Thrift Store Chain Accused of Misleading Public on Charity Donations

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson issued a report Monday critical of the Savers thrift-store chain, alleging that the for-profit company misleads consumers about what becomes of the proceeds from the sale of items brought to the chain as charitable donations.

In the report, Swanson says Savers doesn't tell donors how much of their donations are received by charities affiliated with Savers versus the amount kept by Savers. The attorney general also alleges that Savers gives donors tax receipts for non-clothing donations, but actually doesn't pay the charities any money raised by selling those items. And Swanson also says the company gives people receipts that inaccurately reflect which charities benefit from their donations.

In a statement to a Minneapolis broadcaster, Savers said it would "address any concerns quickly and constructively."

Savers operates 330 thrift stores in the US, Canada, and Australia, says Swanson, including 15 stores in Minnesota under the names Savers, Unique Thrift, and Value Thrift.