Very rude staff! I'm a buyer and come here at least once a day, almost every time I come I'm harassed by a couple employees, I had an issue today where I bought a dress and noticed it was dirty and torn, I tried to resolve the issue with the manager Joletta but she was very rude and disrespectful, wouldn't even let me talk and kept interrupting me, please train your managers in customer service and being kind! I come here and spend money every single day, I'm a reseller so I hit many goodwills everyday and have no problem except in this store with rude unprofessional employees! read more

This particular store is great! Mickey is so helpful and kind and made a big positive difference in our day. Thank you!

This used to be a nice store. Now it's sunk below ghetto status. And I'm not referring to the merchandise.Clerks (if you can call them that) ring you up WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. I've stood in line with one item for almost 20 minutes with one person in front of me, while the employee yelled and fought with each other and the donation area. Yuck!!! read more

I must say, I'm terribly confused about the intent of this store. This is undoubtedly the most expensive Goodwill in the country. I may be a bit biased due to the three years I resided in Tucson, Arizona. The stores were huge and dirt cheap. I was always greeted with a "color of the day" sign and knew that I would be leaving with at least one item that was 50% off. Toys from my childhood! Musical instruments! Retro gaming and electronics! The Albany Goodwill - as well as all of the other East Bay Goodwill locations, in my experience thus far- are carbon copy let-downs of overpriced yawns and Target donations. Yes, if you have never set foot in one of these Goodwill stores, shelves are jam packed with clearance items "generously" donated by Target for what I assume is a beefy tax write-off. Goodwill sells these items at around 50% of their Target clearance price. If you're looking for a deal on a Target brand lamp in a damaged box, you'd be better off, well, at Target. I am also quite positive that the unsellable dregs from Target's "One Spot," where most items are only $1, are still being sold for $1. There must be a policy at Goodwill where nothing can cost less than a dollar in the store. Seriously - a plastic bowl for $3? Computer keyboards for $12.99? No wonder the toy sections are essentially nonexistent in these Goodwills (another slap in the face). No parent would hand over folding money for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle accessory from Target clearance in which half of the box's contents are missing. But surely, Goodwill must have occasional sales, yes? Well, if you love a good mystery, come on in when they put out some random balloons and a wrinkled banner with "SALE" on it. I've been in at least three times during these events, and only once did I find a sign indicating the specifics of the sale (50% women's clothes as part of a Back to School sale). The only other information I've encountered were, "ITEMS WITH GREEN TAGS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SALE," and the depressing, "Men's ties: 5 for $5." I think I only continue shopping at the Albany Goodwill because of the stupor in which I leave the bowling alley across the street. I'll bowl two games, then shuffle on over, sweating like a meth addict. Yes, I sweat from bowling. I'm dangerously out of shape. Oh, what's this? A Casio keyboard that appears to have been thrown from a burning building? $24.99?!?!? DAMMIT!!!!! read more

I absolutely feel this place is the worst ever. Each and every time I come here to donate, I get rude looks, and not a stitch of help. I've brought in large bags of lightly used clothing and ignored. One time, a young lady told me to come back. I know she just didn't want to work that day. I told her I would either leave the stuff curbside, or bring it inside, but I was not coming back since I was already there. It's amazing to me how rude they are. it's not getting any better. I've gotten over dragging big, heavy bags halfway across their parking lot, but once I get them inside, don't ignore me, or get an attitude. It's Goodwill!!!! Or so I thought. read more

After reading some of the negative reviews on Yelp, I was preparing for a nasty experience when dropping off my clothes donation today. Instead I was able to drop them off at the back entrance very fast and with absolutely no problem. (I did not need a receipt.) Maybe I just got lucky with which employee was accepting my old clothes :) read more

Goodwill Manager Kenny and his staff are great! I'm always greeted with a smile. The store is always well organized and clean. The pricing is reasonable, I just wish higher-end products were in the store versus online bidding. I will continue to be a thrifter at this location. read more

Found a pair of jeans to buy, at register they were going to charge me over $20...WTF it's goodwill I could spend same amt at target or Macy's brand new, I asked to speak with manager he said he was the manager, I told them no Thanx u can keep them! What a joke goodwill ...thank u, next! read more

The manager was extremely helpful. I got a nice luggage case for only a few bucks for my Trip next month. Thanks

This Goodwill is RIDICULOUSLY overpriced. They have some good finds, but you almost should just buy them new because it's basically the same price. Some items are even more expensive then the new ones. Whoever is pricing these items has no idea how much these things cost new. It pisses me off actually, I feel like they are ripping customers off. read more

Nice enough place to shop-- DO NOT DONATE HERE. The man accepting donations is incredibly condescending and rude, and will refuse donations irately without cause or explanation. I will be taking my business to thrift town, as the bargains are better and the staff are considerate. Goodwill should be able to turn items away, but I was yelled at for donating, and that's just ridiculous. read more

