Why So Picky?

[Hadron]

Everybody knows the Salvation Army for the discount stores worldwide and the rehabilitation programs offered. Unfortunately, I think I had a bad experience that led me to believe that SA was not in it for the good of mankind...

I recently moved from Massachusetts to Oregon and thought it best to start new. I wanted to sell all my posessions and buy new stuff when I got out there, since I was driving and wanted to travel light.

I contacted the Salvation Army in Worcester, MA, to donate several items, one being a $500 solid oak dresser that had some small black stains on the top. I was told that any furniture I donate should pretty much be in mint condition and that they wouldn't accept it. I ended up paying $150 to get the remaining stuff hauled away because supposed Christian donation groups wouldn't take things that were perfectly good, just not in retail condition. I was stunned.

How are the poor benefiting from the Salvation Army requiring mint-conditon items so they can sell them at premium prices?

 

[something from the fridge]

in australia family stores are run by family stores, not the churches

 

[Abiel]

mod hat on

this is a fellowship thread. Please do not start a debate.

mod hat off

 

[Andy Broadley]

mod hat on

this is a fellowship thread. Please do not start a debate.

mod hat off

Honestly, I'm not being awkward here. I don't even have a strong viewpoint on the issue, as things in the US are obviously different to the UK, so comparisons would be invalid in any case.

But why can't a debate be held? Ok, so certain rules apply to keep things 'civilised', but apart from that whats the problem?

We had (and may have more of) a good debate about the pro's and co's of uniform and that was OK, so what is different here?

Like I said, I'm not trying to be awkward (Andy would NEVER do that ), I just thought that debate was allowed provided it was conducted in a civilised manner.

 

[Abiel]

These are the rules:


2) Salvationist, as well as all members of the Congregational Forums can post fellowship threads here. Only Salvationist members are allowed to debate threads to discuss various doctrines to do with their own denomination and other denominations as long as they are within our rules.

3) Non-Salvationist members can only post fellowship posts here or posts to ask a question regarding Salvationist doctrine. Once the question is answered, there shall be no debate over the answer in this forum by the Non- Salvationist members. Any debate posts by Non-Salvationist members will be deleted; and the poster may be warned. In other words, only Salvationist members can debate here.

4) No posts that denigrate a Christian denomination or Christian group will be tolerated - these will be deleted and the poster will be warned.

Basically, we do NOT allow accusations that a particular Christian denomination or group is non-Christian. That is the bottom line. Debates regarding doctrine is allowed (for Salvationist members only). Accusations are not.

 

[Abiel]

Friendly discussion is one thing. As a mod, I am charged with prevention rather than cure.

 

[Andy Broadley]

OK, fair comment (mainly). My only concern would be that it gives the impression that the Army is unable to accept criticism.

However, the reasons stated are fair and reasonable, and my question is answered. I feel it is important that we ensure that everyone is aware of this, and that debate will not be held for these reasons, and not because the Army cannot handle criticism (and there could be a debate in itself there).

Thanks Abiel

Told I wasn't being awkward

 

[InTheFlame]

While working for the Salvo Family Stores (Red Shield Industries) I learnt a fair bit about how they work... nowhere near everything, but what I learnt had me rather gobsmacked. In these days of cheap (rather bad quality) clothing and furniture, frankly it's often cheaper to go to a Target (clothing) or Freedom (furniture) store than to the Salvos. And I don't think that's the fault of the Salvos... I think that's just because production costs for cheap stuff are lower than they used to be, and manpower is more expensive. Working there caused me to form the strong opinion that the Salvos should get out of Family Stores as a revenue-raising scheme, and if not get out of it entirely, at least cut back to serving those on lower incomes only - eg. health care card holders only. Too much competition makes it all seem a bit ridiculous - and surely not overly profitable.

 

[Abiel]

We dont have this is the Uk. Our charity shop sells allsorts for Corps funds, but due to tiny premises we simply can't take everything. If we didn't have our shop, dhq would probably have to shut us down. It is the shop which pays all our salaries. We also have jumble sales, partly for funds, mainly as outreach. I am often staggered at the rubbish we get given. eg. totally worn out shoes, clothes with unrepairable damage. I will not put these things up for sale- even the poorest person in our community deserves the dignity of tidy jumble.
I cant explain the op's problem. Just that I know it's not like that every where. A problem we do face in the UK is health and safety law which prevents us accepting donations of perfectly good mattresses for hostels- the law now says clients are entitled to new stuff. A long way from Booth's coffin beds in a warehouse.

 

[BillR]

OK, fair comment (mainly). My only concern would be that it gives the impression that the Army is unable to accept criticism.

However, the reasons stated are fair and reasonable, and my question is answered. I feel it is important that we ensure that everyone is aware of this, and that debate will not be held for these reasons, and not because the Army cannot handle criticism (and there could be a debate in itself there).

Thanks Abiel

Told I wasn't being awkward

So it may look like you can post here but don't even try to start a debate if you are not a member Salvation Army Corp. or you will be ignored or deleted. What happened to friendly conversation between fellow believers in Christ.

 

[Abiel]

Bill, check out the rules in the sticky at the top of the page.

 

[BillR]

Bill, check out the rules in the sticky at the top of the page.

Hi Abiel,

Sorry about that i get excited to see what everybody is talking about that i did not look those rules over very good. My intention is not to start any problems here, ever since i started posting here everybody has been very nice and friendly to me, but when people post OP like this one its hard not to talk it over with them.

God Bless you, your brother in Christ.

Bill

 

[Abiel]

It's ok really it is!

 

[Andy Broadley]

Two quick points (and they will be quickones because its nearly 11pm and I have to be up at 5am).

Firstly, a major factor that impacted upon SA shops in Britain in recent years has been fire regulations in relation to furnature (particularly soft furnishings) It meant that many things could no longer be sold and we could no longer accept certain items if they did not meet these requirements. I believe similer legislation now applies to electrical goods.

Secondly, In relation to the subject of debates, if anyone needs to persue a subject further and is unable to because of the rules, they are perfectly welcome to send me a Pm and I'll do my best with it for them. Others may be of like mind on this but it wuld be grossly unfair of me to 'volunteer' them.

Thirdly (OK so I can't count), I could not help wondering if the person in the OP was more agggrieved because they had to pay to get the rest of their things removed than they were over the principal of the quality of goods accepted by the Army. As I said in an earlier post, I have no knowladge of the situation with regards to this shop, but I do know that the charity shop at Hull Goodwill had VERY limited space, so it would have been foolish to accept a large item if we had no reasonable prospect of selling it.

OK that's me done for now. Badly need some sleep. One more shift to do then 5 days off

God Bless you all

TTFN

 

[tadpole29]

The Salvo policy in America is that as long as it is in useable condition then we will accept it. Why someone would not except the donation if it was in good condition is not the fault of The Salvation Army that it was donate, but rather the fault of the person who was working there. Call your local Salvation Army and talk to the person in charge, I am sure they will be more than happy to resolve this issue.