I’m a Goodwill employee – go straight to the specific section to see the best deals and check the color label

A GOODWILL employee of more than five years shared how to get the best deals at thrift stores.

She recommends that shoppers go to a specific section first and look for the colored tags to save even more.

Goodwill is a great shopping destination for those who want to get the most bang for their buck.

While the endless aisles of disorganized discount products can seem overwhelming, a few tips from a Goodwill employee can help you make the most of your thrifty trip and save money.

An employee of more than five years shared several saving secrets with Yahoo Financeincluding which section to access first.

“Be sure to check out the shelves and clearance sections before you leave,” the employee said.

Sections marked clearance or final markdown often house long-unsold items that can be extremely cheap.

“Items are marked repeatedly the longer they are unsold. You can find clothes for less than $1 and furniture for less than $5 if you take the time to dig.”

Another way to get cheap items is to pay attention to the colored label on each item.

Goodwill stores often have a weekly sale, choosing a different color tag each week to sell for 50% off.

“Most places they produce a different color tag a week and have a rotation, so every 4 weeks they produce a color,” shared a Goodwill fan on Reddit.

“The oldest color goes on sale and after the sale it is removed from the store and then that color tag starts again.”

MORE GOODWILL SECRETS

The Goodwill employee shared several other tips on how to optimize your visit.

She suggested knowing your size before going to the thrift store.

“Because there’s often no fitting room and you can’t make returns unless you plan to resell, you need to know the sizes for who you’re buying for and in their favorite brands,” she said.

“Take trips to the retail store to try things on, to see how Madewell fits in compared to J.Crew, and stay tuned.”

The employee also advised shoppers to make a list of items they need or want before entering Goodwill.

This helps keep you focused and reduces overspending.

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Additionally, the Goodwill employee encouraged customers to talk to workers to determine the best shopping days.

She said most locations restock merchandise on specific days and times, and knowing them can ensure your chance of getting the best items.

In related news, a Goodwill shopper found a collection of old drawings for 37 cents – the date and condition worth $1,200.

Additionally, another shopper purchased an $8 dress at Goodwill — it was called the “find of a lifetime” and is worth $4,000.