Rockridge Rags

This isn’t the greatest place to go if you’re under 40. This store targets a more mature audience, though I will say that I have found a few gems here when I was in high school (I still have a black lacy shirt with lace-​up sleeves that I still wear to this day). It’s small and stuffy, though well-​organized, and nobody really bothers me when I’m browsing. When I do find something I like, the quality is actually quite nice.

I am writing this review due to the redeeming experience I had today, both consigning and buying (the latter of which occurred serendipitously… probably due to what I will say next). I dreaded going there to consign again. I believe I’ve done so twice over a couple or three decades, and probably only sold one item. In the past, the attitude has been so snooty, so… awful, just as others have said, that I left with the clothes I came with, a whole bunch less time in my day, and some extra shame. Today, I decided to brave it with an open mind and no attachment (or a little teflon). Everyone was so kind, helpful and human. When I bought a couple items, I had a pleasant interchange with the sales person. The wait to consign was short. The consignment staff only took two of ten items, but the corrective experience was worth it.
As I left, she said, «Thanks for coming in and supporting local business.» That IS what I want to do, and maybe I can do it more, since I’m feeling renewed hope of being treated as a worthy human being in RR, even if I don’t have the most hip, «current» clothes in the world.
I want to reward good behavior, to say it in «operant condition-​istic» terms, so I’m spending some of my time writing this Unilocal. Keep it up, Rockridge Rags!

My experience at RR has been pleasant and quite profitable. Both the ladies/​owners are professional and businesslike. They do explain briefly why they don’t accept certain items. No problem for me! I don’t want to waste their time or mine. But most of the items that they do accept sell — which tells me that they know their business and their clientele. And I always find something unique to purchase with my earnings. RR features a designer clothing section and a great selection of jewelry.

The women that work here are the best in second hand store occupancy. They are friendly and patient. Buffalo exchange and Crossroads can continue 30% only cash exchange while Rockridge Rags gives 50%!

They chose the right name for their store, what they sell can only be described as rags. What is puzzling is their attitude — how is it possible for salespeople that rude to remain in business? A Paris runway would be hard pressed to find that level of snobbery and unpleasantness.

All of these crappy reviews crack me up. I just went in for the first time today and received polite and cheerful service, and scored two hip and high quality tops for 20 bucks each. At first when I walked in I was smacked in the face with moth balls and clothing that I thought was way too matronly for me. But I got my bearings, saw how the store was organized (by color mainly) and dug in. It really is a nice mix of clothing styles, something for every age range, the clothes appear to have been meticulously curated and picked through by the buyers… and I couldn’t be happier with what I found. I will be back.

Great shop. The buyers are smart, honest and quick. I love this place. They move the merchandise. Store is organized by color, size and ‘better labels’ allowing the shopper to make strategic strikes.

I see how they are in business. They rip off consignee’s!
Lady during drop off says, «We will call you if your items do not sell for you to pick them up just after 90 days.»
96 day later, a new lady says when we call to get a status, «Your items were donated as you did not pick them up.»
Not cool.

I read the reviews and many had me laughing, because I could understand where everyone was coming from. This place is a business and a successful one. When you want to consign ask lots of questions first. They are picky, but if they take your stuff you will make money. All consignment stores only take in season clothes. You have to learn to consign and each store has their rules– it is a learning process you might not get right 1^st time around. I can see why some think they are unfriendly, because they are not overly friendly, but hang in there they are ok, It is a business and if you want to make money do it their way. I do wish they would be a little nicer. I do not understand the attitude, but I accept it and keep on coming.

No returns. And no sign indicating that there are no returns — only a sign that says «Can’t decide? Try our one day [something or other] plan.» I of course ignored the sign because I didn’t think I needed any special plan. But that is their obscure way of saying «No returns.» Misleading at best.
So, I don’t like that, but I’ve had good luck finding clothing there. I’m a man and my general style is button down shirt with well-​fitting (not skinny, not baggy) jeans, and I tend to have good luck finding things here.

At the suggestion of one of my other favorite consignments stores, I visited this place to check out their store. I would say that this is not a place that I would shop at. It has a very old, musky smell. Racks of clothes are filled with quite worn and not current styles. It does give the impression that they cater to a much more mature audience (men and women) with not a huge interest in staying current. The staff wasn’t overly warm or friendly. They were very matter-​of-​fact in their dealings. It isn’t a place where you would expect to feel welcomed, warm in it fuzzy. The consignment hours were, in my opinion, so limited. It is from 10 – 12:30pm, Tuesday through Saturday, which is rather limited compared to many other consignment stores I frequent. It took about 40 minutes to finally be called to consign. I overheard others saying that the wait is pretty normal for them. Parking was also not easy as there are a few paid parking spots out front. But if you can’t get those, and have bags of clothes, it could be an inconvenience. If you do consign and your items don’t sell, you have to pay something like $.56 for every item to be returned to you. I thought this was rather unfair considering that your items are giving them an outlet to make money. I get the inconvenience of having to having to gather the items, but quite honestly, that is the cost of doing business. And if you bring items there wrinkled, they will not take it as they don’t have a way to press those items out. This wasn’t the place that obviously targeted me as a client as I didn’t fit into their demographic. As a marketer, what I witnessed didn’t give me an experience or impression that they were doing things that helped the customer experience. I hope this is helpful.

