Goodwill Secret: Silent Auctions

February 19, 2010

Some Goodwill stores sell unique, valuable or popular items by silent auction. The rules vary by store, but generally, the items are on display and you submit a written (silent) bid for the item you are interested in. At the end of the auction, the person who bid the highest wins!

Goodwill Exton has just refreshed their Silent Auction.  They start on the first and third Fridays of each month and last one week. To get started, go to 45 Marchwood Road in Exton and talk to an associate to get started!

For larger photos, click image above.

Release your inner creativity

February 17, 2010

Who doesn’t want to save money? It is crucial to be able save in today’s economy. One thing that everyone would love to be able to save money on is furniture. Thrift stores like your local Goodwill are unknown goldmines for great furniture. From end tables to coffee tables, couches to rockers, great bargains can be found everywhere. 

Sometimes you have to check back a couple of times. Ask your friends to keep their eyes open if they see a great piece of furniture. Patience is a virtue with furniture shopping at a thrift store. It is well worth it, however. 

Here’s where it gets really fun for those who want to release their inner creativity. Let’s say you find a piece of furniture but it looks a little bland or worn, what do you do? Decorate it. Paint it. Put some design into. Have a blast putting your own spin into you new, creative furniture. Become a feng shui master in your home. Bargain furniture is waiting for you. All you have to do is look. Remember, a great bargain is just around the corner. 

Dresser Makeover from Design Sponge
Dresser Makeover from Design Sponge

Finding your Fashion Treasure

February 16, 2010

We live in an ever-changing world. Cars run on corn. News is received on your cell phone. Fast food restaurants offer healthy choices. Just like these trends, fashion is always changing. When current fashion trends leave us, the clothes get discarded and passed on. But what happens when fashion trends come back?

This is where thrift stores come in to play. Fashion can always be found at your local Goodwill, you just have to know how to look.

Find your jeans at Goodwill Tip 1– Designer products can be found. People will get rid of anything for many reasons… Too big, too small, don’t wear, the list goes on. Just because someone else doesn’t want it, doesn’t mean that it can’t become your treasure.

Tip 2– When buying jeans, make sure you check the size. One easy trick for doing this is you should be able to wrap the waist of the jeans around your neck and the ends should touch. While this may look silly, it will save you time from trying to slide into jeans that are too tight. Plus, it makes you that much wiser to know fun facts like this.

Check back later for more tips on how to stay in fashion while shopping at your local thrift stores. Until then, stay thrifty.

Are you a Mac or a PC?

February 11, 2010

Apple MacBook Pro 17"

If you’re a Mac lover, here is a fantastic find for you on shopgoodwill.com. A 17″ Widescreen Apple MacBook Pro lap top new and sealed in the box!

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=5810830

Get your bid in now, the auction ends February 12!

In case you missed my last post, shopgoodwill.com is like Goodwill’s own ebay-style auction site. Proceeds help people with disabilities find work in your community.

Are you a Goodwill Newbie?

February 9, 2010

Goodwill Shopper If you’re a Goodwill newbie, have no fear! I’ve found some information that helps break down a successful thrift store trip and make it fun! Take a look at this great wikiHow, How to Shop at Thrift Stores.

Some shoppers new to the thrift store world are overwhelmed with all the merchandise available, and most of it one-of-a-kind. They wander in and back out without finding anything or they buy too much because of the great bargains. This wikiHow helps you plan your trip so that you come home with what you need.

There’s also a step-by-step video which was short, but helpful. I couldn’t believe the statistic at the end… a man bought a piece of art for $5 and was then offered 9 million dollars for it!! It just goes to show, you never know what treasure you’ll find at Goodwill and other thrift stores.

Dump your X’s Stuff Drive

February 8, 2010

Have you seen that the Goodwill store at Colonial Park is having an Anti-Valentine’s Day Donation Drive? It’s for all us single people who may have some leftover souvenirs from past relationships (or for anyone who wants to take the opportunity to clean out their closets!). I totally love the idea that I don’t need a date for this V-day function.

I’m also pretty pumped that I can stop in on my way to work on Friday morning. They’ll be taking donations at that store from 7am – 6pm. And my favorite radio station, 105.7 The X will be there from 4-6pm. Rock on! Not to mention that while I’m there, I’ll be checking out some of the name brands that might hit the Goodwill shelves from other’s ex’s.

Dump your X's Stuff Drive
Dump your X’s Stuff Drive

Vote Goodwill Simply the Best!

January 28, 2010

Click here for the Harrisburg Magazine’s Simply the Best voting ballot. (Voting has ended)

Goodwill Keystone Area is trying to spread the word of the store’s fantastic bargain shopping by being voted into Harrisburg Magzine’s “Simply the Best” issue. You can vote for Goodwill in these categories:

Shop til you Drop
Casual mens
Casual womens
Vintage rags

Tiny Tots
Kids clothing boutique

Help us become Simply the Best! Share this post with your friends!

A decade of style – to lose it or keep it?

January 22, 2010

While purusing the interwebs, I stumbled across a fun article. Check out this list. Need to pick up some new things or drop old ones off? Find your local Goodwill!

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/a-decade-of-style-good-and-bad-20100110-m0ju.html

I must admit, I’m sad to see the skinny jeans go. They looked great with a pair of boots, but onward to what 2010, and beyond, brings us!

Attention, numismatists!

Lincoln Wheat Penny

Did you know coin collectors are called numismatists?

So, numismatists, I wanted to share this great find! There’s a great set of Lincoln Wheat Pennies on shopgoodwill.com. Check them out! Better hurry, bidding ends on January 25.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=5730401

I didn’t know this at first, but shopgoodwill.com is the first Internet auction site created, owned and operated by a nonprofit organization. Goodwill’s from across the country offer for auction on the site antiques and collectibles as well as new items pulled from their inventories of donated goods. Proceeds from shopgoodwill.com fund programming for people with disabilities to help them find work.