Marie Laveau's House Of Voodoo — Attraction in New Orleans

I was definitely disappointed the workers are pretty rude here and don't seem to like tourists but it's not even a voodoo house it's literally just a gift shop for tourists. I really expected more out of this place. No supplies not really much of a selection expect like I said souvenirs t shirts and fake stones very cheap jewelry. I feel like marie laveau would be upset with this store I really has nothing to do with her or what she practiced or how she lived expect a statue of her. T shirts are cheap that was cool 4 for 20$ but other than that there's no point in going there. It reminded me of a gift shop you find at an amusement park. Just very dissatisfied. Not to mention you feel unwelcome and awkward as soon as you walk in. Like I said it seems like they really don't like tourists but it's literally a tourist gift shop so doesn't make much sense. Another thing was the readings are super bad and way off like it just for entertainment which upset me. Because again if your going to use her name at least have someone who actually practices this lifestyle to do readings not some random person that can flip cards. But worst of all they have a problem with causing people of stealing as well as literally yelling at people for taking a picture of something they bought! I understand no pictures of the store or those items but when I pay for something I own it and therefore can do whatever I want with it. After the sale it's none of your buissnes what I do with it. But I sent a picture to my husband of something I purchased while standing right outside the front door and they actually yelled at me and said I can't do that or I will be banned... that really put the nail in the coffin for me. There are so many great shops around this area I suggest you walk right by this one. It not worth your time and you'll just be treated badly. I would give them 0 stars but thats not an option. I recommend unique nola tours great little shop with actual hoodoo items and supplies friendly great staff and cheaper prices. I will definitely never recommend this store or go back. To many other stores that are much better cheaper or even more friendly that I would rather give my money to. I think this place needs to change their name to fake Readings and shifty gifts. Don't tarnish her name just to get people in...

I visited New Orleans for the first time in May of this year. Unfortunately, I only had one weekend to spend there, but I was determined to spend some time and money in this store before we left. I was perfectly fine with the cluttered, over-packed feel. I was fine with the "no pictures" policy. I was even fine with the fact that everything in the store was overpriced. What I was not prepared for was the rudeness of the staff. I was browsing (and if you've seen pictures or been inside, you know there's stuff EVERYWHERE) and a necklace caught my eye. I reached up to touch it, and an employee who was sitting on a stool very close to me YELLED at me in this CROWDED store, "DON'T TOUCH THE OFFERINGS." From where I was standing, at the side of this display, I couldn't see the sign. There was no way I could have known that this was an offering. I COULDN'T SEE THE SIGN. Nonetheless, I apologized profusely, and tried to explain the situation. The employee, who was just sitting there, guarding the offerings, I might add, wouldn't even look at me. A question for the employees of this establishment: Why was it necessary to yell? This guy was less than five feet from me. It would have been just as easy to say, "Ma'am, please don't touch the offerings.Thank you." Or to have at least accepted my apology, like a decent human being would. I was so upset, and disappointed, and embarrassed, that I couldn't even speak. I almost dropped $50 dollars on a Tarot card reading there before this happened, but luckily, after I left the store, I found a lovely young woman who gave me a SPECTACULAR reading for $20 in Jackson Square. Honestly, because of the staff and the prices, it's really not worth it. There are so many better places in New Orleans to...

Staff: The guy in the back of the store where the books are is one of the rudest people I have EVER met. I have traveled the world, been to countries that don't speak English and the man at this store is still worse than any other place.

He sat in the bookstore portion of the store with sunglasses on and had the worst attitude. When me and my girlfriend asked him about voodoo and it's beliefs the staff member went on a 60 tirade about how he has "channeled spirits all day but because this store is on Bourbon St. people think we're fake". Please keep in mind that no one doubted the legitimacy of the staff member or store. As tourists in a city we've never been to before I believe we are allowed to ask questions about something we are not familiar with. Needless to say, we left promptly, that store would not get any of my money or time.

The other staff members were friendly and we saw them having conversations with other patrons.

Store: The was store was great. Lots of unique items. We definitely planned to buy some items as gifts for friends back home but the staff member killed any chance of that happening.

How to be better: Train you staff to remember that most people are unfamiliar with the subject of voodoo and will likely have questions of its practices and origins. The key here is this, communication and customer education will go a long way. Your place is great but how many customers has this turned away? I understand that people have bad days but there seems to be a pattern here of bad customer service from this one particular...