Goodwill Store and Donation Center — Local services in Weaverville

I was told I could not shop today because I was not wearing a mask. I am a high functioning autistic individual with a sensory processing disorder and cannot wear a mask. Mask mandates hurt some more than others. Sad day for me. *Updated in response to the manager's response... I live in Weaverville and have been shopping maskless and unbothered for months now, even in YOUR Goodwill store. I don't get close to people, I wouldn't leave the house if I were sick or if any one of my family members were sick. I'm fairly intelligent and have plenty of common sense, but it does not make sense to me, that I was allowed in your store without a mask two weeks ago, but cannot go in without a mask today. Also, the employee who "called me out," did so loudly and in front of quite a few other shoppers (several of them turned to look). It is difficult enough for some of us to put ourselves in a place that is generally outside of our comfort zone, without being publicly scolded for a rule that is crippling to those of us who are living with different abilities than some others. If nothing else, maybe advise your employees to kindly approach individuals and express the "rules" of the store in person, without barking at folks from across the store. I was quite embarrassed. I have no interest in going back to this store any time soon. I understand it's your store and your rules, but this situation was mishandled, in my opinion. I thought Goodwill was all about supporting folks with disabilities, not about shaming them for being unaware of rules, whether they are able to comply or not. Personally, I would be much more concerned about the germs riding in on all of your donations. Those donations are handled by the original owner of the goods prior to drop-off, they are then handled by your employees in the back of the store and then other employees in the front of the store and a countless number of individuals in between. Doesn't sound sanitary to me. Maybe all patrons should be required to hand sanitize as they enter the store. I'm so aggravated over this experience, but life goes on. I appreciate your reply. I don't feel it is necessary to contact customer service for this issue (it wouldn't change anything), but perhaps my review will be helpful for someone such as myself, thinking of visiting your store. Also, it would be handy to keep buggy wipes inside the store and perhaps have employees wiping down buggies and even countertops in between customers, if you are sincerely committed to keeping your customers and employees safe. Just an idea for you...

[READ CAREFULLY] Imagine that you accidentally drop off a box with videos and picture of your children being born at a goodwill and the employees of the donation center just toss the whole box. I mistakenly brought a box of childhood picture and memories and they tossed all of them, 2 boxes worth, within less than 2 hours of being dropped off. I understand “just doing your job” but read this as if you were in our situation. They refused to tell us what happened until eventually they said they threw it all in the trash compactor after reciting the policy on personal item over and over. They had zero sympathy except for one employee that actually tossed the items (thank you whoever you are). The manager (Michael, I believe) after being confronted by my heartbroken and distraught mother got a customer involved in calling my mother rude. They offered no help and had no sympathy. They did not diffuse the situation until I, the mothers son, showed up and they then proceeded to raised their voice at my mother who was filled with tears and acting in a manner that would be understandable if you had lost the pictures of your children being born among other non-replaceable family memories.. They were not professional, nice, helpful and lacked zero emotion. I’m saddened that this business who relies on donations can be so cold to a heartbroken mother. Needless to say, all donations will be going to Habitat for Humanity from us. I would encourage those to pay attention to the employees at this Goodwill and particularly the manager on duty, Michael, I believe was his name. And after taking the items originally intended to be donated at goodwill to Habitat for Humanity, I asked an employee how they would have handled the situation. Like a professional, they expressed their apologies and said that it would have been gone through like any other item but if they thought it was a mistake, it would have been set to the side to give the donator a chance to reclaim the...

I volunteered at this particular Goodwill approximately a year ago. I was amazed at the amount of wildly varying types of donations they receive. I was shocked at how much they charged for items they got for NOTHING. Nothing was done to clean any of the items, nothing is sterilized, none of the clothing gets washed or sanitized. So much is received that if something isn't clean enough it gets thrown away. I always thought Goodwill priced their donations reasonably, but after volunteering there, all my illusions were shattered. I don't mean to sound dramatic but I was truly saddened& disappointed in& with this supposed charity organization.. On a recent visit last week it seemed their prices to have gone up. I also came across a rack of dresses that actually had tags on them from the store they were being sold in originally. The original price for these dresses were $7.99. The Goodwill sign on the rack that was FULL of these dresses was marked $9.99. Just when I thought I couldn't be shocked anymore, Goodwill doesn't just raise their prices, they blatantly rub your face in the fact that they're raising prices.. smh.. SHAME ON YOU G.W.!! Now I know to some of us $2.00 isn't much, but to others that could make a difference as to whether they eat tonight of not.. Not to mention the fact that leaving the original tags on the dresses would've been fine, had they priced their dresses LOWER than the original price!! It was another disenchanted day for me at G.W.'s this past Saturday. You can bet I'll be boycotting G.W.'s from...