Hot Topic

Just went in the store to check what store had. Was in there with a friends. We were greeted right away and the workers were really nice. I had a pleasure to meet Victoria there. They told us about deals that they had in the store. She helped us find what we wanted and help us checkout out as well. I would go back to this hottopic because they want to help you and they would do it with a smile.

I’ll be honest, after reading all the reviews on here about the Arcadia Hot Topic and went in with serious trepidation. I had an online purchase to return and expected a ton of hassle from women with bad attitudes, poor register skills and a general opinion that I was ruining their day by making them work. I took all the bad reviews to heart because, let’s be honest, the Arcadia mall is rife with employees like that.
I got there pretty much right after they opened on a Saturday morning and there were already a couple of people in the store browsing. Walking directly to the cash register area, I saw that the employee (not sure of their position) was on the phone, but he smiled at me and gave me a gesture that he should be off in a minute. No worries! They had the Who playing on the sound system («Squeezebox») and lot’s of things surrounding the register /​counter for me to look at while I was waiting.
While I was looking around, I glanced at the name tag and I saw that said employees name was Timothy. I made a note of it in case he ended-​up being like all the Hot Topic employees mentioned in the other reviews.
He wrapped-​up his phone convo quickly and professionally (it was business) and asked me what he could help me with. I explained that I had a return of an online purchase and he said, «no problem!». We chit-​chatted while he processed the return, joked about being old (well, I joked about me being old and probably not a part of the demographic Hot Topic caters to).
Timothy was so nice, polite, professional and friendly that I even signed-​up for their card program. Something I decided a while back I wasn’t going to do anymore.
Anyway, I don’t know if Hot Topic reads these reviews or not, but please commend Timothy on my behalf. Like I said, I don’t know what his position is there, but he should be put on the fast-​track to a promotion. He makes customers in your store happy and happy customers tell others about what a great store it is (like me, here on Unilocal) and that means more people in your store spending money.

Hot topic has always been the place for anything u need to look good in any style from psychobilly to classic rock to punk to metal… prices are a bit high but where are they not … this place does have a variety tho…

From the POV of a Pop vinyl collector…
Workers: Friendly & helpful.
Store: Pretty cluttered, but most Hot Topics are. Wish it were easier to maneuver around.
Quality: Boxes are stacked carelessly & aren’t in best condition.
Price: No complaint.

I went in on ¹⁄₁₈ and looked around for a bit. No help, no «welcome», nothing. I found the shirt I wanted on a high rack and was clearly looking at it and pointing to it when the 3 girls at the front just stood there acting like I was about to grow 5 feet and get it myself. I walked over there and asked for some help. This girl with purple hair reluctantly grabbed the shirt for me, didn’t seem happy to help. I walked up to the front ready to pay, purple haired girl takes over the register. Rung up my item, told me how much, and gave her a credit card. Without words she just hands me a receipt and pen, prints mine out, and stands there. Usually when I buy something I hear «Alright thank you» or SOMETHING when I’m done being checked out. But she just stared at me with a «what else do you want» look on her face. Whatever, I got my shirt and left.
The reason I am writing this review: I bought one thing. One thing. A shirt. It wasn’t busy at all in the store. And she forgot to take off the security ink tag. This is one of those times where I think to myself «you had one job!» So, now I have to go back to the mall and for my ONE item get this ridiculous tag off.
Hey lady, pay attention to what you’re actually doing AKA your job, and help customers instead of being stuck up and rude. Thanks!

I shop here with my daughter a lot and hands down this Hot Topic has the friendliest staff and best customer service we’ve ever had! Dont Believe that «Jane» review about the «Male asian manager» he’s honestly the best! I heard she’s just a former disgruntled employee with a grudge who thankfully doesn’t work there anymore!

Over many years we have purchased gifts for our kids in here, spending a great deal of $$$. I don’t think I will ever return. I know that I do not look like the target demographic for Hot Topic. However I just left the store after some of the worst customer service I have experienced.
Two other patrons in the store and two sales ladies were helping one. I had been looking for about 5 minutes, no one asking if I needed help. As one of the sales ladies (thin, about 5’7″) was walking away from the patron with two sales people helping her I said, «Excuse me, do you have…». I got a very perturbed look and a quick «No» as she turned her back and walked away. Gosh lil’ chick, I am sorry I bothered you. Don’t worry as I will never enter the store again. I was prepared to spend a hefty amount if money that ended up in another mall store.
Sat. 9÷20÷14 @ about 1:00 pm.

By far worst customer service in the mall.

