Goodwill's Second Chance Outlet opens, offering pay-by-pound deals

Goodwill Industries of Tulsa is expanding how it keeps donated goods out of landfills and in the hands of customers, with a new kind of shopping experience. The Second Chance Outlet, located on Southwest Boulevard, opened its doors Thursday, drawing bargain hunters from across northeast Oklahoma and beyond.

Unlike traditional thrift stores, this outlet doesn’t price items individually. Instead, shoppers dig through large bins filled with merchandise and pay by the pound.

Previous story: Goodwill Plans New Outlet Store to Handle More Donations

How the Outlet Works

Inside the store, rows of massive bins are loaded with unsold items from other Goodwill locations — everything from clothing and shoes to home goods and electronics. Staff rotate inventory throughout the day, creating a fast-paced treasure hunt for shoppers.

Related: What to Know About Goodwill's Second Chance Outlet

The outlet sells items in bulk by weight. This model is known among thrifting enthusiasts as “the bins,” and it's a popular format in other cities.

Why the Pay-by-Pound Model Matters

Michael Genay, the Second Chance Outlet store manager, said the pricing model is both fun and cost-effective for shoppers. It also encourages frequent visits, as inventory changes hourly.

“We're going to have this floor packed with product right when the doors open and you're going to see it's a different shopping experience, but it's a lot of fun as well,” Genay said. “That’s kind of the goal here — for the customer and the employees to all have fun. It's going to be a good thing for the Tulsa community.”

Reducing Waste and Supporting Programs

The outlet’s mission goes beyond low-cost shopping. Rodney Carroll, Vice President of Operations for Goodwill Tulsa, said the Second Chance Outlet plays a key role in reducing landfill waste and stretching the value of every donation.

“This is an opportunity to sell them, number one, at a discounted rate, which is good for the community, but also for us to reduce what we send to a landfill,” Carroll said. “It’s a third opportunity to maximize potential on the dollars that we can get out of the value of a donation to put back into our programs.”

Revenue from purchases helps fund Goodwill Tulsa’s job training, employment services, and other community programs.

Hours and Location

The Goodwill Second Chance Outlet is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is located next to the Goodwill Tulsa Headquarters at 2800 Southwest Boulevard, Tulsa.