Sunbeam Vintage — Attraction in Los Angeles

I've been coming to, browsing and buying items here for 10+ years. I've had friends tell me that they've found the exact pieces on Amazon & Wayfair at lower prices. I ignored it because I want to support a small business.

My partner & I ordered 2 pieces, a coffee table and a "modern" side table.

We estimated shipping for where we live on their website. It was $100 per item of furniture. I decided to go pick it up. On a weekday, it'd be a 50 minute round trip.

When ordering online they ask that you arrange a pickup window. We chose a day & time. The time arrived & the order still read as processing. I called their number on Google multiple times to see if I should come pick up the piece. No answer. I checked the confirmation email & it read: "Please Text ( do not call) for assistance if needed (323) 908-9" The phone number is completely cut off in the email.

I texted the google number & was informed that my coffee table was available for pickup but that my side table takes 2-3 weeks to arrive. I explained to them that nowhere on the page of the item does it say it's not currently in stock at the store. Maria informed me that it was & that "a lot of people miss it. The website read "Ramona Side Table has a 3 to 4 week ETA during the holidays". When I told them this, they took some time to reply & told me I read it wrong. I checked the website & they had CHANGED THE WORDING.

I drove to the address that was listed in the email. The email explicitly stated: "pick up is NOT at our Regular Showroom Location" I circled 4 times looking for the entrance that didn't exist. Against THE STORE'S OWN PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS I went to the showroom where I found my table sitting on the sidewalk. No wrap like with all other items I've purchased, no sold sign.

I spoke to a woman about the wrong address in the email. She rolls her eyes and says "I've told them to change that. I don't know why our email still says that." No sorry for the misunderstanding, no apology, no attempt to make me wasting my time because of their mistake right. No customer service at all.

I double check to make sure they don't have the side table anywhere in their showroom as well & I'm informed again that the website clearly states that it takes 2-3 weeks. I show her the website on my phone where it says no such thing. She then smiles & says "it's almost Halloween, that's kind of a holiday."

What is this???? Are ya'll an actual business or am I at an open mic?

I politely ask if they can waive the $100 delivery fee & deliver the piece when it's ready.

I'm told that I live "really far away" and that it would cost "way more in gas & time than $100 to deliver to my neighborhood." and that the delivery fee was $250. I said I could have selected $100 delivery online, I was told that delivery would have been cancelled if I hadn't coughed up an extra 150% charge after paying the initial delivery fee. Now I'm feeling like I'm getting a shake down. It's worth noting, I'm E of the 405 and S of the 101, at this point, I'm about to do a geography class cause I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.

Quick math. 16 miles in a truck that gets 8 mpg is about $8, let's call it $17 round trip which isn't even how a delivery works cause there'd be other stops but whatever. Two guys in a truck to lift a 5 pound table. They're making $25/hr. For those keeping score at home we're at a liberal cost to the business of $67. And if they had said "our bad, we'll knock the delivery fee to $50" I would've taken it in . Instead they said "how about $200?" Eventually "we'll honor $100."

I ended my interaction with "This is absurd, y'all need a new website and email system." To which the employee laughed & said "I know."

I'm hitting a character limit but my full review's on Yelp for the rest of the story. Just figured I'd share on Google too to help save...

Sunbeam Vintage’s floor has a mix of new items and vintage. I wouldn’t have an issue with this if it was noted more around the shop. When I happened to pick an item for purchase, I went with my assumption that this was a curated vintage store with second-hand ‘modern’ furniture items. The tag for the item I purchased listed the price and that it was a yellow swivel chair. It did not list that it was a new item. I even mentioned to one of the sale reps working the floor that I liked that the item was a vintage version of an Ikea chair and they agreed with me.

I typically do my research for larger purchases, but in this moment I didn’t. I went off the trust of the business that they did their own research and charged me a fair, reasonable price.

This is why I was surprised and honestly insulted when I did a reverse image search on the chair and saw it listed for $127-$167 on Amazon and Wayfair. I spent just under $500 on it after taxes.

When I confronted a Sunbeam staff member, they told me they do sell new items and mark the price up for assembly and the convenience of viewing. I asked them if a 300% mark up seemed reasonable for that. To their credit, they did issue me a refund. However, the refund never arrived in my account. As a courtesy, I gave them 3-7 business days. When I confronted them I never received my refund, one of the employees told me that the owner could not refund my card and asked for my PayPal info. The ‘PayPal refund’ never came through. I then reported the charge to my bank to ensure I got my refund processed correctly.

I wanted to support a small business. I wanted to not buy poorly made online furniture. I wanted to not write this review. However, I think it’s important for people to know that not everything here is vintage, prices accordingly, or that you will be treated respectfully after your transaction.

If you shop here, keep your Google image search handy. When they re-listed the chair I bought, they lowered the price...

Okay, I don’t write reviews often, but Sunbeam Vintage is a Peoples’ museum that lets you buy choice pieces from the mid-to-late 20th century and modern takes on furniture inspired by the folk artists and companies they offer as rare finds. That’s just the business side of it. The service is exceptional and inspiring. Rachael can educate you on interior design and help find your style and what they have that might help you understand what you’re into. She is the muse of my dining room. She’s an artist. Zoe is that employee that makes wandering the store feel like a social event. Maria is just rad. Truly. And, Jack, is the expert on ceramics and Upcycle living. I just read what I wrote and have to be clear, I’m just a customer. I found their store because they had furniture in a street off Figueroa and I was at a stop light. Now, Sunbeam is one of my favorite stores, museums, and art exhibits in LA. Go there, and plan on...