On the other hand, I'm decreasing by carbon footprint by not buying new items. So there poor people!

No, not if you're buying them because they are unique, and probably something you'd have a hard time finding new. Your tastes probably differ, as well. And YES, it is more eco, though I buy enough new and old to discredit that particular case, for myself.

Besides, half the people who buy up the cool stuff are likely to turn around and sell it on ebay anyways. At least you really love what you're buying and will use it yourself.

I don't see how it is a dick move to shop at the goodwill. There is no law against shopping there if you have a higher income.
If you were getting food boxes from a food bank when you could afford groceries, then THAT would be a dick move.

If you want to be noble, buy a lot of stuff at Goodwill and then donate it back when it would otherwise start just languish in your closet. (And pay cash, which saves them credit-card fees.)

Don't forget Salvation Army. They have excellent stuff, too.

why should poor people get all the good deals?

The goodwill uses the proceeds to run their career center and other community based programs, so it's like you're giving them money. Especially if you're buying "newer" stock. I don't know how it works where you live, but here in ATL all the goodwill stores have colour of the week, and that colour is on sale (usually 25-50% off), so if you're mostly staying away from that type of merchandise, I reckon you're not doing the poor any disservice.

As for the Salvation Army - I used to shop there all the time, but then when a gay couple I know fell on hard times, the Salvation Army refused to help them because of their homosexuality... so I no longer support them. I know they're a xtian organization and have a right to turn away anyone they like, but it doesn't mean that I have to support their biases.

Is someone a dick if they buy furniture for a bargain on Craigslist? I think not. It's pretty much the same at shopping thrift.

I shop at Goodwill a lot. I also donate to Goodwill a lot. I wish more people did this & I wish there were more clothing shops that offered used goods and/or some other type of exchange program.

*same as

I'm more curious about the role of Tragedy of Commons. If all of us yuppie folks from Pacific Heights descend among the working class/public housing district of Western Addition and shop at their Goodwill, this will obviously have an impact among the residents there.

I find it analogous to me moving to an apartment in the Mission, which inherently raises the rent for the immigrant working class there and gentrifying it with overpriced coffee shops, trendy/hipster restaurants, and art galleries.

I'm still pondering over the moral implications of this. At the least, it is an interesting mind experience...at worst, it just makes me hyperaware and overly sensitive.