World Market — Local services in Oakland

I'm mad, man. There was a Cost Plus in Vallejo for HECKA long. Heeeeeeeeeeecka long. I loved that place! And solely for this one fact: foreign chocolates. Now don't get me wrong, I love my city. A bunch. Tons! But it has a INFAMOUSLY NASTY HABIT of getting rid of GOOD businesses. Cost Place was such a place. Blargh! Stop doing that, Vallejo!

Anyhow... all lost 707 business gripes aside, Cost Place is a dope place for solely one fact: foreign chocolates. That's right! Now I know what you're probably saying: there's hecka (you're from the bay, so you say "hecka" by default and I won't argue this point any further) places around here in the bay where you can buy non-american chocolate. Well... yes, that's true. But often times, they'll charge you a pretty penny. Right in your wallet's family jewels. That's not cool. But they're more affordable here Cost Plus. I almost typed Cost PLACE, since this is THE place. But that's beyond any discernible point in this review. Just know that chocolates of the world can be had here, largely on the cheap.

Lots to choose from. I was not aware that Kit Kat (arguably, one of my favorite chocolates, trumped only by crispity crunchy peanut buttery Bart Simpson-endorsing Butterfingers) came in so many different flavors. Hazelnut, orange, cookies & cream, and even caramel! How come all we get is regular, dark, and the nasty coffee one? Sacrilege! Also, did you know that "Big Kats" here are known as "Kit Kat Chunky" in the UK? That's sorta a side factoid that doesn't make the chocolate taste any better. Still, intresting! Man, I must not be as cultured as I previously thought.

They also got tons more other sorts of stuff to satisfy your sweet tooth. All kinds of cookies, candies, "digestive" biscuits (which, c'mon UK, are just cookies), and even various hot chocolate mixes that are perfect for those cold nights when your friends diss you to go to Saddle Rack and don't even think of inviting you... uh... yeah anyhoo, there's lots of stuff that you don't often see that's bound to satisfy even the most critical of sugar fiends.

There's more stuff here, a lot of decor, furniture, things for the home, and that sort of thing. But I've never been here for THAT purpose. I only go here for one thing and one thing only: foreign chocolate. In that particular area of GREAT IMPORTANCE, they are exceptional! Curse you, Vallejo, for getting rid of such a DOPE...

I would give ZERO Stars if possible. This company has THE worst customer service possible and poor business practices.

I attempted to purchase a sofa during a sale, one minute it was fully in stock on the web site (and in my local store)... then when I went to check out it was all of a sudden "out of stock" (even at my local store). I called Customer Service to see if I could order it from another store and they told me that it was " out of stock" at all their stores and online. I signed up for an "in stock notification". Literally an hour after the sale ended that night/next day I received a miraculous "back in stock notice" in my email... stating that the sofa was somehow back in stock both online and at my local store (they managed to ship another one to the store in less than 12 hours on a HOLIDAY!!! They are miracle workers!). Not only were the sofas magically back in stock... the email stated that it was still on sale. I attempted to purchase it at the sale price again, but when I added it to my cart, it would be full price. I called Customer Service again and was told there was nothing to be done. I asked for a manger or someone in charge and they would not transfer me. At the same time as I was talking to CS on the phone I looked at my email again and I had received a SECOND "back in stock notice"... again advertising the sale price, but when I tried to add it to my cart it was full price. I have been trying to email CS, but they have been slow to acknowledge receipt of the proof of the emails sent by their company that the CS has requested.

Don't shop here. They have shady business practices and they refuse to honor their own pricing when they deem that the deal...

A tasting adventure. I saw a quote on a snack package in world market with the phrase "A tasting adventure of ....." and thought it summed up world market nicely for me. It's a good collection of foods and items from around the world i.e. Japan,Spain, Italy,Korea, etc. I love the fact that the shelf tags show the country of origin of the product being sold. The food are actually all decently priced. Yes,you could find some of the items sold here if you go to chinatown, koreatown, little italy,and so on but this place helps gather all the items in one place and I love them for that. This is a spacious store that's located near Jack London Square with a good amount of parking. When we went on the weekends recently,the parking space was about 80 percent full. It was fairly busy in the store but not too overly crowded at noon time. Besides the food,the store has a collection of home decor items and knick knacks. It's like an adult playground in there, you'll be spending your time looking at the fun and eclectic items all over the place. There's bound to be a treasure to be found by...