The Salvation Army USA
Reviews and Complaints

Today, June 2, 2017, the Salvation Army came to pick up several pieces of furniture I had arranged for them to take. I did everything they asked - I called and scheduled the time and described the pieces. They did not ask many questions when I was on the phone with them nor did they ask for the pictures I could have sent them. When the people arrived, they refused to take the two biggest pieces that I had described accurately on the phone. Apparently, they only take furniture pieces that are perfect and they don't tell you that before they show up. It was a monumental waste of my time.

Today is 5/31/2017. I have been a Salvation Army customer for over 25 years. I visit my local Salvation Army stores 1 - 2 times a week and will go out of my way to get there after work on my way home. Most of my furniture and possessions have been purchased from there. I am an avid doll collector, mostly Barbies and I love African art and dolls. Many of the dolls that I buy are restored and given to little girls who otherwise wouldn't have them.

I love my Salvation Army stores and they workers know me. My issue is only the Salvation Army store in Lincoln Park, Michigan located on Dix Toledo Hwy and Champagne.

A couple of weeks ago after stopping off at the other stores in Southgate and Taylor Michigan I went to the Lincoln Park store. There was a new girl working and when I put a couple of dolls on the counter one of them had no price. I understand that there is a new policy. However, the other cashier saw that I had more than one of the same kind of doll and knew that I was a regular. She sold the doll to me for the same price as the other.

Last Friday on 5/26?2017 I decided to stop by the Lincoln Park store again. Mind you the store is about five miles out of the way from work to my home. I only found a little black Barbie doll size dress that I wanted to buy. The cashier told me she couldn't sell it to me, it didn't have a price. I asked for the manager because seriously, the store had whole clothed dolls with price tags for $1.99! I didn't recognize any of the usual cashiers. The manager came and told me sorry but it's just policy. I couldn't buy the dress. I walked out a bit miffed.

So, today I decided to stop by again as is my routine for years. The little Barbie dress was nowhere to be found. So I looked on for other treasures. There was a big pile of porcelain dolls on a shelf so I wondered what was underneath the pile. I pulled out the most adorable cloth and wired African doll with a little baby strapped to her back. I fell in love but of course there was no price on it. So, I thought maybe there was a chance that there was one comparable with a price and there was! The other doll matched the first but was smaller and made of different cloth but of course no price. So, I dug further and found a third doll that matched but was even smaller and was made of a different pattern. They obviously were meant to be together but of course no price.

I asked someone in the back to talk to a manager. This store used to be the friendliest store but suddenly I got a yell from the back, "She's busy!" Another girl came out, I told her the issue and she said that there was another manager up front. Of course I went up front and there was the same manager from last week. I reminded him of the black dress last week and explained the issue now with the dolls that had no price and that I am a regular and go way out of my way at least once a week to shop in his store.

Another empty handed shopping trip to this store. He said that they were priced and someone removed the stickers. Most of the items that I had looked at did not have stickers! He pointed to a whole plastic bin filled with items that had to go back for pricing because of no stickers. I thought, so all of those items (there was a lot) was another customer who walked out empty handed and disappointed like me. I wonder how many customers this store will lose? No prices on so many items is nothing more than negligence. I never want to go back and that's sad. I have spent probably thousands of dollars with the Salvation Army and have donated probably just as much.

I just want what I find and take to the counter!

On May 5th 2017 I received an eviction notice from my place of residence for my lot rent for $380 I contacted Lisa at Salvation Army in Albertville Minnesota she told me that they could help me unless I had a job. And in order to get funds to help me with my $380 I had to get a job so week later I get a job I call Lisa back and she tells me all the funds are gone and that she can't help me now and I have to wait till June to be thrown out of my house in order for them to help. I thought the Salvation Army was there to help people who lost their jobs who can't make the rent so they don't lose their home my house is paid for the only thing I have to pay his lot rent. If I didn't need the help I would have never contacted them. So today May 25th 2017 Lisa States there's no funding left and I have to wait till June well June is going to be too late the same Lisa works at the connect news Alliance Church in St Michael so when I called over there to get help from the church she tells me the church isn't going to help me. Wright County Community Action rivers of Hope and the Wright County Human Services all told me to call local area churches she won't even let me talk to the pastor she won't even send him a message for me either so this woman has a vendetta in only wants to help certain people and I must not meet her criteria people she should not be in that position at all if she's going to lie to people and they end up homeless because she will only help certain people she has favorites in both places well done Lisa from Albertville Salvation Army in Minnesota

I am a temporarily residing in a transitional housing/shelter program with my children due to various legal and domestic abuse casualties. In addition to this I have a traumatic brain injury that has caused me numerous, permanent cognitive impairments which require certain accommodations.

