Bin Store vs Goodwill: Which Saves You More Money? | Bin Store Map

When you're hunting for the best thrift deals, two options consistently appear: bin stores and Goodwill outlets. Both promise rock-bottom prices on clothing, housewares, and hidden treasures. But which actually saves you more money?

The answer depends on your shopping style and what you're buying. Goodwill bins charge $1.29-$2.49 per pound for most clothing, offering 70-95% savings compared to retail prices. Bin stores use a daily discount system, starting items at higher prices and dropping to $1 by the end of the week. For immediate needs, Goodwill bins typically win on price. For patient shoppers who can wait until dollar day, bin stores often deliver better value on specific categories like electronics and home goods.

Here's what you need to know to choose the right option for your next thrift run.

What Are Bin Stores and Goodwill Outlets?

Before comparing pricing and selection, let's clarify what these stores actually are.

Bin stores sell liquidation merchandise from retailers and online marketplaces. Most bin stores source from Amazon returns, retail overstock, and customer returns. They organize merchandise in large bins and use a daily discount pricing model. Items start at full discount prices (often $7-$12) on restock days, then drop by a dollar each day until reaching $1 on the final day of the week.

Goodwill outlets (commonly called "Goodwill bins") sell items that didn't sell in regular Goodwill thrift stores. Instead of individual pricing, they charge by weight. You'll find unsorted merchandise in large rolling bins that rotate throughout the day. Goodwill outlets price clothing at $1.29-$2.49 per pound, books at $0.25-$1.00 per pound, and offer volume discounts for purchases over 20 pounds.

Both concepts follow the bin store model of unsorted, hunt-style shopping. The key difference lies in sourcing and pricing structure.

Pricing Comparison: Which Saves You More?

Goodwill Bins Pricing Structure

Goodwill outlets use weight-based pricing that remains consistent throughout the week:

• Clothing: $1.29-$2.49 per pound (most locations charge $1.49/lb)
• Books: $0.25-$1.00 per pound
• Hard goods: Varies by item and location
• Volume discounts: Often kick in at 20+ pounds

A typical 10-pound clothing haul costs $15-$25 at Goodwill bins. That same clothing would cost $50-$150 at regular Goodwill stores priced per item.

Real-world example: A family shopping for back-to-school clothes found 10 pounds of items (roughly 15-20 pieces) for $15 at Goodwill bins. The same items would have cost approximately $220 at retail stores—a savings of $205 or 93%.

Bin Store Pricing Models

Most bin stores follow a daily discount schedule:

• Monday (restock day): $7-$12 per item
• Tuesday: $6-$10 per item
• Wednesday: $5-$8 per item
• Thursday: $4-$6 per item
• Friday: $3-$5 per item
• Saturday: $2-$3 per item
• Sunday (dollar day): $1 per item

Some variations exist—certain dollar day bin stores operate exclusively on the $1 final-day model, opening only on weekends.

The daily discount system means your savings depend entirely on when you shop. A kitchen appliance costs $10 on Monday but only $1 on Sunday—the same item with 90% different pricing based on timing.

Direct Price Comparison

Let's compare specific scenarios:

Scenario 1: 20 Pieces of Clothing

• Goodwill bins: Approximately 12 pounds at $1.49/lb = $17.88
• Bin store (Monday): 20 items × $8 = $160
• Bin store (Sunday): 20 items × $1 = $20

For clothing volume, Goodwill bins offer consistent low pricing that beats bin stores except on dollar day.

Scenario 2: Small Electronics and Home Goods

• Goodwill bins: Often priced individually, not by weight (varies)
• Bin store (Monday): Premium items $10-$12 each
• Bin store (Sunday): Same items $1 each

For electronics and higher-value items, bin stores on dollar day deliver exceptional value. A Bluetooth speaker worth $40 retail costs just $1 on Sunday at most bin stores.

Scenario 3: Mixed Shopping Trip

• Goodwill bins: 15 pounds of mixed items = $22-$37
• Bin store (Wednesday): 15 items × $5 = $75
• Bin store (Sunday): 15 items × $1 = $15

The winner? It depends on your schedule and patience. Goodwill bins offer predictable savings any day you shop. Bin stores reward strategic timing with potentially deeper discounts.

