Maverick Art Studio — Attraction in Middle Township

I would avoid this business. In July, 2021, I purchased a $199 gift certificate for my sister (receipt available via PayPal, bank statement, and registration on the Maverick Art Studio website). The cost of this gift certificate was to go toward a 6 Week class starting that fall. All of this was made clear in my email to Carol Ann, the owner. I specifically reached out to Carol Ann via email to ensure I could make the purchase online, as opposed to in person, as I was in the UK at the time. I registered online per her instruction, paid the amount, and made a note in my registration that this was to go to my sister (named specifically) in my online registration through Carol Ann's website.

At no point during our email exchange, or on her website, is the process of redeeming the gift certificate outlined or made clear. As such, an ordinary, and prudent person would be reasonable to assume that the production of our email exchange, the PayPal receipt, as well as the registration with confirmation of payment with my sister specifically named as justification for class enrollment.

However, when my sister went to attend the class, Carol Ann told her she needed to provide a physical Gift Certificate and refused to look at my receipt, payment confirmation, or registration. Carol Ann proceeded to blame my sister for "losing the gift certificate" and refused to look at my registration or receipt or email communication containing three proofs of payment. Carol Ann claims she mailed the gift certificate to my sister and because my sister "lost it", she needed to pay an additional $199 to stay in the class.

The issue with this rationale the following: Carol Ann could not have sent my sister the gift certificate via mail. She did not have my sister's address, never asked for the address, and knew via my email to her that I was based in the UK at the time. In sum, she never mailed the gift certificate because there was no address she could have sent it to. Even if Carol Ann had mailed a gift certificate, if her records are in line with regular business practice, she should be able to provide a duplicate, or a corresponding number to the gift certificate she allegedly sent to my sister's non-existent physical address. She is unable or willing to provide a duplicate, a receipt, a record, or any evidence that she sent the gift certificate. She cannot even provide a date it was sent nor the address to where it was sent. There was no process (and continues to be no process) outlined on the website or to me directly on how to cash in a Gift Certificate. Had Carol Ann had the intention of ensuring the gift certificate we sent, she would have let me know she needed my sister's address and warned me that she would have to show the physical gift certificate prior to entering class. She did none of this.

It remains unclear whether Carol is forgetful (at best) or deceitful (at worst). What one would hope would be an enjoyable experience has turned into a tired and toxic exchange that defies basic business sensibility, sits well outside normal business practices, and crosses ethical bounds. Before doing business with Carol Ann or this studio, do check out Maverick's Better Business Bureau rating (D+ as of August 13). I would also suggest you check out another one star review dated September 2021, which is similar to our experience. One should be wary of trusting her with business, especially given her flippant and non-responsiveness to...

Went here for a pottery workshop. It was my first time ever trying pottery, but the instructor made it easy to follow and create pieces. We each got a lump of clay and our own pottery wheel. Once the pieces dried, we painted them and they were put into the kiln. We were called when they were ready for pick up. This was a super fun activity to do on a weekend. It did require a few trips to accomplish, but super worth it. I loved learning a new skill and I use the pieces I made still...

It was girls weekend & a rainy Saturday. We called to check availablity and to see what they offered at Maverick Art Studio. Carol Ann was so nice & we set up an appointment to paint that afternoon. We had a private painting session! It was a lot of fun choosing what we wanted to paint (decided on a beach scene) & Carol Ann walked us through step by step until we had our masterpieces complete. The only thing missing was we should have brought some...