New Jersey's thrifters have one primary Goodwill outlet to raid: the South Hackensack location in North Jersey. It's a fairly large facility where you'll find rows of giant bins and tables piled high with clothes, shoes, books, and random household items – all priced by the pound at this Goodwill bins location. Despite being just across the river from New York City, the vibe here is more relaxed than the Queens outlet, but don't mistake that for lack of competition. Jersey regulars at the Goodwill outlet (including plenty of seasoned eBay and Depop resellers) are quick on their feet when fresh bins arrive, and some have strategies like posting up at a favorite spot on the floor. For newcomers to the Goodwill bins: yes, it can look chaotic, but just jump in politely and you'll be fine. Bring gloves (bin merchandise can be dusty or have sharp bits) and wear comfy shoes – you'll be on your feet shuffling through piles of stuff at the Goodwill outlet. Carts are in demand, so snag one early or come with big bags to the Goodwill bins. The crowd is pretty diverse, and you're likely to overhear a little friendly trash-talk about the Giants vs. Jets or some Jersey diner recommendation between rounds of digging. If you want to avoid the most hectic times at the Goodwill outlet, mid-afternoon can be a bit calmer than the morning rush. And if South Hackensack doesn't yield gold on a given day, take heart that new goods arrive regularly at the Goodwill bins. Your next trip might uncover that vintage varsity jacket or designer purse that someone else overlooked.
