Learning Express — Local services in Alpharetta

** Edited: After publishing this review I received a phone call from Daniel, the store owner, who was extremely kind, and surprised this ever happened in her store. She said it is not something she would ever support and asked to make it up to me. Today I came back to the store, and the item was returned, no questions asked.

I would like to thank Daniel for caring and reaching out, and also take this opportunity to praise the store worker, Emily, that was the pleasant and welcoming face at the store both times (she wasn't the one who refused to return my money that was her manager on duty). Emily is one of the biggest reasons we will return to this store, and our shopping experience is better because of her big heart.

Original: Didn't think in 2022 I'll still encounter sick horrible customer service. This is the reason why small stores close, and everyone is buying on Amazon.

I bought a Flybar pogo stick for my 6 year old. We started unpacking it at home, to find out the plastic is really cheap, and comes off by itself. I initially repacked it and came to return it to the store.

The girl at the counter was very nice, but told me she unfortunately couldn't take it back, was it's been used. I explained it wasn't every used, and that it is not my fault the product is of poor quality. So poor, that it was clear by opening the box alone.

She then said she will try and get a hold of her manager. After a few minutes she came back and said one of her managers is at a lunch break and the other one is too busy unpacking in the back... (Too busy to come deal with an unsatisfied customer???).

She then again turned me away and told me that unfortunately she cannot refund me for the product.

Extremely disappointing experience. I will never shop there again and strongly urge you all to not shop...

Updated response: Thank you for your reply. I checked the Learning Express website prior to coming, and it still lists your store as open today (see attached picture). I understand that you're a small business, need to complete tasks like inventory after the holiday, and that you're limited in how you get information out. It was inconvenient to discover that the store was still closed on my arrival, but the real issue for me was the way I was treated. Instead of coming to the door and simply telling me, "Sorry, the store is still closed," I was quite literally told to 'go away" by your employee. I do my best to support small businesses (even when their prices are marked up compared to big box competitors like Target/TJ Maxx), but this was an unacceptably rude way to add insult to injury. Hope you had a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

Went to return an item on 12/26. Sign on door said 'Closed 12/25 and 12/26 for Inventory'. Arrived at store on 12/27, door was locked and new sign saying 'Closed for Inventory' again posted. Made eye contact to one of the 5 employess inside hoping someone could explain and the girl inside pointed to sign and mouthed 'go away' to me and my two children. Manager came out and said I need to check website for hours. I will be shopping at Lakeshore moving forward. Rude and...

I don't write many reviews, but I felt the need to today. Went in there with my children so they could each pick a small toy. It's ironic that the staff would choose to work there as was crystal clear they do not enjoy having children in their TOY store. My daughter lifted up a floral wooden door sign and accidental knocked one off the display and the stem broke off. The older woman couldn't have sighed any louder, accompanied by a rather dramatic eye roll. I brought it up to the counter so as not to leave it on the display. In the two or three times my children or I have broken something, no matter what the store, they've always put customer service first and insisted we not buy it - easily damaging it out as a loss they can write off at their wholesale cost. This store chose to not do that, and insisted we buy it, so we put all other intended purchases aside, bought the flower, and chose to spend not another dime at this location. There are plenty of other excellent toy stores and Learning Express locations to never have to shop at this one again. Lastly, it would be great if they hired staff that actually wanted to work in a place that small...