The Mary Sue
‘That’s so unethical’: Wisconsin woman tries on clothes at Goodwill. Then she o…
A Wisconsin shopper says she overheard Goodwill staff discussing high prices in the boutique section, sparking backlash online.
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Goodwill Under Fire: Shopper Alleges Unethical Pricing Practices at Thrift Stores
A recent social media post has brought renewed attention to the pricing strategies of thrift store giant Goodwill, sparking debate among consumers and advocates for affordable secondhand goods. A young woman, identified as Sonnyyy🌼☀️🥂, shared her experience in a video uploaded on July 26, 2025, from Wisconsin, USA. She recounted overhearing a conversation between Goodwill employees where one was criticized for pricing items in the "boutique section" too low. Specifically, an Athleta tank top marked at $15 was deemed undervalued, with a supervisor reportedly suggesting it should be priced at least $30. The video then shows a tag for a similar Athleta tank top priced at $29.99 at Goodwill. The creator highlighted that brand new Athleta tank tops typically retail for $35 to $49, questioning the ethical implications of a thrift store, which receives donations for free, selling used items at prices comparable to or slightly below new retail. "That's absolutely absurd," she stated, emphasizing her belief in ethical business practices. She contrasted Goodwill's approach with her own reselling philosophy, where she sources items from Goodwill bins or her own closet and sells them for $10 or under (or $15 for high-value brands like Lululemon), aiming to make quality items accessible to those who cannot afford them new. The video, which has garnered over 243,500 views and 25,000 likes, has ignited discussions online about the evolving role of thrift stores and their responsibility to the community.