In coming into this organization, about a month ago, I signed a pack of documents as it related to rules I was required to follow, rights which I had in being in the organization, persons whom I could go to for grievances and specific financial obligations including amounts of rent paid, savings put back, etc. Due to my cognitive impairments, I cannot recall the contexts of these documents nor do I know that I even understand them. I have asked numerous times, both while signing the documents as well as throughout my stay here, for copies of these documents. They have never been given to me.

There does not appear to be any communication between staff. After the first week they are rude and use whatever rules they can use against us - even if our specific family circumstance or case management exempts us from the rule.

The food is so poor that it has made me and my children sick numerous times. We often have diaharreah from drinking the water (or maybe it's the food?) and so become dehydrated. There is a refrigerator which we can put groceries into but the room the refrigerator is kept in is usually locked. So if my toddler needs breast milk, fruits, or snacks of any sort, that is not allowed.

The list of grievances could go on for pages but I have no idea whom I'm supposed to speak to as I have no copy of the contract I signed and do not know the names of the administrative directors. The Salvation Army has such a prestigious reputation for being one of the best organizations to do the most good. From what I am witnessing of my experience here, the sheltering organization is no different then most others: littered with excesses of control and manipulation of rules by case managers, employees and local directors. It is like living in a nursing home where there is little freedom to manage oneself. This makes working and functioning as a normal family unit very difficult. We have concerns for my son having ADHD and possibly minor autism. This environment has only worsened his problem behaviors.

There is no medical professional on staff as with other organizations.

This complaint is about the Salvation Army Transitional Housing in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. If someone could please direct me to the appropriate individual to speak with, so that some of the issues could be resolved, it would be appreciated.

In havre de grace, md. I live right behind sa in hdg. Had to call police due to noise complaint. They had some junk carnival complete with very loud sound system, playing music so loud I couldn't hear my own radio in closed up house. Couldn't even go in my yard to have a cig. Then the pa system. I asked that they turn it down & they refused. They watched me call the police. The ppl who run this place are the rudest ppl i've ever met. All of the sa ppl i've known of over the years have all been hostile and hateful ppl. The families live in a house on my street that the sa provides. I don't ever want to deal with this again. This is not a group of christians, rather they are a group of inciteful and hostile ppl. They did not care that they were disturbing our peace. We have open fields around us they could have set up on and it would have been much better. I'm in tears! I'm just home after hospitalization and surgery. I was trying to sleep and had turned my stereo on to soft quiet music only to be disturbed by the mayhem of sa. I cannot stand your group as a whole after dealing with your hateful/hostile reps. I like even less after this mess.

Hi
My name is alexandra... From camillus, ny 13031.
I was driving today off from the highway in camillus, new york onto hinsdale road... One of your salvation army truck/van drivers decided to run me off the road and cut me off... Almost completely totaling my vehicle. I am extremely angry at the way this man was driving. His license plate number was dpr-6625... Almost caused an entire scene of traffic to get into an accident... I am only 24 years old and have been driving since I was 18... I have not gotten into any accidents or received any tickets before... He completely cut me off and if I didn't see him coming he would've killed me. Not happy. He should not be driving. Middle aged african american male. Rude and extremely unsafe... I do not usually complain about this but because it is a company driver I want to make sure he isn't doing this to other people... Could cost someone a life for god sake.

Thanks... Needed to complain to someone... Extremely furious.

I used to work at the salvation army in Starkville MS and I have to say there is a lazy co-worker name Cameron Jackson. She always calls in and clams that she is sick which "happens once or twice a week." Since January until May she called in 13 days yet still gets paid for it Katie the manager covers for her on a daily bases. She even uses her daughter as an excuse just to call in since I've worked there not even the first week starting their I had to cover for her and run the store all by myself all the customers know how lazy she is she always take a 25 minute little break then at lunch she takes 1 hour and 15 minutes for lunch. We've tried contacting Suzzette McMillan about this problem yet nothing gets done. Something needs to be done about her. I'm ready to call the CEO of salvation army and tell him everything that Cameron Jackson does wasting money out of his/her pocket for an lazy co-worker that does nothing when she has a job title there.

