This place reminded me of Target but even better! Trust me, that's a compliment! It was clean, open, and well stocked. The aisles felt wide and it wasn't too crowded like most large retail stores. During this COVID era it's certainly nice to be able to have that bigger bubble of personal space. As for the checkout lines, they placed markers on the floor to help people keep the 6 ft. physical distancing standard. Their employees wore masks and stood behind plexiglass partitions. All in all it was a quick, but great shopping experience for me. Pro tip: Go to their garden shop to buy a small shovel for building sand castles with the kids. Ha! We stopped in to shop for beach toys on the way to Del Mar Beach on base, but they were sold out of the plastic ones. Our little metal one only cost us 10 bucks! read more

Mainside Marine Corps Exchange - Department Stores Near Me - Oceanside, California

The Exchange is like your department store for the military and veterans. This is one of the better ones out there. Very spacious and fully stocked covering a lot of square footage. They carry all of the latest in clothing, electronics, sporting goods, athletic wear, camping, housewares home-goods, toys and more. There's a sale going just about every weekend. And of course it's tax free shopping. read more

Mainside Marine Corps Exchange - Department Stores Near Me - Oceanside, California

Can you say everything under one roof? That's what this MCX has and in such a huge place, you should find something for everyone. As a Navy vet from LA, why drive all the way down to 32nd St NEX in SD when you can just visit MCB Camp Pendleton? I sure did and am happy to do so. read more

I have recently been to the marine corps exchange more often and it does seem like a "one stop shop" similar to target or Walmart but offering more quality stuff (such as higher end makeup, clothes, shoes, and makeup) w/ better sales and no tax! However, I do think they don't offer as much in terms of makeup compared to the 32nd Naval exchange in San Diego. The store is very clean and has a very diverse and inclusive staff, which I appreciated. They do follow COVID procedures so you have to wait in line with marked areas to show six feet distance. Though the lines seem long, it actually moves quickly. They are very strict about using a military ID card and matching the name on the credit card since their offerings is a privilege for military families. Another very good thing is that many of the sales are honored online and you can arrange for it to be picked up or shipped to you. read more

Why is this called the Mainside Marine Corps Exchange? Y'all need to change that. No wonder Marines call the Pacific Views or Main Gate area "Mainside" when it is not! Mainside is the 11-15 Area (unfortunately being called OLD Mainside now... so stupid). Y'all need to update your reference website to: https://www.mccscp.com/mcx read more

The Tailor Shop in the back of MCX Camp Pendleton. My wife and u had a horrible experience. My wife is 25 weeks pregnant and a worker by the name of Nerissa was very rude and the thing is people have warned us about her and her attitude. I honestly didn't think much of it until I came and experienced it. Nerissa needs to do a self- reevaluation and not treat Marines and their family members with disrespect as if we are peasants worth not a penny. read more

The service here is awful, went to go buy some shampoo and body wash with my husband and I tried using his card. She told me even though he was with me that I couldn't use it unless I showed proof of my power of attorney. I don't know how that would make sense for me to carry a document like that around with me, she was very rude so I just left read more

Cashier named Sandra was very rude and unprofessional when we visited the store on 12/28/23. She told my wife who was just trying to be helpful by bagging our purchases to "not take any bags because the exchange is running low". I verified with other employees that there was no bag shortage and were not told by management to tell customers that so not sure why she told us that. Shel also didn't apply the discount which she said she did, on some shoes we bought until I brought to her attention to the total showing on the screen. Then she proceeded to charge our credit card 3 times, totaling over $1100! The first time she said the receipt didn't print so it did not go through even though it showed approved on the key pad screen. I repeatedly told her it went through but she kept saying it didn't. I checked online banking and sure enough we have three pending charges on our credit card for the same amount. Now we have to wait up to 72 hours for the extra pending charges to drop off all because Sandra wasn't willing to take the necessary steps to verify the transaction into her system and verify the charges had gone through the first time. Ended up speaking with a manager who was very helpful and answered all our concerns. All this could have been avoided if the employee listened instead of being defensive. read more

The selection and products aren't bad, pieces are okay. Lines are always long and they tend to only have 2 cashiers. I shopped here when I first moved here but the customer service is always poor the cashiers are over worked, first day I shopped here a cashier was trying to go home and screaming at the manger from across the registers. I came back trying to return 2 sports bras I bought and went home to try on, I was informed afterward there is zero returns for sports bras. read more

Great spot to get basically all you need other than groceries. Sadly if you have T-Mobile this building is a DEADSPOT absolutely no service. Not really a lot of Sales like other military base/post exchanges. read more

