The company has garnered significant criticism regarding its customer service and shipping practices, with numerous customers expressing dissatisfaction over exorbitant shipping fees, poor item descriptions, and inadequate packing leading to damaged goods. Many reviews highlight a perceived shift from a community-focused mission to a profit-driven approach, resulting in a loss of customer trust. While some long-time customers appreciate the variety of items available, the overwhelming sentiment reflects frustration with the lack of transparency, responsiveness, and support. This feedback suggests a pressing need for the company to reassess its customer service policies and shipping practices to enhance overall satisfaction.
This summary is generated by AI, based on text from customer reviews
The auction site sucks. In the last 20 something seconds someone outbid me. I don't really care they won, I'm pissed cuz that's allowed. So if u do use this site, beware.
Buying stuff online for many years at eBay and other mini sites. For the last seven years, been buying stuff on and off at Goodwill onlinebut the last few years things have got worse. They do not describe what they're selling to the best of their abilities. I can see damage the pictures and they do not describe it or type it up in the disclosure like they say they're telling you what's wrong with it. Then when you get it, it's even in worse condition than the pictures. They don't train their employees correctly and that's what they want the money to train people. They're not training their employees to be honest loyal trustworthy. They trained them to get the job done the fastest cheapest easiest way not to describe the things to the best of their abilities because it takes and money and the abilities to do that. This is not the way I would want to donate something to someone to train somebody to dothings to the best of their abilities they're not. I hope this helps you out.
At first, you could get some great deals, now just expect whatever cost you won the bid at to be double or more. Literally! $19 will be $38 to $40, no deals at this point i would rather buy new than on here! The last few bids i won, the item would have been cheaper new!
Lately orders have taken at least two weeks to even get shipped! And the boxes used are the wrong sized, taped together and wrapped with a ton of tape, looks like a child did it. Items that you order will have tape over covers, labels, tape right over vintage boxes and ruins the artwork! If you ask them about it they will roll it off their shoulders or just ignore you with no solution.
I was really disappointed; I bought a white leather coach bag online $58 dollars before tax and shipping cost. The bag pictured is really in great shape but they didn't pictured inside the bag that was really peeling all over. And they said they can't refund me nor returned the item coz it says on the description which I didn't see it at the first place and it was not pictured the inside. Never again. This goodwill company is abusive, expensive bag for a peeling bag. Hopefully they will close.
I received my guitar. I was charged me $70 for shipping which is dramatically more than any other guitar I have purchased. It came in a box that could hold 4 guitars. Was the oversize box the reason it was so expensive? Very little packing material and very poorly taped. Also the slowest shipping of any I bought recently. Bad deal. Also they put a sticker right on the front of the body that will be hard to remove without damaging the paint.
Some Goodwills such as North Florida Goodwill rip you off on shipping in a way that's hard to believe. There is no redress. They just stiff arm you and blame FedEx. Lies. I have purchased many times there but check shipping before you place a single bid. They may take you to the cleaners. I bought 3 guitars from 3 different Goodwills. One charged $20 which is very fair. Another (South Florida) charged $43 pretty steep but good packing. North Florida charged $70! Ripoff. Slowest shipper as well. Haven't seen it yet. Super bad deal. They don't care.
Shipping and handling charges are outrageous and shipping the items can take 5 days then transit time. You won't get item for at least a week. The site has decent items but the prices can't be over priced
Goodwill simply makes profit off their shipping. I do not understand how it costs $50 plus to ship a 1 1/2 pound ukulele. When I ask, I get the meme answer of "We have to ship by shape, not weight. The problem with that stock answer is, nobody else charges that much. If the other sites are saving money for their customers with alternative shipping, (in other words not FEDEX) they could save their customers an enormous amount by following suit. But they do not, because FEDEX gives them the opportunity to charge one way and then ship another, then lie about it. I used to shop with them online, sometimes several times a month, but I cannot remember the last time I did. And yes, I realize they are there to help the down and out, but I am poor as well. When I can actually buy the same item new for less than used on Shopgoodwill, why would I bother., well I don't anymore. And when people ask what I think of them, I am quite honest about it. Well, good day.
Purchased item from Goodwill in California and never got it, in the process of disputing charge now.
I DO NOT RECCOMEND!
1 received the 14K gold necklace with mini cross (ID order# *******) that l bought a from Palmetto Goodwill North Charleston, South Carolina). The necklace is twisted and the hook is broken. I cannot do anything with it. This goodwill store lack honesty and integrity. Don't buy anything from them.
My recent experience with Goodwill Industries of Kentucky's Lexington online shopping team, particularly with representatives Lara and Vanessa, has been incredibly disappointing. Goodwill's mission, as stated on their website, is to "enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work." Unfortunately, my interaction with their team demonstrates that this mission is not upheld in their customer service practices.
I reached out to cancel my bid on an item, explaining my reasonable circumstances: I had lost all other bids associated with the purchase, and the shipping and handling fees were nearly equal to the cost of the item itself. This made the transaction entirely impractical and burdensome. Instead of showing understanding or flexibility, Lara and Vanessa repeatedly hid behind rigid policies, ignoring both my concerns and the goodwill they are supposed to represent.
I also pointed out that nowhere in their terms of service or item descriptions does it clearly state that bids cannot be canceled after an auction ends. I suggested adding this as a disclaimer to avoid further misunderstandings, but my feedback was completely brushed aside. Furthermore, I referenced their own website, which explicitly states that bid cancellations are possible. Still, they chose to rigidly enforce an arbitrary location-specific policy that contradicts Goodwill's broader guidelines and principles.
