Goodwill - Oakland Park - Oakland Park, Florida

Terri E.

I was in the area and decided to drive around and check out Oakland Park. Stopped by the Goodwill to see what book treasures they had. Let me tell you, what a freaking nice Goodwill this is!

I was pleasantly surprised with the massive book section all the way in the back on the right side. They had about six racks of books and several books scattered on the table in the middle. I was literally in heaven. Everything was so nicely organized, and there was an abundance of books that I wanted. This store had so many good selections, I really couldn't believe my luck!

I started off by just browsing. When my stack became way too high to carry, I went and grabbed a shopping cart. When I went to the front to get the cart, I stopped and asked the cashier about the pricing for the books. I noticed all the books has stickers, but most had letters or specific numbers on them. The cashier, Brian, clarified that handbooks $2, paperbacks $1 and cookbooks $3. There maybe some books priced differently and those are noted with specific numbers which indicate the pricing. Now I got it.

Went back and scanned every single book to make sure I grabbed the ones I wanted. It got to the point where I had no joke, about 20 books. Lol. I had to downsize. Although I continue to build my personal home library, I didn't need all these books. I was good and looked everything over again. I ended up with 9 books I was content with. Went to check out and Brian rang me up. My book haul cost me a measly $18!!! Such a great score!

All in all, this Goodwill in Oakland Park is super nice and incredibly organized. Not just the books but EVERYTHING!!! Great job on the upkeep of this store Goodwill. I hope to be back soon to see what new books they have.

Ariel W.

Goodwill was founded in 1902 by Boston Minister, Reverend Edgar J. Helms. He took donations from wealthy Bostonians and hired people who were poor and who could fix the items. The items were then given to the people who worked on them or were resold. Goodwill's philosophy is "a hand up, not a hand out." Goodwill Industries of Central Florida started in 1959. Today Goodwill has become a $5 billion nonprofit organization that provides job training, employment, and community programs for people who have disabilities that might prevent them from getting a job on their own.

This Goodwill Superstore is located on Oakland Park Boulevard. While still selling bargain thrift, the superstores have innovative and trendy displays. They also have more contemporary designs and modern display fixtures designed to raise the bar in the thrift market. The Oakland Park Goodwill store is attractively arranged. Clothes and new items are in the front of the store. As you move towards the back of the store there is furniture and home goods. A smaller area in the back is a bibliophiles paradise with a large selection of books.

Thrifting is enjoying a resurgence as a cool hobby. There are a ton of Instagram videos showing how you can have a business thrifting or how to style and transform thrifted items. A can of spray paint can give just about any item new life. I really love thrifting at this large, clean, and well organized Goodwill. I have been coming here for years and it keeps getting better and better. Goodwill has even added new items to complete their thrift inventory. Right now they have a ton of holiday decor and clothing. If you need an inexpensive ugly sweater for a holiday party, there is a great selection here. Not only can you find a unique bargain but you are repurposing items and keeping them out of the landfill while helping the community through your purchase at the same time.

Demi

I shop here on a weekly basis as a regular and I was there just now and found a couch priced at $40 that I decided to purchase. As I was standing in front of it an employee named Doris who presented herself as the manager told myself and another employee who I was chatting with that she wouldn't sell the couch for that price and proceeded to remove the tag that clearly said "Couch $40" claiming that the tag was for a side table and repriced the couch at $200. After going back and forth she proceeded to reprice it $150, I didn't realize that we were doing street style negotiations in store now. This will also be sent to corporate, as I feel that I was profiled as someone who could be taken advantage of and forced to pay more for the item.

Sean F.

Something unique about this goodwill within the last year or so has been happening- i have noticed happy & helpful employees (unheard of in south florida goodwills) & the level of cleanliness and professionalism is unlike any nearby goodwill. It smells good and the store is large enough to actually have some items with the daily “50% off” color tag. I spoke to the presumed cashier at checkout and mentioned all these opinions, and he told me thank you that he has been working hard since he took over as manager. Gosh does it show! WTG to management at the Oakland Park location!!! Well deserved 5 star review!

kim

Decent stuff, but when I went into the OPEN dressing room with no staff around, my door was barged into. I was literally halfway into trying on shorts. I was almost exposed.. Two women walk in and start yelling at me. One was a customer who left her purse and another was a worker who SCREAMED at me because she thought I walked into a closed room. Keep in mind I had no malicious intent… just saw an open changing room door and walked in. I was shooed out of the room and still had on the shorts I tried on 🙁

The whole ordeal was a mistake and shouldn’t have been that big of an issue. But the worker continued to yell at my mom and another person waiting in line for the rooms. It wasn’t my fault there was no worker there nor was it my fault a customer left her bag in there. First time I have ever been to this location and I will never go again.

2 stars only because it had decent items. But horrible service and experience. Felt like crying the entire time for a simple mistake.

Arthur C.

The store's organization has become much better! The staff is super friendly, and I run into people I know there all the time – they even shop Goodwill before hitting the antique stores now! 😄👍

Kara S.

Organized? Yes. However, considering the items they sell are DONATED for FREE it blows my mind the prices that they’re asking for items. Wall art is marked at $150 plus, mismatched plates not part of a set are $3-$8. Stuff that belongs in the trash is $5 plus. I’ve seen clothing with the original tag less than what goodwill marked it as. The whole point of goodwill and thrift shopping is affordable shopping for people who need it and for the charity to offset their costs. This is pure profit. I was looking for a vase and they had dirty old ones marked starting at $10. I went to HomeGoods and found one that did not require any scrubbing for the same price. Goodwill, do better and you would have more shoppers and not have the same crap sit in your story for weeks on end.

R L.

Always a great experience! Quality items and service. EJ is an excellent manager and the staff is always very kind and helpful! It’s a weekly visit for us!