Did not expect to get such a great customer service at Goodwill. Greeted, escorted to the isle I needed, helped with stuff, etc, etc. The young lady Priya bravely saved customers from a crazy guy who ran inside with no face covering and was acting cuckoo scaring everyone. Thank you Priya and the team working today for such a great hospitality and top notch customer service. read more

There are three things you should know about me and my shopping habits: 1. Impulse shopping is a vice (I own a pair of silver lame leggings that bunch at the bottom. Sexy.) 2. I have no sense of style whatsoever (One of my guy buddies was entirely too amused Friday night when he discovered that my "leather jacket" was actually made out of polyurethane. Yay condoms!) 3. I probably shop more for theme parties than for normal clothes. (I'm gonna be the creepy teacher the day before break in a Santa suit. The kids will love it, or I will beat the crap out of them. Just kidding. About the Santa part, of course.) In other words, I am the perfect target customer for Goodwill. An entire store of hideous garments and ostentatious accessories, thrown out during some lucky soul's spring cleaning spree. And they all give off a particularly musty odor that is generally only reserved for your grandma's basement. Delicious. I've come to this location a number of times, but always to drop stuff off. When I made the jump to the city back in August, I brought all my crap here. My sincerest hope is that someone is making use of the leopard print capris from junior year of high school I finally decided to part with. Looking for ugly Christmas sweaters today, however, I was a bit disappointed. Crap everywhere, but nothing seasonal, and nothing that I haven't seen my coworkers wear to the faculty happy hour before. Luckily, I was able to swoop up a couple of items that worn together would make even Megan Fox untouchable. I especially enjoyed going up to the register, showing the woman my turtleneck-colorblock-shoulderpad sweater and asking, "Do you think this sweater is ugly?" Her response: "Oh honey, don't worry. It's totally cute! I have one like it at home!" :| read more

I love this place. It has a parking lot as well as easy street parking Clean! TONS of clothes! The staff is always sweet and friendly. I did get a couple of cotton tops and a tank top to wear under one or more of my shirts that have the plunging neckline.....yes, I am so demure, I don't like my chest and boobs being exposed to the Universe.....a lifelong dilema There are endless racks of clothing, arranged by type and color. Unfortunately not by size There were easily 200-300 tank tops to choose from. As well as hundreds of pants, shorts, nightgowns, skirts, tee shirts, sweaters, jackets, shoes, purses, etc. One (actually I) could easily spend hours there. But since I went with the hubby who mainly focuses on the books, he was ready to go after ten minutes. I did pass up the cute Hello Kitty pajamas since I never wear pj's anymore, I also passed up a really cute wool cardigan with sweet little flowers on it. I rushed by the kitchenware and knick knack sections but there was plenty of stuff. So I was proud that I did show some restraint. Every time I buy a "new" article of clothing I try to purge an article of clothing and put it in a bag for the Rescue Mission. But somehow I have not been following this plan very well. So if you find yourself with excess energy, patience and time, check out this Goodwill---I guarantee you'll find something you like. read more

The inside of the store has undergone a very dramatic change, in that everything is much neater.

I called the Broadway store in Oakland asking about taking my donations there. Lots of really good quality stuff, most still in brand new condition. They told me they are overwhelmed and to just drop it off at the North Oakland store on San Pablo. So I called the San Pablo store, they told me Broadway doesn't say that and they can only take good quality donations, I explained mine were brand new I just moved and can't use it. So they told me well they can only have good quality and Broadway can't say that so to take it to International. Uh, I'm trying to donate brand new items and 2 Goodwill stores are discouraging. It's so much easier to throw this stuff away. read more

This review is for accepting donations. I was actually just looking up their hours and was shocked at all the bad reviews. So now I have to give my two cents. I've donated the occasional spring cleaning box here over the last five+ years. It's always been quick and easy. However, I'm currently in the process of moving and have made 3-4 drop offs over the last month. I always ask for my bags/boxes back and they are 100% prepared for that. The last drop off was an entire trunk full. Before I could even ask, a very polite, friendly guy came out with a big canvas dumpster thing on wheels. I got my receipt and was on my way in under 5 minutes. I could go to closer Goodwill stores but the parking lot at this one is just too convenient. So there. read more

