Goodwill is the world’s largest thrift store chain, with over 3,400 retail locations in the US, Canada, and several other countries. The concept is quite simple and noble: they sell used clothing and household items to fund job training programs, employment services, and other community support initiatives.
In recent years, this nonprofit organization has grown into a major retail system, generating a record $7 billion in revenue in 2025.
Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston by Reverend Edgar J. Helms, who was working with immigrant communities and low-income workers.
His approach was different from traditional charity at the time. He focused on collecting donated goods such as clothing and household items, repairing them when needed, and selling them at low prices.
The goal was to create a system where people could find work and earn, while also giving others access to affordable goods.
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Goodwill bins are different from regular Goodwill stores though. Items that don’t sell in the main stores usually get sent here, offering a final chance to salvage items before they are recycled or trashed.
Instead of everything being cleaned up, priced, and neatly arranged, the goods are just put into large, blue rolling bins.
There’s not much order to it. You might find brand-new-looking clothes right next to things that are worn out or damaged. Since it’s all mixed together, you have to sort through it yourself to see what’s worth taking.
Instead of paying per item, shoppers usually pay by weight, which makes it possible to buy a lot of things at super low prices.
For example, someone found a real Burberry scarf for 99 cents. Another found a vintage electronic toy for a meagre 25 cents.
Since items are sold by the pound rather than individually, people often find valuables like jewelry, gold, and even cash. The trick is to know where to look.
Most experienced shoppers start with things that can hold hidden items, like bags, purses, backpacks, and suitcases. These get opened up completely, checked inside every pocket and compartment, and sometimes even turned inside out.
Even the inside pockets or linings of jackets or trousers can contain smaller valuables.
For example, a shopper found $2000 in a sealed envelope inside a worn jacket pocket. Another found a one-ounce pure gold bar mixed with other items inside the bin.
Even shoes sometimes get donated with things still inside them, like folded cash or small pieces of jewelry.
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Sophia St John, who recently went viral on TikTok after finding a huge wad of cash inside a random box at the bins, is encouraging others to stay curious when thrifting.
She believes that sometimes the most surprising finds are waiting where you least expect them.
“I think this is your sign that if you shop at or work in a thrift store, always check the boxes and suitcases too. Never underestimate what you can find where you least expect it,” she says.
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People flock to Goodwill bins for the low prices. But many also go for the thrill of the treasure hunt. Some customers even wait for hours for goods to be refreshed to maximize their hauls.
Vintage pieces are one of the biggest draws. People have reported finding vintage wedding dresses. One person scored a hand-stitched quilt dated back to 1931.
Someone even found a vintage Dior swimsuit, buried among fabric scraps.
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Books and collectibles show up in the same unexpected way in Goodwill bins. It’s not unusual to find full book sets, and sometimes even older editions that are no longer in print. Every so often, signed copies or first editions also surface.
Toys and pop culture items are another category that often surprises people. Old Pokémon cards, discontinued Barbie dolls, and other childhood toys from past decades sometimes appear mixed in with general donations.
These items can carry both nostalgic and resale value, especially when they are no longer being manufactured.
At the same time, Goodwill can also end up preserving rare pieces of art and historical artifacts that might otherwise be thrown away or destroyed.
Another good reason to shop at Goodwill is that it makes a positive difference in the environment, saving millions of tons of waste from going to landfills.
According to a recent report, the world generates about 92 million metric tons of textile waste every year, which is roughly equivalent to a garbage truck full of clothes being dumped every second.
More and more people are becoming aware of this problem, and choosing to go thrifting.
Reports show that in addition to the slowing economy, shifting consumer trends are also boosting Goodwill’s sales. Much of the growth is coming from GenZ and millennials who see secondhand clothes as more sustainable.
“It’s an entire shift in mind-set. It’s sustainable, it’s personal, it’s local,” said David Eagles, Goodwill’s chief operating officer.
Social media has turned thrifting into a vibrant culture in itself. Finding a quirky vintage jacket or a weird lamp can make you feel cool and part of something bigger online.
For many young shoppers, it’s also about finding one-of-a-kind items that feel different from mass-produced fast fashion.
