How to Save DOUBLE at Thrift Stores by EX- Goodwill Employee
1. Connect on Social Media to Learn About Sales
First and foremost, he shared that staying up to date with your local Goodwill is the key to knowing the inside scoop on daily, weekly and monthly sales. Sounds too easy, but believe it or not, not many people do this. So make sure to sign up for their local mailing list so you’re always in the know.
It’s also a good idea to keep up with your local Goodwill’s Facebook page (if they have one) as they often post current sales, coupons, and special events. As an example, here’s the Goodwill of Southern Nevada Facebook page.
Not only will you be the first one to know about special sales, but you’ll also receive coupons on occasion and learn when they have store freebies. For example, last week at our insider’s store, teacher’s could get a free book with any purchase and they also hosted a kid’s club where all kids could score a free toy or book with any purchase!
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2. Go to the weekly color tag sale days and pay as low as $1!
That’s right! Every week all Goodwill locations have a special color tag sale day so make sure to keep up to date on their website or next time you head in-store. For example, here’s a specific Goodwill store page that lists their current and upcoming sales. You can expect to see sales anywhere from 30%-50% off and sometimes even tags that sell for just $1 each!
3. The Early Thrifter Gets the Best Stuff
It’s probably no news to you that some people make a living on buying cheap stuff at Goodwill and selling it for a profit reselling items on Ebay and Amazon.
Learn about making side money on Amazon here
Sometimes stuff is priced for way less than it’s worth (unknowingly) therefore the good stuff is sure to fly out the doors.
Since employees price new items at night, make sure you’re the first person in the door so you can get to the really good deals first.
And don’t forget to always ask an employee about current sales every time you shop!
4. Shop the Goodwill Outlets AKA The Goodwill Bins for the Best Deals (check out my Youtube Video for the Best Strategies!)
Something a lot of people don’t know is that Goodwill makes an effort to ensure items don’t end up in landfills so one major way you can contribute is to shop at one of their Clearance Centers. Here you will pay a low cost by the pound, rather than paying for each item individually.
So if you’re stocking up on some pretty lightweight stuff, be prepared for some big savings!
For more info on their clearance centers the Goodwill Bins, click here.
To find your nearest Goodwill Clearance Center, head to their store locator and type in your zip code.
You’ll then need to scroll down until you find a store that’s called a “Clearance Center”.
Senior and Military Discounts
In order to save on your future purchases, you’ll just need to sign up for Goodwill’s free rewards program, which you can do at your local Goodwill store. Note that these sales and days stated below can vary by location, so make sure to check out your location before you head to the store.
For military members: At my local Goodwill, military members can save 10% every day on all their orders.
For seniors: If you’re a senior over 55 years old, you can shop certain days to get anywhere from 20% to 40% off.
If you’ve been avoiding a drop off at your local Goodwill, now is the perfect time to find out what the best day actually is. At most Goodwill locations, they host special donation days, where you can receive a pretty sweet coupon to use on your next shopping trip.
It’s a win, win – drop off your unwanted goods and received money off when you’re ready for something new.
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