changes in Davis Square Goodwill

[moonshadow.livejournal.com]

I was at the Davis Square Goodwill yesterday, and boy, had things changed!

The last time I was there, perhaps a week and a half ago, the clothing was basically exploding everywhere. There were many extra racks out and they were all so full of unsorted clothes that you couldn't move anything. The extra racks also made it hard to move around the store or get in at the racks that were less full, in the back.

Yesterday, all the extra racks were gone. The store looked cleaner and more organized than I'd seen it in many months. (I'm a Goodwill junkie. Can't help myself.) The clothes were well-sorted and they were playing soothing music. I asked the lady behind the desk what had happened. She said, "There have been some changes." I asked for more details but she pretended not to have heard me. However, I couldn't help but notice that the somewhat loud, very friendly male manager guy didn't seem to be there.

Does anybody have more information about this than I do? What's going on at Goodwill?

Comments

[ron_newman]

I wish people would stop leaving things in front of the store when it is closed.

[moonshadow.livejournal.com]

I'm not a big fan of that, myself, but it would probably be easier for people not to do that if they had a drop-off box.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

I'd rather they did that than just leave their stuff out on the curb and post about it here. I mean, cripes, people...there's a Goodwill right here!

But, no, leave it out in the rain. Yep. That makes sense.

[ron_newman]

What's wrong with giving stuff away to LJ readers? It did not rain yesterday afternoon or evening.

[beezy515.livejournal.com]

I don't really see the problem with posting on LJ.

[turil.livejournal.com]

Well posting about free stuff that is left on the curb wastes a lot of people's time and effort and sometimes even petroleum, because the chances of actually getting the thing you want is slim, unless you live right next door and happen to be lucky enough to see the post as soon as it's posted. That's why Freecycle bans those kinds of posts. (I felt bad when I had a free yard sale last year and posted a few key items that I was offering and then at least two people showed up wanting the same thing.)

However, posting here about stuff you are willing to reserve for people and then leave out in a secure place (or arrange a meeting time) works really well.

[beezy515.livejournal.com]

Those are all valid points, thanks for bringing them up.

I'm sure that some people don't want to sign up with freecycle, so posting items to keep on reserve for folks is a good alternative.

[moonshadow.livejournal.com]

That's why Freecycle bans those kinds of posts.

Some chapters ban posts like that, others don't. Somerville and Cambridge Freecycle do not - I went back and checked their rules after reading this.

I almost always take things to Goodwill, but occaisionally something is very heavy and I can only get it as far as the curb, and I've been known to post to Freecycle in those situations. I'm always upfront about it and happy to give frequent updates if they're desired.

[turil.livejournal.com]

Somerville's definitely does specifically prohibit posts with addresses for anyone to just show up. If you are off moderation, your post may get through, but they are officially banned. I've had just such a post pulled by the moderator, when I rejoined and was still on moderation.

In fact, I just got the Somerville Freecycle rules reminder in my email this morning and it says:

"3) Please refrain from Curbside postings seen at the below link:
http://www.freecycle.org/manual/admin_curbside.htm (http://www.freecycle.org/manual/admin_curbside.htm)"

[moonshadow.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I was going by the rules listed on the website:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreeCycle-Somerville-MA/

Which don't say anything about it. Guess they need to be updated.

[turil.livejournal.com]

Well, it does say to not include the actual address in the post. Though I can see why some people might miss that bit (as it's awkwardly phrased).

[moonshadow.livejournal.com]

I don't include the actual address in the posts when I do it, so I figured I was covered. I wouldn't post my address on a mailing list anyway. :)

Thanks for the info.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

Actually the Goodwill in Davis Square, under new management, now no longer takes furniture.