Unfortunately another less than stellar review for Bay Crossings in the Ferry Building. We stopped by to get a new Clipper card, and for a location that bills itself as "Clipper Customer Service", we were not helped the way one would expect. The clerk that was assisting customers was extemely rude and condesending. When we asked a question about transfering a remaining balance from one card to another, he said to contact customer service. Well...isn't that what he was supposed to be? There was another customer behind us that he started helping and when she asked a question, he was equally rude and condesending. I was really surprised a shop that caters to visitors as a tour infomation center would have someone working for them with such poor customer service. I thought that maybe the person was just having a bad day, but after seeing other feedback here, I think this is just the way this shop operates regularly. read more

Bay Crossings - Print Media Near Me - San Francisco, California

Initially, I was afraid to come here because of all the bad reviews. It was my first time taking the ferry from SF to Oakland, and I didn't have a Clipper card, so I had no choice but to buy an actual ticket. Before I approached, I expected to get chewed out or at least glared at. I've been here twice now with no issues. On my first visit, I got a guy who was really friendly and helpful. He got me my ticket, and even told me which direction to go to and which port I should look for, without me having to ask. The second time, I got a guy who seemed to be in training with the first guy guiding him. The trainee was able to get the job done without a problem. I usually don't give places like this a review, but I felt the need to write up a good one, so others won't be afraid to come here like I had been and give them a shot. read more

See all

It's actually a negative star. Like other reviewers have said, their customer service needs significant improvement. The staff (woman) charged my 77-year-old mother-in-law $50 instead of $5, then refused to refund the $45 and told us to contact Clipper Customer Service. We did--and Clipper acknowledged how poorly the situation was handled. They documented the issue on our behalf and advised us to return to Bay Crossings to collect the refund. When we went back, there was a different 'unhelpful' employee (man). He told me he "knows his job better than I do" and claimed there was no way to verify the card was linked to my mother-in-law's clipper card number--which is BS, since they were able to pull up an account associated with another card. Once again, they refused to issue the refund. Avoid this place. Extremely poor service and accountability. The steal, even from retired old people! read more

I've been passing by this booth for years, assuming it was just tourist info & SF tote bags. Wrong. You can buy a Clipper card here, but more importantly, here's where you get a senior Clipper card. If you consider yourself computer capable & figure you can help your senior friend out, you're going to be embarrassed. Online application is a no-go, which means you can't use the Clipper app as a senior until you apply for the card in person. Yes, confusing. After a lot of frustration I broke down and called consumer help line & got a live human who explained all this. It was around 2pm on a Tuesday at the Ferry Building & there was no waiting to get service. So easy, so friendly & helpful. The whole process took less than 5 minutes. And this is probably the only place in San Francisco you can find a paper map. read more

Bay Crossings - Shoplifters Will Be Composted sign - Print Media Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Based on a recent rude and abusive "customer service" experience at this location on a weekday afternoon when I attempted to replace a lost Clipper card, I fled to the Embarcadero transit centerto replace it, read more

This store reliably handles clipper cards, but the customer service needs serious improvement. The employees often act irritated or sarcastic when processing clipper cards, and there's little effort to make customers feel welcome. It seems they just dislike this part of their job. The transactions are accurate, but the tone and attitude create an unprofessional experience. Management should address this. read more

According to their website, the Bay Crossings bills itself as a "ferry ticket shop and ferry and tour information center." As a customer service company, they could not be less oriented to service. When I was notified that my Angel Island/Alcatraz tour (purchased online) coincided with the SF Marathon, I realized that my group (which included a handicapped individual) would likely not be able to make it from the Oakland to SF ferry to Pier 33 in time because of the road closures- especially Embarcadero. After trying to call the number provided with no success, I was excited to see Bay Crossings at the Ferry Building with two human beings to see if they could suggest a way to get to get from the ferry to Pier 33 on time. And there were no customers in the shop, so perfect timing, right? I started to explain my situation to one of the employees who was listening, when the other one appeared and interrupted me, and not so helpfully he pointed off in the distance, naming some streets (to which I am unfamiliar as an out of towner). And then concludes with "it is all online." Stunned, I repeated "it is all online?" His reply, "It is all online." He didn't hear what I had started to explain to the first employee, nor did he know the information I had gleaned already from looking at the schedules and marathon routes/closures. Guess his customer service approach is to shut down any specific questions and simply direct people who are not familiar with the area to the internet. Gee thanks. read more

Bay Crossings - Customer Service- good luck getting any of that! - Print Media Near Me - San Francisco, California

