The Salvation Army UK & Ireland Avis 

If zero stars could be given, it would. My husband scheduled for a donation pick up over a month ago for large household items to be donated. No scheduled time slot was given when scheduled. Day of scheduled pick-up SA calls stating donation pickups are on hold for un-seeable future due to lack of drivers. WTF do you wait until the day of to call someone that you cant pick up the donation!? Very unprofessional and we will refuse to ever consider donations to your facility again in the future.

I recently went to the SA at 59 John street street Ayr KA8 (Scotland) and I left feeling absolutely disgusted with the service I received. I haven’t been there for quite some time now as I haven’t needed to, but I have met the woman who served me many many times in past visits.
She asked me the normal bog standard questions, name, address, DOB; but then proceeded to ask me some more personal questions that I’ve literally never been asked before on any previous visits.
I was asked if I’m registered to live in this area, if I’m a migrant and if I was in the country legally!
I answered all her questions but with an obviously confused look on my face, she must have noticed because she replied with “it’s just the questions we have to ask” (which isn’t true as I’ve never been asked them before)

Before I went into the SA there was a white guy ahead of me, and when I left I saw he was still at the end of the road, so I caught up with him and asked him what questions were on his form. He said just the normal, name, address, DOB, what benefits he’s on, does he need toiletries, does he have allergies etc, but nothing about being an migrant or being registered to live in Scotland.

I’m English born and bred from Essex east London, and have lived in Scotland since 2020. I speak perfect English and give no indication what so ever that I would be in this country illegally. So the only reason that she would have to ask me those deplorable questions is my skin colour.
I am a 40 year old English black man and my “legal status” has literally never been questioned before. I was made to feel so very uncomfortable, and didn’t get so much as an apology, even when she could see the questions were leaving me visibly perplexed.

I will definitely be taking this further as no one should be made to feel as I was, especially when they’re just there to collect a food parcel.
If you’re going to ask people a different set of questions depending on their skin colour, then this really isn’t the job for you. Racism in 2025 is just unconscionable and racists should be named and shamed. It’s lazy and disgusting, just deplorable behaviour.

She shouldn’t be in that position.

I actually cannot get over how ludacris the nz salvation army is. They get given things, in the trust they get a prove tag that is efficient with people looking for a bargain. This place has literally turned to the devil, put the highest and most ridiculous prices on items. I have no idea how they are still in business. I feel sorry for the workers that actually get paid.

I wanted to leave a review, as I have been so impressed with the salvation Army charity shop at central 6 Retail park, coventry. I have visited the store on a number of occasions and have been so impressed. The assistant manager Addie, he is so helpful and goes above and beyond for the customers and charity. He is so helpful and genuinely cares about the customers, staff and the store. Such a lovely welcoming atmosphere to shop in.I would definitely rate this store on five star service
Thank you Addie and all the team.

I lived in these buildings and I can safely say they are filled with nothing but drug addicts, at just 18 years old I was pulled into a room by a drug addict from this building and was forced into taking heroine and cocaine. I then spent the next 3 years of my life struggling and trying to cope with being addicted to heroine all because of a lack of staff and because they wouldn't take it seriously. I had to wash the toilet, showers and kitchen every time I needed to use them because there rules are that you as a group have to keep the area clean and tidy even though you are paying a service charge. But at least they give you a meal right.

"I would give them a zero! They failed to inform donors upfront that their acceptance criteria are based on someone's personal opinion. Their website states that damaged furniture won't be accepted, but that's misleading. Instead, they cherry-pick items, which is disrespectful.

I spent an entire day moving heavy furniture to the garage, only for them to arrive and select just a couple of items. I'm extremely disappointed in their process and lack of transparency."

I was told to visit this store as I'm a single mum of 1 and just moved into a property with all my money going on the move the rent and floors I had no more money left that they could donate for charity and kindness to help people like myself and could help with 3 items
I went to the store like asked to do so when got to the store the manager came to help me and said we only have this wardrobe with the wardrobe not being suitable I said is there anything else I could pick ( thinking as I was told I'm allowed 3 items for goodwill) the manager said quite loudly Infront of shoppers in the store " that is all we have for our social worker cases". I quickly said "I'm not a social worker case I have zero social services involved." She replied with "U are welcome to buy something. I didn't even want to put any money into this Kettering store for the way the manager had spoken to me and embarrassed and belittled me Infront of a store full of people. I left the store and never will I ever return or give this shop any charity whatsoever the manager needs to be ashamed of her self had I have been a woman who had social services and needed help and support and that's the way you feel it's necessary to treat women with children like that you need to be deeply ashamed and not assume just because a woman or family needs support are social services cases as she said and not to embarrass people with such needs

I recently bought a small dresser from the Wesley Chapel, Florida Salvation Army. Even though the dresser was on the smaller side, it was very heavy and made of oak. This big, strapping guy came out with it and set it at the rear of my SUV. I'm 70 years old and not very strong and I just assumed the worker would gladly help load the dresser in the back. He informed me that he wasn't supposed to help load items in vehicles but did so, reluctantly, after I told him it was too heavy for me to handle alone.

I think it's pretty sad to think that an organization that prides themselves on helping people in need cannot even spend 30 seconds to help a person lift a dresser into their vehicle. Shame on you!

