Goodwill Bins in Avondale

"Since Goodwill discovered online auctioning it was only a matter of time until they took their business to the next level and started selling their best categories there. Fun’s over for us, bargain-hunting folk. This store is not any different, and actually worse. The bargain bins are gone, but I never enjoyed that area anyway. Their jewelry section is completely gone (in all Goodwills actually), the clothing prices went up so much that a pilled-up Free People top will cost you $20! Dresses are $8.99-$14.99, tops $6.99 and up. The stuff on the shelves is comical in its content and pricing. Read the other reviews - it’s all true. Some items are more than retail, useless things all over those long rows of shelves priced way over what you’d expect. I saw a baggie of used sewing thread for $9.99… The only hope of finding something of interest is if THEY miss an item of value and let it get to the shelf, or if you really, really know your collectibles. Although it will have to be something from holiday decor, kitchen pots, pans, glasses and dishes, framed art, craft supplies, sports equipment, and random small metal objects like racks, trinket trays etc."

"This Goodwill store offers clean items that are fairly priced and restroom facilities that are immaculate. Plan on spending some time here because of the size of the store and quantity of product. Additionally, this location houses an outlet in which items are charged by the pound and appears to be a favorite way to shop for many thrifters and resellers. Digging through these large bins of miscellaneous items and clothing, looking for that special something, can be a lot of fun. This is a very nice Goodwill store and Victoria, at checkout, is fabulous."

"One star, and only because Google won't allow zero star ratings. First, I need to report on the utterly unprofessional & rude behavior of the employees. Most egregiously, the man who appears to be the manager (named Mike Hunt) is consistently rude & surly. He needs to learn public relations, manners, and to control the P. A. system. Often the announcements and/or music are startlingly, unnecessarily loud. Once, when the music was unbearably loud, I approached Mr. Hunt and asked if he would please turn it down because it was disturbing. He snarled at me that he had no control over the volume. When I said that the previous managers did, he nastily replied, "When you come in here, you take what you get!" Goodwill corporate, is this OK with you? The employees on the floor often crowd the customers, even reaching in front of us or bumping into us, without a word of apology. They should steer clear of shoppers as much as possible. But when they absolutely they need to be in our personal space, they need learn to say, "Excuse me," and "Sorry." Overall, this Goodwill has gone downhill over the years. They have reorganized the entire store at least four times in the past five years, every time making things worse. It now has the look & feel of a junk shop in the old time Bowery. The prices have repeatedly increased and the quality of the merchandise has decreased. They now actually have on the shelves dirty flower pots (which, aside from being shoddy can carry horticultural diseases) & weak plastic containers that someone's takeout food came that haven't been cleaned. Clothing often has stains, rips, or holes. The clothing that was always poorly organized, is worse now. At least it used to be arranged by color and size. All too frequently many articles of men's clothing is in with women's. Same with different sizes & different categories, like shrts in with skirts or long pants, sleepwear in the workout clothing, etc. (Speaking of sleepwear, please seperate the nightgowns from the pajamas. Many of us only wear one or the other. Why make us dig through all to find the only ones we will buy?) A problem that was created long ago was the removal of the mirrors that used to stand at the ends of most rows. So often customers just need to hold an article of clothing in front of us and look in a mirror to see if it's even a good choice. Now, we have to go all the way over to the dressing rooms, of which there are far too few, and hope one is open. Just idiotic! Put back the mirrors! And it's not that Goodwill stores can't overcome these issues. I suggest a visit to the Palmyra, PA, shop for proof of that."

"I've been to many Goodwill stores and from a retail perspective, I wasn't too crazy about it. Granted I did find some movies and our cashier was very friendly, I feel the store could use more TLC. Again, from a retail perspective, it's important to greet your customers as they come in especially when multiple employees are in the store. First, the children's books and stuffed animals are difficult to browse. I assisted a lady in picking up books that fell onto the floor because of the poor use of space. The books kept falling on the floor despite the lady's efforts. The books were crammed onto a tiny shelf that with a single movement, causes a book avalanche. The stuffed animals were in big boxes that you have to dig to browse which was more than worth the effort. Even though Goodwill is a bargain store with used items, it doesn't mean items need to appear just thrown on the shelves. I love Goodwill, I do but I feel they should take more pride in their store and what they sell. It truly makes all the difference. I have worked in retail for over 5 years and presentation is everything. Customers tend to browse in areas that are visually pleasing and welcoming."