Grow With Me

Employees are not very friendly. For being a store that sells kids’ stuff, you’d think they’d at least try to act like they like kids!

I understand why people have rated this place so low based on staff interactions. The first few times I went in I thought they were really rude, Then, the third or so time I brought some stuff in something switched. The person I had been freaked out by finally chilled out, I think she just doesn’t have the best interpersonal skills because she’s actually really nice, it just takes some time to break her in.
The stores selection and prices are pretty great, not thrift store prices, but high quality stuff. The retail merch is a bit pricy, but better than other places.

I’ve been selling and buying here for several years and I’ve never had anything but good experiences. All of the associates I’ve dealt with have been courteous and fair. I’ve recommended Grow With Me to many people and have heard nothing but good reports. They are always more than fair with pricing for buying and selling. Thank you, Grow With Me for making it easier for me to outfit my children with reasonably priced, high quality clothing and toys.

I went back here yesterday, with my mother. No one greeted us as we walked in. I walked past the counter where two women were working, no one stopped to greet me, they continued on with their conversation. My mom stood at the counter for about 5 – 10 minutes before someone spoke up, and when they did, it was with an attitude «did you need something?». Like… You’re really irritated that she had a question and you had to pause your conversation?! The ladies were rude to my mom when she asked the price of something behind the counter. I finished up my shopping and came to the counter– still no one asked if I found everything ok or if I needed help… Nothing. I laid the clothes on the counter, she rang up my purchase and sent me on my way without so much as a thank you or see you next time.
I wonder if these ladies realize that had they taken a few minutes to acknowledge us, how much more they could’ve sold us or if they just don’t care?

I’ve only been here once, but so far, I’d give it a 3.5 in terms of items available. The space itself, deserves closer to a 4 or higher, as it’s nicely arranged and well spaced, vs. the «Once Upon a Child» also in A2, that is very cramped. However, it seemed like a lot less clothing options. I didn’t find anything I liked in the sizing I needed.
Majority of the front of the store seemed more like new toys and costumes for purchasing as gifts, versus pre-​owned, discounted items that are more every day essentials.
The back of the store has the larger items (e.g., bassinets, rock n play, strollers, etc.) all nicely laid out.
There is also a shelf with various odds and ends that was not arranged at all. You have to just dig around to see if there is anything you may want. I did manage to find a used car seat mirror, so you can see your rear-​facing baby while driving, for ¹⁄₃ the price of the item new, that was a great deal. I also saw a sleep sheep for only $ 5.
Though this store seemingly seemed bigger than OUAC, I’ll have to visit it a few more times to gauge if it actually has more items. In terms of pricing, the clothing seemed a bit higher priced, and less options. This store did carry other things that OUAC didn’t seem to have as much of though, e.g., diaper bags. So It’s worth exploring both stores.
Similarly to OUAC, there were 3 people working here, all that just stayed behind the sales counter the entire time.
FYI, they have a very short return policy, only 2 days for non clothes items.

Here is what irks me about this place after selling here and buying here for over 3 years now.
1. Rude. No one greets you. The ladies are constantly gossiping behind the counter. I mean the owner! It’s a terrible terrible way to run a business. Save your catty chat for the back room ladies and greet your customers. Or perhaps hold the door open for them when they are trying to lug In 5 bins of stuff? Don’t pretend you didn’t see me. Any help? No. Never.
2. Way Inconsistent pricing. It’s seriously all over the map. One day a super worn Tea Collection dress will be $ 14.99 (ridiculous it’s called wash– wear and I’m not paying a clearance price for something that worn) the next time another tea dress dress same crazy wash wear and it’s $ 8.99. All depends on who is buying that day and what they feel like something should be priced at. Procedures and policies people-it’s what businesses are built on.
3. Attitude. They all act (expect for one woman who is pleasant) like they are doing you a HUGE favor even looking at your stuff. This is how they make money. For the number of times I’ve sold there you think they would at least greet me or realize I have quality stuff and not give me attitude about what I bring in but yet, they always do. How about thanking customers that they choose to sell to you? Or even looking up at them when they come to drop off their items to sell? No too much to ask? I forgot you would rather be gossiping about the weekend at the store and how you had to come in over the weekend to work.
I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I’ll take my money and used kid stuff elsewhere when my store credit runs out.

Nice quality clothing, but the staff sucks. They are a bunch of unfriendly old ladies who walk around with their noses a little too high in the air. I go there for the clothes/​toys for my daughter but unfortunately always expect bad customer service.

I have been shopping here for at least 2 years, and I will not be returning. The customer service is absolutely aweful. The employees are incredibly rude, and often make comments about customers while the customer is still in the store. They act as if it is an inconvenience when you bring in stuff to sell, and while they were pricing one of my items, the dumped the rest on the floor. I try and support local business, but I will not be shopping here again.

When I first started coming to this store I loved it! They had lots of wonderful clothing, many with tags still on them. I also liked the fact that they are a big supporter of autism. A close friend of mine works at elephant ears and told me they donate a large amount of the clothing from their store to grow with me so I always loved coming here. Unfortunately the staff at this store is very unfriendly and not helpful. They always seem annoyed at the customers and their children. I stopped coming to this store due to the negative atmosphere which is unfortunate because I love to support local businesses.

