Goodwillonline auction shopgoodwill.com Goodwill online auctions - great until they add the shipping , Internet
This is really a great concept and nice things are to be found however the great idea and the excitement of winning an item you really wanted by bidding for it at an auction is very soon a real drag because most of the items I have won, the shipping has been at least double what I won the auction item for. Ex: Ed Hardy t-shirt - winning bid $4.99. How much was I charged for shipping? $10. Yes they do have a link you can click on to see what the estimated shipping charges would be should you win the auction and there are a few of the Goodwill locations that say they have a standard shipping fee of $5.00. Which is reasonable. However the other ones usually calculate out to be double + what you end up paying for the item and some of them tack on a "handling" fee.
Now I have always been under the impression Goodwill was always about community - providing jobs and material items for those that wouldn't be able to afford otherwise. I believe most items at most of their stores are donated. Goodwill is now a "for profit" organization? I have given many many items myself over the years and happy to do so. But this shipping issue has really rubbed me the wrong way. UPS isn't working with Goodwill for a reasonable shipping cost? The USPS doesn't have reasonable rates? then try Fedex or DHL. I cannot believe that there isn't a way to make this work for all parties. I personally cannot afford to participate anymore. It is just way too expensive.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Alan M
Fort Wayne,Indiana,
I agree with you, but have a point to add...
#2Consumer Comment
Fri, August 23, 2013
Up front I must add that I am not a Goodwill employee.
I agree with you on the excellent example you brought up. To pay $10 shipping on a shirt is high, without a doubt. However I also must add that the price of shipping through USPS, UPS and FedEx has skyrocketed and no end is in sight. High volume shippers do negotiate a discounted price with UPS and FedEx, and receive a discount from the USPS - but again shipping costs are well over what most people realize. I sell on eBay, I deal with this daily - and it's the lowest weight items that have been hit the hardest in terms of rate increaser percentage.
The shipping/handling fee above and beyond shipping is one that can be debated for sure. My take is that they are covering overhead above and beyond their mission to provide jobs. I accept these fees - 5% at one location I often purchase from and a fixed $2 from another... and I pickup nearly all of my items in person. I accept them and go on, but agree it would be nice to know what costs they are offsetting here.
My take overall is that, in summary many people aren't aware of the very high shipping costs charged today. Add to this, the fact that shipping is presented up front for the buyer to make a decision as to make the purchase or pass. When enough people pass, Goodwill locations with high fees should get the message.