I had a very bad experience trying to ask information about my clipper card. The man was rude and condescending, shouting at me as I did not understand his information. He should not be dealing with the public. read more

RUDE staff. Told kids they couldn't touch any merchandise because they had "dirty hands". Then, when we asked for the price of an item, the man said "look at the bottom". Well, which is it?! We ended up spending souvenir money at Miette instead. They didn't have any issues with kids. Spend your money anywhere else in the Ferry Building read more

The customer service here was horrible. The service person was condescending, combative and has the worst customer service I've ever encountered. I'm happy to share details of the sr management/ owner cares to hear more. Read the other reviews and be ready for this. (Note one individual seemed to be nice but there was another who seemed super jaded and angry. If you're a tourist, I wish you the best of luck. If you're in need of a clipper card, you can go to the concourse level of the Embarcadero BART/Muni station. read more

Extremely rude gentlemen that was at the counter. I asked a simple question about the ferry schedule, and he replied with a curt and short answer "That's not my job, I'm not concierge". I said "Okay, that's fine." and he said "Whatever". What kind of business has an employee with a bad attitude working with locals and tourists? I noticed he didn't just treat me in a condescending way...I could hear him raise his voice or see him roll his eyes towards others. read more

During Covid-19 indoor spacing is important. We were waiting in front of the display for this store for our bagels, as the area in front of that business was crowded. He asks us to move which was unfortunate, as while waiting I saw a book I wanted to purchase, which is what happens when people serendipitously linger around a business. Not buying it here for sure. read more

Bay Crossings - Print Media Near Me - San Francisco, California

I went to the Bay Crossings in the Ferry Building to get a senior Clipper card for my daily commute. The young man working at the counter was very condescending and rude. He also gave inaccurate information. He asked if I ever had a Clipper card, I said yes, I have a blue Clipper card. Then he snapped at me and said, did you ever have a senior card. No. He tells me that the senior card is not like the blue card and I can't add the card to my existing online Clipper account. He insists that I have to call Clipper customer service to get a special password. He gives me a look like I'm an idiot and says, do you understand what I am saying. Wow, that was rude! By the way. he's the same young man in photo of Alice M review! What he said is not true. You don't need to call Clipper customer service to register the senior card to your existing Clipper account. There is no special password. You just go online to your account, click on the register new card button and just enter the senior (or any other type) Clipper card number. If you want your funds transferred from your old card to the new one, you will have to call Clipper customer service for that. From reading the other reviews, the same guy has made other people unhappy too. If you need a senior Clipper card, you can pick one up at certain BART stations and bypass this rude guy. read more

Thank God this is a one stop shop because the customer service is non-existent. I can't believe this is where you buy ferry tickets in the Ferry Building. The guy (the one in the photo) makes me NOT want to take the ferry. Too bad because the rest of the Ferry Building ROCKS! read more

Not much to say about Bay Crossings, other than if you're a commuter, this definitely needs to be your one stop shop for all your Clipper, MTA, Ferry, and other public transportation needs. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, quick to serve, and even quicker to offer advice as to get to your destination in the fastest, and cheapest way. Of course it's also a retail establishment, so you have your Clipper card covers, bags, totes, SF memorabilia and other such trinkets to add to your commuting value, but as far as taking care of you when you need it most, this place has it all for the countless commuters in and around SF. Plus, what better location than in the famous Ferry Building Marketplace? read more

You're one stop transportation shop. Tickets, brochures, information, bags, postcards, you name it you can get it here. This is the ferry building center for all transportation information and services. And while you're here check out the historic old o'clock that hangs behind the counter. Is clock used to be a part of the Oakland Mole Terminal circa I 930. read more

A great store and easy shopping for everything and anything ferry related. Joel is one of the guys there -- an awesome and easy going guy. The owner knows everyone in town and is a blast to work with. And make sure to ask them about the giant clock! read more

A trip to Sausalito or Tiberon $6 one way ticket $5 beer (on the ferry) $8 disposable camera $18 lunch $0 art gallery Total = priceless! *see pics read more

See all

The small statured man working today as we stopped to purchase Clipper cards was condescending and RUDE, and especially impatient with the two women ahead of us asking questions. He acts like he HATES his job which is assisting the public with their transportation needs. And then again with us, the same jerk retorts, SO unnecessary, SO unprofessional. Simply an inept caustic representative for Bay Crossings and transportation; an equal opportunity jerk to all. A nice Thursday morning at 10am and this guy is already off the rails with his clipped sarcastic tone & disgusted looking face. He obviously should not be working with people who "gasp" have questions. The person waiting behind us came over and said "he's always like that". Offensive as they come. SF transportation employees are usually so professional, not him. No name tag. How on earth did this guy get hired to serve the public? read more

