The Salvation Army USA
reviews and complaints

The Salvation Army located at West 46th street- posted that all clothes blue color were 50% off but failed to provide any blue tagged items on the floor.

Additionally this SA location is filthy. The third floor is filthy, clothing is stained. Disorganized &!understaffed. Long wait times.

Staff is unhelpful & unfriendly. Manager said make complaint.

I am recently retired from 30 years of service with the Marine Corps and was taking a vacation to see family in South Bend Indiana. My family traveled from Okinawa Japan and were on a different time zone and my youngest 1 year old was sick. My 4 year old was just cranky and was testing my patience. On top of all this, the airlines lost our luggage. Needless to say, I was a little stressed. My wife decided to go into the Salvation Army located in South Bend Indiana for some clothes to hold us over. After shopping for more than clothes, she loves the prices, she took my oldest our to the DQ next door leaving m with my unhappy 1 year old. I had easier deployments than dealing with an upset one year old. As I checking out, an older gentlemen tells me to wait as he has a gift. He comes back with a stuffed wolf and gives it to my son. My sons eyes light up as he takes it and begins to hug it. I could have been to stess placed on me that day that took my manhood away and made me leave quickly in tears. I have no idea how to tell this gentleman how much his gift meant to my family. I only hope this somehow reaches him. From what I've seen, we as Americans seem to forget the positives of what the Salvation Army provides which is evident in the amount of complaints posted. I can only hope this non complaint helps to remind us of the good and may the man who made a child happy and his Marine father cry, you'll always be a fond memory in my families life.

On 6-16-2018 I was in the elkhart, indiana store on cassopoliss street. There were signs in the windows and signs posted in store advertising 50% off all clothing fourth of july style celebtation. There was also another sign stating 50% off all tan tags. When I went to check out with bertha, the store manager, I said all clothing is 50% off right? She said no, only the fourth of july as the sign says. The sign did not state fourth of july only. Today I called and asked to speak to a store manager at the same location. Bertha was put on the phone and I told her the sign was very misleading. She was indignant and told me that it was me that had misread the sign. And it was not misleading. She was forceful in telling me that the sign did not have to say the fourth of july only, that it only had to say fourth of july. I told her it was misleading in the fact it didn't say that specific day only and that it implied to me that clothing was half off in order for people to buy clothing in advance of the holiday to have a prepared wardrobe. She was adamant yelling at me that I was wrong in reading it the way I did. She was very unprofessional in the way she spoke to me and I hung up because of her attitude and lack of customer service. I'm disabled and have to shop second hand stores due to my income. I thought the salvation army was suppose to aid the disabled; not treat them like they are degenerates lacking in education and common sense like bertha did to me.

I was at the Mckeesport Salvation Army and seen an employee. Just bad language and say racist things about an African American woman. I am a white gentleman but I took offense to that. This gentleman had a disagreement with lady and said it after she left. Cause she said she wanted his supervisor name. He refused that. Atho this had nothing to do with me. It was unacceptable behavior !

good afternoon, to whom this may concern.
on 6/4/2018 my client contacted the salvation army to come to Sharyland Storage located at 2018 E. Business Hwy 83 in Mission, TX. That coming Saturday 6/9/2018 Kevin did show up as expected. Now the only problem we have is that Kevin only took a few boxes after he looked through the whole unit yet proceeded to state he'd be back on Monday 6/11/2018 since he had a few more places to pick up things from. understandable except for the fact Mike did NOT show up on Monday. Now I understand you might have other calls but someone took the time to donate all their belongings and it is not right for you to just pick and choose what you think is valuable.

On 09 June 2018, I bought a sofa from the Salvation Army store at 10203 West Loop 1604 N, San Antonio, Texas. The final price of the sofa was $154.25.

I explained upon it's purchase to the store manager that I wouldn't be able to pick it up from his store until the following Saturday, 16 June. He said he would do me a favor and waive the 'Hold' policy until that date.

Yesterday, 13 June, we were informed by our landlord that our future rental situation would change which means we will no longer have any place to put the same sofa we'd just purchased on Saturday, 09 June. Please note: we never took possession of the sofa - it has been kept in the store at the above address the entire time, since 09 June. We never took it home. We've never used it. It remains in the same showroom condition with the sold sign still on it - we never took it home. So, today, I returned to the store and asked for a refund of my $150.25, since I never used the sofa and never even brought it home. When I explained our unforeseen future living circumstances to the duty manager this afternoon, she steadfastly refused to refund my money, citing the 'no refund' policy.

