The Salvation Army Family Store - Mason City, Iowa

Punkass M.

Update: This Salvation store has changed the employees that work there, and I absolutely love them all. Very kind, considerate, and engaging. Prices are still a bit on the expensive side, but I do find bargains every time I shop. Keep up the good work ladies!! You are doing an amazing job. 🙂
Previous Post:
I've been shopping at this Salvation Army Family Store for about 2 years now when the prices where very reasonable. For the past month or so, I've noticed the prices to be outrageous and seem to be inline with the Goodwill store a few doors down. When you are questioned by staff regarding the price on an item that's when I've had enough. I had an item with a price sticker that fell off during checkout. I found it on the ground, picked it up and was looked at like I was trying to pull a fast one on them. I know this was the sticker for this item as I very aware of how much each item costs. I felt insulted. If I'm going to be treated like a criminal instead of a customer, then I will take my business elsewhere. And stop robbing the customers. This is a recession and most people are struggling to make ends meet. Why on earth would you raise the price on items that you get for absolutely free?

NM H.

Organised, I noticed right away this shop was packed with items, the prices may have something to do with that. Do not expect reasonable second hand price points at this shop. Items that are normally bundled are sold separately ( see photos), used kitchen items are higher priced than rummage sales.
Brick-a-brack, dust catchers are spendy, many are hobby lobby quality, beat up dressers are priced over 40 dollars. Noticed most shoppers where not adding items to carts while I was in the store.

Sandra L.

Salvation Army will pick up good used furniture and other items you need to donate. We used this service today to move some of my sister's things and J.P., the moving guy, was kind and helpful.

Victoria H. (.

Prices are now much more reasonable. Friendly staff this time as well. Neat, organized, and very affordable.
I hadn't visited the store for almost 2 years due to high prices and scowling employees that didn't want to interact with customers and sometimes were pretty rude.

I am Happily planning on returning often. Recommend checking it out. Definitely worth stopping in to see for yourself.

R H.

There were so many items I almost bought... but the prices were about 30% too high, sometimes more. I’m a person who almost always leaves the thrift store with a full cart.

Guessing they built too fancy of a building and have to make up the cost somewhere? Just insane.

If my math is correct they’d make more money if they priced items lower and actually had high turnover. On *donated* inventory. Ah well. There are plenty of other local thrift options that support good causes. Don’t bother here.

BeJe S.

Clean, organized and easy shopping. The prices are a little high but I don't mind paying a little more for the better shopping experience. The Goodwill in town is fair prices but so crowded and very difficult to not feel claustrophobic. I understand the Salvation Army pays a higher rent for the building so I don't mind paying a little more to shop there.

Jack S.

Wow. The prices at this place are ludicrous! I recently went in after not having been there for 6 months and they had the same products (electronics) at the same crazy price. I mean come on, $50.00 for any used good is extreme but this store lives by high prices..donated items are priced as brand new if not more! I think I'll go to Walmart and buy new and save some money..greedy as hell at used to be good ol' Salvies.

Joel D.

Salvation Army used to be the last good thrift store in the area, but have turned to the dark side. You cannot view DVDs or games without permission from the staff. Everything is overpriced by 50%-100%. I stop in roughly once a week and the merchandise on the floor never changes.