Second Act West

Amazing. When I first walked in I thought this store was strictly for the 40+ crowd, but I was wrong, I found high quality designer clothes for $ 20 to $ 30. This store is not cheap; it has high quality clothes for off the rack prices. if you are looking for well made/​great fitting designer clothes, but don’t have the check book to back it up, this place is for you.

I have been coming to this resale store for a few years. I live close by, and when I’m in the village, I always try to make time to pop in and see what they have. They have high end designer names, as well as cheaper brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Spendid, Calvin Klein J. Crew etc. They sell shoes, purses and accessories too. I find the prices to be excellent on most items. Some of the items are brand new with tags.
They have a 75% off rack in the back, and a $ 5 rack. There are 2 women who have worked there for a long time. They are quite friendly and don’t bother you. I always take a long time in there looking through everything and trying things on.
I have never sold anything on consignment here before. So this review is only for buying.
The lady who used to own this store, Patti, recently passed away and there is a new owner. The same employees are still there and everything seems the same. The store is very well organized and clean.

First of all I want to start off by saying this the lady who I believe owns the shop rips ppl off she had some unauthentic Chanel bags in there mixed with authentic ones and is trying to charge ppl the prices as if they were authentic when I told her that I knew they were not real she got very aggressive and tried to tell me I didn’t know what I was talking about when I work in a place where that’s all ppl sell. Then some of the items she has in there she was trying to sell at almost retail prices and you can buy them new at those prices And even the Chanel boutiques and stores still Carrie some of those items my over all experience was really bad and I and surprised that she is getting away with selling these items I love designer and I’ll never buy in there

I have never been asked to review this business. I have been buying my clothes at Second Act West for years. It is a women’s consignment shop with a few miscellaneous decorative items. All are in outstanding condition. If I need a casual pair of slacks and sweater, or even a cocktail dress I usually find what I need. The quality and price cannot be beat. I love to go in and just check out recent inventory. You cannot always find exactly what you’re looking for, but sometimes I find something I might need for a future occasion.

For the bougie old folk who have pocket change of 50’s.
It’s filled with old 90 style suits and shoes, with a few modern wear here and there. The other customers in store seemed to be finding everything okay, but that was probably due to their age. It’s definitely /​just another/​consignment shop with through the roof prices, for the older generations.

This store gets 2 stars only because they have some nice items. I would not mind paying a little more as they require BUT what a snob the saleswoman was. I believe she may be French which I say only as a warning to others who may encounter her rather than another salesperson. She was rude, selective toward the obviously more wealthy clients who were there. I would not go back to this store as it promotes a bad image for La Jolla and I like being treated as if I matter.

I recently stopped into Second Act West looking for a 20s style dress. The store isn’t too big but both times I was in there, no one acknowledged that I was in there. I found the dress rack pretty quickly, but didn’t find what I was looking for. Even when i was leaving, no one said a word to me. Customer service was very much lacking here and was the opposite of what I experienced at other consignment shops.
There did seem to be a decent selection of clothes and pricing was reasonable. I will likely be back until I find a dress, but if you go, don’t expect any help from anyone in the store.

I love this place, over the summer, I found a Jantzen vintage swimsuit for only $ 17! What a steal! :)
My friend bought a similar Jantzen vintage swimsuit from a vintage shop in D.C. for $ 70.
I totally feel like I scored. :)

Worth to stop in and take a look. There are hidden treasures here, you just have to have the time to look for it. Prices are really affordable and items are in great condition.
Inventory changes often and old inventory goes on sale in the backroom, so if you thought you saw something you were undecided about… it might be on sale a few weeks later in the back. Casual setting, not a stuffy boutique so if you wanted to stay and browse for hours, it is very comfortable to do so without anyone hounding you. My last great find was a pair of gray Pleats Please straight leg pants from Issey Miyake, mint condition and on sale for a whopping $ 10.
Unlike other second hand stores, items are clean and don’t have that musty smell.
I think what makes this place even more appealing is that it is located in La Jolla. You would have expected it to be more expensive due to the real estate but it truly is bargain hunting here. And you would assume that most of the consignors are locals, which means the items are not low end. It feels good to know that someone else paid a lot and now you can get it for much less.