First point: I can fully understand her refusal to waive the 'no refund' policy if I bought a shirt. Or a pair of shoes. Or a pair of pants. Something that I then took home and wore for a week (or even a day) and then brought back expecting a refund. I wouldn't refund a penny either, if I were her. But, as I've explained, we bought a sofa that STAYED IN THE STORE and which we never took possession of.

Second point: The selective adherence to the store's rules is infuriating. On the one hand, the store was willing to waive the 'no holding merchandise' policy, but then wasn't willing to be reasonable on the 'no refund' policy, again, on a piece of merchandise that I never even possessed. So, on the one hand, the store was willing to consider my lack of having a truck as reason enough to hold the sofa for me, but then was unwilling to refund my money when I explained our living circumstances had changed.

Third point: This wasn't a $2.50 shirt, or a $5.00 pair of shoes, or a $7.00 pair of pants. This is $150.00 which, by any reasonable definition, is not an insignificant amount of money. Due to the Salvation Army store's unwillingness to be reasonable and make a common sense exception under normal circumstances, the same sofa I just bought - but can't use - is now going to be put back on the floor and sold again for another $150.00? Most any person would call that unethical and dishonest. It certainly isn't a respectable business practice and is totally inconsistent with the Salvation Army brand I've admired for 50+ years, particularly when it comes to its promotion of Christian fellowship.

I request a response, preferably informing me that the Salvation Army intends on refunding me the money I paid on an item it kept in its store and which I've never even used.

Thank you.

Scott & Kelle Stanley
9926 Cactus Valley
San Antonio, TX 78254
[protected]@yahoo.com

I brought a dresser at the store, 8715 liberty road. When i went to pick it up the sale tag and the sale ticket had been placed the wrong dresser. The female employee who was there helped me out the dresser. The same employee to day acted liked she didn't what i was talking about . My granddaughter was with me. I am going back on 6/13/18 at 9am to speak to the manager.

I go to the salvation army in huntsville al every so often to eat and im just wondering where does the food donations go because its not served to the people that eat there today was peanutbutter sandwiches I could not eat because i'm allergic to peanuts like so many people are they also had a bag of chips and something that was un identifiable it tasted as bad as it looked like vomit something should be done about the slop they tey to feed people homeless or not they deserve a edible meal. The guys thats in the program there gets better food than everyone else I believe that everyone deserves a nutritional meal but you definitely will not get one from thwm

I have been struggling since 2014 when I developed chronic back pain to support my family without much luck because I have no support to help me. Because of my inability to work I lost custody of my 3 children to their abusive father who also abused me for 12 years which caused the disability I have now. I gave birth to my 4th son on March 21, 2018 5 weeks early. I was raped so the father of my son is not in our lives so I was pretty lost on how I was going to take care of him. I had a really tough pregnancy and almost died during labor. While I was still in the hospital after giving birth I came across your Pathway for Hope program which said it helped people like me get off their feet and become self-sufficient which is exactly what I need. I'm not one of these people who are just looking for a handout and want to live on welfare their entire lives, I was the first person in my family ti graduate from college and did it with a 3.9/4.0 GPA and worked for 8yrs as a Financial Analyst making $26/hr. However I never thought I would have to deal with physical problems at only 32yrs old and was not prepared for it. I finally escaped my abusive relationship thinking I could find help but found out the hard way that without friends or family its almost impossible. My ex had kept me isolated from everyone during our 12 year relationship. So imagine my excitement when I saw the advertisement for your program that said they would help so I called and made an appointment before even leaving the hospital after giving birth. My 1st appt was shortly after being released from the hospital on 3-23-18. I went to your office and filled out a bunch of paperwork and was told that they could help me. At that time I didn't have a vehicle to get anywhere but still made it there. My son was still in the NICU unit at the hospital when I signed up. She had said she could help me with my rent payment at tge next appt. When the next appt came around my ride didn't show up so called up to the office and told them the situation and that I could try walking up there with my newborn baby but it would take me about a half hour to get there. They said that was too late and that I would need to reschedule and they wouldn't be able to help me with rent until after the appointment which I couldn't get for almost another 2 weeks, on April 24, 2018. I asked them if they could help me with transportation to get to my appointments and she said no. So on April 24, 2018 I walked almost 2 miles to the office with my 1 month old premature baby to make it to my appt. At that meeting I did more paperwork and she gave me 2 goals, to talk to legal aide about getting my 13yr old felony expunged and look for a job. When I left the office she had said to schedule an appt for in 2 weeks but when I went to the front desk the Secretary said she didn't have anything available until June 2nd but if there was a cancellation she would call me. Well on May 14th I emailed Angela and told her I was able to buy a van with my tax refund check but it needed some repairs. She told me that they could help with that but that I had missed my appt so I would have to come in for an appt first. Her secretary had put me in the calendar for May 4th without telling me, only a week after our last appt so I scheduled another appt for June 4th and was supposed to get help with the vehicle repairs then. In the meantime I completed both the goals she gave me, found out I wasn't eligible for expungment and was hired for a job wjere I started working this past Saturday, making the repairs even more important. They also scheduled me to work on Monday which was when we were scheduled to meet. I emailed her as soon as I found out on Sunday that I was able to find a job and that I had to work. I offered to come in before or after work or do it by phone because I really needed to get my car fixed as the brakes were really bad and it was overheating a lot. She emailed me back stating that I needed to get a copy of my license, registration, insurance and 2 estimates to get the repairs done which I emailed to her but then was told that she wasn't going ti provide any help until I attended 2 more appointments even though I told her that the auto mechanic said my car was very unsafe to be driving and that I definitely shouldn't be driving with my 2 month old son. So now I have to risk mine and my son's life because she changed her mind about helping us even though I managed to meet both her goals in record time. I really need this help and I worked really hard to do everything I was asked to do to get the help. The woman I'm working with is Angela Emerson at the Saginaw, MI Salvation Army. I also have emails to back up everything I'm saying.

