Goodwill Central Coast Outlet — Local services in San Luis Obispo

Many years ago and I mean many years ago this place was the place to go, the thrift store of all thrift stores you could beat the prices and the staff,well they went over and beyond not only where they helpful but no matter what you could guarantee they will work with you on the prices when your checking out I mean after all this is a thrift store unfortunately I can’t say that now for a thrift store, their prices are well it’s still a thrift store but I don’t think the staff knows that because when they eagerly spit out your total, you would’ve thought you were shopping at gap or express not the Goodwill outlet not only that but 3 times i’ve been accused of shop lifting because apparently changing your mind, before checking out and returning the item or items back where you found them is not allowed I didn’t know it was a crime to not purchase everything you were thinking about getting. Most people shopping at thrift stores are shopping there because they don’t have the means to shop at other more expensive stores. but then to be treated with such disrespect while shopping at a thrift store of all places and one like this...

Overall Goodwill is good concept that I have appreciated since the late 1950's. It used to be thought of as the place to shop when you are lower income and really could not afford to pay retail for clothing and household items. It made life easier and better. Now that it has gone so corporate, the prices just keep going up and up to the point of being ridiculous. For example, used pajama bottoms $5.99!! Used hoodies $8.99. Come on.....We can go to Kmart, Target or Walmart and pay that or less for NEW PJ's and Hoodies! I think a name change like, 'Poor People Pay More Here'....would be more appropriate. Since I'm here and venting, I have to say that so many of the employees seemed forced to be friendly and the rest are down right rude (AG) they seem overworked and under appreciated. A lot of employee turn over speaks to that. Needless to say I shop more and more at the big box stores and less and less at, NO longer Goodwill..I miss the old days at the GW.Come on corporate, remember why this company started. To help people with barriers to employment and help the less fortunate. Come back...

I'm not going to lie, I have found a couple of treasures here. Was it worth it? Not if you're driving 2 hours to get there. This is not a bin style YouTube looking Goodwill outlet. Great if you live in the area. I have been to several bins and this place is not anything like any other bins. A big sign tells you how much everything is. Only clothes are weighed. Home decor are priced 1-$3 I think but if it is half a pound you're still paying $1-3. I think some items were even $5. As for bins?, no. Everything I wanted like home decor are in big cardboard boxes. If you can bend and touch your toes then you can dig to the bottom. Oh and those boxes are in the darkest area, no light, weird right? Now let's talk about the big shockers when you walk in. Excuse me, where is the outlet? This is it. This is it? Yes that's it. Gotta be 2000 square feet or less. No no It's probably closer to 1500. What really upset me most is rushing from Sam Fransisco to find out they are closing at 3pm. I'm sticking to my local Goodwill bins. 7 days a week and closes at 8pm. At least 20,000 square feet or more....