Michaels — Local services in Lompoc

As an autistic man with unique abilities, special talents, and hobbies that mean a lot to me, I frequently use 24-inch and 36-inch latex balloons for my science experiments. My recent experience at Michael’s in Lompoc has suddenly been nothing short of tragic.

Less than a week ago, David, the very stubborn and aggressive manager who is so heartless, had all of a sudden, manipulated me and confronted me out of nowhere. He made it very clear that bringing my own latex balloons from home, of ANY SIZE, was now permanently banned. Initially, he allowed it with a fee of $10 per balloon but recently increased it to $20 per balloon since all of it had suddenly started from nearly a week ago.

Yesterday, the situation worsened even further, which it had literally caused me further discomfort between him and I. David claimed to have received an email from corporate headquarters and harshly informed me that bringing in my own latex balloons of any size (small or large) was now permanently banned. I believe he was lying and trying to manipulate and discriminate against me because of my autism and my disability. David seems to hold deliberate animosity against me, while no one else had an issue with my balloons.

As a result of David's manipulative and discriminatory behavior, I now have to drive about an hour each way to a party supply store in Santa Barbara or Party City in San Luis Obispo to get my large balloons filled with helium, instead of doing it LOCALLY, which was MUCH more convenient and efficient for me. This has caused me considerable inconvenience, discomfort, severe social anxiety and immense frustration. David remained adamant about his story policies, he treated me horribly and showed no remorse and regret after I left the store from today before it closed at 8PM. And quite frankly, his behavior towards me was so unacceptable.

My science experiments and high-altitude balloon experiments are lifelong passions of mine, which do mean a lot to me so much. But David simply did not even care at all. Period.

On the other hand, some of the other store owners and managers, including Carol, Kimberly, and Haley, were very understanding and compassionate. Also, the employees treated me well (Alexandra, Kelly, Maile, etc.).

Another store manager named Addie was particularly nice because she knew me well, as we were neighbors about 15 years ago. But David was the worst, and I have nothing to do with him. I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive him for his harsh and discriminatory behavior. But at this point, I do not owe him anything, let alone the chance to apologize.

The corporate management from Michael’s, as well as David, the store owner at Michael’s in Lompoc, were incredibly rude, uncompassionate, and pathetic in their treatment of me. If anyone, whether they are on the spectrum or not, ever intends to bring their own latex balloons of any size from home and fill them with helium at Michael’s in Lompoc, I would reconsider and go somewhere else, even if the balloons are less than 17 inches. Party City in San Luis Obispo is a much better option.

As I mentioned, if anyone has any intention of ever bringing their own latex balloons of any size from home to fill them with helium, Michael’s in San Luis Obispo is okay, thanks to Mary, one of the store managers who was pretty understanding and compassionate with me.

However, I highly advise you to take it seriously and completely stay away from that pathetic Michael’s location in Lompoc, along with the other locations in Santa Maria and Goleta. David, the corporate management, and their poor helium service at the Michael’s location in Lompoc were SO pathetic all of a sudden.

I should even consider rating it “ZERO” out of FIVE STARS, instead of “ONE”!!!

But most importantly, I’ve made it very clear that I am never, ever going to shop at that location in Lompoc, ever again. I mean it. No more!!!

I have already made up my mind and my decision IS...

If I could give this zero stars then I would. I walked in with a return and was told I couldnt return my unopened cricut heat press. So the cashier gets the manager. The manager proceeds to tell me that I couldnt return it and that has always been the policy. I repeated that I always shop there and have never had an issue before. The manager seemed to get frustrated and she stormed off. So I waited. Then the cashier said oh my manager is going to call the district manager to see if we can do the return. She comes back roughly 10 minutes later and says the district manager said no they dont return electronic items but they could take down my phone number and have someome from lost prevention call me next week. She said I checked the policy in the back and it says we can not return it. I said so can I see this policy because my receipt says return policies are available online and in store at the register. She said no you can not. I said so if I go to another store, I wont be able to return it either? She said no. Our policy is the same. So I drove 20 miles and was able to return it with no issues. But because of this manager in lompoc, I now will be returning everything I have purchased in the last week including my new silhouette. Michaels will never get another dime of my money. I will make sure all my friends start shopping at Joann. Ive never had an...

I wandered around the store for about 10-15 min. trying to find the item I was looking for before someone asked if we needed help. My daughter had to pull an Amazon photo up of what we were looking for only to be told it was seasonal. As I stared at her phone I was thinking...."oh, right! That's why I shop at Amazon now instead of here. That would've already been at my house and I wouldn't have had to drive down here." Then I saw a book I cld use in my classroom. When I went to check out, I asked if my teacher's discount worked. I was told that all books are 'Every Day Value' items and do not qualify for discounts. 'Oh.....right!!', I thought on the way out,' the OTHER reason I stopped shopping here....when I bought an "Elf in the Shelf" for my classroom at Christmastime a few yrs ago and found out THAT was also an Every Day Value. I have saved myself so much time and hassle by shopping online and going anywhere else. I only use Michael's as a last...