Goodwill Southern California Store & Donation Center — Attraction in Los Angeles

Overall this store is hit or miss like many other thrift stores. The one thing that sets this store aside from others is the barely responsive staff that does not know what they are talking about half the time. Since Covid-19 they shave implemented store policies that make zero logical sense.

Examples.... I was browsing the shoe area and was picking up numerous shoes with the possibility of trying them on. Narrowed it down to one pair, moved towards the mirror and was told I wasn’t allowed to try on shoes (covid nonsense). I asked why and the reply was due to covid. I can hold the shoes in my hand they can touch any exterior part of my body but trying them on is forbidden. Explain the logic or science in that nonsense.

Through the course of the day at goodwill the roll out new carts of merchandise that is making is way to floor. They park the cart and start placing items on the sales floor. Some stores let you shop of the cart like the location on victory and others don’t. So the cart that was rolled out and there was a surge protector that was upside down and I , without lifting out of the cart, turned it over to see the brand and condition. I do remember that this location does not like it when you take merchandise off of the cart. At that point the sales associate came up to me and said that I could not touch anything that was on the cart I explained to him that I’m not picking anything up I’m not taking anything away I’m literally touching it and he said that I could not touch it he reprimanded me about three times for that am I asked him why and his reason was “Covid” his exact words were Covid I asked him what logical sense does that make this is I don’t know when I said exactly you don’t know.

This is not the only place that has implemented illogical protocols in the name of Covid-19. In my opinion this is just a control mechanism for people to use on the customers. Possibly in world outside of their jobs these sales associates feel, like many, that they have no control of what’s going on in life because of Covid but when they come to work they feel like they’re a little control freaks and that they can do what they want whether or not it makes sense or not. Just my humble opinion. But seriously if you’re implementing rules at you place of employment take a minute and ask what the logic behind this or even the “science” backing what you are doing.

I do understand and respect most new actions taken by places but some are absurd.

Please excuse any grammatical...

I live in Sherman Oaks and as an avid thrifter, I rely on this Goodwill for 2 things: last stop in my circuit if I didn’t find anything good at the other shops, OR go-to for late night last minute runs (for example, I do floral arrangements and sometimes need to grab a glass vase for a customer’s order).

My favorite things about this Goodwill are: 1.) The cashiers- I usually see the same few young people at the register and they are so hardworking and polite, always conversational, with great customer service attitudes even when the store is swamped! 2.) Glassware- there’s ALWAYS a nice big variety of glass vases, all different colors, shapes, and sizes; drinking glasses and decorative glassware too. 3.) Lamps- I have found the sickest vintage lamps here 😍 Sherman Oaks is vintage lamp country for sure… 4.) Picture frames- again big variety, and the prices are super worth it considering how expensive picture frames are new. Just be sure to measure your artwork or bring it with you to check for a good fit!

I don’t buy clothes here (or at any Goodwill) because as a company their pricing policy for clothing is objectively wack. If you’re looking for beautiful clothes hit up any American Cancer Society Discovery Shop; or the Salvation Army Boutique on a sale day.

The parking lot IS super small so I sometimes park on the street...

The store is fine. But I just have to leave this review because there’s so many other reviews about the terrible donation center.

The psychotic guy that runs this place is so crazy he’s like the perfect example of a little bit of power goes to someone’s head. But I’m not sure what power he has sitting in a donation center at Goodwill. He was so mean and so unhelpful to the poor 80-year-old man bringing in a ton of books and me bringing in 5 big boxes. He couldn’t even be bothered to tell us one of the doors props open or even help us prop it open.

This poor elderly man made at least six trips while i was making five and this guy who “works” in the donation center couldn’t even be bothered to say “Hey, that door can be propped open!”

And then he yelled at me and almost pushed over a security guard trying to tell me he couldn’t take my tiny little bottle of bath foam.

I’m still not sure what kind of power the donation guy at Goodwill yields (clearly not the power to prop open doors for the elderly) but he needs to take it down...