As you can probably tell from the fact that I only give 5-​star reviews, I hate being negative on Unilocal — but I still have a bad taste in my mouth from my experience at Grow With Me today. I walked in empty-​handed (boxes in the car) just to introduce myself and make sure it was a good time for them to go over my items. The two staff at the counter barely acknowledged me and seemed annoyed that I was there; they didn’t stop folding the whole time I was standing at the counter, instead of focusing on helping me. Then, one of the women was fairly contemptuous when I said it was my first time there. She proceeded to tell me that they were «extremely picky» about 0 – 12 month baby clothes because they had so many things that were «brand new» and that regardless they didn’t want to see more than one box of my stuff since it was my first time there — as if I have time to drive out there on multiple occasions. When I then told her that actually, most of my stuff *is* brand new but that I would be happy to take it elsewhere, she relented a little and said «OK, bring it in,» but by that point I just left without showing her a thing. Remember that moment in Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts goes back to the store that snubbed her, shows off her purchases and says «Big mistake?» Well, as it happens, the stuff she was so adamant about convincing me *not* to show her was high-​end stuff — mostly sent to me by some generous friends in the fashion industry in Paris and New York, as well as purchased from Elephant Ears by grandparents– we’re talking Catamini, Petit Bateau, etc. Designer, high-​quality, great-​condition clothing that she actually could have sold for real money. But unfortunately, she seems to have mistaken a resale shop in a strip mall in Ann Arbor for Fred Segal on Melrose. Better luck with your customer service skills next time, honey.

I’m not going to lie – I like shopping at GWM, but so many times budget leads me to Value World or Goodwill instead. Granted, GWM is much nicer and you do get what you pay for, but it’s hard for me to drop that kind of money on something my boys are going to outgrow or stain immediately. For me, this is more of a «special occasion» kind of second hand store.

Selection and organization of clothes is good. Decent ammount of equipment like strollers, etc. The biggest problem is that the employees are SO uninviting. No hellos, no smiles at all. When I went to check out they barely spoke a word to me, and really made me feel like I was an invonvienence. The employee was yelling at kids in the store who weren’t doing anything wrong. I felt bad for them! Whoever does the hiring here really needs to re-​assess.

There is a small selection of (mostly) brand name clothing and also some new toys, puzzles, etc. Prices are on the high side. I believe a used dvd is $ 5 (!)
I’m giving 2 stars because the customer service is unacceptable. They are standoffish and rude and act annoyed when you ask questions or check out Once, when I asked where something was, the woman with dark hair (I think the manager or even the owner) scoffed and seemed very put out. Another time, the same woman rolled her eyes at me when I asked how much something was.
I had the same experience as another reviewer when I brought my items in and chose not to buy anything. They seemed upset that I wanted cash and not exchange and made me feel very uncomfortable.

Update review: I want to give this place a better review SO bad!!! I think there are 2 owners. The redhead woman is super nice and you can tell she wants the business to do well. Everyone else. Well maybe they care, but I haven’t gotten this impression for the past 2 years I have been shopping here.
A couple days ago I brought in some equipment to sell. The woman helping me (not the redhead) was acting impatient because it took a few trips and I brought a lot of things. I guess I don’t understand it since this is what their business is run off of.
I get the feeling they don’t like giving up cash. Only store credit. I could be wrong, but the fact that I get the impression makes it awkward to bring in baby clothes and equipment.
So if any of you meet any friendly and hard working people who know how to talk and deal with customers send them here. They need them bad! This place would be super nice with a little hospitality. It really is a good store, good location and nice clothes and equipment.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — –
I am giving this store 2 stars because they do have a really nice selection of upscale clothes and baby gear.
The downside is the staff is very rude when you go in. The only time someone said something to me when I walked in was to let me know they were closing really soon so that I would hurry.
I really like supporting small businesses but they really don’t make it easy.

I love this store. Gorgeous clothes for kids (some of them still new with tags, people!), great toys, and an atmosphere that is welcoming for ALL children. Not surprising since some of the employees have kids with ASD.
They are *very* discriminating about what they take, but that’s all the better for shopping, right? I thought so. But I can always find my kids something nice to wear for far less than I can get it at the G-​stores or a boutique.

Considering how fast toddlers outgrow their clothes, its surprising that there aren’t more re-​sale and second-​hand stores dedicated to children’s clothing and toys.
Hidden away in a strip mall on the far west side of Ann Arbor, Grow With Me is nondescript on the outside but bright and welcoming on the inside. Racks of clothes are organized by age. Clothing for toddlers and the under 10 crowd dominate, but there’s also a room dedicated to clothing for teens and tweens.
In addition, the store sells a variety of used toys, games and books in excellent condition, as well as a few new items.
Another great thing about this place is that they have a table for disseminating information about childhood autism, and some of the proceeds from the shop go to charities related to autism.