Wondering what is a Goodwill Outlet! It’s different than a regular Goodwill store; you fill your cart, wheel it onto a scale, and pay per pound. There are often larger items up by the front priced separately (like tables, chairs, gigantic picture frames). The difference between a Goodwill Outlet and regular Goodwill makes things like sewing notions dirt cheap since they are so light! It’s also a great spot to get garments for upcycling.
If you’ve never been before and are feeling overwhelmed, check out my tips for shopping to upcycle before you go.
I acknowledge these pictures are not awesome. I have been meaning to write this post taking pretty pictures of shopping hauls, but every time I forget and it gets toted downstairs or redistributed by my toddler son before I get a chance to bust out the DSLR. Please forgive me!
Already convinced? Find out if you have a local Goodwill outlet with their store locator! If you love shopping secondhand for the environmental aspect in addition to saving money, check out this post about upcycling/recycling toys too!
This is what a Goodwill Outlet looks like! Lots of bins. This is where stuff goes when it isn’t sold in Goodwill stores after a certain amount of time. The bins are changed out throughout the day, with a warning given before over the loudspeaker.
It can be chaotic! There are lots of folks who make a full-time living “picking” and reselling on Ebay (it’s fascinating, really, I dabbled in it during a year of ‘creative’ employment in between jobs) and they come prepared with gloves and pointy elbows. I take my son with a snack and he is amused to choose one thing out (he changes his mind as we travel and has to weigh his options) but if he were too big to fit in the cart I think I’d wait until I could go alone!
I am most excited about this giant white board – it would be perfect as a brainstorming board in my sewing room! Alas, it is an unfinished space with insulation for walls. So it will be a drawing board in the playroom. So many stickers, stencils, and play-doh toys. The vintage purse notions are intriguing, I need to do more research on how they’re used.
Let me be clear, you have to like digging. Stuff is THROWN in and around by other shoppers. I love digging! It’s so fun to catch the corner of a sewing pattern and dig around deeper to find a ton of notions.
Obviously every outlet is going to be different, and every day (or even morning to afternoon!) is completely different. With that being said, I’ve been many times and never left without seeing (or buying) craft/sewing supplies like markers, stickers, stencils, fabric, and bias tape.
I also stocked up on knit shirts for upcycling, can’t beat paying for clothes by the pound!
Are you convinced yet? Most people I mention it to say that they’ve never heard of them – and they’re not in all areas. I’d love to hear what you’ve scored, if you go!
K. Allbritton
Thursday 12th of March 2020
I discovered one of the Goodwill bin stores in Portland about 20 years ago when visiting my daughter. At the time I lived about 1700 miles away from Portland, so I bought BIG suitcases and took my ‘finds’ home. I continued to do this up until we finally retired to Oregon.. Now I go to the bins almost every time we drive into town. Still finding it irresistible. Also I really like your blog. Thanks
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Sunday 19th of April 2020
I'm glad you've found the bin love too, and thanks for reading :D
Sunshinesmom
Thursday 20th of September 2018
I went to an Goodwill outlet on a whim, in Portland, OR; after driving by it for years, I was curious. It was a bit scary to tell you the truth. People RAN to new bins being rolled into the room— it was a sight to see, for sure. I had to ‘adopt’ a Snoopy doll—couldn’t bear the thought of him being discarded—I love ❤️ Snoopy so much! I also bought a very large LL Bean tote bag—it was dirty, but after a good washing, it looks great! Score! Would I go back? Not sure—it just wasn’t for ME, digging into bins of unknown items—-you need to decide for yourself—-so I urge you to try it.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Saturday 22nd of September 2018
Definitely something people either love or hate, and you have to go to know! Glad you found a few gems at least :)
Angie
Thursday 13th of September 2018
I really enjoyed the one we used to have here, but they closed it and now there is just a store. I found my family clothes, toys, brand new shoes, and craft items for a reasonable price. Miss the outlet store. Great way to get out of the house for a bit.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Saturday 22nd of September 2018
I'm sorry you lost yours, hopefully next time you take a trip there will be one nearby :)
Virginia Rohde
Friday 27th of April 2018
Loved the 2 in Sacramento, California. I moved to Ohio 2 yrs ago & none in my town. I get used nutcrackers & fix them. I have over 1000 yes a 1000 of them. It would be funny I would find the body in one bin without head or arm or leg & I would keep looking in bins & would find the missing pc. Walk out paying $30+ & cart over flowing. Sheets, blankets, books, legos, craft stuff from paper to wood. Get Halloween, Easter, St. Patrick, Christmas decoration's. Miss them.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Sunday 15th of July 2018
Oh no! I am sorry you don't have one nearby now. Hopefully now you have extra time to fix all those nutcrackers though :)
Dorothy
Tuesday 20th of February 2018
We have a Goodwill Outlet about 10 minutes away in an industrial park. Very well run, they don't even put up with people running to get to the new bins when they do a "flip". Great place to shop. When our daughters visit it is always on the list of things we have to do. When I get home, everything goes right down the basement to the washer and dryer or a wipe down with Clorox wipes or in the freezer. I have found fabric there and my daughter found many, many pieces of knit fabric. I don't have to ever buy any! Great place to shop!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Tuesday 20th of February 2018
That's awesome, I love it! Spread the good word about GWO :)