Goodwill stores are now using AI…

[T-Satt]

From an article I read…

Goodwill stores are now using AI to ensure that all of its luxury items are legit

As thrift-store shopping becomes increasingly trendy, Goodwill — the 117-year-old nonprofit and one-stop-shop for ugly sweater parties — has a new strategy that’s anything but secondhand.

Goodwill is teaming with Entrupy’s AI-based program to guarantee the authenticity of luxury accessories sold through its auction site and verify designer gems found deep in the depths of the circular clothes rack.

So much more than fashion…
Founded in 1902 by the Rev. Edgar J. Helms, the Boston-born nonprofit has continued to serve over 15 countries, where the money its stores make provides job training, employment placement, and other community-based programs for those less fortunate.

In 2017, Goodwill topped $5.9B in revenue, in which it threw a whopping 89% of earnings back into its programs that helped more than 288k people land jobs and provided training and support for an additional 38.6m people.

Now, it’s moving past ugly sweaters
Entrupy’s program uses machine learning algorithms and computer-vision technology to verify items with a 99.1% accuracy rate — and, as Goodwill builds out its new, online shopping destination for trendy millennials, the automated verification approach will give its upscale some real legitimacy.

The move is good for both parties: Verification means more patrons willing to pay higher prices for that pristine Coach handbag, which means more money into Goodwill’s donation bin.

[Amatino]

Goodwill Mania is now a thing. I’d pretty much given up on Goodwill as a source anyway.

I guess I’m going to have to go find all the hidden thrifts in my area. Somebody posted in the In 2019 I Will… thread that they would put together a list of all thrifts in their area with opening times and days. I shall have to add that to my TDL so that I can make a plan for a couple round trips each month.

[Mark S]

I was wondering if Entrupy’s AI-based program would work for us. Not really.

It only appears to authenticate handbags right now. Also, it is a $299 start up fee (you don’t own the hardware) and then you have a monthly fee. Like, $99 to have 5 items autenticated. That’s $20 an item. For $399\month, you get 20 items, then it is only $13.33 a month.

I guess if you sold a lot of handbags this might be good. I avoid handbags right now because it is hard to authenticate.

I run across more shoes, I wish they would do those also.

Mark

[Jay]

Goodwill is basically like TJ Maxx these days.

[bcfol440]

I predict there will be more GW Bins and Boutiques for their long term plan and less “middle of road” locations.

[Ashana]

I feel rather blessed to be able to source at the GW Bins. I pretty much exclusively source there, apart from some local non-chain thrift stores in my area. Between the prices and the littered broken trash on the shelves, it’s just not worth my time.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by Ashana.

[BourbonTrailBazaar]

I still do very well in my local Goodwill stores. I have one in particular that I do very well at. I actually take my time in that store as it is crammed full of stuff with very good turnover. I have a couple of independents that I visit too, sadly one is very nice but 2-3x the price of Goodwill. The other is very reasonably priced, but small and mostly clothing. I do find good stuff there and I am in and out in 10 minutes.

[MyCottage]

Mark,

I don’t really buy bags, but eBay has its own Authentication program. You might want to look into it.

[Mark S]

MyCottage,

I don’t really buy bags either. After I wrote that above, I thought the same. Using ebay’s authentication program would probably be better.

I would like one of these two options to do shoes also.

Mark

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