Salvation army rant

[tmlskk01]

I usually love going to my local salvation army. Over the years I've found great clothes, furniture etc. Lately though, I've been really disappointed with the way they're running things.

First problem, I often see the staff taking things straight from the donation bin and putting them under the counter to buy later. I know this is a big no no for them to do but yet I constantly see them doing it while Im there.

Second, I went in the other say because they were having a sale on active wear tops for 2.00 each. Now when I think active wear I think sporty tops, workout gear etc. Well I guess thier idea was long sleeved tops? and a couple hoodies. I found so many nice nike, reebok etc work out tanks priced between 3.99- 6.99 I asked in these were included in the sale and they said no because they were marked as tank tops..

Third, I often donate and I know its none of my business what they do with the stuff after I donate it BUT my salvation army had an auctio every month, basically they take about 25 of the best things donated and people can bis on them through out the month, im not a huge fan f it but again not a huge deal. I donated a little fake louis vuitton purse that I had piced up at a yard sale in florida nearly ten years ago, its clear that its not real but still a nice bag. I paid about 15 bucks for it. I went in the other day and there it was in the auction case with the minimun bid $60! I explained to the cashier that I donated the bag and it is fake and I didnt pay anywhere near that for it new. She didnt seem to care at all and acted as if I was trying to get it for cheap. I even told her about the big crusty nail glue stain inside and how it has a big hole in the lining..still didnt care. I donate my things so that others can enjoy having nice things without paying an arm and a leg so that really bothered me..

Maybe Im over reacting but I should probably take a break from shopping there.

[momof3heathens]

The problem is now with all those storage war type shows everyone thinks they are on expert on what is valuable and what isn't.

Once I saw a box grater at Sally Ann's for $24.99 simply because it looked old fashioned, lol.

[lghend]

Our Mission store puts things on an auction site as well. All the "good" stuff. It just ensures that most of us won't bother going into the store because we know anything good will already be pulled. I understand that they need to be self supportive but it feels wrong.

[DianneS]

Salvation Army thrift stores were sold to a private company a few years ago. SA gets part of the proceeds but the store is not what people think it is anymore....

[xox2010]

I didn't know that Dianne... I don't shop at SA because their stores tend to be disorganized and cluttered, but I get your frustration.

[Shwa Girl]

Salvation Army thrift stores were sold to a private company a few years ago. SA gets part of the proceeds but the store is not what people think it is anymore....

Oh no. I did not know this. Like OP, got some good deals a few years ago, but not so much recently.

[DianneS]

I read it in our local newspaper....can't find anything when I google though that is more recent than about 2010. I find SA thrift stores ridiculously expensive these days. Often you can buy new at the same prices.

[tmlskk01]

Salvation Army thrift stores were sold to a private company a few years ago. SA gets part of the proceeds but the store is not what people think it is anymore....

Explains why everything now seems much more pricey.

[Angela273]

Salvation Army thrift stores were sold to a private company a few years ago. SA gets part of the proceeds but the store is not what people think it is anymore....

I did not know this.

I know our local SA is quite overpriced. Some of the furniture and such is virtually the price you would pay at a regular store. I still shop there, but it's not what it used to be. Our location has signs up for the prices of clothing items instead of each item having a price tag (unless the put a higher price tag on specific items). I still shop there sometimes, but I usually only have luck picking up a few things for dh...not much else.

[Lyssia510]

The last time I went to SA the action window had over 10 year old Aldo purses starting at 30.00. Then I went to the purse aisle and found real coach bags(although the insides were full of holes, chewed up gum and who knows what else) for 6.99.
Second hand is getting really expensive and it's usually cheaper for clothing at least to buy new.

[momof3heathens]

chewed up gun .

Must be a good story behind that, lol. JK.

[tjthemanto]

Do they wash or clean clothes ..once peope donate them ?..ofcourse you are supposed to wash them once you buy them , but just wondering do they do any of these things ?

A co-worker of mine ,her father passed away. They just cleaned up his apartment , after the funeral.

They basically just went and donated all his used clothings and belongings to the SA store.

Now imagine someone wearing these clothes , jackets etc ..I guess it would be weird to wear a dead person's ( stranger ) clothes.

[mcon]

Salvation army and value village are too expensive for used things. (seen a pair of jeans with worn out spots for $18 when i could go buy them new for $25)
Langley B.C has penny pinchers and Bibles for missions thrift stores , which are a lot cheaper.

[DianneS]

I also like the MCC thrift stores....Mennonite Central Committee. They have great prices.

[Insane]

Mine is nothing like that. Ours is small. It was built as part of the men's shelter. It's run by volunteers. The clothes aren't individually priced. Baby clothes are 50c, kids clothes are $2 and adult clothes are $3.50. Half the stuff isn't even marked. They sell it for a couple of bucks. Coats and snowsuits vary by price, but even high end ones are under $10. It's great.