I'll start off by saying I hardly ever give a bad review. But this place is at least 0 and 10! I mainly go there to donate but I actually purchase a few things once. - Staff not very friendly or engaged when donating. No "hello", no smile, no "thank you". I've been given the stink eye for interrupting someone's cigarette break because I asked for a receipt. The last time I was there I was told abruptly "we don't accept that" as an opener for one the items I brought. The poor man in front of me wasn't allowed to drop off anything he brought. I would have walked out with all my stuff if I didn't spend the time driving there. I understand there are some people working there who seem like they might be a little down on their luck. I understand that and I'm glad they are gainfully employed. HOWEVER - a little customer service would go a long way. Especially when people are donating.... - Stuff is expensive as others mentioned for being used and not in prime shape. I will arranging for more convenient driveway pickups with other foundations going forward. read more

Nicely organized. The thrift store old clothes smell isn't overwhelming. But they sure have some pricey items, particularly their clothes and baby items. Perhaps it's because they are located in Albany?! Despite being nicely organized the point to a thrift store is to find a bargain. You will have to search hard here. read more

Rude employee! I went there to donate some items. I had brought some yesterday, and planned to bring some tomorrow. I asked for a donation slip and they gave me a hard time. For asking for a donation slip? Who needs problems? I'm going to find a place to just give it to the homeless...hopefully they will appreciate it. read more

I was so excited they were opening a Goodwill across from the Albany Bowl. It was a big store, so I had high hopes. It has been open for about a month now, and I've checked in three different times. I haven't found anything, because, when I'm going to a THRIFT store, I expect to find low prices. Unfortunately, this store has the same fare as other thrift stores, but they think their merchandise is pretty special, as reflected in their HIGH prices. They have a lot of "Clearance" type items (ie: from Target, etc) but they have a goodwill price tag that is equal to the original retail price of the item. They carry a lot of clothes for every person, a good sized home section, but not a lot of furniture. Hopefully they lower the prices to start moving merchandise through a lot faster. read more

I can see why they are rated so low. Drove 10 miles to make a donation of almost new clothes and coats and when I get there young lady says "we're full". Seriously? I asked her what she meant by full because I've never been turned away for donating by any Goodwill. She just points to a pile and says "full". Don't bother going to this location. There's plenty of other places that would gladly welcome your donations and they didn't say they were "full". Ridiculous. read more

Most expensive Goodwill ever! $12.99 for a sweater with moth hole, which I would repair if they were flexible on price. 19.99 for stained, used shoulder bag. 9.99 for faded sweat pants. Crazy! read more

I was so happy to discover the Goodwill drop-off location in Albany. I had tried to use the downtown Berkeley location, but no one ever answered the telephone. Darin and Amber were very helpful and offered to help carry the donations from my car into their drop-off location. read more

Came in to donate on a Sunday and found staff to be polite and helpful. There was a short wait to donate as a large truck dropoff and a number of other folks were also donating but I made my dropoff and got a tax receipt with minimum hassle. The location is convenient and there is a variety of goods, I have not purchased anything here because as a number of others have said, the prices for a lot of goods seem pretty high, like higher than new in some cases. read more

The service here is okay but there is a strange and tense mood here that I really disliked. The employees made me feel uncomfortable and judged. read more

The donation center is a total disaster. The people staffing it are downright rude, and someone in charge needs to take a look at the whole operation. Yes, it is crowded, and many people want to either get rid of stuff or do the right thing by helping others. But whichever, the center acts like they are doing you a big favor by allowing you to bring things in, when really anyone can just dump it into the trash bin and be done with it. In the vast majority of cases, the people who bring things in are just trying to help people less fortunate, yet they are subjected to a grand inquisition. Why can't people just drop off a box and be done with it? The lines and wait are extremely long, and we are all doing social distancing the best we can, so enough of the harassment. I will try to find another donation center that seems to appreciate that we are trying to help them. God forbid that I just dump my really good items in the trash, but rather than be subjected to such rude treatment and ineffective services, maybe I will do that next time. read more

Clean, well organized, sunlight. No furniture, just housewares and clothes.

Good for a goodwill. Prices have gone down a little. Still probably too high for a thrift, but most bay area goodwills are on the high side.

