Buffalo Exchange vs. Goodwill: A Seller’s Tale
Background
As part of my move to Chicago in 10 days (OMG!), I’ve taken the approach of less is more. In an effort to reduce the clutter I’ve collected in my four years in Colorado, I was fairly liberal in my efforts to ‘pitch & toss.’ In all, I filled 5 big boxes. 5 big boxes that would not be joining me in Chicago.
Buffalo Exchange
I’ve heard some nightmare stories, but I figured my friends weren’t strong enough to handle a little rejection. One of the boxes was exclusively clothes. And good ones at that. With high hopes, I took my chances and headed to BE. After a day of work, I rolled up to BE with my box of items. There were 4 people in front me. The woman who would ultimately evaluate my items was gushing over a collection of dresses likely seen at your local Medieval Times. *Great, I thought.
After 45 minutes, my time finally came. My “buyer” was sporting over sized coke bottle glasses, a mohawk AND a mullet. This was not a win for me. She dumped the neatly folded clothes on to the table. As she picked through the items, she carelessly tossed the ‘rejects’ back into the box. With each toss, I could feel my resent growing and my tough skin shrinking. When everything was wrapped up, I asked her about a couple items that she had picked.
- My first concern: a long green hoodie (a la Anthro) that I purchased during a particularly cold visit to DC last fall. It’s a cute hoodie, that I’ve forgotten about during the warm summer months. Curious, I asked her the price. She judgingly looked over the hoodie and responded “well, it’s a pretty worn, but it’s still an ok style. I could probably price it at $20-$30.” I quickly did the math… I would receive $6-$9 for it. Hell no. I snagged it back, knowing that I would find more joy gifting it to the friend I bought it with.
- My second concern: a vibrant and never-worn strapless dress originally $200, though I never paid that (thanks RueLaLa!). She priced it at $26. I told her that she could probably price it higher - and truly, I was thinking that BE cold make more cash on it. She offered to get a second opinion. I accepted. She waddled off. And when she returned, she reported that they were, in fact, going to price it higher. $33! [Please note obvious sarcasm.] This only added to the downward spiral that I was currently enduring.
Buffalo Exchange’s Total: One hour, a box somewhat full of clothes, $40 cash, a $25 parking ticket and vow to never return.
Buffalo Exchange’s Score: 0! A depressing hour for a Friday afternoon, and the hardest $15 I’ve ever earned.
Goodwill
This is the shorter story.
I spent the better part of my Saturday packing up my car full of Goodwill-worthy items. Five boxes in total. Happy to have finished my packing once and for all, I headed to Goodwill. I pulled into the curbside pickup to a long line of cars, and I as I parked my car, the nicest man asked: “would you like any help today?” With more enthusiasm than I’m sure he’s accustomed to, I responded, “yes please!” In no time, he removed each box and bag from my car with less awkwardness and less bruising than I endured in packing. Without skipping a beat, I asked with a combination of relief and elation, ”Can I tip you!?!?” He nodded, “sure.”
Goodwill’s Total: 3 minutes and a $5 tip.
Goodwill’s Score: 10! Friendly helpers and a drive-through drop-off. Hands down, the best $5 I spent throughout the move!
