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The way to make the best of shopping for clothes at Goodwill is to be prepared to spend some time because even though the clothes are separated into categories of men, women and children, the sizes and styles are mixed.

Clothes hang from racks which are usually full, making it difficult to push them far enough aside to get a good look. But the prices are so affordable that it can be as exciting as a treasure hunt.

Goodwill is the perfect place to get casual clothes like jeans, shorts and tee-shirts along with shirts, skirts and blouses.

You will probably want to mix & match so in order to avoid having to carry your newly found treasures around, searching for a matching garment, make sure you get a shopping cart. Some stores have very few carts and those they have are taken quickly.

If there are no shopping carts, go to the checkout counter and when someone empties their cart, ask if they are finished with it. Otherwise, you will have to lug the clothes, trying to juggle them while searching for that perfect color to match the jeans, slacks or skirt that you found.

Much of what I have seen at Goodwill looked fairly new and some still had original price tags hanging from them. However, Goodwill has such a fast turnover that some garments of lesser quality can end up on the racks. Therefore, always check for stains, missing buttons and broken zippers.

Most Goodwill stores have a half-off sale once a week. For what you would pay for just three or four nice outfits at a department store, you could fill a whole shopping cart at Goodwill on half-off day. Getting there early to secure a shopping cart is crucial on those days.

On half-off days, lines to the dressing rooms are usually long and move slowly. Wear tight-fitting clothes so you can slip something on over your clothes there at the rack and get a good idea of how it fits. Full length mirrors are usually available. Wear shoes that slip off easily to try on jeans or slacks.

Also, put money in your pocket and lock your purse in the car or trunk. When searching through racks of clothes with your purse in the cart, it is easy to get distracted. If you decide to bring a purse, put it in the cart, rather than the child seat, and cover it with the clothes you've selected.

Shopping for clothes at Goodwill is a service to the community and just plain common sense. The way to make the best of it is to follow these basic tips:

#1. Be prepared to spend the time it will take to browse.

#2. Get a shopping cart. If none are available, wait at the checkout for one.

#3. Check your selections carefully for rips, stains, missing buttons and faulty zippers.

#4. Wear tight-fitting clothes and shoes that slip off easily.

#5. Avoid bringing a purse into the store. If it is unavoidable, put it in the cart and cover it.

Shopping at Goodwill can save you a bundle and if you go about it the right way, it can be much easier and a lot less hectic.

Learn more about this author, Pat Lunsford.
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