I recently bought $29 worth of clothes at two thrift stores – Salvation Army and Goodwill – and each time I made my purchase I felt like I was taking advantage of a service that was meant for people earning much less than I earn. Not that I’m a Rockefeller, but I make a decent living.
On both shopping trips I saw people who fell into two camps:
- those shopping there out of necessity
- those wanting to get incredible prices
The presence of other bargain hunters didn’t make me feel any better about the shirts, dress, pants, and belt I paid $1.74-$4 each for. Shouldn’t these clothes be going to someone who really needs them? As opposed to me, who was looking for an all-yellow outfit for my Frisbee tournament this weekend (above, team colors).
In the past, readers have commented that if in my gut I feel I have done something wrong, I have. But I’m not so sure this time.
My uneasiness is less about committing a wrong than feeling like I was sucking up a limited resource. I can afford to pay more for clothes, therefore I should, leaving the Salvation Army and Goodwill selection to the poor.
Case in point, after purchasing a pair of black long johns ($4) and a pair of black sweat pants (also $4) from a man who compulsively snorted, I paid $10 to ice skate for 45 minutes, $2 for a bottle of water (forgot mine in my car), and $6 for a beer at a karaoke bar at a friend’s farewell party.
What do you think? Is it unethical to shop at thrift stores intended for poor people when you can afford to pay more?
UPDATE: Readers chimed in to say, for the most part, that my guilt was nonsense.
Living Doll said:
Release your guilt Bargain Babe. You are doing something good by shopping at thrift stores because you are helping support an organization that isn’t in it entirely for profitability. Most of these stores have loads of clothing that is reasonably priced for those less fortunate to purchase. You are not taking from them.
Laura admitted to twinges of guilt:
I love shopping at the thrift stores, and now my boys, away at college, do the same. I must admit though, I do feel a bit guilty, I take off my diamond ring before I go in, and I park my Volvo down the street! I do donate to them also.
Mimi questioned my aptitude:
You cannot be serious about this question. I think you are pulling our collective leg. Do you also feel guilty buying at garage sales, swap meets and flea markets? This has got to be a joke on readers who are ethically and morally challenged. I don’t believe you are so naive to ask the question with a straight face. But I could be wrong.
Actually Mimi, I was serious!
Audrey is succinct:
I agree with most of the posters. The program is not intended to provide clothing to the poor, but rather to generate funds for the outreach programs they provide.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
Totally legit, but to balance your karma, you should not waste your purchase, and you should donate items back for others to use.
I shop at thrift stores, and am proud of it! I don’t think they are specifically intended for those that have a lower income. The money generated by many thrift stores goes back into programming provided by non-profits, so by shopping there you are helping to support their programs.
Don’t forget that by shopping at places like Salvation Army and Goodwill that money is used to further programs for the less fortunate. So to me, shopping at thrift stores is just fine!
A lot of the time I will be there buying old hideous sweaters, unraveling the yarn, and then making them into something nice. By getting rid of the things that most people wouldn’t want (like, a gigantic blue acrylic poncho that had sat for months), I help the thrift store make room for things that people actually need. And by buying the luxury fiber sweaters (like the ones from the 1980s that have shoulder pads, hideous beading, etc.), at the thrift store, I’m helping save the environment, too.
And when I’m done with my clothes, they go to a thrift store to be reused again (the ones in decent, wearable shape – not the ragged, torn, or otherwise unwearable stuff).
Its all about the circle! I say, congrats on your finds and I hope you continue to shop there!
I’m fascinated with what the last poster said about getting great yarn from old, out of shape sweaters! Maybe the bead could be used to make jewelery??? BRAVO!
PS. I don’t think it’s wrong to be frugal by buying clothes at the goodwiil, although I hope not too many like you do it because of course, it means there is a liittle less to go around for the ones who really need it.
It is perfectly legit to shop at thrift stores and a lot of fun when you find something. You get something you want and they make the money. Nothing wrong with it at all. Have you ever shopped at the Cancer Discovery stores? They are set up beautifully, at least the one in Sherman Oaks is. Designer clothes, even if many of them are the really small sizes. Really fun to get a bargain there.
I work with the local Salvation Army on their community projects and I know the money they make from their stores is VERY important. Any and ALL sales help. In my opinion, there is absolutley nothing wrong with shopping at thrift stores. No morality issues.
