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Have you been to a Goodwill Outlet before? It’s an experience like no other. Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana has a couple of marketing interns this summer and, as any good coworker would do, I took them to a Goodwill Outlet store. It seemed necessary to make sure they had a fully-rounded Goodwill shopping experience before their internship came to an end.
The Goodwill Indy Interns, Allie and Alix, take on the Goodwill Outlet Store-North. They’ve even taken note from some of our frequent and professional shoppers and worn their gardening gloves for safer sifting.
Alix begins dreaming up new looks for this chest/footstool.
The divvying out of finds begins. [update – the chair they laid their finds on was also a find, purchased by Alix, not a random couch being sorted on. Thank you, loyal customers, for making sure we stay true to our own rules!]
Allie goes through first, placing small items on the small scale then rolling her cart with the larger items on the scale.
Pay by the pound works great for Allie! She walked out with a bundle of craft and DIY supplies and inspirations for under $9
Stay tuned for some awesome DIY projects from Allie and Alix! And as always, if you’ve done some pretty spectacular things with your Goodwill finds, let us know ! We’d love to feature you.
Marissa says: July 11, 2012 at 7:23 pm I would just like to point out that the interns broke one of the rules of Goodwill by the Pound… using the couches to separate their items. Otherwise good fun article and cannot wait to see the resulting creations. Reply gwgoodstuff says: July 11, 2012 at 7:43 pm I suppose I should mention they purchased the chair they were laying stuff on too. So no, not using the couches to separate their items. :o) Reply
I would just like to point out that the interns broke one of the rules of Goodwill by the Pound… using the couches to separate their items. Otherwise good fun article and cannot wait to see the resulting creations.
gwgoodstuff says: July 11, 2012 at 7:43 pm I suppose I should mention they purchased the chair they were laying stuff on too. So no, not using the couches to separate their items. :o) Reply
I suppose I should mention they purchased the chair they were laying stuff on too. So no, not using the couches to separate their items. :o)
mancunianvintage says: July 11, 2012 at 7:36 pm LOVE that footstool/chest – hope she got it! Reply
LOVE that footstool/chest – hope she got it!
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alliegriebel says: July 20, 2012 at 2:20 pm Reblogged this on allie griebel and commented: i. love. my. internship. read about my latest goodwill indy adventures! Reply
Reblogged this on allie griebel and commented: i. love. my. internship. read about my latest goodwill indy adventures!
Debra says: July 27, 2012 at 12:17 pm I “LOVE” the Goodwill Outlets… I have been to all 3. My Mother & I (even the Grandkids) call it the “Boutique”… It is so hard for me to go to a regular store & pay their prices when I know I can find it at the “Boutique” soooo much cheaper . Reply gwgoodstuff says: July 27, 2012 at 2:24 pm LOVE to hear that! Have any favorite finds from the “boutique?” ;-) Reply
I “LOVE” the Goodwill Outlets… I have been to all 3. My Mother & I (even the Grandkids) call it the “Boutique”… It is so hard for me to go to a regular store & pay their prices when I know I can find it at the “Boutique” soooo much cheaper .
gwgoodstuff says: July 27, 2012 at 2:24 pm LOVE to hear that! Have any favorite finds from the “boutique?” ;-) Reply
LOVE to hear that! Have any favorite finds from the “boutique?” ;-)
Kristen says: July 27, 2012 at 1:24 pm I went in a Goodwill Outlet one time…and that will be the last time! People were literally slugging it out over items, the police were there, it was absolutely dumpster quality dirty…no, not just dirty, it was absolute filth!! And to top the trip off, I suffered an anxiety attack over all the excitement before I ever got out of the store. I did purchase a few items, but I didn’t find them to be any better deal there than at the normal Goodwill store or another thrift store. Maybe next time, when I build up some more courage, I need to visit one on a better side of town…lol Reply gwgoodstuff says: July 27, 2012 at 1:29 pm Yeesh! What a terrible experience! Which central Indiana Goodwill Outlet did you visit and how long ago? Sounds like attention may need to be pointed somewhere pretty fervently! Reply
I went in a Goodwill Outlet one time…and that will be the last time! People were literally slugging it out over items, the police were there, it was absolutely dumpster quality dirty…no, not just dirty, it was absolute filth!! And to top the trip off, I suffered an anxiety attack over all the excitement before I ever got out of the store. I did purchase a few items, but I didn’t find them to be any better deal there than at the normal Goodwill store or another thrift store. Maybe next time, when I build up some more courage, I need to visit one on a better side of town…lol
gwgoodstuff says: July 27, 2012 at 1:29 pm Yeesh! What a terrible experience! Which central Indiana Goodwill Outlet did you visit and how long ago? Sounds like attention may need to be pointed somewhere pretty fervently! Reply
Yeesh! What a terrible experience! Which central Indiana Goodwill Outlet did you visit and how long ago? Sounds like attention may need to be pointed somewhere pretty fervently!
