How does this place have such low reviews?! We LOVE this store!!! My daughter creates costumes for her schools character day in November and gets almost all her materials from here, she repurposed the fabric and materials. This places helps keep her in budget. She gives her art away but one day she may make it to sell and this helps her practice her creative skills until that day. My son was recently diagnosed with autism and clothes shopping is really really challenging. Plus he grew 4 sizes just this school year so we've had to go through so many clothes. This place hits the mark in so many ways. They offer incredibly low prices, organized by sex n size AND color!!!! I mean come on, that's beyond awesome!!!! They have changing rooms to try on clothes. They have toys and accessories galore! All good prices for the most part. Books! They have books. Furniture! I mean they are a one stop shop at reasonable prices. Recycling at its best! It stinks the waste that's just existing and being added to hourly, this place gives stuff a second third and who knows how many lives. Such a great idea and we have it right here in Oceanside. I wish we had their sister stores here, Platos Closet and Clothes Mentor. Same concept for teens and adults respectively. It is so nice to bring a container of stuff kids don't use or grew out of and yes they are super picky, they have to be, to bring you quality used items they are picky on what they buy. So sure they only buy a few items, but hey, $5 here, $15 there helps! You can use it at store credit, I always do and get store bucks and use it to save even more! While they decide what to buy of my stuff I can go have lunch or run errands, thats nice! Or shop while they go through it. My son has melt downs with certain materials or how some items feel on him, sensory overload. They are short meltdowns but loud and abrupt. I remind him he is testing new items, it's just for a moment then he can test the next item so we can decide. It takes 30 outfitted to find 5 that work, I've offered to put them back where I got them and worker insists you put them on the don't want rack. They have a system and they keep that system well organized. I never want to be a burden but they nicely explained that so it's nice to take my son twice a year to do this routine. They keep their layout the same all these years and well labeled so he can go and know where everything is. As an adult I appreciate this as well. You need a red shirt M, boys. Boom it's organized by precisely that. Need a pair of L green khakis boys... boom, it's precisely organized with those all together. My son saw an action figure he and dad both like and he used his saved up money to get it... it was $9 minus the $5 store bucks I had so he only had to spend $4 for this huge figurine. My husband proudly has it on his office desk and our son plays with it and puts it back. It's such a sweet thing. And this store helps makes these sweet moments (and makes it affordable!). Thank you all for all you do keeping this store in business and running smoothly. read more

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I really like the concept of Once Upon a Child. I love buying secondhand, keeping perfectly good clothes and kids' items in use, and not constantly contributing to more waste and consumerism. The prices are great too, which is why I genuinely want to enjoy shopping and selling here. Unfortunately, my biggest issue is the customer service. The employees I've interacted with have been extremely rude and impatient, especially when it comes to bringing items in to sell. I completely understand that they need to have policies and procedures, but the process is made unnecessarily difficult, and when you ask questions about those policies, the responses can feel dismissive and downright unfriendly. The requirement that items be brought in a very specific type of bin also feels excessive for what should be a pretty straightforward process. Overall, I love the concept and the affordability, but the overly rigid protocols combined with consistently rude customer service make the experience much more frustrating than it needs to be. read more

The most cluttered Once upon a child I have been to. German cockroach jumped out at me in the toy section. Staff will openly talk negatively about customers in front of everyone. Doesn't say on the website to bring everything in a clear bin either read more

Please UPDATE your WEBSITE to state that things need to be in a clear bin folded nicely. I would have don't that if I read it.

Came in to try and sell my babies clothes. Decided to turn around after I was ignored by staff. Very rude not surprised by the rest of the complaints that also talk of this locations poor customer service. Disheartening to say the least especially for a child's clothing store. read more

Very disappointed with this place. on their website it says place clothes in a tote bag or plastic container. well I don't have a plastic container so I brought in clothes in a tote and they wouldn't accept them. very unprofessional and rude. read more

I had a disappointing experience at this location. The staff appeared disorganized and unsure of their own policies, frequently asking each other basic questions during my transaction. What stood out most was the lack of professionalism, employees were openly speaking negatively about another coworker in front of customers, which created an uncomfortable environment. I was told they would "lose money" if I used my card to cover a balance of just $0.18, which felt unnecessarily rigid and poorly handled from a customer service standpoint. Between the lack of knowledge, passive-aggressive tone, and overall disorganization, this location clearly needs better training and management oversight. I will not be returning. read more