I agree w/ the other comments. If others who had more means did not shop at thrift stores, would those store even be able to stay in business?
It is absolutely correct to shop at the thrift stores.
Consider it helping to fund very important programs.
Why not simply call the Salvation Army or Goodwill corporate office and ask them who their target customer is.
Don’t feel guilty about this one. I know from personal experience that the Salvation Army receives so many clothes, that they sell the extras in one-ton (yes, one-ton) bundles. These bundles are about 8′ x 8′ x 8′, tied up with wire. so there are PLENTY of clothes to go around.
And the Salvation Army in Atlanta has a DAILY auction of stuff they’re not going to put out in any of the stores, extra stuff.
I would imagine it’s similar for Goodwill, that they have far more donations than they could ever sell.
If these organizations depended on the needy to sustain them, they’d have a difficult time of it. It’s the rest of us who shop there by choice who contribute enough funds to let them do what they do.
I agree with most of the posters. The program is not intended to provide clothing to the poor, but rather to generate funds for the outreach programs they provide.
I mean, do the math, thrift stores are a business just like any other. If people who can afford to buy new quit shopping there, the revenue would be cut by probably 70% or more, and the store would close.
My son worked at the Goodwill for a time and he learned valuable skills there. I would urge you to shop at thrift stores more, not less.
I love shopping at thrift stores and dont feel guilty about it at all. I think it is a form of recycling, and I feel good about that. My teenage boys also like finding CD’s and books for a good price.
I think if you’re feeling bad about taking up limited resources, I don’t think that’s necessary. Yes, you’re getting a good deal, but that doesn’t really mean you’re taking it away from anyone else, because, unless you’re buying the entire store, there’s still more left for others. But the biggest thing, I think, is that what you’re doing is fueling more money into the organization–that will have much more impact on helping those in need than leaving behind a couple yellow pieces of clothing. You can kind of think of spending your money there like a charitable contribution, except without tax-exemption status and you get some “new-to-you” clothes!
I love shopping at the thrift stores, and now my boys, away at college, do the same. I must admit though, I do feel a bit guilty, I take off my diamond ring before I go in, and I park my Volvo down the street! I do donate to them also.
Agreeing with people above, but just giving you one more vote to feel better…regardless of who is shopping, the money they make is still going back into the system to help people in need in different ways, so I think if anything, you should feel GOOD about shopping there! Also, while homeless/poor people probably get only the bare necessities & don’t spend much, people like you and I that can afford to spend more & get some great deals are, in the end, bumping the profits up for them. So I don’t think there should be any guilt about it (not to mention that you probably bring plenty of clothes & goods there over the course of the year?)!
There is definitely no shortage of stuff. There is plenty of “crapola” for everyone.
I’m another person who buys and recycles with thrift stores.
Something else: Where do you think so many of the vintage clothing/boutique-antique chic/retro shops get heir clothing and stuff from?
And the clothing that is sold in bundles? It’s sorted and sent by container load overseas to third-world countries.
I also think there’s a lot of clothing bought by people such as you and I that would NOT be bought by people from different economic-cultural groups.
And remember when you go to some stores they wll have price tag colors discounted–20% off for pink and yellow, 50% off for brown, etc–so they need to move the goods out.
You cannot be serious about this question. I think you are pulling our collective leg.
Do you also feel guilty buying at garage sales, swap meets and flea markets?
This has got to be a joke on readers who are ethically and morally challenged. I don’t believe you are so naive to ask the question with a straight face. But I could be wrong.
I’m going to add one dissenting opinion. While I don’t think it’s wrong to shop at thrift stores or garage sales if your financial situation is great, I do admit to two pet peeve.
1) Our area thrift shop has a half price clothing day which many parents use to clothe their kids. When I’ve made the 20 mile trek, I admit to getting irked at the people who throw armfuls of kids clothes into a cart, leaving nothing on the rack for the moms who are shopping and then bragging at the checkout about selling them for a profit on eBay.
2) I believe in passing it on and like to donate bags of my kids’ outgrown clothes on Craigslist to anyone who needs them. But more than once, someone has shown up, looked through the bag, taken some of the clothes and left the rest without even a thank you.
I work at The Salvation Army HQ in Long Beach.
Please don’t stop shopping at thrift stores or even think twice about it!! Sales income from the stores is no different than dropping coins in a red kettle during the holidays or donating unneeded furniture.
