Goodwill of Central Iowa

Nicole Saleh

2024-04

This poor location has struggled hard the last few years. I get it. Labor shortages for entry level jobs in WDSM are bad — rent is higher in West Des Moines than the other suburbs, but you can make the same wages in the other ones. They had their fitting rooms closed here long after the pandemic because they didn’t have the staffing to attend to them properly. They’ve had long checkout lines at times because they just didn’t have the staffing. I honestly felt bad for the employees that were working because they looked exhausted.What I don’t really understand is the pricing at this location. Framed art here is like $20. Many of the smaller frames (even empty) were also pretty pricy — sometimes double what you’d pay across town at the other location. What furniture they do get is also overpriced compared to other Goodwill stores, despite being rather beat up. The clothing and books tend to be priced okay, just the home items.They only accept donations Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 9 am - 7 pm. If you want to drop off anything on a Saturday, the closest location is in Waukee.

Sarah W

2024-01

Not a huge fan of this location. Items were meh, but mostly it was the customer service for me. I had a couple of things picked out and followed the sign instructions to “Please ask an associate to let you into the fitting room”. The person I asked dismissed me and said that I “had to ask someone working up front”. The problem is there were only two people working up front with a long line of customers building up and waiting to check out. They were in no state to be asked for a dressing room key. I even stood by the dressing rooms trying to drop a hint — but I was ignored. There were other customers in my position as well trying to get someone to let them in. Essentially, we were expected to wait in line to get to an associate to ask for a dressing room key (which is not okay — that line was winding around the store). I put my things on a random rack and walked out so I didn’t have more of my time wasted.

Robert Hensley

2023-12

Pretty good location to drop off unneeded items. Very convenient and fast drive through drop off. However, in terms of the shopping experience, it's pretty average. Selection is alright, and the walking space feels a bit too tight. Overall a pretty alright Goodwill.

Whitney White

2023-06

My husband took a book shelf, a nice couch and recliner and they refused them because they were "dirty"! The dirt he was referring to was from storage and could have been vacuumed off. The "dirt" on the bookshelf was dust. This store is more worried about catering to people who have money instead of catering to those who can't afford to pay a lot of money for things. We set everything out beside our driveway and most of it is already gone, which means it was good stuff. Their loss, I guess!

Amaiya Thompson

2023-05

You can really tell that the workers are treated by so rudely and it makes it seem like a hostile environment to be in. Y'all go to change the way you’re running the store or fire who’s in charge. It’s not comfortable for the customers and I bet it’s affecting the employees as well. Would not recommend this location specifically, especially if you want to work here. I have also heard from fellow friends who have worked at a goodwill and they have just been broken down. Definitely a toxic environment!

Sophie 2003

2023-05

Good News! This store has seen much improvement recently. I’ve noticed more merchandise on the shelves and more nice and clean items the past 2-3 trips. It’s more like how I remember shopping at Goodwill used to be. They have started a fabulous new pricing system without so many hard to remove stickers. Prices seem better possibly, too. The manager shared a new policy where all new donations make it to the floor in record time- maybe 24 hours?? So I’m changing my review from 2 to 4 stars. :)Old review: The merchandise is generally very poor. I donate nice things and see a lot of nice things being donated but the nice things don’t seem to make it onto the store shelves. I’ve tried this location many times and it generally disappoints.

Jason White

2023-05

Great place for deals, it's always a treasure hunt

Shelli Hayes

2023-05

We attempted to buy an item that was already sold. The clerk unfortunately didn't see that the bottom portion of the tag had previously been torn off. She had to call a manager to fix the transaction. He was rude and condescending to the clerk and told her she shouldn't have rung it up anyway. She apologized and said she didn't see that the bottom portion was missing. He said it's a good thing we didn't get the item out the door or the clerk would have been in the office "getting a talking to". Good thing jobs are a dime dozen... That clerk should find a different one. No need to talk to staff like that in front of customers. We felt bad for her.

Peggy Manns (Peg)

2022-05

They have great clothes I always find what I need. But why oh WHY do they never have more than one cashier at a time?? Alot of times I need to get in and get out but the line to pay is a block long and no one willing or able to jump in and help out. If you're training these people to get a job then train them to actually be helpful.

Sara Geiger

2021-05

I liked my visit there until the lady working the register yelled at the little girl in front of me all because she rang the bell. She's a little kid, calm down. Then complaining to a customer that she didn't have enough help. Then I was in the middle of adjusting my mask, away from people and by the exit, because it was slipping and she goes to say "you need to be wearing your mask, nose covered no exceptions." In a very rude tone. 1) i was adjusting it. 2) you could've asked nicely. All while another employee was wearing his mask under his nose. My visit was November 7th at 230pm.

Maddox Bago

2021-05

About 2 years ago I gave this place a 5 star rating. Now I wish I could give a 0 star rating. The employees are rude And pay 0 attention to the customers. The prices have skyrocketed and most of the prices are way higher then what the product is worth. This one sells Dollar Tree merchandise for 3 and 4 dollars. The people at the donation doors don't even greet you anymore simply push a tub out and ragged back in when there done.

