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!
Ajaire says
We don’t have an outlet in MD, but when I lived in Seattle I used to go ALL THE TIME. There is so much good stuff to find.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hopefully they will build one! The one in Des Moines wasn’t here when I went to college 5 years ago, and I know they just opened one in Kansas City two years ago.
Rachel says
We have one in our area, it is unfortunately not in an area where I would go. I’ve heard it gets real serious- like chance of a fist fight serious! Awesome that you have on a little more accessible 😉
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Oh man!! I have seen a few arguments but nothing violent. That would deter me, for sure.
Roxanne says
Jealous! The closest Goodwill “bins” is quite the drive away (3+ hours crossing several states!) so sadly I just have memories of how much fun I had going to the two in the Portland area. Good times. 🙂
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
@Seamstresserin just mentioned on twitter that she loved going in Portland too! It must be a good one there 🙂 Hope they open one near you!!
Melissa says
I always hear amazing things about them. Our nearest one is in an undesirable area so I have never gone, but next time we go to Orange county, maybe I will stop at that one.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Report back if you do!!
Alison- The Pink Tumbleweed says
Interesting! I’ve never seen one but I should try to track one down. Found you via Link Party Palooza.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks for visiting Alison! You should definitely check for one nearby, they’re lots of fun 🙂
Andrea @ This Pug Life says
I’ve been to the one in St. Louis once, and it was AWFUL. I did a blog post about it. I almost got thrown out for filming people fighting over the new bins being rolled out. There was broken glass, loose knives and diapers in the bins mixed in with everything else. The furniture was stained with what I believed to be feces. Never again.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Ahhh Andrea that sounds awful!! I guess it’s like anything, stores vary by location, but yours is the first horror story I’ve heard. I don’t blame you – I wouldn’t go back either!
christel s. says
I remember seeing those zippers!! We bought the plush soccer ball… I look for stickers and little people, too!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
It’s a fun place to shop!
Kathy Santiago says
Hi.. I wanted to say that I’ve been to 5 different outlet locations. My thoughts are every store varies on merchandise brands n items. Love these outlets. I’ve purchased most clothing for my 3 sons n daughter from them. Plus toys furniture and tons of household items.
Tips to give bring hand santizer n plastic gloves. Have time to shop because bins are changed out frequently n fun. Despite I have seen fights in nyc location but it’s so worth the price.
Nyc location I found tins of Michael kors, coach, 7 for all mankind, Hollister the list goes on…
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Kathy! Wow, the NYC location sounds both fancy and scary 🙂 Hand sanitizer is a great tip – thanks!
Cheri says
I love Goodwill Outlets we have one about an hour from us in the Pittsburgh area and also one close to where I grew up in Virginia. I Love them both! I never make a trip to VA without popping in (sometimes daily) and I try to hit the one close to me monthly! I have found that they differ drastically! In Virginia I find a lot more “home” item like throw pillows and décor (I actually use the throw pillows on my patio furniture much cheaper then paying $20 a pillow at Lowes for outdoor stuff! Plus cheap enough that if it gets ruined I can just toss it at the end of summer!) Here in PA I find more vintage things , both are great for upcycled clothing and of course kids toys! My husband found himself laid off this year right before Christmas, which being laid off is bad enough but lets face it December is the worst month! So we had to cut cost on Christmas shopping this year, thankfully my Daughter was only 11 months and we scored big by going to the outlet we spent $30 dollars on some really nice second hand toys which filled an entire shopping cart! Our entire family could not believe that we got such nice stuff for her and for so cheap!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Cheri, I am so sorry your husband got laid off. I am glad you found good deals though, and that is so interesting that the two you go to are so different. I wish I had more two compare to 🙂 Thanks for reading!
elizabeth frederick says
I have one and spend 2 to 4 hours in it once a month. Finds? oh my! leather belts for bag straps, fabric and upcycleable cloths for bags, good cloths to use and share, silk ties to upcycle, pretty dishes, jars for storage, tins to paint and store or give with cookies at Christmas, books, picture frames, art, supplies, quilts pretty enough to use, a blanket ,poly fiberfill. Dr. Martin shoes 2 pair. I bet you get the idea. I spend about 100.00 @ .90c a pound. It fills my car! I wash everything. Then I sew all month. Wow
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Yesss, so happy to hear another Goodwill Outlet lover! Yay!
Winifred says
What amazing bargains. Just as well we don’t have them in the UK or I’d be there every day.
Dorothy says
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 says
That’s awesome, I love it! Spread the good word about GWO 🙂
Virginia Rohde says
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 says
Oh no! I am sorry you don’t have one nearby now. Hopefully now you have extra time to fix all those nutcrackers though 🙂
Angie says
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 says
I’m sorry you lost yours, hopefully next time you take a trip there will be one nearby 🙂
Sunshinesmom says
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 says
Definitely something people either love or hate, and you have to go to know! Glad you found a few gems at least 🙂
K. Allbritton says
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 says
I’m glad you’ve found the bin love too, and thanks for reading 😀