clearance sale, I stopped.

[@a2c3b6]

My personal problem is that the “real” thrift stores have horrible opening hours , are extremely picky to the point you through good things out just to get rid of them, cost to much to buy from them and are extremely rude or pushy with checkout or drop offs. (I’m Canadian) I just drop everything I don’t want at value village for the convenience of not dealing with the others.

[@megaira86]

While I was living in Canada on my working holiday I worked at Value Village and learned everything about it and found this whole business kind of shady..I mean they get all the stuff for free and sell many things at a really high price. Its kinda genius but lowkey evil at the same time. The working conditions were really bad and sometimes I felt like in a workshop in Bangladesh because it was loud, dirty and cramped. I had to lift several tons of donations every day and I was just working in the clothing section. I was really shocked how much stuff is getting donated every day. I would say maybe 40% made into the store. the real charities had to collect clothes and things from the neigborhood and got a tiny bit of money for every kilogram they brought into the store - that was the only small charity aspect of it. the old clothes they couldnt sell were shipped to countries like india or africa. Like they didn't have enough clothes there... So yeah, if you just wanna get rid of stuff - value village is perfect but if you wanna do something good with your donations just bring them to a non profit like vinnies or rspca or something like this.

[@FutureProofTV]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@jackiep3604]

Nope I would send it to goodwill stay because the money goes back into the economy and paid for people to have jobs and thus afford a house and no longer be homeless. What you say is good will should hire the homeless to work with them not stop giving to good will because let's be honest if you are homeless where would be put all that clothes? On the streets? You know something that is hated? No let good will sell it and hire the homeless instead. Make more sense then giving it to the homeless who doesn't even have a closet.

[@montanarose2148]

I worked at a Value Village for a very short time in highschool and I got in trouble by a manager because I didn't price an "antique" chair at a high enough price and I cost them potential profits. They also expected us to do research on prices of things online in our own time so we could price things closer to retail prices.

[@rebeccafeder9762]

@@jackiep3604 BOT!

[@jackiep3604]

@@rebeccafeder9762 Hun? No I am not. I just like talking to a lot of people

[@auliamate]

Shoutout to my local thrift store. Their prices are ridiculously good, the stuff they sell is in high condition, and it goes back to my community!

[@RyanK-100]

Excellent video. I shop Goodwill all the time. Not anymore. "Charity" comes in many flavors. The kids of execs getting the scholarships is what did it for me. When you are in the store, they talk about the scholarships that your donations provide. Yeah. Scholarships for those who don't need them!

[@alzorama2876]

I know someone who worked at Goodwill for a few years, and their so-called "good will" is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Ultimately, it is all set up so that the few executives at the top can retire well. I prefer to shop and donate at small thrift shops. The prices are much better there, too.

[@Norm475]

I moved last year and I donated a ton of stuff. I first offered the merchandise for free to friends and family. What they did not want I donated mostly to St Vincent De Paul. I don't know if they run a scam or not. One example of stuff I gave away was music CDs. I converted all of my CDs to MP3 and put them on a flash drive. Some people still like CDs and Vinyl records. So in my case, it was either donate them or put them in a landfill, or I guess I could have had a rummage sale and charged a dollar for a CD and have people offer me a quarter. Even if people make money off of my donation, I would rather do that then throw the stuff in a landfill.

[@mrelia]

St. Vinnie's is a Catholic charity that is not run directly by the church. I don't know their financials, but I do know that half the time when I'm shopping at my local one, there are an awful lot of people there with vouchers from shelters and other charities they're associated with.

[@sandybruce9092]

St. Vincent has always been a great place to donate - at least in years passed. I haven’t seen one since I moved from Phoenix, AZ!

[@joermnyc]

Here in NYC there’s “Housing Works” a charity that runs thrift shops to help with HIV/AIDS and homelessness… but pre-pandemic they were exposed for attempting to union-bust their employees who had legitimate concerns about pay and workplace safety and tried to organize into a union. There was one of these by us, but the only time I went in there was because they had an old Univox hollow body electric guitar in the window… nobody knew anything about it, didn’t know if it actually worked, wouldn’t let me come back to test it out, and a quick check on Reverb showed that they were charging way above market rate for it. That shop closed during the COVID (they removed all the items and left the store empty for months until they lost their lease… now it’s a giant nail salon)

[@gillian7662]

Ugh Housing Works lol. I could complain for hours about them. I don't understand why they are so overpriced. It's sad because the inventory doesn't rotate often enough because of the prices, so it's not fun to go there. NYC thrifting in general is honestly pretty weak. I've had better luck picking up free stuff on the street than I've ever had at a store.

[@Blondiestefani]

I worked at Goodwill for a month , it was one of the worst jobs I ever had.

