Why Is Goodwill Getting So Expensive? Discover Estate Sale Shopping
For many years, thrift stores were a dependable place to find affordable clothing, kitchen items, books, linens, shoes, and household basics. Lately, shoppers have been asking a different question: Why does shopping secondhand sometimes feel so much like shopping retail?
People have shared stories of finding everyday items priced close to what they might cost new. We’ve even heard shoppers mention music CDs marked at $8.99. When prices like that become common in a shopper’s experience, it’s understandable that they start looking for other places to find a bargain.
Why might thrift-store prices be going up?
There probably isn’t one explanation that applies to every store. Goodwill operates through local organizations, and pricing can vary from one region and location to another. Stores also face the practical costs of staffing, rent, utilities, sorting, and handling the large volume of donated goods they receive. Goodwill organizations say their store revenue supports community programs, including job training and career services.
Resellers may be part of the conversation, too. Many people have watched videos of shoppers finding inexpensive items at thrift stores and then sharing how much they later sold them for online. It’s easy to see why shoppers connect those resale profits with changing prices. When desirable items can sell for more elsewhere, that may influence how some stores think about pricing.
But resellers aren’t the only possible reason prices change, and it would be too simple to blame them alone. What many shoppers notice is the result: a trip to the thrift store can feel more like shopping at a mall, with prices that don’t always feel like a bargain.
If you’ve started to feel that way, there’s another kind of secondhand shopping worth discovering: the estate sale.
What is an estate sale?
An estate sale is generally a professionally organized sale of many of the belongings in a home. It may happen because someone is downsizing, moving, or has passed away. An estate sale company works with the homeowner, family, or estate to prepare the home, price and display items, and manage the sale.
You might find clothing, shoes, kitchenware, linens, books, décor, tools, furniture, collectibles, and plenty of things you didn’t know you needed until you spotted them.
How is an estate sale different from a yard sale?
A yard sale is usually a smaller, informal sale organized by a homeowner or family to sell things they no longer need, make room, or earn a little extra money. An estate sale is different in both scale and purpose. It is typically a professionally organized sale of much of a household’s contents, held inside the home over a short period, often two or three days. The home may be filled with useful belongings the owner intended to enjoy or use, along with treasured pieces the family cannot keep. For the family, it can be a meaningful transition. For shoppers, it’s a chance to discover items with history and plenty of life left in them.
An estate sale company represents the homeowner or estate, helping prepare, price, and sell those belongings. The goal is to earn a fair return for the client while working within a limited sale period. That’s why you may see carefully priced items alongside great deals, especially as the sale progresses. In Arizona, a casual, occasional yard sale is generally treated differently from a business sale. For a professionally run estate sale, the tax treatment can depend on how the company handles the sale. Arizona’s guidance says an estate sale company that prices items, conducts the sale, and takes payment for the owner is subject to retail transaction privilege tax (TPT).
Give estate-sale shopping a try
If you’ve never been to an estate sale, you may be picturing a yard sale. The difference is easy to miss from the street: estate sales are held inside the home, so you may drive by and see nothing set up outside. Don’t assume there’s nothing to shop for. Check the sale listing and photos, then stop by during the posted hours and come inside to explore.
You may find clothing, kitchenware, linens, shoes, books, and other useful household items at prices that make secondhand shopping feel affordable again. At our sales, CDs in saleable condition are often priced around 50 cents.
Prices and discounts vary from sale to sale. The most sought-after pieces may go quickly, while shoppers who come later may find more discounts. Come early for the best selection, or check the final day for markdowns.
Every home and every sale is different, so there’s no promise you’ll find a particular item or price. But if you’ve been disappointed by thrift-store prices, give an estate sale a chance. Your next great find may be waiting inside.
Bonjour Estate Sales / Phoenix Metro
