In the area where I live there are the goodwill stores and I do not understand how these stores are regulated? One of the stores in my area has stuff piled up from floor to ceiling everywhere with do not touch signs. They are selling items in a small space and it seems everything that IS for sale is garbage. Aren't these stores for helping underprivileged people? And if you do find SOMETHING that is worth fixing, they want an arm and a leg for it and they have nothing invested in it. It was donated!! Nearly everything has to be cleaned, repaired, glued back together, sanded and painted, or something of the sort. I believe that items should be for sale as soon as the person donating the item drops it off. The items should not be hoarded with such greed and then charge you a outrageous price. Is there a area manager? I had been told that each store is individually owned. And people if you donate items.. go inside, see how things are ran and how your donated items are being treated.

According to their website:

The money you spend in Goodwill stores goes to support job training and placement programs for people with disabilities and other disadvantages.

Although, what these programs are and where they are located I couldn't tell you.

I used to work for an agency that affiliated with Goodwill, Inc. Our stores were not like you described. When I lived in Spokane, WA. One of my favorite stores was the Goodwill store and it was great place to find things at very reasonable prices.

What you are describing is not the normal operating procedure. Since I do not know where you are located, am going to give you the website to Goodwill Industries - Goodwill Industries International - About Goodwill

From their contact page:

"Goodwill Industries International is the membership organization comprised of all locally-based Goodwill Industries organizations. In many cases, if you have a comment, question or complaint about a personal experience, the appropriate person to contact is at your local Goodwill. Every Goodwill has its own chief executive officer and board of directors who make policy decisions affecting how the Goodwill operates its services, stores, donations and other businesses. Please use the Goodwill Locator to contact these leaders in your area.

If you have questions or a comment about Goodwill Industries in general, its national and international services, or how Goodwill Industries International works with the Goodwill in your community, we would love to hear from you. We value your comments, and will make every effort to ensure a prompt reply."

Their toll free number and email are:
Goodwill Industries International
15810 Indianola Drive
Rockville, MD 20855Phone: (800) 741-0186

[email protected]