Selection and Merchandise Quality

Price isn't everything. What you can actually find matters just as much as cost.

What You'll Find at Goodwill Bins

Goodwill outlets stock items that didn't sell at regular Goodwill stores. This creates a unique selection profile:

Pros:

• High volume of clothing, especially basics and seasonal items
• Books, media, and soft goods in abundance
• Occasional designer pieces and vintage items missed by store staff
• Consistent inventory rotation with new bins several times daily

Cons:

• Items already rejected by regular thrift shoppers
• Condition varies widely—expect stains, damage, and wear
• Less organization makes finding specific items time-consuming
• Hard goods and electronics less common than at bin stores

Goodwill bins work best for shoppers seeking:

• Craft materials and fabric
• Reselling inventory (high volume, low cost basis)
• Children's clothing (kids outgrow clothes before wearing them out)
• Vintage hunting (overlooked gems do appear)

What You'll Find at Bin Stores

Bin stores specializing in Amazon returns and retail liquidation offer different inventory:

Pros:

• Electronics, gadgets, and tech accessories
• Home goods, kitchen items, and small appliances
• Toys, games, and seasonal items
• Often newer merchandise (returns, not donations)

Cons:

• Items may be damaged, missing parts, or customer returns
• No guarantees on functionality or completeness
• Less clothing compared to Goodwill outlets
• Inconsistent category availability week to week

Bin stores excel for shoppers wanting:

• Electronics and tech items at discount prices
• Home goods and kitchen gadgets
• Reselling opportunities in specific categories
• The thrill of finding retail merchandise at extreme discounts

Shopping Experience: What to Expect

Goodwill Bins Environment

Walking into a Goodwill outlet differs significantly from regular thrift shopping:

The Setup: Large rolling bins (often blue or orange) fill the floor space. Staff rotate bins every 30-60 minutes, bringing fresh merchandise from the back. Shoppers line up before new bins roll out, then dig through unsorted items.

The Atmosphere: Expect crowds, especially during bin rotations. Serious resellers and experienced thrifters know the rotation schedule and arrive early. The environment feels more competitive than collaborative—elbows-out shopping is common.

Time Investment: Budget 1-2 hours minimum for a productive visit. You'll need time to dig through multiple bins, inspect items for damage, and wait for bin rotations.

Tips for Success:

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty
• Bring hand sanitizer and gloves (optional but recommended)
• Learn your location's bin rotation schedule
• Shop mid-week mornings for smaller crowds
• Weigh items strategically to maximize volume discounts

Bin Store Environment

Bin stores create a different treasure-hunt atmosphere:

The Setup: Items sit in bins organized roughly by category (sometimes). Merchandise quality and organization vary dramatically by store and day of week. Monday restocks bring chaos; by Saturday, picked-over bins dominate.

The Atmosphere: Less competitive than Goodwill bins in most locations. The daily discount model spreads shoppers across the week. Dollar day brings crowds comparable to Goodwill outlet bin rotations.

Time Investment: Plan for 45-90 minutes, less if you shop late in the week when inventory is picked over. Early-week shopping requires more digging but offers better selection.

Tips for Success:

• Shop dollar day for maximum savings (arrive early—crowds form)
• Mid-week visits (Wednesday-Thursday) balance selection and price
• Test electronics if possible (bring batteries or check store testing stations)
• Inspect return items carefully for missing parts or damage
• Ask staff about restock schedules to time your visits

For more shopping strategies, check out our complete bin store tips guide.

Best for Resellers: Profit Margin Analysis

Both options attract resellers, but which offers better profit potential?

Goodwill Bins for Reselling

Advantages:

• Extremely low cost basis ($1.50-$2.50 per pound average)
• High volume allows sourcing many items in one trip
• Clothing resellers find consistent inventory
• Books and media offer quick flips at low risk

Challenges:

• More competition from experienced resellers
• Condition issues reduce sell-through rates
• Time investment in sorting through large volumes
• Shipping costs eat into margins on clothing

Profit Example: Buy 20 pounds of clothing for $30. Identify 15 sellable pieces. Average sale price $12. Gross revenue $180. Subtract fees and shipping ($60), net profit approximately $90. ROI: 200%.

