Things Things and More Things

The Goodwill Outlet is an amazing place for people when money is tight and also a great thrift store..er..warehouse..for those who love unique clothes and things. I have been going there for about 2 years now for little treasures and odds and ends, but the other day I decided to go there and look at it in a different way. I wanted to capture the unique and often very ridiculous atmosphere of "THE BINS". First of all, it is referred to as "THE BINS" because that's what it is..a warehouse full of bins which are full of things. Some bins are full entirely of shoes..other bins are full of clothes..others are full of child's toys or housewares. That is as organized as it is. Other than having things in their general piles it is just a mess of things, things, and more things. There are about 20 bins in the place and each bin is about 12ft by 4ft..about 1 1/2 feet deep. Then come the vultures..wait..I mean the people who go to the bins. Granted, some are peaceful and calmly look through each bin and mind their own business. I appreciate those people, but they obviously don't have the drive it takes to be a part of the chaotic bins competitive world. Yes..people are cut-throat. It is ridiculous. Hipsters from Capitol Hill who are buyers for stores like Red Light show up everyday of the week at 8:45 to make sure they are the first ones in the door at 9am. All the bins are fresh at 9am and it is prime feeding time for them. Then there are the older Asian ladies who are always there just for the shoes. They are not at all picky either..they fill shopping cart after shopping cart with all the shoes that are put out. There is grabbing, there is pushing and shoving. Everyone wants what everyone else has got. Everyone wants that same leather jacket or shiny purse. It's a fight to the death. One time I was at THE BINS and almost got tricked by a hipster guy into giving up a great find. They lie they cheat. It's wrong and funny and ridiculous and very entertaining and exciting in a weird way. I love it and can't believe I engage in it at the same time. Always a good time at THE BINS! I have seen people almost get in fist fights about articles of clothing. There are also electronics off to the side..when these are brought out so are people's claws. It gets ugly at the bins. I had to blog about it. It is one of the most interesting people watching experiences as well as aerobic thifting experiences one can have. People have shopping carts and pile things into them to sort through later. Once the hipsters have sufficiently picked through the bins they wait off to the sides and talk amongst themselves until an old bin is switched out for a new one. Oh yes, bins are constantly switched out throughout the day. This is the most vicious time, when a picked-through bin is traded for a brand new bin of things from the back room. Everyone must wait with their hands behind their back until the switch is done..to be fair. Then we are unleashed and clothes fly in the air as people throw their backs into the treasure hunting.

THE BINS bring out the worst in people. But if you can't beat 'em join 'em, right?!