-
December 2023 by Arrison Kirby
I used to love Goodwill, but they have lost their way. The middle Tennessee stores used to have a points program for people who spent a lot. They used to also have 50% off days once a month. Since the pandemic, they have stopped both these things and also started raising prices, often higher than what their items cost new, and certainly higher than what a reseller could get for the same item.Let's talk about reselling. I worked almost a decade in social services. Reselling was an extremely common way for disabled people and people In between jobs to make extra money to stay afloat. This is also what barely sustained me through my own bout with cancer. SO if the mission of Goodwill is to provide jobs or work resources for people, why do they insist on killing personal initiative in this regard? Why do they feel valid in not sharing the wealth of their donated treasures with people actually in need and actually willing to work to meet their need? Is that the point of their "non-profit?" Goodwill used to share that wealth but now they just suck up every penny for themselves.Sorry Goodwill, but a disabled, poor person dropping $50 on a stack of t-shirts to resell for a meager profit after cleaning them up and displaying them will do more good for them than any $10 job they could get working in your store, or what your job centers provide in telephone or computer use. It just seems like your mission (which is already very vague) has become secondary to your ability to generate more profit for *yourselves * from all the donated items you get for free. And I know you all like to say that prices have risen because costs have risen, but your revenue is publicly available online and it's clear that your costs were higher in the 2010s.If your main goal now is to make as much money as you can, rather than lifting up those in need, then you should drop your non-profit status and file to become the hungry corporation you seem to have become. After all, plenty of for profit corporations have a philanthropy arm now.Everyone in my Goodwill groups is currently in fear that the color tag sales will be gone next. We already recognize that your bin stores are essentially trash despositories for what you couldn't milk for a premium. Please stop taking so much for your profit margin and realize that selling your donations blind to their actual value helps far more people than the "job services" you advertise as the crux of your self stated benevolence. At the very least bring back actual incentives to spend money there, such as the discontinued points program. Getting text messages with weak discounts that expire after a few days does me no good at all. It was not a fair trade for my personal information.It's hard in America right now and your supposed "charity" seems to have lost its way at the worst time possible, when people who rely on it need it the most.
-
November 2023 by Sally (Hopalong)
Absolutely beautiful!
-
February 2023 by Paula Stepp
Lewisburg Tennessee, Mike’s cashier is awesome! I chose to go to him when ever I can! Feels like a friend. Rita’s in the back, she is always friendly helpful and just a joy to be around.
-
January 2023 by Mia V.
As the former recruiter, I’ve learned Goodwill is a terrible place to work at all levels. With a turnover rate over 80% , including VPs, Recruiters, Managers, Associates this may be the most misrepresented and dysfunctional place I have ever worked. Presenting to the public as a philanthropic oasis for at-risk communities but instead displays repeated exploitation of these same communities. The treatment of their employees on the store level is sad, they are in the green by tens of millions but fresh water and central air is missing from their sweat shop reminiscent donation rooms and warehouse operations. It takes HR months/years of meetings just to decide on not paying their associates a livable wage or on how to reduce workplace accidents in their clearly unsafe environments. But at at the corporate level they are very well paid. The only reason this place is even a non-profit is because of the Founder’s original mission plan and humanitarian desires. 5 heartfelt mission stories that they share on repeat compared to the nearly 1,000s of employees they disregard and mistreat on a daily does not signal a true mission centered non-profit. I hate it bc I was so invested in being a part of this non-profit to help my community. As the recruiter I didn’t find out till late that this is not the place to be a professional minority. My boss the HR Manager, Hunter Simpson, was literally unqualified for his role on paper and in action, but maintained the role because of his white male privilege and mentee relationship with the V.P. In his first 6 months of Manager I had to file a racial discrimination complaint against him bc he literally treated me like an unqualified servant not a professional. I just wanted to enjoy the same fair and welcoming workplace my White counter parts did but was denied that civility over and over. I wasn’t allowed to share a thought in a meeting unless he approved it, he spoke for me as a belonging and used my results as his own. Although I reported in detail all the ways he prejudicially mistreated me, no true investigation took place . I was met with a write-up instead, as an act of retaliation for my complaint. On my last day that same boss attempted to physically assault me as he ran after me and cornered me off bc I was heading to the CEO’s office where the discrimination would finally come out. Thank God there was a HR witness around because I fear he would have hurt me if no one was around, I was so scared I threatened to call the police. The witness asked him to stop repeatedly. It was traumatizing and a moment I won’t forget. Overall my experience and all that learned here was so damaging, I don’t think I’ll ever visit a Goodwill again. Prospective employees If this is your last resort use it to get elsewhere or temporarily pay your bills but this Goodwill organization will remain nothing but a high functioning donation sweat shop with racism and classism built in. Yes if you’re in need, disabled, or at-risk they have a job for you , but at what cost? …Be good to associates in the stores , they deserve it more than you can imagine.
