A 19-year-old woman faced an unexpected disappointment after a visit to a Goodwill store turned sour when her anticipated wardrobe purchase vanished. During her morning trip, she discovered a wooden wardrobe with double doors, shelves, and multiple drawers. After asking an employee to price the item, she made the purchase and was informed she could return to collect it before the store closed at 8 p.m.
Upon returning after work with her sister-in-law, the woman was shocked to find that the wardrobe was no longer available. Two employees could not locate the item, leading to a frustrating realization: “Someone had re-priced the wardrobe. And someone bought it and took it home,” she recounted in a post under the Reddit username AppleJuicetheBest. Although she received a refund, the disappointment lingered. “I wanted to cry so bad,” she admitted, sharing that it was her first furniture purchase at Goodwill, as she usually visited for clothing.
Many Reddit users empathized with her situation, with one commenter noting, “This happens all the time at my store.” Another suggested that the absence of a price tag might indicate the wardrobe had already been purchased by another customer. Some contributors advised on strategies to prevent similar situations in the future, such as taking essential parts of the furniture when paying.
The issue of unaccounted furniture at resale shops is not isolated. According to Goodwill’s official FAQ, stores hold paid items for no longer than 24 hours. However, if an item is not clearly marked as sold, it can be mistakenly perceived as available for purchase. Goodwill emphasizes that items are sold “as-is” with no returns, and policies may vary by location. Customers are encouraged to communicate directly with store managers regarding any concerns.
The challenges of managing large item sales at Goodwill often stem from the rapid turnover of inventory, especially in busy stores. This can lead to confusion and mix-ups that frustrate customers. The organization operates as a nonprofit, using proceeds from sales to fund employment programs for individuals in need.
In a similar vein, stories of unexpected finds at Goodwill abound. Erin Calkins from Atlanta made headlines after discovering a diamond tennis bracelet hidden in the lining of an $8 purse she purchased. “I was beyond shocked,” Calkins told Newsweek, later selling the bracelet to a jeweler for $1,200. “It was the best kind of surprise,” she said.
While the young woman who lost her wardrobe may not have uncovered a fortune, she learned a valuable lesson about the nuances of resale shopping. “Didn’t realize this happened so much,” she reflected, “I thought it was just me.”
Newsweek attempted to reach out to AppleJuicetheBest and Goodwill for further comments but could not verify the details of this particular incident.
