Inflation

[Sprocket]

I think the prices are going up at my local Goodwill Stores.  The merchandise that is individually priced seems to be getting more expensive. 

-Sprock

[Good Buddy]

I think the prices are going up at my local Goodwill Stores.

I don't necessarily think it's Goodwill but most of the larger thrifts seem to be pricing more items with a let's see if we can get the maximum for an item philosophy.

Many thrift stores are under the completely misguided notion that they can get the same for an item that's being sold on Ebay. Ebay had 1000's of eyes looking at any given item from all over the globe. A thrift store only has the eyes that actually walk in the door and see the item. I know I don't look at every single item in any given thrift I shop at.

[pop_ pirate]

i was in savers recently and went over to their "collectables" case...i saw various collectables of dubious value as well as junk...old porceline doll with very bad hair condition and chips in her porceline (can't spell this) feet ...badly damaged old games etc...too highly priced...laughable even...i'm sure that they got on ebay and priced accordingly ...  also, i'v e noticed clothing prices have increased 1-3$ per piece...still a great deal in a lot of cases ...just sayin'...pop pirate counting her pennies...

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

You know, it's true-- I don't think I ever bought anything from those "collectibles" cabinets in the thrifts. The stuff I've found that IS collectible or antique somehow ends up on the regular shelves and not in those cabinets.

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Funny you should mention that, Sprock. I think one of my local church thrifts increased prices by .25 to .50 an item. I just noticed this today, so it may be a "start of the fiscal year" (10/01) thing for them.  Still, it surprised me.  An increase of .50 on items can add up.

TSR and p_p, I'm with you on the "collectibles" thing. At a church thrift today, the stuff they had in their "collectibles" cabinets was stuff I wouldn't have purchased new or would have regifted to anyone, it was so icky (at least to me). But I did well outside the case, in the store.

My observation is this:  I think it depends on whoever is pricing stuff. 

[Jay2TheRescue]

I think the prices are going up at my local Goodwill Stores.

I don't necessarily think it's Goodwill but most of the larger thrifts seem to be pricing more items with a let's see if we can get the maximum for an item philosophy.

Many thrift stores are under the completely misguided notion that they can get the same for an item that's being sold on Ebay. Ebay had 1000's of eyes looking at any given item from all over the globe. A thrift store only has the eyes that actually walk in the door and see the item. I know I don't look at every single item in any given thrift I shop at.

I've said this many times, but the thrifts don't seem to get it.  Many times they will see a similar item go for say $100 on Ebay, so they try to get that much, but the problem is that the item they have isn't in as good of condition, or some other variable like that.  Also you're right, Ebay is a global marketplace, whereas the thrift store is only selling to those who walk in the door.

-Jay

[Jay2TheRescue]

i was in savers recently and went over to their "collectables" case...i saw various collectables of dubious value as well as junk...old porceline doll with very bad hair condition and chips in her porceline (can't spell this) feet ...badly damaged old games etc...too highly priced...laughable even...i'm sure that they got on ebay and priced accordingly ...  also, i'v e noticed clothing prices have increased 1-3$ per piece...still a great deal in a lot of cases ...just sayin'...pop pirate counting her pennies...

I have never seen anything of value in the cases, yet as you have mentioned valuable items will be just sitting on the shelves. 

-Jay

[Other People s Junk]

I have seen stores actually print off the ebay auction they are basing their prices on and set it with the item...  a lot of the time there isn't any bids on the stuff- so it doesn't even mean it IS worth that much, even if it happened to be the same item/ same condition.

[Big Daddy Audio]

Just a few comments from The Wizard of AZ (no, it's not a new nickname) -

TSR - I like the new picture.

Goodwill is raising it's prices, but it's also offering a new 50% off color everyday - they didn't use to do this.  There were different promotions, but mainly for groups of people of whom I was not a bona fide member (Seniors, students, etc.).

McDonald's is also raising prices.  The McD's by us recently raised the price from $1.00 for a double cheeseburger (which was a good price for what you get) to $1.39, yet they kept it on the dollar value menu!  That's a 39% increase!  Holy Crap!  Out of general principle, they will not see my face for at least 2 months.  It was nice to be able to get 2 double cheeseburgers (plain) and a medium fries for $3.24 including tax.

