They Grow So Fast

I agree that the owner is rude and snippy… to top it off, now they are closed with no notice to their consigners who supported her biz. Last time I was in there was gonna cash out… but she said the money will always be there. I guess it is good riddence.

Sure wish I had known they were about to close — they owe my fifty dollars in credit

This review is specifically for the sales girl who helped us with buying our much loved Ouef crib. She was not the owner but super sweet and very helpful! She was so excited that someone finally saw the beauty in the crib and was more than assistant in helping us take it apart. As we took it apart she seemed genuinely interested in us and our little one to be. We had a wonderful experience thanks to her.
After reading all the negative reviews below of this supposedly mean owner, I would still stop in and check out the selection and hope for this sweet sales girl.

I too was disappointed with this store. I washed, ironed and hung numerous pieces which were left to be evaluated. After a couple weeks and to my surprise I got a call saying to pick up unwanted pieces. (the majority) This was out of season, this was out of style, this was too worn… I was even told that pants which were brand new with intentional distressing had ‘wear’. But what upset me the most? After filling out the drop off form and requesting that should any clothes not sell, I would like them back. I was told that I would get a call before they were donated. When I called you check the status, I was told they were gone! When I pointed out that I did not get a call, I was told that «there are way too many clothes to be able to call each person!» I was so upset I had her send me the $ 19 check, as I have no desire to step a foot there again.

The lady working the day I went was so rude. She made me feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. I can afford these things but I’m not paying $ 60 for a used toy. Over priced for used items and horrible service. Skip this place. There are betters out there.

Time for Ron’s two hundredth review: If you have little ones, and ones who are not so little anymore, this is a place to visit. .. along with the others.
They Grow So Fast doesn’t have a big selection, and the prices aren’t too low. On the other hand, that’s the nature of this business. The store can’t sell what people don’t consign to them. So sometimes they have just what you’re looking for (I bought a cute shirt for my girl here last year) and sometimes they don’t (few things for her this afternoon, and nothing we were specifically looking for). Good pricing structure, based on how long the clothing has been on the racks. You pay about as much as brand new retail clothing, but it’s better quality so at least that part saves you money. This *is* Lamorinda, you know. They also have toys and a hair salon.
So it may or may not work. I was surprised at mommy’s response: she is not price-​conscious, she’ll buy what she wants regardless of the price, and even she told me «they’re so expensive!» So it may work, but be smart and have a backup store in mind in case you don’t find something for your child here.

If you intend on dropping off some clothes, expect to wait literally several months before they call you back. Upon inquiring after a couple of months, I was «coldly» informed that because they have literally thousands of customers dropping off items, it does take a long time to sort through… Really?
I have been to consignment stores where they look at your drop off right in front of you, much more efficient in my humble opinion.
And when they do call you back, ironically you have only 4 days to get out there to pick up what they don’t want.
They do have quality merchandise for sale.

Very un-​friendly service. I was called back to their shop after dropping of some clothes to be sold. That took them 8 weeks to go through. I wasn’t entirely clear on the process and when I inquired the young lady essentially raised her voice and laughed at me. Never will I go here again to shop or sell clothes.
Better off going into Berkeley.

What a great find! Their prices seem about the same, compared to other children’s consignment stores that I have gone to in nearby towns.
The store always seems fully stocked with clean and barely worn clothes, toys, books, maternity and babygear.
I lucked out on a Stokke chair that was in very good condition and well worth the price. It sure beats paying full price or paying delivery charges without seeing the item. I also found our daughter’s toddler bed and Step 2 desk. You are sure to find something at this store. Bonus: I’m able to shop while my daughter gets her hair cut at Pony Tails.
If you haven’t gone, you should check it out.

They’re ok, not exactly cheap. I would have to concur that the owner could treat customers friendlier, but perhpas she sells more stuff being a grump, who knows?

i had the exact same experience as other ppl. i went in with my daughter the other day and the two ladies that worked there did not even look up or say hi when we walked in. i browsed the store and was never asked if i needed any help. although they have a large selection of things, esp cloths, it was all way overpriced. i was looking a USED melissa + doug puzzle (and it looked really used), and it was $ 7.50 — they are $ 10 brand new! who are they kidding? no wonder we were the only ones in the store!!!

