Goodwill — Attraction in Richmond Hill

Let's be clear: the Goodwill in Richmond Hill is, by all accounts, a perfectly adequate purveyor of pre-loved possessions. The aisles are… present. The lighting doesn't actively hum with the ghosts of fluorescents past. And the staff? Bless their hearts, they're doing the Lord's work, or at least someone's work, with a level of pleasant indifference that one can only aspire to on a Tuesday afternoon.

You'll find your requisite chipped mugs, your questionable 80s ski jackets, and that one copy of "Who Moved My Cheese?" that seems to follow you to every thrift store in a five-state radius. But then, my friends, there's The Aroma.

It hits you not as a distinct smell, but more as a… presence. A thick, atmospheric condition. It’s the olfactory equivalent of a crowded bus on a humid day, if that bus had been upholstered in mothballs and forgotten gym socks, and then gently misted with the tears of a thousand decluttered closets. One might initially try to pinpoint its origin. Is it the mountain of T-shirts bearing the logos of fun runs no one actually ran? The dusty legion of stuffed animals with suspiciously matted fur? The shoe section, a veritable United Nations of foot funk? Nay, it is none of these, and yet, all of them. It’s the collective sigh of the "unwashed masses," a potent potpourri of past lives, questionable laundry habits, and the faint, lingering scent of desperation (both from the previous owners and the current bargain hunters).

I found a rather nice, if slightly pilled, cashmere-blend sweater for a steal. And a vintage Pyrex dish that whispered tales of casseroles long since digested. These were triumphs, hard-won victories against the invisible cloud that threatened to cling to my very soul (and sinuses). My advice? Go prepared. Perhaps a swimmer's nose clip. Maybe VapoRub under the nostrils like a gritty detective in a film noir set in a laundromat. Or, do as I did: develop an appreciation for speed-Browse and the life-affirming gasp of fresh air upon exiting.

Overall Rating: Merchandise: 3 out of 5 stars (standard thrift fare) Staff: 4 out of 5 stars (perfectly fine, possibly nose-blind, which is a superpower in this environment) Ambiance (Visual): 3 out of 5 stars Ambiance (Olfactory): -17 out of 5 stars (bring a gas mask, or at least a very strong sense of humor)

Would I go back? Probably. My desire for a bargain occasionally outweighs my will to breathe freely. Just don't stand too close if you see me there; I can't guarantee what particles I may have...

The prices in this goodwill just keeps going up and getting ridiculous. Did they get a new greedy manager or something? To the person that does the pricing, Please, I urge you to take a moment and really think about about this store is called “goodwill”. It’s not retail. This is supposed to be affordable for people who really are struggling or can’t afford to spend money on retail clothing for their kids and family. Now you guys cost just as much as retail for used items.. items that were donated to you in “goodwill” To this person.. do you shop retail? Burlington? Tjmaxx? Ross? Marshall’s? I would encourage you to go out there and browse so you can be familiar with what things cost brand new and you yourself might be appalled at the goodwill prices. This is the only goodwill(and I have been to a lot) tht charges $4.99 for kids clothing, it’s $2.49 at all the other locations. Kids clothing from retail stores start at $3.99-$9.99 for name brands. Mens shirts at Ross and tj are 7.99 and up.. nautica, Calvin Klein, Tommy etc etc.. and just because an item is new nd has a retail price sticker doesn’t mean Thts what they sell it for in store. There are always deals, sales and running promotions and clearance. $19.99 for a nautica button down because it’s new? It’s 14.99 at tjmaxx and Ross. And the dresses keeps going up.. all over $7.99 now? Even the SHEIN dresses washed and faded and torn. Guys.. SHEIN became popular because it’s cheap. $10 or less for dresses. And jeans.. it went from $5.49 to 6.99 to 7.49 to now 8.99? Just stop. Please don’t be greedy. You can be kind and think about how you are gonna help a single momma or dad or single income family put food on the table by allowing them to save a few $$ here and good things will come back your way. How did this become about making the maximum amount of money? And for gods sake.. don’t tag the pants with holes in the knees or dresses with rips and tears and broken things. There are shirts there with a heavy price tag because it’s a northface and it has big holes and washed and faded. Just take a minute to think about it...

WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE I have EVER experienced! I walk in and walk up to who I later learned was the Stone Manager, and Assistant. They were speaking to each other. The Assistant Manager had to have saw me standing there, unless she is BLIND! The lady I soon learned was the Manager had her back to me the entire time, backed up and walked away without ever seeing me, the cashier working the other register did however looked at me, then turned and started ringing up another customer. I was COMPLETELY ignored, as if I didn't exist. Exactly what kind of Customer Service is this supposed to be??? I know there is a Corporate office in Savannah somewhere but am still too infuriated to find the number. Needless to say I will NEVER walk into this store as long as Petra is the Store Manager, she was just as RUDE, and Condescending as her Asst Manager and Employees. I demanded that if she ever wanted to see me darken their door again I would receive 3 dollars in charge, she refused so I will comply. I think that was the LEAST she could have done to keep up a Customer....