8 Things to know before visiting an outlet, or “bins,” store
With the opening of our second outlet, also known as a “bins” store, it seems like the perfect time to share more about what an outlet is and how it works.
Here are some things to know before you visit one of our outlet stores:
1. There are two outlets in our area.
The outlets are at 4379 Whipple Ave. NW in Jackson Township and 1333 East 179th St. in Cleveland, which opened recently. The Jackson Township store is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, and the Cleveland store is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
2. Outlets aren’t like our regular stores.
Clothing and housewares that aren’t sold at our typical Goodwill stores are made available at the Goodwill Outlet. The store isn’t set up like a usual store. Items are placed in bins throughout the store. They are organized by category, with bins containing clothing, housewares, glass, electrics, etc.
3. Pricing is different than at our regular stores.
Items at the outlets are priced per pound or per item, depending on the item. As of November 7, 2023, pricing at both outlets is as follows: $1.79 per pound for wares, textiles, shoes and accessories; $.99 per item for books and media; and $.79 per pound for electrical, glass, dishware and breakable wares.
Bulk rates are as follows: $.69 per pound for glass for 5-plus pounds; $.69 per pound for electrical for 10-plus pounds; $1.69 per pound for wares and shoes for 30-plus pounds; and $1.69 per pound for textiles and accessories for 25-plus pounds.
4. You should dress for the occasion.
Gloves are not required, but they might be useful when digging through the bins. Broken glass or dirty items could be in the bins.
5. You should plan to spend more time than usual shopping.
The bins are rotated every half hour. This means that each half hour, some bins are taken away and replaced with new bins. Many shoppers, especially resellers, like to stick around for a few rotations to see what they can find. When bins are being rotated, shoppers must come to the front of the store and wait for the OK to come back to the bins.
6. Carts can run out quickly.
Carts are available, but they can run out quickly, so you may have to hold items.
7. There aren’t bags.
Items aren’t put in a bag when you check out.
8. Items are sold as is.
There are no returns allowed at our outlet stores.
About the author: Kelsey Davis is the Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist at Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland & East Central Ohio, Inc.