The SF Bay Ferry website list this place as a contact point to buy ferry tickets. Not true! Went there today at 11:30am (10/26) to purchase tickets to Sausalito and the man who works there (older guy with glasses, bald) was f*^ken rude! I couldn't finish my sentence without being cut off, treated like crap, had me repeat myself several times to the point where I took off my mask to repeat and articulate the simple question "do you sell ferry tickets?" He told me that they have nothing to do with the ferry or sell tickets for the ferry. That I need to go outside and figure it out (sic). I find that interesting because the whole store is covered with ferry schedules and clipper card info. Also, if they don't sell tickets giving me info on where to would have been helpful. I wasn't asking him to give me blood or a limb!! SF Ferry website needs to remove this info because it's misleading and false. The incredibly rude guy needs to go! We don't need people like that servicing the community! read more

one star! -____- Will never come back as long as I see the man who implied he was the owner is at the register. This is a review about the service. Today my colleagues and I went to ask a question. The owner rudely snapped and declared it of non value and "waste of my time". I said thats fine, i don't want to talk to an incredibly rude business owner who doesn't know how to treat customers anyhow, so I went to answer my question via the pamphlets provided. The customer behind me, clearly a tourist and unsure of how to go about his newly bought tickets for probably a ferry ride, was yelled at and left more uneasy and confused than before. If you work at one of the most popular tourist places in the city surely you want to provide excellent customer service especially to tourists so they can have a great experience during their vacation. Especially when concerning something that can be difficult for natives and tourists alike, transportation. Mangers/business owners should know better than to treat their customers shittily. heres a tip: no matter how 'dumb' the question is and no matter how busy you are, treat your customers with respect or at the very least maintain common courtesy. read more

EDIT: The manager contacted me via yelp to figure this out and look through video records for us to see if they could catch it on film! This hopefully is a rare occurrence that doesn't happen to anyone else, but it's helpful to know that someone is happy to work with you when things like this happen! ----------------------------- I unfortunately had a poor experience with this little store. I went to refill my and my boyfriend's clipper card for the Ferry Building-Oakland ferry ride. The girl who had been doing the charge was incredibly slow and ignored me when I asked to fill the second card as well. She finally gave me the receipt and clipper card, but it wasn't until later that I realized that I didn't get my credit card back either as we were in a rush to leave. One day later, and we have unauthorized charges to three fast food restaurants on our statement that adds to $100+ total. It's rather unfortunate because I love the ferry building and the stores within it, but now I definitely know to avoid Bay Area Crossings whenever I'm there. read more

Bay Crossings operates a retail space in the Ferry building and a counter in the Embarcadero BART Station. I'm uncertain of all they do as they also write a magazine for commuters which I have never read. I've used the Ferry Building location without problems my review concerns the counter they operate on the lobby level of the Embarcadero BART Station. It is located just west of the easterly BART Station Agent's Booth (on the South Side of the station). The positives for this service are many. If you need a clipper card you can get one or even the Senior Clipper Card with proof of your age immediately at this location. This is a lot easier than going to the SFMTA office on South Van Ness but I note Bay Crossings cannot enroll you in the SFMTA Free MUNI service. To get free MUNI service (SF Residents who are qualified seniors with proof of residence) you need to already have a Senior Clipper Card and then need to fill out a SFMTA form on line or drop off a form at SFMTA Customer Service on South Van Ness and wait two weeks for them to activate the service. I was wrongly informed by a BART agent I could do all of this at Bay Crossings but only could get the Senior Clipper and then had to do the extra footwork to get the free MUNI option. I should note to anyone who goes for free MUNI - get the Senior Clipper at Bay Crossings then do the SFMTA form on line and wait two weeks for your approval letter to arrive in the mail. This is the fastest route... I also note to Seniors SFTMA has granted access to some San Francisco Seniors. The Senior pass DOES NOT INCLUDE Cable Car Service which is charged at standard rates (i guess they figure SF Seniors are smart enough not to bother using crowded cable cars full of tourists) or SFMTA just wants to keep senior off of the cars. The Embarcadero counter was very helpful and professional in my dealings when I got my Senior Clipper Card 6 months ago. The counter was at that time staffed by polite young women who had great customer service skills. Then I had to use the counter recently and it was staffed by three meat head guys were were more interested in Bssing with themselves than waiting on anyone in line. I had to run to an appointment and just thought I would go back later. About 10 days later I tried and only two of the meat heads were there ignoring their customers so I just gave up. If you want service from guys who act like frat boys at a bar then waste your time go here otherwise avoid the place. In theory this place saves people a lot of time and hassle - but only when it is staffed by customer service oriented people. If you own this place dump the dummy guys and get the polite gals back... read more

