Stores
Goodwill Housing Works Salvation Army
Goodwill
Type of Store: Non-Profit.
Location: Numerous locations in NYC and all around the country.
Why shop here? When you shop at Goodwill, you support its employees and training to persons with disabilities. In addition, Goodwill offers youth services, behavioral health services, and other programs to the community.
Prices: Goodwill sets uniform prices for each category in its inventory. A pricelist is posted at the front of the store and signs are posted in each section. Some items will be priced differently and it will be specified on the tag.
Sales: YES. Goodwill holds daily specials. A color-coding system is in use for price stickers and plastic tags on clothing. Each day, items with a price tag that matches the color of the day will be on sale for half-off. For most stores in NYC, the half-off special applies to textiles only (i.e. clothing). For other stores, half-off items will include everything (electronics, furniture, books, etc.).
Rewards Program: YES. FREE. Goodwill offers a free rewards program. It is a points system. Points are traded for discounts on purchases. Customers sign-up at the store or online, and they will receive a membership card and a list of participating stores.
Return Policy: Customers can return an item if it still has the Goodwill tag attached and they have the sales receipt. Returns are accepted within five days of purchase. Store credit is issued.
Housing Works
Type of Store: Non-Profit.
Location: Numerous stores in NYC.
Why shop here? When you shop at Housing Works, you support its outreach to homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. Programs include healthcare services, housing support, legal assistance, and more.
Prices: Each item will have a unique price tag. Housing Works tends to carry more high-end merchandise. As a result, prices tend to be higher that other non-profit thrift stores. If an item does not sell after a certain period of time, prices will be marked down.
Sales: YES. Housing Works will hold daily specials or seasonal sales that are open to all customers. Select items are available for auction on their website.
Rewards Program: YES. PAID MEMBERSHIP. Customers can pay for a Housing Works Membership. Membership is for one year. Benefits include extra store discounts, member shopping days, an e-news newsletter, and more. The cost range is $60 - $5,000 per year.
Return Policy: All sales are final.
The Salvation Army
Type of Store: Non-Profit. Christian Mission.
Location: Numerous locations in NYC and all around the country. Always closed on Sunday.
Why shop here? When you shop at the Salvation Army, you support its outreach to adults, children, and families domestically and internationally. Programs include Veterans Affairs services, prison ministries, Christmas assistance, emergency disaster services, and more.
Prices: Each item will have a unique price tag.
Sales: YES. A color-coding system is in use for price tags on clothing. Each day, clothing with a price tag that matches the color of the day will be on sale for half-off.
Rewards Program: None at the moment.
Return Policy: All sales are final.