Jerry's Artarama Retail Stores - West Orange — Attraction in West Orange

Great selection, but stock is not always in, due to poor management. The owners are also horrible to staff and customers. They also charge for a discount card, when the Jerry's Artarama (not associated with this "Jerry's Artist Outlet") gives you the same discount, for free. It's a psuedo-mom-and-pop store, with an abusive mom and pop. Buy from Blick or actual Jerry's Artarama, instead of this store, if you can. They've accused me of writing bad reviews before, so I might as well put the truth out there. This is all based off of my experience, prior to COVID. I've watched my boss talk negatively and insult customers to their faces. When I used to work there, they berated me and other employees, screaming at me and them on the sales floor. They go out of their way to humiliate their staff, in front of customers, for things as benign as a question like "hey, where is this pastel paper? I've never seen it before" Now, you can see that they are also trying to change the narrative and threaten me, with a reply. Of course the owner is going to say it's not true. Go look at Yelp and Glassdoor. I'm not the only one saying these things. They act as if they are the mob with all the leverage in the world, able to make and break people, when they really aren't. They're just abusive people with narcissistic egos.

To the owner, who replied to this review: I might take this down, if I get a written apology, Bonnie. The "help" you gave me and your other employees doesn't cancel out the abuse and the horrid way you treat your employees. Not one bit. You should still have my email. If you don't you should know how to find it. I'll keep an eye out for your acknowledgement of how abusive and nasty you and your husband were. I know this is how you play, trying to bully people. I was there when you tried to bully one of the charity organizations to fire one of their workers, just because you didn't like that they quit the store and joined them. Your attempt to bully me isn't going to work. Not even trying to slander me on my own business page, with an unfounded review that was written by your son, who has never purchased or taken a class by me, or even commissioned me for artwork. I've screenshotted your son, Spencer's review as well as yours and his texts to me from March 16th. Thank you for showing who you guys really are and how much manipulative and bullying tactics are a part of your character. I keep receipts and if you maintain any of this malignant behavior, I...

Honestly loved this store, selection is amazing. But Allen the owner is the rudest person I've ever met. He profiled me as a shop lifter and when I called him out on it, rather than apologize he started an argument.

As someone that's worked in retail if you're truly interested in someone buying something you great them warm and friendly. You don't yell across the store in a commanding voice "You need help!" That's what you do to draw attention to a shop lifter.

My advice to you is learn how to respect your customers! Not accusing anyone of racial profiling but It's unfortunate that as an African-American situations like this sting a little more. It's racially insensitive and rude!

In response to Bonnie

I'm sorry if you misinterpreted my post. I didn't accuse anyone of racial profiling. What I accused you of was being insensitive.

To watch an associate shuffle pass three people ignoring them just to yell across the room at you only looks one way. Let's not put lipstick on a pig. And if that's your idea of customer service evoles the adjectives "loud" .... "BOOMING" you got a lot to work on just being honest.

It's as if as man I held a conversation with you and stared at your blouse just because I thought it was nice, rather than look you in the eye...be honest It would make you feel uncomfortable.

That is how I as an African American feel when someone screams across store do you need help. Before even taking the time to greet me.

Would you tell someone in a wheelchair "walk faster" Or ask a blind man "what's your favorie color" . No you wouldn't becuase it's insensitive.

Finally Bonnie I leave with you with these parting words. I assume you're not African American so you would never understand unless you're told these things.

I am not accusing anyone of racism or racial profiling, I'm simply explaining in an articulate way how your actions could be precieved by someone of color. If you're not racist you would understand just I am not a sexist and take the extra steps as man to not make you and every women feel uncomfortable.

Bonnie its not your fault it's the world we live in and until we have these open frank conversations can...

Beware of this store! They refuse to give discounts listed and have absolutely horrendous customer service. Drove two hours to get here and was charged twice the listed price on my purchase! Terrible! -- UPDATE based on the lies from Bonnie -- I called ahead of my trip to the store to make sure they had the discounted set of markers. They did! I asked them to put the set aside and I'd hop in the car right away to pick them up. They said no problem and that they'd have them at the register. Christmas was coming and I was going to get so many "super awesome partner points" for this set of markers! I live two hours from this store, but my wife uses these markers every day, so the discount was well worth the drive to me. Upon arrival at the store, no one knew anything and said they were all out of those markers at the discount. I made clear that I called and that the person on the phone and was assured the set of markers would be at the register. I asked that the same set be made up from individual markers simply to get the same markers at the same price since the store had clearly screwed this up and I was making a four hour round trip. I would understand your "soda at the grocery" analogy except that the grocery store, they actually keep stock, keep their word to customers, and honor coupons. No one ever offered to order the markers at a discounted price and have them shipped to me. No one offered any kind of solution to a problem created by the store. The fact that you come here to lie to the public about what your store does and doesn't do is disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself for this treatment of someone that used to be a regular customer. Following this transaction, and worse, your blatant lies about it, I will not be spending the thousands on art supplies that I used to get from your store. Beware...