Pacific Trading Co. - Santa Cruz, California

Stacia

Update: Came back and invested in a set of Aviator sweats and Sunski aviator sunglasses. Pricey but worth it.

This place has been around for a long time. Helpful staff. Great selection of quality pajamas/lounge wear in the back of the store. Fair price for the quality. Super soft and roomy.

Joy

I absolutely love this store! I can definitely recommend that everyone come here or shop online at their store's for all sorts of awesome, interesting things. Myself and my mom just bought about $200 worth of items from them this past week!! My whole family love's your products too. Definitely a 1000% A+++ from me. These are some of my collection of things I have from this magnificent company.

Nina Crofts

I was here a few months ago, only getting around to review now…clothes are very nice and beachy but the customer service is very overbearing. I was asked every minute if I needed help, and after requesting to try on one item I liked, I was interrogated on why I didn’t like the others. After trying on that item and deciding to buy, a sales associate shoved three more clothing items into my arms saying I would probably also like them and I should try them on. Felt very pressured and uncomfortable, probably wouldn’t return.

Michelle Steiny

I love the store! I have been shopping there for 20 or more years. There is a store in Capitols next to Gayles Bakery and a store on Pacific Ave—Pacific Garden Mall.

When I was in college, I could only afford to buy one or two pieces a year and generally combed the sale rack. Even then the people who worked there were helpful and made it really fun.I remember when I got my first job, I was able to buy two or three outfits. I was so happy and every time I wore one of the outfits, I felt great.

Now Pacific Trading Company is still my go to store. The clothes are beautiful, they carry styled for all body types and all ages. The staff is helpful and when needed, can be very diplomatic. I love everything I have from the store. Some things are 8+ years old and I still get compliments. I go there when I need clothed for work, clothes for play, and when i have a special occasion and when I need a special gift for family to friends.

Salomé Guépardine

I used to shop here often- so did my mom and two sisters. Now I have restricted the time I enter the store to a yearly basis- specifically in January (they have brands I can’t find elsewhere).However, being followed around the store like you are being scrutinized as a potential / already perceived as a shoplifter is not an enjoyable experience. I also did not appreciate my last experience in the store- I made an appointment and specifically stated I was interested in purchasing pants from a specific brand in various styles (I wear them almost everyday and wanted to buy a few more pairs).
When I entered the store and wanted to try on about 4 colors, the woman following me around the store said « I think you should limit the amount you want to try on in the fitting room », then proceeded to grab the 4 pairs of pants in my hand and put them back. This was after I had already made it clear to her that I already own pants from this brand and wanted to buy duplicates and/would need to try on different sizes because each style runs differently. So instead they preferred that I walk out of the dressing room 2/3 times to change sizes and compare colors (there were 3 shades of beige/gray/etc) instead of being efficient with my time (and their time)?! I actually became so frustrated I ended up not asking for the umpteenth time for them to retrieve another pair, and purchased only what I was actually PERMITTED to try on by these sales associates. I regret that I still paid over 400$ to the store, but I wanted those pants, and in the future, I will not be giving you my business anymore.

The staff dynamic resembles an infamous scene from Pretty Woman- where Julia Roberts is denied service and spoken to condescendingly because of the way she looks. Looking at the reviews here, you have undoubtedly lost many customers because of this. I know that you have definitely lost loyal customers like myself and the other female members of my family who once frequented your store. It’s sad because I know the founders of PTC and think they are awesome, but I don’t understand why these persistent issues with the sales people on the floor have not been rectified over the years.

If you have an issue with shoplifting, maybe you should consider an alternative method like attaching those ink filled magnetic tags on all of your items, or hiring a low profile security guard at the door to counteract this issue? The saleswomen are very intrusive and patronizing. Maybe they don’t want to be, but they have been given the task of essentially sociologically profiling customers to designate who is worthy of respectful service. You are probably already aware of the fact that there are many young people from Silicon Valley who have the money to support your business, but you are scaring away that large demographic with your staff.

Ebra Elsharnouby

Great selection of clothes but more importantly the staff (maybe owners?) has a great taste and was extremely helpful. I ended up not finding the exact fit I was looking for but had a wonderful experience

Leanna Jensen

I was recently shopping for a dress for family photos. I was very impressed with PTC! Excellent customer service, great Covid protocols. They are monitoring the number of ppl in the store, hand sanitizer, masks, and they are steaming all clothing items after try-ons. Their prices are what your would expect from a boutique, but they have lots of beautiful, and unique items. And good sale prices as well!

L

Pacific Trading Company has provided me with the best clothing I’ve ever worn. Shopping at PTC introduced me to brands and styles that are carefully selected, with many big name brands that I love, like Eileen Fisher and Flax, but also ones I never heard of, but now adore and look for whenever I come in to see what’s new.

The customer service is excellent with carefully considered advice on look and fit. I walk out with whole outfits that really suit me, not just a carbon copy of what’s on the mannequin.

It’s awesome that PTC was started by a woman and has continued to be run by women. Way to go! As a family business the store has a clear and beautiful vision, to bring the very best clothes to the women of Santa Cruz.