RSPCA SA Marden Op Shop

Really disappointed and outright shocked with my experience. Came in today with a dress I was enquiring about returning due to a stain. It had the original tag of $80 as it has never been worn and the tag your store put on it. The manager wasn't in.. so I said I'd come back in 15 mins but didn't have much time as I was on my lunch break. When I returned.. the manager (from the back room) told the person serving me there was nothing they could do as I didn't have a receipt. The manager hid in the back and would not come out. I said I was never going to wear it, but someone else might hence the return as it has a new lable on it stating its a $80 dress. That was rejected, so I said whatever it's just a cheap dress that will go in the bin and went to walk off. Where it gets interesting.. another customer stopped me and said, actually, they are obliged to do a return and store credit. She also said she has been in the store for 15 mins and the entire time has been listening to all of the staff talking about me, complaining about me and laughing at me. She said she heard the manager laugh about me being on my lunch break and the manager say she was purposely going to keep me waiting among other things. I am a customer and all the staff who are strangers were publicly talking crap about me? She said she was incredibly shocked at this behaviour and was about to leave the clothes she picked out and leave herself. She seemed more upset than me as she had heard it all. I am honestly still blown away by this. The manager finally came out and this customer and the manager were arguing about what she heard. The manager denied everything and rolled her eyes and implied this woman made the whole thing up. It was incredibly strange. Then the older woman who works there said it wasn't her and started to blame other people. I am totally shocked at the behaviour of multiple staff/volunteers. It seems the manager with pink hair and glasses was the main instigator. I understand why these people are volunteers, as if this was a paid, professional environment there would be fairly serious consequences. I work in HR myself and have been required to end peoples employment for things more minor than this. Insane behaviour from grown adults and I really hope all the staff do some self reflection on how you treat strangers and customers. The shop you volunteer in is to raise money for animals. Sadly due to the workers in the store I will never return and also let others know about my experience.

It's OK, but they've joined the unfortunate trend of bombarding their customers with very loud head banging music. Nothing wrong with music, but it just doesn't have to be that loud! Items also a bit pricey for an op shop.

A shell of what it used to be. One of the managers was lovely, but she definitely doesn't work there anymore. Gist I get is the upper management is out-of-touch and really ruined this one. Oh well.

RSPCA Marden Op Shop has some good finds now and then, but it’s a bit hit or miss. The shop's small and the layout can feel a little cluttered, which makes browsing a bit tricky when it’s busy. Prices are okay, but not always as cheap as you’d expect for secondhand stuff. Staff are friendly enough, just don’t go in expecting too much variety every time. Still worth a look if you’re nearby.

The owners of Marden Shopping Center seem pretty mean. They charge high rents - I notice a lot of empty shops. They removed the seats from around the fountain - people can't sit and have interaction now. It seems that they want people to buy stuff and then go away quickly. This particular shop seems friendly and has interesting stuff to sell. I hope they do well and prosper.