Visual — Attraction in San Diego

In an effort to support local business in my new community I decided to walk the 10 blocks to this store rather than the easily accessible Michaels near my place. I checked the business hours, Sundays 12-5 and was on my way. Upon arrival the door was locked with no one inside, the same business hours posted on the door as online. So I called twice, leaving a message with my name, number and a request for a call back in order to make my purchase another time. A week went by, no call back. I found myself in the area with my roommate so I decided to stop in again. I believe Jared is the name of the owner and who we came in the door to. I asked if he was the owner “depends on who wants to know” he sharply replied. I asked him if he had gotten my call last weekend, he said yes. Long pause....Asked why he didn’t feel inclined to call back or make an effort to reach out in any way. He said if I would have waited longer outside I could have gotten my supplies because he was “just in the back.” How long was I supposed to wait outside for??? We exchanged a few more argumentative words that aren’t worth typing before my roommate and I eventually left, looking each other dumbfounded. It wasn’t the fact I had to go back a second time but the gross attitude and lack of rationale and respect the owner displayed that I can’t handle. A shame because it looks like a nice shop with a great selection, but that isn’t the way to...

At first it seems like a nice vibe, You go inside and it's a little sparse, clean, if a bit pricey. it's an independent spot. You pick out something, Bring it to the front where the owner is, He doesn't stop what he's doing at all to say hello in any kind of meaningful way.. You ask A few questions, The energy is flat, you remain polite. . You're getting the impression this guy likely isn't going to be personable at all. Can't buy the item with my card cus it's under 5$. (Absolutely fair, but where's the signage please?)

Tone that answer was delivered in tho? In general, it just makes you feel unwelcome. Not worth the effort for that 3 extra bucks.

At least be engaging with your customers if you want them to come back. Ask them if its their first time in? Be like. somewhat outgoing. I really don't think distracting yourself for a hundred and twenty seconds from whatever unpressing task you had in front of you to invest in the possibility of having a loyal repeat customer was worth the 120 seconds fidgeting with whatever on the desk.

Won't be coming back for anything dude.. Gotta at least acknowledge people or be a little more present on that human level.

Folks....

Needed a certain type of pen for a project right away and the man working showed me 5-6 pens and let me try them on the paper I'd brought. I purchased two but I was a little disappointed because one of them worked in the store but promptly ran out of ink after about 5 minutes of continuous drawing when I got home. I was using some very thick paper (which necessitated the trip to find a specialty pen in the first place) and I was unsure if the pen was out of ink because of the paper, or because they encourage people to try them out in the store and I happened to pick an exceptionally low one (kind of a double edged sword.)

Anyhow, it was convenient and the employee was nice, but there didn't seem to be that many supplies compared to other small art stores I've seen, leaving the window shopping to a minimum. Oh well! Will definitely go back to purchase another of the style of pen that did...