At least 83 cents of every dollar generated goes directly to program funding to help people who need it most
When you shop at a TSA thrift store (ARC) you are supporting adult rehabilitation centers that annually help more than 340,000 people from every walk of life fight substance abuse and return to their communities as participating, contributing members.
Thrift stores are there to sell their product. The stores are a way to raise funds. It doesn’t matter who buys from the store. In turn you donate (I’m assuming) clothes, housewares, etc when they are no longer useful to you to the same organizations. Just don’t donate worn out clothes that have served past their usefulness.
Release your guilt Bargain Babe. You are doing something good by shopping at thrift stores because you are helping support an organization that isn’t in it entirely for profitability.
Most of these stores have loads of clothing that is reasonably priced for those less fortunate to purchase. You are not taking from them.
Are you the same person whom when your restaurant bill arrived said nothing even through you noticed it was much less that it should have been? And you’re asking if it’s unethical to shop at thrift stores?
I DONATE TO SALVATION ARMY B/C OF THEIR SERVICES FOR ADDICTED PERSONS TRYING TO MAKE A NEW START… you are supporting them by buying the castoffs of people like me. Also, we’re in the “Reduce, reuse, recycle” plan, aren’t we? You’re also caring for the environment by buying second-hand.
Of course it’s not wrong to shop there. Don’t both poor and rich shop at Wal-Mart and buy gas from the same stations, etc? Does it make it wrong for me to buy a Toyota, when I can afford a Lexus? Of course not again…You are being a good Steward of the money the Lord has blessed you with. Now if you penny pinched on everything, then that may be wrong, especially if you get a less quality because you could save $$$, when in reality, over time the $$$ you spend on the better quality will last you a lot longer and save you $$$ in the long run..
Perhaps what you’re saying might make sense in a small town thrift store which gets limited donations, but in a large city the stores get more stuff than they could ever sell piece by piece. At my local Goodwill people bid on huge bails of clothing to send to Mexico. Don’t worry, you’re not taking the shirt off of anyone’s back.
As an advocate of the reuse market, I can say the guilt is self-imposed. Some time ago, in my quest to dispel public myths on thrift, I touched base with Goodwill Denver and follows is their response:
“Goodwill welcomes all shoppers to its 18 stores across the metro Denver area,” said Tim Welker, Goodwill Industries of Denver president and CEO. “We see everyone from the thrifty, penny-wise shopper to the urban hipster looking for unique finds to the green-conscious individual trying to reuse and repurpose goods to keep them out of the landfill. Plus, when you shop and donate to Goodwill Industries of Denver you are changing lives through education and employment options for at-risk youth, and disabled and disadvantaged adults in our community.”
Amen! So, there it is, Goodwill Denver wants your business, no matter what your IRS classification may be. The more shoppers in the stores, the more inventory sold and less sent out to auction in huge lots for smaller sums.
If you still have guilt consider the mass reduction of your shopper’s carbon footprint in participating in the reuse market. It’s about as green as it gets when it comes to shopping.
Godspeed to all thrifters!
It’s good of you to ask this question. It shows you have a conscience.
I’m annoyed at people with obvious wealth who insist on shoving their rude, obnoxious selves through Walmart, 99 Cents Store, Goodwill, Target, etc. I’m not talking about people who are merely lower-middle class, I’m talking about losers who own Mercedes, own their own home, etc.
They have the money to afford to shop at Vons, Macy’s, etc. Seems awful greedy.
At Goodwill, they will buy only the nicest things, which these stores often do not have a surplus of, so that does hurt the poor a bit.
But then, it does help these stores turn a profit and keep them in business, so that is very good.
A few of them (VERY few, I bet) use the money they save from shopping here to fight for causes and help others. So bless those ones, but I detest the greedy bastards I often see.
Totally Legit. Ask me what my favorite stores are?
THRIFT STORES!
I’ve been shopping at thrift stores for years! I actually feel more guilty shopping at bricks and mortars because they mostly make profit for themselves! and they use cheap labor to do it. however, when i shop at goodwill I feel like I’m helping earth reuse and helping people get jobs! don’t be so hard on yourself!