I regret coming in and giving them my money and time ! Nothing has changed with the rude employees when i got there it was fine not until i heard the girl in the front being rude to an older couple like common be nice to the elderly they act like we should know the store but its their job to inform us in a nice way her attitude was passive aggressive and she did not let them finish speaking and straight cut them off when they are asking questions. First rule: customer service! something they dont know what it is thats for sure. After they left i overheard the two employees talking bad about them like if they customers were the rude ones and it was such a hassle for them to deal with the customer I remember this is why i haven't come back to this place Bad customer service and employees that are rude to every customer ( maybe because they hate their low paying jobs!) read more

I wish I didn't have to give any stars at all. I regrettably sold a bunch of clothes here. While I understand to have realistic expectations about minimal return, their laughable lowballing is the least of my concerns. The employees are condescending, misleading, unprofessional, and unaccommodating. The owner's practices and tactics are more of a con than consignment. If this review can help save anyone the trouble and agony, it will have served its purpose. read more

All clearance items are $1 You can't beat that price, my daughter and I walked out so happy will definitely be back when we come back to visit! read more

the policies on their website need to get updated. it is absolutely ridiculous that they will turn you away just because you don't have items in a clear bin?? i drove 40 minutes to sell my stuff, only to get turned away because i brought it in bags? i asked the manager if on their website it states that the things need to be in clear bins & she said yes, so i go back to the website to check & just like i thought, there is NOTHING stating that the things need to be in a clear bin. i go back inside & state this & the manager tries arguing with me... maybe you should know what is & isn't on your website. or stop coming up with these silly policies, & then telling me that the lady whose stuff she was just looking through had came down from Orange County, when I told her that i had driven 40 minutes?? like i honestly didn't care haha, no need for comparison. i still wasted my time & my gas to get here. all the other employees were kind, manager is just plain rude. i was told that just for this time they would take my stuff, which i regret selling to them now. i just needed those things gone & wanted to at least get something. will NOT be coming back again. read more

Some of the rudest staff I've come into contact with. Not that they care, but we will never be shopping at this location again. For baby clothes in the same area the goodwill down the road is wonderful, brother benno's is fully stocked and Facebook marketplace has good deals. I would really go anywhere but this location. The reviews I read about staff being rude didn't do my experience justice. Kindness goes along way read more

Service- rude..I went to drop off clothes and she was really short and rude. I gave 3 bags and they kept only a few items and just gave rest bag back with no explanation and just was short with me. We are doing a Service so could be more helpful and not rude about it. Selection - lots of clothes and stuff Value- good value on stuff read more

Beware of "Discount" Huggies Diapers! I purchased 5 packs of diapers, thinking, "What a good deal!". I bought a pack of size 6 for my two year old grandchild, and 4 newborn sizes to use as gifts for baby showers. (This was in addition to spending over $50 in clothing). When we used one of the diapers on our toddler, the little gel-like beads leaked out. Since this has NEVER happened in the two years of using Huggies, I didn't want to use the rest of the pack on our child. I also no longer trusted the newborn sized packs to give as gifts. When I brought 4 of the unopened packs back with the receipt and my explanation, I was hoping for a refund or at least a store credit. Instead, I was told that we must have just "left the diaper on for too long". To prove their point, the store clerk opened one of MY diaper packs, removed a diaper, and poured water on it to show me that there was nothing wrong with the diapers! No apologies. No refund or credit. Just accusations that I left our baby in wet diapers for too long, and one less diaper than what I had purchased. I was so shocked that I just walked out of the store. A store that I had actually been excited to have found recently. A store I will not not return to. read more

If you plan on donating here please call or go in to get all the rules and retirements. The website does not have all the requirements and should be updated. The staff they are not very friendly. read more

This place is a joke. I should've looked at their yelp before I went in. Their guidelines literally state not to have things in bags or bins. I walked in and asked if they were buying and she said yea. I went to the car to start bringing the items in. She then proceeded to tell me that they needed to be in bags or bins and it would take 3 hours for them to even get to my items..... why wouldn't you tell me this when I walked in the first time instead of wasting my time. And why in the hell would I leave my items (some brand new) with you without any proof. No thanks. read more

Once Upon A Child - Their buying guidelines on their website saying they don't accept things in bags of boxes.... - Children's Clothing Near Me - Oceanside, California

