L’armoire Consignment Boutique

I haven’t experienced any of the problems with L’Armoire that other reviewers have, but I admit that my experience with them has been limited.
I stopped in with some items to sell and went back 2 months later to pick up whatever was left. Only one thing had sold, but for a fairly decent price. They’re kind of disorganized, so I’m not sure if I’ll go back as a seller, but my experience with them was just fine.

Walked into this boutique while strolling down Solano Ave. I picked up a couple of CUTE skirts and the elderly lady behind the counter, the owner I believe, eagerly came around the counter to grab the top to one of the skirts, clearly trying to up-​sell — I can appreciate the hustle, but a little too pushy for my comfort. Anyhow, she was all over the place as she was ring me up since a few other customers had strolled in. So, I left my card with her and continued to peruse the small store, a few moments later she hollers for my I.D. which is great b/​c I have «SEE ID» on the back of the card. It was what she said after, that bothered me… She continued to say how typically she forgets to ask… but this time she remembered. Being a person of color, this didn’t sit well with, but I brushed it off.
The next day, I popped in to see if I could exchange one of the skirts that were too small (tags and all still on it.) Again, there were a few folks browsing around. She got very fluster and irritated, barking that «…we do NOT take returns, that’s why we tell everyone to try things on before purchasing.» Then pointed to some little sign behind the register. Keep in mind she was responding as if I’d asked for my money back and not an exchange. Never once did she recommend I try on the skirts the day before, but she surely had the time to try and push additional purchases!
Understanding at it is a small «mom ‘n pop» store, and realizing somethings are on consignment and exchanges could be a poor business practice, I was fine with not being able to exchange the skirt. It was the delivery that I found to be incredible offensive. And for that reason I will never step into the store again.

Like many others have noted, the owner of this shop is one cranky mess. She depends on our business and good nature but chooses to treat us like crap. She should think seriously about having either of the two other individuals who work behind the counter handle the customer service side of the business.
Her delightful sister inherited all the happy genes and is a pleasure to deal with. Likewise for the third individual. I will no longer shop there, the bay area offers other options.

I think my experience depends on who is working in the store. Today I dropped off some clothes to consign and the women were very attentive and friendly. Whereas a couple weeks ago someone else was working and she was far less customer focused (and it wasn’t crowded).

THE BEST consignment store in the bay area. I live in Marin and don’t get to go their often but they have designer and quality clothes at reasonable prices yes, very fair. And I have gotten some of my favorite shoes and clothes here.
That owner responded to being attacked and it was the only way she could get the woman to stop. It is all in the police report.
Owner and staff are fabulous, and i have repeatedly over the years see them be only
kind, professional and respectful to buyers and sellers. l

In response to Lisa P’s review, there were no other customers or sales assistants in the store– just the owner in her usual state of combat. Nobody else was and there were no customers waiting in line.
I simply walked in to ask for my clothes that they told me they were holding for me and to pick up dollars for the five items they had sold. initial response was rude and” if I didn’t like it, I could take owner to court. ”

I live in the area and have been dropping into this store for years. Sometimes I find nothing and other times — GREAT FINDS. The owner or manager (I think her name is Noreen) is always welcoming, kind, and helpful — but not in a hovering way. Definitely recommend!

I’m sorry to read about Shera’s experience at L’ Armoire. In defense of the store’s owner, I have to write about my experience with Shera. I work in a shop that deals with customers all day long. It can be exhausting but I enjoy my work. On the day Shera walked in, the store was full of customers, many waiting in line to purchase their items. Shera stood at the counter, oblivious of the others in line, demanding I help her. She’d constantly interrupted my attempts to answer her questions with a haughty sense of entitlement. She was difficult, to say the least. When she finally left the store, the other customers were appalled at her behavior.
I don’t know what happened at L’Armoie but I can see Shera creating a physical altercation. She was rude, self-​centered, demanding, hostile and obviously unable to recognize how her provocative behavior impacts others.
There is always two sides to every story.

This is a review as a seller.
I normally like to support local and indie as much as possible, but I don’t tolerate being treated so poorly. I had looked past previous negative reviews about the owner, but after dealing with her disrespectful manner, I’m afraid her negative reviews are warranted.
Two weeks after receiving the email notification to arrange to pick up items that did not sell, I called and the owner asked my name and when I said, quickly said «donated», as if going by memory not by any computer records. I disputed her dates of when I had turned in the dress, but regardless of that confusion I requested that moving forward she change the wording of her email to indicate sellers had 2 days (or 1 even?) to arrange for a pick-​up before the items would be donated, as currently the email notification does not give any window of time. She was audibly upset at this request and said she didn’t have time to do such a thing with her emails. Then in mid-​sentence as I was asking for clarification, without warning she hung up on me.
I have had mixed success selling here as I have at other shops along Solano; the others are hands down so much nicer to deal with, both as a seller and consumer. Goodbye, L’Armoire.

Terrific quality and prices.
Although it’s not very big, this is one of my favorite local consignment stores (and I’ve visited a lot of them). Unlike many places, they have a combo of both high quality brands and sensible prices that permit «recreational shopping».
They’ve packed a big selection into a small store, and I almost always find something terrific. The styles focus on adults, rather than teeny– trendy — but with a hip, Berkeley vibe and lots of natural fabrics.
As for the staff, I’ve never had a problem. Andrea is pleasant and has a great sense of humor. Most important to me, she’s very helpful and honest. While not «cuddly», she and the owner are pleasant and direct, which I appreciate.
By the way, I find that the staff at many consignment shops is often indifferent, cool and sometimes worse. Here, I always feel welcome.