I’ve been calling around local Hot Topics on the hunt for a HT exclusive figure. All the other ones were open to take my call, and this was on the list. So I call.
Employee: *incoherent grumbling*
Me: Hey, is this Hot Topic?
Employee: Yeah.
Me: Great! I’m looking for a certain [figure brand name.]
Employee: *grunt*
Me: Um… the [character name] [brand name.]
Employee: … what?
Me: From [TV series]? [here I describe physically what the product looks like. I get interrupted.]
Employee: *annoyed tone* Look, we’re closed right now. Can you call back later? We’re doing paperwork. Call back at [time. Which was 15 minutes later.]
Me: Oh sorry about that!
Employee: No problem. *hangs up*
I’ve taken calls and answered questions TWO HOURS after closing at my job and I’ve never treated a customer that rudely. It wouldn’t have been that hard to just say «Sorry, we’re closed right now. We open at [time]. Can you call back later?» If what I was looking for wasn’t exclusive to their stores, these people would never get my money!

This place sucks now after new management took over.

I had one of the most terrible experiences at Hot Topic and I will never shop with them again after it. I bought several items online, but I didn’t care for all of them and it says clearly, both online and on the order form, that you can return to a nearby Hot Topic. I took all my items with me and asked to do a return. It was around 7p.m. and I guess I was talking to the manager of this store, there was one other person working, but nobody else in the store. She told me that she didn’t want to do the return and could I take it to another Hot Topic. I said that I’d just like to return everything right then and that it was out of my way. She was getting angry and said «well, some people need bonuses and need to make their rent on time.» I’m guessing that she wanted to make sure sales were up for that day, but seriously I’m just a customer, I have bills to pay and a job to get to too, I just wanted to do my return. I told her again that I’d just like to return them.
She preceded to rip the bag out of my hand and as she was doing the return she was throwing all the items around the store… yes…this actually happened. I’ve worked as a cashier for several years and never have I seen or have the audacity to basically throw a temper tantrum. And this was the manager!
She didn’t say anything to me, just kept commenting to the other worker saying, «this is bullshi*t». I was near tears as it was and I left as soon as possible. When I got home I looked at the receipt and most of the items weren’t refunded for the right amounts, but much lower amounts. And no tax was refunded. Overall, I was not refunded close to $ 50. I didn’t want to go back to the store, it had seriously upset me so bad to be treated so badly by a grown woman. I waited a few weeks, till I decided that I wasn’t going to be bullied out of my money and I called the store. I spoke to the same manager that had done the return. She was like «oh, yeah.» like she knew that she hadn’t given me the full amount on purpose. She said I could come back and she would refund me the right amount.
I went back and she apologized for acting the way she did, with the excuse that she really needed her bonus. I just said okay and got it over with. And I haven’t been back and I don’t intend to shop online or in store every again. I don’t care how much you want a bonus, getting so out of control and angry that your literally throwing the items around the store, I’m sorry, there is NO excuse for being that un-​professional and rude. And I’ve been shopping with Hot Topic since I was a teenager and the sad thing is, quite a few workers at Hot Topic are rude and don’t seem to know how to give customer service. There are nice one’s though, not everyone is such a sour-​puss, maybe this manager needs to take some lessons from them.

well… wow… there is a kewl canadian chick worken here… et elle parle en francais. Elle est tres jolie je pense aussi!
none the less great selection of Ts and gag gifts/​adult gifts that you always remember. They also have all the glow in the dark crap and a million pieces of piercing jewelry.
Definitely a great place to stop in for a little fun stuff to see what you can find and dare to get ;)

great customer service,
she was a punk-​rock chick, cute, with a tat on her arm. with red hair.
she was real friendly, those chicks, even at spencer’s are more friendlier than the girls are work at wet seal, charlotte russe etc…& these rocker girls look better than the girls at the retail stores!
and they are friendly? thats a huge advantage!
–anyway, it was actually my first visit in over 5 years… after high-​school i just thought this place wasnt for me anymore.
–i walked by and saw some shorts that caught my eye. (refer to photos)
i am in lovee with them! although they are hot kiss brand. & only $ 25–
this store is clean n organized :)
prob go back to get another pair of the same item lol.
u just never know!~

I used to hit up the Hot Topic over at the Santa Anita mall every once in a while for some much needed «accessories».
Nail polish. Black nail polish.
Yes, I used to rock the black nails, and it was awesome!
My boy Nathaniel, don’t know if he’s still there, used to chat it up with me and give me the lowdown on the goings on. We’d B.S. about the scene, etc… He was a cool kid.
I also used to buy the occasional non-​hipster/​douchy band T-​shirt to represent. Funny enough, I was a fan of the actual band, not just wearing the t-​shirt for bullshit posturing like a lotta folks do.
I have not been back in a while. I hope it’s still cool.

Headed over here with Greg A. since I made him driver of the day and of course I drove from Granada Hills to Alhambra to catch up with the friend.
We decided to hit up the mall in Arcadia and shortly walked in to Hot Topic. I was aching to get a new shirt. Employees were very helpful and very non frightening looking. I was gonna buy a bandana but Greg pointed out that they sold «Emo Bandanas» and not the OG Ganster ones… He was right…
Headed over the the cashier and as he made a very funny and negative comment towards the «New Weezer» I told him I gave up on Weezer once I saw the video for «Beverly Hills»… He looked at me with such intensity and agreed with a great big smile.
Good times, great place.