Today, 6/4/2018, My wife, 11 year old son Noah and my 3 daughters went to the Salvation Army Thrift Store located at 616 1st Ave NW in Great Falls Montana where we have shopped on a regular bases for 5 years now. My wife Michelle had found a Broncos throw blanket that she wanted to buy but it did not have a price tag. She sent my 11 year old son Noah to find out how much it was. The lady behind the counter, Debbie, told my son that it could not be sold because it did not have a price tag and that it would have to go though processing the next day before it could be sold. My son went back to my wife with this information. As my wife was finishing up shopping she saw a woman (later identified as employee Linda) walking out of the store with the blanket. My wife stopped her and asked, "Is that the Broncos blanket that was on the counter?" Linda said, "No." Quickly walked out of the store shaking her head and then laughing.

At this point my wife became angry and asked Debbie, "Did you sell that blanket to that lady just now?" Debbie said, "yes, I'm sorry." At which point my wife said, "You lied to me and my son! How could you do that." She left her bags on the counter and told Debbie, "I am going to make sure everyone on social media knows that this Salvation Army store lies to it's customers and little kids." She then walked out of the store.

As I pulled into the parking lot I saw Debbie approaching my wife's vehicle trying to apologize saying, "I'm sorry, I was pressured into selling it to her." My wife firmly told Debbie, "Please get away from me. Leave me alone. " Debbie continued to try and talk to my wife even after being told several times to leave. I walked up to get in-between them and then Debbie walked back into the store. I followed her and asked to speak with a manager.

Edie the manager came to talk to me. I asked about the store policy about un-marked items which she confirmed had to be returned to processing and not be sold until the next day. I then asked why the blanket in question was sold to the other lady. Edie said she knows who the lady is and will call her to return the blanket. Edie did confirm that the woman was an employee and that she should not have taken the blanket. I waited in the store for about 15 minuets before the woman (Linda) returned the blanket. Edie sold it to me for $10.00. Debbie again apologized and said, "I know I shouldn't have done that" while Linda just looked at me begrudgingly. Edie apologized again as well and made the situation right.

I did not have Debbie's or Linda's names when I left the store but I called prior to this message and a very nice and polite man named Ethan gave me the information I was looking for.

We have been loyal customers for 5 years and this incident has brought shame on the local store. My wife after this, refuses to shop there anymore. As a business and Christian based organization this should have never happened.

I have attached a photo of Linda (on the customer side of the counter) and Debbie. that was taken while Edie was cashiering the blanket for me.

