Rancho Coastal Humane Society Thrift Shop — Attraction in Encinitas

I bought a steam vacuum for carpet that stated it was tested. Turned out it turned on but did not soak up dirty water from the carpet. I stopped by today and a volunteer/worker by the name of Janice was called to “assist” me. I asked her to show me how it worked since it didn’t work for me and I was unsure if I was not doing something right. She told me to look it up online on YouTube. I told her that I had purchase the vacuum because it had a sticker that it was tested. She replied that all they do is plug stuff in and that they had no carpet to test on. I told her that then they shouldn’t put stickers on the items claiming they were tested. Her reply “it is a thrift store”. I told her she could keep the vacuum because I did not want to take it back home and walked away. Her next action: put the vacuum back on the floor for someone else to purchase!! This person had no empathy towards my purchase experience and no empathy or concern for whoever was to purchase the vacuum I had just told her didn’t work!! She did not even ask me if I had a receipt for it to exchange for something else (I think you have 2 days for electronics to do a return unsure if this is correct because she didn’t care to ask) I was totally shocked by her attitude. I care for others shoppers and this is why I write this review but volunteers/helpers here seem to forget actions and attitudes can go public. So if you shop here beware : things that state “TESTED” are only plugged in and might not work and if you drive far: you are out of luck. Gas is too expensive to drive back. Here’s a picture of the vacuum back on the floor. This experience was totally unreal. People like Janice push shoppers away Thrift store or no Thrift store : maybe a tone of concern might have made a difference -&- I wouldn’t be writing...

I was first introduced to this store this time last year. I was skeptical of thrift shopping in general, but soon found the items in the store to be unique, good quality and well priced. I never dreamed it would be the people who work there, specifically the older women, to be the reason why I would never be coming back, especially since I’m such a big supporter of animal shelters and wanting to donate in any way that I can.

I went in one weekend a few weeks back and I wanted to purchase a dress off of a mannequin. I was told by these women, “that will probably not fit you.” Excuse me, I didn’t ask for your opinion. I asked these two women if it was a matter of taking the dress off the mannequin, if that was the issue because I could just do it myself. They proceeded to tell me, “well, it’s a size 2 and it doesn’t look like it could possibly fit you.” I told them that I wear a size 2, but was already irritated with this exchange and their judgmental tone — I mean what other store makes you fight for something that you’re willing to purchase?

I hope this makes it up the chain to the higher ups — you’re employing people who are deterring your customers and ultimately losing donations to the Humane Society. I will spread the word, to not go into this store in particular unless you’re in a mood to fight for your right to buy things...

One of the better thrift stores in North County San Diego...I've been shopping here pretty regularly the last 6+ years. That said, I was in the last Friday afternoon 3/5/2021 and I was surprised at how crowded it was. No one was monitoring the amount of people entering the store, nor was there any real social distancing among shoppers. I'm not afraid of being out in public these Covid days, especially since they've relaxed the restrictions / backed off the red tier, but the way people were way too close to each other inside made me feel uncomfortable and it really seemed unsafe, regardless of masks being required. Also only saw 1 hand sanitizer dispenser, it was by the cashier counter....they should have at LEAST 2 more dispensers spread out in the store.

Very poor store management on a very busy shopping day in my opinion.

Next time I'll post photos of what I see to social media, if crowd control is...