Bin Stores for Reselling

Advantages:

• Electronics and home goods command higher resale prices
• Dollar day pricing creates exceptional margins
• Newer merchandise often in better condition
• Higher-ticket items mean fewer units to manage

Challenges:

• Returns may have defects reducing resale value
• Testing functionality takes time
• More competition on dollar days
• Amazon restrictions on certain return categories

Profit Example: Buy 10 electronics items on dollar day for $10. Eight items functional, two defective. Sell eight items averaging $25 each. Gross revenue $200. Subtract fees ($35), net profit approximately $155. ROI: 1,450%.

The verdict for resellers? Goodwill bins work better for volume-based clothing and book resellers. Bin stores favor electronics and home goods resellers who can accurately assess item condition and functionality.

Regional Availability and Accessibility

Finding Goodwill Outlets

Goodwill outlets exist in most major metropolitan areas but aren't as common as regular Goodwill stores. The organization operates approximately 300+ outlet locations across the United States compared to 3,300+ regular stores.

Your nearest Goodwill outlet might be 30-60 minutes away if you don't live in a major city. Use our Goodwill outlet directory to locate bins near you.

Finding Bin Stores

Bin stores have exploded in popularity over the past 3-4 years. You'll find them in suburban strip malls, often in smaller markets underserved by Goodwill outlets.

The bin store model's lower barrier to entry means more locations but also more variability in quality and inventory. Some operators source premium Amazon returns; others sell mixed liquidation pallets with inconsistent quality.

Browse our complete bin store directory to find locations nationwide, including hours, pricing schedules, and restock days.

Which Should You Choose?

Your ideal choice depends on what you're shopping for and how you like to shop.

Choose Goodwill bins if you:

• Shop primarily for clothing and soft goods
• Want consistent pricing regardless of shopping day
• Don't mind competitive, dig-through-bins shopping
• Live near a Goodwill outlet location
• Resell clothing, books, or media in volume
• Need to shop on a flexible schedule (consistent daily pricing)

Choose bin stores if you:

• Want electronics, home goods, and higher-value items
• Can shop strategically on dollar days
• Prefer newer merchandise over secondhand donations
• Like the daily discount treasure hunt experience
• Resell electronics and household items
• Don't have a Goodwill outlet nearby

Why not both? Many experienced thrifters and resellers shop both options strategically. They hit Goodwill bins for clothing volume and bin stores for electronics and home goods—playing to each model's strengths.

Maximize Your Savings at Both

Regardless of which you choose, these strategies work at both:

Timing Matters:

• Goodwill bins: Shop mornings mid-week for smaller crowds and fresh rotations
• Bin stores: Shop dollar day for maximum savings, Wednesday for balance of selection and price

Come Prepared:

• Bring reusable bags (both charge for bags or don't provide them)
• Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes
• Bring hand sanitizer and inspection tools (flashlight, batteries for testing)
• Have a list of what you're seeking to stay focused

Inspect Everything: Both models sell as-is merchandise. Check for:

• Stains, holes, and damage on clothing
• Missing parts or pieces on electronics and toys
• Functionality issues on anything mechanical
• Authenticity on branded items (yes, fakes appear in bins)

Know Your Prices: Research retail values on your phone while shopping. That "deal" on a kitchen gadget isn't a deal if similar items sell for $5 new on Amazon.

Build Relationships: Regular shoppers often get insider knowledge about restock schedules, upcoming changes, and best shopping times. Chat with staff and other frequent shoppers.

The Bottom Line on Bin Store vs Goodwill

Neither option definitively beats the other—they excel in different areas.

Goodwill bins deliver consistent, predictable savings on clothing and soft goods any day you shop. The per-pound pricing model rewards volume shoppers and resellers who can process large quantities of merchandise. You'll save 70-95% compared to retail on clothing, making it unbeatable for families, vintage hunters, and clothing resellers.

Bin stores offer potentially deeper discounts on electronics and home goods, especially on dollar day. The daily discount model requires strategic timing but rewards patient shoppers with $1 items worth $20-$100 retail. If you focus on higher-value categories and can shop at week's end, bin stores provide exceptional value.

Most savvy thrifters don't choose one over the other—they shop both strategically based on what they need and when they can shop.

Ready to start saving? Use our store directory to find bin stores and Goodwill outlets in your area, complete with hours, pricing schedules, and restock days. Your next treasure hunt starts now.