A quaint little kiosk, staffed with friendly and helpful peeps. Tickets for the ferry, maps for the tourists, water and snacks and an interesting collection of San Francisco souvenirs. All part of what makes the Ferry Building so unique! read more

On 7/18, I was taking the SF ferry for the first time. I was inside the ferry building trying to find my way. Saw on the board that the ferry will depart from a certain pier. I went inside the Bay Crossing seeing that it sells tickets and clipper cards and all, so they have to know. As soon as I entered, the guy looked at me and then immediately put his head back down and carried on doing whatever paperwork he was working on. No acknowledgment, nothing. I asked him, "Excuse me, do you know where (this pier) is?" He asked me where was I going so I told him. He then pointed and told me it is out the door to the right. All the while, not even looking up once. I do wonder what was so important about that paperwork he was working on, and as someone with so little customer service and people skills, how did he got that job. I thanked him anyway because I can at least pretend to have some class. read more

If I could give them 0 star , I will , basically the attendant today 8-18-2021 it was very rude , basic questions about the destinations and he responded very rude , no chance to ask more details , people with that attitude shouldn't be working attending people, period read more

I came to Bay Crossings with my mom thinking that I can immediately get a Youth clipper card here for free. The guy at the cashier asked us how much cash value we wanted to put in the card, so that led my mom and me to confusion. My mom asked clarifying questions because we didn't understand that we had to actually fill out an application and go somewhere else to get the youth card for free. My mom got more confused and asked more clarifying questions about how much each ride would cost and whether I would be charged as an adult or youth card. Long story short, my mom kept asking questions only because she couldn't understand something. The guy was extremely rude and unprofessional. I felt like my mom and I were being yelled at by a moody 15 year old boy. He put his hand on his head while leaning on the counter, closed his eyes and took a breath from frustration, gave us the look of "I just want to be done with my shift- please stfu and leave", spoke to us in an impatient tone as if he had to be somewhere, and overall just gave my mom an excessive amount of pubescent attitude only because she couldn't understand a concept. English is not her first language either. We were there for no longer than 10 minutes. I don't even know why he works here if he treats confused customers as idiots. This was unacceptable and the rudest customer service I have experienced, and it made me more uncomfortable especially since he was treating my own mother with disrespect. I wanted to yell at him, but I'm a 17 year old who knows how to compose herself with class towards strangers. read more

I recently went in to Bay Crossings and I wanted to purchase round trip tickets for Sausalito. The guy there told me they sold round trip tickets and when he rang me up for 2 round trip tickets the total came out to be $46 for 2 round trip tickets. I initially thought the tickets were actual tickets but they gave us 2 re-loadable transit cards. We were in a rush so we quickly paid and was on our way to catch our 10AM ferry to Sausalito. When we were on the ferry we looked at the schedule we grabbed from the Bay Crossings store and noticed that the round trip tickets with a transit/clipper card were actually cheaper than what we initially paid for. A round trip ticket to Sausalito without a clipper card would normally cost $26 round trip, but with a clipper card it cost $13.00 round trip. So we were ripped off from Bay Crossings because they sold us 2 clipper cards that both had a value of $13.00 on each clipper card (which is enough for a round trip to Sausalito) this should have cost us $16.00 with the $3 clipper card fee. But we paid $23 for each card, which means we paid $14 more than what we should have paid. Later on that week we went back in to Bay Crossings on a Saturday afternoon to see if they were still selling round trip tickets to Sausalito and overcharging customers. When we approached the counter a young lady was working and said they do sell roundtrip tickets to Sausalito at $23 each. We acted as if we were thinking about our decision to go to Sausalito and ended up leaving the store. We are upset that a company would take advantage of those who are trying to get the best deal for transit options. As we stood in line more than 5 people purchased these "round trip tickets to Sausalito" and they were mostly tourist who are unaware that they are being ripped off from this transit store!!! Since we already used the clipper cards, we assumed we could not return the cards. But we are upset that Bay Crossings is ripping off people and getting over on innocent people who are in a rush to get on their ferry, this being our first time in San Francisco we least expected this and would most likely never return to this store. read more

