Varda — Local services in Pasadena

Edit: 3/28 - I bought a disposable Dompen from Varda on Saturday, March 6th. The pen ran out of battery less than a week later. I went back to Varda on Saturday, March 13th, and told a staff member the issue. He (didn’t get his name) told me they couldn’t do anything for me and that I should try contacting the manufacturer, Dompen, directly. I contacted Dompen, they said they could not legally refund me directly and that the refund had to come from the retailer (Varda) and that they would refund Varda on the back end. I went back to Varda today, March28th, and the manager named David said, he could not help me. They only accept returns/exchanges within 48hrs, “even if the reason is not liking the item.” I asked him where the return policy could be found (conflicting info from what his co-worker said the first time I came). David stated, “we don’t really have a return policy, but that’s typically what we do in this store.”

I made it clear to David that the battery of this disposal pen died in less than a week. Even Dompen confirmed, in their email, that there may have been a couple of defective pens (rare, but it happens).

I asked David (the store manager), so according to this store’s “return policy” if I bought another item and I used it as much as possible and returned it within 2 days, I could? How does that make more sense than honoring a customer that actually received a defective item and now has more than 3/4 of a cartridge left that she can’t use? David’s response, “I can’t do anything after 48hrs.”

So here I am writing this damn review to save others the drama and time. The point is, they have no set return/ exchange policies and every employee can make up whatever “policy” they want. Go to Varda when you’re feeling extra lucky, maybe you’ll get service by a more helpful employee.

David, you need more training. Ask management for a few coaching sessions in dealing with customers and problem solving. Especially, when they are showing you receipts that they received a defective item...

I came in to pick up my purchase that I ordered ahead of time I come here all the time to spend my money I always have a good experience and this is the first time I had to use tap pay that they don’t accept so I’m trying to move my money around to put my money on the card that I have in hand And as I’m waiting to move the card the money around Miss Ashley the manager decides to walk over and relieve the person who’s helping me on their break and they’re explaining to me that this man is going on break and I’m not responding because I’m trying to focus on moving the money because I’m frustrated for even having to move the money in the first place I’m trying to focus on what I’m doing and she’s trying to talk to me and I asked her please don’t talk to me cause I’m trying to focus on what I’m doing. She wants a response from me that this man is going on his break. I’m busy that is what I explained to her. She getts an attitude with me and tells me that it’s only right for somebody to respond when somebody’s talking to you. So I got loud with her and I told her don’t you see that I’m busy though like I mean it’s common sense and instead of helping me or letting me finish my transaction. She has the security guard remove me and not even let me finish my transaction as if I was being a threat to the business, I think that’s so fking ridiculous that a customer who comes here all the time has to experience something so petty and so dumb. Just to feed her ego what kind of manager is she? She’s the manager of this place? That’s the most worst customer service. I’ve ever experienced at any facility so I don’t understand how she even became the manager of this place. I don’t even leave negative reviews very often but I felt the need to leave this because people need to know how she’s treating people at this place of business. Her attitude toward customers who are keeping this business going is trash and I will never ever...

I have returned to this location several times, and have not had a single issue! Review has been updated to reflect this; 5* It's always been a pleasant experience, great products and solid prices. There's always a deal of some sort too, so it is worth stopping in often!

Great selection, clean storefront, good deals, friendly staff. I really enjoyed my experience, until it was time to check out.

So why only 2 stars do you ask?

Let's do a little math, to expose the scam here, shall we? 2x$2.50 joints, one of which is supposed to be free or a quarter($0.25), charged for both anyway, no biggie; and a cart for $24.50 with a 30% discount, right? Total was over 40 bucks. Nice try guy, so I called him out. The total then dropped to under 30, as it should have been to begin with. I did not receive the first time customer freebie, but 30% was taken off the cart, eventually. The reason for this assessment is that this is not the first time I have seen budtenders running this scam, usually targeting "tourists". I have a ZERO tolerance for these practices anywhere in any business. Overcharging a customer is never acceptable, but seems to be a normal business practice here in CA.

I may or may not return to this location on the assumption the kid was just stupid high, or incompetent. At which point this review will be updated.

As for the products I purchased, I am very satisfied with the quality of them. Especially the pre-roll, it burnt uniformly and smoked very nicely, which is extremely rare, added 1 star for quality, but pay attention at the checkout, if you do...