Avant-Garde

I love this store. No matter when I walk in, it is always arranged beautifully, with great stuff to look at. I find the customer service great– and personally I like that I am allowed to browse a bit without being hassled right away to buy something, yet if I ask, someone is right there to help me. Their product varies and so it is always good to go in periodically and see what is new. It is always changing.

This OWNER is totally lacking in social graces and even simple common decency to customers. She’s snooty, with an air of hostility! Can’t seem to go by the shop without feeling that negative vibe from her. She’s a total snob who desperately needs therapy.

Wow. I guess it’s validating to read these other negative reviews and know that I’m not alone in receiving the WORST customer service in this shop.
I wasn’t sure if it was a racial thing, I guess I’m somewhat relieved to hear that this owner is a b**ch to everyone? And no, it’s not just because she’s «busy or on the phone.» I’ve been in there where I’m one of two customers in there and she never greeted or acknowledged my presence and she wasn’t doing ANYTHING.
I know she SAW me though, because I saw her eyes tracking me. But she never spoke a word or broke a smile. Felt like she was only watching me to make sure I didn’t steal anything. Is this what racial micro aggression feels like?
As far as the stuff in the shop — the clothes are overpriced and definitely for the knit-​wearing, «accessorize with a chunky pendant necklace and look, its fancy» Baby Boomer fashion set. The only things I’ve been interested in buying are some of the home décor/​kitchen stuff that’s consignment. I’d actually considered buying many things here but was so put off by the owner’s energy and crusty side-​eye that I ended up not making any purchases.

This is the best place to get fashion advice, chic clothes that are different from department store items, less expensive to buy than Nordstrom, and expensive looking. The great thing is, that you can go in and the owner Gisella will help put you into a complete outfit. I have a closet full of her clothes, and they wear beautifully, are good quality and all go together. I get lots of compliments on my Avant Garde outfits. It’s the best-​kept secret in Marin!

I contemplated about writing a review for several months. After reading some of the other reviews I felt a responsibility to chime in. First and foremost the owner is toxic. She has a sour puss and acts as though she is doing you a favor to allow you to spend your money there. I have shopped there for years and have brought friends in, we have spent a lot of money in there over the years, there are generally nice things to find. The last time I was in, I paid cash for an item. At the end of the day the owners register didn’t balance. She insisted that I walked out without paying. Fortunately, the woman who was working with her that day insisted that was incorrect and the money was misplaced by her. This challenge of my integrity is unacceptable. It is the shop owner who needs a lesson on how to treat the public with integrity and respect. Shame on her and forget about going to avant gard. San Rafael and Marin county is loaded with fabulous other choices. Stay away!

Customer service was awful. I had one of my sons with me and the saleslady did not bother to acknowledge our presence the whole ten minutes + that we looked around. The inventory was OK but nothing special but what really stood out is that they really did not make me feel welcome. I thought maybe it was a guy thing or she didn’t want kids in the store. Regardless she won’t have to worry about us returning.

After reading the reviews posted for Avant-​Garde, I honestly must say I’m not surprised. I’ve been a loyal customer for years! From the time the owner was in a different location. She has such a great eye for just about everything! I’ve spent a lot of money through the years and have referred many friends. I left a couple of items with the owner on consignment and one of the items apparently walked off on its own. Imagine that! It was rather large. Instead of the owner taking the hit, it was at my expense. As painful as it is for me, I will NEVER ever step foot in the store again and I no longer refer my friends.
It’s validating to read the reviews because I thought it was just me and that the owner didn’t like me. She apparently doesn’t treat anyone any differently and this is sad. I love her helper, Christina, and the owner could take some lessons from her on customer service. She could actually learn something. Christina isn’t even enough to keep me coming in at this point. DONE!!!

I wish I had read the Unilocal reviews before walking in the door. While I was there, I overheard the owner telling some poor woman who had sold an expensive item on commission that the person who had purchased it had switched price tags with a less expensive item, so they had sold it for far too little. As a result, they would not be giving her the full amount that her item had been worth. I was shocked. That is about the worst customer service I have ever heard of. What shop owner would not stand by the price and admit that their staff had not caught the switcheroo? If nothing else, you take the hit because it’s the right thing to do. It’s called integrity.
I felt so bad for the poor woman who trusted them to sell her item. I will not shop there and I certainly would never, ever sell commission there. Shame on the owner.