Went on line to schedule a pick up for a large number of items that "I" felt could have been resold and benefit those in need.

After waiting almost a week for the pick up, the driver informs me that they do not take baby furniture which was a complete set of everything you could imagine, it was for my FIRST grandchild. then they didn't even look at the rest of the items because it was to much to go through. All they seemed to be interested in was a washer and dryer.

There were kitchen chairs, three lighted and glass shelve wall units, camping equipment. Bags of men's clothing.(at least two dozen white shorts, a number of brand name suits, ties) all of which I thought someone could use to wear to a JOB interview or something... and a number of other things that really could have been sold.

But I guess being in south Florida where is gets hot and humid it would be too much to ask someone to do a little work. Heck, I am in my sixties and I would have loaded it myself if they had asked, but it was too easy to just say can not do it and roll on down the street. Maybe they warehouses and store are overstocked and they don;t need any more assistance. As it will be the last time I reach out to them.

And what a shame, I always thought highly of what they do, NO MORE Red Kettle offerings from me this year.

I have been a consumer at this program since February and have witnessed everything from caseworkers taking consumers out on happy hour dates and consuming alcohol, to caseworkers being involved in unhealthy relationships with consumers. The facility is invested with bedbugs and the only have respect for VOM participants because thats free government money

On 5/5/2017, I visited the Salem, Oregon location which I do weekly. On this day I came at 8:15 pm, and I know this is close to closing but this is the time I had this week. I am a regular customer that spends up to $100 per week at this location for many community endeavors and usually receive wonderful customer service and hospitality. Today, I encountered something I have never experienced in my life. I saw the MOD lady get on the loud speaker and demand everyone take their items to the front at 8:45? (last call she said) Courtesy call is totally understandable but demand? Then she yelled out to the entire store "6 more minutes everyone!" I was still finishing up my decision on my items and she took my cart! I said this is my cart, and she replied " I guess you won't be needing this anymore." I was so shocked and confused that this was happening. A customer came in about this time and was turned away because "We are closing in 6 minutes." Really? At this point I was done, I let this employee know how this wasn't right. She said, "they wouldn't have their items prior to closing." Is this your policy to turn away customers that might get their items in enough time prior to closing? She gave me the have a great night after I explained my concerns with her behavior. I am close with this local community with many charities that involve this organization. I have items that I purchased last week that I plan on returning and washing my hands of this store. I expected more from this organization, the wonderful people at the Kroc Center make it hard to believe that this store and Kroc are ran by the same people. Its a shame that this is one person can effect someone's idea of the entire organization, but she learned it from someone. I expect an apology, refund of my purchased items ( I am aware of your policy about store credit, but you think I want store credit after this?), and a call from the regional manager to ensure I that this wont happen to anyone in my community again.

Thank you for your time,

J. Wilson

To whom it may concern:

Last week I called [protected] to schedule a donation pickup from my home located in Englewood, FL 34224. I spoke with a representative that let me know the next available pickup was Friday, May 5th, 2017. When I asked what time the pickup would be scheduled for, I was told that I would receive a phone call the day before, Thursday, and be notified of the pickup time.

I have a complete dining room set, a Hotpoint stove, a loveseat, and a coffee table to donate. All items are in good condition and working. All items would have sold quickly.

I waited for a phone call on Thursday, May 4th, 2017. I never received any form of contact from anyone representing the Salvation Army. Friday, I went about my day, I work, and assumed that there would be no pickup. At approximately 10:30 AM, I received a phone call from the [protected] phone number. The female representative I spoke with notified me that the pickup was scheduled sometime after lunch, again no definite time frame. I informed her that unfortunately since I hadn't heard from anyone on Thursday, I did not clear my schedule for any particular time and assumed that there wasn't going to be a pickup. I told her that the representative I had spoken with previously communicated to me that I would be contacted with further information regarding the time for the pickup on Thursday, the day before the pickup scheduled for Friday. She rudely cut me off and stated: "Oh no, the Salvation Army doesn't do that." I responded by saying that I cannot do the pickup today, my schedule was full. When I tried to reschedule by beginning a statement: "Is there anyway..", she cut me off again and said alright then bye!
I contacted the Salvation Army in good will, to donate items that are worth money, ones that I could sell myself if I wanted to. The way I was treated implied that the Salvation Army was doing me a favor by picking up my donation and that I should be grateful enough to accommodate their schedule. This is the last time I will attempt to make a donation to the Salvation Army due to the poor treatment I received. Last year, I donated a vehicle to Goodwill, they treated me with respect and we both compromised with our schedules until we were able to meet up and complete the pickup. I will be calling Goodwill for this donation as well, and all donations in the future.

