There's no Dominican equivalent to Goodwill, is there?

wondering9 · 2025-10-05T17:08:03+02:00

Find tips on disposing of unwanted clothes in the Dominican Republic, including flea market options and insights on local customs.

wondering9 Contributor

Member since 28 August 2023

wondering9Contributor05 October 2025 15:08:03

169

I'm wondering what the best way is to dispose of clothes in good condition that I don't need. I gather the used clothing market here is different and I don't want to put my foot in it. It's only a few items, but I am still travelng around and need to make every cubic inch count.

I was thinking of taking them to the flea market and just handing them to a random vendor; do you think they'd be offended? is there a better idea (that does not involve spending time chasing after charities that don't call me back)?

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert05 October 2025 18:26:55

17558

Take them to a local church, hospital or neighborhood association!聽 Donate them.聽 I have a few people I give things to who share them amongst their extended family!

wondering9 Contributor

Member since 28 August 2023

wondering9Contributor05 October 2025 18:51:28

169

I had read various places (on the ever-reliable Interwebs that there was a glut on used clothes and/or that donations interfered somehow with the second-hand clothes market. Not such a real issue then?

I tried one nonprofit last week and "my assistant will get back to you" never happened but I can def try others.

I did some hard-core downsizing before I left the States and am still surprised sometimes by what turns out to be useful and what not. My favorite keepers so far are a battery fan left over from car camping ("we don't have a generator; the power almost never goes out here") and a potato peeler that did double duty as a screwdriver ("oh, could I get that to you later?") when the front door knob got loose.

I went to the Pulga (flea market) in Puerto Plata last week and omg it is huge! A swap meet fan (which I am not really) could have a blast there.

Tippj Serial expat

Member since 12 February 2022

TippjSerial expat05 October 2025 22:10:03

592

@wondering9

Just give them to somebody walking by where you live鈥�. Try to size up the person and ask them if they want the clothes , a lot of times people can barter with them

SimCityAT Expert

Member since 08 April 2014

SimCityATExpertYesterday 04:04:49

12594

Take them to a local church, hospital or neighborhood association! Donate them. I have a few people I give things to who share them amongst their extended family! - @planner

The Church is always a good idea, and it doesn't matter if you're not religious. If they dont take them themselves, they will certainly know where to go, just like volunteering.

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wondering9 Contributor

Member since 28 August 2023

wondering9ContributorYesterday 19:59:47

169

My Airbnb host's cleaning lady can take them, which is a nice solution because it requires no further effort from me Thanks for all the great suggestions!

I did say this was a small # of items and y'all responded accordingly. Everyone probably already knows this but I'll mention it just in case: if you ever have a larger volume of stuff to give away, make sure the intended recipient wants it and has someplace to store it. Storage of in-kind donations is often a challenge (a worldwide, not DR-specific issue).

Thanks again!