I do love a thrift store, and this is a pretty good one. Plenty of parking, place is nice and clean, and has a HUGE selection. We came here today on a mission - to get some jars and canisters that we could use for my ever growing collection of bulk foods since I'm tired of keeping them in the plastic bags. Unfortunately, they didn't have any that fit my specs, but that didn't stop me from getting some crazy old cookbooks - my other passion. "Cooking with the Chippendale Dancers", anyone? Yep, I've got it now, thanks to Goodwill. Oh, and a paperback copy of "Napkin Folding - Ins and Outs" circa 1970. And a nice gingham apron so I can cook up my Chippendale recipes in style! read more

You ever have one of those shopping experiences where you can FEEL the article of clothing that you need calling out to you? I just experienced that a few moments ago on my mission to find an ugly Christmas sweater. I picked up one sweater that looked like it had snowflakes all over, but it just wasn't ugly enough. Then I found this Halloween turtleneck covered in Jack-O-Lanterns and thought it might be appropriate for me to bring the 2 holidays together; kinda like Jack Skellington. But, I wasn't totally sold on that idea. I was still feeling my destiny meter pulsating within and then it hit me. BAM! A fire engine red, oversized sweater with an atrocious design. It's like nothing I'd ever wear & perfectly equipped for my holiday party needs. So, in terms of finding crap that you need, Goodwill probably has what you need. But the bitches that work here are there to remind you that you're in the land of unwanted items & they will treat you accordingly. I got mad attitude from the fancy black bitch at the register today, but I guess that is to be expected if you're surrounded by crap all day long & your only scenery to gaze out on are hookers and bums wandering up and down San Pablo. Sucks to be her :) read more

This is a fantastic Goodwill location. The management seems to have worked hard on achieving flawless customer service because every level of employee from Brad accepting donations outside to the folks working the floor are friendly and helpful. Thanks for doing the hard work and providing an excellent customer experience! read more

I loathe, with that deep abhorrence that one usually reserves for a sadistic prison guard or the Other Woman, department stores that sort clothes by brand rather than type of apparel. When I want a black long-sleeved cotton jersey, I don't want to wander through INC or DKNY or whatever brand initializations. I want the BLACK section or the PANT section. I inherited that classification mindset from my dad (who was trained as a chemist), and this intolerance from my mother (who was, um, kind of short tempered). Like all Goodwills, the Emeryville locale followed this natural sorting. It had already boasted a couple of pluses -- perennial parking spaces in the attached lot, and a final destination for unsold Target goods. Now with its recent remodel, this store is bright and well-stocked. Thankfully, lack of ambition means no career clothes for me, but I noted many opportunities for a professional look should I ever decide to venture that way. My best find (pre-remodel): a Lemonfish laptop bag for under $5, brand new. There is more variety now, but I chanced across this bag after a long search for the ideal computer carrier: three options for carrying (long strap, backpack straps, and handle), vertical rectangle, and happy colors. I looked it up and found it's a German designer label called a 4-in-1 bag, and retails for 99 Euros. Come for the hunt. Stay for the classification. read more

This used to be great a year ago, but they don't accept any donations and the shelves are super empty. Maybe they're winding it down to close it out? I see tons of stuff on the curb in this neighborhood, people definitely have nice items to donate but nowhere to give it to. read more

made two visits and both times the staff was rude af! visit 1- it was 4.55 pm, parked my car outside rhe donation center and went up to the two employees standing there and asked if this is the place i leave my stuff. the guy replied: didnt you hear what i told the lady who came just before you . i was like - no i just came how would i know. he was like its 5 we are closed. i said okay ll come back tomorrow. next day visit - same guy on the donation center- it was around 1ish pm. i asked if its okay to bring the bag of items. he replies no, donation center is closed (pointing me to flimsy hand written card board sign 20 meters away from donation center entry. i was like may i know the reason for closing the donation center at 1. the guy was passive aggressive and replied i have a lot of stuff to sort before i take more donations. all this while i felt donations should not have been this hard. not going back to this location ever again !! read more