So Chrystal thinks owning your own home means you are obviously wealthy. Hmmm. We own our own home because we both worked, saved, and bought a home we could afford. We also own our two cars, one a 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis (purchased as a demo vehicle) and a 2004 Honda Accord (purchased–gasp–brand new!). I wonder if that makes us “fabulously wealthy” in Chrystal’s eyes. And, yes, we sometimes shop at Walmart, Target, and Vons (and Ralphs, Henry’s, Smart & Final, Costco, 99-Cent Store, etc.) One question for Chrystal: Why are people who own their own home and drive paid-for cars “losers”? Sounds like an oxymoron to me!
I’ve shopped at both places, sometimes have found ‘new’ items with tags on them. I have also donated to both places. I don’t feel they are any different than shopping at a consignment store, the money generated is used for other programs. I also shop Target, and don’t feel guilty for not shopping at the mall stores.
Keep up the good works
No guilt here! I volunteer at a church thrift shop and EVERYTHING is donated. 100% of sales goes to the maintenance of the church. There is a wide variety of people that frequent the shop; well-to-do, moms looking for bargain clothes for their kids, collectors seeking treasures, resellers to consign or ebay, as well as lower income folks. Money is money no matter who is spending it. I view it as a give-give/win-win all around.
@RitaB – yes, there’s a large contingency of people who do reuse the yarn from old sweaters. You can’t do it with all of them (machine serged ones don’t work well), but many of them you can. In fact, at my local thrift, they have a section of them because they know there’s a crew of us looking for that sort of thing.
And I know many local artists and artisans who reuse the components, like sequins and beads, and that also buy old clunky jewelry to make new, hip pieces out of. Its a great idea, really!
Chrystal, you are obviously another follower of the current Administrations mentality who chooses to demean those of us who have attended school, work hard, chose to make purchases within our budgets, and employ others with our self-built companies… How will you promote, “spreading the wealth,” when the bastardy wealthy’s money is gone? Most of the charitible organization’s success is based on the contributions of the wealthy. “…rude, obnoxious selves through Walmart, 99 Cents Store, Goodwill, Target, etc.” Sounds more like you than those you criticize. “I’m talking about losers who own Mercedes, own their own home, etc.” What a crock!
Sorry folks, I just had to say…
When it’s necessary to buy little “gifts” for office parties, social club members, etc., going to thrift stores or rummage sales can be a trip to a gold mine of items. Whenever we shop at places like this that rely on our business to support their mission goals, it’s a win-win situation… no guilt required.
I wanted to let you know that you shouldn’t feel guilty about shopping in our stores. Audrey is absolutely correct. Our larger mission is to provide job training, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have a disability, lack education or experience or have other barriers to employment.
So, actually, by shopping at Goodwill you aren’t taking an opportunity away from people in need, but you are helping us give them opportunities to find meaningful work and economic independence. Last year we served more than 1.5 million people, mostly with the money we earned in stores.
Here’s more about our mission: http://www.goodwill.org/about-us/
— Cody Switzer, New Media Specialist, Goodwill Industries International
At my favorite volunteer run thrift (not a chain) the needy are allotted a store credit based on their income/# of people in household etc. Everyone else pays cash. The cash goes to purchase items for the food pantry.
If anyone should feel guilty – its some of the workers who pick thru the donations before the stuff hits the floor – saving the good stuff for themselves to buy.
I’m not saying it happens at all thrifts, but from what I’ve heard, it’s a pretty common occurrence.
Shopping at thrift stores is fine. I look to see if they are sponsered by a religious organization that teaches such as the Salvation Army and others. They are allowed to believe what they choose but I can’t scriptually support them.
last post should read teaches Scriptual error such as
Goodwill and Salvation Army and other not-for-profit thrift stores use the funds for other parts of their charities, so it really doesn’t matter who shops there! Whether their patrons are rich or poor, the store is still making a profit that they can use to continue operating and for other areas such as food pantries, shelters, and other programs. I don’t feel guilty about buying an Ann Taylor dress for $10 because I’m not needy. I am contributing to the charity. It is a win win situation. I am also being agood steward of my money. Every week I see many very nice things coming into the store, so its not like I am taking in all the good stuff. And even if I was, if I’m paying for it who cares- the money I spend is serving the community! BTW, not all thrift stores are non-profits. I shop at those too! In this economy, it’s very important to be good stewards of our finances. If more people shopped at thrift stores, perhaps there wouldn’t be as many peple that have no other options but to shop the goodwill racks!
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