Mint Condition — Local services in Alexandria

Yesterday was the 4th time I had been in Mint Condition (MC), in casual walking sports gear shopping through my neighborhood. I just moved to Old Town from DC and was happy to find a cute store with potential. I found quality pieces which fit my size XS! However, 3 of the 4 times I've experienced really appalling customer service from a sales lady named Donna.

The first and only time to collected clothing to try in 1st floor dressing room Donna told me not to 1) fondle through the other clothes rack to look for additional items to bring to my dressing room as she just arranged them the clothing neatly already and I was messing it up; and 2) she interrupted me from enjoying my experience of trying clothes to place all the clothes back on the hangers. Mind you, the clothes I did not want were already hung for sales associates to return to the floor. I politely asked her why I needed to hang the clothes that I was purchasing back on the hanger if they were going to be taken off the hanger anyway. I also pointed out the clothes that I had hung for her to return to shelves. She assumed the worse from me and accused me very wrongly. This is inappropriate behavior.

Today I had returned to MC to consign and shop. In the store no more than 5 minutes, greeted by a sales associate. There was no one in line by the counter or any customers/sales associates that side of the room upon my arrival. As such, I was asked to work with the sales associate on the left front of the cashiers desk. A couple minutes I had signed to register for consignment, Donna, brought another customer to the register. I was learning the process to consign and instructed to complete a waiver.

Donna asked me rudely to move from where I was standing just a few inches from the counter so she could pass to get the clip board to get clients to sign consignment registration form right side of me. The clip board was in-between Donna and I (my left, her right). She could of reached her arm to pick-up the clip board; and if she really needed to get something else, she could of walked around me and the other sales associate to get what she needed. I don't understand her rudeness. Who hires a place with who treats new and returning customers this way. Distasteful and unprofessional. I did not have the opportunity to make an opinion from shopping and consigning in the store due to rude customer service.

I advise all customers, beware of Donna. She is unequal in the way she treats customers. She can make a happy shopping...

Top line: just avoid. New location, new(ish) rude owners. Ugly inventory. Update - I went back to consign some items. Staff extremely patronizing as if the items I gave them weren’t good enough (I gave Philip Lim, Veronica Beard, etc) — she said we don’t take old J crew or Guess, I gave her no items from either brand. She scolded me like a school teacher for not dry cleaning items either… that can be very expensive, and how am I supposed to bring you clothes in bags if you don’t want them wrinkled? They used to steam for you too. Ridiculous experience. Don’t speak down to people who consign with you (esp since have been for YEARS) when you rely on US for your inventory.

The new store location is also very tight and small.

I have come to realize that the original store owner sold it to other women - the woman with the glasses who everyone else mentions in their negative reviews is one of the stores new(ish) owners. The gem that mint condition used to be, no longer is. She is so defensive and aggressive, and the items they sell are simply not attractive and cheap.

Older comment (I now only consign/I don’t shop there): Buyer beware. I bought a dress from here for an event as an option - I asked for a receipt in case I didn’t wear it and needed to return and she said the printing machine was broken but would be on my account. I didn’t wear the dress and I came to return and was notified they don’t even accept returns. Only 50% consignment commission if they resell it. I feel totally defrauded. I offered to exchange it for a different dress half the price and just let me walk away with something I’m actually going to wear. They refused. Their handling of the situation is extremely disappointing. Won’t shop there again...

I used to love this place, but I don't think I'll be back. The selection is pretty well curated and the clothes in good condition, but the prices aren't always a bargain. The sales associates in the past have sometimes been less than attentive (not offering to take clothes to a dressing room until your arms are overflowing), but tolerable. However, on my last trip a woman who seemed like either the owner or manager was downright rude. I had placed my shopping bag and purse on the floor to look at something and she kicked them out of her way as she moved around the shop. It was clearly not an accidental stumble, she looked down at my things and shoved them aside with her foot. When she saw my surprised look, she offered no apology. Then she proceeded to push past my sister and I twice so she could restock the area in which we were browsing. She made comments each time to indicate that we were in her way. Then we we were upstairs she made a comment about the length of time we'd been in the store. We were not being loud, nor treating the merchandise badly. After my experience, I'll no longer be...