What clients say about The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center in Belleville (IL)
never was great but now it’s just over priced junk. i straight up left after seeing a SHEIN crop too priced 15.99!! like that’s insane i bet it was never that expensive to begin with i didn’t even bother looking more because like what… and it’s dirty and messy like nothing is labeled now i know why i never bothered coming here after living here my whole hole life. just give savers in fairview or goodwill in ofallon
We had our first visit at the SA thrift store today located on N Illinois in Belleville. To say we were sticker shocked is disturbing. We understand prices at all retailers, thrifts, etc have increased. But when the majority of almost all the clothing is priced higher than purchasing brand new at a retailer, there's something majorly wrong. We commenting to employees, the majority stated "oh, we all know". The only thing they are able to do is give you the phone number to talk with corporate and leave bad reviews. So we're starting here.
If you're looking for lower cost clothing for anyone, please steer clear of these stores. They are priced at corporate, then sent to the stores where they have no power over pricing. Stick to smaller thrifts who are non-profit. You will even find high prices at Goodwill & Savers, but the SA thrift is even higher than those mentioned.
The employees were kind, helpful & understanding. It is also my understanding that the very high price increase is something that was just done recently.
they are very lucky to get the donations that they do, because the donations are the O’Leary reason I come in. Today was my last time I will be going into this Salvation Army. Everything in there is extremely overpriced and the employees are extremely rude and make you feel stupid for asking questions. From the moment I walked up to the counter to check out, everything I did was wrong. I asked If they could go lower in price on an item because it was extremely overpriced, and she made me feel so stupid for even asking. And then got mad at me when I put my card in too early. I definitely won’t be back and certainly won’t bring my donations here.
Don’t bother wasting your time here. Find and support you local shelters shops by taking your donations and dollars elsewhere.
I’ve been frequenting this establishment long enough to watch the corporate greed take hold.
The store is packed with all kids of overpriced “Donated” junk. Any and ALL QUALITY items are sorted out and pulled to be sold through SA affiliated EBay accounts.
Current Management has no clue how price USED & DONATED items, unless you wanna pay $12.99 for an 8 year old OldNavy Sweater or $7.99 for a used adidas tshirt with stains to support local highschool’s girls JV soccer team, or an LL bean sweatshirt with stains and a hole for $14.99. If you’re into buying overpriced trash then this is your spot.
I love how they ask you’ “If you’d like to round up for rehab?”. The first thing that pops up in my head after that question, “where is my money going in the first place, if not for rehab and other support services?”
It’s getting ridiculous. This store and Salvation Army as a whole have become far too greedy to be considered a charitable organization. I will never again donate to this or any Corporate Thrift Stores.
I never thought I’d grow tired of Thrifting, but this place is exhausting.
A diamond in the rough,,, can be the rough in the rough sometimes. But thats life for a corporate thrift store. At the Belleville East location, they have a great team of ladies that put up with alot of stuff from the people and still maintain a huge thrift store. Prices have changed over the years, but everything does that. Still have solid items for solid prices. #4 or 5 on my Top 5 Belleville Thrift!
5⭐️ is 98% because of the staff they have.
I enjoy the Belleville Salvation Army, and the people are the best part..... Well, besides all the clothes. I restocked my summer wardrobe for about $35! And all designer brands! It's a little more expensive, but goes to several very good causes.
Ah, the Salvation Army thrift store—a retail experience unlike any other, where the thrill of the hunt meets the sting of sticker shock. Strap in for this humorous yet brutally honest review of a shopping trip to the place where one man’s trash is apparently worth its weight in gold.
### The Treasure Hunt Begins
Entering a Salvation Army store is akin to embarking on a grand treasure hunt. You weave your way through aisles cluttered with items that range from charmingly vintage to downright bizarre. The scent of mothballs and nostalgia fills the air as you pick through racks of clothes, hoping to unearth a hidden gem.
### The Price Shock: Sticker Shockers
As you reach for a slightly worn sweater, you check the price tag and nearly drop it in shock. $20 for a sweater that looks like it survived the Great Depression? You quickly realize that the Salvation Army must believe they’re running a high-end boutique instead of a second-hand store. It’s ironic, really—the item was donated for free, yet the price would make a frugal grandparent weep.
### The Furniture Section: Antique Antics
Next, you venture into the furniture section, a labyrinth of scratched tables and lopsided chairs. Here, you find an end table priced at $50. You can’t help but wonder if it was once owned by royalty or perhaps touched by a minor celebrity to justify such a price. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. The $50 might be better spent on something new from a discount store.
