40 Times Goodwill Surprised People With Their Hidden Gems Or Bizarre Items

Some people have noticed a change in recent years in Goodwill prices. Instead of finding incredible bargains like $2 tops and $0.50 books, they are encountering higher prices, sometimes even surpassing those of new items at Walmart or Target.

"Goodwill's rising prices can be attributed to several factors," said Casey Jones, founder and head of marketing and finance at CJ&CO. "Firstly, the cost of operations — including rent, utilities, and wages — has increased over time. Secondly, the quality and brand of donated items can also influence pricing. High-end brands or items in excellent condition may be priced higher."

"Lastly, the demand for thrifted items has grown, especially among environmentally conscious consumers, which can drive up prices."

However, despite the increasing popularity and prices of secondhand shops, these pictures are proof that amazing deals can still be found.

"Most people go to Goodwill one singular time within a span of four months and don't find anything that day and then assume they can't find anything at Goodwill and don't go back," said photographer Brooke Fitzwater, who loves to browse secondhand aisles.

"Stock at Goodwill is constantly in flux, so sometimes you might go and find a ton of stuff and sometimes you might go and find absolutely nothing. The only way to increase your chances of finding good stuff is to go frequently."

Brooke said, "You can go once a month, once a week, or even once a day (that's dedication!), and you will be much more likely to find something incredible than if you just go every once in a blue moon."

"During the past semester, I would go either once every three weeks or once every two weeks, depending upon my schedule, and occasionally I would go once a week if I was really looking for something. I found so much more than I did when I just went every once in a while."

Another way you get the most out of Goodwill, the seasoned thrifter said, is by making use of their special promos.

"If your Goodwill has sales (Goodwill of Middle Tennessee has lots of awesome sales), utilize them! My personal favorite is the color tag sales. Each Goodwill item has a tag that has a specific color (like orange or blue), and some Goodwill stores like the ones in my area will have weekly sales where all items with one color tag will be 50% off for that week, and items with a different tag color will be 0.99 cents!" Fitzwater explained.

"I cannot tell you how many things I have been able to find for 0.99 cents. I once found a Madewell cardigan that was originally $75 for 0.99 cents at Goodwill, as well as several lovely sweaters and a few other great items. This is your best deal. If you're lucky, you can find some really great brands for really low prices."

Whatever happens, if you have a mission, stick to it. Fitzwater said, "You might go two or three times and find nothing. At that point, it might feel like it's hopeless, but don't give up hope!"

"I like to think of Goodwill as a treasure hunt. Eventually, I'm going to find that piece that I've been wanting, and it will have been worth the wait. Just keep trying! You can also try other Goodwill stores near you, or maybe you can try going with a Goodwill-savvy friend. Try things that you wouldn't normally choose, or try something on just for the fun of it. You never know what you might find!"