En Ciel

I’ve been coming to El Ciel for awhile. I love this kind of boutiques. I came in today with my 12 year old daughter looking for Labor Day sales. As I was looking around, my daughter picked up a cute little pocket mirror and wanted me to check it out. As she turned to get my attention, she noticed that the sales lady was staring at her. In a very demeaning way she told my daughter «what do you want»? and my daughter replied: I just want to show my mom this” and the lady replied: «Mirror»! Mind you, my daughter is not stupid, she knew it was a «mirror» but it was the tone this lady took towards my daughter that I didn’t appreciate. I told the lady that I used to like coming into the store but I was not looking to give my business to a store that dismisses any young kid as a potential customer. Francesca has better things and truly, better priced items! El Ciel no more for this mom.

If I could give this place zero stars, I would. My husband bought me a hat as a gift. When it didn’t fit. I tried to return it the same day, and even though I had the receipt, they would not issue a refund — only a store credit. VERY VERY sketchy! So, unless you are absolutely sure you want what you get there, DON’T BUY ANYTHING. They won’t give you your money back under any circumstances. BAD business practice in Valencia!

A boutique in a mall. suspicious to say the least, but nonetheless, it fit the bill. Lots of unique and sparkly items that you don’t see more than one of, or that you can find in other stores. that pretty much identifies the word boutique.
I still think they seemed to be a little on the high priced side as the jewelry items are of the costume jewelry variety, but still unusual at same time.
The clothing is definitely higher quality then a mall if you want to compare the two.
I was that close to buying a pair of huge, whimsical gold colored flower cutout earrings.

I had been shopping regularly at this store since it opened a couple of years ago. The merchandise is interesting, hip, glitzy and while not well priced, not exorbitant.
However, today I had an experience that changed my mind and I will not be shopping there again.
First of all, I live in Valencia and non-​chain stores are a rarity and thus valued, when they are good and when there is good customer service. Secondly, I have shopped at the best stores all over the world — in short, I am an expert shopper with a good eye for quality, a knowledge of materials and crafstmanship and a seasoned understanding of pricing. Third of all, I have worked in and taken business courses on retail sales — I am a small business owner, so I know how a store should and should not be run.
I went into the store with a few family members, intending to buy some gifts for people on my list. We had specifically headed to En Ciel for their inexpensive ‘pashmina’ blend scarves — the kind that have been available all over the Los Angeles area for the past few years. My daughter picked up one on the front table, and I found one on a low display toward the back of the store. It was draped attractively, had a half dozen items on it, on the order of a hat or two, a small purse and the like. The one I wanted seemed to be the only one of its type, so I politely told the saleswoman that I would like to buy it.
She immediately told me that I could pick one from the table in the front of the store. I pointed out patiently that the one I wanted was not among those on that table. She then went to the other saleswomen and after a short conference came back and steered me to yet another table with other scarves, again not including the one I wanted. I calmly pointed that out and said that the one I wanted was on the display, could she please sell it to me.
She told me that the one I wanted, was like one on another table that was four times the cost of the same type of scarf on the front table. At this point, I asked her: Why? She told me that it was because the one I wanted was special and not made from the same material as the others, but a blend of acrylic and pashmina. At that point, I informed her that I had bought a 100% pashmina scarf of an almost identical design and texture at an upscale boutique in Pasadena for half of the price she quoted me. Her next response was that it was not for sale at all — just decorative.
All of this went on for a full 15 minutes while other customers looked on with considerable interest. The saleslady went on to tell me that this quality was better (mind you, she wouldn’t sell it to me so I couldn’t buy it, but it was decidely ‘better’ than what I described in Pasadena).
Now, one thing I know is merchandise — these were the same scarves! In fact, there is yet another boutique in Pasadena where I can get those pashimina scarves for even less than the 50% price I had referred to. This was just ridiculous!
She then had the nerve to suggest that I wouldn’t be able to buy it at the price she quoted. By this time, everyone in that store was listening as I told her, with great restraint, that I could, but I would not, and would never shop in that store again. Why should I pay a 300 to 400% markup? Furthermore, in America (clearly this group of ladies is from somewhere else), all merchandise on display is for sale.
Poor customer service, ridiculous markups for ordinary merchandise, and a strange unwillingness to take a few minutes to switch out a scarf from an easily accessed display. I have the feeling that whoever is running En Ciel does not have much respect for the local consumer and follows a flawed business model that does not include even standard, minimal customer service.
Shop there at your own peril.

I always make a point of stopping in this store. I love the beautiful unique items. The store has a really cool eclectic vibe with a variety of items. From candles and stationary to clothing and accessories. I find several well known names here at a great price. Don’t forget to check out the sale racks. Awesome bargains to be found. This is the place to look for that one item of clothing or that cool accessory to elevate your outfit from just ok to chic!
PS… The owner really gets customer service. She knows her merchandise and makes really cool recommendations.

Am I really the first to review En Ciel. I’ve loved this boutique since they opened. Unique, one of a kind items — hats, scarves, clothes, accessories — a little bit of everything. You won’t see these clothes everywhere — that’s what I really like.
The owner is great — helpful and she hand picks the clothes. I’ve gotten some really unique pieces here. Everything from dresses, shirts, vests, hats and scarves. Also — EXCELLENT prices. Love that it’s not a chain and it’s eclectic.