If you’ve ever seen videos of resellers scoring piles of vintage Levi’s, designer handbags, or rare collectibles for pennies, chances are they were shopping at Goodwill Outlet Stores — better known as Goodwill Bins.
For resellers, the bins are legendary. You pay by the pound, not by the item, which means profit margins can be huge. But here’s the catch — not all bins locations are equal.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
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How Goodwill Bins work
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Which locations are known for the best finds
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How to spot high-profit items quickly
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Pro tips for sourcing smarter and scaling your business
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How to combine bin finds with AI-powered reselling tools for maximum sales
What Are Goodwill Bins?
Unlike regular Goodwill thrift stores, where items are priced individually, Goodwill Outlet Stores sell items in giant blue bins by the pound.
Why resellers love them:
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Low cost per item – Sometimes as low as $1.49/lb for clothing.
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Constant rotation – New bins roll out every 15–30 minutes.
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Hidden gems – Designer clothes, vintage sneakers, rare collectibles.
But success at the bins depends heavily on location, timing, and skill.
Where Are the Best Goodwill Bins in the U.S.?
While every outlet can yield amazing finds, some locations are known for being reseller goldmines due to high donation volume, affluent surrounding areas, and rapid turnover.
Here are 7 top-performing Goodwill Bins locations in 2025:
1. Portland, OR
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Known as one of the biggest Goodwill Outlets in the country.
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Strong vintage scene — denim, flannels, sportswear.
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High turnover of inventory.
2. Seattle, WA
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Affluent donors mean premium brands (Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Gucci).
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Excellent outdoor gear selection.
3. Austin, TX
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Large, well-organized outlet.
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Great mix of vintage clothing, cowboy boots, and electronics.
4. Denver, CO
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Outdoor sports gear (ski jackets, snow boots) is abundant.
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High-quality backpacks and technical apparel.
5. Los Angeles, CA
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Designer handbags, celebrity closet cleanouts, and film wardrobe pieces.
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Perfect for high-end Poshmark sellers.
6. Minneapolis, MN
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Low reseller saturation compared to other big cities.
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Strong cold-weather clothing selection.
7. Boston, MA
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Ivy League donations = luxury brands, vintage books, and collectibles.
🧠 Pro Tip: The Best Bins Aren’t Always the Closest
Some of the best bins are in wealthy suburbs, where donations tend to include higher-end brands. It’s worth driving 1–2 hours to test different outlets and track which ones give you the best ROI.
How to Spot the Best Items Quickly
The bins can be chaotic — dozens of resellers diving in at once. To succeed, you need a fast scanning strategy:
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Learn the feel of quality fabrics – Cashmere, silk, heavy denim stand out by touch.
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Check tags quickly – Look for brands like Patagonia, Lululemon, Eileen Fisher, Levi’s Made in USA.
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Search pockets & compartments – Sometimes valuables are hidden.
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Look for condition first – Only grab clean, damage-free items (or easy fixes).
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Focus on categories you know best – You’ll spot valuable items faster.
Tools to Make Bins Sourcing More Profitable
Even with great finds, making money requires selling fast and at the right price. That’s where automation comes in.
With Closo’s AI Agents, you can:
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Crosslist finds from Goodwill Bins to Poshmark, eBay, Mercari in seconds
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Auto-share on Poshmark to keep listings at the top of search
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Send offers automatically to interested buyers
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Optimize prices based on real-time demand & competition
💡 This means you spend more time sourcing and less time stuck in manual listing work.
Case Study: $50 at the Bins → $1,200 in Sales
Sarah, a part-time reseller in Los Angeles, sources at Goodwill Bins twice a week.
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Average spend: $50/trip
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Finds: Levi’s 501s, Free People dresses, Patagonia fleeces
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Crosslists everything with Closo’s AI Crosslister
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Auto-shares 3x/day on Poshmark
Results:
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Average sales: $1,200/month
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Time spent listing: < 3 hours/week
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Inventory turnover: 14 days or less for 60% of items
“Without the AI doing my crosslisting and sharing, I’d never keep up with how fast I’m sourcing.”
Tips for Winning at Goodwill Bins
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Go Early or Late – Early for fresh stock, late for discounts.
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Wear Gloves – Protects your hands from sharp objects and dirt.
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Bring a Rolling Cart or IKEA Bags – Easier to haul large finds.
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Stay for Multiple Rotations – The best items don’t always come out first.
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Know Your Resale Categories – Specialize so you spot value instantly.
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Be Selective – Don’t grab everything; focus on sellable items in good condition.
Final Thoughts
Goodwill Bins can be one of the most profitable sourcing methods for resellers in 2025 — if you know where to go and how to shop efficiently.
The best bins locations combine:
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High donation quality (affluent donors)
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Fast inventory turnover
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Manageable reseller competition
Pairing the right sourcing spots with AI-powered selling tools like Closo ensures you:
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Sell faster
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Price smarter
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Spend more time finding great inventory instead of doing tedious listing work
If you’re ready to turn $20–$50 Goodwill Bins hauls into thousands in profit, the key is location + strategy + automation.
