by Tierney O'Hara

Created on: July 03, 2009   Last Updated: July 04, 2009

Even if I won the lottery, I'd still go to Goodwill, because shopping at Goodwill is more like a treasure hunt than a simple shopping trip. Rarely have I gone to Goodwill without finding some incredible bargain whether it was a Gap wool sweater for $1.99 or an Ann Taylor silk dress for $2.50.

Last year I found a man's barely worn Jean Paul Gautier black trench coat for a mere $25 and turned around and sold it on eBay for almost ten times my investment. Shopping at Goodwill can be a great place to buy a family's wardrobe, but is also wonderful for finding quality resale items for garage sales, consignment shops or eBay auctions.

Want to make the most out of your Goodwill shopping trip? Here are a few tips from a longtime Goodwill patron.

1) Goodwill inventory changes daily and you never know what you're going to find, so it's important to check your local Goodwill at least once a week to see the new stock.

2) You're not shopping at Neiman Marcus - no neat rows of perfectly sized garments. Instead you are walking into an explosion or colors, sizes and styles of clothing. They do try to keep children's clothing separated from women's and men's items, but remember this is a treasure hunt so take the time to look in all departments. You might find, like I once did, a brand new Victoria Secret bra with tags hiding among the infant play suits.

3) Clothing is sorted in most Goodwill stores by color and sizes often vary. It's going to take you longer to find a specific item so shop with an open mind and when you have time to scour the store.

4) Check out the color of the tags. Each week a certain color tag indicates that this item is now half price. I go down an aisle just scanning for the tags which are the color of the week knowing this is going to be where I find my best buys.

5) A bargain isn't a bargain if you're not going to wear it. Take the time to try on your items before you purchase them. Think twice before buying items for people who aren't with you as returns can be difficult.

6) I bring a hand sanitizer and mints or gum with me as I always seem to feel "dry mouthed" in Goodwill stores and do worry about toting home germs along with my bargains.

7) Out of season clothing is priced the lowest. That beautiful wool sweater for 99 cents in July will be much more costly in October.

8) Zip zippers; snap snaps, tie ties, button buttons and by doing so you'll be sure your clothing is completely functional. Sometimes you might need a button or a couple of stitches to make the garment perfect which isn't a huge problem, but putting in a new zipper on a leather jacket could be daunting or expensive.

9) Learn the names of the top clothing manufacturers so that you know what garments were originally expensive and well made. Some garments just look rich and you know are high end clothing, others can surprise you. A little yellow sundress hung on a hangar for $4.00. I passed it by, then went back to see the label. Shoshanna! I snatched it up and put it in my cart knowing it had to retail at $300 or more.

10) Be nice to the sales people. Oh of course you are always nice, but be extra nice. Often the saleswoman at my local Goodwill puts things aside for me if I tell her I'm hunting for a specific item. I go often enough that it isn't a problem for her to hold it a day or two knowing most likely I will buy it.

One more thing: Don't be embarrassed if you run into your child's teacher or your dentist's wife while you're in Goodwill. All kinds of people from all walks of life shop at Goodwill. Some shop strictly because of the price, others are looking for rare and vintage items and many of us, just love a good old-fashioned treasure hunt.

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