Marianne of Palm Springs — Local services in Palm Springs

DO NOT support this business.

Let me start by saying that the other employees are fantastic, and I enjoyed chatting with them on both occasions I visited the store.

However, as many other reviews have mentioned, the older woman (whom I assume is the owner of the store) is horribly rude to customers. There are signs on a few items that say, “Please look, but don’t touch,” so I assumed that applied only to those specific pieces—not to all the items. I fully respected those signs and assumed everything else could be touched.

I gently picked up a piece with the help of my mother, who I had specifically brought back to see the selection. This item was not marked as “do not touch,” but the owner immediately berated me, telling me that I should know better than to try something on. I immediately apologized profusely, but she continued to scold me, saying that nothing should be tried on or touched. She told me it was entirely my fault because, if she wanted people to know, she would have to explicitly state it. Her words were, “How could I possibly have the time to put that on every item?” Well, if it’s important enough to make a customer cry and bully them, then I would make sure it is explicitly stated everywhere and also reiterated as customers enter the store.

I’m sorry, but as a business owner myself, I believe it is my responsibility to clearly communicate my expectations to customers. If I make a mistake, I would take responsibility for it.

The worst part of the encounter was that, as I was apologizing and raising my hands in a gesture of remorse, she told me that “a lady wouldn’t try on something like that, especially with a purse on. If you want to be a lady, then have some respect and try it on here without your purse.” I understand the purse aspect, but I had intentionally moved it to ensure there would be no snags or damage to the clothing.

Firstly, why am I not allowed to touch the items if I am allowed to try them on? But most importantly, as the situation unfolded, I started crying, and she continued to call me “not ladylike” and “disrespectful” repeatedly. Despite the store’s eclectic selection, which had made my day on my first visit, the owner’s rude and callous disposition ruined the rest of my experience.

I am appalled and disgusted by her behavior toward a young woman, and I will, unfortunately, NEVER visit this shop again.

Don’t waste your time or money supporting someone who degrades and belittles people, even when they are apologizing excessively and crying out of shame and embarrassment. I am beyond belief that she has not been called out for her carelessness and lack of common decency.

I am not one to write many reviews, but DO NOT waste your time and hard-earned money on this establishment.

I am still upset and hurt by her comments, despite them being completely out of line and asinine. The store would be amazing if she weren’t a part of it.

One of the worst and most humiliating experiences of my life.

-100...

I went into the store and saw a great beaded gown and although quite overpriced there was 20% off so I tried it on and it required alterations to the length and take away material at the armpits. I’m assuming Marianne the owner was who helped me and offered alterations. She pinned the bottom but stated she needed to make a cut at the top to show me how it would look altered as she suggested. She asked if I was sure I wanted the dress before she cut it. She did not mention a cost being associated with alterations and considering the dress was over $500 I assumed alterations were included. I shop at high end dress shops and have had the owner/dress maker alter at no extra cost so it is not unheard of. Once I got to the register to pay (and discussing coming back the next day to possibly buy more items) is when i was hit with alterations are an extra $40. Once she saw my surprise she offered to do alterations for $30 but no less. I expressed my dissatisfaction that the additional cost was not mentioned and her response “well you didn’t ask”. She tried to justify that alterations always cost and I let her know that for a $20 dress sure but a $500 dress is quite a different price point. And to be clear the beading is not located in areas to be altered. The stretchy rayon needs only to be cut with no stitching - in fact the arm area looked unfinished. This woman is a terrible businesswoman and has no integrity. I honored my end and still purchased the dress bc I stated I would after she made a cut. So if you are considering going into her shop be sure to ask clearly about prices. There are other shops with items very similar in every city I’ve shopped in so although nice pieces there is absolutely nothing I’d ever need to buy from someone...

Bad service!!! As a professional performer and entertainer I recognize the quality of well made costume jewelry as Marianne's stocks. But customer service was less than desirable. A group of my fellow performers and myself stumbled on this store by recommendation. Like kids in a candy store, we piled in to discover many treasures to be had! To our surprise, a grouchy, rude and deflated cashier yelled loudly to someone for backup, and directly asked him to "watch us" .....as if the 5 other shopping bags we each were holding signified we weren't going to spend $$$ and somehow we were gonna rip off the store... seriously? We are all over 40 and some with kids. Who does that!!! I'm not sure in my 35 years of performance costume jewelry shopping that I have ever experienced such an associate NOT willing to be pleasant. Totally beside myself, I tried to ignore the unpleasant, abrasively rude, condescending and bitter cashier. Then... and after purchasing over $300 between us all, I still tried to support local business and asked for social media connect to tag the store and info for our fellow performers and social media following. I was slapped with a "No" and an excuse of "the owner doesn't do that and will not change". Does that mean they don't want business? I'm confused and offended. So...I will not be making any referrals for Marianne as long as that woman employee with the long black hair and lip piercing is working there. What a detriment to Marianne and her son. Maybe she was on drugs? Shame on you Marianne for employing a person like that to represent you and...