Greetings.
Before I start my tangent, I would like to say that anything bad you’ve heard about Goodwill in the past isn’t just true, it’s reality. For seven months, I was employed at a Goodwill store. Throughout my time there I was exposed to the harsh reality of what goes on within the company behind the scenes. Firstly, without a doubt employees are treated like dirt, especially individuals whom have disabilities as I’ll explain. Employees are forced by management to price merchandise for extravagant prices. As I’m sure the majority of you are aware already, the rumors of Goodwill price gauging is 100% true. You see, Goodwill is separated into two main areas, cashier and warehouse processor. No matter where you work in the building, all of your activity is logged and stored on their computer system. Managers abuse the information gathered from the system. If warehouse processors aren’t pricing items high enough, they get scolded. If cashiers aren’t fast enough and aren’t rounding up, they get scolded. I think you get the point.
The company as a whole has now favored the good ol’ quantity over quality system. Quality standards are next to nonexistent, and it’s a big reason as to why most stores are in complete shambles. One thing is for certain, Goodwill doesn’t spend a dime on the merchandise. The only dime spent on merchandise are the cheap, low-quality impulse buy goods located at the front of most Goodwill stores, however that stuff is purchased for pennies on the dollar. They’ve also adopted the “round-up your total” scam as stated before, and that’s used against employees daily. Individuals with disabilities are always taken advantage of. I’ve witnessed first hand poor treatment towards such individuals from management and it’s absolutely disgusting. They talk said employees into staying past their scheduled shifts if someone for example calls off, or if the store gets “busy”, or most commonly just because. Management is fully aware of these individuals disabilities and manipulate them without a care in the world.
Regarding the price controversy, Goodwill has removed the $0.99 option across the board. Currently, the lowest price for any piece of merchandise is $1.99 store-wide. To some, that doesn’t sound too significant, but for a supposed thrift store it’s outrageous. Speaking of pricing, warehouse processors are instructed to educate themselves with pop culture and basic knowledge of what’s valuable. They do this so high-ticket items that have been donated can be sorted through and shipped to Goodwill eBay centers to be sold at Markup prices on official Goodwill eBay accounts nationwide. Don’t even get me started on the pay, you are paid an insignificant amount of money for what you’re put through and are required to do. Raises normally grant you only a quarter more, just enough for that gum ball you’ve had your eyes on. For how much revenue the company pulls in each year, the amount they pay towards employees is completely archaic and abysmal. The head of our Goodwill area once came into my location and held a meeting regarding everything stated above. He flat-out told us to raise prices and make that our top priority, disregarding any idea of quality control or any talks of raises, conveniently.
Management as a whole is pathetic. Your typical workplace favoritism is at an all-time high. Most of what they tell regular employees not to do is what they do on a daily basis. It seems as though they don’t know what they’re doing and they enjoy picking fights with people. We are told to use our phones to look up merchandise for pricing, yet we get yelled at for being on them. We are granted two paid fifteen minute breaks per shift, however we get yelled at for taking them even though it’s company policy. Every turn ends in a roadblock, no one is pleased and anything you do can result in a serious scolding matter from management. It feels as though I’m in school being called down to the principals office.
To conclude this rant, I’ll end it by saying this. Goodwill is not what it seems. Greed and poor management has completely taken over the company. I’m aware that times are tough and there is absolutely no shame in thrifting, however I would highly recommend giving your time and business to local businesses and other thrift stores around your area. If you have any questions regarding Goodwill, just drop it in the comment section and I’ll answer what I can.
Thanks for reading, have a good day.