Complaint Review: St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store - Kalamazoo Michigan

I would like to  correct an incurrate report.   The complaintant refers to "St. Vincent dePaul Thrift Store, Kalamazoo,  Michigan" store.  I can assure you that we have never offered appliances at our store.   I have volunteered and have been associated with the Kalamazoo store for about twenty years and never dealt with large household appliances.   I note that there is another store address mentioned in the report, referring to St. Vincent dePaul Thrift Store in Grand Rapids, Michigan.    He must have been referring to this store.     I feel that we should not have been criticized and berated as our volunteers are very dedicated and helpful in serving the needy in the community.

I know quite a few people who have had very good results with appliances from thrift stores. Most reconditioning them are highly skilled. Most are recovering alcohol and drug users or unemployed and homeless. These people tend to be highly motivated at trying to get their lives back and on track. And they are doing this at minimum wage. In the meatime standard appliace stores are out after all the profit they can make and usually the only repairma is the oner. He will simply take parts of one unit to make another work. The result is most appliances they sell will break dow within days of any waranty if they even make it that far.   I think this gentleman would do much better dealing with Salvation Army or even Goodwill. I have found St Vincent de Paul totally brainless and that begins with their National Director. He told me he had no respect for me for trying to give away a 2008, 25 foot travel trailer to someone homeless, especially a woman. I replied that if I worked for SVDP I would have to work for free as otherwise it would be like stealing from the poor. And I know he receives a high salary in his position. So, just who is it that should not be respected?    St Vincent de Paul is apparently loaded with graft and corruption. If you donate I suggest you donate to someone else. If you need clothes or something, shop at another thrift store. If you need a food basket, go somewhere else where they will still respect you. Cross St Vincent de Paul off your list but never quit giving to the other good charities and go to them if you need help.

Anyone care to tell me again that I am borderline illiterate, have mental issues, lying or not telling the whole story? You usually do just that. And doing so makes me laugh until my ribs hurt. Agree with me or not, I wish everyone the best. Live this life like your only life because it's the only one you can really be sure of. (wish I could credit the proper orator).

I feel for you. You should read my post on a donation problem.  I have found St Vincent de Paul is brain dead from its National Director on down. The bad news is you can complain all you want and they will simply ignore you. My best advice is tell everyone you meet about this and give them a negative image. I intend to do this and believe that on the national level, I can divert at least $2 million in donations away from St Vincent de Paul over to the Salvation Army. How is that for me getting even? And I may do better. Next time try Salvation. While they're not perfect either, they do listen.

As for the SCDP Director he said he did not respect me. I replied that if I worked for SVDP, I would have to work for free as working for pay would be like stealing from the poor. And that I was certain he received a high salary. Let the chips fall where they about respect and honor. I sleep very well at ight knowing I have done my best.

Of course SVDP is owned and operated by the Catholic Church. It seems that pedophilic priests are not the Catholics only problem.

You sir get my respect and sympathy over your bad experience. But don't get mad. Get even, as I intend to do. I have lost but two fights in my life, both against six. No later than the next day I would have rematches, 1,2 or 3 at a time util I won. So, I have really never bee defeated. Ad I am relentless. I don't care if it takes 20 years, I will always get even.

Most companies that repair refrigerators and major appliances have a selection of reconditioned and guaranteed refrigerators. Buying major appliances from a thrift store is not too smart. They don't have experts to test anything. They probably plugged in the refrigerator and heard it running so it now has been "tested". Besides that items sold are 'as is" without any refunds. Donate it back with a sign on it "needs repair" and take a tax credit for it or pay somebody to fix it.

Most companies that repair refrigerators and major appliances have a selection of reconditioned and guaranteed refrigerators. Buying major appliances from a thrift store is not too smart. They don't have experts to test anything. They probably plugged in the refrigerator and heard it running so it now has been "tested". Besides that items sold are 'as is" without any refunds. Donate it back with a sign on it "needs repair" and take a tax credit for it or pay somebody to fix it.