I shop her regularly. The selection of clothes is diverse and suitable for my tastes. I’ve found everything from shoes to jackets. I’ve also received some valuable tips on clothing care and learned about materials and manufacturing. They only accept clothing in good condition and fairly recent. I’m a big consignment and thrift shopper, having had my own store and worked for Crossroads and wholeheartedly recommend L’armoire.

Responding to Fran Z’s review, Andrea is the only reason I WOULD NOT shop here. I live in the neighborhood, and was strolling Solano on my way home from the dentist. I was on the phone and walked in the shop, browsing. I was listening to the other end and hadn’t said a word into the phone when the storekeeper, seeing I had the phone to my ear, said, «we don’t allow cell phones in this store. Finish your conversation outside and come back when you are done.» I did leave, and told her I would not be back at all. I agree listening to someone else’s conversation in a store can be annoying (it can also not be annoying) and had mine developed into a conversation, I’d have taken it outside. I won’t be back into L’armoire. It doesn’t fit my idea of a fun neighborhood shop. Don’t need anything she has that other shops don’t have.

I have consigned here twice. The first time, I just dealt with the owner’s rudeness, thinking she was just having some off days. After the second time, however, I have formed an opinion that I’d like to share with potential customers. The owner of the store is extremely rude and this is a part of her natural demeanor I guess. Business-​wise, she is unprofessional and treats her customers AND employees with disrespect. She did not like it when I asked simple questions about the consigning procedure, acted threatened when I questioned where some of my items went (which, she did could not account for and frankly did not care), and treated me with complete disrespect by interrupting me, speaking in a harsh tone of voice, and making icy facial expressions. She obviously lets her anger and other emotional problems come out on customers. That’s fine, but their computer system is archaic and she does not provide much detail on the items that you consign, what does and does not sell, and what percentage is paid out. If you can add everything up in your head really quickly, then you can do all of this by yourself, I suppose. If you enjoy rude service, and poor management then definitely shop and consign here. Otherwise, I recommend taking your business elsewhere. It’s not worth any amount of money to be treated disrespectfully.

It’s not as hip as I’m accostomed to shopping at, but I found some nice quality items. Beautiful scarves, too. It was pricey for what it was, but I found items on mark down, which was great.
This place is clean, well-​lighted, great staff and in a good location.

Well, I am 42 years old and I admit quite a bit of this stuff is too frumpy even for me but they are serving a pretty neglected market — not everyone going into consignment stores is looking for size 4 Marc Jacobs skinny pants or whatever. Today I bought a very pretty and flattering dress for a good price and the woman working there was really nice. The other time in there I was delighted to find a silk jersey Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress for $ 49 and then a bit heartbroken that it was a size too small ! I had a nice brief chat to the owner then and left happy anyway.

This is one of my two favorite consignment shops in the East Bay!
Clean.
Well-​lit.
Quality shoes and purses in pristine condition.
Good variety of clothing sizes.
(3) fitting rooms with mirrors.
Large mirror just outside the fitting rooms for a ‘distance’ check.
‘Husband’ chair.
Large selection of better costume jewelry.
Friendly staff… there is one gal there that I love to ‘shop with’
They have stopped their loyal card program — which used to give you 10% off after you filled the card. ($ 100. total purchases required) Didn’t even post a sign about it!
Now if you are not a regular consignment shopper, let me explain that I can pop into a consignment store several times and not find anything… but on that 4^th or 5^th visit I may find a lovely outfit… shoes… a purse… and a necklace to match.
So you have to visit this type of business frequently since items may «come in» daily!
Check ‘em out!

Have I been in the same store as all these other reviewers? I have become very close to all the ladies that work there. They are always happy to see me, interested in my life and fun to chat with.
I always find great items. I dress only in vintage, and inevitably I always find one or two items that are just a steal!
I urge all you folks to ignore these people and go in and see for yourself. Btw, today I had a talk with Nancy, and we connected on a very spiritual level. How often does that happen when you walk into a store?

I agree with other reviewers who attempted to work with staff there and owner. I wish I had read reviews before wasting my time and becoming upset over the very insulting and poor treatment I received from the owner. Will not try to work with them again.
Beware!

Depends on what you’re looking for: overall I think they have clothes from beach-​vacations that women no longer want. Lots of prints and skirts. The workers could be more friendly, and say welcome to customers instead of sitting like a rock behind the counter. I asked one of them if I could try a top on, and the lady said of course and started walking back to the dressing rooms, but ended up going into a different room and shutting the door… um…okayyyy?
They need to do something about their accessories too; they were not very good, it looked like a garage sale. I found a nice casual blouse from Old navy for $ 12.

For the ladies age 45 and up, especially artsy women in their 50s, this is a GOLDMINE! Earthy Fabrics? Check. Swishy long skirts? Check.
There is a broad spectrum of sizes (plenty in XL) and loads of clothes at every spot on the fancy to practical spectrum. Ballgowns? Check. Gardening gear? Check. Business Blouse? Check.
PLUS: It’s a women-​owned, green enterprise!