Goodwill Bins 101: Real Tips, Wild Finds & What It’s Actually Like
Learn about Goodwill bins and how you can pay for trendy clothes by the pound!
Discover everything you need to know about Goodwill Bins. How they work, what to expect, and pro tips from our Hip sidekick, Lina! Learn how to score trendy clothes by the pound and shop like a thrifting pro.
Goodwill bins aren’t your average thrift store. They’re chaotic, competitive, and seriously addictive! 🤩
What are Goodwill Bins (AKA: Goodwill Outlet)?
Unlike a traditional Goodwill store, where items are individually priced, Goodwill Bins sell everything in bulk by weight. Everything is placed in giant blue bins (or carts, depending on the location) packed with clothes, shoes, home goods, toys, and sometimes random surprises for you to sift through.
How Often Are Goodwill Bins Restocked?
Most Goodwill Bins restock every 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the location. Some outlets even rotate bins continuously throughout the day, making every trip truly unique!
Hip Tip: Ask staff what time rotations happen, as timing can make or break your trip.
How much will you spend at Goodwill Outlet Bins?
The price you pay is based on how much your finds weigh. At Hip Sidekick, Lina’s, Arizona location, it’s just $1.99/lb. for clothing, accessories, housewares, and toys, and just 99¢/lb. for glassware, metal, electronics, and dishes.
*Note that some items are individually priced, and all prices per pound will vary by store.
Are purchases final sale?
Yes. All Goodwill Bins/Outlet purchases are final sale. Since items are sold by the pound and not pre-tested, Goodwill doesn’t allow returns, exchanges, or refunds. Be sure to inspect your finds carefully before checking out!
Our Hip sidekick, Lina, shared her recent experience at her local Goodwill Bins!
“I kept seeing Goodwill Bins hauls on social media and had to check it out for myself! So far, I’ve been twice, and it was so amazing! I found cashmere, leather jackets, linen, and cotton pieces. Plus, plenty of high-end brands mixed in with a ton of other clothes for just pennies. If you are willing to dig around and put in some work, you will find some treasures! Plus, all of this is most likely headed to landfills, so it’s a sustainable way to shop!
I can now see how resellers make a nice profit. Levi’s, Vuori, Madewell, Free People, and Anthropologie are just some of the brands we have found in great shape, too! I’ve even spotted a ton of kids’ clothes and wish I had known about this when mine were younger!” – Lina
Here are some pro tips before you visit the bins Goodwill has to offer:
- Dress appropriately: Wear comfy clothes, closed-toe shoes, and expect to move around a lot.
- Bring gloves if you wish: You’ll be digging through everything from clothes to electronics and with no idea of where the stuff has been, it’s best to be prepared for anything.
- Sanitizer and/or wipes: If you’d rather go gloveless to feel the fabrics and quality of items, some sanitizer may come in handy.
- Bring your own bags (or cart): Many outlets don’t offer them, and you’ll need something sturdy for your haul.
- Don’t let regulars intimidate you: Chances are, you’ll see a few resellers sifting through bins who frequent Goodwill outlets, but don’t let the resellers intimidate you. There is plenty for all, and most are friendly!
- Arrive early (or before rotations): Make sure your visit is during prime time for the best finds.
- Wait for the green light: Don’t touch new bins until staff give the go-ahead (it’s an unspoken rule).
- Grab now, sort later: If it catches your eye, toss it in your cart, and you can sort before checkout.
- Be thorough when you find a gem: If you see a high-quality item, keep looking in that same bin, as there are probably more like it!
- Check for damage: Quick scan for holes, stains, or missing pieces before buying, because everything is final sale.
- Weigh before you pay: Use the in-store scales to estimate your total.
- Shop with friends: Bring friends and help each other look for things and know sizes or specific items you may be looking for.
- Have fun: You never know what you’ll uncover, and going in with no expectations will likely have you leaving on cloud nine.
How many Goodwill Bins are there?
There are currently about 140+ Goodwill Outlet locations across the United States. Larger states like California, Texas, and Florida tend to have the most. Head to Goodwill Outlets to find Goodwill Bins locations near you!
Like any thrift shopping experience, every visit is going to be different and hopefully bring lots of exciting finds! And because pricing is by weight, you can snag several items for the price of one in a regular store! 🤩
During Lina’s recent trip, she scored about 17 pieces of name-brand clothing for just $27, and that included a $168 Viori jacket for less than $2! 😱
Do you have an awesome Goodwill Bins score to share? Let us know in the comments!
I LOVE the bins. I tell everyone about them. It’s very very hard to pay retail after you’ve gotten an entire cart full for $60.
WOW! 🤩 That’s amazing, MrsG! I’ve never been to the bins, but a whole cart for $60 is incredible. I can see why it’d be tough to go back to regular prices after that! 🙌
We don’t have those in central PA but our Goodwills offer a specific color tag on Sunday and Monday 99 cents for clothing and 39 cents for wares. Awesome deals as it doesn’t matter what it is as long as it is the right tag color.
What a great way to save at your local Goodwill store, Brenda! Appreciate you sharing the color-coded tag tip! 💞
Be sure you go on line to read about specific store’s rules & regulations. Some don’t allow children at all; others will allow some teenagers if accompanied by an adult. You really do have to stand still and not cross the lines while they change bins. There are lots of resellers that shop there and they do not want to let you into their space. It’s quite a spectacle to behold. Wear gloves!
Thanks for the helpful heads up that rules and details may vary. Good to know!
We used to have such a fun time going here. The kids could find a toy for cheap or a needed clothing item for a deal. But now between the massive amount of resellers that practically live there and the price increases it’s really taken the fun out of it.
“Resellers that practically live there”…YES, ours have the same people in there, opening to closing. They pile several carts up and line them up on the wall. I understand folks are trying to make money, but it kind of irritates me as a cash-strapped parent who genuinely want to look through the items for my family.
I have been to our outlet several times, it’s just not fun for me. I don’t care to watch the vultures waiting for the next cart. I have yet to find anything worth buying and would rather go to my local church thrift where clothes are only .25 cents all the time than root through those nasty bins.
I’m not exactly fond of goodwill anyways. I just can’t see how they are supposed to be for helping people and paying them peanuts while the CEO gets paid extremely well
Love the Bins! I went yesterday and found 23 items for $30.00 even. That came out to $1.30 an item. Not bad at all! I found a bunch of new name brand pieces for myself and the kids, but a couple of items I’ll likely pass on to friends or sell. That will cover the cost of the entire trip. Win-win!
SWEET! Sounds like you scored big on your trip! 🙌💕Thanks for letting us know about your recent experience! 🎉
I do love our bin store! My 10 year old says this is her favorite store. She has found a couple American girl dolls, calico critters and accessories, jewelry, and squishmallows! Son has found brand new apple air pods, tents, speakers, and sports equipment. But each store has different prices and atmosphere. We have been to others where it’s very cut throat and very territorial.
Thanks a ton for the heads up on what your kids have found when sorting through the bins! Good to know that the vibe can be different based on the location!