🗑️ Goodwill Bins

How Bins Work

• Pricing: Items sold by weight (typically $1.50-$2.50/lb)
• Rolling bins: Large blue bins filled with unsorted items
• Bin rotation: Fresh bins rolled out every 15-30 minutes
• The rush: When new bins come out, everyone dives in
• Categories: Clothing, housewares, books, electronics, shoes (separate areas)

The Reality

Bins are NOT glamorous. Expect:

• Dirty, dusty, sometimes smelly items
• Aggressive competition from other resellers
• Standing for hours digging through chaos
• Touching things you'd rather not touch
• Lots of garbage to sort through

What to Look For

• Designer labels: Quick label check on all clothing
• Quality fabrics: Cashmere, silk, wool by feel
• Vintage tees: Single stitch, band tees, 90s graphics
• Electronics: Test if possible, know valuable models
• Toys: Complete sets, vintage, LEGO
• Books: Textbooks, non-fiction niches
• Shoes: Designer, quality leather, popular brands

Timing Strategy

• Opening time: Most competitive, freshest items
• Weekday mornings: Less crowded than weekends
• After lunch: Crowds thin, still fresh bins coming
• Watch the rotation: Learn the schedule, position yourself

Bin Etiquette

• Don't reach over people or push
• Wait for bin rotation—don't follow bins from the back
• Respect personal space (as much as possible)
• Don't hoard bin space with your body
• Be quick but not rude

What to Bring

• Gloves: Non-negotiable
• Hand sanitizer: For after
• Cart/basket: Hold your finds
• Phone: Quick comps checking
• Comfortable shoes: You'll stand for hours
• Old clothes: You'll get dirty
• Bags: For organizing finds by category
• Water/snacks: It's a marathon

Is It Worth It?

Bins can be incredibly profitable if:

• You have time and stamina
• You know what sells and can spot it fast
• You're comfortable with competition
• You can wash/clean/process lots of items

Average haul: Spend $20-50 in weight, sell for $200-1000+ if you know what you're doing.