Salvation Army

Huge store with lots of furniture and clothes! Kept clean and neat. Well organized. A while back I bought a couch from here on one of the days they were having a huge sale. I paid for the couch and the gave me three days to pick it up from the store. The very next day I my fiancé went to pick up the couch and called me at work to tell me that they had sold the couch that I had already purchased! Now, granted, I was upset. However, they apologized a million times over and were willing to work with us to make it right. I payed $ 80 for the original couch. We ended up with a matching couch and loveseat combo that was way nicer and a coffee and end table to replace the original couch. Great people and very helpful! At the end of the day, mistakes happen. I’m just glad that they were so willing to make it right.

This might be the best Salvation Army that I’ve ever shopped in. Tons of home décor and housewares, including vintage china. I just picked up a new wool Ralph Lauren fluted cardigan for $ 8.99 and I saw the same sweater in Macy’s last year. My husband just picked up a Paul Smith designer tie (brand new) for $ 7.99 and those ties retail for $ 125 each. My mother-​in-​law scored a Ralph Lauren handbag for $ 2.99 and an IKEA lamp for $ 5.99, though it turned out to be difficult to put in the car. What an ordeal that was! We always find cool stuff here, though the prices absolutely are a little higher than similar stores in the Flint area. We always try to hit this location up whenever we are in town to visit my husband’s mom.

I am a HUGE fan of the A2 Salvation Army, so I got pretty excited to see one near the new place.
What a crushing disappointment this store is! The selection is extremely sparse compared to other stores, especially given the huge square footage. There’s just not very much here.
Worse, what they do have is often *offensively* overpriced. Dents, chips, scratches, all guaranteed to be near or even above retail. Framed pictures that run 2 – 10 $ at St Vincent’s run 10 – 20 $ and higher. Six dollars for a wineglass? Sure, why not!
I’ve been in a couple of times and spent most of my time there picking things up and immediately returning them to the shelf. I’m reminded of the occasional garage sale where optimistic owners just can’t let go.

Wow they moved to this huge building it used to be a boat repair shop I think. Amazing amount of goods spent $ 50 n could of easily spent another $ 100. Helping each love charity’s! Even has changing rooms so you can try on items.

I have been shopping thrift stores with my mom since early elementary school. Thrift shops these days are not necessarily the bargains they used to be. Especially since I can shop clearance sales in stores and on Craiglist and get better deals on new and used stuff at more rockbottom prices.
That aside, it’s always cool to step into a retail museum like this Salvation Army on occasion. Like the previous/​first reviewer indicated, they do have promotional sale/​tag color discounts. You can usually find notices of current and upcoming price slashing on the board posted near the front door. If you happen to miss it, they are pretty good at making announcements over the loudspeaker.
The White Lake Salvation Army is in a huge, airy metal building with plenty of parking. The ‘departments’ are well-​sectioned off and stock is plentiful. The shoe section is sizable. You definitely need to carve out some time in your day to finger through the inventory. They also have plenty of dressing rooms. I forget exactly what their hours are, but I believe they are open until a decent time in the evening. The bathroom here is in a weird spot in the back through an employee area. You will need staff direction.
The staff is nice. I once broke something ill placed by them in the furniture section and they didn’t blink twice and readily said they would clean it up.
The customers that come here are a mixed bag. Seasoned citizens, trailer park ilk, some suburban mom-​types and even the occasional hipster. Worth a pop in if you’re in the area. They take credit cards here too.

Salvation Army stores are like shoes. You have to keep trying them until you find just the right fit. I have been to a share of thrift shops. The White Lake Salvation army is my pair of glass slippers. I always find amazing deals here.
The associates are always friendly. They work to keep it organized and looking good. I consider this more of a thrift department store. Each department is clearly marked and usually well stocked. They have changing daily sales and like other stores have a half off color each week.
Be sure to also check the calendar. On special days, if you arrive between 9am-​10am you will get an early bird ticket. This allows you to purchase any clothing except outerwear at 50% off. No need to look for special color tags during the Early Bird Sale, just head to your department and search the sizes 50% off.
Haven’t found your perfect thrifting fit yet? Try the White Lake location, just skip rainy days, the roof leaks!