Art supplies are reasonably priced, staff if helpful but happy to leave you be to shop. It's nice to browse a store without someone asking you if you need help every other minute! I always find quality supplies here. I've been a customer for several years and plan to continue doing business with them for many years to come.

by Van D. 03/17/2010

This place was really good, until it turned REALLY BAD, and it's this last part that has me vowing to not shop there anymore. BURN #1: Took a nice % off coupon I received of theirs to use, and while I knew before going that it only applied to regularly priced items, I was stunned to find very little that wasn't already on sale. Outcome: WASTED TRIP and a distinct feeling of having succumbed to a cleverly disguised bait and switch. BURN #2: Called ahead to make sure they had the prepackaged metal frame set sizes of 20" and 26" that I needed and was told they had them in stock. Drove from Vancouver only to find that they don't even stock the 26" length, every other size but not that one. Outcome: Bought a more expensive wood frame set and 7 sheets of foam core but asked at checkout if the frame was returnable if it didn't suit my picture. They said yes, if not opened. BURN #3: Drove back over to return the frame set and the 7 sheets of unopened foam core 3 days later (turned out I had forgot the frames) and was told that foam core was not returnable because they would have already ordered in new replacement stock and that there'd be no room for the returned foam core, and that it said "no foam core" on my sales slip. So I read my sales slip: "All returns must have a receipt and be within 15 days. No Returns or Exchanges on Sale Items, Books, Easels, Pens, Markers, Papers, Boards, Spray Cans, Lamps, Portfolios, Presentation Cases, Projectors, Lightboxes, Special Orders, Used Items - No Exceptions." What's left I wonder. They are entitled to whatever kind of "Return Policy" they want, but as stated, it leaves very little that can be returned. I believe paints are always "on sale." It's safer to think of their return policy as "No Returns or Exchanges - No Exceptions." When I got back and checked the frames that I had forgotten, the price sticker on the 20" set looked like the regular price, but the 26" set had a sale price sticker on it. I'm dreading the thought that this means they are not going to refund my money despite what I was told when I purchased them. "No Exceptions," right? But I shall try anyway and will probably be writing about BURN #4 here shortly.



A nice fully-stocked store if you don't mind a virtually "no return/no exchange policy," that you can't believe what they say on the phone, what they say at the check-out counter, or what the coupon offer is really offering. If I could just remember all these things going in, maybe I wouldn't feel so BURNED going out. I'm glad some people have done okay with them. I just haven't.

This place was really good, until it turned REALLY BAD. I will never shop there again, and will tell everyone I can about my experiences there. I was burned 4 times by them. 1st BURN: Discount coupon seemed like a disguised bait and switch--nearly everything was already on sale so it applied to very little. 2nd BURN: Called to make sure they had what I needed in stock (a 2-part item) and was told they did. Drove from Vancouver only to find they don't even sell part of what I was told was in stock. 3rd BURN: Tried to return some foam core. Told not returnable--read the receipt. Read receipt to find many items are non returnable, including any items on sale, no exceptions! 4th BURN: Bought substitute (see BURN #2) and checkout gal told me it was returnable if not opened. Wrong. One part of it was "on sale," therefore only partly returnable.PROS: Good selectionCONS: Virtual "All Sales Final" Policy, Inaccurate Phone and Counter Info, Discount Coupon gave feeling of Bait & Switch Scheme

This is a locally owned store with a great selection. Our private schooled kids sometimes have unusual supply requirements, and the helpful staff at Columbia are always able to find what we need.