Literally always leave with something or a nice gem, this goodwill is the best within my Vicinity thank god!! The staff is respectful and nice everytime, the clothes are always different each time, decently clean, nothing to crazy but yeah I would give it a try and see how you like it, has everything you need ! read more

This place really sucks for donations. I went through the hassle of getting a friend to drive me here (since I'm carfree and getting ready to move to the city). I had four small (produce size) boxes with clothes and books that were in great shape, but I don't have room for. After giving them a two boxes and starting to move the third, they complained that they don't accept large donations and wouldn't take the last box. They said I had to go to International blvd location if I had more than a box or couple small bags. None of this was shown on their web site, and I even called ahead before going to make sure I could donate there. I thought the point was that it was supposed to be convenient to donate and they had trucks to redistribute donations to the stores that need more. I can see not taking furniture or large items at some locations, but this was nothing big like that. Beware of this Goodwill. I've never had this kind of problem at any other Goodwill (including San Francisco or Berkeley), so you might not want to bother with this one. read more

I have to say I both marginally like and dislike this place. My problem is that I when I buy anything from here, its really nothing more than more stuff that I want to give away once again. It is however a five star place to drop your stuff you don't want. read more

If you live in the neighborhood and visit this place regularly, you'll notice a few things: * The stock generally doesn't move that quickly * The stock generally is "grossly" overpriced for a goodwill - misc piece of a coffee machine = $6, white button down shirt with stains = $6, ugly turquoise sweater/relic = $10, a tape deck (aka obsolete technology) = $25 ... you're probably getting the picture * The stock is horrifically boring - mostly just plain old boretastic household goods and everything that you'd hope to find at a JC Penny or Mervyns in about 1988. Seriously, I go to the Goodwill on Haight Street and the selection is at least interesting, and common household items are priced to move. I think this other Goodwill just kills their repeat business by smoking way too much crack when they're pricing the items. read more

The parking lot clinched it for me as the one to try out. Lugging bags to Crossroads Trading on College and then back to my car really sucks and I didn't want to repeat the experience. Super easy drop-off with helpful attendants. There were three guys there who helped me carry bags from my car and gave me a tax receipt. It wasn't a stellar customer service experience, but I don't need a big smile or a great anecdote - just a successful, quick, and simple drop-off. If I ever have a crapload of stuff to donate again, this will be my first stop. Also, shopping tip - women with size 5 feet or a desire for a cute dress or good work pants in any size should go to this location to pick up the clothes I dropped off! They're the result of a clothing swap I did with my friends and unfortunately a lot of the really cute stuff didn't find homes. Your lucky day! read more

Not much in the way of household items but I found some hella good clothing items and the staff were very friendly. Get your Macklemore and Lewis on and check 'em out. read more

I had a completely fine, satisfactory experience here. The staff was very helpful and friendly, though we didn't really need help finding anything, and the store was large and well organized. They had some fun sweaters---I bet they get really good in the winter months. I can't speak to the availability or lack of parking, because I arrived on foot. There is a McDonald's right across the street if you want to make it a $10 day or less, and a pentacostal church down the street if you want to repent of going to McDonald's afterwards. Good luck with the thrifting! read more

I've gotten curtains for my bedroom window (awesome high quality lined panels) and 2 cute purses here. I have never bought clothing here although i have tried clothing on here. A few times something was cute until I realized it was dirty, had a stain, or had that dreadful armpit smell that the shirts at thrift stores like Goodwill sometimes do. Seriously people - if you are going to donate your clothing - make sure that someone would actually wear it first. If it is stained, smelly, worn/faded, torn, ripped, etc please just throw it out... or cut out a cute piece for a quilt or something and then throw it out. No one wants your old stuff that is in bad condition. That said this Goodwill has a large selection of clothing that can be fun to look through. I think it's cool that this Goodwill and others in the area sell returns, etc from Target, but I don't understand the high pricing on said items. Would it hurt them to drop down the prices a few dollars? read more

