Tonight the kids and I ran some errands and stopped into Goodwill to scope out the deals. Oh, my friends, it was worth the trip! Now usually I go to Goodwill and stick pretty true to the tag colors that are 50% off and the $1.29 tags. But tonight I didn’t have much luck with the colored tags – it’s toward the end of the sale this week (the tag sales run Saturday thru Sunday), so that’s sort of to be expected. But I DID find brand-name, expensive items for a super price – plus I had my Facebook Friday coupon for 25% off.
Sometimes at Goodwill (or other thrift shop) you can justify spending $5 on an item – if it’s a higher end item and if it’s in good shape! That’s what I did tonight – I spent more per item then I usually do – but I still saved a BUNDLE because the items were high-quality, expensive brands. Let me show you. . .
I’m just giddy. I have wanted one of these for months! This is a Bobeau One-Button Fleece Cardigan. My sister has it, I have a dear blogger friend who has it – it’s totally cute and super comfortable. I’ve put it in my cart at Nordstrom.com at least twice before but couldn’t pull the trigger because of the cost. Even on sale – I haven’t seen it less than $40. But I found it at Goodwill, in my size, brand new – I don’t think it’s ever been washed – for $5.99 – 25% off coupon = $4.49! It needs to be ironed, but it’s perfect. The chances of me finding this, in my size, in a color that I like – are crazy. But it happened and that’s the beauty of thrift shopping. Oh and don’t forget – not only do you save big when you buy used – you pay a lot less tax!
My other super find tonight was a Talbots women’s cardigan. It was also $5.99 – 25% off coupon = $4.49! It retails for a whopping $62.50 over on the Talbots website. It could use a light ironing – but it’s also pratically brand new. I’ve never owned a Talbots item – too spendy, but for this price, I’ll take it. This iPhone photo doesn’t even do it justice!
I also found these Kamik kids winter boots, a size up for next winter, for $6.99. After the 25% off coupon they were $5.25. These go for $35 – $50 retail (Amazon).
And this Gymboree dress was also not on sale but it was $3.99 – 25% off coupon = $2.99! It’s like brand new and size 6T, my daughter’s size! I’m guessing this would have easily been $35 new at Gymboree!
And finally – we found a bag with 7 large My Little Ponies, 5 small My Little Ponies and 5 little dolls for $3.74 after coupon! These would retail for at least this much apiece! If I guessed $3 each (which I think is conservative), this would have retailed for $51 plus tax!
So that was our Goodwill trip tonight! I’m very excited to find myself two tops, a dress for my daughter and some My Little Ponies. From what I can guess – this would easily have retailed for $241 or more! But I paid just $22.78!
Have you found any secondhand deals lately? Have you hit up Goodwill recently? I’d love to hear all about it!
Annie says
I am envy you! I live in Redmond-Bellevue-Kirkland area and have tried my luck at Value Village and Salvation Army on 148th Ave NE in Bellevue but have always come out empty handed. Don’t like their clothes selection and prices are high or may I didn’t work hard to find good deals!
Anyone has recos for goodwills in Redmond-Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville-Seattle area? Thank you!
Celia Husmann says
Yay!!! That sounds so fun! I wish I had time to go to Goodwill…. :/ For now I live vicariously through you posts!!!
Amanda says
A month ago, I walked in Goodwill with a friend after dinner, and it was 15 minutes before closing, and I spotted a small doll wooden desk with glass knobs. (Perfect for American Girl dolls)…. I looked at it closely, and it was in pristine condition, and it was actually HOMEMADE. Very sturdy wood, and you don’t find this quality anymore. It was for $29.99. I was tempted to buy it… Admired it some more, and started walking away. One of the employees there was watching me, and he said it can be half off, so I immediately bought it for $14.99.
Both of my daughters LOVE it. It looks like it was a heirloom piece. Now it’s in our family as a heirloom piece. I think to sell this quality craftsman dolls desk, it could easily retail over $100.
And now I’m on the hunt to get all the Harry Potter books and movies (my oldest is now into HP), and I love getting the books for .99 cents and movies for 2.99 each. LOVE THAT PRICE!
Helen in Meridian says
Wed. on my birthday I hit the Boise Goodwill and scored a wonderful brand new Norwegian wool Ski Sweater in black and white with colored embroidered trim for $14.99 (would be been in the $200-$300) plus I’ll sorta match my American Girl doll Kirsten’s sweater. Also got a Ralph Lauren sage green and purple plaid down comforter for $7.99, a large picture photo cook of Mickail Barishnikov in his younger ballet jumps and poses..pant pant..before he wore his knees out. In the pony/doll sack is a Madame Alexander Dorothy from Wizard of Oz Happy Meal doll. DH and I ate our way thru 3 sets of all the llittle Madame Alexander dolls, copies of the 8″ dolls. I often have a 20% donation certificate, but didn’t but still get my 10% old lady discount. I know that $14.99 sweater is high but compared to the $400 at Disneyworld EPCOT Norway gift shop it is a bargain. I found a black long skirt with the embroidered ribbon around the bottom a while ago at the Goodwill so now all I need are red boots or wooden snow shoes to look like the Kirsten Doll. I call my local Goodwill store the Crack House because I know they have new stuff I haven’t seen. ADDICT
julie says
Here in Colorado they do .99 jeans every couple months. My teenage daughters get so excited when I give them each a $20 and let them have at it. I am happy they get more for $20 than a teeshirt at forever 21. AND I DONT CARE if they cut them into shorts, make them into skirts etc.., BECAUSE I only paid .99 each. I wish I had known about this back when my sons were in grade and middle school. It would have saved hundreds!!!!
Judy welbaum says
What kind of coupon??
Maegen says
My late father always claimed the Gig Harbor Goodwill was the Best.