Pam Durant says: July 27, 2012 at 2:13 pm I enjoy shopping at what my friend and I call “OFS” for Our Favorite Store. Some of what we enjoy is “the fun of the chase”, wondering what is going to be in the next bin, that kind of thing. Among the things we don’t enjoy are: the actions of people when they put out new shoes..good golly there must be value in old shoes for them to fight so, and when the people in the back put giant things in the bins. We call them lazy bins, the people in the back just wanted to fill it up quick. Face it, normal people can not lift a pair of Adirondack chairs out of the bins, so why put them in there. So gwgoodstuff if you ever get a chance to talk to the guys in the back pass the word that bins full of big things are frustrating. And while you’re talking to them, give them the power to throw trash away. I don’t know anyone who would buy a half empty jar of mayonnaise or salsa, but I”ve seen a lot of trash in the bins. Okay, while I’m at it….I know the concept of separating the glass helps keep the broken glass away from the other bins, but I think there is glass that was intact when it went in the bin, but is broken before anyone can buy it because of the rough ride the bin takes to get to its place. Please take care with the glass, it is a shame to see so much broken stuff there when I know I’m one of the first people to see it–so I can’t blame the missing bird tail on other shoppers. But speaking of other shoppers, I’d love to pass on three hints that I wish they would take to heart.1) DON’T take the lid of a box or game off, then toss the contents to the side one direction, and the lid in the other….just because you don’t want what was in it doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t. If you want to save weight by taking an object out of the box, fine do it at the checkout, don’t leave the empty box there for everyone else to deal with your trash 2) this goes for books too, just because that book didn’t come up as valuable on your scanner doesn’t mean that other people wouldn’t like that book–so don’t toss them back in the bin wildly so they can get bent up and the spines mangled. If you’re looking for value in books, you should have respect for them.3) don’t take something apart to get the one thing of value you want, like scrap metal, and leave a worthless light fixture (or whatever) behind. If you want it buy the whole thing. I’m with others, that showing the pictures of them sorting is like a rub in the face to those of us who have been kicked off the sofa for just trying to take a break and talk to a friend. A place that is acceptable to sort would be nice. Thanks for letting me vent Reply gwgoodstuff says: July 27, 2012 at 2:19 pm Pam, thank you for the feedback! Wow! Rest assured, I will be passing it along to those who look to training and constant improvement for the Outlets. We don’t have much control over our customers, but we can certainly improve the shopping experience! A note on the sorting – that chair that they laid their items on was also purchased by them, not a random couch sorting. I probably should have included that in the post itself to avoid confusion. Thank you, again! Reply
I enjoy shopping at what my friend and I call “OFS” for Our Favorite Store. Some of what we enjoy is “the fun of the chase”, wondering what is going to be in the next bin, that kind of thing. Among the things we don’t enjoy are: the actions of people when they put out new shoes..good golly there must be value in old shoes for them to fight so, and when the people in the back put giant things in the bins. We call them lazy bins, the people in the back just wanted to fill it up quick. Face it, normal people can not lift a pair of Adirondack chairs out of the bins, so why put them in there. So gwgoodstuff if you ever get a chance to talk to the guys in the back pass the word that bins full of big things are frustrating. And while you’re talking to them, give them the power to throw trash away. I don’t know anyone who would buy a half empty jar of mayonnaise or salsa, but I”ve seen a lot of trash in the bins. Okay, while I’m at it….I know the concept of separating the glass helps keep the broken glass away from the other bins, but I think there is glass that was intact when it went in the bin, but is broken