Main Street Rags

Like all consignment stores, it can be hit or miss but lately it seems it’s all hit. The last three times I’ve gone, I have gotten one of a kind designer pieces. I’ve never experienced the staff to be anything but kind and helpful.

The store had a good selection of designer items, some for a great price. I felt that some of the other brands were overpriced. For example a forever 21 top (a simple one, nothing special) costing $ 16 when it is clearly used seems a little bit high.
I LOVE consignment and thrift stores. They always have the most unique pieces and at an awesome price. So I was happy to see them and shop around.
My issue here was the staff. I don’t know if they make some sort of commission or what but I felt really pressured to shop. I am in customer service and sales and there is nothing more irritating than someone TRYING to sell you something.
I love being shown a couple of items that they think I would like in my size or told about sales but this was just frustrating after a while.
Every time I didn’t want an item and put it back there was a sales women close at hand to ask me if I was sure I didn’t want it… yes. I am sure. It just made me uncomfortable.
Then, when I told one of the ladies I was done and would like a fitting room for the three items I had after shopping around for a while, the lady said she would put them in the room for me while I shop. I had already said I was ready to try on. Normally I would find this helpful but like I said I had shopped the whole store and told her I wanted to try on those three and was done. I am not upset with how I was treated I just don’t like feeling pressured to buy things. There is a difference between customer service and selling someone an item.
I am leaving this as CONSTRUCTIVE criticism for the employees/​owner.
I did buy a BEAUTIFUL All Saints top for a great deal, new with tags. I will be back again when I have more time to look.

I was treated so rudely today by Kristina that I had to post this review.
I have consigned here many years now. I had one item out for consignment. I called last week to check status, and whoever answered the phone told me it was off the floor and ready to be picked up. So despite feeling ill, I made a special trip out there to pick it up before going out of town.
When I arrived and inquired about my item I was told that it still showed as being on the floor because it had been missed with the last ‘pull’. I explained that I didn’t want to have to come back by the final pick-​up date because I had made a special trip and because I would be gone, blah blah. So could I please take it off the floor because the odds of a summer item selling this weekend (the weather had turned cool and gloomy) were slim to none and I didn’t want to make another trip.
The girl told me «sure if you can find it». So I (and several other employees – there were several in the store at the time) tried to locate the item (despite grumbling that I should wait for the next pull, etc.). I also asked them to check and see if it was indeed bagged up in the back and just hadn’t been updated in my account. No such luck finding the item ANYWHERE despite several scans of the racks, dressing rooms, etc.
At this point I suspected that perhaps someone had walked off with it. Either way, it was NOT being displayed (hence it wasn’t an option for anyone to BUY it either).
It was at this point that Kristina intervened and told me to «call back on Monday». I explained (again) that I didn’t want to have to call back Monday because I did not have the time to call again, come back in, etc. She gave a little laugh and then started giving me attitude claiming «I have over 3000 items out for consignment right now» and how she couldn’t be bothered to find my one item. I asked her to please not be rude to me and give me attitude. She said (very loudly and in a very snotty tone) «I’M NOT GIVING YOU ATTITUDE, I’M TRYING TO MY BEST TO HELP YOU!!!» (Really?!) So I told her it wasn’t my fault that they had lost my item. She said «WE DIDN’T LOSE YOUR ITEM!» Basically she was trying to embarrass/​bully me into submission. Then she said «Fine. I’ll just pay you out for your dress then!» At this point, I should add that the other employees and customers just looked on not knowing what to do or how to react. It was very embarrassing.
She pulled up my account and told me that the item had listed for $ 11 and some change (I wrote down $ 11.69). Then she paid me out at $ 4.75. Uh… I didn’t think to ask at the time given the awkwardness of the situation and the fact that now EVERYONE in the store was staring at us, that that was more than 50% commission! So I think (on top of her rude behavior) that she even cheated me from my full commission! (Yes, they take 50% of your items or more now. Not 30% like other consignment shops.) Yes, it’s only about $ 1, but it’s the principle of the thing. I made sure to get a receipt because I could just see them charging me a quarter on the final pull date for their «handling fee» AGAIN (which they charged me when they paid me out the $ 4.75).
This is not how to treat your customers. If this were my customer, I would have taken the lead to make sure to follow up instead of asking the customer to ‘call back on Monday’ when s/​he is standing in the store! She should have treated this situation much differently if she truly cared about her customers and the reputation of the store. I find it interesting that there are many many Unilocal comments about the rude behavior at this business.
A really terrible experience all in all. I’m shocked that the owner, Tricia, allows this kind of rude customer service to continue. I’m not sure I’ll be back – either to consign or to shop.

I went to this store twice attempting to sell some things, and both times they couldn’t take a single item. One of the times, I walked in with a brand new pair of shoes still in perfect condition, and they said that they couldn’t help me! This is NOT a consignment stored; it’s a waste of time!

