The Mad Potter, PYOP Bettendorf, IA — Attraction in Pleasant Valley Township

$70 for two SMALL items!!! Yikes! Even though their website said they would "help" you get started, the manager working that day was not helpful to my 10 and 11 year old grandkids I took there for what I hoped would be a fun new experience for them. Of course I didn't expect anyone to pick the colors or "do" anything on the kids' choice of items for them but I did hope for her to, perhaps, demonstrate a bit of painting technique, or to show how to scrape off painting errors, or to tell which brushes were best for which areas.....the kinds of "help" a beginner might need. Even though we were the only people there, the manager spent nearly the entire time behind her computer in spite of my multiple polite requests for her to offer some advice/pointers to the kids as all this was entirely new to them (and me). We certainly won't be going back. As unpleasant as this person (who I later learned is co-owner) was when I picked up the fired pieces, I'm guessing this place may not be in business much longer. When I picked up the finished items, I told them I was disappointed with the experience and tried to explain why. While I feel I was neither rude nor inappropriate, the owner was quite defensive and took zero responsibility. I was speechless when she denied that their website said they were helpful. Oh my goodness, what business owner would say something like that to a new customer? I think somebody needs a course in...

I took my three grandsons there to paint a small Easter egg, the website said they were opened until 6:00pm. We arrived at 5:00 each of the boys picked their piece and paint and sat down to paint at a table. The manager stood at the check out counter and complained she wanted to leave at 6:00, so I triple folded napkins fr them to put their paint on and they started painting. The manager rudely told them that the paint would soak through the napkin and their paint should be on foil. I asked her then to fetch them some foil, she did so but rudely! The entire time the boys were painting she rudely commented and complained! I have been there many times, it’s been very expensive but the boys live to make things for their dad. In the past at least the staff was pleasant and helpful. This was my first encounter with this manager and it will be my last until she is removed! I will make certain to share my experience on all social media’s as well! It’s pathetic when you have to pay money to be...

Saturday, June 14, I called at 8pm to see how late the business was open so I could pick up the two projects my kids made for their father on Father's Day. I was told The Mad Potter was open until 9pm. Great, I thought! I could pick up the gifts and have them wrapped and sitting on the table when their father woke up. So....after driving all the way from Blue Grass, I arrived at the store at 8:40 pm to see the lights off and the door locked. If business is slow, I guess the hours change?? Or, just because someone called and said they were on their way, you still close the business early? NOT happy! On top of this poor customer service, the prices are WAY TOO HIGH. $32 for an unpainted coffee mug? Really?? I will never come back to this business again. Who's closing the store early -- some underpaid teenager or was that the owner? Very unprofessional, and it was a...