The Bins: every Goodwill Outlet store, and how they work

What a Goodwill Outlet is

Goodwill is a network of more than 150 independent regional nonprofits, and most regions run at least one outlet. Merchandise that sits unsold in a retail store for roughly four weeks (the exact cycle varies by region) is pulled, consolidated, and sent to the outlet, where it gets one more chance with the public before it is sold in bulk to salvage buyers and textile recyclers.

That is why the bins are cheap and chaotic at once. Nothing has been sorted, hung, or priced individually: clothing, shoes, bags, linens, books, toys, housewares, and small décor are mixed together, while furniture and larger electronics usually sit along the walls with their own price tags.

How pay-by-the-pound pricing works

Most outlets weigh your haul at checkout and charge a per-pound rate for clothing, shoes, and soft goods. Rates are set by each regional Goodwill and typically fall between roughly $1 and $2 per pound, often on a sliding scale where the per-pound price drops once you pass a weight threshold such as 25 or 50 pounds. Some regions post one flat per-pound rate for everything in the bins.

Books, media, glassware, and hard goods are frequently priced per item or at a separate per-pound rate, and furniture, electronics, and bikes are tagged individually. Because every region sets its own prices, the store page for a specific outlet is the place to confirm current rates, or call ahead.

How the bins rotate

Staff roll out fresh bins on a schedule, commonly every hour or two, and pull the picked-over row at the same time. When a new row comes out, shoppers stand behind a line until the bins are locked in place and staff give the go-ahead. Regulars line up for rotations because the first minutes on a fresh bin are when the best items surface; midday and late afternoon are usually quieter.

Rules and etiquette

• Gloves are recommended, and required at some outlets. Nothing in the bins has been sorted or washed.
• Keep your hands out of bins that are being moved, and wait behind the line until staff clear a fresh row.
• Many locations keep children out of the bin aisles for safety; check the posted rules at the door.
• Carts, bags, and containers are often limited, and staff may check bags on the way in.
• Everything is sold as-is. Look for stains, missing pieces, and broken zippers before you commit cart space.
• Work one bin at a time and don’t sweep a whole bin into your cart; regulars notice, and so do staff.

Who shops the bins

Resellers sourcing for eBay, Poshmark, Depop, and live-selling apps make up a large share of the crowd, which is why weekday openings and rotation times get busy. Crafters and upcyclers buy denim and fabric by the pound; families come for kids’ clothing that costs cents per piece. If you are new, go on a weekday afternoon, work one bin at a time, and keep a rough running weight in your head before checkout.

For what sells once you get it home, see our guides to what sells at thrift stores and how to thrift flip.

Questions about the bins

What is a Goodwill Outlet?

A Goodwill Outlet is the last stop for donations that did not sell in a regular Goodwill store. Goods arrive in large rolling bins, unsorted, and are sold by the pound instead of by the piece. Shoppers call them “the bins.” Each regional Goodwill runs its own outlets, so names, prices, and rules vary from one region to the next.

How much do the bins cost?

Most outlets charge a per-pound rate for clothing, shoes, and soft goods, typically somewhere between about $1 and $2 per pound, and many drop the rate once your haul passes a weight tier such as 25 or 50 pounds. Books, glassware, and hard goods often have their own rate, and furniture, electronics, and bikes are usually tagged individually. Prices are set by each regional Goodwill, so check the store page or call before a long drive.

Are Goodwill Outlets open on Sunday?

Many are, but schedules are set region by region and some outlets close one or two days a week for restocking. Every outlet page on this site shows its full weekly hours where we have verified them.

Can I donate at a Goodwill Outlet?

Often, yes: many outlets share a site with a donation center or a warehouse that takes drop-offs. Some are processing facilities that only receive goods from other stores. The store page notes what we know; when in doubt, the regional Goodwill’s phone line has the answer.

Do I need gloves at the bins?

Gloves are strongly recommended and some outlets require them. Items are unsorted and unwashed, and broken glass or sharp objects turn up. Closed-toe shoes and hand sanitizer round out the kit.

Is an Outlet the same as a Goodwill Clearance Center or Pound Store?

Yes. Regions name them differently — Outlet, Outlet World, Clearance Center, Pound Store, or just “the bins” — but they all mean pay-by-the-pound shopping from rolling bins of unsold donations.

Does Goodwill wash the clothes at the outlet?

No. Everything is sold as-is, exactly as it came out of the retail stores’ unsold stock. Check for stains, missing parts, and broken zippers before an item goes into your cart, and wash everything before use.