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I gave them 2 stars because the guy at the front was kind and patient and some of the things like bassinets, bouncers etc are good quality but don't sell here. You're better off just giving them to someone for free. The quality of the clothes I brought in and the quality that they're selling doesn't make sense when they decline my things. You also HAVE TO have a plastic container to sell items which I've never experienced out of the 4 once upon a child stores I've been to. I had to literally go to target and buy one since i drove 40 min to sell. read more

I ignored the reviews and still stopped at this location to get my own opinion. I truly loved it and found a lot of good stuff for my kids. Totally worth the drive and time. The staff were very friendly too! Will be returning! read more

Not great resale prices but it's my last stop before thrifting! So otherwise I'd have nothing!

This is a great second hand store and well organized. Some items can even be found brand new/unopened as original tags are still on. They even sell kids clothes up to size 16 for both boys and girls. They often have sales/deals to help clear out things on the floor. Good hidden finds and decent prices. I'm glad a store exists like this because kids growth and clothing turnaround is crazy. The buyback program is ehh. The downside is I buy most of the clothes here for my son however he grew so quickly and the clothes are still good quality, yet are not purchased back. I do t understand what the determining factors are to buy the clothes. Granted you don't get full value but it's something. I don't even bother with stained or stretched out clothes so it can be frustrating/disheartening. You can only bring 2 bins at a time and all clothing has to be in one. It can't be mixed with shoes, toys, games, etc. they will not buy used nursing bras/clothing or baby socks or bottles or receiving blankets unless they are original packaging. They can take bigger items and sell bigger items however I can't speak to that as I have not tried this. They have shoes, bassinets, toys, baby carriers, baby bags, headbands, bow ties, accessories, books, baby bullets, swaddles, bath seats, bouncers, and more! Definitely worth checking out read more

Rude staff. I asked where I can find snow clothes and the staff looked at me with the most disgusted look on their face, as if I asked something deeply offensive. I actually read the yelp reviews prior about their rude staff so I didn't have high expectations. But dang, that was the worst customer service I've ever seen. read more

Dead of summer didn't expect to find swim shorts the right size for my kids but wow, there were plenty! We walked out of the store with 4 swim shorts and a swim vest for my little one for $29!! They were so helpful and the place is very well organized. This is a well-oiled machine and we will be back! read more

These reviews were not kidding about the rude staff I brought my stuff in to sell. The employee kept interrupting me and talking over me. I said, Nevermind I changed my mind. Took my stuff and left. I won't do business with people who are rude. read more

Rude not helpful and severely low balled. First time and won't be back. Brought in a box. Didn't know we couldn't do that. Apparently you have to have bins only separate out by size make sure it's not wrinkled - so don't fold the laundry?? When you bring name brand clothing in which your 7 year old out grows for 22 pieces of Under Armor / Nike / Old Navy and you get $14.11 back. To top it off when you ask for assistance with the box of clothes they denied as a 30+ week pregnant woman and they just LOOK at you so you do it yourself. (40lbs or so) and end up in L&D triage since they couldn't simply help out. Just tells you what kinda crap service they have. Not to mention their prices on used things are not very helpful Youd do better buying new when Target has sales. Take your business elsewhere - or just sell on a local resale page as lots. You'd have better luck. read more

Once Upon A Child - Not worth my time. - Children's Clothing Near Me - Oceanside, California

Love this place! Always find something for these quickly growing children! Thanks for providing a quick and easy solution to help recycle kids clothing! read more

Truly no real incentive to shop here. A changing table I bought used here for $55 (they had a 30% discount for st pattys day) cost $59 new on Amazon. I‍ had I not been in a rush due to being induced early I would've put out the extra $4 to buy new! Then at 9 months pregnant no help pffered to help me out with furniture piece and a less then welcoming environment. Not guaranteed ever but some hospitality would've at least made the experience worth it . Average cost of a onesie (Walmart brand) was 3.99 which you can buy at Walmart for same price of 3.99 not worth it. Used stroller $300 not a vista or uppa baby brand either I'm talking a basic Graco brand for 299$ when I just bought a new double stroller at target for $150 You're better off buying new essentially . Average savings $4 on each item or no savings at all the place is a literal joke. read more