### The Electronics: Ancient Artifacts
Then there’s the electronics section, which resembles a museum of obsolete technology. You spot a VCR and wonder who in their right mind would pay $15 for a piece of technology that’s been obsolete since the early 2000s. You half expect to find an old rotary phone priced at $30, marketed as a “vintage” communication device.
### The Books: Paperbacks and Price Gouges
The book section offers a smattering of old paperbacks and hardcovers, many priced higher than what you’d pay for a new copy online. It’s a wonder anyone buys them at all. You consider picking up a dog-eared copy of a 1980s romance novel, but the $5 price tag deters you. You could buy a current bestseller on your e-reader for that price!
### The Checkout: Charity and Commerce
When you finally make your way to the checkout, your cart contains a curious mix of items you’re not entirely sure you need but couldn’t resist picking up. As you hand over your hard-earned cash, you can’t help but chuckle at the thought that you’ve paid premium prices for what are essentially castoffs.
### Overhead Costs: Minimal Effort, Maximum Markup
It’s worth noting that the Salvation Army has minimal overhead costs when it comes to processing these donated items. They receive the goods for free, and aside from sorting, pricing, and some light cleaning, there’s not much investment involved. Yet, the prices often make you feel like you’re shopping at a boutique instead of a thrift store.
### The Good Deed: Supporting a Cause
Despite the high prices, there’s a silver lining. The proceeds from your purchases go toward supporting the Salvation Army’s various charitable efforts, from helping the homeless to providing disaster relief. So while you might leave the store with a lighter wallet and a bemused expression, you can take comfort in knowing that your money is going to a good cause.
In conclusion, shopping at the Salvation Army is a unique experience that combines the excitement of a treasure hunt with the bewilderment of high pricing. It’s a place where you can find a curious assortment of items, laugh at the unexpected, and grumble at the cost, all while supporting a worthy cause. So, grab your sense of humor and a bit of cash, and embark on an adventure that promises to be as entertaining as it is charitable. Happy hunting!
They have raised the prices three times in the last 6 months, clothes that used to cost $5 now cost $8-9. Don't bother coming in during the beginning of the week because they pull 80% of the merchandise off the shelves and then it takes them till Friday to fill them back up.
Such great buys here good purchases and mostly everything looks in great shape and good condition the story is kept clean and the staff is very nice and helpful to
I talked with someone about me and my kid's being homeless the lady I spoke with told me that they will room us never heard from them again! I have been calling Back to back leaving messages the phone goes straight to voicemail and this been going on for almost two weeks the phone doesn't ring all the way through unless it's closing hours well I would like to said thank you me and my lil family are now sleeping in my vehicle
Inside staff was friendly and great, store is clean. The teen working the donation area is a horribly rude and sad excuse for an employee. If I wasnt so shocked at the bad encounter I would have driven away today. I will take my donations elsewhere after having an experience with him today.
The store was clean and well organized with a good assortment of merchandise. The staff were exceptionally nice and accommodating despite an extremely rude customer who had the rest of the customers in the store hoping she would just leave!! Both my daughter and myself found many things to purchase!
Always fun finding treasures at the salvation army. Got a Bissell carpet cleaner for 18 bucks, got a new set of latches for it for 8 dollars on the Bissell website, and it's like brand new, beats 100 bucks for a new one!
Nice people. Only went there once before and they recognized and remembered me. Prices aren't bad either. The only reason they can't get 4 stars is because for whatever reason the salvation army doesn't give discounts to military, which baffles me.
When our world is so full and sickness is spread across the country. You decrease the hours so people all pack in at once. Makes no sense. Hours use to be 9 am to whenever. Should be open at 8 am.
Nice clean store. Items are well organised and displayed, reasonable prices for brand names and vintage items as well as other things. The cashier was very polite.
I really like shopping at the Belleville Salvation Army Thrift Store. Every day is a sale day. Everyday seniors get a discount. The quality of the merchandise is very good
The staff is very nice.
Friendly employees. Very cramped, too small a space for all the donations they have. It is difficult to get around the store at times when there are many people there. Has good bargains if you are willing to dig through inventory.
Ok not bad at all, half price on nice things I like. People are pleasant, it's clean, they keeping it looking organized. Thanks for good prices offered to the community.?
SA Thrift Store has quickly become my "go to" 2nd hand shop. Twice I went elsewhere first and finally found what I sought here. Now I go here first and rarely need to go anywhere else. Atmosphere is peaceful with kind and helpful staff. The store is well organized with ample variety. I loved when my mother brought me here when I was a child. Now my teen sons shop here. Thank you!
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