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

PLEASE RECYCLE PERFECTLY GOOD THINGS! WHAT YOU CAN'T USE, SOMEONE ELSE PROBABLY CAN! And this is a righteous place to do it. Read on.

Most important is the donation center. Unlike other popular thrift stores, I understand that the Salvation Army recycles rather than tosses. So clean old clothes that are beyond saving don't get trashed. And that is very important! To verify this I asked an attendant if they'd take clean rags and he said yes.

I very much miss the kiosks that used to be around town in which to leave things. I recently got an answer as to why they disappeared: Since 9-11 there is a fear that bombs or the like might be left inside. This is not an official answer (just a guy on the bus) but it makes sense. It is a shame as drop-off is inconvenient--especially if you don't live in the area. (Sadly, I've been unable to find a charity thrift store in Highland Park.) As a result, I've become somewhat of a dumpster diver as bags of clean clothes can often be found in our apartment's trash bin. I rescue them, check them out and take bags to the Salvation Army for proper distribution. (Old blankets should go to Blankets of Love for shelter animals, but that's another review.)

The store is far from pretty, but that's part of the attraction. Rummage around for all sorts of goods, many at truly bargain prices (the staff that does pricing sometimes gets it wrong, but most of the time it's good). This is a big store and is everything a proper thrift...

Ridiculous donation experience. Used to be able to donate everything and anything here no problem, now they turn their nose up at certain furniture pieces with a few scratches?? Are you kidding? It’s a thrift store, not antique road show. I brought in a great vintage 2 level side table with a few scratches, some age, great piece for someone to restore. I got haughty attitude from a male worker, just because we’re in Pasadena doesn’t mean everything has to be priced expensively. They still took my item, probably to dump. But I really wish they’d chill on the attitude. It’s SALVATION ARMY. Not a vintage boutique in la. The hilarious thing is, my mom donated a crappy lamp from Target there a few months back and we found they had priced it higher than what we originally bought it for. I don’t know if they’re just becoming greedy, or trying to get in on the vintage market prices like the RB Flea Market. But again, you’re not the RB flea market, you’re not a vintage boutique. Thrift stores are meant to be affordable places for people to get AFFORDABLE used items. Please get over yourself Salvation Army. You’re not magic. Maybe people should donate to places with better intentions. The cancer society discovery shop...

This place is the worst when dropping off donations. There was 4 men sitting around and acting annoyed that we pulled up to drop off. We couldn’t get a hello or thank you out of them but did get attitude, not to mention they threw our donations from across the parking lot into their bin not knowing if there was anything breakable in there since they just stared us down. As someone in the business of decluttering peoples homes I tend to donate a lot but I won’t be donating here again. It’s really too bad as I thought I was helping with what they claim to represent. There’s plenty of other places to donate too. I suggest you help them and not this place that doesn’t appreciate...