I'm sure that's part of the reason for the price hikes...but when they hike up 'regular' stuff or nicer/brand-name things in bad condition it's just ridiculous. Makes me stop shopping there on a regular basis. And have you seen what Goodwill silent auction items go for? It's crazy what people will pay for collectibles (course it can be said about ebay, too).

I do like to hit up sale days though at some thrifts that may seem a bit overpriced normally...there's one called Thrift Center in SJ which has a few racks of nicer items of clothing. I recently scored some unique and interesting clothing items and accessories on sale from perusing those racks, which was fun. :)

Yesterday A fellow at the local Goodwill told me they are raising !^! book prices to $3!!
I said ~!!!WwwHaaatt!?!?
& he said
"... they want to be sure to keep the appearance of being 'not for profit'... not!"
Next door at the Von's people drop off their used books & you can buy them for $2 donated to a local organization or to Cancer research.
& I wonder if the notGoodwill knows that you can get books you actually want & are interested in on the internet for really cheap as opposed to just buying something you might read someday for more~~~

<<<I have more than once wondered if the price hikes are because the stores figure a lot of people are reselling the stuff on eBay and they want a piece of the action.>>>>

One of the managers at the Goodwill I visit told me that they check to see what something is selling for on Ebay and then price it according to that. But I don't bother them too much on pricing because they still don't have a clue. Their pricing can still be very sporadic.
For example: A cheap painting on plastic type canvas which was selling at Hobby Lobby for 19.99 had a 60.00 price written on the back of it.
A knock off Prada was on display for 50.00. When I tried to show them that it was a fake, they looked at me like I was from outer space.

BUT!!!
I have found the following steals:
Two Edelstahl pots, mint condition for 2.02 each.
A Hall China water caraffe for 6.06.
A set of 23 cups, 23 saucers Pickard China for 6.06
A Basketville basket, new with tag for 4.04.
A Petersboro basket for 2.02
A set of 8 practically new Vera(pre-ladybug) napkins for 65cents each.
Six Syracuse China cups for 55cents each.
Four Syracuse China restaurant cups. 55cents each.
A set of six Southern Railway highball glasses, very good condition, 55cents each.
An Ilise Stevens (vintage) short pegnoir set, mint condition for 5.85.
Two Stone Mountain purses for 2.60 each.

I did not buy a vintage mint condition Young Edwardian mini dress for 5.85, and later discovered that label selling on the internet for 25-50 dollars.

Anyway... The Goodwills near me are not as savvy as they think they are, and that's OK with me.

I've come to the conclusion that the management of Goodwill has shifted their attention to different niche in the market. I've also noticed several Goodwill stores selling their stuff to the online shoppers, too.

Salvation Army furniture is usually pretty beaten up, but now and then they have good stuff. I got a pretty good desk from them which I still have--very well-built and sturdy. Now and then they also sell handmade bookcases from unfinished wood.

SA books are good, too, usually for 25-50¢ each.

The best chain here is called Unique Thrift Shops. Some of their stuff can be overpriced, but they do have half-off days (which I avoid--too crazy), plus they color-code their tags so that almost everything is reduced by half after a week.

I picked up a pair of 4-wheel skates yesterday that I would have been perfectly happy to pay $8 for--didn't even notice the yellow tag that made them only $4!

I find Unique has the best selection for this area and that, yes, Salvation Army stuff tends to be in worse shape and Goodwill higher-priced. But what I love about thrifting is that if you know your stuff you'll always find the good stuff that they underprice because they don't recognize it.

Many times I've found cashmere and silk items for cheap just because the tags weren't that prominent but I know what good fabric looks and feels like.

Same thing with books--they might overprice a later edition of a Harry Potter book because it's a hot name, but they'll miss a first edition of Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

I live for the hunt!

There are still several in the East Bay--check the YP for Oakland, Alameda and I'm pretty sure there's still some further south, too. Good ole classic thrifts, too, where you want to wear grubby clothes 'cause you're gonna get dirty digging through the bins...

There are a few SVDP stores left-there's one in downtown San Mateo on B street and there's a SVDP outlet on El Camino in Redwood City. I find interesting stuff there sometimes and they tend to have 50% off clothing sales all the time. :>

Round these here parts, Goodwill marks their wares each week with a different color. Pink one week, green the next, then blue, etc. After so long, in an effort to keep the product moving, they'll have the first color (pink, let's say) at $0.99, and green (the second week's color) half off. Then the following week Green is the $0.99 color, and blue is half off, etc etc.

You just have to know when to go, and what stores.

Salvation Army has "half off day" on Wednesdays. If you can fight your way through the crowd, there are bargains galore to be had.

Seems like a lot of thrift stores are trying to be department stores. they use those cool clothing racks, they size your items---I asked the cashier at Goodwill last time I was in there not finding anything, what happens to the junk? I needed some broken jewelrey, stray game pieces, doll heads, you know, junk? He said that everything goes to a central location, they pick out the good stuff to send to the stores and they box up the junk to sell at auction. so now I know where the junk went, but still can't get any. I need one of those dingy, dusty run by a guy with a cat stores. even the church thrift stores have closed down. yard sales, yeah I know, but it's been winter here in new jersey, and we don't do yard saless in the winter.

Yes...the glory days of thrifting are over...thanks to Antique Roadshow, eBay, yard sales, resale boutiques and "shabby chic"....;o)

But it's still possible to find some good deals. I do much better shopping the independents than the chains...