Goodwill Bins in Fort Myers

"I’m a regular customer at this Goodwill Outlet and visit at least every other day, driving 56 miles each way (112 miles round trip), so this review comes from a lot of firsthand experience. The biggest issue is the midday closure from approximately 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM, when the entire store is closed and no customers are allowed inside. What’s frustrating is that this closure is not clearly posted online or consistently communicated at the entrance, so people often show up only to be turned away. From what I understand, this started during COVID and simply never changed. It feels unnecessary and likely costs the store revenue. The facility itself is rough around the edges and often dirty, but as a professional reseller, I can overlook that because there are genuinely great finds here. That’s the reason I keep coming back. The quality of merchandise is hit or miss, but more often than not, there are worthwhile bargains. Pricing can be inconsistent and sometimes seems to change depending on the day, which can be confusing. Most employees are actually friendly and helpful, though there are occasional situations where communication could be handled more professionally. Like most Goodwill outlets, there are unspoken rules that regular shoppers generally understand: don’t take items from someone else’s cart, don’t argue over items, and respect the process when new bins are being rotated out. One ongoing problem is the cart situation. There often aren’t enough carts for customers, which forces some people to shop without one and scramble for bags to carry items. On top of that, some shoppers stack multiple carts full of merchandise, cover them with sheets, and essentially monopolize them for long periods. This makes an already competitive shopping environment more frustrating. Management also seems to change frequently, and with each new manager comes a different set of expectations or procedures. Consistency would go a long way. The bin rotation process itself is understandable. Customers should absolutely stay clear while employees are moving bins for safety reasons. However, there’s a difference between enforcing rules and yelling at adult customers. Clear, respectful communication would create a much better experience for everyone. Overall, despite the operational frustrations, this outlet remains one of the better places in the area for resellers and bargain hunters because the deals can absolutely be worth it. I just hope management addresses some of these avoidable issues."

"Always a lot of items. As a professional thrifter the bargains are here. Not for the faint of heart however, lots of rushing and elbowing when new bins come out. Staff is great! Only downfall is Goodwill allowing people to break glassware as they are digging for what they want with complete disregard for other items. Ill keep going regardless. Get there at opening if your looking for glass. Sometimes its only put out once a day."

"I have been to several goodwil bin stores across Florida and Georgia including savanna, Brunswick, Jacksonville, and Orlando. This is the 1st I've found that dint allow children under 12. I feel as though we have been discriminated against. Our children are very well behaved and watched at all times."

"This place is terrible for shoppers. Whoever runs this place makes everyone clear the floor for the last bins of the day?? Like you can’t shop the other bins while they bring new bins out…and do they take their time? Yep. You bet they do. Feels like someone has control issues…"