As a new employee at the Salvation Army, I was excited to begin a new Journey working as an Domestic Associate,
at 22 Quincy Street in Brooklyn, New York. While working there for about six months now. I have seen many wonderful changes upon
my arrival as a employee and a former customer, and unfortunately many things that were disappointing as well. While interviewing for this position I was interviewed by Monica and Evan evan.[protected]@use.salvationarmy.org I have diligently and tirelessly spent my time, providing outstanding customer service, Consistently increasing sales revenue for store 1 for the past five months by Dressing mannequins to showcase and increase sales, Pricing shoes, handbags, Accessories and taking all preventative measures in my power to ensure a safe and healthy working environment. I recently received, the week of 5/1-5/7, a glowing letter of recommendation, as a role model and exemplary employee. Well. Despite my efforts, I however have been met with numerous write ups, substandard unsanitary working conditions, frequent profanity use, animosity, hostility, veiled threats of termination and various forms of harassment while employed by this company. I was written up for insubordination by Dominic Perez on 5/4/2017. I was informing him of the potential dangers that faced me and my fellow employees, as well as the customers within the store at the time of the incident. I was brutally rebuffed, written up, and sent home with loss of pay because of "questioning authority". I strenuously feel, that his behavior toward me, was unjustified and I no longer wish to be in the employ of the Salvation Army.

It truly saddens me to know, that the core values of your Mission statement have been carelessly discarded and forgotten, such as harassment, loyalty, compassion, honor, respect and decency This is the very of core of what your company stands for.

I have enclosed some images of the work I was so proud to do. Thank You.

Sincerely,

Lisa Herbert

I had made arrangements to have some furniture picked up that we were donating, and these three young male SA employees show up almost at the end of the 3-hour pick up window, which I didn't care so much about--what I cared about was the rude and unprofessional behavior I encountered when they arrived.

I open up the door and greet the first guy, and then tell him where the bed was (right near the door), and as soon as I opened the door, a third guy, who looked to be younger than the rest started laughing hysterically and couldn't stop laughing, so he continued to stand outside our front door and laugh (WTF?). Eventually he tries to compose himself and comes inside where he makes eye contact with me and tries to grin at me and then ends up walking outside to laugh again (seriously WTF?). I couldn't believe it, and was NOT in the mood for this kind of BS. I have NEVER encountered behavior this rude before in my own home, and came very close to complaining to the SA main office that is in a nearby city.

Bottom line: They should not have rude, disrespectful A-holes interacting with the public, much less going into someone's home and acting like that, I don't care if it's the Salvation Army or not--this was TOTALLY unacceptable!

Oh, and also, they were eyeing the contents of our living room, which didn't make us feel too safe in retrospect--we should have just put the items we were donating on our front deck to avoid both situations!

Because of that situation, I will NEVER use SA again!

4.27.17 I have shopped at SA for over 20 years. The website states that with a receipt you can exchange items. I cam in the next day to exchange an item with tags and receipt. The ladies were rude and they basically told me I need to read better because they do not exchange. I left the stuff on the counter and told them to pay it forward and give it to someone else. mind you this was not the total sum of what I bought it was maybe 10%. I will never shop at SA ever again. I will go to good will from now on. You need to make sure what you have posted online is what you honor in the store.

Sincerely,
Never again.

I'm basically here because my Father passed away & I came on the Greyhound from Georgia to Tennessee my Family couldn't send for me because our funds were low, I asked them to help with bus ticket she advised me they haven't done that in the past. I explained to her if she looks my name in the system they have assisted me in the past she walked from the front desk with my I.D. to end up bringing a racist white man to tell me they couldn't assist me because I was a non resident...

Went to donate at Reseda & Chatsworth St. Northridge, .ca on 4/20/17 3 - 4pm. Asked for help to unload and the worker refused because he was on a "break"! He had even closed the truck door! Said he was entitled to breaks and lunch. There he was SITTING in a chair in the shade. Young guy - I am 64 yr. old woman! I then drove to the Goodwill, where they did help me unload. This was terrible and put the SA in a bad light. Won't go there again. This man should be fired!

