I am beyond disappointed with the balloon service at Michael’s and the lack of accountability from staff. I called four days in advance to place a large balloon order for my event. Because I knew it was a big order, I asked what day they preferred I drop off my balloons. The man I spoke with was hostile and dismissive and told me to drop them off three days prior to the event. I followed those instructions and dropped them off Wednesday morning for a Saturday 10:30 AM pickup.
I went out of my way to make this as simple as possible for the staff—I labeled the balloons in Ziploc bags by bundle, provided extras in case any popped, and prepaid $76.
When I arrived 15 minutes early on Saturday, my balloons were nowhere to be found. After watching the two women working that morning dig around, they finally “found” my order—completely untouched, still in the same bags I had dropped off days earlier. Keep in mind, this order would have taken at least an hour to complete, which is exactly why I dropped them off well in advance. I even overheard one of the employees casually say, “Oh, I didn’t see it there.”
Naturally, I was upset—but I want to emphasize, I was stern but respectful. I did not yell or cause a scene. Still, the staff offered no real apology and had no solution beyond saying they could “blow them up now,” which would take an hour. I told them that wasn’t possible—my party was starting soon, and this was their failure, not mine.
I requested a full refund for an order that was never completed. The staff initially refused, saying they would still charge me for the few balloons I did end up needing on the spot. Only after insisting did they agree not to charge me for the latex balloons and only for the two foil numbers I had them inflate. I don’t think other customers even would have accepted that and fought for a full refund but I kindly took the offer.
As someone who works in customer service, I find this completely unacceptable. When a company makes a mistake this significant, the proper response is to take ownership, apologize sincerely, and make it right. Instead, I was met with defensiveness and an attitude as if I was the problem for being upset.
And on top of this, their balloon inflation prices are absurdly high, clearly taking advantage of Party City’s closures to upcharge customers.
Michael’s is a multi-million-dollar company. For an order dropped off days in advance, clearly labeled, and prepaid, to be completely forgotten—and then for the staff to mishandle the situation so poorly—is shameful.
I will not be trusting Michael’s with any balloon orders or supporting their company in anyway ever again, and I strongly caution anyone considering...
Read moreI recently visited Michael's Store in Burlington and had a positive shopping experience overall. The store is conveniently located and easy to find with ample parking available. As someone who enjoys arts and crafts, I was excited to explore their wide range of products and supplies.
Firstly, I was impressed by the store's layout and organization. The aisles were clearly marked, and the sections were well-stocked and neatly arranged. It was easy to navigate through the store and find exactly what I was looking for. The store has a great selection of art supplies, including paints, brushes, canvases, and sketchbooks, catering to artists of all levels.
The staff at Michael's Store in Burlington were friendly and helpful. They greeted me with a smile and were readily available to answer any questions I had. I appreciated their knowledge and willingness to assist me in finding specific items or providing recommendations for my projects. Their expertise and guidance made my shopping experience more enjoyable.
The checkout process was efficient, and the staff members at the register were quick and courteous. I didn't encounter any issues during the payment process, and the lines moved smoothly. However, I do have one minor criticism: the store could benefit from having more checkout counters to expedite the process during busy times.
One aspect that I particularly enjoyed about this Michael's Store was their variety of crafting classes and workshops. They offer a diverse range of creative classes, including painting, knitting, and floral arrangements, which can be a great way to learn new skills or connect with other crafters. It's wonderful to have the opportunity to engage in hands-on experiences and gain inspiration from talented instructors.
The only reason I didn't give Michael's Store in Burlington a perfect rating is that I noticed a few instances where some items were priced higher compared to other craft stores in the area. While the store offers regular discounts and promotions, it's still worth comparing prices before making a purchase, especially for larger and more expensive items.
Overall, I had a positive experience at Michael's Store in Burlington. The store's well-organized layout, friendly staff, and extensive product selection make it a go-to destination for art and craft enthusiasts. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this store offers a wide range of materials and supplies to fuel...
Read moreI have shopped this location largely because there are few other options in the area. I prefer going in person for art supplies, but like many other consumers have found in person service sorely lacking. This store is no exception. I had a couple of questions in your drawing paper area, but managed on my own. I came to the self checkout and saw 3 employees together, ( what a rarity) laughing and chatting with each other. I checked myself out, and then because it was about to rain, asked one employee for a bag. She answered me abruptly by saying that the town is going plastic free, and your company is going paperless. I could spend $.49 on a too small reusable. Then she said "I don't make the,rules," and walked away. As long as consumers settle for this inadequate level of treatment, and companies like yours make silly policies, that leave us to want to avoid stores like yours, we are to blame. Train your staff about real service, thinking outside of the box about how to resolve customer issues, or the educated consumer like me will have to live without spending money at...
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