RV traveling? Bargain shop at Goodwill outlet stores

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Ever wonder what happens to the stuff that doesn't sell at a Goodwill Store? Wonder no more. After a few weeks, things that don't sell make their way to an outlet store. Sometimes these warehouse-like places are called Goodwill Outlet Stores, or they may go by another name. But why should any of this interest you? Because if you like digging for real bargains (and "digging" is sometimes literal) then an outlet store is your bag.

A lot of the stuff sold in  the outlet stores are sold, not by the item, but by the pound. Take clothing, or "textiles," as they're listed. You'll pick up all kinds of clothing and other textile items, often for less than $2 a pound. And hey, it's not all junk, among the tons of clothing that Goodwill processes every week, there are plenty of "missed" designer items and fabulous bargains. If not by the pound, then Goodwill whacks off a huge amount of the original, already-pretty-low, price. We're talking 75% less than "normal" Goodwill rates.

Depending on the outlet location, you may find the items sorted, but most often, you'll just find BINS of items. If you have the "digging for treasure" personality, you'll love digging around in the bins. If you're more of a "Felix Unger" sort of shopper, you're probably best advised to stay away from the outlets.

If you're ready to dig, here are tips from the "Bin Shoppers."

* Wear gloves and bring hand sanitizer. You never know what might be lurking in a bin that might be disagreeable.

* Set aside plenty of time, at least a couple of hours, to make your search fruitful.

* If you're clothes shopping, be aware, there are no fitting rooms to try on your treasures. Experienced bargain shoppers say they wear form-fitting clothes like tank tops and shorts and "try on" their finds right over their clothing.

* Don't limit yourself to the front of the store. These are the most picked-over bins, as it seems folks tend to be a bit lazy. Starting at the back of the store and moving forward may be more fruitful.

* Keep your "treasures" close at hand. Aggressive bargain hunters have been known to grab other shoppers finds.

* Be sure you like what you found – Goodwill has a NO RETURN policy.

These Goodwill bargain outlets are found all over the country. Visit this site for a state-by-state list.