CathInfo.com

I knew someone who worked at Goodwill, and it was eye-opening.
Apparently they run it like a particularly greedy business or corporation.
We're talking "getting the average ticket up" like any average retail store. They actually brought in brand-new stuff that people could buy at full price, all to get that elusive "average receipt" (amount you spend) up.
They aren't a charity at all. They're a for-profit business whose business model is getting stuff for free, then selling it for top dollar.
And again, they want to maximize the value of their floor traffic by selling them ADDITIONAL stuff, stuff they had to go buy, just so they can make a bit more money.
They're as money grubbing as Wal-mart, Target, or any other business.
Goodwill cares about ONE thing: Money. End of list.

I think they actually prey on the poor, who often aren't good with money and don't always know the actual value of things.

We need some shorts for my 7 year old son. Guess how much they are at wal-mart? $8 for TWO. I bet the ones at Goodwill are at least $4 each. For used clothes!

It's simply not worth the (admittedly minor) social stigma of "shopping at goodwill" when you don't even save any money. Garage sales are great. I'm all about being frugal and thrifty (anyone who knows me at all would know this). When I see boxes of junk out by the street, I always stop and sift through it. I dumpster dive every chance I get.
But I'm not going to waste my time on vain adventures in frugality that are doomed from the outset.

Salvation Army thrift stores are true to their name in Canada.  Obviously if someone donates something very expensive it would be prudent on their part try to realize a reasonable $ value for it.  They also have vouchers for the homeless where they can take so much per month from the store at no cost, for example in winter they are allowed a coat and boots etc

Would it be stealing if you went into a Goodwill, filled a cart, dropped some cash of fair value for the items on the counter, and just walk out without getting the stuff rung up? It was donated to be sold cheap after all.

A court should rule that the prices they charge is criminal.

Yes, that is theft.