What a miserable place.
Yes, their clothes are discounted (having been worn for the past few decades), but you’re much better off walking up the street to Crossroads — better selection, larger inventory, kinder staff.
We know you are in Rockridge.
We know you consider yourself fancy-​pants.
But you sell second-​hand clothing. To local East Bay Residents. Who like it when people are nice to them. Who dislike it when people are rude.
All 3 times I’ve been here, customer service has been abysmal. Nobody greets you, helps you, or is even available to answer questions (the British lady actually turned her back to me mid-​question without so much as an «Excuse me.»)
I even brought in clothes to sell. I don’t much care whether they take my stuff, but I do care about how I am treated.
Please do not treat me like an idiot because I don’t know how your buying/​selling process works.
Please do not talk to me like I am mentally challenged.
Please do not take out my carefully folded clothing from my bags and toss them on the floor, only to instruct me to pick them up when you are done with them.
That is not okay.
For those of you who are into thrift stores but prefer to give your business to nice people, Crossroads is 2 blocks away (
.) Personally I’d rather see this space turn into a bakery… Any takers???

I’ve been consigning here for years and also made some terrific purchases. Great local consignment store with a professional staff and great ethics.
So, you have to turn off your cell phone for a few minutes. So what! Wish more stores had a few courtesy rules in place.
Giving this store five stars.

This store has some of the worst selection I’ve seen in a thrift store. Its definitely for the more mature population. The prices are fairly expensive as well.

Came to drop off a lot of mens dress clothing. First time there I came 5 min after consignment hours and they told me they can’t make an exception.
On my second visit, I found out they don’t take size XL which they failed to mention to me on my first trip there. Im 6’4 so it isn’t like I’m a small person who is trying to sell XL size clothing.
They get 1 star for 2 reasons, first is a general bad attitude and the 2^nd is because the process to consign is weird. You sign in at the front, even though the consignment is in the back and they don’t mention that you need to sign in. I sat there and waited while being ignored even through there was an employee at the front desk when I walked in who not only didn’t ask me to sign in but literally didn’t acknowledge me.
Just a strange and poor customer service experience.

Oh thank god I’m not the only one who had a terrible experience here! I thought I was crazy!
I called down and specifically asked if they take used high-​end athletic wear (using Athleta & Lululemon as an example). YES I was told. So I loaded up a bunch of stuff to bring in, hauled ass down there since it was noon (I live out of town and had only that day to do this), and ran in with my bag… Whereupon I was told they only «look at» 25 items per day (hmmm… I wasn’t told this on the phone). I put my name on the list and was later skipped (like others here on Unilocal). «We are only taking SUMMER items» (hmmm… I wasn’t told this on the phone either). Then the snotty lady looked at my Patagonia pants and said «We don’t take athletic wear». As I grabbed my bag of items, I said «You guys need to get your story straight!» I was pissed.
Oh, and by the way, yes, their items are generally for older ladies… not for anyone with any style. It’s all very «Vanilla»… like if you work in a bank.

Really great deals on quality, gently used clothes. I give them 3 star because the store smells like a sewer and always has smelled. I breath through my mouth when inside. Keeps me from being a frequent customer. Do something about the fowl smell!

Their offerings are for a more mature audience, which works for me because I love mom clothes. They carry classy brands and have an entire section just for CASHMERE! I got a taupe cashmere cap sleeve top (J.Crew) for $ 21.
If you’re looking for some grown-​up staples at a reduced rate, Rockridge Rags has a good selection. Jeans are limited, but they have lots of sweaters, blouses, hats & shoes, along with evening wear.
Bonus, I found my wedding shoes here for $ 29!

I only give it two stars because I have scored a few nice things here… but I generally don’t understand how this place is still in business. limited store hours, fairly uninterested staff people and high prices.
god save you if your cell phone rings when you are in the store! it’s a store with a lot of rules and a very limited selection. I have found a few nice things, but there are many other places to get used clothing, shoes and accessories!

These people are snooty tooty.
As a customer, whatever — — - if you’re selling things, be warned.
Apparently they are not willing to check the status of the things that they are collecting money on [that you so graciously brought in to contribute to the store’s inventory — — and of course collect your own loot from] until after 1pm. The reason I was told was because they are just ‘too busy’ poo pooing or approving what people bring in
[they buy things from 10 – 12:30pm]
It seems that the people that work here and other ones around town are ‘trained’ to know what is worthy to keep for the store and what is not.
I’m sorry people, but it’s not about brand names and ‘seasonal’ items for everyone. We live in the bay area, it’s chilly in the summer and hot in the fall, and in East bay super funky style is in season all year round. — - So please don’t tell me that you are not taking jackets, or sweaters or whatever because it’s not seasonal. And don’t deny that beautiful bright colored item because it’s not summer.
Please do use all a favor and realize that the people that go to your place are not all uptight professionals wanting Banana Republic, but are artists and free spirits that want something unique and affordable.