The Salvation Army Thrift Store & Donation Center — Attraction in Hamden

They did a phenomenal job remodeling this place, that's the credit for the 1 star. However, up until a few months before then, I used to go here all the time. Sometimes 3-4 times a week. They used to have crates of records, all different genres, all different conditions. Sometimes they'd have 5 or 6 crates at a time. It was AMAZING!!! I spent a lot of $$$ here buying records for $1 each. Then I went back one day and the records were up to $2 a piece. No big deal. I figured, that's what goodwill charges, so thats still fair. Then right before they remodeled the store, the price jumped to $3 a record. I thought, uh that kinda really pricey for a thrift store, when everything else is a deal. But within the same month of raising the price to $3 then suddenly from out of nowhere, there were no more records. At any given time, they went from at least a crate to no more than a hand full at a time (maybe 20-30). Not to mention, all of these records were now in terrible condition and consisting of nothing but the most unpopular records imaginable. Classical, barbershop, Christmas records and nothing beyond that scope. Not to say that they didn't have that before, but at least there was a mix of everything. Since the remodeling I've been back there about 10 times within the past 2 years and there is never more than 10 records at a time, all in terrible condition, all made up of a terrible TERRIBLE selection and they have now reached $4 a record. Scratched up Christmas records, warped classical, polka records, barbershop and nothing EVER beyond that. It's like some sadistic joke. Especially since, if I go to an ACTUAL used record store, $4 is the going average price for a popular musician in excellent condition. So now Salvation Army charges $4 a record for completely crappy records. So I'm assuming it's got to be a result of several possibilities. Either they 1.started keeping the good records and then send them someplace else. 2.They keep the good records and sell them online. 3.Someone working in the back is a record collector and is keeping them for themselves. Or 4. A customer made a deal to save them for them and then buys them all at once. Whatever it is, I 100% know it's NOT from a lack of donations. Salvation Army gets loads of good record donations. I even took this 1 step further and tested the waters to see if I was incorrect. So I donated a few good records I had double copies of in my collection, (good condition, popular musicians, would sell very easy) to see if they would put them out and I went back everyday to see if they put them out and they never made it into the store front where they put the records they sell. So I don't know what changed, but it REALLY sucks cause I used to love going here. It was very exciting. Now it's just a dark abyss that sucks in good records and I have no idea...

I returned today because I thought shoes would be half off. In fact the footwear I was interested in I was told were $50 with no discount which I felt was expensive. I went to look @ a lawn chair with no price sticker. Upon lugging it to the register I was told it was $24.99. Again I thought a very steep price for a lawn chair in Sept in a thrift store. Finally the manager asked me and my family to leave the store bc according to her I wasn't observing my child who was very energetic and happy to meet a peer after a long day of home schooling. At least 3 staff were singling me out even tho there was only 2 other families who's kids also were not bothering anyone. The manager was incredibly mean to me today and it really upset me that she was so rude to me and my 2 kids. Also they never let my kids or boyfriend sit on any of their unnattractive used...

The floor was discussing!!!! The entire floor of the whole establishment. They get the same type of donated clothing like others but the layout of everything. Someone needs to go in and revamp everything. It can be beautiful. I believe you don't have to put everything on the floor. Some things need to be thrown out or put in area for dirt cheap for those that like to use and repurpose fabric and different parts of shoes. Ok that was a side note. They get Zara items which is good. When I was leaving, a staff member said "she blank all over the floor!" When I first came in I needed to use the bathroom but when I saw that the floor had not been mopped wear everything was, I said there is no way I'm using...