The White Elephant

Don’t shop or consign here. Good lord I’m to steam iron etc all the cloths first. They were t in bad shape, just thrift shop style. Wrinkle here, there. Turned up her nose. Not only lost a consignment, but I’ll never shop there again.

This has to be the worst JUNK SHOP in the world.
They offer the following benefits to the shopper:
1) Limited Selection In ALL Categories
2) Overpriced Goods Is The RULE
3) Choice of NO SERVICE or BAD SERVICE
4) Arrogant Rude Staff Who Lack Manners AND Thoughtfulness

Have shopped here and at their Warrenton store for years. bought two large pieces of furniture and countless other items. including good jewelry. Yesterday when I was there I put an item back on the shelf after looking at it and the shelf collapsed. The owner didn’t seem concerned. I picked up all the items that fell and only one broke. a very heavy pottery piece that shouldn’t have been on a light weight shelf. I bought over 60 $ in items and was shocked when the owner charged me 11 $ more for the broken item. It’s not like I was careless; I didn’t have an unruly child with me running around knocking over things. I was with w a friend who also bought two items. The more I think about it the more I feel she was wrong in charging me. I will probably not shop there again as this incident left a bad taste in my mouth. Too bad for the owner as she has lost a very good customer.

Where do I start? Well, first of all they do not have a restroom. My friend and I went shopping and spent lots of time going through the store (I am a shop-​a-​holic). We had LOTS of Clothing and my friend had her monthly friend visit! So we had to go to the restroom. Of course they didn’t have one for public use so we drove to Safeway but before I left the store I informed Deborah (staff) we were going to the restroom and would be right back so she knew to hold the clothes but restroom emergency struck! When we returned within a few minutes the items were removed! I sent my friend to retrieve them from the desk. She came back with a fraction of items. I was shocked. So I went up and asked where the rest of the items were? (apparently Deborah went to lunch). Ms. King said «when you leave the store you can’t expect to leave things in the dressing room.» I clearly and kindly shared with the front desk before we left and it wasn’t a problem. I asked her what her name was and she states «None of your business.» I have a nursing background and could tell Ms. King appears to have a mental illness. Her appearance was not with the norm of the store staff and was shouting at me starting to lose control. I was concerned she may attack me from her erotic behavior such as that of a patient that was in need of medication however being exposed to such behavior I knew to back off before an actual attack from her could occur. I did ask her to please calm down and no need to yell and get worked up. I almost called the police however to avoid an assault I walked away. Deborah talked to her about her temper and to calm down also as she was working herself up. I learned no manager is in charge at the time. Who leaves store without some management in place with a mentally unstable staff member? Just saying…
Anyway, Ms. King did save me money and caused the store to lose money. Since she put away most of the items so I didn’t want to go through the store AGAIN so they lost more sales then they could of made. Ms. King may be good a moving furniture and zero customer service however I likely would of purchase the amount of clothing that would equal furniture AND the store wouldn’t need her! Management suggestion: Terminate Ms. King as I understand she has been in many screaming matches with other customers. She is not worth keeping if she keeps running off the very people who help pay the very rent to make the business run. I would NEVER purchase a piece of furniture from them because of her. I will call the manager, Lisa prior to visiting the store again to avoid her to find out Ms. King her schedule. Ms. King apparently has a reputation for her losing her temper with customers.

I have been going to the White Elephant for years. First at their leesburg, VA store and when that closed I followed them to Middleburg. I cosign my goods and typically spend my check on other store merchandise. This is not a thrift store — prices have to be at a level that both the store and to cosigners make a little money. I have never experienced rude service in over 10 years, and I have used the bathroom in Middleburg. Being a very old bldg. they have had plumbing problems on an off. Despite the distance from Ash burn I still think it’s worth the trip and love the countryside drive and the small town of Middleburg where I usually stop for lunch. Even my husband (who is not a shopper) will ask to tag along. Give them a try!

I have loved this store and frequented it for about 4 years. This store alone brought me to the quaint town of Middleburg and I have brought guests here often. It’s fun to ramble around in this quaint 2 floor consignment shop and discover little treasures. The staff aren’t especially friendly, but I just don’t engage them (especially after they refused to let my 80 year old mother use their bathroom). Middleburg is a nice litle day trip and home to some of the wealthiest in Loudoun County. This is where Jackie O hung out after she married Onassis and where she enjoyed the local fox hunting which this area is known for. It’s also the home of Robert Duvall, Senator Warner (and Elizabeth Taylor briefly). Check out White Elephant Consignment on your next trip to Middleburg. The drive alone is worth it.

LOVE this shop. Much of it is overpriced but you can find great deals on many of the unique items, too. If it wasn’t for the HORRENDOUS service — I’ve never been there without the staff being cold and rude — I would have given five stars. It’s worth the trip in spite of the staff, though!