East Bay Paint Center

*EDIT* Thank you so much, big big kudos for making the offer to make things right– I sent the message along to my boss, who hopefully still has the receipts, but does for sure still have what is left of the paint!
«I want this exact same paint in this exact same color,» I told the guy. Handed him a can of paint, label still intact, mixed there.
He had a hard time matching the color, but sold me the (strangely expensive) paint once he felt he had it right. Put it in a box.
Paint went on weird. I looked carefully at it after painting a bit, and discovered that instead of latex paint, he’d mixed up enamel paint for me. Same brand, similar label.
I hadn’t slept in 48 hours but still should have checked it over more carefully, so that part is on me, but… took the guy over half an hour, and he works there, and knows their paints well, so really man, really? Latex and enamel. Not the same thing. :/​
Since we already had paint down, we just finished with it, but that stuff takes forever to dry, and my boss had to sleep on the other side of the door since we couldn’t put the knob and lock back on until the next day. :(
Next time I go to a paint store I will very carefully double-​check what they give me, but I shouldn’t have had to.

Exceptional service. I needed to match a gallon of paint that had been purchased years ago with Benjamin Moore. I was helped immediately, and given my options as the type of paint I had previously was discontinued. In the 10 minutes I was in the store, every single employee that came by asked me if I’d been helped. Every. Single. One. We’re talking maybe 6 – 7 guys. It’s been a long time since I’ve had customer service that attentive.

I’ve gotten paint here for years, and have always been satisfied with the quality and customer service. My last two visits, though, their knowledge, skill, and service blew me away. I had a fast repair on the exterior of my house I needed to get done between rain storms. I dropped in and they cooked up a perfect match to the color of the 10 year old housepaint on the spot. I know they can’t always do that, and sometimes there is a wait while they match a custom color, but they bent over backwards to get it for me when I needed it the most. Then, a couple days later, I had a bunch of questions about priming metal, and they took their time to walk me through everything I needed.
I’ll be back!

This place knows what customer service is all about! I was asked by 3 different employees if I needed help, as I walked in the door, again near the paint samples and walking out. There are so many stores where one has to go looking for assistance. I appreciate their dedication to service.

This place is amazing. They can provide you with everything you need to go crazy changing the color of your little section of the world. I initially walked into EBPC years ago clueless about non-​VOC paints but knowing that was what I wanted to use. The employees are always incredibly patient, all are very knowledgeable about the products they offer, and make you feel as if you are a frequent customer consistently every visit. East Bay Paint Center is always my first stop for paint needs.

As a homeowner I made a huge mistake coming here. EB Paint was recommended by my electrician who cut a 10″ square of painted wall board directly from my wall so I could get it matched by this paint store. EB Paint said they could use my sample to make an almost exact match of the color.
Here’s where I made my first mistake: I asked for an exact match in the same flat matte paint as on my 10″ sample. Turns out MATTE is East Bay Paint Center Store’s lingo for shiny paint. As a result, I ended up painting half my ceiling with a gallon of expensive shiny «Matte» paint that was not a match at all. I think they should have noticed my sample wall board was flat paint and confirmed with me that I knew I was ordering a different surface than the sample.
My second mistake was that I chose the wrong brand of paint. The differences were not explained ahead of my order; only after I returned the problem paint. For flat paint I should have ordered «Regal» brand but I chose «Aura» brand. Aura is the wrong brand for flat paint. Ohhhhh, I guess I was supposed to magically know that!
I had to buy another $ 45.00 gallon of the same color paint with the correct flat surface. They offered no refund, just a 10% discount for «my mistake». This doesn’t feel like a place we want to return to.
One star for a good color match, and one star because this place might work if you go there accompanied by a professional painting contractor.
«Matte» according to a Google search, is defined as: «a color, paint, or surface dull and flat, without a shine. Such as „matte black“»

If there were ten stars, I would give it. Job training. Expertise training. There is a wonderful, special ethos here that equalizes and lifts all employees to become experts. East Bay Paint is an example of what America would be if we cared about each other. I love what it represents and is!

Impeccable customer service with a ton of people on staff that are helpful.
Super fast, great help on the color selection.

The paint matching ability of this store is amazing. I brought them a tiny, tiny sample I chipped off a wall and they made an exact match. I buy all my paint here, they are the best.

Update: Someone did call me from EB Paint to apologize and offered to refund me for the paint after seeing the Unilocal review. I guess I didn’t get to the right person on the phone!

I love East Bay Paint Center — as a painting contractor, I am there pretty much every day and it is always a pleasure dealing with them. All of the employees are very knowledgeable about the business, incredibly helpful and lovely to deal with.

Been coming here as a homeowner for over 20 years. It’s all true — busy, friendly, knowledgeable, and competent. I’ve never had a problem with a match and the quality of paint they sell means that you paint once and then enjoy for years to come with no chipping.
Also, they carry brochures for local color consultants, including Angelise Karole (spelling?); we hired her to help us with some color choices and were very pleased with the outcome.
In short, we trust East Bay Paint Center for paint, color matching, and color consultant recommendations.