I purchased a battery-operated food scale for $12.95. When I got it home, it did not work with new batteries. When I returned it about five days later, I was informed that I could only get a credit and that it would be valid for ONLY FIVE MORE DAYS. I found nothing I needed there on the day of return. Life is too short to return a third time, within five days, on the off chance that I could spend my credit on something I actually want. The prices are not so good and the selection not so strong that I would ever risk having to spend a credit in such a short period. They lost a moderately frequent customer. read more

Yes, there have been many overpriced items in the store, but I used to enjoy looking for treasures among the trash. I enjoyed talking with the employees. The store was clean and well-managed. No more. The best manager, Erin, is gone perhaps for not charging high enough prices. Goodwill is supposed to be a non-profit that cares about people. read more

This place is the biggest rip off. They have items from the Dollar Store and IKEA that are priced higher than the original retail price. I got a great bathrobe for $10 but then they charge the same price on flimsy summer sweaters and tops. read more

Came here in search for a couple of things and I was in luck. But I must say that since when did Goodwill get so dang expensive? I spent $31 on three pairs of jeans! Granted one pair of jeans was from Gap but still this is ridiculous. I will say that everything here is organized nicely and they have a variety of things. There decor section could be better and more organized. This store has its own parking lot which is good considering it is in Albany. So why the 2 star review? TERRIBLE & NON PROFESSIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE! Arrived here an hour before closing time which we all know how inpatient people can be when they are ready to close, especially on the weekends. I was looking through my items and put some back on the rack, an employee walked passed by and she asked, "are you going to take that? Because if you aren't please put it back on a hanger and put it back where you got it from." EXCUSE ME? I am not there to do YOUR job and as a previous manager to a retail store, you certainly don't tell customers that. They also kept shouting that they aren't able to ring your items up after the closing hour, again something you don't tell customers. Cashiers need to change there attitude ASAP! read more

Always a fan of Goodwill? The staff here is friendly and the selection is great, thanks to all those who donate!

Was going to purchase a pair of pants and a cd. The cashier looked at the pants and said that the price was wrong. The name brand pants are more expensive so she went in the back and said they were 39.99. I told her all the name brand pants (levis, paige, nydj...etc) were all priced the same as the original price that was om the tag. She insisted it was a mistake. Truthfully I think she saw the size and wanted them for herself so she made up a ridiculous price so she could get them. If zero stars were possible I'd give it that. Don't waste your time here. Go to the dept stores instead. You will get a better price on something new. read more

The man working at the donation station was incredibly rude. Won't ever be going back.

definitely has higher prices than other goodwills. Some things are almost the same prices as if they were new, like opened packages of kids underwear for $5. Set of 5 Ikea bowls for $25, and one of them was chipped! But there are some things that are worth it, and always one color tag is 50% off. All jeans are $10 flat price. read more

i live near the goodwill store. i've been there at least 10 times. the staff is always courteous and helpful. i was shocked to read all the two star reviews. almost everyone used pricing as their motive. i don't think that the goods are overpriced -- at least not in the men's sections. i find goods that are in almost new condition and priced fairly. goodwill's rental overhead on san pablo avenue in albany doesn't disappear just because it's a second-hand/thrift store. should the staff work for free so they can lower the prices? should the owners not be entitled to making some kind of profit? try visiting some of the other second hand stores in the east bay and comparing price and stock... read more

I am writing you regarding my unpleasant experience shopping at the Goodwill store Albany California. July 9 /2018 i found the small plastic magnifier lens on the shelf with no box priced $4.99, i took it to the female cashier and asked her to hold this item for me so i like to continue look for other things , later i purchased 4 items and go to pay the bill, the cashier told me she found the box for me that belong to the magnifier lens and no extra charge with it , she try to make me happy of her service. After i paid the bill i feel like the charged seems much more than i though ,so i double checked the price of all items i bought there before i leave the store. I aware that the cashier she secretly changed the priced from $4.99 to $24.99. of the plastic magnifier lens on the box without telling me .Therefore i asked to refund of that item but she deny, i talk to her manager the female manager said this Goodwill store unable to make refund or buy somethings else instead. I disagreed because their dishonesty then i negotiated with their director name Chris on the phone and he promised me he will make the refund by send a check to me and asked my name and address... he said it will take two weeks to process. Now it has been almost three months since i have not received the check Chris had promised. I have repeatedly asked Chris the director of Goodwill store of Albany California why he deliberately delayed and did not return the money that was cheated to the customer by his worker, but no respond from him. In these untrustworthy and without professional ethical people work in this Goodwill store , i feel sorry for this Goodwill store . read more

Not to be hard on a business like this but, the prices are garbage. Way high , used dishware for like 10 dollars. And most of it is donated . Not suprised they are struggling to stay in business. read more

The prices at this Goodwill are very high. The service is poor. I saw old shoes marked around $19.98. I will not donate to them or shop with them. read more

Overpriced for stuff they get FREE. Record albums are $2.99, even though they were donations and most are scratched, ripped apart and beyond repair. Go to Down Home music or Rasputins and you'll find better stuff for less, even though they actually BUY their merchandise. Most of the shoes are priced like they were at Nordstroms or Macy's. They...were...donations, people!!! read more