-
December 2022 by Michelle Mays
I am completely shocked that the outlet raised their prices from $1.09 a pound to $1.49 a pound. Horrible! The goods in the outlet are items that are deemed not sellable in the retail stores, or didn’t sell in the retail stores.
-
November 2022 by Connie Jackson
I'm still waiting on 50% off 1st Saturday of each month on everything to return. I shopped frequently there, but now that it's gone I stop less...PLEASE REINSTATE 50% OFF EVERYTHING 1ST SATURDAYS... I traveled to 4 different stores over 100 miles in all and that's not worthwhile unless the sale is on.
-
August 2022 by Bettye James
I have shopped at goodwill, but to day, one of employees one of my favorite young lady always kind and helpful, have known her for few years, she's expecting soon I wanted to do something for her, was told I couldn't give her the blanket I made for her, if she excepted it she'd be fired so I took the gift I had made for her and left ,just shameful
-
June 2022 by Hillarie Barber
I went to Goodwill in Dickson to do some donations and was told where to sort my items. I went back a few days later and was told that you can no longer assist customers with donations. I do not find this to be very good customer service.
-
September 2021 by Andrew Call
I worked for this company for three years before the pandemic happen I keep going in there and they have absolutely nothing I found two things after going seven weeks not finding anything go up to the register and it’s the manager and they tell me how did you find everything OK I said you guys don’t have anything he goes well at the end of the night there’s really not much I’m like there hasn’t been anything here for seven weeks he goes I’m so sorry to hear that I’m like oh OK then we check out and my total is 8.27and I’m like you guys don’t round up anymore and he goes we do but I felt so bad that you didn’t find anything I’m like what a joke
-
August 2021 by Andrew Rutland
goodwill is a joke that are charging ridiculous prices for free stuff that's dirty, damaged, and often unusable plus the thieves they have working there ensure nothing good comes out, so I joined them, I go get donations often and give them away to people that need them which is what they are supposed to do
-
July 2021 by Bryan Baranuk
I shop here at goodwill Brentwood regularly, the sales staff is extremely .hateful and biased, esp one in particular, I do not plan to return asLong as she is there, I've never been scolded in a store before, she's not doing me a favor but I'm doing her one
-
March 2020 by Kimberli Rose
Goodwill stores in TN. used to surpass the others I’ve been to in other states but now they are the same or worse. The past few years has seen the quality of items severely decline and prices go way up. They may be putting good items online and leave the junky items for their stores it seems. I am now finding clothes with holes, stains or washed out. No name brands anymore unless there is a flaw with the clothing. The racks are all different and clothes of various sizes are mixed together, making it hard to find the correct fit. Toys are broken and useless, and many items I wouldn’t even give away yet prices are insane! I once saw a $50 price tag on a junky broken dog carrier that cost less new. And $30 on a pair of Nikes missing the insole! What gives, Goodwill? Have you gotten into the greedy game instead of offering decent items for decent prices to benefit your community? You are listed as a “nonprofit” and get your items free to sell, so I can only hope your exorbitant profits are truly going to benefit those in need. Sadly, I will not be patronizing your stores any longer. I am fed up with the new changes that are NOT for the better!
-
November 2019 by tanya pierce
Although they are not perfect, Goodwill does an amazing job of serving our community. They offer a place to truly find value and one of kind treasures. Goodwill does so much more than the "stuff" they receive and sell. They offer jobs, training and are the help that many need that may have varying capabilities and difficult circumstances. Our family feels good when we give and shop in Goodwill.
-
January 2019 by Robbie Ray
All my life I have supported Goodwill. Never again a week before Christmas I went to one of the stores in Rutherford county tennesse. I found a microwave of coarse I plugged it in and the buttons worked. Paid cash, brought it home and the heating element is out. Would not warm up a cup of water even tried a bag of popcorn. The next day I brought it back with the receipt and they would not give me my cash back. They put it on a gift card so they are still going to get my 30 dollars back regardless. I called the corporate office 3 times and filed a report with no one ever calling me back. With the CEO making almost 750,000 dollars a year with people like us supporting them. I think it’s wrong and I assure you I will never give another penny to them through donations or spending money. They have made a thousands of dollar mistake. Shame on them and shame on their policies like a turkey, when I am done I am done..
-
January 2018 by Jennifer Watson
I live in Western KY, but recently got to shop at several Goodwill Stores in Middle TN. I was given a rewards card and I was told I could receive a 10% Military / Veterans discount everyday. I received $5 off $25 in my birthday month. I feel that MOST of the prices are fair and just. KY needs to follow your example and get back to fair and just pricing, offer discounts and a rewards card. If anyone has a complaint about Middle TN Goodwills, go shop at Western KY Goodwills a few times and you will really appreciate what you have. It is sad how much KY charges for stuff. I feel like they are trying to rip me off. I appreciate the way you do business. Also, stores were clean and well organized. Could have used another cashier or two to keep long waits down. However in Western KY they have one cashier at a time regardless of how many people are in line. I have literally put my stuff down and walked away after such long waits with no help in sight.
