GOODWILL STORE RON KRATOFIL CEO GINGER HAASE JOANNE PACANA BARB CLERK Theft Scam Donation Charity Needy Stealing Gleaning Donations Thorndale Pennsylvania
I will try to make this story short and not confusing because there is much that was said and happened but will get to the basics. Anyway a Goodwill Store opened in Thorndale Pa. 18 months ago. I live 2 minutes away and would go in all the time as they would put things out at different times. This is for another story, but it seemed they would always put things out when one shift was over so the employees could shop, and at closing.
Anyway there is a clerk named Barb there, and her Manager Ginger Haase. Barb is in charge of Jewelry only, you would never see her do anything but stand and mark jewelry. I love looking at vintage jewelry so would hope to go in when and if she put any out. One day she was placing jewelry in the glass counter and I saw a bracelet sitting to the side with stuff not placed yet. I picked it up and she snatched it out of my hand and said I could not buy she was holding for someone. I said I didn't know you were allowed to do that. She ignored me and kept working. Didnt think to much of it.
I continued to go in and the same thing basically would happen. Except I started noticing a Lady come in and stand at the counter and just talk to Barb. I saw her before but never thought to much of it. This was always around the same time early afternoon when I would see her. She would not shop, she would just come in and stand at the counter.
Well one day I was walking up from the back of the store and saw her standing at the register and counter talking to Barb, except this time Barb reaches under the counter and pulls out a huge bag stuffed with jewelry. I do not mean a junk clear bag of beads they sell for $6.97, it was a white bag but you could see jewelry poking through it, rhinestones, etc. I mean packed full and heavy. She hands to this Lady and when she saw me she rang her up for $10.00 and the lady scurried out. Now one piece of jewelry runs around $3.97 there.
Whats funny is its such a process to see jewelry there. You have to get a clerk and they get out piece by piece which is time consuming, exspecially if they are busy, so for this woman to come in and have a huge bag from under the counter handed to her, she is not shopping. I saw her leave in a white van with Maryland tags. which I thought is odd to come all the way here from Maryland 3 times a week.
I will get to her name shortly and how I know. Anyway I told the Asst. Manager what I saw and she said it doesnt matter, no one here cares, no on here listens and the manager allows it. I then proceeded to call Goodwill Corp. and they told me to call the Regional Manager April.
Well let me tell you, this April was a joke, she was rude and acted mad at me for calling. What does she do, she warns them I saw them and tells them my name. The next time I go in Ginger and Barb storm to the back and get someone else to wait on me, since then they were rude to me, whispering to other customer friends when I would walk in, make remarks to new employees to watch me and so on.
Well finally Im talking to one employee named Sandra who is very nice and I told her what I saw about the woman coming in and being handed bags for cheap and sometimes nothing when they didnt see me but I saw them.
She told me quote " That lady dont live in Maryland, she works at the Brandywine Hospital her name is Joanne and calls ahead and comes in on her lunch break. She is Barbs friend and helping her out with giving her a good report for her troubled stepson in return for stuff." and on several occasion she told me " you would not believe the sh%$ that goes on here and thats allowed to." Also how no one cares about the theft. I mean after all if the manager is doing it, why not have a free for all.
After finding this out from Sandra I then really start watching because I am furious that this Manager Ginger, her co worker and friend Barb and this Joanne are stealing donated items for their own gain. So I notice that Sandra is right, at least 3 times a week Joanne would pull in, in her white van anywhere from 12:30-1:30 on her lunch break, goes in never shops and comes out with bags. On one occasion I was in the store and she comes in, and then as soon as she saw me walk toward the counter Ginger motions for her to follow her, they walk toward the back where there is isles of glassware and of course I followed, she comes out with a huge dirty stained burlap knapsack stuffed full. Im not exaggerating, you should have seen her trying to carry it, she was waddling and her shoulder was leaning as she walked out of the store and to her van. Now this lady dresses for work, she does not carry a dirty stained knapsack for her everyday attire. this is her theft bag.
I come to find out her name is Joanne Pacana and she ( how scary ) works for another charity center who accepts cash. They work with alot of different foundations which I guess is somehow related to how she is helping Barb out.
nyway its theft, and if this Joanne is stealing donations from the needy for money dont tell me she is not stealing anything else. She does not wear this jewelry and other valuables she is taking, they are either selling or splitting, but if you need money from stealing donations from Goodwill she in my opinion should not be trusted working where she has any type of control over cash donations.
Well I call and email everyone at Goodwill, finally they have their loss prevention guy Stan Mccarty call me. He along with the regional manager April is also a joke. He just tried to pacify me and find out what I knew. He lied, one day saying Goodwill doesnt allow budget for cameras, to whenever she would be in there brazenly walking out with things, he couldnt come that day, or had no help, or was up late checking cameras ( thought there were none.) I pursued and kept complaining, I didnt and dont care, I AM DETEREMINED TO GET THIS OUT IN THE PUBLIC! finally the Ceo Ron Kratofil emails me that there working on it however they may never really know, and all throughout basically telling me Im crazy and a liar and they are allegations.
