Color coding could save you half off.
While there is no official policy nationwide, most Goodwill locations across the country roll out weekly, half off color tag sales. Each local location sets whether it participates, which color is on sale for that week and what items qualify.
The sale is known as the Color of the Week and here’s how it works — there are typically five colors: purple, green, orange, blue and yellow. Some stores may also have the first letter of the colors on tags so: P, G, O, B or Y on Goodwill items, while others may use a colored barb, the plastic fastener used to hold the tag.
Each week, the store will decide which color is chosen for the week — Monday through Sunday. The next color will then go into effect for the following week.
For example, on an orange week, all items with an orange tag, sticker, or barb will be 50% off for everyone — no memberships or coupons needed. Just note that the sales are only in-store, and online shoppers will only be able to grab the low price without the added discount.
The color weeks will usually follow the same order, and once all five colors have been cycled through, the cycle will start again.
To check the color of the week, many locations have a calendar with deal dates for the entire year. Also, just note that depending on the store, the color tag sale will only be valid on clothing, housewares, books and other accessories.
Many times, locations won’t tack on the color tags for any newer items, electronics, furniture or specialty priced items.
Plus, some stores will take the sale even further by offering up more discounts during the last week of the month as a way to gear up for the next round of sales.
The Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the Central Savannah River Area locations will have their color sale on housewares, books and accessories and will offer a 50% discount for the entire week and then after three weeks, the store will drop the price even more.
The chain said on the fourth week of the month, clothing will be priced at $1.25 on Mondays, while housewares, books and accessories with the tag will be just $1.99 on Wednesdays.
For shoppers in Arizona, many Goodwill stores will put out a discount sign at the front revealing which colored tag of the week is 50% off. In addition, some stores in the state will offer items for only $2 on Thursdays.
To find out which color tag is $2, customers can check the discount sign at the front of the store.
On Tuesday, seniors 55 and up can also score an added 25% off their entire purchase. Shoppers just show ID card to the cashier at checkout.
Since Goodwill stores are community-based, non-profit thrift stores and donation centers, there is not one owner for all stores. This means it’s best to call ahead and ask if your local location if it participates in the color tag sales.