Goodwill Bins in Oregon

"UPDATE: 4/8/20024-- Documenting this update to reflect our most recent experience on Friday 4/5. ** During the last few months of 2023 several reviews noted a lack of rotation of the bins and issues with management. We did observe an obvious lack of rotation of the bins during a visit in November. However, during our visit the morning of 4/5 this appears to have been resolved as bins were regularly rotated during the 2 hours we were there. We noticed regular announcements during bin rotation to not begin digging until all bins were in place which aids first timers in what were previously unposted rules. It also seemed like the folks there doing the reseller hustle were a lot more reserved in their behavior (read below on our previous experience). My teen daughter loves going here for affordable shopping and 'mom time' but had some nice conversations with some of the resellers. Will repeat my previous observation that having a testing station for electronics would be ideal. *********** This is the kind of place where you need to 1) know what you are getting into and 2) have an open mind. 1 thing I wish they did have was a testing station with an electrical outlet. Watch out for the resellers as they are out for blood without any discouragement from the Goodwill employees or management (I got knocked over by one trying to grab some Nikes). Also the people who bring their little kids. Folks, just leave your kiddos at home- especially your small ones. This is NOT a place for them."

"This place is not like an ordering goodwill. Things are just thrown into bins, and you are expected to dig through them to find things that you want. It seems like they do try to organize stuff in the bins like they throw things that are alike in the same bin. If you're gonna come to the store and you're looking for something specific, It's all up to luck in this store. I would suggest bringing gloves to dig through the bins. Because there might be broken glass or something dangerous that can poke your hands or you don't want to touch something nasty. If you do forget your gloves, they do have a bathroom so you can wash your hands. Big furniture like tables and beds are kept in the back wall of the building. There were a lot of people who looked like racesellers there, They were looking through the electronics and stuff like that. If I did find something there that piqued my interest. I set it to one side of me, and somebody would just come up and take it. I guess one mistake I made was not grabbing a cart even if I didn't end up getting anything at the end. One thing that is definitely different from regular goodwill's, is that items are not paid individually. You have to weigh them by categories. And you must pay by the weight of the item Pile."

"This was an OK experience, however, you would need to spend at least a few hours sorting through the bins. I would wear a pair of gloves and a mask. The bins are not organized by category and I had even discovered a pair of soiled underwear at the bottom of the bins, super gross! The amount of dust flying in the air mixed with pollen from the outside was intense for me. I went on a Monday morning and was surprised how full and crowded the parking lot was. This may not be the best environment for someone who easily gets overstimulated by crowds and loud noises. The staff routinely rotate out the bins into the milieu and shoppers are on standby like hawks, so if you are a timid shopper, then this probably won't be the most pleasant of shopping experiences. I did find three cute tops and my fiancé found some interesting books. The prices are a good deal, but take precautions and go early in the morning during the weekday!"

"Random bargains await. Big blue bins are rolled in and out every few minutes. Items in the bins are priced per pound, which makes some heavier items way too expensive, but some items are a steal. Individually priced furniture and large items are located in the back of the store. Timid shoppers don't do well, as people can be pushy, and generally don't ascribe to normal shopping etiquette. If you have a germ phobia, this place will freak you out. Gloves are occasionally worn by customers, but generally not necessary. A full bin of clothes being clawed through by 30 people puts out a lot of dust and whatever airborne particles live in used fabric. Folks with dust allergies better wear a mask or go to a big box store and avoid this shopping adventure altogether. Be careful where you park. Customers unfortunately leave empty shopping carts randomly throughout the parking lot and rarely push them back to the store. Staff are friendly and helpful. They deal with an eclectic mix of shoppers every day, and as far as retail challenges, they have probably seen it all. This is a good place to drop off donations. You are supporting an organization helping our community."

"This is my all time go to store if you don't mind getting down and digging, these bins are filled with just affordable items and anything you may be looking for from household items to decor to books and pillows. Most is by weight. Pillows are .25 cents same as books. Electronics are by the pound $1.75 and clothes are 99. Cents a lb if you get to the $20 mark and blankets are $2 each no matter type or how heavy. I love this store. Shark, Dyson ,all the name brand bargains converse, vans, boggs, Carhartt, Nike and much more you name it they got it just have to diggg.. They have shopping carts they greet you at the door with a " come on in. Grab a cart"very cool place especially for family's that are low income or starting a new home from scratch."

