How to shop at Goodwill bins for vintage clothing.

Goodwill Outlet in Long Island City

Long Island City is home of the Goodwill bins, a popular Goodwill Outlet location among its chain of New York and New Jersey thrift stores.

Thrifters from all over New York (and out-of-state) flock to this specific location to shop Goodwill bins of second hand clothing, accessories, footwear, and small furniture sold by the pound.

Goodwill’s massive network of NYNJ thrift stores send items to Long Island City’s Goodwill bins as the last discounted shopping destination before its salvaged in the NYC recycling process.

You need a strategy to succeed at the bins though. Popular vintage grail pieces can be found with a bit of patience and guidance from our Goodwill Outlet thrift guide below.

Long Island City’s Goodwill Outlet is located at 47-47 Van Dam St in Queens, NY.

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Shop Goodwill Bins by the Pound

I specifically focused on clothing and accessories prices by the pound displayed. Call Goodwill Outlet at (718) 392-0125 to find more information on small furniture pricing by the pound.

Clothing Bins by the Pound:

• 0-49 lbs / $1.99 lb

• Over 50 lbs / $1.69 lb

Accessory Bins by the Pound:

• 0-49 lbs / $2.09/lb

• Over 50 lbs / $1.79 lb

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Goodwill Outlet Rules of Engagement

There are three to four thrift sessions held seven days a week (Monday through Sunday): 9 AM, 12 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM.

Vintage collectors and resellers queue outside in a line before Goodwill Outlet opens, and after each thrift session when they’ve had their fill of thrifting.

Due to Covid-19, Goodwill Outlet has changed the way thrifters engage with items to ensure safe thrifting practices. Goodwill bins are no longer covered with blankets at the beginning of each thrift session.

Thrifters are able to view any bin that catches their interest (without touching) and stand in front of it. At the beginning of each thrift session, Goodwill employees inform thrifters of the two person per bin rule, six feet apart.

Once all thrifters are in place, a Goodwill employee shouts, “Go,” and everyone frantically digs through the bins.

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9 Tips for Goodwill Bins

Long Island City’s Goodwill Outlet is a free-for-all, with every man, woman and teen holding black trash bags, large sacks and the likes, ready to dig in the bins. We all want a competitive advantage when the stakes are high, so follow the tips I listed below to be ahead of the crowd:

1. Bring friends to amplify your thrift session by finding vintage pieces faster.

2. If you’re thrifting alone, make a music playlist. I'll be the first to admit that thrift store music sucks. Shop in peace or upbeat by creating a playlist of your favorite music to set the mood.

3. Dress comfortably, wear a face mask, gloves and carry hand sanitizer because bin items are sometimes dusty.

4. Pack a small Goodwill bins kit that includes:

   • Tide to Go Pen: Finally found that vintage piece you were looking for, but it has a nasty stain and you're wondering if you should buy it? Use a Tide to Go stain releaser pen. It helps remove stains with a powerful cleaning solution that breaks stains down, and a micro-fiber pad that lifts and absorbs them.

   • Tape Measure: You can stop worrying about your thrift clothes not fitting and know exactly what size it is by using a tape measure.

   • Smart Device: Use your cellphone to readily search Etsy, The RealReal, Grailed, and eBay (sold listings) for the average sold price of fashion brands you come across in the bins.

   • Light Lunch/Snack: If you plan on spending majority of the day at the Goodwill bins, then be sure to pack a small lunch or carry a bag of chips that you can leave in the car. I remember so many times when I finally got into my shopping flow, only to leave and never come back because I was hungry.

   • Cash Only: You can easily overspend when using a debit or credit card, and before you know it you're broke. Avoid an empty bank account at the bins and keep level-headed by setting a limit to the amount of cash you carry and understanding the pricing system.

5. Arrive early to the Goodwill Outlet so that you can get a shopping cart before the first thrift session starts.

   • You have to place the shopping cart against the wall in an area that is within eyesight. The shopping cart will hold all bin items you thrift for each session, and trust me, it comes in handy.

6. Use twine, a tie, or string to attach a potato sack or laundry bag around you with it open to free up both hands.

7. Be ready to stuff massive amounts of clothes into your bag.

   • This thrift technique is called “stacking.” Grab as many items as you can (i.e., tees, jackets, etc), to later sort through at your shopping cart. Thrifters will “dog” the Goodwill bins leaving you with nothing - so as the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

8. After you’ve sifted through your thrift pile, head right back to outside to que in line for the next thrift session. Thrifters shop on their feet, meaning they move very fast from picking items to sifting, where you will already see them back outside in line.

9. Follow a routine by mapping out what bins you want to give the most attention to.

   • First, I scan for bins that have a lot tees to start off with then move onto bins with jackets, etc., with me lastly looking at the jewelry in display case for watches. Keep in mind Saturdays are insane with a lot of people, so schedule a day that you’re free during the weekday or on Sundays.

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Clean Your Goodwill Bin Items

Be sure to spray your washer and dryer machines with disinfectant before and after use. Reapply gloves. and put your bin items into the washer. Don’t forget to include in the clothing you wore when thrifting.

Family and emergency Dr. Janette Nesheiwat  suggests that polyester, spandex-like material may retain germs longer than breathable cotton-based fabrics, making it important to wash leggings, underwear and dresses more carefully.

When washing clothes the National Health Service states:

• Normal washing of clothes will reduce the risk of germs being transmitted. In certain situations clothes should be washed at higher than normal temperatures and with a bleach-based product to minimise the transmission risk as much as possible

• Wash high-risk items separately from other items.

• Wash your hands after handling unwashed clothes.

Click here for more information on how to thrift during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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