I've been buying my Vallejo Baylink ferry pass here for years now. Yesterday, I find out they no longer take American Express. WTF? I know I'm probably overreacting but it totally pisses me off! Now there's absolutely no incentive for me to buy my pass here instead of at the Vallejo ferry terminal. Thankfully, my days of riding the ferry are numbered as I'll be moving to Walnut Creek next month. Nevertheless, are you seriously telling me that paying 2% on a transaction instead of 1% is that big a fucking deal? read more

An odd little shop, but kudos to the Port of San Francisco for selling maps, mags, souveneer items, ferry tickets here. The building and the ferries outside are the crown jewel of a big beurocracy, a good argument for what local government can do right. read more

Needed a replacement clipper card cuz mine broke. Was told to come here. Claim they open at 6:45 but it's 7:03 and the moody and late chick just walked in to open. I ask how long it's gonna take her to open and she barked out 'a few minutes'. Guess I gotta wait for her to get off the phone first. Very unprofessional to be more than 15mins late and then have the nerves to have an attitude. Then when she finally opens (@ 7:10) instead of apologizing, she says well they've been open at the Bart station since 6am. Wait? What???? Yeah and u are SUPPOSED to be open at 645 moron! read more

Bay crossing is a mixed purpose retail storefront inside the ferry building. If you need anything public transit related this the spot. You can get tickets and other general information on just about any public transportation that San Francisco offers here. Most notably the ferry's. Note that it helps if you have an idea of where/what you want to do and go. The staff may or may not be fully able to answer a question like "what should I do in the city?" but there's a ton of city guides available here as well to help you with that. Bay Crossing also has a variety of retail items available. They focus on local artists/products and tend to be better quality then the more common touristy ticky tacky found around the city. The handbags for example are both artistically pleasing and functional. You can find cheaper items for sure, but those cheap items won't hold up if you actually try to use them. Not so at Bay Crossings. This location can make a day out and about more pleasant,as not only is the ferry building a fairly stress free location, but you can avoid the scrum of trying to get a ticket while boarding a bus/trolley/cable car/train/ferry. read more

Bobby and the crew...keep doin' it! It gets better every year...

I love the Baylink!!! The ride to Vallejo from SF Ferry building always runs like clockwork (uh oh no jinxing....) Who can go wrong with a beer on the ferry and plenty of space? Get there early though if you are going at a peak time like 5:15pm because it is first come first serve. The one way trip from pier to pier will cost you about 13 bucks. What a great way to travel! read more

Good place to get discount BART tix...

This store invented the Hook and Go shopping cart caddy. It helps you to carry up to 12 plastic shopping bags from you car to the kitchen. It is also great for Farmers Markets so you don't have to schlep all of your bags. My father bought one of these about 10 years ago and it just broke. So I called the phone number on their website. The owner answered at 6pm on a Saturday night while he was out to dinner and took care of my father on that phone call. I wish I could give 10 stars. This is the epitome of Customer Service. read more

I have tried to reload my Clipper card here several times and every single time the credit card machine was not working due to a poor connection. This has been going on for a few months now and it is ridiculous. If I ride the ferry, the best and easiest way to reload the card is right there at the ferry building, not blocks away at the Bart station, where the person in front of me was directed to go. Please fix! read more

Great place to get your ferry tickets. Fast service and now able to help you with your Clipper problems. @DAVID O. there down below, yes paying 2% on a transaction instead of 1% IS a big fucking deal; it's DOUBLE. If they bring in a $50,000 revenue a month. 1% of that is $500. 2% is $1000. Do your math. read more

Usually friendly staff, though there is often a slow line due to the credit card machine having issues and unable to process payment for clipper card refills. I would make sure to budget extra time if you are counting using the stop to buy ticket or refill your clipper. read more

so if you were going to buy a ferry ticket, where would you go to buy it? a. at fisherman's wharf cuz you like to stand in line with the hordes of people wearing hooters t-shirt. b. at the ferry plaza farmers market cuz you like to stroll through the shops and restaurants with the frisco elites. c. both a and b. d. none of the above. i don't do ferry. if you pick 'a', you are a masochist. if you pick 'b', you are an elitist. if you pick 'c', you are an elite masochist. if you pick 'd', what the fug is wrong with you? i pick 'b'.......cuz i would rather be an elitist than a masochist, but not an elite masochist. read more