I love Deseret Industries and what they stand for. They can be, for the most part, very helpful to the world! This complaint is only about the Provo, Utah location and the management team that overseas the operations of the store. (this location is probably the biggest thrift store in Utah)
Over the past year I have been an avid shopper and donator to the store. I have noticed many alarming things in my experiences.
1- The prices on most items, most notably books, have been increasing at an alarming rate. Deseret Industries is a non-profit thrift store that is supposed to provide inexpensive items to the public. Selling inexepensive items allows the public to purchase the donated items to raise money to further the many global goodwill initiatives and eliminate wasted donations.
1a - A clear example is this: most books used to be (in 2006) only $2-4 and now are selling for $8-15. These prices are not for "collectibles" that are known for their inflated prices housed under glass cases. The $8-15 prices are for most books including old damaged books that are up to 50 years old and almost useless to anyone.
1b - With the new high prices charged on the majority of the used merchandise, no one will buy the items. The donations that would have sold for less will now sit on the shelf taking up space for a number of weeks and then be thrown away or recycled. (it costs money to throw away items and more to hire people to do it)
2- Many donations are being wasted and destroyed by this location each week. Hundreds of books, CDs, and videos are destroyed, many glassware, plates, cups, TVs, flatware, and other usable items are destroyed and thrown away. One of the contributing factors as to why so many donations are destroyed is the prices are too high for the majority of Deseret Industires patrons.
There is no adjustment of prices, price negotiation, and in most cases no second chance for the donations at this store. Most of it is DESTROYED. If the donators wanted the items like books and kitchenware destroyed, they could do it themselves without having to drive over and donate having good faith that the items will help the organization or someone else in need.
3- Many times I have witnessed shopping carts full of books, videos, and CDs which are hauled off to the trash compacter (for videos and CDS) or the recycling bin for books. I have offered to purchase the items so they don't go to waste but all offers were declined and the items were destroyed!!!
Deseret Industries has many locations all over the United States. The organization has the trust of most of the communities in which it operates. The public is not aware of how many donations are destroyed becuase the prices are too high and don't sell.
Why doesn't management listen to the customers/donators and price items fairly? (and example is Savers is a for profit thrift store and only charges 3-4 dollars for all books)
Why doesn't management try to eliminate or cut down wasted donations?
Is it really necessary to destroy perfectly good books, CDs, Videos, TVs, glassware, kitchen wares, etc?
Is it possible to give the needed items to 3rd world countries?
Is it possible to lower the prices to standard thrift industry pricing so those who need the items can afford them and cut down on the donation destruction?
The Savers Thrift store chains are very good at eliminating donation waste for useful items.
Why can't management at this store get in touch with reality and be fair to the public?
The public needs to hold management at this store accountable for abusing their donations and price gouging.
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