They keep sticking up for this Joanne which bothers me too. It's like a big cover up. Its funny the office where April is and alot of other GW corp. where I recieved emails is in Maryland, funny Joanne lives and works in Coatesville but has a Maryland tag.
I am now banned from the stores Ron Kratofil has control over for reporting this weekly theft ring. This is either a cover up and they are all in on it and friends, or they are scared because this Joanne works for a well respected Charity.
EITHER WAY ITS THEFT, I DO NOT CARE WHERE YOU WORK, SOME OF THE BIGGEST EMBEZZLERS HAVE WORKED FOR RESPECTED CHARITYS. JOANNE PACANA WILL STEAL DONATIONS FOR THE NEEDY, SHE WILL STEAL ANYTHING. THE MANAGER GINGER IS A THIEF AND SO IS HER COWORKER AND FRIEND BARB, THEY ARE RUNNING A THEFT RING OF VALUABLE DONATIONS AND ALLOWED TO DO IT BY GOODWILL MANAGMENT AND THEIR CEO RON KRATOFIL.
I have no reason to lie, Im not crazy, I know what I saw on several occasions, others have seen it, employees know it and it needs to stop. This is serious, I do not know if you see what some jewlery silver collectibles sell for, they are not stealing junk, the junks on the shelves, its all thats left after these 3 are done.
Tina
Coatesville, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
9 Updates & Rebuttals
Frequent Shopper
Downingtown,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
To Tina from Coatesville about the Thorndale, PA Goodwill Store
#10Consumer Comment
Sun, January 25, 2009
Tina, I am sorry that you think you had such a terrible experience at the Goodwill store in Thorndale, PA. Unfortunateley, it is all in your mind You have no real basis for complaining about this particular store. The employees work for minimum wage, because they are a charity. The assitant manager and manager are people who work there because they care about the charity and the community. Sadly, you must have a psychological problem and do not know it. You should get professional help. You have too much time on your hands and nothing constuctive to do. Instead of making up lies about people you do not know, you should take a long hard look at yourself.
The people of the Goodwill store in Thorndale and nice and polite. I shop there often and have never had any problems. I know that none of the employees are stealing. The store is always clean and inviting. It's too bad that they have to deal with customers like you, people who complain for no reason. I believe you have personal problems and need a good friend. If you cannot afford to get professional help, there are many free clinics that would help you. I wish you do get help and soon. It will ruin the rest of your life if you continue to blame everyone else for your short comings!
Frequent shopper,
Downingtown, PA
Goodwillvix
Thorndale,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
somethings true somethings not
#10UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, December 05, 2008
Ok Something things Tina posted are indeed true but in the same light alot is not. Tina is known around for causing trouble and well if you stand within 2 feet of her just take a sniff and youll be drunk too. Yes there are things that should not be allowed to happen at this store but the same s**t happens NO MATTER where you work in retail. Ive worked for bigger companies (that pay alot better) and have had the same s**t going on and unless people are caught in the act... nothings going to be done.. at all... end of story. Look at Tinas story... all this badmouthing and nothing has been done.. at all. I think its funny that someone has so much time on her hands to "sit and watch" who comes in the store and when.. I dont like the company. I dont have any ill feelings towards the people that work there. Its your mouth that got you banned from not only this store Tina BUT every goodwill in PA! If you truely are upset about something in a retail store and dont like the way things are... contact someone higher up before running your mouth it might get you somewhere other then banned or MOVE ON and dont shop there. There are certain ways of going about things and yes i know im not helping by typing this but at least my 2 cents are out there. Im not just here to slam Tina... I dont like what goes on as much as the next person but nothing is being done... they wont do anything... and like the other post said it would cost more to train a new manager then its worth to goodwill they have people in the store that are shopping and in the end its all about the good old depoist at the end of the night and not if anyone likes who is running the store.
Noodlec
Hatboro,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Tina
#10UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, November 13, 2008
Hey tina if possible post could you post an email address. i do not want to post my own, i know that a few people tied to goodwill have seen this and have asked me about it. Id rather remain anonymous at least on these boards
Noodlec
Hatboro,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Tina
#10UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, November 13, 2008
Hey tina if possible post could you post an email address. i do not want to post my own, i know that a few people tied to goodwill have seen this and have asked me about it. Id rather remain anonymous at least on these boards
Noodlec
Hatboro,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Tina
#10UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, November 13, 2008
Hey tina if possible post could you post an email address. i do not want to post my own, i know that a few people tied to goodwill have seen this and have asked me about it. Id rather remain anonymous at least on these boards
Noodlec
Hatboro,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Tina
#10UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, November 13, 2008
Hey tina if possible post could you post an email address. i do not want to post my own, i know that a few people tied to goodwill have seen this and have asked me about it. Id rather remain anonymous at least on these boards
Tina
Coatesville,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
LS Please Respond Goodwill Theft Thorndale Pa
#10Author of original report
Tue, October 14, 2008
Hi LS Yes I want to go further with this, please contact respond on how to get a hold of each other. It needs to stop, as its still blatantly going on. Sorry I do not know how I didnt see this before. The Public has a right to know where there donations are really going.
