Goodwill Outlet — Local services in Akron

I have to update my review because they changed locations from Arlington rd back to Waterloo rd. I honestly liked Arlington more because the space was bigger and brighter and it seemed to have more inventory and I liked the way they arranged the tables so that they were in the center of the space, that way shoppers can dig through all sides of the tables. The Waterloo rd arrangement has the tables pushed against the walls, which isn’t workable for multiple people digging and it’s hard on your back. It’s hard to complain though because the goodwill outlets in Maryland and other states don’t even have tables, they have enormous cardboard refrigerator-sized boxes full of clothes and somehow you’re supposed to be able to reach into those..no one can, so they just pick off the very top. So I guess how “bad” it is is all relative. People-wise, the ones at this store are a cast of, we’ll just call them “unusual” fringe characters that sort of “live” at the store and spend all day every day there. You start to build a relationship with some and avoid some of the others. My mom likes to go with me and talk to/socialize with some of the disabled, mentally ill, homeless, some addicts, and also elderly people because it helps them to feel normal and like they’re also part of the community. Many of them get dropped off there to spend the day and they really appreciate their time there, it’s fun for them because they can afford to “shop,” and they want to feel included in the world around them. It helps with loneliness. Wear gloves and bring hand sanitizer. It’s annoying with the new covid restrictions having to wait in line outside because there are now limits to people capacity..also having the store close something like every hour for 30 minutes for sanitizing..it’s ridiculous and overreaching. I used to come here as a “day trip” and spend all afternoon or multiple hours but because of the repeated closing for cleaning, it’s impossible. I’ve found and resold some really nice items over the years. An authentic Gucci bag, Cole Haan bags, lots of boutique clothing. My family is really into canning and preserving food. There are lots of nice antique canning jars of varying sizes, lots of glassware and old oil lamps which I like to restore. You have to have the energy to really dig and you don’t need to follow the stampeding crowds to the newest table if you have what I call a good “eye.” Those people are just grabbing things in order to prevent you from getting them, without really “seeing.” Forget them. Don’t forget to bring your own bags for an...

Found many items such as new nail polish remover, used t-shirts, used cake pans, dishes, used toys, new cheaply made dish towels, used bedding, and furniture to be priced as high or higher. Cutex nail polish remover - $3.99 bottle at goodwill but $1.25 at dollar tree and $.99 at Ollie's. $1.49 at Marc's and $2.97 at Wal-Mart. Goodwill is NOT a non-profit organization and definitely not a thrift store any longer. Also, you have the store divided into 2 areas, and when I made a 2-item purchase in the one area, I could NOT go to the other to shop. I had to take my bag and 6-year-old grandchild out to the car, then return to shop the other area. All well and good, except I'm disabled, have difficulty standing/walking, and my oxygen was nearly empty. I asked if they could hold the 2 very small items at the register, but no. Not allowed by management. My granddaughter had to use the restroom, but I could not go with her as I could not take my cart with items I hadn't yet purchased into the other store area. The area is wide open and is accessible by a swing gate. Registers are right there at the gare. Where's the customer convenience for anyone, but especially for the disabled?

If I can afford the prices of used clothing and sundries here, I can afford to purchase new at a store. Poor people can not afford to pay new or above new prices for used items. This is an embarrassment to your original mission statement. I am filing a complaint with the local and nationwide dept of disabilities. Goodwill always proclaims to be there for the disabled - NOT TRUE. This is the last time I will enter a goodwill store, and I'm placing a notice of my experiences and requesting others with similar, to post theirs so we may document these negative...

Honestly this store has good items at decent prices, but I can’t get over how their employees talk aloud while customers are in their store. I shouldn’t walk in thirty minutes before close and get looked at as if I’m a bother. You’re open, aren’t you? I don’t control your store hours so talk to your boss about the fact that you close at 9pm and not 8pm like the outlet because that’s not my problem and I don’t really want to stand in line and hear you complain about it. My mother and I have both had problems with employees here on separate occasions sweating us to leave their store near close time when the store wasn’t closed yet. I’m sorry that you feel that your customers who spend their money here are such a big problem that you have to loudly groan as you see a line forming. Get it together, Waterloo Goodwill.

Edit 1/2020: I just came to leave the store a review (2 years later) and forgot about this one. I haven’t frequented much because the selection isn’t the best due to either 1. the online store or 2. the boutique. I was going to give you two stars this time because of the cleanliness of the store, but the selection has declined and the prices have risen so I walked out of the store empty handed today after wanting to purchase multiple items but the prices just don’t make sense. You would make a lot more money if you charged less for your items and you would sell more. I left with nothing and watched a lady with multiple kids put back half her cart because she realized they weren’t the half off color. It’s a little ridiculous when people are wondering if they should go to Goodwill or just go to a store like Gabriel Brothers or Roses because your prices are lingering...