"I love, love, LOVE to dig through bins of someones old treasures! You never know what you will find here. If you have 20 minutes to kill stop in and see what you can find. I have gotten clothes with tags still on them for next to nothing. The cashiers are friendly and very helpful. Stop by tomorrow and I promise you will love it too!!"

"This place is the best. Especially since times r tough. It's an inexpensive way to buy all kinds of things. Just bring some disposable gloves to sort thru the bins. It's not bad but occasionally there's been some things that r kind of icky to touch. Get ready to sort n dig! It's an adventure for sure! Thanks goodwill."

"Fun place to dig through bins of stuff and find treasures at an excellent price. Love to go through all of the clothes. I got a darling DKNY pajama set, a Chico's sweater jacket, 2 pairs of nice pajama pants and a pair of cute black athletic capris and a darling pillow case for $6!"

"Decent selection even for a wholesale thrift store. The store is cleanish and the bathrooms aren't bad. If you are at all squeamish about dirt and such, bring a pair of gloves for sorting through the bins. The staff is mostly friendly, though I wouldn't blame them for being a bit weary after some of the things I've seen people pulling in there. Know the rules for new bins and do not get in the way of the resellers. The parking lot is big but poorly upkept so be prepared for a rough ride. All in all, a good place to find those one-of-a-kind items or clothing in bulk."

"A little dirty and crowded but if you want to buy a lot of things for prices by the pound then go for it. I love it. Great deals on many things. Here are some pictures of just a few of the things I was able to purchase the day I went. You just have to dig in the bins and really look hard, and you, too, will find nice things. Just plan on taking it home and cleaning it well before use. Unless its new items, which they have plenty of also. Plan to make a day of it. Monday is the best day to go I have found. Have fun!"

"I'm only giving 4 stars because they need more shopping carts. This place always has an abundance of items and I never leave empty handed. Without fail I come home with wonderful things at even better prices.The employees are great. If you are in the mood to dig through bins for treasures this place is for you! Most of the other shoppers are respectful and courteous. I recommend wearing rubber gloves and washing your unique finds."

"Staff are fine its the customers I have issues with. everyone is so aggressive and pissed off, they bring out a bin and 50 people attack it from every angle. Most of them its their full time job what ever they find there they go and sell it again. Electronics about 50 % are broken, clothes alot have defects. I dont know I just dont enjoy going here any one more it used to be a much more friendly vibe here before."

"This is the worst outlet I have ever been to for so many reasons. I am an avid thrifter from Vancouver. I go to the bins weekly in my area (Orchards) Which is much bigger, friendly shoppers, friendly staff etc. First off they are out of carts. Second off I get yelled at by an employee because I was standing too close to him while he was maneuvering the bin during rotation. The setup is completely different. I am not new to the bins. I know the drill. But to be yelled at repeatedly before I could even move or respond I'm like what is your problem dude! I went up to him and told him to quit yelling at me & to quit being a jerk. It's my first time here you don't have to be so incredibly rude! Geeshhk!! Then you have the entitled teens that lean against the bins waiting for the new rotation bins to come out. They will not move so you can shop. I literally had to ask them to move since they were not getting the hint I was trying to dig in them. All around this place is not worth waisting your time nor money on. They don't have much, it's small. And the traffic was insane to get to the freeway going home. (30 minutes to go 1.5 miles at mid-day) In conclusion to this lovely story of mine.........Is that This place pretty much SUCKS!"

"I used to go here as a teen and would find really great stuff. The resellers have ruined it, its mainly teenagers but theres a variety. Its like a bunch of cockroaches when a new bin comes out. They really need to have hours for resellers and hours for the rest of us, everything "trendy" is immediately grabbed and resold for atleast $100 online. Some people & their families have relied on the bins to source clothing and other items for an affordable price. I hope the reseller trend dies out and they go back to spending mommy and daddies money on their designer clothes instead of taking from poor people."

"Awesome. This is an outlet that charges per pound. Glassware and electric .69 a pound. House n clothes, 2.19 pound and it drops to 1.29 a pound when you hit 25 pounds. I walked out with two full bags of newer clothes and shoes for 14.76 with new toaster, digital picture frame, etc...coat and pants. Best deals. You have to dig thru the bins. Bring gloves."

"I guess the Goodwill bins are a full time profession for some folks. It is what it is, I enjoy the thrill of the hunt. The staff are friendly. But its annoying when people load up their carts and line them up at the back of the store, or when they just hang out chit chatting in the way waiting for the next bins to come out. I do score some neat stuff sometimes, but some people take it way too seriously ripping through the bins flinging things all over. My reccomendation would be to wear gloves."