I told the woman here I will absolutely not recommend her store to anybody. We were in the store for no more than 30 seconds, when we were shoed away.
My 2 year old came in because she saw pretty things. I would have never set foot in this store if it were not for her. I agreed — they did have lovely things. My daughter picked up a pillow and placed it on the bed on display. She saw a children’s book and picked that up seconds later. The woman was on us in a moment stating something like «if you have no intention of shopping then we have a problem»
Well I have no idea how this place stays in business and as promised:
I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE FOR ANY REASON.
There are plenty of other places on 4^th Street to find lovely things.
Expletive this place, and expletive this business owner. She gives 4^th Street a distinctive egg /​sulfur smell.

Can I leave ZERO stars? A little sad face? …
I was in there today, the older rude lady was there. Never greeted me, never acknowledged my presence. When I went to the counter to make a purchase, even though I was the only customer is the whole damn store, she finished some conversation with another clerk about a candle, then still took her sweet time to «help me». When she went to ring me up, she very curtly said «we do not do sales on credit card for less than $ 10», even though I was making a $ 9 PLUS tax purchase. What a dumb policy. Walked right out and will never ever ever ever go back. I can probably buy the same crap at the Goodwill for a buck.

Wonderful store! It’s not your typical second hand stuff. Great finds– easy to shop there and come up with something differerent. I’d like her to come to my house and re-​place my stuff– I’m sure it would look 10x better. Gisele has an incredible eye for merchandising. And, I have to say, who cares if she doesn’t greet you when you walk in. Perhaps because she’s European? I don’t know. If you want greetings, go to the Gap. She’s not unfriendly. I’ve even sold things there and was quite happy with the return. I have to admit, my things looked better in her store than they ever did in my house!

I discovered AvantGarde about 3 years ago. Gisela, the owner, has always been attentive to my shopping list desires; helping me find cloths that look good on my body type, even when I didn’t think it would look good – it always turned out great looking. She has a very good eye for style and color. I’ve enjoyed several pieces of jewelry purchased there. I always get positive complements on my clothes and jewelry from this store. Some of the pieces are quite unique and different. I have also found gifts there on many occasions. And the prices are reasonable. The store is so much fun to explore as it’s changed from time to time and has new merchandise.
She has also helped me decorate my bedroom. She has a great design mind, sensitive to color, shapes and placement in the room. I purchased a great artzy lamp and with her suggestion the location in the room illuminates that corner. I really appreciate her input.
Whenever I get the shopping bug, AvantGarde is my first stop.

I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised about the recent service I received from both the owner and her employee. (I must admit I feel bad I don’t remember their names, I am horrible with names)
I’ve been going to that store for several years. I have bought many items from them. I like their selection of jewelry. Its pretty cool and not something you see every day. Also I think their price points are pretty good. I found a great set of dishes that I bought about 4 years ago and to this day I love them.
I do agree with Emily regarding the owner. Most of the time when she is working if she is talking to somebody else or on the phone she won’t take 1 second to even acknowledge your arrival. I think a welcoming smile or even a short «welcome to Avant-​Garde» is all that store needs to be top notch. Because their clothes, housewares, furniture, jewelry will easily sell themselves. Now the employee she has working is a walking customer service STAR. She is perfect.
Recently I went to the store and fell in love with a skirt. They didn’t have my size, but the owner said no problem I can get you one in a day. And she did… it was there… I said…“but what if that one doesn’t fit I don’t want you to get stuck with an item” and she nicely said… «don’t worry… I need that size anyways… its a popular size»… Hint to Stella’s in San Anselmo from my review of them below.
Well the skirt is perfect… they held it for me until I could get back down to pick it up. Also they gave me free parking validation for two of the garages in San Rafael.
I can’t in all good faith give them anything other than a 5 star rating. Maybe its my mood, but I think if you know up front the owner isn’t going to welcome you when you first walk in, however if you ask her a question or require assistance she will jump through hoops to get you want you want.

On Fourth Street there are many choices to shop and spend your hard earned dollars. This is one of the few consignment stores on Fourth and one of the better ones.
Everything changes here, weekly. There are always new things too check out and try on. They have a great purse and belt selection, shoes are usually from consignment so sizes vary. The clothing is a mix of new and used, but it is all fashionable and affordable. I have scored on the same visit: a great silk sweater, basket for my fruits and veggies and earrings.
Parking is street and metered, but you can usually find it, there is always a sale rack out front. Like I said things change here, so if they don’t have what you want, they might next time!
The owner is usually here, the last few times I have been in the store she has not said hello or even said a word to the people browsing. She is friendly if you engage her, but not engaging herself. The other woman who works there is super friendly and sweet.