This is my first visit to the new PX. Since it was the 115th Anniversary, there was a scratcher for an additional discount. I needed to stock up on some makeup items and we were looking for a new microwave and fan for the new place. One stop shop where everything is under one roof - big and bright!!! The customer service lacked. Good luck trying to find someone. It seems as though employees are not knowledgeable on their product, which is fine, but at least try to find out from your supervisor. We had questions regarding a microwave and the chick had no clue. It took about 30 mins for her to find out the information we needed and to sort things out. Lines get long on the weekends so be patient. Notes: Toiletry items are a LOT cheaper at the commissary!!! read more

Brand new Exchange on base. They have everything from Uniforms to Alcohol, and a barbershop in front! read more

Mainside Marine Corps Exchange - Department Stores Near Me - Oceanside, California

As others have said, it's like a target store on base. The clothing and housewares selection is just ok- I wouldn't go out of my way for those things. But I do appreciate buying cosmetics like Lancome at a discounted price. Also it's the one place I can splurge on a Coach bag- watch out for the sales and it's better than going to the coach outlet. I would say that the level of customer service could be better. And the skill set varies. I had some very knowledgeable ladies help me choose the right cosmetics and I've had others who clearly had no clue about color matching. So ask a lot of questions and if you don't get confident answers, move on. But I will continue to shop here for my little luxuries! read more

I really enjoy shopping here. This is a great place for picking up everything you need for your home, patio, and self care. They have civilian clothing and shoe section in addition to uniform items. The customer service is great overall but this store seems understaffed for some reason. At random times of the day-not holiday season or weekends-there is a long line that forms to check out. This seems really odd to me as no other exchange I have been to has this issue. The best time to go is early in the morning for no lines and quick service! read more

Overall the store is a decent store, I will have to say when it comes down to customer service, it's 50/50. Some of the staff can be very professional and polite but others are just extremely rude and extremely unprofessional when it comes to customers and to even other employees. It's pretty sad to see a manager talking down to another employee in front of customers read more

Terrible service for the holidays. Yes, I was one of the many who waited a week before Christmas to grab last min gifts. Yet working in retail for o we 10 years we anticipate this time of the year. Lots of customers calls for all lines open. I stood in line for over an hour. No, I am not exaggerating. Over an hour. The line was wrapped around the store. As I stand here I noticed multiple things. Employees having side conversations while helping members, an employee on her phone texting, and 5 lines open. YES only 5. You do hiring fairs multiple times of the year. Why are there not enough employee helping customers leave?! It's hard to not be frustrated when you have been standing in the same spot for an hour!! Management needs to be aware of what's happening and take charge in getting customers the help they need to get out of the store. read more

I am definitely impressed by the sheer size of this MCX. It's almost brand new ~1 year old now. The inside is kept as nice as any other department store, and they offer name brands on clothing, cutlery, electronics, pretty much you name it and it's in here. Right next door is a Dunkin' Donuts and a Yogurtland, a West Coast Customs around back, and they always seem to have some tented promotional event going on at the far side of the parking lot. I was here to buy a new laptop yesterday. Had two extremely friendly associates help me out. Linda and Cal helped me pick a laptop that fit my needs. I came in there expecting to get a top dollar laptop, then realized i just need something small and reliable that will allow me to do life's administrative tasks. So grateful for their assistance. They saved me a thousand dollars. The prices were great, and not having to pay sales tax is always a plus. This MCX truly is a competitor with the prices of your big retail chains, and you don't have to deal with the "People of Wal-Mart." One thing I really hate about the MCX... and any store that sells CIF gear, is that they are always non-refundable/ exchangeable , and they don't carry all the stuff you were issued. (of course a store won't carry serialized stuff) I wish the MCX could communicate with IIF (CIF) and realize that things get lost / stolen and that we (the troops) want to take care of things the easiest way possible. We'll pay top dollar not to have to do missing gear statements. So I bought the wrong grenade pouch at the MCX and guess what? No refunds or exchanges...sweet. Bought a polar tech fleece, found my old one 2 days later... sweet 60 something dollars down the drain. Basically, I'm pleading on behalf of the future Marines / Sailors of Camp Pendleton for your store to carry all issued gear, or at least be able to order it for people, so we don't have to go through the admin gauntlet infamously known as the missing gear statement. Another thing keeping the MCX from having 5 stars is parking just like any other place on base has too many reserved parking spots. Imagine if a Sergeant Major had to drive around and find a spot like everyone else!? Oh my! I'm glad they don't allow replies because I'm sure I'll have a couple motivators trying to tell me how I shouldn't have lost gear in the first place and how important gear accountability is. Well I made it out alive... DD-214 in hand. read more

