The Salvation Army

It’s a very decent SA store, with nothing esp. bad about it, despite all of the very negative comments below. I have been going there for almost 10 years. I am writing this mainly to tell everyone that it is still open and going strong in 2016.

I didn’t realize there was another thrift store right across the street from B-​Thrifty. I only noticed this Salvation Army today after coming a different way to my go-​to thrift store. Obviously I was going to check it out.
It was weird. Most Salvation Army stores that I go to put anything and everything they can find out on the floor to try and sell. This one only carried items that were in good condition, from what I saw. I was in the book section and all of their books were in great shape. The paperbacks didn’t have creases in the spines or covers. It was nice to see stuff in that kind of condition, but it meant that a lot of the older stuff that was donated was getting thrown out rather than being put on the floor. That’s such a bummer, because I’m looking for some good copies of classic books with character. They only had newer titles and a lot of pop fiction. It was disappointing.
I didn’t much look at the clothing/​shoes, but it seemed very similar. Everything is organized by color rather than size here so it’s makes it more difficult to browse through clothes. Unless you’re looking for an item of a specific color… Then I guess you’re all set.
The whole store was pretty well organized. Everything looked very clean. There wasn’t anything lying on the ground and everything looked to be folded/​hung in its proper place. The sections make sense: clothes are together, media is together, and furnishings are together. (The furnishings selection seemed a bit sparse, though.)
I didn’t talk to any of the employees, but they all seemed very nice. They’d say excuse me if they needed to get through and they all had smiles on their faces. Everyone looked to be doing something to keep busy also. No one was just standing around gossiping, like I see to often elsewhere. There was only one register open, and the line looked really long. I’m not sure how long it would take to go through it, but from the looks of it, some customers had been waiting in like a while.
Overall, I don’t think I’ll be back. It was an okay store, but the selection wasn’t that great. Prices were okay (better than Savers) but for a lot of the items they had, nothing really seemed like a steal. And especially because it’s right across from B-​Thrifty, I’d rather spend an hour wandering around there than waste my time in this Salvation Army. But if you have nothing better to do, it wasn’t horrible.

Store is not organized and honestly some of the items they put out are questionable. The management is not into providing a clean and enjoyable experience as they worry too much about shoplifters. I have witnessed the manager worry too much about little things like children snacking in the store or drinking with their spill proof cups. Instead of focusing on more important issues. Not a pleasant experience.
Sorry!!!

I like this place but honest to god its best to stay the hell out of there on Wednesday when they have their sale days. You will be in line for near an hour (i’m not exaggerating) as the line winds around the back of the store. There is usually about ²⁄₃ registers open and this doesn’t make the process any faster. I’m not sure why… its probably because every person is checking out with a full cart or picking up more items as they stand in line to wait.
The prices are what you would expect from a thrift shop. It’s not messy. I like this store and I’m not afraid to spread the news. but serious, I don’t think its worth the discount to deal with the crazy hassle in the middle of the week. I’ll visit another day and leave without stress or anxiety. I like to shop in peace.
Update: Manager was not one to easily mark down an item

Quite honestly I’ve debated about giving a review. Mainly because I want to keep this gem all to myself. But I’ll share for the greater good.
I can’t attest to the clothing but the furniture and dishware is quite literally amazing. Not only is the furniture not cramed into a tiny space it’s actually set out as if you’re shopping room by room like in major furniture retailers.
Staff was friendly and helpful even giving me pointers on when the best stuff comes in.
By far this is one of the best thrift shops I’ve come across in the area. After striking out in the Goodwill Department, Nova has redeemed it’s self thrift wise

Note: Clothing is NOT organized by size – it’s by color/​sex. Who shops like this?
I’ve visited this Woodbridge, VA Salvation Army a few times, for non clothing items, but today I wanted some Yoga pants. Every piece of clothing is broken up by Women’s/Men’s/Boy’s/Girl’s, then separated further by sweaters/​pants/​button down shirts/​workout clothes/​jackets. But NOT by size. Really?
Lighting in there is awful– the changing rooms (3 of them) have no direct light, only light that creeps in from above and below the changing room door.
(+)Positive aspect: (cause I’m normally a positive person!) Furniture was spaced all out, on the right side, not crammed all in one space (like I’ve seen some places).

this is the most amazing thrift store in woodbridge (particularly for furniture, larger items, better than the village in this area), and the store has changed their way of pricing, they are now stapling on the tag, i had complained about this too, and finally they heard the complaints from many of their customers, i am also a village regular, they have a larger inventory of clothing and it is organized very nicely, i have mentioned this fact to the SA manager, and he is working on improving the size situation, it is very bad, i too prefer shopping for clothes at the village but there are much better deals at SA if you can find what you are looking for… the disciplione (children running around and such) is much, much better at SA, this is a major issue for me, but i did talk with the regional manager who happened to be at the village recently, told them they need a policy about children running around the store and enforce that policy, hopefully that issue will go away (suggested they kick out the parent who is responsible)…i consider myself an «expert» on both stores as i have spent thousands of hours and dollars at each… i shop for the whole family, five grandsons, two daughters and myself…

They DOUBLE STAPLE tags to the front of EVERY piece of clothing! Yes, right in front, even in the most delicate areas of shirts. I showed the manager the holes that the staples had ripped into previously perfect shirts… and he said, «We’ve heard this complaint before. I’ve tried to get them (at the regional warehouse) to change the way they do it, but they refuse.» He said their response was that they get so much inventory, that this is the most convenient way of tagging items.
So, what I hear is that if fewer donations come in, then they can afford to be more respectful to them. I think I can help them in that department! There is absolutely NO REASON they can’t be more careful, and avoid damaging these items! I’m sure people do not donate to them with the hopes that they will be destroyed upon tagging. I suggested that if they must staple, at least use the tag, or the seam… he shrugged his shoulders… my words falling on deaf ears.
In others areas of the country, I’ve seen much better Salvation Army Thrift Stores. This one, apparently, is not interested in treating donations with respect, or in listening to it’s clients or managers.
Go to THE VILLAGE instead! It’s by Lowe’s (at the intersection of Smoketown and Minneville) in Woodbridge. It’s SO MUCH BETTER! They organize clothes by style, size, and color. You can find exactly what you’re looking for VERY EASILY. Their regular prices are higher than I would prefer, but I’m willing to pay it because it’s so organized, they have a HUGE inventory, and they don’t damage their clothes! Not to mention, they have huge sales on Sundays and Mondays ;)

Happened into this store while traveling in the area. Very nice surprise. I left with some things I could fit in my suitcase and wished I could have bought some of the cool furniture. I think the prices are way better than in California thrift stores.