What Are Goodwill Bins and How Do They Work?

If you love finding a good deal, then you’ll want to know about Goodwill Bins. These stores are also called Goodwill Outlets, and they’re a little different from the regular Goodwill thrift shops you might have seen before.

What Is a Goodwill Bin?

When regular Goodwill stores get too many donations or need to make room for new items, the extra things are sent to a Goodwill Outlet. At these outlets, everything is placed in large blue bins instead of being hung neatly on racks or displayed on shelves.

The big difference is how you pay. At a normal thrift store, each item has its own price tag. At a Goodwill Bin, items are sold by the pound. That means the more something weighs, the more you pay—but the price per pound is usually very low. You can fill up your cart with clothes, books, or small home goods, and it might only cost a few dollars.

People shop at Goodwill Bins because it’s fun and full of surprises. You never know what you’ll find—maybe a designer jacket, a working phone charger, or a rare vintage toy. It’s like a treasure hunt every time you go.

Why Shop at Goodwill Bins Near You?

The best reason to shop at a Goodwill Bin is the low cost. Because items are sold by weight, you can get a lot for very little money. A shirt that might cost $7 at a regular Goodwill could cost only 50 cents to $1 at the bins. It’s one of the most affordable ways to shop for clothes, books, and household items.

Another reason people love the bins is the variety. You’ll find all kinds of things mixed together—jeans, kitchenware, children’s toys, shoes, puzzles, and sometimes even brand-new items that were never used. Each bin is different, and the stock changes often, so there’s always something new to discover.

Many resellers shop at Goodwill Outlets too. They buy items for a few dollars and then sell them online for a profit. Others shop simply because it’s exciting and a great way to save money while helping the planet by giving used items a second life.

What’s the Difference Between Goodwill and Goodwill Outlets?

Both regular Goodwill stores and Goodwill Outlets are run by the same organization, and both help fund Goodwill’s job training and community programs. The main difference is how items are organized and priced.

At a regular Goodwill, everything is clean, sorted, and priced separately. Clothes are hung on racks by size, books are on shelves, and electronics are tested and labeled. You can shop like you would in any normal retail store.

At a Goodwill Outlet, things are less organized but much cheaper. Items are placed in large bins, and shoppers can look through them to find what they want. Most of the items are priced by weight instead of by the piece. Because of that, you can get great deals if you’re willing to dig around a bit.

Shopping at the bins can be a little more hands-on and sometimes busy, but that’s part of the fun. Many people say the thrill of finding hidden gems makes the experience exciting. You can walk out with a bag full of clothes for under $10—something that would be almost impossible at most stores.

Why People Love Goodwill Bins

Goodwill Bins are more than just cheap shopping—they’re part of a recycling system that keeps millions of items out of landfills. When you shop there, you’re not only saving money but also helping the environment by reusing items instead of letting them go to waste.

Whether you’re a bargain hunter, a reseller, or just someone who loves the thrill of discovery, Goodwill Outlets are worth visiting. You’ll find something different every time, and you might be surprised by how far a few dollars can go.

So next time you see a sign for a Goodwill Outlet or hear someone mention “the bins,” you’ll know exactly what they’re talking about—a place where secondhand shopping meets treasure hunting, and where every pound counts.