"I like the concept of this place, everything is by weight, foe the most part its worth it. You have to dig through bins carefully, I reccomend bringing gloves. When staff bringing out new bins to the floor, customers have to wait until all bins are in place before starting to dig through the new stuff. Definitely found some good finds for the kids. Keep stuff out of the dump, wish we had this in Canada (BC). Great way to recycle used items."

"Goodwill Outlet Salem - Where $3 Buys You Froyo & Kids Run Side Hustles Let me tell you about the chaotic magic that is the Goodwill Outlet in Salem, Oregon. I walked in looking for nothing in particular and walked out with a dog gate that costs $50 at PetSmart. My price? $3. That’s a 96% discount, which means I just saved enough money to take my entire family out for froyo tonight. This is the kind of math I can get behind. The Reality: Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, it’s chaotic. Yes, you’re basically treasure hunting through bins while competing with professional thrifters who know exactly what they’re doing. But here’s the thing - if you go in with the mindset of “I’m just gonna look around and see what I see” or “I need household items that don’t need to be brand new off the shelf,” you will absolutely crush it. The Side Hustle Economy: I also witnessed some savvy kids inside with shopping carts absolutely loaded with vintage clothing. We’re talking Nautica, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger - all the 90s brands that Gen Z is paying premium prices for right now. This kid probably paid like $10 for his entire cart and is about to turn around and sell it on Depop, eBay, or whatever online thrift sites are hot right now for easily $500+. That’s a pretty damn good return on investment. Honestly, I respect the hustle. The Goodwill Outlet isn’t just for budget shoppers - it’s apparently also Business School 101 for entrepreneurial teenagers. What I Learned: Don’t go in looking for something specific unless you enjoy disappointment. Go in open to possibilities. Need a dog gate? Maybe. Need kitchen stuff? Perhaps. Need random things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them for $2? Definitely. Want to start a vintage clothing side hustle? Apparently this is your spot. The Goodwill Outlet is pay-by-the-pound heaven for people who understand that “gently used” is just another way of saying “affordable” (or in some cases, “profitable”). I found a perfectly good dog gate someone else decided they didn’t need, and now my dog can’t escape the living room AND my kids get froyo. Everyone wins. Pro Tips: • Go with low expectations and high curiosity • Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little dusty • Bring hand sanitizer • Don’t fight the chaos, embrace it • Remember that saving 96% is worth the treasure hunt • If you’re entrepreneurial, bring a cart and hunt for vintage gold If you’re in Salem and need household stuff without the retail markup - or you’re trying to fund your vintage clothing empire - the Goodwill Outlet is your spot. Just remember: one person’s “I don’t need this anymore” is another person’s “I just saved $47 on a dog gate” or another person’s “$500 business opportunity.” Highly recommend for budget-conscious families, thrifters, side hustlers, and anyone who likes froyo! #GoodwillOutlet #SalemOregon"

"its a cool place . I get here about once a month because its a treasure hunt. I don't always find something to buy, but when I do its very cheap. Over the years I have found a few very valuable things that I sold and made significant money on them.That keeps me coming back. Gloves are a very good idea and face masks might be helpful too. Enjoy the hunt here. Ding two stars too much pure junk in bins should be discarded quicker and too crowded at times hard to dig elbow to elbow."

"Almost 5 stars from me but I have one issue that gets under my skin. Really fun with very few rules but management seems to pick and choose which to enforce. Everyone lines up to be ready for the first hands into the newly filled bins. They have clusters of line 6 tables at a time and no one is allowed to dig in until all tables are exchanged and in place. While employee try to enforce the rules of everyone waiting as soon as they can get away with it the Hispanic men and women are sneaking and peaking taking what they want. Employees tell them to wait when they catch them but the continue to do it when they think they won't be caught. They know the rules and they know they get away with it anyway. Goodwill employees need enforce the rules and kick known cheaters out of the store and ban repeat offenders. It's worse than shop lifting. It's ribbing other patrons of their oppritunity to find that highly desired or valued items. It's not fair that some sit and follow the rules while others knowingly cheat and steal. It's gross and a real slap in the face when they are not held accountable..... But don't you dare touch a bin when the clock hits 8pm. It's closing time and they managers and employees enforce that rule without the slightest bit of leaniency. Come on folks.... I'm tired of feeling bullied and I know your other patrons are tired as well."