Encore

I have seen my share of outstanding consignment stores around the world & would consider shopping the competition first before shopping Encore in San Rafael.
Designers range from highly collectible to questionable garments/​shoes/​accessories that should be in another type of shop. Encore advertises themselves as a luxury consignment store. Indeed there is a representation of designer apparel & accessories yet one would expect more of the same, regrettably they are not present at all times. Perhaps the availability of covetable designer names sell quickly but I would question that claim.
Prices are indeed excessive for classically used clothing even though they may be ‘well loved & cared for’. At the end of the day regardless of how well curated the items in this store may be, it remains a used clothing shop.
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Service is horrible to nonexistent. If you have a question, ask, just know that your answer may be met with an insult. I prefer to shop in silence rather than be treated with rude behavior.
Honestly, I have made a purchase of high end items and paid the price on the ticket. When exiting the store I must admit to asking myself, «Why am I paying to be treated horribly and helping someone else make money?» The answer remains the same, «I wanted the item!»
The competition in the area appears to understand how to turn over inventory with better, market value pricing for comparable luxury merchandise.
For the most part the clothing, shoes, accessories & handbags are in good to very good condition yet do not warrant the prices marked on the merchandise.
If you are interested in high end designer merchandise I would ensure that you bone up on authenticity of a product (this is always a key component a shopper should have in their wheelhouse) & ask for a certificate of authentication or any other significant signature documents that clearly identify the brand that you are interested.
If you leave your clothing at this shop, ensure that you read & pay attention to the agreement & timing of when your items will be donated or available for you to pick up. If you are leaving items for sale at Encore, take the time & create a written inventory with pictures to ensure that your merchandise is accounted for if it has not sold.

Price is ridiculous and rude staff! Would not recommend to anyone. Clothes are trying to be designer in San Rafael… good luck.

I like the idea of this place and when I visited, the ladies working at the counter were nice, not to mention I saw a couple of clothing pieces that were actually cute and looked like new (price-​wise not really a steal, but for used clothing they were reasonable, I guess). My only qualm? The whole store smelled like a fart.

Love their selection, every single time I go. Completely could not do without this store. If it matches your taste, you’ll love it.

I’ve been shopping at Encore for over 20 years. The store is friendly and well laid out. I trust Linda to help me pick out clothes which look good on me and have not been disappointed. The clothes are quality and in good condition. For a consignment store it is very reasonably priced.

I am the biggest fan of Encore! I have scored so many amazing pieces-​my favorites include a Burberry P-​coat and Leather Jacket, Clover Canyon dress, French jacket, Missoni dress, my 2 favorite DVF dresses, Chanel shoes-​I could go on! Truly, the best part is seeing Linda. She is like family and always asks about my exploits. I adore her and she makes the score the best part!!!

I’ve been coming here for years — Linda is always fair, honest, and considerate. Like any store, merchandise skews to different generations/​styles. Those seeking of-​the-​moment trends may not find it here, but if you’re looking for a beautifully made French blouse with hand-​finished cuffs — at less than a third of the price — this is terrific.

I had high hopes for this store, but I was very unimpressed with the selection, quality, and price of the clothing. The selection is geared toward a more mature crowd and the prices are ridiculously steep for second-​hand clothing. I was also not impressed with the customer service. I said hello to the clerk when I entered the store and she didn’t even acknowledge me. Very disappointing.

Drove from sf and arrived at 445. Sales woman wouldn’t let me in because they close at 5:00. Ridiculous and rude.

I have been going to Encore for years for many of my work clothes and party outfits. The clothes are wonderful and great quality. Linda and her staff are always very helpful and pleasant and never pushy. Sometimes Linda even directs me to items that had just come in that she thinks I might like. It is a pleasure to shop here and I will continue to send my friends. Barbara Monty from San Rafael

I have been buying and selling wonderful clothes and accessories with Linda at Encore for many years and I would highly recommend her store to find an outfit for any occasion. Happy shopping!