Shares a crossover space with Pony Tails hair salon for kids & families (a great opportunity to multi-​task).
Since the area tends to be in a more secure income bracket that’s moderately progressive, expect the finds to be in gear (i.e. Petunia, Fleurville, cribs, changing tables), big play toys (Little Tykes, Step One structures), learning toys (loads of Leapfrog) and more well-​made clothing pieces /​brands (Peek, various eco-​brands along with Gymboree, Janie & Jack). Wagons, Kettlers, joggers, as well as practical to high end stroller systems. Selections of new items from the usual Bay Area-​based brands as well!
From a toy standpoint, it’s very obvious consignees drop off their Buy 1 Get 1 Free Toys R Us scoop-​ups here — it’s not an accident you’ll see several of the same toy brand new in original packaging from your email sales flier the week prior. New In Package toys are typically closer in pricing to big store retailers.
Staff is often busy prepping new items and minding the items for sale are respected by the folks testing them out, so don’t get upset if you’re kids chastised for chucking a toy; after all, if it doesn’t sell, it goes back to the owner.
But isn’t the point of Consignment to support local business and families?

I have been in this store before and was never SUPER impressed but my most recent experience has made it so I won’t return. First of all, the prices are remarkably high for a consignment store. There were many items that were priced much higher there than they would have been on sale in the original retail store, brand new. I am not down with spending a ton of money on buying used clothes. We go to consignment stores to save money, no?
My second gripe is with the fact that my son and I walked into the store and the women working didn’t acknowledge us. I have a lot of years in retail and that is an obvious no no. I mean, she didn’t even look up to see who had come into the store. I could have been a masked burglar and she wouldn’t have known it!
She did finally acknowledge us, though, when my son climbed onto the rocking horse that was for sale. Only to tell him quite sternly and grouchily to get off so he wouldn’t get hurt. When was the last time you saw an almost 4 year old get hurt on a rocking horse. I mean really.
All of the other consignment stores in the area that I have visited either have toys set aside for kids to play with OR don’t mind when kids play around with the toys that they are selling.
There is nothing about this store that would get me to come back, not good prices, friendly staff or especially memorable merchandise.
Wee Change in Walnut Creek and Growing Pains in Concord are waaay better, in my opinion.

Let me start by saying that I can see where the irritation about the monthly stepwise reduction in price comes from — this isn’t the first consignment store I’ve been to that uses this tactic, and it’s not my favorite either.
However, I scored an awesome pair of designer maternity jeans that I’ve seen retail for $ 200…for $ 42. I figure that just because my once glorious sweater cows now look and feel like 2 wet sandbags with fleshy hot pokers sticking out of them, that’s no reason my ass can’t at least look great.
They had a very nice selection of higher end and designer children’s clothing, as well as a large selection of books, toys, and accessories (including strollers). The maternity selection was relatively small, but there are gems to be unearthed if you take the time to look.
Friendly employees, and the overall organization of the place is great. I’m sure I’ll be back to comb through their inventory again at some point.

I like the stuff here, high end used childrens and maternity items. But the prices are way to high for used clothes.
You can make the choice to get a piece of faded and noticeable used piece of clothing here or get something new for the same price at target, children’s place, or gap and macy’s sales racks.
I do like the toys, you can’t even tell some of them were used. I love it when I find something that was twice as much at toys r us.
When it comes to selling things here my experience was alright. The lady that sits at the front desk is rude though, she has an attitude like she is doing you a favor by selling your things. Well if it’s that much of an inconvenience I’ll just take my stuff elsewhere. She gave me back 80% of what I originally gave to sell which was weird to me because there are items on the racks that looked way more used then my things.
I just ended up donating those things and if I do sell my children’s clothes again I will go to the consignment shop in Danville. They are way nicer.

I am done with this place! It’s a pain to drive out there with my load of stuff, especially with the cost of gas. They call after they go through your bag which can be anywhere from a few days to a month, you can choose to have them donate the stuff you don’t want or come pick it up in a timely manner. Then after they sell the stuff I get to drive back out and collect my pennies, or use it as store credit (that is if I can find anything worthy while I am there, I have no desire to take another trip just for the credit). Gap has such great sales I am done with consignment shops, looks like my nephew is going to get all my sons hand me downs from now on.

Good stuff, but way overpriced for used clothing!
Their prices start out at 50% of the retail value! Then at a certain date it goes down to half of that, then half of that. Yikes!
They do have cute stuff… fancy brands, in pretty good condition, but there is something morally wrong about charging 50% of normal price for used clothes.
They also have a lot of good books that are more reasonably priced.