Clean. Great selection. Organized. Always great service. They have books, lots of kitchenware, furniture, decorations and of course shoes and clothes. If you drop off donations there they are super friendly. read more

Depends what you're looking for. Like all thrift stores, it's hit or miss BUT they do have a well curated selection of kitchen items and homewares and that's what I tend to be on the hunt for. They also occasionally have some really nice planters and some funky but fun art. read more

Time for an update. Yesterday I found a Breville Conical Burr Coffee Grinder in pristine condition for $19.99. Amazon's price? $171. It's an older model but it is still being sold new for that kind of price and it works great. Over the last few years I've scored lots of similar treasures. The employees are always friendly and helpful and for the most part the store is kept well-organized. They don't have the largest selection of small appliances, but what they do have is usually in really good shape. Tons of clothing and a fair amount of shoes. And 400 glass vases. I don't know why anyone would ever buy a new glass vase - ever. As with any thrift store, the key is returning on a consistent basis to find your treasures. read more

Had 3 bags of clean folded women't clothing to donate today. A few pair of shoes included. #1 - the female staff was surly. #2 - I was told there was a one bag limit (no limit listed on website). #3 - the shoes were rejected and set aside for me to figure out how to bundle them up to return to my car without a bag. This is by far the most unfriendly experience I have ever had making a donation. If you are going to act like one of the clothing buy back stores and sort and judge everything then you should tell people. At least those stores tell you right up front that they may accept or reject your items. read more

I really love thrift stores, really. However, recently my local University Avenue store closed and I was at a loss. Where to run for a I-need-a top/vase/picture frame-right-now? Where to donate post garage sale? Thankfully, this little gem is right across the Berkeley border. An excellent parking lot, great donation hours, and a medley of wonderful thrift store finds abound! Most recently I took my mom's Oldsmobile wagon full of post-yard sale donations for a Sunday morning drop off and was delighted to find every item accepted---yes, this is a shock because my alternate neighborhood thrift store Out of the Closet is so small it has to be uber picky---this Goodwill took it all---with the exception of my cousin's Torso Track. (But, to be honest we as a family have tried to sell the Torso Track at two yard sales, donate it to the White Elephant Sale, and left it on our Berkeley curb without success. So, I can't hate it was not taken!) Give this store a try if you are nearby, enjoy a good parking lot, or have a large donation! read more

This Goodwill location is the absolute WORST! Half the time they are not accepting donations. When they do accept donations they act like you are bothering them. The whole crew is rude and unfriendly. Location-wise, there is always garbage strewn around the parking lot, and the surrounding sidewalks - I feel bad for the folks who live in the neighborhood and have to deal with all of the dumped mattresses and useless appliances left on the street. This store is a trash dump!! Avoid! Not only is everyone rude, the stuff is way over-priced!! You can buy NEW, cheaper stuff at Target!!! read more

I had some items to drop off and donate. I found the donation process seamless. The intake guy did tell me to park first. Inside this location items are are arranged into sections and clearly labeled like: electronics, furniture. I don't normally bother with looking for used clothing at a Goodwill because I like vintage dresses and outfits and that type of clothing is not available. read more

I go to this Goodwill the most because it's closest to where I currently live... I've been going a lot more often now ever since I started being on a major budget, and started an obsessive hunt for cheap bikes to fix . For me, it has been kind of hit or miss.. The first time I came here I found an green awesome Banana Republic skirt in great condition for $4.. I love that skirt, it's one of my favorites.. .Ever since I haven't been able to find anything else that I like as much but I still like to come here and I still find interesting neat stuff. I with I bought the box of brand new Ikea wine glasses. My friend found some child's donated clay sculpture art project.. how sad.. lol. You can usually find stuff you want if you really devote yourself to searching the racks. The staff has always been nice the times I was there. It's also super easy to donate stuff, just bring it to the back. read more