I haven't noticed the eBay-ification of our Goodwills or Savers yet, but I have seen some totally out-there prices.  I saw, no kidding, a 2-record set by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops called The American Spirit or something like that for - sit down - $79.99.  It wasn't even in mint condition, let alone sealed or new.  I couldn't believe it.  Now, this may be an extremely rare album, or otherwise somehow collectible, but for some reason, I doubt it.  It's also pretty funny to see fake designer stuff with high prices.  I saw a fake Louis Vuitton purse with a $89.99 tag on it.  It's unbelievable.  Are they selling it as authentic, but at a stupid low price, or are they selling as a fake, but an unbelievably high price?  What gives?  This is becoming the land of confusion.

Cassettes are still $.49 apiece, but finding the high bias blanks (even with stuff recorded on them) is getting more and more difficult.  High quality material stuff (Zappa, Coltrane, Davis, etc.) is nigh on impossible.  Stereo gear is also becoming more and more rare as kids move to mp3's (just keep it all on your computer, then add to your iPod as needed - YUCK!).  Even on Craigslist it's the same.

I did put "Second Hand" by Michael Zadoorian on my wife's "Paperback Swap" wish list.  Maybe someone will put it on, and I'll get lucky.

But until then, the HUNT continues....

That is all. 

   

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Big Daddy, I just got "Second-hand" out of the library.  Let me know if you find it secondhand.

As for my area and the ebay/collectible consequences on thrifts, I have two posts on this under "Games Gone Wild" topic, if you (or anyone else) are interested.

(PS: I'm glad you like my Pyrex! )

SeSo 

[Mattie]

I think hardcore thrifters (i.e., us) don't care about the stuff the rest of the world deems "collectible."  We have unusual tastes and interests, and what THEY consider junk, WE consider good.  Like everyone else here, I've found amazing and weird things out on the shelves, while the locked cases were full of crap I'd never spend a dime on.  What they don't know won't hurt us.

[ctumma]

The Goodwill & Army stores near me have both raised their prices on just about everything. I find books have taken the biggest hit in those stores. I have to be more selective with my buying. Even though they offer sales each week on different colors, I don't get as much. I am glad I am not alone with this discovery. My thinking is that everything they receive is donated FREE and they won't run out of donations any time soon. I would think they would rather move their inventory than have it sitting on the racks and shelves trying to get more $$$. They seem to think everyone is making a killing on their stuff.

[Big Daddy Audio]

One thing that these shops don't get for free is labor, rent, and utilities.  When the minimum wage went up a few months ago, there were a few kids at my church (working on housekeeping and operations staff) who were cut loose.  I'm sure the prices going up has more to do with wages and rent and utilities (electricity is up, as is commercial rent, in Phoenix) than Goodwill worrying about Jay making money on a striped Pyrex bowl.  He makes his money based on the time it takes him to find the rare item and the application of his accrued knowledge, which is a fair deal - he's not "getting over" on anybody.  We also have to keep in mind that all these places are businesses, and they have to be run as such, or they won't be around to supply us with those True Crime books, Wilton cake decorating books, mid-century modern and Tiki furniture and lamps, vintage game systems, stereos, tapes, records, and truly funky clothing.

Did I skip anyone?

The eBay-ification is out of line (as are the pre-priced, factory-sealed bargain items that have gone up in price to the tune of 50-100%), but price increases, sad to say, are a cost of doing business.  We just have to look harder and dig deeper for those top-notch scores.  We can do it, because we are HARD CORE!

In the words of Jack Black (in School of Rock) - "Let's get Rockin'!!"

That is all.

[ctumma]

And that's the way it is!! I just need to accept it and move on.
Thanks for the tongue lashing. You are right.

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Nuff said, Big Daddy! Time to rock n' roll!!!!  Just wait till I tell you about my great (and totally unexpected) great thrift day!

xoxoxox,
Your Fellow Hardcore, Die-Hard Thrifter FOR-EVAH!
SeSo

However, what I have mentioned in several posts on several topics is still,for me, the bottom line. Those of us  here who are the die-hards may have other options (like Target, for example) But it's the truly poor who get screwed when the prices go up. And whether we (all of us here) like it or not, we are a part of this. There is interconnectedness in everything that is written here. None of us are above it.  We do the best we can with all our different reasons.  Love and Peace at you all....