Kelly Whitfield

2016-05

Worst shopping experience I've had in a long time. The employees were extremely rude and unhelpful. Prices were not clear. There was a "sale" going on and signs were everywhere that said "pink tags 50% off!" so I was under the impression that this meant every pink tagged item was on sale. After I checked out and paid, I was unhappy about how much everything cost, my pink tagged items did not ring up at 50% off. An employee pointed out to me that the sale was only for pink tagged home items or something like that. It said this on the signs, but in tiny letters that you can barely see. I will never return to this goodwill again. Every time I tried to approach an employee they either straight up ignored me or acted annoyed with my questions, as if they had something better to do than THEIR JOB. I love goodwill and shop at the location on Valley West weekly, but I was disgusted with the way I was treated today at the Mills Civic location. I would give it zero stars if I could. I would not recommend wasting your time in this place.

Edward Wollner

2019-05

Not the best selection of hand me downs. I went there for random clothes to workout in and was not impressed with any of the assortment.

Mason Powers

2021-05

Terrible experience, I will never donate again to your organization. Employee working extremely rude. He was willing to let me leave without donating because I didn’t have a mask on (outside!). I am telling everyone I know never to donate to the organization. It’s unbelievable that someone wanting to give free stuff is turned away. It was as if they were somehow doing me a favor for taking my donations. I will be donating to other organizations that appreciate their donors.

Jeff Mathias

2023-05

Occasionally drop donations here. Staff are consistently rude, inattentive, refused clothes & shoes donation. The drive through drop off is convenient but don’t expect anything resembling courtesy or appreciation.

Lisa M

2023-10

Prices are ok. Very limited hours makes it difficult shop there.

Alicia Chieh

2021-05

This Goodwill acts like they are too good to take your things. They didn't want a desk keyboard attachment because they wanted the whole desk too. Are you kidding?! Out of all Goodwills I have ever been too, this one is the snobbiest and rudest of them all. Donate elsewhere!

Steven King

2022-05

Normally I like to give good reviews to the places that I go to but in this case I have to say that things were just a bit spendy in their store. I guess it all depends upon the area you are in and evidently the people in that area have more money to spend. But it's still a good cause.

Doreen Tackett

2019-05

I travel a lot and visit many Goodwill's along my travels, this store was large and clean, but i didn't see any color of the week deals... I have to admit the cashier was very friendly and professional.. great training!

Becky Watkins

2020-05

I found some clothes for my granddaughter but cashier wasn't very friendly and rang everything up red tag when in fact I had only 2 red tag 2 pink 2 green and 3 yellow. She just wanted to rush! RUDE

Al G (MsAnthrope)

2018-05

This is a nicer kept GW since it is in an affluent part of the city. It is Well stocked and organized and very clean. Prices are a little higher than normal but you can find "nicer" donations due to it's location. I recommend this GW for treasure hunting.

Alek Kocher

2020-05

Store was clean, but the process of putting something on “hold” was confusing. There was the paper saying the price of a certain item, but apparently someone had it on hold but did not purchase it. If it is on hold, why keep it on the floor? The front was also understaffed, long wait.

Melissa Dally

2022-05

I was there with my daughter Friday. We were very pleased with the selection, organization, and cleanliness. The staff was all super friendly and helpful. Will be back!

Mary Elliott

2018-05

Not great but occasionally a good find. Found some great kids toys and clothing here before but usually we just do a quick walk through and walk out empty handed. Prices are great!!!

Heather Hyatt

2019-05

We have donated a lot to this particular Goodwill due to its proximity to our house. As a shopper, I have always found this location to be organized as much as a thrift shop can be. Service at the counter has always been friendly.

Armoniem Gugsa

2018-05

Very organized and neat interior. Great finds honestly. I actually ended up finding a real versace purse/tote after a lot of digging! Great store all together

Joshua Duggan

2022-05

Good store, I found a few pairs of dress shoes for six dollars each that were gently used and I’m really excited to wear them

Neil Raleigh

2018-05

Very low prices. I bought a few dress shirts and a pair of jeans for under $20. And some of them were name brand clothes, like Kenneth Cole and Vanheusen. Very underestimated place.

Kenneth Peterson

2018-05

I would like to recommend this place to everyone,the staff are friendly and helpful and the prices are reasonable and the cleanliness of the store is excellent, I enjoy watching the People, IOWA HAS A LOT OF NICE CARING PEOPLE,HOW COME IOWANS CARE FOR OTHERS OUTSIDERS AND FIGHT WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES,I BEEN HERE OVER 25 YEARS, I'M FROM BOSTON TRUE BOSTON HAS IT'S PROBLEMS THANK YOU FOR CARING

fyerfytr

2017-05

If you are a woman don't use the dressing rooms. Male staff like to walk in on you.BTW the door was locked and he used his keys to get his cheap thrills.