5 reasons why Goodwill is better than Target

Katy Wolk-Stanley | March 22nd, 2017

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You’ve likely seen the announcement that the Target Corporation will be closing 13 of its American stores after January 31, 2016. For thousands of red-shirted American workers, this is worrisome and unwelcome news. But for American shoppers, it’s not necessarily the end of the world. Yes, I know I’m veering on blasphemy here, but let me explain that my go-to store has always been Goodwill before Target.

Yes, Goodwill. The thrift store chain, with their hodge-podge assortment of inventory and seemingly random pricing structure. Before you assemble a group of pitchfork-wielding villagers to storm the fortress, let me explain my reasoning.

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Goodwill’s profits go to help those in need

Goodwill is a non-profit whose mission is to ‘Provide vocational opportunities to people with barriers to employment.’ They give free job connection services, English as a second language classes, plus career training and development. They make it possible for Americans, low income and otherwise to clothe their families and furnish their homes for pennies on the dollar. Target donates a small percentage of their profits to charities, but it’s decidedly less. (Click here to read more about Goodwill’s mission and operations.)

**Your Goodwill purchases are worth more than you pay**

I’m a financial nerd, so it bothers me that like a brand new car, everything bought from Target goes down in value the second it’s driven off the lot. But that diamond in the rough plucked from a Goodwill shelf? It’s usually worth more than you paid, and if you later decide that you’re in need of a few extra bucks you can always resell it for a tidy profit. It’s not an uncommon news story for Goodwill customers to luck upon hidden treasures that demonstrate the perfect example of buy low, sell high. Just this past February, an Arizona Goodwill shopper bought a rare $6 watch, which he then turned around and sold for $35,000!

Choosing to buy used instead of new is an environmentally sound practice

Buying new not only triggers a freshly manufactured item to replace it, but it’s usually encased in wasteful and frustrating packaging. Buy that same item at Goodwill and it’s likely to be packaging-free, and certainly triggers no new consumer good to be created from virgin materials. Plus, that Goodwill item has already been created and shipped, so the carbon footprint is a done deal. By purchasing from a secondhand source, you avoid the manufacture of unnecessary items, plus you saved it from the landfill.

Target merchandise is trend driven and quickly goes out of style

Those mad-for-plaid Target commercials that play on repeat? Crazy. Any style that comes on-trend so quickly will go off-trend in a heartbeat. But timeless (and frankly better quality) home goods abound at Goodwill. Yes, you may have to sort through some unappealing old-but-not-quite-vintage stuff to discover these treasures, but believe me, they’re there. High quality vintage items that will prompt your grandmother to say, ‘They don’t make things like they used to!’ I’ll bet good money that by next year, plaid will be declared passé, and some exciting new textile pattern will take over as Target’s must-have 2016 decor purchase!

Goodwill is cheaper than Target

None of the above arguments would be relevant if Goodwill simply wasn’t the cheaper choice. Yes, sometimes thrift shop prices are confusingly high, but that’s mostly a rarity. I know when I’m choosing between spending $5 or spending $1, there’s simply no competition. I work hard for my money, and I want my purchases to be both high quality and leave wiggle room in the budget. Goodwill gives me both.

I know that many of you will be loyal to Target until the day you die. But for me, Goodwill keeps me on budget, helps me to create my own unique style and is the more environmentally responsible choice. And Goodwill being a charitable organization? It doesn’t get much better than that!

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This post was last modified on March 22, 2017 3:08 pm