Winchester Salvation Army Thrift Store Profit Walks out Back Door

If the public knew how many of their donations never make it to the sales floor of the thrift store on Weems Lane they would be very upset. Some of the employees and volunteers take what they want without any thought that it is THEFT. The Salvation Army is struggling to pay rent and help the community and these thieves blatantly feel they have a right to take anything without paying for it and management turns its head. The manager allows one employee to sell used cars from the store parking lot. And the inmates who work there from the Regional Jail wash the manager's car. Do all charities operate this way?

This issue of employee theft is interesting because at the same time the manager vastly over prices their donated furniture. This theft and corruption should be reported to superiors at regional office. Who knows maybe money is being skimmed from the register?

I agree that the merchandise in the Winchester Virginia store is overpriced and when it does not sell at these high prices, it is discarded. Even used items that have come from a dollar store are often priced higher than a dollar. Clothing is extremely over-priced and when it does not sell, instead of reducing the prices, it is baled. I have watched the clerks remove perfectly good clothing from the racks and when I asked them what they are doing, they say the clothing will be baled. And they do not like it either. The clerks also do not like the fact that Clothing Vouchers which have been given to people needing clothing are limited to a low amount. At the high prices they don't get many clothes for the voucher. For an organization like the Salvation Army that tries to help the down-and-out-person, this goes totally against what they represent.

I think that people THINK that they know what they are talking about and with all do respect they have not clue. I wish that people would get off these type of sites and find something good to do with their time!! Everything this that is donated is used to some extent! If you are not there and have no clue what is going on then you really can't say anything negative. I think that the reason that prices are high are because the are trying to make money to help out people in the community. Everytime I go on Ft. Collier Rd the place is packed, and so I know that my money and donations are going to good use!

And with all due respect back to you, I have spoken with the people who work in the store while they are "ragging out" the items and they tell me that the items go in the trash. Rather than reduce the price, the items are thrown away. And nice clothing is pulled from the racks and baled. They have now opened a second thrift store in Stephens City so maybe the merchandise will be moved there. I have no doubt the organization helps the community. I don't know what would happen without them, but all merchandise should go out the front door. That used to be their rule and it was a good one. Now you see employees come out the back door and take merchandise to their cars. Maybe they pay and maybe they don't but a couple employees tell me that much is taken without paying. Even THEY don't like it.

Since when jacking up the prices of donated items help people in the community?? i did not know that,also when you are in a big emergency and you go to Salvation Army asking for help they always tell you that there are not founds to help nobody??,if they lacking of room to take all the donations it is plain and just to tell the donators that their items can not be taken at the moment,but it is unprofessional to trow them away in the trash for lack of room,besides at the office of Salvation Army the the person in charge of helping people,only help their good friends ignoring other people from the community!and this needs to be investigated!!!

The Salvation Army shifts its Majors around. I believe the present one came from Baltimore. Maybe the next one will be more efficient. He has his grown son, the son's girlfriend who he just hired as a thrift store clerk, and at least one store employee living with him. Haven't you heard that it's not what you know but who you know. As far as jacking up the prices on donated items, I agree with you. It would make more sense to have lower prices and possibly sell the item than end up tossing it in the trash when it doesn't sell. And there might be some money to help more people.

I think they are doing a good job,they have people here on this website writing nasty things about stuff that I as a customer do not care about and you must not know what the salvation army does for people they are here to help,now they have 2 stores, I think they have done a wonderful job in our community look at the positive things that they are doing and get off the negative.

Are you aware that items are on sale for over thirty days?! Sales are promoted by color tag days for bric/brac and clothing each day. Every Wednesday sales of clothing are reduced by 1/2. "Ragout" should be called recycle days as clothing is removed for resale. New items pass the 30 days are not ragged out. Shoes are "ragged out" based upon condition. The ragged out shoes are then sold to be recycled/reuse. Furniture is discounted 25% after 30 days.

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I agree that the prices at the Winchester Salvation Army Thrift Store are AWFUL!! My husband and I were recently in there and an old, worn out pair of loafers were $8...I can go to Payless and get brand new ones for $12!!! Also, the furniture that is filthy dirty and had a broken leg...$179...ridiculous!!! This community will pull together and help anyone....but don't take advantage of the ones that give. I know for a fact that stuff goes out the back door of the store without being paid for...because once when I dropped off a donation...the employees were going through the box before I could even pull away!!!
Has anyone ever taken a peek through the door into the "warehouse" when you enter the thrift store...can you say FIRE HAZARD and death trap!!!
Oh and one more thing...I had to use the "PUBLIC" restroom while I was there...OMG...I have used cleaner JOHNNY BLUES!!! It was disgusting!
And as for the MAJORS...The WHITES were awesome and did great things in that place, for that place and this community and loved doing them...the current major...enough said!
However, in light of above comments...I think some of them truly do know whats going on in that place and some do not...but if we all knew what went on in McDonalds...we would never eat there!!!

Perhaps if one of us had to go through and sort the donated items to the departments/personnel who must re-sort, price and place in the stores, we would be working as quickly as possible to get the items in. I believe sorting is done by soon to be released inmates from local correction facilites, other community service worker, a paid employee--and others who can help when the above volunteers are not able to be there. Surely, everyone has seen these people run to get items in the rain, snow, and summer heat. It is a job I might NOT EVER volunteer for. I bet more than a thousand items a day go in just one store.

Sometimes, I think this is a personal grievance against the current Major. If this gentlemen did not care, why would he work so hard to get a second store? His vision and hard work is helping the Winchester area.

There is no personal grievance here. This major seems like a really nice and pleasant guy but I don't think he is aware of everything going on. And maybe the prices don't seem too high to him because he comes from a bigger city. I would think cheaper prices would make a faster turnover and items would not have to be moved around and handled over and over. Wouldn't it make more sense to have a lower price than the item going unsold and tossing it out. And he may not be aware of the theft issue. He can't watch everything and everybody. There's no doubt the Salvation Army is a wonderful organization but they would have more money to help more people if more nice items made it to the sales floor and if prices were affordable for the people living in this area. I volunteered at the hospital resale shop and they had a rule that volunteers and employees could not even purchase an item until it had been on the sales floor for three days and then it had to be paid for and go out the front door. That's very strict, effective, and discourages theft which in turn makes more money for the organization.

Its obvious someone needs to take a closer look into this organization at this location...but it seems that many organizations have these same situations...

I believe the Goodwill in Frederick Maryland does not allow employees or volunteers to purchase any items. Not even a .50 cent novel.

I think that none of you know what you are talking about. It pains me that we have all this time to gripe and complain about salvatio army. If you only knew what goes on there, if you only had to live there, if you were a child that was evicted then maybe you'd understand. Sometimes I think people need something to whine about... I say shut up already!! If it were not for the salvation army... WWII soldiers would not have been fed, children would be straving_ drunk men would be sitting out on the corner forever. So quite frankly GET OVER THE PRICES BEING "TOO" high.. Whenever you thing the prives go to 300 ft collier rd. And look into the eyes of the people who are living without electricity, go in the shelter and see the men women and children there that seem hopeless the I want to hear you complain

No one said the Salvation Army isn't a great organization. We are talking about theft, waste, and mismanagement of the thrift store which means less money to help those needy people you mention

If there is so much theft and waste, mismanagement, then how caome we do have the money to help those in need, also please visit the salvation army thrift store and ask management how they are doing, then you can stop all of this.