I want to bring to your attention how the Salvation Army Thrift Store located on Linda drive, Pleasant Hill Caifornia is exploiting the poor masses.

I am a regular shopper and donor to this store but the prices of items have gone from affordable to ridiculous.
A pair of old worn men shoes now sells for $25, this is abnormal when all men shoes sell for $7.99 at Goodwill stores.
I have complained to the people managing this store as other shoppers have but they always laugh and brush our complaints aside.
Salvation Army is to help the masses and not exploit them.
This store is exploiting us so I want something done quickly.
Thank you.

I went into the store at 6:30pm when i got out of work. I ran through the store looking for pants for my job, because my job has a new dress code. I was in the changing room when there was 10 minutes left. Lukesha continued to yell through the door they are closing and need to go to the front. I told her i am putting my clothes on. Then Shirley came and yelled that she is shutting off register. Mind you i was with my four year old son. I live in Geneva. I couldnt even focus because they continued to yell. About; now 8 minutes, now 6 minutes, now 5 minutes, and that was Shirley. Then when i was out of dressing room Lukesha says oh great you left clothes on the floor. I said well you guys are rushing me so much that i am not picking them up...dont have time remember?... So she rolls her eyes. Then i said to them (mind you there was just me and one other customer that left right at 7pm who was also getting yelled at by both of the mentioned employees while putting her clothes on in dressing room). I was in here before 7pm i was putting my clothes on getting attitude. If someone is in your store and enter before closing you wait until they are done. Not threathen to shut down register, it makes no sense you are losing business. They could have locked the door which my receipt says 7:10pm. And not let any one in. And finished with me then did what they has to, but the attitude was ridiculous. I have managed for years, thats not what you do. If you are open until 7pm if someone walks in at 7:58pm they are welcome. You dont yell and rush people i have my 4 year old son like i said. I asked for their bosses number she gave me a number where you can not talk to a human only the store that i was just in. This was very unpleasant, unprofessional.Yesterday i went in at 630pm grabbed a pair a shorts took 10 minutes... Employees were yelling not the same i dont remember who it was could have been Shirley not sure.. But i left before seven. I know they close at 7pm. But the way they went about it is wrong. Did they want me to walk out of dressing room naked? Did they want me to do their job and to put away clothes on floor after being repeatedly yelled at that they are closing? my four year old was yelling my mommy is putting her clothes on! Such horrible service. I WANT TO BE CONTACTED. Being in management i know what is right and wrong and Lukesha and Shirley are horrible employees Shirley did not have a name tag on so i dont know if that is her real name. It is april 22nd 2017. So since they would not give me their bosses number i want to be contacted. I am a regular customer this was just ridiculous. After yesterday than today. They have no custoser service skills or management if one of them are. You do not kick peope out when they were in there before closing 30 minutes before closing AND IN DRESSING ROOM. I ALSO WANT SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS WITH THE EMPLOYEES. I donate all the time. This was just ridiculous. My number is [protected]

April 19, 2017
was shopping at a salvation army in redford on grand river and inkster. was shopping for some clothes and was asking a manager named kenyatta for assistance. She ignored me at first then she acknowledged like she was doing me a favor. I was displeased by this exhibit of rudeness so at that point i didn't want to really deal with her or further be in the store; so i left. Just writing complaint to inform somebody that you can't have incompetence in charge of people or store operations. thanks for your attention to this matter

I regularly go to the Salvation at 17362 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92647. Today (April 20) at around 11:30 am I parked next to the donation trailer as I always have done in the past and I had some heavy items to unload. Another gentleman was parked next to the trailer who was unloading and the man that was accepting donations for Salvation Army screamed at me and told me to park away from the trailer in a parking spot. I said ok. Shocked that anyone from here would be yelling at me and that why would it matter if I parked next to another person that was unloading. As soon as I parked in the parking spot, a woman pulled up in FRONT of the trailer BLOCKING the driveway to get in and out of the parking lot and the man accepting donation said nothing to her and kindly took her donations. Why would you have such a person working in an area where you are wanting people to drop off donations? Plus contradict what he told me to do with someone else parking in a worse spot.

I am saddened that i was treated in such a way and have decided to take my donations elsewhere. I know other people who donate there and I will be relaying my experience to them as well. I do hope you train your employees to treat people in a kinder manner.

Other people that have accepted my donations have always been friendly and courteous which is probably why I was so shocked that someone would be yelling at me and then treat another person doing something worse better.