I’ve heard the legends. I’ve watched the YouTube hauls. I’ve listened to seasoned resellers speak of “the Bins” with a mix of reverence and mild trauma. But until recently, I had never been brave enough to step foot into a Goodwill Outlet on my own.
Thankfully, my local eBay resellers meetup group planned a field trip — and nothing boosts courage like rolling in with a squad of people who know exactly what they’re doing.
Welcome to the Chaos
The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by long blue tables piled high with clothes, shoes, and housewares in no particular order. It’s like a treasure hunt… if the treasure is buried under 47 cardigans and a rogue toaster.
I found an empty spot and started digging piece by piece, feeling very much like an archaeologist uncovering artifacts from the Land of Lost Donations. Just as I was getting into a rhythm, a voice boomed over the loudspeaker. Suddenly everyone stepped back behind a taped line on the floor.
This was The Rotation.
Workers wheeled out the old tables and rolled in fresh ones like a choreographed dance. We all stood there, hands clasped, waiting for the signal. And when it came? Pure frenzy. People surged forward, grabbing, flipping, tossing, evaluating. The clothing bins were wild — but the housewares? That was a full-contact sport. I swear I saw someone dive for a Pyrex lid like it was the winning touchdown.
The Price Is Right
Once you’ve gathered your loot, you roll your cart to the front where everything is weighed. Clothing is one price per pound, housewares another. When I went, it was around $1.89 per pound for clothing and 79 cents per pound for housewares. I walked out with a giant, overstuffed bag for about $30 — the kind of deal that makes you feel like you’ve hacked the matrix.
Lessons Learned (The Hard Way)
Was it dizzying? Absolutely. Would I go again? Without hesitation.
But next time, I’ll be smarter.
Many seasoned shoppers parked their carts along the perimeter and brought over armfuls of clothing to sort carefully. I, on the other hand, tossed things in my cart with the optimism of a golden retriever. When I got home, I discovered that most of my finds had fatal flaws — stains, holes, mystery substances, you name it.
Still, the few gems I did score more than paid for the trip. And honestly, the experience alone was worth the price of admission.
Should You Go?
If you’re a reseller, a thrifter, or just someone who loves a good story, the Bins are absolutely worth a visit. They’re not for the faint of heart (or the germophobic), but if you have patience and a willingness to dig, you can uncover incredible items for next to nothing.
Just bring gloves, hand sanitizer, and a sense of adventure.