I have been going to Hot Topic for years all over the bay but I think this one is by far my least…read morefavorite. A couple of weeks ago, I was looking for some items I saw online, hoping to buy in store and avoid shipping minimums. I came to the store a little after 5 and walked half way into the store before I was abruptly informed that the store is closing so she could take her lunch. Totally understandable - people deserve to eat but why was there only one person working? Isn't that a safety issue? Regardless, I left without purchasing anything in person and bought the items I wanted online.
This past week, after receiving the items, one did not fit well and another item I changed my mind on so I wanted to return them. I went through the return process in the app, filled out the reasons and left to this store.
When I arrived, there were at least 4 people working this time. There were two behind the counter, both helping someone. Two young kids were looking around but not in line yet so I stood in "line" directly behind the people paying for their items, only to see a VERY clear sign with taped arrows and everything informing me the line was to start on the right of the registers. I follow the directions, receipt open on my phone, ready to go when the lady at the register looks at me and asks me if she can help me. I said, yes, I was just doing a return. She says okay, the line is over there - and points at the original spot I had been standing. I look at her, look up and point to the VERY CLEAR sign confused. She said, oh, well, people usually line up there, I said okay, should I move? She said no and continued helping someone with a complicated order (using their hotcash). Then, the two young girls get in "line" behind the paying customers. I wait. Expecting the employee that I spoke with literally 6 inches from me, to tell her colleague I was next. But no. The other cashier calls the two young kids up for their purchases. I wait. I am not about to start something with some kids but I was irritated. Finally Hotcash purchaser is finished, I hand the employee the shirt I am returning, she takes it and says, "oh, I can't do returns." And looks around to her other colleague (not the one at the other register) and asks him if he can do the return. He can, apparently, (maybe a manager?) and proceeds to help me. He then takes each item, one at a time, despite them being on the same receipt and asks me to restate why I am returning, taking forever.
It was such a weird experience and I did not understand WHY they would put ALL THAT EFFORT into making a sign for the line, only to COMPLETELY IGNORE IT, confusing and annoying the patrons.
Hopefully next time I shop at this location they have a CLEAR change in their line management or I will just avoid this one from now on.