http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodwill_Industries. (Read the "Criticism" paragraph.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-h...b_1876905.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanada...abled-workers/

I don't think Goodwill is necessarily alone in overpaying executives, I couldn't find it when I Googled, but I remember a similar allegation made about the Thrift Store chain as well.

All of that said though, if you know how to refinish or repair furniture then dumpster diving, yard sales, curb finds, and the second hand stores are good sources for good, solid wood items. I put together two bed rooms and a living room for about $750 after I got out of the Army.