[@dmacarthur5356]

Best thing to do is call around to local churches. You can usually find one that collects used clothes and sometimes other stuff. The items go directly to those in need for free and the church staff is volunteer so it's a win win.

[@AreilKnight]

The problem is that the recycled goods aren't 100% profit - they may cost $0 to acquire, but they require labour to sort and clean (a lot of labour! Many places have too many donations and not enough staff to sort it, plus, some people donate actual rubbish - used diapers, empty yoghurt containers, etc) But the company forgets this, they act like the products are 100% profit. They underpay staff and push to recruit volunteers for positions that should be paid. They don't reinvest enough money into adequate staffing. The problem isn't inherently that they are "for profit", like most capitalist corporations, the problem is that they are taking money away from the daily running of the business to inflate profits, at the expense of the workers.

[@juliao1255]

The labor to sort and "clean" costs almost 0. Nothing got cleaned at our local Goodwill. I found tons of gross stuff in dishes and furniture: mouse droppings/pee, spider nests, crusted-on ??? Plus, the labor is often free because they use criminals working off their community service sentences. So yeah, free stuff+ free labor + low standards = very low operating costs. I don't think the law should allow community service sentences to be worked off in for-profit businesses.

[@PSNDonutDude]

Levi, you should do a video about Bamboo plastic! I've seen it sold as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic, but I'm not certain if that's true. I'd be really curious to see a video about alternative plastics in general or bamboo plastic specifically!

[@FutureProofTV]

Bamboo plastic seems super interesting, we'll make sure to look into that for a future video. Thanks so much for the suggestion! 🎉👋

[@SarahGreen523]

@@FutureProofTV I recently bought a set of sheets because they were specifically listed as a natural fiber. Turns out it was rayon, aka bamboo fibers which are mixed with a chemical soup of plastics to make the 'natural fiber fabric'. They were horrible sheets too. Got to look for 100% cotton and not be fooled by the 'natural fiber' label. Please do a vid on this!!

[@marciaoh7056]

@@SarahGreen523 But cotton crops are one of the biggest users of pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. And the stuff they use is so dangerous it is not allowed to be used on food crops. The stuff is very damaging to the environment and not safe for workers. Do research and choose the most environmentally option in your area for your needs. Cotton isn't always the best option.

[@rebeccafeder9762]

@@SarahGreen523 Like the fabric called modal.

[@jmsl_910]

@@marciaoh7056organic cotton fields generally do not use pesticides. that's why it's priced higher

[@mrmike7965]

I worked at a goodwill distribution center in Seattle when I was homeless in Seattle during my early 20s. We sent the bulk extra clothes to other countries. I was paid $14 dollars an hour in 2007.

[@tshaffer9681]

I worked for them and only made $6.00 an hour.

[@morob5132]

I smell bs!

[@HarmonyHope7534]

This is why my favorite thrift shops are small Christian/Catholic(not sure which specifically) thrift shops that just sells everything cheap and they know everyone personally. One takes damaged toys, puts bandaids on them, and just say they have boo boos before selling dirt cheap. The other is a lot more like a big shop with prices being a bit higher, but they like to learn what each customer prefers. They even set up a sign in the back so that all Webkinz get set aside for me because I'd gotten super excited when I found one with code there.

[@vincepale]

I have some experience working with this industry. Particularly with the people who run the bins where they collect the clothing. They call that credential clothing when it comes directly from the owners. Interestingly, the only thing I saw wrong was that you mentioned that they wash the clothes, but in my experience most of the thrift stores do not wash the clothes.

[@vincepale]

Great video by the way. Really enjoyed it. I'm now subscribed. Very professional and enjoyable video essay. Easy to listen to.

[@ettaplace6716]

Is that why second hand places always smell soo weird !!

[@vincepale]

@@ettaplace6716 Good point

[@liamkearns363]

I was literally just thinking that FP should do a video on Value Village...and what do ya know - here it is! Thank you for continuing to make interesting videos that spark conversation. I had no idea that that's how thrift stores started, but it totally makes sense.

[@FutureProofTV]

Glad you enjoyed this one, thanks for being a part of the team! 💪🤘

[@liamkearns363]

@@FutureProofTV ROCK ON!

[@jackiep3604]

Nope I would send it to goodwill stay because the money goes back into the economy and paid for people to have jobs and thus afford a house and no longer be homeless. What you say is good will should hire the homeless to work with them not stop giving to good will because let's be honest if you are homeless where would be put all that clothes? On the streets? You know something that is hated? No let good will sell it and hire the homeless instead. Make more sense then giving it to the homeless who doesn't even have a closet.

[@chillydawgg4354]

Stop spamming, what are you the CEO of goodwill's burner account? Why don't you look up the Goodwill ceo's salary

[@vickikay54]

I haven't shopped or donated to either Goodwill, Salvos or Vinnies for many many years. They are a business first and foremost, and their prices are OUTRAGEOUS!!!! All my donations go to the small local church op shops.