This level of unkindness and inflexibility is the exact opposite of what Goodwill claims to stand for. If your mission is to eliminate barriers and help people, perhaps you should begin with showing a modicum of compassion and understanding toward your customers. Instead, I was met with canned responses, a refusal to consider my situation, and a complete disregard for Goodwill's own stated values.
Goodwill Industries of Kentucky - Lexington, your unwillingness to accommodate reasonable requests and your lack of transparency in policies are not only frustrating but also damaging to your credibility as an organization claiming to serve the community. Lara and Vanessa, I hope this review serves as a reminder to prioritize people over rigid bureaucracy and actually embody the mission you claim to uphold.
I would strongly caution others against dealing with this location's online shopping team unless you are prepared to be met with cold, unyielding policies that show no regard for Goodwill's purported values.
I've been a customer for 5 years now but today I just paid my last order. The shipping/ handling is just a gross abuse, I would think they have a discount with the carriers but even though, they charge the most expensive shipping from all over, also the items are mostly junk nowadays. I also want to help the cause but they are just rippers. Ill try to find a better option. Bye!
I have bought a few things from this site. ALWAYS watch the shipping costs. I saw an auction today that said the actual weight was 4LBS, but they were charging shipping for 28:BS. You can't tell me they are using 28 LBS of shipping materials to ship a product. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I guess I would say, BUYER BEWARE! I would rate 0 stars if this site would let me...
The old adage buyer beware is a good rule of thumb for this site. There are many items that are worth the price that is asked. However, the buyer should check the prices online before buying anything from this site. I ran into an item today, a gaming mouse. The start price on the auction was $14.99 plus $9.00 shipping and handling. When I searched this same product online, I found new ones selling for $9.99 with a lot less shipping.
The shipping that they charge has always been exorbitant to begin with.
There is always the chance that the item you get will not work, or be unsatisfactory. Remember that they usually make no promises as to the exact true functionality of the items.
Anyway, remember, buyer beware...
Awful. If your winning bid isn't what they'd hoped they will recant your bid and claim some BS excuse. It's happened too many times to be accidental. If you over bid based on pood description you are still forced to pony up. There are exorbitant shipping, handling, and other BS fees that will completely negate any potential savings you may have had. Stay away@
Little girl plastic purse $5.99 before it would be.99. Used shoe $12.98 all the way up to over $20. If I'm going to pay those prices, I'll go to purchase new. Pricing very inconsistent. I know the previous manager passed away, but Randy was awesome and made our community able to shop there.
Even 5 pcs of Lego the shipping will be between from $12.49 to $13.49 for shipping, Blood sucking vampires. How do you justify that?
Order Summary
*******
Subtotal$13.01
Tax$2.04
CO Retail Delivery Fee$0.28
Shipping $10.61
Handling$2.99
Order Total$28.93
Been using this site for 6+ years. In the past it was nice to find little treasures that took you back to your childhood. However, the past few years have revealed the new business model implemented by Shopgoodwill. It's profit driven. Forget that their supply line are donations. Greed has led them to stick it to the customers thru exorbitant shipping and handling charges. Prime example: On 4/18/2024 I won my bid for an item at $5.99 - Great, right? Wait for it. After shipping and handling charges for an item that weights less than 6 oz (5.5 oz exactly), the grand total was $20.49! More than 3 times the auction price. Shame on them. That will be my last time shopping with them. I have purchased many items in the past, but they have lost the spirit of "good will" and have taken on a mantra of "greed". Good riddance.
I have been shopping on the Shopgoodwill website for a few years. I like the website but the shipping and handling is a full blow rip off. One time I win a bid on an item that cost $9.00, the shipping & handling was $17.45. I don't know how they come up with these prices for the S&H. The only reason I purchase items is it's something that I desperately want
They are trying to charge me 12 lbs for a purse. They scam on shipping and they are allegedly a non profit all they do is profit.
IN MOST CASES. THE SHIPPING IS THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN THE COST OF THE SOLD ITEM. 30-40 PERCENT OF MERCHANDISE IS INCORRECT SHODDY DAMAGED AND FILTHY DIRTY. SELLERS ARROGANT WHEN ASKED QUESTIONS. I SPENT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WITH SHOPGOODWILL.COM. YET THEY TREATED ME LIKE A $#*!ED THREE YEAR OLD. OVERSEEING BIG BROTHER ADMINISTRATION RAKES IN TONS OF MONEY WITH A SINISTER GRIN. THESE GENIUSES GET THEIR MERCHANDISE FOR FREE. YET THEY INSULT THEIR GIFTERS AND BUYERS WITH GEORGE ORWELL 1984 CONDESCENDING ATTITUDES. SPEND YOUR MONEY AT MCDONALDS. NOT IN THIS BUSINESS GOTHIC HOLOCAST.
Answer: It did not get lost they did not get the price they wanted for the said item so it's lost they will wait for a while and realist it under a different item number and raise the shipping price and bid price with the auto bods so they can get a higher price for the item
Answer: Well look at the salary of their CEO vs. The salary of the Salvation Army's CEO. That will tell you what kind of "non-profit" it is.
Answer: If buyer got to leave their personal experiences with this company, they wouldn't exist in a year. They aren't going to risk that. Only honest sellers want their information posted for everyone to see. So don't expect it from Goodwill.
Answer: If you aren't using paypal or a credit card, there isn't much recourse. With paypal, the seller has to prove you received the item. If they can't, you will get your money back.
Online Marketplace for Goodwill thrift stores