Today was my second visit to Second Act. My first was on a whim and I found the most awesome pair of Natori pajamas/​lounging outfit ever for $ 17! And Patti and her crew were just such a pleasure to meet. Just nice people, y’know? San Diego is one of the nicer cities in the world but there are a few places that deserve an extra pat ont he back and this is just that place.
My second visit was to bring clothes for them to sell. I’d run if I were you to grab my stuff, i.e., french leather crossbody, Coach bag with chain handles, my Magaschoni jacket, Aidan Mattox gowns and I’m going to hit my shoe storage next. I lost a great deal of weight because a doctor finally got my thyroid meds right and went down two sizes, so if you’re roughly a roomy 12 or bit tight 10, there’s some new stuff today from me. This review, however, was driven by the humanity, caring and honesty of the woman I talked with when i brought my things in. I’ve had a rough go of it the last few years and she couldn’t have been more fabulous to work with.
Look, if you’re looking for a great price on great clothes, this is a super spot, but if you want the added influx of a friend in the making, this is your place. They will work with you and do whatever is straight up and honest. And they have some really cool stuff for all ages and sizes. Thumb’s WAAAY up for the customer service, the honesty and the product. Just GO!

A great little store that both my mom and I enjoyed shopping in. Friendly, helpful service and a few designer finds. Well– organized and nicely laid out. Glad I popped in!

I lived in La Jolla Village last fall and shopped here. I liked the shop a lot. Clothes were fashionable, clean and well priced. Lots of silks, cashmeres, cottons in high-​end brand names. She discounts clothes after the first month or so and you can get great deals. I also liked the quality of the shoes and purses.

WARNING– Other reviewers might be smoking crack!
This store is THE BEST consignment in La Jolla and I’d say almost all of San Diego.
I’ve been a shopper for well over 10 years (former location and all) and have consigned my clothes there for two years plus.
Patti, the owner, is a no BS lady who charges a $ 50 fee to join 2^nd Act’s Consignment, money I quickly earned back. She will not just buy your clothes…
AFTER she sells your clothes she takes a cut– keeps an account for you and you can pick up your money any time during the week (no payouts on weekends). Or you can use it as Credit for something in store.
Patti also requires all clothes to be clean, freshly pressed and hung to be inspected and then accepted into the shop. She would NEVER take bags full of clothes, sorry crazy!
She loves current fashion and has a great eye for labels.
I never feel like I’ve been taken advantage of there. Once again, the money you get is AFTER she sells you clothes. And (bozo below) your clothes may not sell right away, may go on sale or not sell at all.
Local La Jolla Ladies Destash here all the time & I love the designer jeans, skirts, shoes, bags, tops and funky wild boutique finds you could never afford new. Tons of accessories and jewelry– Plus a rack where you’ll find the «This Just In» items…
There are lots of great sizes 0,2,4,6,8,10,12 and up. 12 and Up is a little limited but they dedicate a rack for their curvaceous inventory. All shoe sizes too!
Prices are very fair and are priced the month they enter the shop. (i.e, Sept, Oct, Nov) and as each month goes by the discounts get deeper. 25%, 50% off ect…
I usually rip right through the jeans and skirts and find tons of great items always. A few of my favorite purchases:
ultra vintage suede fringe purse in chocolate brown ($ 15, which I’d maybe part with for $ 1,500)
Vivienne Tam silk blouse that literally could get me laid NO FAIL,
And a Vintage Mexican leather belt with sterling buckle I could never afford to buy new.
The women who work there will always give you an honest opinion and help you put together an outfit if you’re looking for a special «something something».
Your MOM, unfortunately does not work here so everything you try on in the dressing room YOU hang up and put back yourself… It’s amazing how many people expect this to be done for them…
I love Second Act West, I can spend a hours here or a few minutes an always find something fun cute and in my size.
Boo Ya Unilocal, 2^nd Act is the Shizz!

WARNING: DO NOT SHOP HERE OR SELL YOUR CLOTHES HERE
First off, I came in here to sell my aunts clothes for her. Don’t get me wrong, my aunt has all designer labels but I am not one to know or even recognize most of them. The lady working clearly took advantage of that. I came in with two huge shopping bags full of clothes as well as 15 hangers of clothes. Many of these were cashmere sweaters. They took everything with the exception of a few sweaters. What did I get for all of that? A whoppin $ 20.50.
WHAT A RIP OFF.
I understand that they are reselling used clothing at a fraction of the clost but offering me less than $ 1.00/ item (for designer labels) is obsurd. I would never come back here to sell my clothes, I would have gotten way more at Buffalo Exchange.
When I was surprised that they only offered me a whopping $ 20.50, I asked for a receipt or some sort of inventory check list and the lady informed me that they do not have anything like that. She was clearly ripping me off. They HAVE to give some sort of paper for tax purposes. Anyways, BEWARE. This is highly unethical and hope you will not support this business.
I hate to even give them one star.