‘They got this for free’: Florida woman stumbles across mini Dooney & Bourke bag at Goodwill. The price tag has her fuming—and leaving it behind
A woman went inside a Goodwill and noticed a cute Dooney & Bourke bag hanging in-store. However, by the time she saw the item’s price tag, she thought the company was price gouging.
Goodwill was selling the item, which had obvious wear and tear, for $19.99. The reality astounded Julia (@juliasgems), who felt that the Goodwill had significantly high prices, especially considering they got the item for free as a donation. It was even more egregious when considering online prices for newer-looking, larger Dooney & Bourke bags that were only $10 more expensive than the one sitting in front of her.
How much do Dooney & Bourke bags actually cost?
Some viewers thought $19.99 was actually a pretty fair price point for a designer bag. But, considering the obvious wear and tear on the bag and the fact that it’s a mini, Goodwill could have aimed a little bit lower with their pricing.
There are some vintage Dooney & Bourke bags currently on platforms like eBay for $35. These aren’t minis, either, but rather, actually full-sized (and loveably weathered) bags. There are even newer-looking and arguably less torn-up purses available online for merely $30. Considering this, the price Goodwill set for the small but extremely worn Dooney & Bourke bag is frankly a bit much.
Some Goodwill locations have apparently sold bags from other designers, like Kate Spade, for “insane” prices considering the item’s damage.
“There was a Kate Spade purse that was stained up and they wanted $27 for it yesterday,” added one scrutinizing TikTok user. So, it seems like a common issue for incredibly used items to still have relatively high thrift prices in Goodwill stores.
Is there a way to avoid higher pricing for designer items in-store?
To many thrift connoisseurs, it’s never too late to try and get a better deal. Some viewers recommended simply asking for lower prices when they feel too outrageous. While not every Goodwill employee is willing to debate on finer details for items, some are willing to accommodate, especially considering mismatched expectations for item prices.
One viewer found a nearly identical Dooney & Bourke bag, which was priced very similarly at her store. But she had an affair with the workers: “I asked if they could give me a better price, [and a Goodwill employee] went to the back and changed it to $5.99!!”
Ultimately, it doesn’t hurt to try, as long as it’s done respectfully and without extreme pushiness or buyer intensity.
Is Goodwill really ‘Greedwill’?
Goodwill is a nonprofit which does create employment opportunities for thousands of people across the United States. For that reason, the company has previously excused pricing models that may seem unfair to average thrifters, citing its charitable efforts as a reason why prices have been noticeably high for some store shoppers.
In a previous comment to The Mary Sue, a spokesperson for the company stated, “Goodwill stores sell donated goods so they can use the revenue to provide people in their local area with free job training, career placement services and other human services that can help them build skills and advance in their careers or other life circumstances. For that reason, when a store receives donations, they work to set a price that reflects fair market value for their local community while also making the most of the donated item’s value. The more funds a store is able to drive, the more they are able to assist people who are in need of job training and other support services, all at no cost to them.”
But that necessarily doesn’t change how many consumers have slowly adapted to their new, higher price points. Some recent decisions by individual stores, like pricing Nike joggers at an astounding $39.99, have alienated and priced out regular shoppers.
Other commenters, too, noticed higher prices at Goodwill that seemingly don’t reflect its own self-described pricing model. “I saw a banana Republic dress from 5 years ago for $70 at Goodwill,” said one viewer.
@juliasjems #goodwillprices #thriftfinds #thrifteddesignerbags #thrifteddooneyandbourke #thriftprices ♬ original sound – Juliasjems
Ultimately, though, Goodwill can determine whatever price point they wish for in-store items. All customers can really do is switch to other nonprofits or thrift stores if they so choose, even if those prices are “insane Goodwill prices.”
The Mary Sue reached out to Goodwill and Julia via email for comment.
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