ebay Faces One Less Competitor

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

Goodwill has long had its own online auction site, ShopGoodwill, and a few years ago opened GoodwillFinds, a much glossier online effort. ShopGoodwill remains, but they have shut down GoodwillFinds.

https://retailwire.com/goodwill-closes-goodwillfinds/

Goodwills vary from region to region, but from what I've seen here, my local stores have improved their layout, increased selection, and are doing more marketing and promoting. My local Goodwill is usually busy when I'm there.

I think one reason GWF closed might be because , with lockdowns long over, GW is discovering that  many buyers prefer thrifting in a physical store. (In part because they don't have to pay shipping, and in part because they can handle the merchandise...along with other reasons I'm sure)

For some resellers, this might be a good time to consider (if they haven't already) a physical location as a supplement to their online sales. Of course, this isn't practical for everyone, but it might be worth considering for some.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

Also AFAIK GWF was only buy it now. No auctions. And if I recall correctly it was only for stores under the umbrella of the SoCal GW region.

[tarotfindsandmore]

GoodwillFinds was also absurdly overpriced.  ShopGoodwill is becoming more and more expensive as well.  They attempt to charge even more than eBay sellers and then they add their notorious "handling fee" (which they charge even for pick up items).  It makes no sense at all. What they're charging buyers for the items they get for free more than covers any cost associated with "handling."

I suspect Goodwill is in for a nasty drubbing as it continues to abuse its primary buyer base (resellers).  Why would anyone buy an item from a company getting all of its inventory for free when the same item can be purchased for less on eBay?  

[toomuchstuffagain35]

When I did buy from GW online I only bought items I could pick up locally because their shipping cost was atrocious as was their actual packing.

But even then they would charge a "handling fee' to basically just keep your item on a shelf then hand it to you at pickup, so I stopped even doing that.

[squinkercat59]

I seem to recall all the  goodwill sellers had TERRIBLE feedback as well.  Flaws and damage not disclosed. Not packed well and things arriving broken. Extremely high shipping cost. They ran themselves out of the on-line business, as would most Ebay sellers with that kind of track record.

[simba6]

They did it to themselves. 

[luckythewinner]

I suspect Goodwill is in for a nasty drubbing as it continues to abuse its primary buyer base (resellers)

"Goodwill works 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."

There is nothing in their mission statement about "selling stuff" or supplying resellers with inventory. Goodwill stores are a tool they use to help developing work skills for people who lack them. 

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@tarotfindsandmore 

"I suspect Goodwill is in for a nasty drubbing as it continues to abuse its primary buyer base (resellers).  Why would anyone buy an item from a company getting all of its inventory for free when the same item can be purchased for less on eBay?"

I'm not sure Goodwill is in for a nasty drubbing. I think this closed in part because Goodwill has realized that shifting their focus to their real strength---the Brick and Mortar stores---allows them to build on the huge interest in thrifting....not just resellers, but many people buying for their own use. I have long said that it is the "thrill of the hunt" that attracts people to thrift stores, flea markets, even Costco----and the fact that many people make a social event out of it, going shopping with family or friends. It is one reason sellers who run live auctions on sites like FB and IG can do well...the thrill of the hunt, and the social aspect of it (for some people)

I suspect the closed online store was largely a response to Covid, and, post-Covid, maintaining it wasn't worth it. I suspect they will continue with the existing site longer because it is a much more minimalist site, probably easier to maintain, and it helps to remind people that there are real Goodwills out there. 

As long as they continue to get donations, I think they'll be OK. 

[tarotfindsandmore]

You may be right.  I'm not a thrifter so perhaps the thrill of the hunt will keep them going.  Only time will tell.

[adamcartwright]

@my-cottage-books-and-antiques 

I never shopped either of those sites, but I do shop the stores.

I wonder if they will move the "Finds" stuff over to the other website or just distribute it to the stores?

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@tarotfindsandmore 

Yes. Like most things, time will tell. 

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@adamcartwright 

Hard to say. My local store recently expanded their floor space and they have a much bigger selection than they used to have.....but much less furniture. I think larger items are either not being donated with much frequency, or they are going primarily to the larger stores.

I can usually find stuff when I make a trip, but prices are high on some stuff, and one reason I can find stuff is I'm constantly broadening my criteria----stuff no one wanted a few years ago is now hot, and visa versa. 

On the other hand, I went to a non Goodwill thrift, a huge store, which used to be a great source,,,,still huge, but now the selection is not nearly as good (I suspect they are selling online), prices are absurdly high on a lot of stuff, and the place was still packed with people buying. (Of course, this store is in a higher end zip code compared to my Goodwill, and so probably has more people willing to pay their prices)..

Thrifting/Reselling is always changing....

[chapeau-noir]

I've been thrifting since I was a kid and have seen a lot of changes. The individual who likes or needs to thrift generally prefers to go to physical store and not only be able to check condition themselves, but save on shipping.

Resellers have never been Goodwill's primary focus. My local Goodwill has the neighbourhood shopping there - I see neighbours and locals in there and very few, if anyone, with big carts of stuff, or even armloads.

They need to knock their prices down, though - the selection isn't great (they've been flogging the good stuff on their Evergreen GW sites) and is obviously getting priced too high. Last time I was there looking for some running gear I couldn't get my hands into the racks and the employees were struggling to rack new merch. This isn't a rich neighbourhood and I saw people sadly putting things back after shaking their head over the price. $80 for a used coat isn't realistic. That's the people Goodwill is failing insofar as consumer. They are doing a good job with job training, though - I know two people who have been able to get good jobs after going through their retail management program when before they had struggled to get employed.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@chapeau-noir 

I suspect part of the pricing dilemma for GW is tied to the customer base....I agree, I don't believe they are really targeting resellers, they are targeting the general public.  If prices are too low, resellers are likely to buy so much that the general public will be left out. If prices are too high for resellers but still a "good deal" for someone who is shopping for themselves or their family....that's probably the sweet spot they'd like to hit. 

But yeah, they do go too high on some stuff, that's for sure. 

Last few times I've been in my local Goodwill , since they remodeled and expanded, I have found stuff for resale at good (if not great) prices. Not a lot of stuff, but enough to make the trip worthwhile. I also saw stuff that was priced at prices I'd be happy to pay if I were buying for my own use, but just a little too high for me to want to try to resell. 

And I'm not sure how much leeway local GWs have when it comes to pricing---I know at one point, prices on most things were being set at the regional level, with no discretion at the local level. That can mean prices that might seem reasonable in a wealthy zip code GW will seem way too high to shoppers in another GW in the region.

So, I just keep plugging along. I rarely come out empty handed.

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:

Goodwill has long had its own online auction site, ShopGoodwill, and a few years ago opened GoodwillFinds, a much glossier online effort. ShopGoodwill remains, but they have shut down GoodwillFinds.

https://retailwire.com/goodwill-closes-goodwillfinds/

Goodwills vary from region to region, but from what I've seen here, my local stores have improved their layout, increased selection, and are doing more marketing and promoting. My local Goodwill is usually busy when I'm there.

I think one reason GWF closed might be because , with lockdowns long over, GW is discovering that  many buyers prefer thrifting in a physical store. (In part because they don't have to pay shipping, and in part because they can handle the merchandise...along with other reasons I'm sure)

For some resellers, this might be a good time to consider (if they haven't already) a physical location as a supplement to their online sales. Of course, this isn't practical for everyone, but it might be worth considering for some.

---

Some stores were/are require sending anything of value to the ecommerce departments before the items were offered locally. Hopefully this will bring life back to some of the stores that suffered because of this.