Any kind of consignment shop is a hit or miss. You may have not-​so-​great luck one day but find an array of treasures the next. So, it just depends on timing and how closely you look!
I liked this fun little shop. There were lots of different styles and looks going on in here, so I think everybody can find something they like! The people working were friendly and very willing to help us find items that we need.
There are also random sales that go on, so you better keep your eyes out!

I have been shopping at Main Street Rags for as long as I can remember (which is a very long time!), and it always has something new to offer.
My purchasing seems to be hit or miss, but I always find a few things to try on. The inventory is very well organized, but be sure to keep an eye on the color coded tags; the item you’re looking at might be going on sale in the next day or two! (I have a friend who’s biding her time for the most beautiful black leather jacket that goes on sale Saturday. Fingers crossed it’s still there!)

I’m still a regular at Main Street Rags.
While living in SF I made infrequent trips to pick up work attire, and though it had been a couple years as I’m in San Jose I dropped in last weekend and reminded myself why, yet again I adore MSR. In fact it is my consistent, top of the list, go-​to for consignment anywhere in the Bay Area.
The main reason, beyond the current and classic style choices they fill their racks with is their color coded sale system. It’s what keeps me coming back, year in, year out and driving up for over an hour to visit them.
They have weekly 30% and 50% off sales, where items which have not sold in the preceding weeks are then put on sale. Yellow tags 30%, red tags 50%, etc. I tend to shop only that sale section, unless I’m looking for something specific and/​or fall in love with something.
It’s how I purchased all my work attire while I was doing reception work in SF and needed to meet the standards of the Marina District and it’s how I found fun and interesting new styles as I grew older and more defined in what I wore.
It’s also how I regularly dropped hundreds of dollars since I’ll buy fashion in bulk if I get a great deal and pass it along if I never end up wearing it.
Its my hope that I’ll start making monthly trips to MSR again, though I don’t know if my closet or pocketbook can take it! :D

smell bad
few designer brands

I was the only one in line today and was scolded for not having my clothes on hangers, (my own) before I started using the rolling rack. She said «today is an exception because it is slow, but in the future don’t get in line until your clothes are on hangers»… and it sounded just like it looks in print. Rude.
I myself am in retail, was trained many moons ago under the original Neiman Marcus code/​ethic and I just know in my bones that you just can’t be so rude to a customer. It is unnecessary. It is quite easy to be clever and courteous to customers. I would have said «let me help you hang your things while there is a lull.» Instead and this goes out to Rockridge Rags employee’s as well, you make the customer feel embarrassed. Who want’s that? I will give my clothes to charity in the future. It will be much more gratifying than rudeness and a few extra dollars in my pocket. I wouldn’t’ be writing this if my experiences here weren’t embedded in my head over time. And if you want perfect clothes, invest in a nice steamer for clothes that get wrinkled in peoples cars. With our weather, you should expect wrinkles. I understand the out of date factor, the occasional stain the customer may have missed, but lighten up and learn some customer service and be clever and courteous with your bread and butter (the customer). And if you can’t then maybe its time to get happy somewhere else. Without us, you have nothing on your racks.

I enjoy shopping here because I can sometimes catch a great price, but from the many times I’ve consigned here I’ve found the ladies who work here to be VERY RUDE. I’m surprised they haven’t switched management yet, as I know other people have noticed the same thing. The don’t smile at you, don’t make you feel welcome, don’t make small talk with you, and just all around aren’t friendly. When you work in the retail business, you need to make customers feel welcome and comfortable. I’m not sure how they treat older women (I’m 23), but in the past 8 or so years I’ve been coming here I’ve yet to be served by someone who acts like they want me to be there.

The store owner was angry and said «you should have known better» when I ripped an old dress while trying it on. The dress was fragile, and yes the dress was a little too small for me.
I actually had no idea I had gained weight so quickly after my chemotherapy.
The dress was to be my first outfit and expensive ($ 80) purchase toward a strong future after surviving a year of treatments with little money left.
I had been shopping at Main Street Rags a few years before I became sick. I did buy the dress I ripped, a friend repaired it, and I fit into it a few months later; I won’t be supporting this store ever again.

I’m not much of a thrift store gal when it comes to getting clothes and shoes, but this place is an exceptional, exception.
I have popped in here several times over the years, and have always been impressed with the more quality, designer brand clothes and shoes they offered. As well as how well organised the store was presented. I just unfortunately never found anything that fit.
I came in here recently just to look, and not to my surprise, I saw several shoes that immediately struck my fashionable interest. One absolutely gorgeous pair of flats were unfortunately to small, though I ended up getting another pair that was pretty close to my size and in EXCELLENT condition. The shoes I got usually sell for $ 70.00, but I got it for $ 24.00 STEAL! And they have probably (by the looks of it) been worn maybe once!
One of the absolute things I love most about this place, is how impeccably well organized all the clothes are, and how they color coordinate all the clothes. The service was also nice and helpful.
I will certainly be frequenting here more often to hopefully get some more wonderful «Rags»

I LOVE to shop here and every week it seems there are NEW deals and further discounted items!
A great place to find good brands for a great buy!

