Salvation Army Manager will not give me a price before "her customer" sees it first. Unless I pay her $50.00 Trenton New Jersey

I do interior decorating as a hobby.  So I am very thrifty and often repurpose items ie refinish, paint or change a piece of furniture to fit my needs.  I then will resell them, keep them,  or use them to stage a house that is on the market.  I stage vacant houses for many realtors in my area.  

I had noticed that when I went to the store the best things were always sold.  Ok.  It is all about timing and I am ok with that.  But then I was at the store when a new truck arrived.  People gathered around the truck, and the girl who manages the store would sell the better stuff to the same 3 people, all the time.  This bothered me, and I told my husband about it. He said "You're probably not agressive enough".  But when it happened again, they had us step away.  The furniture was put on the floor, and the truck left.  All of us who wanted to buy something off the truck dispersed in different areas.  The prices were not on the furniture yet.  So I asked the manager "What is the price of these pair of tables"  Her response was You will have to wait until we price them.  I told her I am interested in them.  I then turned away to look at other things and when I turned around (2 minutes tops - and no more than 15 feet away) the pair of tables were SOLD to one of the people who deal in furniture.  When I asked her about it, she said "you walked away".  I said you told me to wait for a price.  It was only about two minutes and you could see me.  Ne reply.

Usually, when I come into the store there are people waiting for the truck  However, 2 weeks ago I came into the store and there was none of the "regulars" waiting.  So I started to look around.  Then, I see a truck pull up (and none of the regulars are there).  I couldn't believe my luck.  So I waited as they unloaded the truck.  There were 2 items I had interest in......a coffee table and two end table (a 3 piece matching set), and a Breakfront.  They were very good quality.  I waited until the truck was unloaded and I asked for a price.  She told me the same thing.  I would have to wait until she priced them.  I knew the regulars would show up shortly and I said I would like the 1st dibs on these items.  I am interested.  About 20 minutes passed and she priced the blah items, and noticed she made phone calls on her cell phone.  B still did not price these nice items I was very interested in.  So I asked her again and she said "I have to wait until my customer sees them"  " I said "I am a customer too".  She walked away.  I was getting discouraged and upset.  Just then, I see one of the regular furniture people pull up.  I went  then said I want the price before the man in the parking lot comes in.  That is when it happened.  

"She said "$50.00".  I said on which piece.  This was an odd price because things almost always end with .99.  Lke 49.99, 19.99 etc.  She said "50.00"  This is how it works.  I was confused.  The other gentleman came over and asked the price.  She gave him a price of 24.99 for the 2 tables and 49.99 for the breakfront.  He said I will take them.  I didn't know what to say.  I was shaking.  She put a sold ticket on the 3 best items.  I called my husband and told him what had just happened, as I still wan not absorbing it.  He said "She wanted you to give her a kick back.  So basically, it would cost me $50.00 (given to her) before she would price them and sell them to me.  No wonder I stopped getting the nicer things.  She is getting the "Kick" "Back" from the furniture guys.  

I was shaking and tried to regain my composure.  After the furniture man had left, I approached her.  I said "You wanted me to pay $50.00 to you.  She smiled.  I said "This is a charity organization"  Are you giving the $50.00 to this charity?  She smiled and walked away.  My husband said not to go back because it is "the furniture guys/dealers" have it all sewn up.  He said it is no place for you.  I do not want you to go back.  

I am so discouraged that this is allowed to go on.  I will never give to this organization again.