I used to shop here often but no more. The last few times I’ve walked in, no one acknowledges me or even looks in my direction. The entire time I’m shopping-​nothing. It’s so rude! If a customer enters your store, say hello. It’s not hard to do. It’s called customer service.

Your Not that great of a store. Thank god for Nordstrom’s and Macy’s, Neiman-​Marcus. Thank God! Rude and Snippy is your issue. I pay Full Price for ALL I have… Why would I low my standards by shopping «Your Store «?! never again as I tell my friends and family. Keep looking elsewhere. The Worst clothing store in Marin County, CA!!!

I just got off the phone with a woman who identified herself as the owner of the store. I believe she said her name was, Linda. I was phoning to get some clarification on how to submit some beautiful designer items to her consignment store. I did review her website, but what I needed assistance with was not covered on her site. This woman was incredibly disengaged. She answers questions like a robot. No customer service skills. She actually sounded irritated that she had to go over the protocols for submitting, getting paid, etc. goods that are left with her store. I gave her a chance, by explaining to her that I had never consigned goods before, and she cut me off, by rudely and hurriedly saying she had people in the store, and… really at that point… I just hung up. There is no need to do business with someone who cannot handle the most basic of issues that come up in a retail environment. You explain to someone nicely you are alone and cannot thoroughly assist them, and can you phone them back? Or, you ask if you can put them on hold for a few minutes while you clear your immediate issue. She had many other options, other than to engage in such a rude way. Completely unappreciative of grasping she had a new potential supplier of items for her customers. Clueless.

I have been a regular at Encore for years and every time I visit Linda makes me feel like family. She knows my tastes and knows every piece of clothing in the store and makes great suggestions. She has even called me when a piece comes in that she thinks I will like.
This is a really great family business and I’ve gotten some of my best «pieces» here over the years. I love the variety as well. She gets everything from Marni and Celine to Isabel Marant, Rag and Bone and local designers like Erica Tanov.
A gem of a store.

Today it was the do date to pick up my items unsold and Linda could’t find it .I been having a feel sandalls miss I don’t see on floor and had not sold??? The do date is July 7 I just wonder where is my sandalls

Untrustworthy, lying sales people is what you can expect at Encore.
Dont waste your time or money in this shop. They will tell you one thing and do another. They dont care about their customers, only about making as much money as possible. I have been lied to and cheated and will never return! Spread the word and save yourself and your friends from another bad Encore ripped off experience!

I’ve been shopping at Encore since I was in high school, and I keep coming back for a reason! The owner Linda has always been very sweet with me, and her staff is professional and welcoming. When I was a consignor, she was very upfront with me about what would work for the store and what wouldn’t. I know some people take offense when it comes to their personal items being rejected, but frankly, she wouldn’t be doing me a favor to take items that she isn’t able to sell! There are so many different consignment stores in Marin, and certain pieces are better suited elsewhere.
My one issue is the merchandising. She has so many beautiful pieces but I feel like they could be displayed more artfully. Although, it is fun to dig through the racks and be surprised by Chanel and Louis Vuitton! I’ll be back :)

The owner is so SNOTTY and treated me like crap! Not only would I NEVER bring stuff there again, I would NEVER buy there.
She acted like it Encore was some high end boutique… really folks… these are used items and this is NOT Neiman Marcus… GET OVER YOURSELF LADY!

Encore is upscale consignment at its best. I’ve been shopping here for over five years and have been able to pick up quite a few bargains along the way from Italian wool sweaters to US-​made cotton and linen blouses. A local designer, Sandra English, was my go-​to work blouse maker for years and I could always rely on Encore stocking her products. On my last visit to CA, I popped in for a look-​see and was sad to find out that S. English’s clothes were no longer being stocked as her line has ‘gone down hill’ over the past couple of years. I can appreciate that Encore takes pride in what it carries, but, of course, was sad to learn of S.E.‘s decline.
When I next return to CA, I’ll be sure and visit Encore!