by Jennifer Eblin

Created on: March 27, 2010

Goodwill is like any other thrift store, in that it accepts gently worn clothing in the form of donations. The clothing is placed on the shelves for potential customers. It’s possible to find some great deals when shopping at Goodwill, especially on clothing, but you also need to pay attention to a few things and follow some specific tips.

The first thing is to keep in mind that the clothing may not be in the right section. Goodwill stores in my area arrange the clothing in sections for men, women and children, with further divisions for the type of clothing: shirts, pants, skirts, etc. Some stores, provided it has enough room, also divides it up into different areas, such as clothing for work, formal wear and casual wear.

When you first hit the store, look for clothing in your size. Most stores use small dividers on the shelves, which clearly show what clothing is a specific size. It’s also helpful to look at the next size up and down, in case a few things were added to the wrong space.

More importantly, go through all the clothing. After pushing past more than a few out-of-style shirts and clothing from the early 90s, you’ll probably feel discouraged and frustrated and even feel like giving up. Don’t give up! Keep at it and you’re bound to find something you like.

Before buying, inspect the clothes for any signs of damage or stains. What looks like a simple chocolate stain may actually be something more permanent and even a minor rip or tear can cost over double what you paid for the item. Also, keep in mind that if you do need to fix the item first, you might set it back and forget about it, making your purchase worthless.

The biggest tip for finding the best deals at Goodwill is to search for clothing during one of their special sales and also learn when the store offers new merchandise. Talk with the staff and make note of the days when they put out new clothing. Keep in mind though that you’ll face competition from other shoppers who know the best days to shop.

Don’t forget about those special sales either. Some Goodwill stores run deals, such as half off all clothing or bag days, where you fill a bag for a specific price. This ensures that you get the best deals and get more clothing for a smaller price than you would buying new or even shopping at Goodwill during a non-sale day.

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