This post is for my friend Leigh, who convinced me to check out the Goodwill on Tamiami Trail because it was so awesome.
I admit I’m not a Goodwill shopper. In fact, before today I can’t remember the last time I stepped foot in one. There is nothing wrong with Goodwill, it just isn’t on my mind as a place to shop.
But today I really needed something I couldn’t find- a snow hat for my trip to Quebec City.
Goodwill came to mind as I thought someone must be getting rid of some old snow gear and I told my friend Leigh, who suggested I visit the store mentioned above.
I had a miserable experience to say the least.
First of all, no snow hats. None.
I did find a cute pink bag that I wanted for the Disney Social Media Conference. Its just a simple messenger type bag made of nylon that can be thrown around. No brand name, not an expensive item.
I take my bag to the counter and the guy looks at the bag and says to me, “No price, I can’t sell you the bag”. I think he’s joking, he isn’t, and then I’m like what the…?
“Apparently” there is a Goodwill store policy that if there is no price on the item they cannot sell it to you. He takes my bag and puts it behind the counter and shoos me on my way.
I wasn’t having it and out of principle I wanted that bag! I stand there and I’m like can you please get a price. He says No.
I go to the back of the store, mad, find an associate and ask to speak to a manager. I was really nice an explained my case and mentioned this was my first time shopping at the store. She tells me policy for future reference, but gets the bag priced this one time only. The bag is $2.99.
She also mentions that Goodwill is like any other store. No….it isn’t. Any other store would find me the price and sell me the item. That’s usually how stores work.
I bring it up to the other register, away from grumpy old man, thinking this time for sure my checkout experience will be better. I have the bag, I have a sticker, what else could go wrong?
The female cashier examines my bag and tells me my sticker is in the wrong place and she thinks I must of replaced the original sticker with a cheaper one in the wrong spot.
Are you kidding me?
She finally went to the manager and got the whole thing straitened out, but this whole experience was a nightmare. Easily took 40 minutes to check out for a $2.99 bag.
So thanks Leigh, your the best friend ever 🙂
Leigh @themeparkmom
Sorry, Stef. I always found great stuff at that Goodwill when I lived in Sarasota. I never ran into price tag problems.
I must not have that “I’m a criminal who steals and/or switches price tags” aura around me like you do. 🙂
Cody Switzer, Goodwill Industries International
Sorry to hear about this, Stefanie, and we hope you give Goodwill another chance sometime.
Every local Goodwill can set their own policies about things like this — so this policy doesn’t apply to every store across North America. We’re sorry that this particular policy in your area gave you a hassle.
And you’re right, we aren’t like other stores. As a nonprofit, we use 84 percent of all revenue from our shops to fund job training and other community programs. Here’s what we do: http://www.goodwill.org/about-us/.
Melanie
Hi!
I happened upon this blog while googling Goodwill’s policies. I had an identical experience at a Goodwill in Mooresville, Indiana. I found a rocking horse, no tags. So I asked Tony/Troy and he said, “I’m sorry. We can’t sell it to you b/c it has no tags. Ok?? So, put a tag on it. He said, “Someone may be carrying around the tag in the store or someone already bought it and hasn’t picked it up. Hhmmm?? Alrighty then. Let’s chat with the cashiers. Neither cashier remembered selling the horse that day! There we go…sell me the horse. “Sorry. That’s our policy….and I can’t sell it to you for 24 hours. Ok. I get that part. Needless to say, I left without the horse.
I did call the next day and the horse was still there. Great! I’m on my way. It may take me 20 – 30 minutes but I’m on my way. When I get there? SOLD. What the world? Are you kidding me, really? Couldn’t she has just put my name on it? I asked and she said, “No. That’s not our policy.” They love that phrase! 🙂 Interesting, there was a tag today but yesterday when I asked the guy, he assured me the item was tagged that morning so it was probably sold. If you don’t know please don’t assume.
And to Stef, thank you for the opportunity to vent a bit. I completely understand your frustration.
Melanie