The ultimate thrifting experience awaits at the Goodwill Outlets, better known among enthusiasts as The Bins.
This sensory overload presents an unfiltered look at the consequences of the fast-fashion throwaway culture.
Instead of the meticulously organized racks at mainstream retail stores, The Bins welcome a chaotic environment filled with large blue rolling tables, overflowing with merchandise mostly sold by weight.
Shoppers swarm these tables daily, searching for unique treasures among heaps of discarded items.
Operating in stark contrast to the 53 traditional Goodwill retail locations in the Willamette Valley, the Bins stand as the final destination for unsold items before they are relegated to scrap.
Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette runs five outlet stores across the region, including Hillsboro, Vancouver, Milwaukie, Salem, and Portland.
Recently, we took an insightful tour of the Northeast Portland Bins, conveniently located near Portland International Airport.
During our visit, we spoke with store manager Mark Gormley and regional outlet manager Ed Unciano, who helped clarify the functioning of these unique stores.
Behind the scenes, the Northeast Portland Goodwill Outlet boasts an expansive 50,000-square-foot retail space.
Attached to this outlet is a vast 100,000-square-foot warehouse where the donated goods are systematically received and processed.
Rows of sturdy cardboard crates, each roughly four feet square, are stacked high and filled with either ‘hard lines’ (toys, housewares, and appliances) or ‘soft lines’ (clothes and fabrics).
The overwhelming volume of items stored is reminiscent of the climactic warehouse scene in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
The warehouse is home to over 6,000 crates, awaiting their turn to be distributed to surrounding Goodwill retail stores.
These are often overstock items shipped out during the winter months when donations tend to dwindle.
Each item is initially sold in retail stores for a maximum of four weeks: full price during the first week, followed by discounts in the subsequent weeks.
If not sold after that period, unsold items are transferred to The Bins where they are ultimately offered on a per-pound basis.
On a daily basis, The Portland Bins receives an astonishing 60-90 crates of unsold items from nearby retail stores, as per Gormley’s estimate.
This fresh influx of goods results in the chaotic and somewhat damaged state of items on the sales floor, as employees mechanically tip over boxes filled with a variety of products onto the blue rolling tables.
At the heart of The Bins is the vibrant sales floor, boasting 108 tables.
To keep up with the high volumes of incoming donations, tables are rotated out with fresh merchandise at least four times daily, with increased frequency in busy summer months.
In fact, during peak times, nearly 450 tables of treasures pass through the sales floor each day at this outlet alone.
When it comes to pricing, The Bins maintain a consistent rate across all Columbia Willamette Goodwill outlets.
Soft lines are available at $2.79 per pound, or $1.59 per pound for purchases of 25 pounds or more.
Given that the breakeven point is around 13 pounds, shoppers can save significantly by opting for the larger weight.
In contrast, pricing for electronics and glassware is set at 79 cents per pound.
Media items, however, are priced individually: hardback books cost $2.79, paperbacks at $1.59, CDs and vinyl records are $1.29, while DVDs are priced at $2.29.
Items like furniture are likewise priced individually and typically see price reductions every couple of days until they sell.
According to Gormley, furniture usually lasts no more than three to six days before finding a new home.
All items at The Bins are sold as-is, which means no returns, exchanges, or fitting rooms are available.
Interestingly, the demographic of shoppers at The Bins has shifted significantly over the years.
Where once older clientele frequently browsed for housewares, today’s shoppers are predominantly younger, often in search of clothing.
Unciano estimates that almost half of the current Bins visitors are resellers who dedicate entire days to hunting for goods.
One such frequent shopper, Jake Beukelman, travels from Hood River to Portland three to four times a week to uncover apparel he can resell on Instagram under the handle “Search for Rags.”
He remarks that he initially discovered The Bins about five years ago during high school, right around the time when younger shoppers began flooding the area.
The thrill of shopping at The Bins begins long before the doors open.
Though the outlet is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., regulars often line up as early as 7 a.m. to ensure they are the first inside after the doors open.
Previously, some customers even showed up at 4 a.m., marking their place by leaving an object outside while they napped in their cars.
However, a recent policy change now requires shoppers to stay physically in line, resulting in a more organized queue.
As new tables are rolled onto the sales floor, employees alert customers by announcing “taaables, taaables.”
This announcement clears the path for eager shoppers to congregate around the newly delivered tables.
A critical rule of thumb for successful shopping at The Bins is that no one is allowed to touch anything until all tables in that section have been set.
Moreover, shoppers are expected to limit their reach to their immediate area, thus maintaining an unspoken etiquette amongst the crowd.
Amy Sacquety, a seasoned shopper, explains that it’s acceptable to express interest to a neighboring shopper about an item but cautions against physical contact until it is your turn.
Conflicts can arise when two individuals eye the same treasure, so observing and learning the unwritten rules can be beneficial.
For those who find themselves unable to snag an item, Sacquety suggests practicing patience and paying attention to the dynamics of the shopping environment.
At the end of the day, items that do not find new owners are sorted for salvage buyers, marking a commitment to recycling.
Unciano notes that Goodwill aims to recycle as much as possible, down to the smallest components like salvage metal.
Different types of items are sold to specific salvage buyers, including toys, electronic wiring, and household goods.
Clothes and textiles, on the other hand, are bundled into 1,000-pound bales, sold at approximately 10 cents per pound, and then either reused or shredded for insulation.
Goodwill of the Columbia Willamette reports that 83% of all donations received are either sold or recycled, with only a small percentage ending up in landfills, primarily consisting of certain plastics and wood furniture.
For those considering a visit, several tips can enhance the Bins shopping experience.
One suggestion is to wear sturdy gloves.
When items are transferred to the sales floor, staff attempt to remove dangerous objects, but some may still slip through.
Due to the high demand, shoppers should be prepared to find fewer (if any) available shopping carts; Gormley mentioned that plans are underway to increase carts in the store, but arriving early is essential for snagging one.
Alternatively, large carrier bags, like the Ikea Frakta bag, make an excellent choice for carrying your finds.
Regulars are also aware that staff takes their lunch break between 10:30 to 11 a.m., meaning no table rotations will occur during that hour.
This time can be used for a quick shopping break or to enjoy a less crowded experience when the floor is quieter.
Lastly, be ready to spend a significant portion of your day at The Bins, as it’s easy to lose track of time when each table rotation could be hiding a hidden gem.
For those eager to dive into this unique thrift shopping adventure, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette has five outlet locations across the region:
1. Portland: 5950 N.E. 122nd Ave.
2. Milwaukie: 1740 S.E. Ochoco St.
3. Hillsboro: 2920 S.E. Century Blvd.
4. Vancouver: 9025 N.E. 117th Ave.
5. Salem: 3235 Portland Road N.E.
Get ready to explore the mysteries and treasures waiting to be uncovered at The Bins!
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