Deans Art

If I could award 0 stars you would be getting that. Despite it being illegal to discriminate against disabled people, Dean's Art refused entry to their store to my disabled relative because she had a valid, genuine, medical mask exemption. When a complaint was lodged with them, they victim shamed and likened a passive disabled person not being able to medically wear a mask to a violent customer, and therefore justified treating her like she was a criminal. Shop online, go to another art store, do anything to avoid these people and their discriminatory practices. Despite laws to protect disabled people, they claimed entry to their store is not a general right of the public, so let's show them by shopping elsewhere.

Appalling store! Do not go there. They abused a customer and scared her child. Despicable! Seems there's a trend here? Manager Heath is it? Maybe take a second look at your staff.

Overbearing staff member who seemed more concerned with getting me out of the store than actually being helpful. His tone was unfriendly, he gave snappy answers and made a blunt point of the fact they can't have people browsing while I was trying to view the range of inks I wanted to purchase. I managed to get half the things I needed (at a pretty standard price) but i felt unwelcome and flustered almost as soon as I walked in. I will probably only go back there out of necessity in the future.

Note this took place during stage 3 restrictions so I understand the special circumstances, but I was the only person in the store when I entered, was wearing a mask, used the provided sanitiser and had no intention of lingering unnecessarily. Definitely unwarranted pressure to get what I needed and get out. If you don't want customers then maybe close?

DO NOT BUY FROM HERE.
The male manager is incredibly RUDE!
I spent quite a bit of $ here and had a bad experience when I asked to look at paint brushes in store during stage 3 (while wearing a mask). I was made to feel so unwelcome despite their brush selection not being updated on their website. I recently purchased from here again thinking my experience was a one-off, instead I had another horrible experience, only over email.

Staff were super nice so this is more about the management. They had a terrible return policy, which gave you store credits that expire. Generally overpriced too.

I would give this a zero if I could. I went to get some art supplies as a break from working on the front line and the owner was so abrupt and rude throughout. Watching me and my friend the entire time and then shouting at my friend for answering her phone. Really ruined our days.

I’ve given this store the benefit of the doubt as the customer service in the past has been atrocious. I choose to help specifically local art stores instead of larger chains to help community and small businesses.

Today I came to buy art supplies and understandably I was told that the store is only allowing for customers to buy supplies in store and no browsing, I told the clerk I was looking to buy acrylic paint to which I was browsing at your stock, the store clerk then proceeded to ask me what I was looking for and I said acrylic paint, he then had the audacity to tell me that the non artist paint was at the other side of the store and that I was looking at the “Artist acrylic” no sh*t Sherlock, I came to your store to buy specific paint that I was browsing at.

I didn’t feel comfortable nor did I feel like I was invited to be in the store.

Here’s a pointer, why don’t you close the store if you’re going to treat paying customers like the way I was treated.

I have now bought my supplies from Office Works just a few stores down and they’re cheaper. The staff there are also delightfully helpful.

I wouldn’t recommend this store and if I could I’d give you minus 100000000000 stars.

Looking at the other reviews it seems there’s a trend in complaints, to me the source of the problem is your staff.

Note: Office Works just across the road has a larger selection of paints and at a cheaper rate, they also have fantastic customer service.

The gentleman who helped me was really friendly and the product I bought was a much better price than I have seen in other stores.
A great experience!

The lovely and helpful Michael was working when I arrived right on 8: 58am and waited at the door to open and he greeted me cheerfully!

The service here is toxic. Absolutely NO attempt to assist with a simple query. Roadblocking and lazy refusal to help/suggest with such a simple problem. Archaic. Backward. Avoid at all costs! Many better shops available!