before anyone can buy it because of the rough ride the bin takes to get to its place. Please take care with the glass, it is a shame to see so much broken stuff there when I know I’m one of the first people to see it–so I can’t blame the missing bird tail on other shoppers. But speaking of other shoppers, I’d love to pass on three hints that I wish they would take to heart.1) DON’T take the lid of a box or game off, then toss the contents to the side one direction, and the lid in the other….just because you don’t want what was in it doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t. If you want to save weight by taking an object out of the box, fine do it at the checkout, don’t leave the empty box there for everyone else to deal with your trash 2) this goes for books too, just because that book didn’t come up as valuable on your scanner doesn’t mean that other people wouldn’t like that book–so don’t toss them back in the bin wildly so they can get bent up and the spines mangled. If you’re looking for value in books, you should have respect for them.3) don’t take something apart to get the one thing of value you want, like scrap metal, and leave a worthless light fixture (or whatever) behind. If you want it buy the whole thing. I’m with others, that showing the pictures of them sorting is like a rub in the face to those of us who have been kicked off the sofa for just trying to take a break and talk to a friend. A place that is acceptable to sort would be nice. Thanks for letting me vent
gwgoodstuff says: July 27, 2012 at 2:19 pm Pam, thank you for the feedback! Wow! Rest assured, I will be passing it along to those who look to training and constant improvement for the Outlets. We don’t have much control over our customers, but we can certainly improve the shopping experience! A note on the sorting – that chair that they laid their items on was also purchased by them, not a random couch sorting. I probably should have included that in the post itself to avoid confusion. Thank you, again! Reply
Pam, thank you for the feedback! Wow! Rest assured, I will be passing it along to those who look to training and constant improvement for the Outlets. We don’t have much control over our customers, but we can certainly improve the shopping experience! A note on the sorting – that chair that they laid their items on was also purchased by them, not a random couch sorting. I probably should have included that in the post itself to avoid confusion. Thank you, again!
Mike Weoh says: July 27, 2012 at 2:21 pm We go to all three outlets when we pass thru Indy. Always bringing home a vehicle packed to the ceiling with stuff we buy there. Awesome stores :) Reply gwgoodstuff says: July 27, 2012 at 2:23 pm Thanks! Have a favorite among the three? Reply Mike Weoh says: July 30, 2012 at 3:18 pm Well, when Denise was a manager, we used to like the SW location as she worked there. Then she moved to the East store and we shopped there more often. Now we found out on our last visit that she left the company and many employees miss her :( She was so cool as she always remembered the three of us from Minnesota. She got us signed up for the savings card. What a great person she was. We stay in a hotel on the North side and like to go to the North location just before closing to catch left overs. Otherwise the East location has grown on us so we stop there mostly. If we lived within a couple hours of Indy we’d be stopping almost daily. Unfortunately we live north of Minneapolis Minnesota so we only get to Indy a few times a year :( It is a bit over 660 miles from home which takes us about 12-14 hours depending upon how many stops we make. A little know fact we learned shopping at the Indy Goodwill Outlets, a Toyota Prius will hold 3 passengers with luggage & 7 shopping carts full of treasures from your stores :) Serious. It has to be packed very carefully taking up all available open spots including stacking items inside containers. That is the affordable way to drive to & from Minnesota to go shopping :) We love it. gwgoodstuff says: July 30, 2012 at 3:23 pm We are officially impressed by your strategic approach to travel + treasure hunting. Perhaps the next time you’re in town for an Outlet adventure, you could let us know. We’d love to take a photo of a packed Prius!
