Hey thrifty friends! We are excited to announce our 2nd Annual Goodwill Smackdown Challenge! What's all the fuss about you ask?
Last year, our man Charlie had the brilliant idea of holding a thrift store challenge where each participate (three thrifty guys and a thrifty gal), would purchase a “valuable” item at their local Goodwill store which they believed might turn a profit. The person with the highest profit would end up winning the Challenge (last year, it was our resident thrifty gal).
For the 2nd installment of the Goodwill Smackdown, we are going to do things a little bit different.
Here's how this year's contest will go down:
- Each participate will have the option of purchasing 3 items. One in clothing, one in households and another in one other category.
- List the items on Craigslist or Ebay for sale.
- The highest percentage of profit, wins (of the 3 products)
Basically, this is thrift store flipping. Participants have from today (9/4) til Thursday, September 18. We'll list all of our items and what they sold for the following week. The winner of the Challenge will get everyone's profits to donate to their charity of choice.
Feel free to follow along yourself – and participate! We'd love to know if you take up the challenge as well and what your highest profit item was (feel free to post your results on Twitter by mentioning – @3thriftyguys & @GoodwillMN)
What's in it for you?
We are giving away a $50 gift card to Goodwill to one random commenter on any Goodwill Smackdown post. Must comment by 9/24 at midnight (CST) to be entered. Sorry US residents only. If you don't have a nearby Goodwill store, we can provide another gift card of your choice.
26 Comments
This sounds like a fun challenge! I would love to join since I already thrift and flip for profit as a means to help pay off my student loans.
Are there any additional requirements such as publicly announcing/documenting the items you purchased or showing some sort of price tag to prove that you did indeed purchase the item from Goodwill?
The Goodwill’s are amazing in the town I live in! When the devastating tornado came through Central Illinois last November where I live, the donations were amazing for those that lost everything. Awesome challenge and excited to follow!!!!
This is very exciting! :) Since I’m not a US resident, I will try to do this and see for the result. :)
Sounds like a blast! Some of my best finds have come from GW & they mean more to me than the mall purchases!!!
Does only percentage matter? If you buy something for $1 and sell it for $2 beat out someone that buys something for $100 and sells it for $190?
Haha.. good point! Doubt that will happen – but guess it could?
Ooooh, I want to get a competition like this going with my family. My Mom, Aunt, Daughter & I are great Goodwill thrifters so I would like to challenge them to do this with me.
What fun!
Can’t wait to see how your Smackdown goes!
Would love to see what you come up with if you do it AJ!
I’m a fan of thrift store (and garage sale) flipping myself. I enjoyed this series last year, looking forward to seeing what deals you score this go around!
Just got back from an awesome clothing score at Goodwill! All my fav brands and super fun stuff. :)
Can’t wait to see what everyone gets and sells it for.
I play this game every week, except I usually go with a thrift store and choose clothing. I like the game, good luck!
It will be fun to follow along. I am curious to see what the charity of choice will be. What a great way to help others!
I love these Goodwill Smackdown Challenges because they remind me that there are money-making opportunities everywhere! And it’s a good reminder to look around at the stuff in my own house and start listing it, too! Looking forward to this round!
This is a great idea. I might just join in. I’ll let you know when I do.
Please do Aldo!
I haven’t purchased retail items for quite a while since I discovered the wonders of thrift store shopping…my only regret is that the frugal bug didn’t bite me sooner! Though I have scored a few deals at Good Will, in our area the stores run by charitable groups such as the humane society and MainStay tend to offer better quality items at lower prices than either Good Will or Salvation Army. I’ll be eager to see wins your flipping contest this year!
Growing up, we use to go to thrift shops often and you’d always bump Into people that were looking for certain Items or were quite picky at what they were Interested In buying. Of course, as I got older and the Internet rolled Into town. I realized that most people visit these places not only for cheap goods, but to see what valuables they can find to flip for profit. I’ve noticed that I’ve gotten Into the habit of this as well. Especially with any technology stuff I come across. You’d be amazed sometimes at what you can find. There are also times where I’ve bought several duds, but that’s part of the thrill though.
Ok, I may need to get in on this. I LOVE Goodwill and this reminds me of Antiques Road Show, something else I love! :)
Oh, that was a great show. It still on?
This is a great idea. I keep finding such gems at thrift stores.
Very excited to see what you select and then what will be the highest price paid. I remember the golf club from last year. Good luck everyone.
Thanks Barb. That golf club was a dud. :)
Such a great idea! Always good to exercise your hustling muscle :)
Join along! :)