At This Goodwill, the Gold Bell Reigns

Before you visit the Goodwill Outlet in Hamden, you might want to read this article. For there are a few unspoken rules that might help you survive the bedlam and land some nice finds as well.

Every hour two lines form somewhere on the floor of the massive warehouse, located at 2901 State Street. Two groups of shoppers face each other while jockeying for “a good spot.” They stand and wait for the loud gold bell which signals something wonderful is about to happen. Then a procession of workers blow into the room pushing huge bright blue bins filled with…well…a little of everything.

Purses, backpacks, stuffed elephants, plant stands, lamps with shades and lamps without them. There were leather wallets, coffee pots, tea pots, oil paintings, Japanese vases, Chinese vases, dolls of old and dolls of new. People are laughing, smiling and yes, digging deep.

The old timers know the routine as they position themselves early to get first picks from the freshly-loaded bins. Newcomers often miss out having to move behind the first row of shoppers, substantially reducing their chances for initially grabs, the best ones.

Mabel Williams, of New Haven, says she made the mistake of standing in the middle of the two lines unaware of the hourly roll-out.

“There I was, kind of just standing there, wondering to myself why these people were standing in lines, and why they were glaring at me,” says Williams with a loud laugh. “Then someone yelled, ‘hey lady move it. Didn’t you hear the bell?’”

Williams says she moved quickly when she saw the big bins coming her way. “I was in awe as I watched these people start digging and shuffling through the piles. I’ve been coming about a month now, so I know what to do.”

The store’s merchandise is sold on bins, except for chairs, suitcases and TVs. Clothing, books, purses, glass and small kitchen and delicate items are each piled in separate bins.

The State Street store is one of two Goodwill stores in Hamden -- the other is on Dixwell Avenue across from Khols.

Trudy Wiggins and sister Pearl, both from New York, come to the State Street Goodwill store whenever they’re in town.

“We’re visiting friends, but we always manage to get by here whenever we’re in town. I have found some great deals here,” says Trudy, pulling on a pair of plastic gloves. “It can get pretty dirty in these bins, especially if you dig deep. Can’t do this without my gloves.”

One of the Goodwill workers says some customers spend 10 hours in the store. “You wouldn’t believe it. They just wait for that bell to ring and for those bins to come out and then BAM, they’re on it.”

The thing is, to get the really good deals, you have to be patient. Or quick. Or unemployed. Celia Wilson, a Hamden resident, says she has lots time on her hands since losing her job.

“Should be looking for another one…instead I come here looking for great buys. And I certainly find them.”

Chairs are a big seller. They go quickly because the price is the draw. Many run from $2.99 up to $7.99, depending on the style.  Portina Crews just missed what she calls “a killer deal” but wasn’t quick enough.

“I saw the chair and ottoman. It was rattan, perfect condition, lovely set for my daughter. What did I do wrong? I thought about it. And in those 10 seconds I was thinking, that woman standing in line scooped it up. Thirteen bucks and I had to think about it,” she says, playfully hitting her forehead.