LOVE the makeup area. But don't bother asking the makeup ladies for help because they will yell at you if you try to ask a simple question when they are helping someone and when you do ask they cut you off and tell you to ask a cashier. I'm asking a Makeup question that I'm sure a male cashier would not know the answer too. Also they are just standing around chatting and not doing their job. I would go to Ulta because they actually help you with no issue but the prices are cheaper here so that's why I give this review one star! read more

Love the new place, it's huge! They even have the only Dunkin' Donuts in California available. Although I didn't try it since the line was super long! There is also a Yogurtland right next to it. Since I visited during the grand opening weekend it was super busy, but I was lucky enough to grab a spot nearby. Just browsed around and got myself a Lasko tower fan. read more

I always enjoy coming to the exchange!! They don't always have the best deals but what's awesome about it is they price match. And remember no taxes so that alone makes it awesome!! read more

First time seeing the new MCX since we were last here and it's amazing! Very spacious and everything is combined (gardening, electronics, barber, etc) into one big store. And it's finally near the Commissary! And everyone is really helpful, the employees are doing a great job making sure you can find anything, especially if you look confused lol. read more

I cannot say enough good things about this location. While I was here yesterday. I was so impressed with the new building and store! The fact that it is located right next to the Oceanside gate makes it a great place to stop at when I am making my way North or South on the I-5 freeway. read more

This thing is pretty much like a Target within Camp Pendleton. It has everything you need. I was looking at some camping equipment and they had it all. I thought there would be more camo "stuff" and there was some but less than I had imagined. It's always fun to browse in an exchange. I recommend checking it out! read more

Conveniently located by the main gate, across the commissary. Great selection of merchandise, and they price match! Cosmetics are priced lower than retail! The main check out process in the front can be lengthy sometimes; They only have one or two cashiers available even though they have about ten registers. read more

Nice people but honestly not to happy to be in a place that sells firearms and allows customers to point them at people. Staff need to be more educated read more

New almost a year and this is my first time there. Just picture a Costco Warehouse and throw it on the base with everything located right here. read more

They are seriously expensive for a military installation. I'm sorry but not everyone is an officer or makes officers pay. 1 pair of ear rings shouldn't cost $18 when I can get the same pair at JCPENNEY for like $6. I purchased a set of silverware from here that completely rusted the FIRST time I put it in the dishwasher,which was the day I bought them. So that was a waste of money. I also bought a cute shirt from the juniors section that turned see-thru after being in the washing machine. Cheap and expensive for no reason. Oh and they charge you $1 to put returns back on your debit card. No thanks MCX,do better. read more

This is my first time shopping here. Looks like the Miramar MCX. The only difference between the two locations besides looks is that the employee's here are helpful. There are a lot of them too. Just look for a MCX employee by looking for their bright blue shirts. Most of the items here are not on sale until Black Friday and after New Years season like any Exchange. read more

Good spot if looking for a ton of different types of perfume and purses from coach. Other than that, if you like spending way more for clothes than what they are worth you're in the right spot as well. Only thing I actually come here for anymore is to grab charcoal, fire wood and uniform items, other than that it's not actually worth going unless you want to pay more than you would going to another store or getting it online. read more

I came to the MCX to have my phone fixed at the Computer Tech Center by the mobile kiosk. I was helped by an employee named Luke who was very nice and helpful. He fixed my phone screen in less than 20 minutes! read more

They are not bad. So far they've had almost everything I've needed but when they don't have what you need they have a program where you fill out a form ant they will contact you if they can get it for you or not. So far I've filled out 2 of them and each time they told me that they will contact me. No one has ever contacted me about either request. I'm 60% happy with them so I'd rather go out in town and pay for real professionalism. read more

Great place to shop not so good of a place to work! Really unorganized. Half the time we were out of the normal sized bags. How does that happen? Some managers loved to hangout in the back and shout orders. 95% of the time it was short on staff. So happy to be working else where :) read more

This place is HUGE and the employees are very friendly. It has many of the things military members will need such as uniforms, toiletries, etc. I come here with my aunt and we do our shopping not only because it's tax free, but they have some pretty good deals and a great selection in comparison to other exchange facilities. On the other side, you will see the commissary and eateries you can visit after that great day of shopping. Hopefully, you didn't swipe that Star Card too much! I'll definitely be back again. read more