I am a professional painter, so I know that paint stores function a little differently than convenience stores. It always takes a little longer. Just the way it is. Dunn Edwards on Highland, though..... If you're thinking of going there, you'd better take a book or take a Valium. It takes less time to be treated by doctor at a walk-in clinic than to buy a roll of tape at Dunn Edwards on Highland.
Entering this store is like visiting a snail farm. It's like stepping into a time vacuum. It's as if the employees have been instructed to move so slowly that motion can only be detected by time lapse photography. Even during off-peak hours, when the place is nearly customer-free, you can expect to take a number and settle in for the long haul.
They have a numbered-ticket, first come first serve system. That's cool and only fair when it's a busy day with lots of customers. However, they have no express line and this numbered system is observed, religiously, at all times. If you walk in to buy something right off the shelf, with no need of mixing service, you'll still need to take a number and wait... even if the store's practically empty.
Here's a typical account of a visit to Dunn Edwards on Highland. It isn't isolated. It's based on many many visits. You arrive at the store at 2:00pm. You've chosen this off-peak hour because you know, from experience, that it will go faster. The first thing you do is to take a numbered ticket. Your number is 57. There is one customer ahead of you, and you can see that his ticket number is 56. The lighted number sign reads 54. You head for the display of the item you've come to get and take your time choosing carefully.
There are three employees sauntering slowly back and forth, disappearing and reappearing, refilling the coffee maker, and checking with fellow employees in the back room. As if by mere chance, one of the employees heads for the cash desk.
"Fifty-five. Number fifty-five. Fifty-five." No takers.
You'd think he'd move on to 56, but NO! There's something of greater importance that must be dealt with, very slowly and meticulously, elsewhere. When he returns to the register, he takes number 56's order, then creeps to the back room to turn in that order and discuss football for about five minutes.
By the time you hear the magic number, 57, called, You're familiar with every item in the store because you've been pacing and reading the instructions on the backs of the cans. "FIFTY-SEVEN!" You head, with glee, to the register, but, WAIT! Suddenly, from out of nowhere, an elderly man appears and he's waving ticket number 55.
As if by magic, another employee exits the back room and heads for the second register. Once there, she glances at the number sign, then organizes the pencils and notepads very nicely before calling your number.
"You guys should seriously consider some sort of express lane for people who don't need paint mixed. This number stuff isn't really fair to us guys who just come in and pick something off the shelf." Dead silence. "I mean, this happens every time. Can't get in and out of here in less than thirty minutes, even when I'm just making a straight purchase." Dead silence. "Oh, come on! This can't be the first time you're getting this complaint."
"No Sir, it's not. That will be $36.50." That's all. Dismissed. It's 2:35 pm.
Honestly, I would not shop at Dunn Edwards on Highland if any other nearby paint store carried the product that I frequently purchase from them. I do use Dunn Edwards in Santa Barbara, and it's a completely different and much more speedy and enjoyable experience there. So I think that the problem is isolated to this location. If time is important, you should visit PGP Paints, just up the street. read more