We go to all three outlets when we pass thru Indy. Always bringing home a vehicle packed to the ceiling with stuff we buy there. Awesome stores :)
gwgoodstuff says: July 27, 2012 at 2:23 pm Thanks! Have a favorite among the three? Reply Mike Weoh says: July 30, 2012 at 3:18 pm Well, when Denise was a manager, we used to like the SW location as she worked there. Then she moved to the East store and we shopped there more often. Now we found out on our last visit that she left the company and many employees miss her :( She was so cool as she always remembered the three of us from Minnesota. She got us signed up for the savings card. What a great person she was. We stay in a hotel on the North side and like to go to the North location just before closing to catch left overs. Otherwise the East location has grown on us so we stop there mostly. If we lived within a couple hours of Indy we’d be stopping almost daily. Unfortunately we live north of Minneapolis Minnesota so we only get to Indy a few times a year :( It is a bit over 660 miles from home which takes us about 12-14 hours depending upon how many stops we make. A little know fact we learned shopping at the Indy Goodwill Outlets, a Toyota Prius will hold 3 passengers with luggage & 7 shopping carts full of treasures from your stores :) Serious. It has to be packed very carefully taking up all available open spots including stacking items inside containers. That is the affordable way to drive to & from Minnesota to go shopping :) We love it. gwgoodstuff says: July 30, 2012 at 3:23 pm We are officially impressed by your strategic approach to travel + treasure hunting. Perhaps the next time you’re in town for an Outlet adventure, you could let us know. We’d love to take a photo of a packed Prius!
Thanks! Have a favorite among the three?
Mike Weoh says: July 30, 2012 at 3:18 pm Well, when Denise was a manager, we used to like the SW location as she worked there. Then she moved to the East store and we shopped there more often. Now we found out on our last visit that she left the company and many employees miss her :( She was so cool as she always remembered the three of us from Minnesota. She got us signed up for the savings card. What a great person she was. We stay in a hotel on the North side and like to go to the North location just before closing to catch left overs. Otherwise the East location has grown on us so we stop there mostly. If we lived within a couple hours of Indy we’d be stopping almost daily. Unfortunately we live north of Minneapolis Minnesota so we only get to Indy a few times a year :( It is a bit over 660 miles from home which takes us about 12-14 hours depending upon how many stops we make. A little know fact we learned shopping at the Indy Goodwill Outlets, a Toyota Prius will hold 3 passengers with luggage & 7 shopping carts full of treasures from your stores :) Serious. It has to be packed very carefully taking up all available open spots including stacking items inside containers. That is the affordable way to drive to & from Minnesota to go shopping :) We love it.
Well, when Denise was a manager, we used to like the SW location as she worked there. Then she moved to the East store and we shopped there more often. Now we found out on our last visit that she left the company and many employees miss her :( She was so cool as she always remembered the three of us from Minnesota. She got us signed up for the savings card. What a great person she was.
We stay in a hotel on the North side and like to go to the North location just before closing to catch left overs. Otherwise the East location has grown on us so we stop there mostly. If we lived within a couple hours of Indy we’d be stopping almost daily. Unfortunately we live north of Minneapolis Minnesota so we only get to Indy a few times a year :( It is a bit over 660 miles from home which takes us about 12-14 hours depending upon how many stops we make.
A little know fact we learned shopping at the Indy Goodwill Outlets, a Toyota Prius will hold 3 passengers with luggage & 7 shopping carts full of treasures from your stores :) Serious. It has to be packed very carefully taking up all available open spots including stacking items inside containers. That is the affordable way to drive to & from Minnesota to go shopping :) We love it.
gwgoodstuff says: July 30, 2012 at 3:23 pm We are officially impressed by your strategic approach to travel + treasure hunting. Perhaps the next time you’re in town for an Outlet adventure, you could let us know. We’d love to take a photo of a packed Prius!
We are officially impressed by your strategic approach to travel + treasure hunting. Perhaps the next time you’re in town for an Outlet adventure, you could let us know. We’d love to take a photo of a packed Prius!