I have supported the Salvation Army for many years and have family connections with them and their amazing work. I have donated good quality items over the years and my friends and I donate in place of giving Christmas presents to each other.
Yesterday I made a special journey to donate to the Filton shop, to be met by a very unexpected attitude from, presumably, the shop manager. It was around mid day and I was told to come back after 2pm. I explained that I had driven a long way and could not come back or wait around for two hours in the cold. I also mentioned that I had chocolates, buscuits and catering sized hot chocolate drinks to donate to the shelter. I was told to take them there myself but she then relented and said she would take the items, together with an almost new toaster and kettle.
I was upset at having to practically beg her to take the items I had to donate. I realise how busy the shop is but a more friendly attitude would have been appreciated.
I then drove to Gloucester Road and donated the good quality clothing and shoes to St Peter's Hospice shop.
On driving home through the very narrow streets around North Bristol, where I would not have been travelling had I been able to drop off the donations at the SA shop, I had a motorbike drive into the back of my car. All in all a very disappointing day.

This compay could improve in all directions as their items on sale are very expensive they demand a receipt whe returnig items although its blatantly obvious they were bought from them and if receipt lost they will not give a credit note.God following helpers of the poor and needy i think not their just legal theives.Avoid them theres plenty of other charity shops use them

Donated in the two ball Lonnen near Morrison Newcastle upon Tyne; bag of old clothes gone small. My son liked dropping the bags in the shute but by mistake he took another bag that was presents for family. I immediately called number on the box. After awhile a nice lady called back took my details. And said the next collection the guy will phone me to meet and get my bag back. But sadly when he opened the box today (it was the weekend when it happend 21/12/24) there were a lot of donation bags but both mine were not there with no explanation other than it being stolen by vandals. Apparently thieves are able to get into the donation shutes and rob the thing. So very upset at the moment. All I’m saying is I’m not donating anything else in there because the needy don’t get it. All good stuff gets nicked, the donation bag I gave had all my sons old football outfits that had gone small so they took that aswell.
The collection guy was very nice too I’m not saying anything about that. Just they’ll have to do something about the boxes themselves if they don’t want to lose good stuff that people are donating in good faith to go to the needy.

I am all a one for supporting charities and I would normally love to grab a bargain at the Salvation Army Donation Centre in Consett Co. Durham.. but after today’s experience with the two old hag volunteers talking about my Mam behind her back.. I couldn’t hold my tongue! All my Mam said to one of them was ‘excuse me I have lovely 2 seater and 3 seater sofa, do you swap at all’ as she spotted a lovely fabric one they had. The first old hag’s attitude was terrible from the beginning and looked at my Mam as if she had 2 heads in disgust. We then went to pay for other items we had and we over heard her say to the second old bag ‘the cheek of her over there asking if we swap and she tutted at me’.. absolute load of tosh. My Mam was polite about it all. I then said ‘excuse me we were only asking, we didn’t complain’ for the second old hag to go around the desk and mumble ‘Jesus Christ what is wrong with people’ I said! I then erupted and said ‘if you want to say something behind my back say it to my face’

Honestly!! No need for any of it! I think the festivity has obviously bit you on the back side you miserable witches. Next time I visit (IF I do..) try and be a bit more happy yeah?

Thanks!

If I could give this so called charity a zero I would . Homophobic, organisation. Saw the news that they are providing a fat cow with 5 kids presents . She gets enough from my taxes ,she could not be bothered to cross her legs. Yet a gay man homeless in the streets gets turned away . BBC will Broad cast this crap charity as they do. The ceo gets a huge pay of over 500k year. What's so Christian about that? . Morons .

Every year you boast about how much good you are doing for people in dire circumstances and ask for a donation of 'just £19', if your 'fat cat' CEO wasn't so damn greedy and took a tenth of his £523k per year you wouldn't need to ask ordinary citizens for so much money, but of course, then you wouldn't be able to have your annual meetings in the Bahamas, would you?. Disgusting.

So you expect us to give over our hard earned money, whilst your greedy CEO takes about £500,000 for himself.
Not a chance.

Well, I frequent S.A. about once a month, walking through hoping something will catch my eye. I am a designer, and deal with many lower income tenants, estate agents, etc.
My last visit proved to be less than productive. It seems my fervor was mocked by an employee, with no understanding of my mode. Unprofessional consumer relations, at best. Customer beware of youthful, uninformed minds. Otherwise I'll be back, and maybe tone down my exuberance for creative excitement. Wish me luck. Make the World beautiful...again.

Disgusting company values, even worse to work for, I’d give them 0 stars if it was possible, none of the donations actually go where people are led to believe. All of your generously donated clothes are sold per tonne and sent abroad to make profit. Rogue charity making millions each year off of people’s generosity and then treating their staff like crap to thank them for their hard work. So next time you think about donating clothes, thinking it will go to those who need it, don’t bother as it’s just sold for disposal. If you want to donate, make sure it goes to a charity shop where you can see where it’s going, not Salvation Army..

My friend made contact to donate some of her mums items, her mother has recently passed away, the men that arrived to collect were absolutely dreadful. They were very unprofessional and showed no compassion at all. They referred to items as S%£T and gave the recommendation of a skip! They advised that a mattress was too old (it was not old and in pristine condition with all tags on required to be taken by a charity). If your working with bereaved people, you should have some form of people skills and not leave people more upset then before you arrived! These were from Hinckley in Leicestershire.

Just tried to donate 6 bags of virtually new coats and fleeces, in Coventry, central six. Forced to wait in queue, then directed to an unmanned donation section. Gave up and am just donating to a charity cancer instead. Shocking.

Donated some books and toys to your Folkestone branch only to be greeted by a surly faced woman who rolled her eyes at me and said “that will have to be the last lot today, we can’t take anymore”. This was the only donation I had made today but I seemed to get the blame for all the other donations that had been made that day. “Over there” she shouted and pointed to an area in the corner. She stormed past me to put a sign outside. No please, no thank you. Charity certainly doesn’t begin in your Folkestone branch! I’ll think twice before donating anything again!