Which is the better place to source inventory from regular Goodwills or Goodwill Clearance Center

[pigeonpicker]

Clearance Center = Even cheaper! But it's overcrowded with the same customers every day. And you need to search for hours through junk to find the good stuff. 

[luckythewinner]

---

@pigeonpicker wrote:

Clearance Center = Even cheaper! But it's overcrowded with the same customers every day. And you need to search for hours through junk to find the good stuff. 

---

That depends upon what your Goodwill clearance center is like, what your regular Goodwill is like, who their donations come from, how they are priced, what the other customers (competition) are looking for, what you are looking for, what is available there, and how much you value those hours you spend looking through junk.

But it sounds like you have already been to both - so which one did you find to be the better place to source inventory?

I suspect the answer will vary from seller to seller, even at the same locations.

[farmalljr]

Sourcing in the same place as other people selling the same thing, never is a road to success. You are just further dividing the pie. 

You obviously don't value your time if you are willing to spend HOURS, fighting with other people, to get the scraps. 

Might be a better idea to pay someone a slight premium for the items you are looking for, and instead spend your time listing. Would it not be better for you to pay $1-1.50 per item premium over cost, and guarantee a buyer you will take 100 items a week? Would your time not be better spent listing and shipping?

Paying your sources a "finder fee" or premium is a faster, less stressful way to source. There is not enough time in the day for a seller to do every single thing. Not if you want to make good money and achieve success. 

[m60driver]

Before the pandemic, if I happened to be driving nearby, I would stop by my local Goodwill bin store to have a look.  But I usually would not dig, just glance at what others were picking through looking for a hidden gem.  Trying to find something at a regular Goodwill to resell is a totally useless endeavor, at least in my overpriced area.

[dhbookds]

Don't know what applicable advice anyone can give........  Each area is different  so telling you the goodwill annex is good here in PA......does you no good.

I would think Vegas would offer alot of opportunities.....  I know one old time regular had a deal with casinos to buy old stock on costume jewelry.....particularly pins.

I would never ignore g-sales as a possible source.      

[m_pthisandthat]

Have much better luck at estate sales or estate auctions. The last day of estates sales can produce some great buys. 

[soh.maryl]

Have found some great deals at both sources, but, then again, I don't sell any more.

Example:  GW Outlet had a bin full of mostly brand new children's books, looked like maybe a book store had closed or something.  For 50 cents apiece, found a lot of great literature for the 2 yr old including those peek-a-boo books. Six dollar investment.  Also, sometimes great deals on brand new fabric.  I sew for children and dolls, so it doesn't take much.  

[luckythewinner]

---

@farmalljr wrote:

Would your time not be better spent listing and shipping?

---

My philosophy is just the opposite. I think the vast majority a seller's time should be spent locating quality inventory. Sourcing is an art; listing and shipping is just busy work.

[divwido]

But Goodwill is where you take  the stuff that didn't sell at the yard sale.   Antique Faires are my favorites.  Yard sales are fine too, depending.   We also have a local (kind of tiny) antique faire in the next down over that seems to be worth the time.

Selling junk isn't going to help you much, you know.  Selling someone else's junk is even worse.

[maxine*j]

I think Farmalljr gave you some very good advice with:  "Might be a better idea to pay someone a slight premium for the items you are looking for, and instead spend your time listing.  Would it not be better for you to pay $1-1.50 per item premium over cost, and guarantee a buyer you will take 100 items a week?  Would your time not be better spent listing and shipping?"

As an example, you have something listed as "2.5" Bird Decor."  The entire description is:  "2.5" Bird Decor.  Condition is 'Used'.  Shipped with USPS First Class. "  You don't even mention the material it is made of.  Is it ceramic, or resin, or what?

If you'd had had the time to do some research, you'd know that the figurine is a Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii), a beautiful and beloved bird of the American Southwest.  I doubt anyone searches for "2.5" bird decor," but a fair number search for specific birds and/or specifc decor so something like "Gambel's Quail Figurine Southwest Desert Decor Ceramic [or resin or whatever]..." will get views.

I'm not trying to nitpick your listings.  I'm trying to emphasize what Farmalljr did:  That all the time in the world spent sourcing is wasted if it leaves you no time to research and write good totles and descriptions based on that research, so your merchandise finds buyers.

Gambel's Quail

[varebelrose]

Sourcing at Goodwill is almost always going to be a bust, at least IMHO. Not only do they cull the good stuff and sell it on their own online store, but the employees often set better items aside for themselves or someone they know. Don't be shy, hit those yard and garage sales. People want you to come and shop!

[maxine*j]

(Sorry, had to leave to take a phone call)  So now, as an addition to my above post:

Another example is what you have listed as a "Chinese Drum Stick."  It is not that.  It is a bolang gu -- a Chinese spin drum (also called a rattle or pellet drum), unplayable because it is missing its beaters.  The beaters are pellets on the ends of strings attached to the sides of the drum, so that when you spin it the pellets strike the drumhead.

Again, not nit-picking but trying to help you maximize your sales by showing that listing is as important as finding.

Bolang gu

[pigeonpicker]

That listing is almost a year old. I didn't even use a ring light. Or frequently wipe my phones camera lense when there's a fingerprint on it. Or use Google Lens back than to identify photos. So I've improved a little since back than. 

[katzrul15]

Does your area have a Goodwill boutique store?  Those are often very productive.

We visit private thrifts, church thrifts, etc.  There is a local st vincent de paul store - sells really nice wares at very good prices.  DD got a big box of SK books for $3, that she sold for $113 separated out. 

Every area is different and based on your expertise, your findings vary.  Knowing what sells really IS an art form.

[pigeonpicker]

Now I remember, those things from The Karate KId Part 2. I ended drum stick listing since it's damaged, of course because I found it at Goodwill Clearance. I still managed to have a watcher on it though.