Paper Source — Attraction in Palo Alto

The saleswomen were just wonderful. They were helpful and very friendly. While I was selecting some paper the store manager walked up to me (I was not seeking help) and stated the paper started at $6.50 and went up from there and that the paper was non-return. She was rude and insulting. And had a terrible attitude.

I selected a few pieces and went to the very nice cashier to pay. After paying, the cashier started to wrap the papers/items when the store manager interrupted the cashier and told her just put the paper in the bag and "give it to her. You're taking too much time." She grabbed the items and threw them at me. It was pouring rain that day and the saleswoman said "but it will get the paper wet- we always wrap these in packing paper." The manager snapped it didn't matter and I could deal with it.

This was Black Friday and I had just come from SurLaTable with a bag filled with goodies from there. This was a quick pop-in as I didn't realize this store was here.

I shop at the Paper Source at other locations. This was my first time at this location. I can say this is the WORST experience I have had at one of these stores. So bad that I will just start buying similar items online- not at Paper Source.

It really ruined my shopping experience in a store where I like to buy completely frivolous items. I suppose I should thank this store manager for saving me a few hundred dollars as I won't be spending them at this store or any other Paper Source. Merry Christmas...

My friends and I attend college in the area and we like to frequent Town and Country. PaperSource was one of my favorite destinations to get cute stationary items. I’m sad to say they have lost my future business. Two of my friends and I entered the store with the intention of buying ourselves post-finals gifts. We found cute little trinkets that had suction cups on them, and start to harmlessly play with them, as college students do. We were remarking that we should definitely buy them, and also making a few jokes while audibly chatting about queer topics. We were not playing with them for more than 30 seconds when a worker rushed up to us very abruptly, entered our personal space by placing their hands in our faces saying, “That’s enough,” in a very condescending tone, as if we were children and not potential paying customers. We were also very visibly women of color and queer people, and during Pride month we felt truly ostracized. Simply putting it, the employee could’ve chosen to communicate to us in a much more respectful way, and we might’ve still bought the items. Instead we quickly walked away, in a cloud of confusion and shock. This might have been a one time occurrence, but still...

I’ve unfortunately had a couple of negative experiences at this Paper Source location that have left a bad impression. On my last visit, I took a quick phone call while browsing. One of the employees (a white woman) approached me and spoke in a surprisingly rude tone, implying I was disturbing others. While I understand that taking calls inside a store might not be ideal, I immediately stepped outside as soon as she asked. What bothered me wasn’t the request, but the unnecessary attitude and lack of basic courtesy, especially toward a paying customer.

On a separate visit, I asked a couple of other staff members some questions, and again, one of them responded with an unwelcoming, dismissive tone. After two separate instances like this, I no longer feel comfortable shopping here.

I sincerely hope this isn’t a pattern of discriminatory behavior, but I can’t help but wonder. Either way, the consistent lack of respect shown to me is enough to keep me...