ShopGoodwill 17+

I love shopgoodwill, but this app needs some serious work. In general, it’s pretty clunky, it feels like someone who has just learned about app development has put it together. There’s loads of stuff that just doesn’t make sense… the search bar has a little search magnifying glass that would typically be a button to initiate a search, but it’s static, instead you need to hit the other ‘search’ button below it. There’s some stupid header that sticks around on most pages, similar to Instagram in like 2014. There’s this awful miniature banner ad that blocks the last few items on any page because they clearly haven’t calculated for the banner ad (which just shouldn’t be there, it’s telling you about the goodwill mission on every search single page, leave that for the homepage or a different about section) in regards to the bottom of the page. The share function should very much include a share to imessage or at least a copy link button, not just Facebook and EMAIL(is this 2009?).

I seriously love SGW, I have purchased MANY things on it, and have always been mostly thrilled. I am glad there’s an app now, but for god sakes, please invest a bit more money in a developer that knows what they’re doing in regards to common sense app design- or, if this is the effects of a corporate entity not allowing the developer to make the appropriate changes because they think they know what is needed, then let the freaking developer make the appropriate changes.

Usually I don’t mind some clunky apps as they tend to improve over time with popularity, however what I have found is that this app (which sells their inventory that they got for free) can’t seem to put a little bit of that cash back into their apps, or into their customer service. After having an issue with a bid I won and noticing I should contact customer service I was surprised to find that customer service didn’t exist. You will talk with the seller for any technical issues you come across. And I say talk loosely because I had NO communication. Granted a few stores are highly active but there’s a lot that refuse to respond.

Also, more of a nitpick but how is it that some stores are willing to ship large heavy items and other make you pick up your item in store even if it’s a small printed painting that would easily fit in a 1ft x 1ft box. There’s no consistency in what is shippable and non-shippable. After COVID-19 you would think more places would be apt to ship items to homes ESPECIALLY an app that does online bidding. If the item is too big to ship then put it in your store and sell it on the floor. Plain and simple.

Happy they now have an app so I can update before an auction ends since I typically bid the last 15 seconds:-), why? Because people are drawn to what other people want driving up a price leading to a bidding war. So I wait. Many times have snagged a deal and other times lost because others were doing they same thing I was doing:-) and time ran out before I could place another bid. If your looking for items up for auction at your local goodwill just use the advanced feature and search location and can also search by pick up only. Many good items are put up for auction so they are no longer found in a local store. But don’t blame Goodwill for using wisdom and getting more money for their items. I still always get items much cheaper than on eBay! One tip ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS check shipping cost before bidding since some goodwills inflate the cost making a item too expensive. Many have fair shipping prices ( but always check) and their packing is excellent!