Red Balloon Toy Shop — Local services in Orleans

My partner and I more or less tripped over ourselves to get to the puzzle section of the store after some fruitless efforts at other retailers. First off, let me say that we're no amateurs when it comes to the great hobby of puzzle assembly. I've bought my fair share of cheap puzzles that I've had to tear apart and reassemble by hand, and I don't have time for that anymore.

Nothing brings me greater relief than finding myself in a store with only quality manufacturers. Red Balloon had a huge selection of Ravensburger, of which we purchased two. I don't recall the other brand off the top of my head, but it isn't one of those cheap ones that suffocates you in cardboard dust when you shake the pieces out.

Customer service was great. We were greeted upon arrival, a short affair, since we speed walked to the puzzle section. Checkout was at a more relaxed pace, where we chatted about the weather.

From what I could see in the store, Red Balloon only carries quality goods, not the toys you find in the impulse section of museum gift shops that fall apart the second you sneeze.

I can't recommend this shop enough. It was a dreary Sunday and it was a great joy to step into such a fun place.

Thanks,...

Prices arent competitive, but that's fine because i only stop in when i have some extra pocket cash to buy cards.

I guess i wont be coming in anymore, as they no longer accept cash?

Instead there is a machine that i was told was a "reverse atm".

Why would i want another card in my wallet? Even if i did, why would i want to get a new debit card from a toy shop? Is that really what this business thinks my goal, or even interest is, when i come in? There's like 4 banks within walking distance. You just successfully added steps to a simple process that doesnt need it. I have my own debit or credit cards.

I can buy the same items at a mark-up from literally any store nearby, i just liked your store. The CVS nextdoor, Walgreens, Shaws, Stop & Shop, and many more sell a lot of the same stuff. Thats if i dont feel like going 5 more minutes out of my way to the local card shops or the bigger stores that dont make it more difficult to make a purchase and are cheaper.

From a regular customer, to...

Very disappointed in my family’s experience at this toy store. My daughter wanted to buy a jelly cat stuffy and tried to pay cash which was not possible since they DO NOT ACCEPT CASH. Which is absolutely ridiculous! Instead they have a mastercard gift card machine where you can put your cash in and receive a gift card. My daughter had to put $40 into this machine (she only had $20 dollar bills) in order to get a gift card to use to purchase a $25 item. About 10 minutes after purchasing the gift card and buying the stuffy my daughter changed her mind and returned to the store for a refund. She was told that they only give store credit. So after the red ballon gift card was issued my daughter walked out of the store with 2 gift cards and nothing else. My head is spinning with...