I do think some towns/neighborhoods have better thrifting than others.
I personally have had better luck at the Value Village than Goodwill, but I always love to look.
That cardigan is beautiful!
Melissa says
be careful how you wash the cardigan from nordstrom. mine shrunk pretty bad in cold water, low heat drying. maybe air dry instead? you inspire me to thrift shop!
Heather Clarke says
I did see the tag said dry clean and I threw it into the wash this morning on delicate cold – oh no! Hope it comes out okay.
Helen in Meridian says
After you take it out of the cold delicate wash, put it on a huggable hanger (Costco has those velvet flocked copies) and stretch it into the size you want it to be. You can even stretch sweaters to be a size larger than they were bought . Another trick is to draw around your item on butcher paper, then lay the damp garment on the paper and stretch and pin to the marking to dry.
Rachel says
I found two brand new pairs of 7 for all mankind jeans at the Lacey Goodwill in the last six months! I paid the full price for one pair $9.99, and got 25% off on FB Friday on the other. Score!
yesselita says
Where do you find coupons for goodwill? I talked to the cashier and told me I can get 25% off if I donate something.I went there yesterday and everything is overpriced, I was looking for a wedding dress and they were asking $225-350 for duty and super stain dresses. I think at this point Salvation army is better than goodwill.
Heather Clarke says
You generally get a coupon when you donate. But my local Goodwill branch offers a Facebook Friday coupon for 25% off your purchase of $20 or more. https://www.facebook.com/goodwillwa/app_191906925750 My store has pretty competitive pricing and of course – you have to be picky! On the same rack there can be a Circo shirt for $4 (not a good deal, Target Brand) or a Gymboree dress for $4 (an awesome deal, retails for $35+) It’s just a matter of finding the really spectacular deals.
Tami says
Where did you find a 25% off coupon? Is it just for your local store or for all Goodwill’s in the PNW. The one in Bellingham, WA hasn’t had any coupons that I am aware of. Thanks
Heather Clarke says
Tacoma Goodwills – which stretch all over Western Washington have a coupon every Friday for 25% off a purchase of $20 or more. I’m not sure about Bellingham? Might want to see if they offer something similar. https://www.facebook.com/goodwillwa/app_191906925750
Andrea U says
Love your finds! I scored on last week’s Facebook Friday at the Puyallup Goodwill. I found three new flannel shirts, in my husband’s size, clearly they had never been worn. Two were Duluth Trading Co. and one was L.L. Bean, each of them would have been $45 new. They were marked $5.99 – with 25% off, they were $4.49. And my husband, who is very picky about his clothes, loves them.
I love Goodwill! My favorite place to shop!
Heather Clarke says
Andrea – Way to go! For those brands, that’s a fantastic price. I think that’s the key when sleuthing for deals, $6 for a shirt from Target is not that great. But find one from a high-end brand and it’s definitely worth the bargain, especially if it’s in nice condition! Hooray for saving money at Goodwill!
Ashley says
Went to a used book sale today with my hubby today and we found Avengers and Cars for 3$ each. Sure they are used and the cases were pretty beat up but we are excited to have them.
Brielyn says
I LOVE Goodwill! I’m one of those people who really likes to look. I don’t need anything, so I go purely for entertainment (like a scavenger hunt) but I still get so excited when I find those diamonds in the rough! 🙂 I actually like the items better when I get them for such a great price, than if I had paid full price.
Trina Newman says
I got lucky again at Goodwill after work in Kent, WA tonite also! For the price of $5.22 I was able to buy 5 shirts in a plus size, two t-shirts for my husband–one a Mariner’s t-shirt, 2 t-shirts and 1 pair of jeans! The Goodwill out let charges in think $1.59 a pound for clothing…also got gold paper plates unopened package for New Years for next year! Totally only $5.22!!!!
Heather Clarke says
All of that for $5.22? That is amazing. Way to rock it! I wish we had a Goodwill Outlet near Olympia that charged per pound. But then again, I’d probably be going waaay to often! 🙂 Great job Trina!
Stephanie says
You know about the outlet in Tacoma, right? I stop by there occasionally on the way up north, it’s fun 🙂
Brielyn says
Holly cow! If we lived by a Goodwill Outlet I think my husband would divorce me! Lol I already go WAY more than I need too!
Aundreaya says
I’m jealous of the ponies! I rarely ever find them at my Goodwill anymore. I did find a bag of them recently and was super surprised….they rarely put them in the same bag!
Heather Clarke says
The ponies are definitely a hit for my daughter. Didn’t find as many cool deals for my son tonight – but sometimes we find all boy toys and other times it seems to be more girl stuff.
Brandie Frazier says
My husband and I went to our local thrift shop(Deseret industries) and got a pottery barn sofa for $15. I looked it up online and they sell for over $2000.00 . score!!
Heather Clarke says
Brandie – That is just CRAZZZZZY! What a find. Great job. I’d be so, so happy to find that!
marjorie says
That wrap cardi is meant for you:)
Heather Clarke says
Marjorie – My sister said the same thing. Something about fate. Whatever it is. I’ll take it. And enjoy it. . .at least until spring when things warm up!
emmab says
I really want to go to goodwill with you!! you have been finding some great deals. Enjoy your major scores
Heather Clarke says
It would be fun to plan a Queen Bee shopping group one day, wouldn’t it. We could all meet up and look for deals!
Kelly says
I’m super jealous of your wrap. I have two and would wear them everyday if I could! Enjoy!!! Major score!
Heather Clarke says
Kelly – I’ve wanted one for soooo long! I’m glad I waited. And my sister says the same thing about hers – she wears it all the time. 🙂
Steven W. Hunt says
Just yesterday, I spent $36 at Goodwill, on well over $200 worth of video game stuff.