ShopGoodwill.com Seems Like a Failed Business Strategy

[goldrushfinds]

How in the world is ShopGoodwill.com a viable approach for the company. They don't seem to know what the heck they are doing. I looked up current auctions of men's clothing, organized by ending soonest. Of the first 30 items, only 1 had a bid. That's 29 listings they wasted their time on. They are trying to auction off things that would never sell by auction on Ebay. This company is hideously managed. There I said it. 

[broto_64]

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@goldrushfinds wrote:

How in the world is ShopGoodwill.com a viable approach for the company. They don't seem to know what the heck they are doing. I looked up current auctions of men's clothing, organized by ending soonest. Of the first 30 items, only 1 had a bid. That's 29 listings they wasted their time on. They are trying to auction off things that would never sell by auction on Ebay. This company is hideously managed. There I said it. 

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Not to mention high starting bids.
But you know, everyone has to start somewhere.

[az93]

I only bought from goodwill online once. Once was enough. Perfume bottles had no comfort or bubble wrap and all smashed together.

[ed8108]

Potential for growth

It appears they currently appeal to a small very select customer base.

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@goldrushfinds wrote:

How in the world is ShopGoodwill.com a viable approach for the company. They don't seem to know what the heck they are doing. I looked up current auctions of men's clothing, organized by ending soonest. Of the first 30 items, only 1 had a bid. That's 29 listings they wasted their time on. They are trying to auction off things that would never sell by auction on Ebay. This company is hideously managed. There I said it. 

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I would buy from them in 2016ish (maybe earlier) and you could find incredible deals. Very few bidders and the quality of items was outstanding. Shipping was iffy but they did take care of you if there was an issue. Things changed somewhere after 2020 where inventory quality suffered, starting bids were increased and i think they had shill bidders (or employees looking to buy). There was a time i was pulling nice vintage Levis 501 jeans but those days seem to be over. (some employees skim)

The potential for them to be great online is huge but their focus is not.

[dnasilver]

Goodwill is a not for profit and part of their mission is to train individuals. If someone learned how to enter information on a Website, it was not a waste of time. Goodwill does more than just sell other peoples donated property. They help people learn how to work and function on their own.

[fbusoni]

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@goldrushfinds wrote:

How in the world is ShopGoodwill.com a viable approach for the company. They don't seem to know what the heck they are doing. I looked up current auctions of men's clothing, organized by ending soonest. Of the first 30 items, only 1 had a bid. That's 29 listings they wasted their time on. They are trying to auction off things that would never sell by auction on Ebay. This company is hideously managed. There I said it. 

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The learning curve is steeper for some than it is for others.

Having said that, their online presence is likely not an important source of income for them, so the company execs are not giving it much priority.  

[baantiques]

Depends on what you look at.  Musical instruments tend to go for what they are worth or sometimes higher.  Sometimes I've been able to scoop up a bargain but rarely.  I'm usually banking on them packing the guitar I just bought very poorly and then sending a refund and letting me keep the guitar after it gets damaged.  I have a nice Seagull that had a cracked top when it arrived because they dropped it in a box with ZERO packing material.  Plays like a dream after I fixed the damage.  Similar thing happened with a Pro Rosewood from SA.

[vintagecraze50]

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@goldrushfinds wrote:

How in the world is ShopGoodwill.com a viable approach for the company. They don't seem to know what the heck they are doing. I looked up current auctions of men's clothing, organized by ending soonest. Of the first 30 items, only 1 had a bid. That's 29 listings they wasted their time on. They are trying to auction off things that would never sell by auction on Ebay. This company is hideously managed. There I said it. 

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They use Fed Ex shipping which is extremely expensive. They could use USPS priority mail a lot cheaper and get their merch to customers a lot quicker. They add handling fees onto everything they sell. They are overpricing themselves on goods handed to them for free. A lot of money grabs with their shipping and handling fees raising the costs to buy their items. It a lousy strategy.

[soh.maryl]

The category you have selected as an example of inadequacies of ShopGoodwill is not really a good example.  Most buyers of clothing would want to try on a garment before buying.  Maybe that's the reason for the sparse bidding patterns.  And, on eBay, used clothing is one of the most saturated categories.  Maybe the shoppers prefer to shop there, greater selection? And aren't clothing items listed there in the upper price range? 

ShopGoodwill has been around for quite a few years so evidently GW sees it as a viable enterprise.  Not sure why you are concerned about their viability.  Maybe just idle curiosity? 

[motionsykness]

Well they are “not for profit” but they are most certainly for money. They do have expenses just like any business for profit or not, compensation for employees, operating expenses etc. However, in response to the OPs perception of GW’s nonchalant approach to business isn’t inaccurate. I believe it’s by design rather than by coincidence. In Part, it is not a great look for a non profit to be misconceived as professional hustlers. The Other part being that the donations in actual $$$ likely eliminates the necessity of having to actually generate income. 

[fbusoni]

"Not sure why you are concerned about their viability.  Maybe just idle curiosity? "

That to me is ALWAYS the most important riddle to be answered.  The actual question is far less significant.  🙂

[luckythewinner]

How in the world is ShopGoodwill.com a viable approach for the company.

Perhaps you simply do not understand Goodwill. The primary mission of Goodwill is

"to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work."

Nowhere in there does it say "to make the most money from reselling donated stuff".

The purpose of a Goodwill store is not simply to raise money. It is also to provide job opportunities and job skills training for people at the margins. I'm sure that is true of the online store as well.

I will humbly suggest that perhaps Goodwill is in a better position to assess how well Goodwill is meeting its mission that you are.

[dhbookds]

Basing conclusions on one viewing/experience may not lead to the most accurate conclusion..........

[motionsykness]

I think he was just trying to say, specifically pertaining to said auctions, he found them to be less than impressive and perhaps with intentions of good will , suggesting a little effort would possibly render a better outcome which would be more beneficial to the their mission? I could be wrong but it was how i perceived it.