I have a routine when I walk into Goodwill. I’ll eventually make my way through the regular clothing racks, furniture and housewares, but there’s one thing I’m looking for almost immediately: the rolling racks of clothes that have just come out from the back.
They’re easy to look past. They don’t look like an actual shopping section, and sometimes they sit off to the side, waiting for an employee to start putting everything away. But those racks can hold some of the freshest merchandise in the store, and if my local Goodwill lets shoppers look through them, I check there before spending 30 minutes digging through clothes that may have already been picked over.
Why I Look for the Rolling Racks First
Think about what you’re actually looking at when you spot one of these racks. The clothes haven’t necessarily been hanging on the sales floor all morning while dozens of other shoppers flip through them. They’re being brought out so employees can stock them in their proper sections.
That means you may see a piece before someone else has a chance to find it. And with thrifting, timing matters. A great vintage jacket, quality pair of jeans or recognizable brand isn’t likely to sit around waiting for you to finish browsing every other aisle.
Related: 10 Classic ’80s Items Every Vintage Lover Wants to Find
Don’t Assume You’re Allowed to Shop It
It turns out I’m definitely not the only thrifter keeping an eye on those fresh racks. A discussion among Goodwill shoppers and employees showed that plenty of regulars do the same thing, but there’s one important catch: not every Goodwill allows customers to shop from them.
Policies seem to vary widely from one location to another. Some shoppers said they have to wait until employees move the clothing onto the regular sales floor, while others said their Goodwill actually encourages people to browse the new merchandise as it comes out. One person even mentioned two Goodwill stores just a few miles apart that had completely different rules.
So don’t assume that because you’ve shopped the incoming racks at one Goodwill, you can do the same at another. If there isn’t a sign and you’re not sure, simply ask an employee, “Can I shop this rack?” It’s a quick question that can save you an awkward interaction.
Related: 15 Things Goodwill Would Rather You Take Somewhere Else
There’s a Reason Some Employees Don’t Want You Digging Through Them
From a shopper’s perspective, it seems strange. The clothes have price tags, they’re sitting on the sales floor, and you’re standing there ready to buy them. Why wouldn’t the store want you to?
The employee comments add some context. Several explained that they’re expected to put away new racks quickly, and shoppers flipping through everything can mess up the organization or simply make it harder for them to work. One former employee said workers at their store were actually timed while putting away racks.
That’s also why I wouldn’t hover over an employee who’s actively stocking clothes or start reaching around them. Even at a store that allows shopping from the rolling racks, there’s a difference between taking a quick look and making someone’s job harder.
Pay Attention to Where Employees Bring Out New Merchandise
Once you start noticing the flow of a thrift store, it’s hard to stop.
You’ll begin to recognize the doors employees come through, where rolling racks tend to sit, and which areas get restocked while you’re shopping. I’m not suggesting standing outside the stockroom waiting for the next rack to appear. That takes the fun out of thrifting and gets in everyone’s way.
But if you’re already browsing and a rack of newly priced clothes rolls onto the floor, it’s worth noticing. If the store allows it, I’ll take a look before returning to whatever section I was shopping.
My Rule for Shopping the Rolling Racks
I keep it simple: look, ask, and don’t get in the employee’s way.
If my Goodwill allows customers to shop the new racks and no one is actively trying to stock them, I’m taking a look. If an employee is working from the rack, I’ll give them space. And if the store doesn’t allow customers to shop incoming merchandise, I’ll wait until it’s put out.
The rolling rack isn’t guaranteed to contain some amazing hidden treasure. But it’s one of the few places in the store where you may get a look at merchandise before it’s been sitting on the floor getting picked through, and that’s enough reason for me to check it first.