I went in today with a bunch of expensive clothes my kids out grew I'm talking carhartt bebear Carrier etc. and they expect you to separate everything in different bins can't have more than two bins and i brought it in all folded and nice. I pick up and they offer me $40 for 50+ items. that's the price i paid for the one carhartt jacket alone.. it was never worn new with tags. Well i simply declined the offer and asked if i could take their blue bin outside and dumb it in my car and bring it back in and they lady said no.. okay whatever but the thing that gets me is that they were so rude they expect so much from you when you bring in the stuff why can't we expect them to put our items back the way we had it. But this isn't even the worst part about the store it's the staff... i told them it would have been nice if they could have left my bins the way i brought them in folded or at least placed nice inside instead it looked like a tornado went through the box, well the lady tell me "it's people like you" and doesn't finish what she had to say but gets mad at me because i said it would have been nice if you put my stuff back nicely because you expect that from your customers. read more

I went to the Once Upon a Child store in Oceanside and was very disappointed with the staff who work there. I came in with some questions and they treated me as if I was disrupting their work. They were busy behind the counter, however I was the only customer in the store. I was not greeted as a customer, but instead received a very unpleasant and unwelcoming attitude. it is unfortunate that Once Upon A Child has closed down the rest of its stores in San Diego county. Perhaps the company would have been more successful if they hired better people to work there. I will go to a different children's consignment store in Temecula from now on. read more

I used to go to the store in 2016 for my girls clothes and I know that they are very picky with seasonal clothing to sell but today I took a very big disappointment in the prices. Everything is $1-$2 dollar difference with retail price. I went in looking for a baby wrap and diaper bag and they're literally the same as retail and if not even more expensive. I understand the economy but then again how do they expect for people to want to come in when their prices are way to unfair. read more

I came in exactly at 2:00pm. My baby was in the car and I can't carry the bin at the same time so I left my car with the emergency lights on in front of the store. I went in said excuse me and she said one second. She was talking to a coworker and she was done and she went back on her phone. I said I'm sorry I don't wanna interrupt but can I leave this bin here really quick I have my baby in the car and can't carry this at the same time. She then said it's past 2:00pm and I have to come in before. I said isn't it 2:01 and she said she was already looking though other stuff. It was just rude and short and annoying. Store has a lot of selection but the employees are so unwelcoming. read more

Yeah, I'm taking back my last review and siding with the angrier parents. I always hate to give small businesses bad reviews.. I'd rather just move on and keep the comments to myself, but this one deserves it. This resale place is the only one like it in NC, these people obviously know it and they buy totally new clothes, etc for 0.25/piece and resell it for up to $5? 20x profit per child's used t-shirt. Some things other than the clothes are okay deals for used stuff (diaper genies, mommy things, toddler toys) but half the clothes are worn out with the necks stretched out like kids love to do to their clothes and oil stains or pit stains, idk how or why they buy/sell those. The women are as nasty and grumpy as they always were before the pandemic and the customer service is still nonexistent. If they just didn't smile or didn't say much, that would be a different story, but idm how they're just mean sometimes.. Eva is the only one that's never talked down to me or anyone I've seen. I tried to come in to sell just a few items while I shopped, but apparently they need it in some special box. Clear, hard sided something something, who knows bc the rules change every time. A clear plastic container didn't cut it this time because it wasn't the right shape (wtf?) So even though most of them weren't doing much when I came in (old one playing on her phone, two more chatting at the registers and another one organizing a shelf aka just staying out of people's way) they weren't able to appraise my small bag of items. Not only did I go and get the clear container and bring it back to them and still got denied, someone dropped off two large trash bags of clothes and they immediately got to sorting them. (?!) Here's the other wtf thing, I haven't been there in nearly two years, I was excited to offload some baby/kids things since I have a new 1y old and an almost 8y old. But since I didn't have the right container they asked if I was a member of their rewards club and I said yes, I've been going there for years. They asked for my phone number and said (two years ago) I was told the rules already and that's why they can't take my things without the correct boxes. Again, telling me this while sorting through two garbage bags full of someone else's clothes. So basically they have your number to pin things on you and so if you're a repeat and loyal customer, that'll actually come back to bite you in the ass. Awesome. The only reason I don't feel bad about being forced to give one star is because recycling clothes like this is good practice for the planet and I'm a big supporter of that. Just not this business. This place makes me want to grab my own OUAC franchise and be better. Also, there's a sign at the front saying to wear a mask.. even though the employees didn't wear them? Not even the grumpiest old lady going through the clothes that I was told owns the place had one on. read more