Noodlec
Hatboro,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Goodwill
#10UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, September 11, 2008
Hello Tina. Great article great observation. I am a former manager of Goodwill Keystone area and Id like to provide insight and whatnot to your post. First and formost this had absolutly NOTHING to do with an online pickup. Goodwill Keystone consist of 33 stores which are then broken up into regions, Central, Northern, and Eastern. Thorndale falls into the Central area. There are 2 desginated shopgoodwill locations for all 33 locations. There is an office in Reading and an office in Berwyn. I was once in charge of jewlery and shopgoodwill at my location. They DO NOT OFFER INSTORE PICKUP OF ANY KIND! If an item is too heavy to ship they may be picked up at the shopgoodwill locations (i.e. Reading and Berwyn) but NOT at an individual store. Other Goodwill stores throughout the country may have diffrent policies but not in your situation.
From what I understand what had happend to you is in violation of all of the Theft of Merchandise policies.
Goodwill Keystone Area
Zero Tolerance of Retail Theft
Goodwill Keystone Area actively strives to protect its assets and the community's trust with regard to donations and the services we provide to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. The following are examples of the more common activities that Goodwill Keystone Area considers as retail theft, and which will jeopardize your employment with our organization.
THEFT OF MERCHANDISE:
1. Sweetheart Deal: An employee gives merchandise away to his/her family or friends.
2. Under Ring: An employee undercharges, or only rings up some of the items purchased.
3. Markdown: An employee reduces the established price of merchandise without proper management authorization.
Examples:
a. Items receives damage markdown but the item is not actually damaged.
b. Item receives an employee discount; but, is not eligible for this discount.
c. Item is sold as salvage to an employee.
d. Shopper receives an employee discount but is not eligible for same.
e. Employee receives an employee discount when a supervisor or manager is
off duty; or, otherwise not available to approve or authorize the discount.
f. Employee receives the employee discount and another store discount on the
same item.
4.Price Switch: An employee changes or alters the tickets to a lower price, or to receive the employee discounts.
5. Container Switch: An employer changes the intent or value of the item to be sold at the ticketed price.
THEFT of CASH:
1. No Sale/Till-Tap: An employee rings a No Sales (or doesn't close the register), and then steals the money (cash).
2. Refund/Exchange Fraud: An employee writes up a fraudulent refund and steals the cash. A customer's charge number may be used to credit one's personal, or a friend's account.
3. Void Fraud: An employee voids all or part of the transaction and steals the sales receipt or cash.
4. Failure to Record: An employee fails to ring up a sale, and steals all or part of the sales
receipts or cash.
5. Deposit-Safe-Special Fund Theft: An employee steals money from the cash drawer,
deposit bag, safe, donation can, or takes found money (i.e., money left in clothing or other donations.
^^^^
The above was taking DIRECTLY from the employee handbook. All employees are required to sign this form on their hire date. From my personal interactions with Stan McCarty and April Marconi they both take these matters quite seriously. I have only met April a few times and i got a fairly decent impression of her. Stan was actually fairly nice and professional he took his job very seriously. He is right infact, when he stated Goodwill does not have the funding to provide all its stores with cameras. Goodwill Keystone would MUCH rather spend their money less practical things. For instance their new $32,000 marketing campagin for their Back to School program. (In reality it isn't anything, the printed up a bunch of signage and stuck them up in all their stores. There are no additional discounts or anything).
What seems like is happening Stan and April arent able to prove anything; if Management is denying it its their word against yours. Sadly Ive got the idea that Goodwill does not care about their employees or customers. Goodwill would rather save as much money as possible. If a Store Manager is involved its more time consuming and costly to fire and rehire and retrain. Especially when they are fired under a cause that cant be proven. Ginger as far as I know has been with goodwill for quite some time, and has done some positive things for the company in Corporates eyes. As long as Thorndales monthly sales figures are good i doubt theyd try to invistigate it further UNLESS more people come forward.
This occurance isnt isolated to the Thorndale store. I was with goodwill for a decent amount of time to see just about every kind of scheme an employee or customer can pull. Back room shopping and holding items for customers is strictly forbidden. I have had to fire and have seen many associates get fired for this. Why exactly you were banned i could not say I do not know what goodwill's point of view on the situation but it doesnt seem to fit right.
If you would like to do something more and feel you were wronged please respond to this. I will gather the nessicary information you need to contact Human Resources and file a complaint through them. Unfortuantly Ron has little to do with Goodwill at a store level. As a matter of fact im not sure what the heck he does I only met him once at a training program seemed nice but i dont think most of corprate understands the serious employee theft problem they have in their stores.
Good Luck
LS
Kathy
Ft Lauderdale,Florida,
U.S.A.
Goodwill has online auctions and in store pickups
#10Consumer Suggestion
Tue, September 09, 2008
I frequently buy large quantities of jewelry online at goodwill. The auctions always give the option to avoid shipping fees by picking up your item at the store. The bags I buy are quite large and it sounds like that is what is happening. I assure they are quite expensive and I have paid over $500 for one 30 pound bag. Pa has two online stores.