So funny! Today I came down here to pick up paint for the garage door frame repair. I had remembered my last experience of being blown off, but figured the guy had moved on. I was approached by a stocky, bearded man wearing an apron that looked like a modern painting, w/​overlaid daubs of multihued paints. I explained what I wanted and he asked when I needed it. I told him that the handyman was working on it now and he looked amused and said, so you need it now? I nodded. He explained that there were several people in front of me getting paints mixed, so it might not be possible. He explained this w/​o impatience or irritation. I was embarrassed to have expected to be able to waltz in and get what I needed just like that, but he was cool. He explained that he was going to be there another hour and offered to do what he could. He asked if I minded paying for the paint up front. I responded, «Mind? You’re doing me a favor.»
I started to head home and then realized it might make just as much sense to just sit there in my car and wait, rather than drive home and then turn around and come back. I went back into the store and told him that’s what I planned to do. He cautioned me that if there were a rush of customers he might be pulled away from my job. As I sat in my car listening to the radio, I saw him come outside 3 or 4 times to check the color of the paint in the sunlight. Finally he come over to the car w/​the strip to show me. I could see no difference in the color, so it was clear to me he’d nailed it. He brought me the can of paint and I took it home to Carlton, who painted the strip. And the funny part? At the point where I had paid for the paint, I asked his name since he’d been so sweet and accommodating. He told me his name was Josh and we shook hands. It wasn’t until I reread my initial review that I realized it was in all likelihood my nemesis from 4 years ago, transformed into an angel of helpfulness. I couldn’t be more thrilled.

I never thought I would write a review about a paint store but in today’s world it’s refreshing and exciting to talk to an expert when you walk into a shop like this.
These guys are always helpful, Daryl helped me today and inspired me to write in. They aren’t about pressure sales they are about providing information and allowing you to make the decision and they have LOADS of information.
Today I was stressed because there was mildew growing on my wall. Daryl talked me through the step-​by-​step process of stopping the growth and preventing it from showing up again including addressing the cause (my single pane windows). It’s possible I may have been able to save a few bucks by going to home depot or buying something online but talking to an expert who likes his job is priceless. Thanks guys!

This is where we buy all of our paint. The only way I could be happier with them is if they were open on sundays. Great selection, helpful staff, & quality paint. What more can you ask for?

Excellent service. I’m in the industry so I’ve been around and these guys are as good as it gets. They are responsive, knowledgeable and honest. It can get quite crowded there at times so be patient. They can match colors, suggest products and give general painting advice. There is usually plenty of parking and they are well stocked with everything you could possibly need.
Matching colors is difficult and sometimes takes a bit of time so be prepared if you don’t know your color and need it matched by eye. They are good so often have a lot of colors to do. Sometimes it’s best to drop off your sample and come back the following day for your match.
On the other hand, if you know your colors or can pick them out of the samples (which they have many) you’ll be out the doors quickly. They are great!

amazing selection of paint related stuff not to mention the best paint too.
Great service. The tall guy with the large voice even remembered me the next day when I came back for my paint that they matched from this sliver that I scraped off the window sill.
Oh and they get the paint matches right on as well.

The East Bay Paint Center is a great local resource for all your paint and painting supply needs. It was a little overwhelming my first time there — the front, circular area is where you place your paint order, and it can sometimes be a flurry of activity. However, the sales associates here are knowledgeable, friendly, and very helpful — which is what you want when you don’t know whether to go with Benjamin Moore’s Aura or Regal, you can’t decide which one of the thousands of shades of white you want to paint your walls, or when you have no clue what kind of roller brush to use on textured walls.
They carry Benjamin Moore and Pratt & Lambert paints. I’ve never tried Pratt & Lambert (pretty colors though), but I have used Benjamin Moore and I will probably never go with another brand again. The Aura line, especially, almost has a brain of its own — knows how to cover evenly and blend.
There is a small parking lot outside the store, which is convenient, since San Pablo is such a busy street. The lot is small, but I’ve never had a problem finding a space there.

The East Bay Paint Center features Benjamin Moore paints. Kelly Moore is just across the street. This is where my excellent general contractor (Glen Larson) has purchased much of my paint for various modest home upgrade projects over the years. I also periodically come here on my own for my own painting ideas, touch up (including paint matching), and «fix it» activities.
This place is busy with a dynamic combination of contractors and homeowners. This place is a hub of activity, especially in the morning. As a result, you often have to wait for several minutes. However, they always know you’re there and each customer gets the right degree of attention and help for what they need. In particular, I like how they professionally handle my sometimes seemingly clueless questions.

My favorite paint store of all time, and I say this as someone who paints for a living.
The staff are well-​informed, professional and really pleasant to do business with. There’s none of the sexist attitude that, sadly, pervades so many other paint stores.
They’ve been amazingly obliging about ordering weird products on a tight deadline.
Everyone in the store knows my name, and that means a lot.