I had the worst and most embarrassing guest experience while shopping at you Manassas, VA store today. I was rudely followed around the store by 2 managers (both are spanish women, the tall lady manager with long curled hair and a lot of makeup about mid 40's and the other lady manager who I believe to be the general manager - short haired lady mid 50's slender build. I was trying on clothes when I had the long haired manager come and check my cart, room, and return items. Normally this doesn't bother me except for today after this occured I was continuously followed by both the long haired manager and the general manager. The general manager followed me around the store and I felt
So uncomfortable I decided to let her know I felt this to be ridiculous. I decided to try on shoes and finish deciding what I wished to purchase. While trying on shoes all 3 Spanish lady managers rudely watched me to Where I decided on my purchases and put back a few clothing items as well as 3 wallets that I had examined further and found defects. While approaching the cash stand I saw a adorable pink girls dress with no price. I asked the long haired manager if she could price the dress for me. Instead of the obvious yes or no answer. She stated"where is your cart?" I asked her why but answered her question explaining that it was up front by the entrance where I left it. She then demanded to know where the 3 wallets were that were in my cart were. Her accusations of theft enraged me. I was not only shocked and appalled but utterly embarrassed. Enraged by her accusations of theft, I stated to her to follow me and went to the wallet rack and retrieved all 3 wallets to show her. After doing her job for her, I angrily threw my now never will I buy puchases on the counter and demanded her name and 800 phone number to complain regarding her discriminating actions and completely unfounded accusations of theft. Instead of telling me her name and company contact info., She stated she could call police. I was so angry and wanted her overdue apology which I never got, I said please do. It was at this point I was so embarrassed and upset that I thought the police could help me by taking back that horrific hour I had just experienced in your Manassas, VA store. Deciding this would not be a very effective route to use as the police couldn't possibly charge her instead for the lack of judgement and bad management/customer service I just received. I chose to leave the store and not wait on the police. I was humiliated enough already. I am now hopefully çontacting the correct people to address this stores management team and their poor level of service. I myself am a retail general manager of over 15 years and I have never been so embarrassed to shop anywhere as I was today in your Manassas, VA location today.

Michelle Hakenson
[protected]@gmail.com
[protected]

I called to see if a parcel had gone to my friend in the salvation army homeless hostel in Dundee, at Strathmore Lodge, I just wanted to know if it had come as I posted it to him on the 24th May 2018 first class, the lady was rude and not very nice, she would not take a message, so he could call to say he got the package, as I would have to put in a claim at the post office. I know they can't give out details as for data protection, but feel this lady should at least be respectful on the phone, I have been homeless too and at least the staff at brewery lane were respectful and polite.

Hello good after noon my name is florencia villa and I have a problem. I work at the buena park salvation army.. On 5-24-2018. My purse was stole from the area of employees only from inside the locker.. My purse contain.. Id, my kids medical card, bank card, irs information, prescription, money and other personal. The manager from the store was notify about the situation and did not immediate call the police. She called managment from the store and they they said they were going to come down to search the new person that was on site.. But never showed up... So I had to call the police because the store wouldnt call it.. And made my report. There was a new person on site loading a container out side and he was the only one inside loading it... Today on 5-28-2018. I was notify my purse was found inside the container that the other employee was loading but no wallet.. So all my information, money etc. Is still lost. And management isnt gonna do anything and like they said on the day my purse went lost.. They dont want to get involve.. Even tho. They said they were going to come down and search that person on suspicion... And even tho it happen in work place... So I need to know what is going to happen.. What actions are going to be taken?

I had a scheduled pick up today May 23, 2018. They picked a couple of boxes and left many appropriate items behind. They even left new items with price tags on them. They left items that were in perfect condition that were bought from the Pottery Barn. They left books and furniture. They lied and told me they didn't take an expensive chair because it had a cigarette burn on it. A complete lie! I called and the supervisor told me that when they don't take certain things they decide to leave the rest behind. What sense does that make! The supervisor told me that I will have to find a other way to get rid of my stuff! I already have a dumpster in my driveway, and that's not the point! I would never have thought that people would be so lazy and lie. I have always donated to the Salvation Army but never will again.

This is Dorothy Daley, pick up site, 190 Oakland St, Manchester. I had a perfectly fine loveseat and recliner. I do have a dog, but cleaned both a much as I could. Your driver refused to take the recliner, saying they are sold in your stores, and your customers have allergies. I know this because I WAS a customer. People try to donate good things to you FREE, then you SELL them. I know it's for a good cause, but you mean to tell me your workers CANT AT LE
AST VACUUM THEM when you receive them? I was at my new place, but went to Oakland St to meet them. I am retired, and now live in a different town, so this was an inconvenience to me! From now on I will be donating to places who appreciate receiving good merchandise! Again THIS COUCH AND CHAIR HAD NO HOLES, STAINS, ETC.