1. Horrible customer service. If you are struggling with something heavy, they will just watch. Then when you bring it in and set it down they will actually say oh no we aren't taking that right now. 2. The lowballing is wild, I understand it's a business and they want to make a profit, but if you offer me $15 for something and then tag it to sell for almost $100 give me a break. 3. On the above note they charge way too much for stuff they just bought second hand, some of this stuff I'm better off just buying new with there prices. I honestly wish there was a closer place for north county residents. Y'all should fire the staff because these rude woman are not it read more

This is for the people who are thinking about selling their baby's clothes here. I should have listened to the precious reviews, they were all right. They give you just a few bucks for the clothes that you bring in very good condition, and you have to bring them in plastic bins (not folded) just laying flat. Another thing, they always act like you're bothering them when you come and ask if you can sell your clothes. And I don't understand why they are so picky when buying your clothes; I have seen the stuff they sell, and some of their clothes even look dirty and smell weird, oh but they cost $5 or more. All the clothes I sold them were in very good condition and I had a few sleeping sacks including a Halo (that I paid $35 for) in excellent condition and of course washed, also a dreamland baby sleeping sack (that only had a small stain). But anyways, I think you're definitely better off selling your clothes in good condition somewhere else. FOR THE WORKERS THERE, YOU SHOULD TREAT YOUR CUSTOMERS DIFFERENTLY, BE NICE, THAT'S WHY YOU ARE THERE FOR, JUST TRY, JUST FAKE IT IF YOU WANT BUT BE NICE AND SMILE. read more

Employees rude and very unorganised, will never go there again ! Brought really new condition items and they offer almost nothing for high quality items. Employee was glueing a playpen together to put for resale. Waste of my time. read more

Do not waste your time coming in here staff is very rude! Also I brought in clothes and was told to come back in 3 hours . I come back and was denied anything because the clothes were wrinkled ? They were freshly washed. Second reason was over stock ? This place is a joke read more

Staff was amazing and nice great selections and pretty decent prices. for brand names. definitely would come back. they're doing all they can do ! so thank you ! read more

Easy to shop, well priced, organized, staff was friendly, great selection on many items

Ok. So let's start. Upon my arrival to this store I called and asked them what styles of clothing they were looking for and the lady over the phone told me boys clothes, sets and older girl clothes. I asked them if there was anything I needed to know when arriving with my clothes she said no.. this is the first fail. 1. They should have told me the policy of bringing in items in Separate bins (shoes, toys etc) I checked the website and adhered to the store policy. The woman said since it was my first time that it was ok. ( I mixed new shoes with clothing) 2. I liked the visual display on where you were upon consigning of the clothing. It was 10:30am and I was number 13. It took them 1 hour to look through my things and text me to come back. They offered me $37.50 for 12 items. Thoughts 1. The place is filthy - from the looks of the outside to inspecting the toys in the front of the store it's not appealing especially the prices of the items. 2. Employees that work for the franchise look exhausted, not put together and just out of it. 3. The look of the store is unkempt, although organized chaos maybe the best way to describe the store, the tons of bins behind the counter is tacky. 4. They literally took all of my clothing with tags on them and all of my sets - everything else they passed on. For so many complaints I'm shocked that so many of you still shop here. Or maybe you just consign with them. It seems to me that Oceanside needs another store that will cater to the many parents that would like to make some extra money on our kids clothes. Some place clean with employees that want to help and will give more money when you bring in items. read more

a consignment store but all kids clothes! how great is that? kids grow out of clothes so fast so this is a great option to get some clothes at a cheaper price than at the big box stores. workers were friendly and clothes was organized. great selection of clothes and was able to find many hidden gems for both of my kids! i highly recommend checking it out. read more

First time visit here. I came in and staff were rude and very unprofessional / unpleasant. I dropped some items for them to look at for selling. Brand New Medela Breast pump unopened, still in the original box, MamiBaby brand new unopened baby Lounger and almost brand new Bassinet original price is $225. They all want to give me $50 cash or $60 store credit. After a few hours I've got a text to pick up my items. I was never greeted and rude staff. I asked for help to load it in my car and they stated they can't help. Wouldn't even open the door for me. I will never come in to this store ever again. I bet they will give me the cheapest price for the items I brought and they will sell it a lot more. read more