Christen Lawless says: July 27, 2012 at 10:05 pm I love the one on Washington right outside of Plainfield. The customers can be a little scary at times, but mostly I like going there. My dad once found a leather belt with silver conches (sp?) for a couple bucks. It turned out to be Native American and he sold it for about $100! Reply gwgoodstuff says: July 30, 2012 at 12:41 pm Oh how cool! See, it’s that thrill of the hunt that just gets addicting… Reply
I love the one on Washington right outside of Plainfield. The customers can be a little scary at times, but mostly I like going there. My dad once found a leather belt with silver conches (sp?) for a couple bucks. It turned out to be Native American and he sold it for about $100!
gwgoodstuff says: July 30, 2012 at 12:41 pm Oh how cool! See, it’s that thrill of the hunt that just gets addicting… Reply
Oh how cool! See, it’s that thrill of the hunt that just gets addicting…
Carla says: July 28, 2012 at 3:56 pm So what are the addresses of the 3 Outlet Stores? Im really interested in going Reply gwgoodstuff says: July 30, 2012 at 12:44 pm Goodwill Outlet Store-East 2900 N. Shadeland Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46219 (317) 542-0634 Goodwill Outlet Store-West 6650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46241 (317) 481-9355 Goodwill Outlet Store-North 8345 Georgetown Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268 (317) 876-0449 Reply
So what are the addresses of the 3 Outlet Stores? Im really interested in going
gwgoodstuff says: July 30, 2012 at 12:44 pm Goodwill Outlet Store-East 2900 N. Shadeland Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46219 (317) 542-0634 Goodwill Outlet Store-West 6650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46241 (317) 481-9355 Goodwill Outlet Store-North 8345 Georgetown Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268 (317) 876-0449 Reply
Goodwill Outlet Store-East 2900 N. Shadeland Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46219 (317) 542-0634
Goodwill Outlet Store-West 6650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46241 (317) 481-9355
Goodwill Outlet Store-North 8345 Georgetown Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268 (317) 876-0449
Carla says: July 28, 2012 at 3:56 pm I love Goodwill! I love reading their stories on their treasure finds. Reply
I love Goodwill! I love reading their stories on their treasure finds.
jenkate22 says: July 29, 2012 at 5:06 pm Awesome job gals. Very impressive! My MIL hits the outlet every Saturday and gets some amazing finds for my kiddos and herself. Just this past Weds I scored an authentic Coach bag for only $15.99…. Took 10% off of that of course with my Goodwill Rewards card! Reply
Awesome job gals. Very impressive! My MIL hits the outlet every Saturday and gets some amazing finds for my kiddos and herself. Just this past Weds I scored an authentic Coach bag for only $15.99…. Took 10% off of that of course with my Goodwill Rewards card!
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Teresa says: August 18, 2012 at 11:20 pm I love making old things look new,I shop at the goodwill all the time!! I was wondering how can I become an intern? Reply gwgoodstuff says: August 20, 2012 at 12:43 pm Hi Teresa! Thanks! For internships, any time there is an opening, we post it here: http://www.goodwillindy.org/mod/jobs/jobsAtGoodwill/ Reply
I love making old things look new,I shop at the goodwill all the time!! I was wondering how can I become an intern?
gwgoodstuff says: August 20, 2012 at 12:43 pm Hi Teresa! Thanks! For internships, any time there is an opening, we post it here: http://www.goodwillindy.org/mod/jobs/jobsAtGoodwill/ Reply
Hi Teresa! Thanks! For internships, any time there is an opening, we post it here: http://www.goodwillindy.org/mod/jobs/jobsAtGoodwill/
Mike Weoh says: August 20, 2012 at 4:31 pm If I could only convince my wife to move within a two hours drive of Indy :( Reply
If I could only convince my wife to move within a two hours drive of Indy :(
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Josh says: December 4, 2012 at 10:03 pm Late to the party, but still wanted to leave this feedback. Love the outlet stores, but I wish the managers would take some initiative and throw people out who cause trouble. They used to do this a couple of years ago. If people were being unruly and pushing people, taking things out of the bins before they were all in place they would tell people to leave. Same goes for the people who bring in 8 kids and let them run around like idiots. Now I see managers having conversations that are a little too friendly with these troublemakers in the parking lot. A shame. Don’t reward bad behavior! Reply
Late to the party, but still wanted to leave this feedback. Love the outlet stores, but I wish the managers would take some initiative and throw people out who cause trouble. They used to do this a couple of years ago. If people were being unruly and pushing people, taking things out of the bins before they were all in place they would tell people to leave. Same goes for the people who bring in 8 kids and let them run around like idiots.
Now I see managers having conversations that are a little too friendly with these troublemakers in the parking lot. A shame.
Don’t reward bad behavior!
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