C'mon Salvation Army! Really?

On Wednesdays, I like to go to both Salvation Army and Goodwill in search of great items for resell in my closet.  Lately, I've been really disappointed in both but very disappointed in Salvation Army.

I get that both organizations rely on sales to support the good work they do.  However, must you put a price tag on these items that is absolutely ridiculous. Take a look!

Isn't this interesting?  As you can see, Marshall's had priced it at $15.  The tag behind it is the Salvation Army tag.  Yep, that's $30!  Why would they price it at twice what Marshall's had?

Crazy, huh?

This is not a one time thing.  I've seen it many times. I try to find items that cost me no more than $4 so I have a better chance of making a little money on it when I sell it.  These thrift stores are asking 12, 24, even as high as 50 dollars for items that have tags or are a good name brand but, seriously, why?  People are not buying the items marked so high.  I'd spend more if they had their .99 cent sale that they no longer do.

So, I have updated my philosophy.  I will look for items with original tags that will not cost me ore than $4 to buy!

I live in an area that has two Goodwills and one Salvation Army.  In nearby towns, there is another Salvation Army and three Goodwills.  However, the selection is limited and none run super sales nor do they have bins to search through.

My best place has been the SPCA thrift store but it has closed.  I do ok at Plato's C:oset when they run their clearance sales but that only happens three or four times a year.

I do ok at Label Shopper when they have their 50% off items marked 3,4, or 5 dollars.  

I may find more if I am willing to go out of town or to another state but with gas prices going up that has to be put on hold.

I still have fun looking and shopping because I have found amazing items and hope to find more.  That adventuresome feeling keeps me going.

And, I do make sales.  I just held a clearance sale that will end on Saturday, March 21st at Midnight.

Get your deal before the sale ends!

Want to join Poshmark?

It's easy.  I recommend downloading the app and it will lead you through the steps.  Be sure to use this code to receive $10 of your first purchase:

LEPROF_74

My closet: https://poshmark.com/closet/leprof_74?sort_by=added_desc&all_size=true&my_size=false 

See something you like in my closet? Comment that you read my blog and I will give you at least 25% off your item or bundle. 

 I am a bit frustrated with Thrift shops marking items at ridiculous prices!

I absolutely love sourcing for my closet.  My goal is to try and purchase items for less than $5.  Hopefully, closer to $3 or less even! I need that so I can make some money on the items.  If my price point is $20, Poshmark takes $4 and if I give $4.99 shipping, there goes another $1.50.  I'd make $14.40. Not bad.  But, most things sell for a lot less than $20.  In fact, to give you an idea of some typical sales, here's what's happened recently:

A top sold for $8 and I made 5.50.  Subtract $3 as an average of what I spent on it.  And, the net is only $2.50.

A pair of capris sold for $12 and I received $7.55 from Posh.  Subtract $3 and I made $4.55.

A bundle of 2 shirts sold for $19 and my earnings were $13.70.  Subtract $6 for what the two items cost me, and my net is $7.70.

Occasionally, I do make a big sale but the majority result in getting my money back for what I spent on them and a little income.

So, what Salvation Army and Goodwill think they are designer outlets, I get frustrated.

Yesterday, I went to my local Salvation Army.  On Wednesdays, four colors (they color code the tags) are 50% off.  Just about every time I found a NWT item of a decent brand, they had tagged it for $24.99!  Even at 50% off, I could not make money on that item.  I even found one item that had a original store tag that had $22.99 as the retail price and Salvation Army tagged it at $24.99!  Are you.......kidding me?

Moreover, many of these items they had priced out of my preferred range (6.99 or less) were not even great brands.  They had overpriced Shein, Forever 21, Rue 21, and Fashion Nova.

They already have tons of Zara that they sell at half price and most of it is junk because they are all flawed with things like broken zippers and tears!

Goodwill does this to some extent too.  I guess it is ok for people looking for a bargain and are buying for themselves but for resellers, it's a bummer.

Thank goodness I still have Plato's Closet and my local SPCA shop here in my hometown and the Curiosity Shop and Teen Challenge in my real hometown.  I've tried God's Thrift before but I remember their prices for secondhand to be outrageous with no deals.

I have so much inventory right now that I do not need anything else but I still love getting great deals with the hope of making more than a few dollars on them.

Conclusion:  Remember my reason for doing this is to keep me busy and focused on something meaningful so I have a distraction from all my worries.

Want to join Poshmark?

It's easy.  I recommend downloading the app and it will lead you through the steps.  Be sure to use this code to receive $10 of your first purchase:

LEPROF_74

My closet: https://poshmark.com/closet/leprof_74?sort_by=added_desc&all_size=true&my_size=false 

See something you like in my closet? Comment that you read my blog and I will give you at least 30% off your item or bundle. 

Success at the Salvation Army vs Goodwill Disappointment

Let's start with the positive.  Saturday, I decided to go out of town to another Salvation Army.  I found a few good items including a few brand new cosmetic bags from Estee Lauder.  I can either list them or hold on to them to use as giveaways, if I ever get the nerve to do a live show.

Then, on Monday, I went to my usual Salvation Army.  What luck!  The manager decided to try to get rid of all the Zara items at $5.99 each!  Most had issues like broken zippers or missing buttons.  However, I did find three good items:  1 pair wide leg shorts; 1 faux leather 5 pocket jeans; 1 flat front flare leg faux leather pants.

 Also, on Saturday, I decided to go stay at my Mom's house.  A little alone time is nice once in a while.  There are several thrift stores near her house.  I went to the one that supports a local organization called the Curiosity Shop.  Ihey were having a 50% off sale on all clothes, shoes, and purses.  I found a Liz Claiborne purse for $4.00.  It is new with tags and in excellent shape.  

Now for the disappointment.  On Sunday, I met my sister at a Goodwill near her. Yet another town!  I look forward to going on Sunday because they are supposed to have 50% off a certain color tag.

The last few times and this one included all the certain color tags are few and far between! Apparently, what they do is remove all the outdated items of the speacial color and take them to the back to be discarded. 

What sense does that make?  Why not let it go one more day so people can take advantage of the 50% off?

None of our Goodwills within decent driving distance have bins.  The least they could do is put the outdated items in a bin for a few weeks and then discard them.

My idea- put them in bins and mark them 99 cents!  I mean really.  What do they have to lose?  I understand they need to keep new merchandise coming in and need to make room for it.  But, do they have to throw perfectly good stuff away when it could be something we could use?  I wouldn't think so.

All in all, a successful sourcing weekend.  Today, I'm taking pictures and making listings, a little at a time.

Want to join Poshmark?

It's easy.  I recommend downloading the app and it will lead you through the steps.  Be sure to use this code to receive $10 of your first purchase:

LEPROF_74

See something you like in my closet? Comment that you read my blog and I will give you at least 25% off your item or bundle.