I'm a Goodwill fiend! So when I walked into this place and saw how big and bustling it was, I knew I was in for a treat. I came looking for work slacks and found so much more. There is a lot to go through and very little organization (racks upon racks of pants with no size, material, or color organization, oh well) but the things you'll find can be really amazing. There are things that look hardly worn, that have tags on them, and are designer brands for so cheap! The staff was polite and doing their best to tackle a very long checkout line. Even the other patrons were so nice - I was trying on some sandals and a woman complimented me on them and insisted I buy them. People also were polite and respectful when it came to the fitting rooms - there are only two and they aren't staffed but no one cut in line or was impatient. I would love to see more fitting rooms or at least more mirrors around the place for trying on sweaters/jackets/shoes, etc. I will say though, the Goodwill in Santa Barbara has NO fitting rooms so I'm grateful for the two here. There's a huge home goods and dishware/glassware section I didn't even touch on but looked great and will be picked through in the future. I ended up getting 3 pairs of pants, 7 tops/sweaters, a purse and a pair of Donald J Pliner leather sandals for a total of $44 after the sale. What a come up! This Goodwill has got it goin' on. read more

I haven't done much shopping here yet, but they have a decent book section and I've found a few golden nuggets in there for quite a deal. The store is nice and open - you can easily see what the general sections are, and I like that the clothes are organized both by color and type and someday I'll get around to looking through it. read more

This is a great Goodwill. I can always find something I want if I set my mind to looking through every single rack. In fact, just yesterday, I found a super cute retro-looking Angie cord blazer in perfect condition for 5 bucks. It's not just a place for clothes, but there are also racks of books and records that hold a treasure or two, shoes, dishes, and kick knacks up the wazoo. Every now and then you can find a kick ass piece of cheap furniture, too. Your basic Goodwill good for your thrift store junky yearnings. read more

I've tried to donate here a number of times and almost every time there's a problem. I have too much of an item (clothes, media, housewares). They already have too much of an item I'm trying to donate. Or the truck is there and they won't accept any items. I've had this happen on different days and times. Here's an idea: Have your trucks come consistently during the same windows and then exclude those hours from your posted drop off times. And provide some way for people to view what you will and won't accept at any given time. All this might be okay if the staff were remotely friendly. But like others have posted, I feel like I'm being interrogated half the time. read more

This is a great thrift store. They have: * parking lot * soul music * merino wool sweaters * that bland Ann Taylor outfit you need to wear to a job interview but don't want to spend money on * that red brocade chinese coat someone bought in China town ten years ago * ski pants read more

The person working there was not helpful at all. They just told me that everything was in their respective categories. They seemed understaff too. read more

It used to be quick and easy to drop off donations at this Goodwill, but I've tried twice this week and both times the workers handling donations were rude and hostile. If they can't accept donations, then they can't, but you'd have thought I was trying to steal something by how they reacted! read more

Run! Do not donate here. The people hustle you and treat you like you are working for them, which in a way you are if you are donating to a for-profit company... They immediately start telling you what to do once you get there and are incredibly mean to you, without even a thank you or a hi. Horrible customer service! Don't waste your time and donate somewhere else. If you do donate, expect to be treated like trash. read more

If Goodwill is overwhelmed then let the public know !!! I am getting frustrated with being told about yet another restriction on donations whenever I go there. Yesterday I was told they no longer accept blankets (?!!) and that they now have a "4 bag rule" - only 4 bags of donations will be accepted. read more

Moron at the donation area outside. Misidentifying things. Takes linen tablecloths and napkins but identifies other tablecloths as fabric. Argues that fence stakes are a bed frame. "He's just doing his job." Taking the rest of my donations elsewhere. I understand they don't take everything but don't give me arbitrary rules or tell me incorrectly what things are. read more

Had an excellent experience while looking for stuff here. Most Goodwills in the Bay Area suck, but this one is a gem. Gigi made the experience even better by helping me find what I needed and telling me when to come by to find more. I will definitely be back every few weeks to check out the new merchandise. Thumbs up all the way around! read more

Cameon here looking fir info on donating hour. I Shopped here 3 times this past week to help a recent mover get cozier. Found some great merchandise at good prices, which doesn't make sense considering the comments about donating. Nice staff, and pleasant conversation in the aisles. Never know what you'll find when. Hoping to do a drop off this week. read more