Mind’s Eye Vintage

Cool shop. Nice selection of men’s flannels. Found a rad short sleeve pendleton that fit perfectly. Small shop and small volume of merchandise, but everything seemed to be of good quality and in good condition. It seemed like a well curated collection of clothes, and the woman working there offered me advice when I was trying to figure out a shirt fit right. Definitely will be going back.

short-​version: basically a super-​expensive, pretentious, thrift shop; except with a fraction of the selection… might as well just go to a thrift shop.
more details:
I sometimes browse this shop when waiting for a haircut, and this week I thought, «y’know, this place seems cool. why go to a chain store to get some shoes I need, when they have some here? plus, they’re a little local shop that seems good to support?» … I found some shoes that fit me; sure, they’re ‘vintage’ (store vernacular for ‘used’), and at $ 65 (plus tax) they’re clearly expensive for shoes that are used, but I had a support-​the-​local-​shop moment, and went with it (figured maybe being broken-​in can count for something too). well, as they say, ‘no good deed goes unpunished’ … I wore the shoes for an hour and they were terribly uncomfortable. I called and asked how I might return or exchange them. The clerk replied: «sorry, all sales are final.» … with same response when I asked if they could work with me. so: no returns, no store credit, no exchanges, not even an option to take it back with a restocking fee (which I wouldn’t mind).
soap-​box:
y’know, say what you will about chain stores, but this would’ve been a simple return/exchange/sure-we’ll-work-with-you at any one of them.
fwiw, partly my bad:
yes, I should’ve asked about the policy, and I’m sure there’s a sign somewhere in the shop that makes this policy clear, so I’m not claiming any false promises by the store. I just want to make it clear to anyone thinking about shopping here, that you should treat it the same as if you were browsing for items at a garage sale. used stuff; all sales as-​is and final. they won’t work with you. period.

In the old days, this would be called a consignment store, albeit a small version and looking nothing like Good Will or the Salvation Army. Alternatively, Mind’s Eye Vintage considers themselves to be a «Cult Collection of Vintage For Men and Women».
Mind’s Eye Vintage is located within the Temescal Alley and I manage to stop in every time I find myself in this part of Oakland. I like the small space, how the merchandise is displayed, and the nice casual vibe. I’m not sure I have the body type or the youth for what Men’s Clothing is offered, but the used shoes/​boots they carry are intriguing. Unfortunately, the lucky day hasn’t yet arrived when I find a Size 11 or 11.5 in the right style.