I scheduled my online pick-up for May 19, 2018. I did not receive an email or telephone call that the pickup would be at 7:10am that morning. Nevertheless I was up at 6am, so no problem. I heard the truck pull up, and so I went down and opened my door, no one came to my door, or rang the bell.

All I knew after two minutes that the truck was gone, and a missed phone call on my cell that I need to reschedule, all within 5 minutes.

From that moment, I tried to back the donation pick-up department to tell them that no on came to my door as noted in the message left on my cell. "the donation team is at my door".

If they told me that I needed to meet them at the truck, I would have went outside and did just that to let them know that I am in the house.

I tried calling back the number left on my phone, and I would get the message line of just hung up on four times; one is a mistake, four is intent! So I feel they recognize my phone number and do not want to take my call because of their business practice.

If this is the business practice of Salvation Army Donations, then this business practice is very unprofessional, and a new business practice needs to be in place.

5/14/18 - 5/18/18
I scheduled a pickup to donate multiple household furnishings which I thought could have been useful to your organization. I received a call from a rude SA worker during my business hours. He was rude, loud and left me on the phone for long periods of time with no explanation. During the week of my pickup which was supposed to occur on 5/18/18, I received several more calls some telling me they could pick up my donation because I was donating to many items others confirming that the truck would be here for the pick-up as scheduled. By late afternoon on 5/18/18, no SA pick-up. I checked the website and say a notation that the pick-up occurred at 9:545 AM. I called the customer service number and was told I should have called earlier as there was nothing they could do at this point and I would "have to wait" until 5/23/18 when it was convenient for SA to pick up my large order. When I expressed my frustration and advised about the previous rude SA employee, I was told "no one has been rude to you". I have never encountered a more ungrateful non-profit organization. Can you survive without charitable donations? This my second written complaint. I sent the first one via the email on your website and never received a response. We routinely donate to the SA, but not anymore. I will tell everyone about this negative experience and tell them to donate elsewhere. You should train your employees to respect donors and educate them on how non-profit organizations function and survive or NOT. I have never been treated so dismissively when trying to do something to benefit others.

The Salvation Army store located at 2285 Versailles Road Lexington Kentucky phone number [protected]. Date May 16th 2018 at 4:08 p.m. I purchased two pictures for a total of $12.70 at the store call my mother after leaving the store and was informed that she did not have room for these two pictures so I drove back to the store about 15 minutes later and ask to speak with the manager on duty she informed me that all cells were final and wouldn't even listen to the reason I was bringing the merchandise back she was very very disrespectful so much so but it seem to offend the other customers around me I'm a veteran serve for 24 years in the United States Army and I understand the policy this retail store has I know that their business is to help people who are homeless and two otherwise help the community I don't mind not being able to return the merchandise but I feel as a veteran that at least some level of respect should be shown to a customer I will never shop at this store again and I hope the manager gets fired for being appear undeniable ginormous b**** thank you very much for your time and if you're in Lexington Kentucky make sure to tell the Salvation Army on Versailles Road to suck it

My name is Janet Samuel and I had a pick-up yesterday, May 15, 2018 at this address: 353 Oglesby Ave., Calumet City, IL 60409. I left the items about 7 bags and a box on my front porch, and when I returned home from work, no tax form was left in my mail-box. I instructed specifically to have the individual to leave the tax from in my mail-box.

I am complaining about no tax form was left. I would appreciate that one is mailed to me, or just stop by and leave one in the mail-box.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Samuel

I have had three horrible experiences with customer service at various Salvation Army stores on Long Island. The one that was the worst just happened today. The store hours posted online say that it is open until 7pm. I had purchased a clock the other day that could not fit in my car and I had to drive 45 minutes to this store to pick it up. When I showed up, the doors were locked but there were two workers (including the manager who knows me very well) inside. It was pouring out and I waved for them to come to the door so I could ask if I could just pick the clock up and put it in my car. They told me no. The store is closed. I told them that is fine. I wasn't looking to shop. I just wanted to pick up what I had already purchased because I am going away and wouldn't be able to pick it up until next week. Again, they said, no. While I understand the need to keep people out of the store after closing, the online store hours say it is open till seven and it was six fifteen when I showed up. Also, I am not a stranger to these workers and they are well aware that I purchased this clock just yesterday. They are also aware of how far I have to travel to get here. This kind of customer service is unacceptable. I dontate all of my stuff to your organization and I also spend a ton of money here. I work for people with disabilities and I come here at least 3 times a week buying stuff for them out of pocket. I am truly thinking of taking my business and my donations elsewhere.