I been shopping here since it opened and found a good deal from time to time. I went their recently and the prices were crazy HIGH!!! All I can think is that the rent must had gone up, I couldn’t believe it how sticker shocked I was!
I never been to” Threads” on Locust St. also in Walnut Creek, have to check out the reviews for them before I waste my time again!
IDK why anyone would pay high prices for USED clothing, shoes, accessories, just ludicrous!!!
The owner should have a 30% off sale once a month so they can move thing’s than the merchandise collecting dust

Have been buying and selling here forever! I love the staff, owner is great and they always keep the place clean and organized. I like selling here because it’s like a bank account you can forget about… come in, sell every season or so and then a month later poof $ 100! Then I can buy more clothes! Highly recommend. :)

Maybe the sales people were just having a bad day, or maybe they just didn’t see me walk in or maybe… I won’t go there and I probably won’t be going back.

I used to sell on Ebay and have my own store, but I no longer have the time for that. Took a bin of clothing down to try this place out. While they didn’t accept much, keep in mind that they have over 12,000 consignors, and no one is going to buy plain-​Jane clothing in downtown Walnut Creek. S
They accept up to size 1X because there isn’t too much demand there for plus size. Understandable. They accepted 5 – 6 pieces about a week ago, and several have sold already. So, 5 stars for quick turnaround. It’s pretty effortless, really. Yes, they are picky so don’t waste your time or theirs bringing in a bunch of old stuff or anything that is not suitable for the season, as in up-​to-​the-​minute style, color, and age of the clothing.
Bring HANGERS.
In a nutshell: easy, fast, easy money (⁵⁰⁄₅₀ split), friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Cons: none really, as long as you go in there knowing what to expect.
Bring in your Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Lilly Pulitzer and other mid range to upscale labels. Keep your Basic Editions, Faded Glory, and teenybopper mall brands or take them to Goodwill.
Happy Consigning!

I stopped in after getting my nails done around the corner. Thought I’d give it a try. It was empty on a Saturday and had 4 staff onsite. I don’t get the layout at all. It’s organized by color, not by size or style. I hated wasting my time looking through an ivory section of sweaters, seeing something I liked but, oh wait, it’s too small. Very frustrating. Even the shoes are not organized by size. DUH. I’m sure I stayed there over an hour because of this system, but maybe that’s the point… so you stick around longer and are forced to browse through every rack. IDK.
I found over half the clothes old looking, stretched out and sad looking. I tried on 4 things and purchased one item. The prices seemed fair to high for consignment. I didn’t pull anything that was designer brand, so I expected lower prices. I tried on a few shoes and got a pair of new black glittery sandals for the holidays. Apparantly they were on sale, but how was I to know?
Need to Improve: Merchandising, displays, staff conversations/​complaining, organize shoes & clothes by size Even S/​M/​L would be better than what they do now! Up the friendly factor. Not one of the four staff said a word or looked in my direction the entire time I was there. When I approached the counter to make a purchase, I wasn’t addressed by either of the two mature women behind the counter. It was very confusing if anyone would ring me up.
Works for Me: Large selection, good parking, lots of other nice friendly shops in the neighborhood to spend my $$ at.

Designer clothes have a very short shelf life in the Real Closets of Walnut Creek, it seems. Main Street Rags has a prime collection of still-​totally fashionable rags that need a good home. The prices aren’t jaw-​dropping steals, as the owner is very familiar with the brand names she’s dealing. But, for example, you may stumble upon a pair of retro-​patterned, tailored shorts with the $ 56 J Crew tag still on them, and only pay $ 18. Score!
The store is organized by color, and they have plenty of spacious dressing rooms. Overall, a very well-​kept consignment shop.
When I’m trying NOT to spend money, I don’t let myself come here. Otherwise, I always find something that wants to come home with me.

I was visiting The Watch Doctor (who is a complete character) on Main street when I spotted MSR. An hour later, I left the store with 3 dresses (all worthy of wearing to weddings) and 1 pair of pumps for UNDER $ 140. These dresses (White House | Black Market (2), Trulli (1) with the original tag on it and shoes (Enzo A) looked brand new and actually 2 of the dresses were new. The parking garage cost me $ 1.50 for 3 hours whereas in Oakland I would pay 25 cents for 7 or 9 minutes. As a habitual frequenter of consignment stores, I did not expect any customer service, but I found the women who worked there to be pleasant and friendly.
The prices, in general, are higher than Crossroads on College or Maribel on Lakeshore but there are sale items –either 30% or 50% off depending on how long the item has remained. The dressing rooms are large and there is a full length mirror right next to two dressing rooms (4 total).
The next time I find myself needing a dress for a formal occasion, this will be my first stop.
MSR saved me from a trip to Nordstrom’s/Macy’s, (I despise shopping in department stores) — hooray!
Modeled all the dresses for J and QT — they were very impressed.
I stopped in Labels on the way back to the parking garage — they have more upscale labels than MSR and correspondingly higher prices (in the 3 digits).