[@wwz1011]

My favorite Goodwill scam is when they ask for an additional donation for "job training". Turns out their job training is training people to work in their stores....... Anyone relying on thrift stores for sellable items needs to check various stores and figure out where to get deals. It may be Goodwill in your area, but it is probably not. Although I have gotten some great scores at the Goodwill bin store. Lots of variation in bin stores too.

[@corinnejarboe3281]

Goodwill has messed it up for almost all thrift stores. Jeans should not cost more than the hourly wage in the state. I managed a fantastic thrift store for a Humane Society. It had all the great things: Wonderful volunteers, and great desire to help animals and a great location. Sadly, the Board members wanted to raise prices to keep up with Goodwill. Who this hurts is the community and the benefits that the disabled or other the thriftstore is supposed to help.

[@ashsimpson6673]

I've been purchasing second hand most of my life due to poverty, and in the past year I've definitely seen a hike in prices. It's disappointing to hear this, but I'm not suprised. Thrift shops used to be a place where people like myself could find affordable clothing, but now it's a fraud. A side note: I actually was mending a peice of thrifted clothing as I watched this lol

[@sandracross340]

This is why I always donate to a local charity that owns several house for short term stays during disasters, home fires, etc and actually help people in the community who need help. I thank them all the time for the work they do, them go inside and find a deal I can’t refuse. GW has increased their prices dramatically in the last 2 yrs.

[@MaddieSanty]

I accidentally found your channel a couple of weeks ago. I am so glad I did. Thank you for making these amazing videos. Keep rocking! Catching up on your older videos now!

[@johnnyonthespot4375]

I got the best of Goodwill recently - It was a power tool that had a street value of $5-600 & somehow via someones screw up I walked out the door with it for $100 (priced incorrectly with a 1/2 off color dot on it) This piece is in mint condition. Oddly I felt kinda bad at the time because I literally thought I was taking something from a Do-Good organization. Thank you Sir - My conscience is quite clear now almost to the point of pride for gettin one over on them.

[@Peter-fo4ec]

Nice 😀😀😀😀😀

[@kathryncryts5537]

I think this is my favorite video on future proof so far! Thank you for bringing all of this to the light!

[@FutureProofTV]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for being here!

[@keithvincenttucker9923]

I am solidly middleclass, and I still wear my clothes to tatters. Once they get too worn to wear in public, I wear them around the house, in the garage, or doing yard work. It just makes economic sense to do so. I also, buy most of my clothes at thrift stores. I buy most household items at either garage sales or through classifieds, and, occasionally, thrift stores. About the only things I buy new are groceries, medical supplies, and computer related items. Since I wear my clothes to tatters, I do not donate stuff, but I did donate my children's clothes, as they outgrew them. In that case, there is an independent thrift store in a neighboring town that employs people who would normally not be able to find work. Mostly mentally and sometimes, physically disabled people.

[@lindastone6868]

Here in the UK, charity shops are housed in buildings that were already shops, as they help keep city and town centres alive. From watching KZbinr LGR, and seeing purpose built thrift stores, led me to question whether they were in it for charitable purposes, which in turn led me to this video.

[@sydneydrake2789]

When in Monterey CA find the Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop🌈. Volunteers and some paid staff do good works for the community: scholarships, homeless assistance, folks displaced due to fire/floods, grants, etc. They publish summaries of their efforts regularly for review.

[@learntotakeajoke3100]

I only send donations to St. Vincent DePauls ! All employees are volunteers, buying clothes is about 25¢ to $1.50 and they give back to our community! When my husband got hurt and wasn't able to work in the dead of winter, we needed heating oil,even with my child who was about 3 at the time no one was able to help in a emergency situation... except for them! All profits go back to our community unlike goodwill and salvation army

[@tiffanybaby13]

I lived around the block from a Goodwill in downtown Brooklyn (near the Hoyt Schermerhorn line) and used to donate my clothes there, but they had so much inventory they dumped a massive amount on the street. Also on this block was a food stamp office and lots of homeless people camping, so what do you know, the homeless people take the dumped goods and started selling them on the street - hanging goods on the construction rafters etc. I saw some of my clothes I had donated being sold like this. Kind of just funny anecdote of the ripple effects.

[@IcallCAP24]

This channel has definitely earned a followed, because I can’t tell you how happy I am that you made this video. You relayed it so well to. I’ve been growling for years about how the goodwill is operating under a facade! Next video content creator who capitalize off of thrift content but have no real hand in the game. In turn ruining the industry for the people who do.

[@libertylady1952]

Nice that you are letting more people know what is going on. I try to shop at church run thrift shops because the prices are better and they usually go to support something the church is already doing.