Chevron Trading Post & Bead Company

Chevron was a cute little store in downtown Asheville specializing in beads and those beautiful star lanterns that are hanging in the windows. I knew I HAD to have one of the star lanterns once I saw them. They were very overpriced in my opinion… with the more ornate lanterns going for close to $ 60.
Yes, there are cheapo made-​in-​China versions going for $ 10 online, but I feel much better supporting a local business. When I was putting my star together I noticed a website on my lantern (
) that I purchased from Chevron Trading Post. It’s the website for the company that makes the star lanterns… they are all handmade in India and the company pays their employees fair wages. I totally dig that. However, the price tag on the website for one of these lanterns is 14.50 Euro (not including shipping), which is roughly $ 16.16. That is a pretty huge markup. I understand that these are local business owners and need to make a living. The staff were nothing but nice and helpful to me during my visit. That is why I will stick with 3 stars rather than 2.

They have the largest selection of beads and more! Super friendly staff, animals and helpful classes. The owner and the girls working here obviously love their jobs and their customers. This is a must see Asheville creative spot!

Unfortunately most of the things I disliked about this store had nothing to do with beads, besides it being very expensive. The staff was rude, my dad and sister sat on the couch while I shopped and they were constantly harassed by staff as if they were suspicious of shoplifting… Ridiculous. I felt similarly hovered over… I understand concern for stealing but buying beads is a long process, especially with such a wide array (the selection was the positive part of the experience). When the cashier rung up my sale, she misread my writing… Perfectly fine but when I corrected her, I got an attitude! Had I not said something I would’ve been out $ 6 extra. When you’re spending over $ 30 on very few beads you’d expect better treatment. Needless to say I will not be returning.

Best bead store in Eastern US! A Beader’s Bead Store if there ever were one!
I’ve been to bead stores all over the country, and this is by far one of the best! First, it has lots of space to move around in instead of a cramped space with beads everywhere that you can’t see. Everything is organized by color and style. They have one of the most diverse findings department I have ever seen. There is also a workshop area that can be used as a making station if you need to whip something up in a pinch (like last minute Christmas gifts).
To the person that complained about the costs of the lamps, I’ve seen these lamps other places, but the lower priced ones don’t include the lamp cords… which is a huge bonus since finding the right cord can be a pain in the ass!
I love the feel of this store and would definitely visit again!

The beads are plentiful. The starlamps are pretty. And the yellow lab will love you for as many minutes (hours? days?) as you want to squat there and rub her belly. But I have a bad taste in my mouth after coming home after my trip to Asheville and finding the exact same star lanterns that Chevron sells for $ 33 to $ 46, being sold online, retail, for under $ 8. Not similar lanterns: the exact same ones; the exact same photos even. I guess their only customers are gullible tourists like me; the mistake of buying here is probably one a local would make only once.
One and a half stars. I’m rounding up for the dog. Meanwhile, if you want $ 8 star lamps, Google «Five Point Star Lanterns.» You’ll find them.

Very disappointing. I love to stop in Asheville whenever I’m traveling in the area. I used to consider Chevron a regular stop. No more. The last time I was there I asked the cashier to use the restroom and was told to go to the restaurant across the street-​that they had the best restrooms in town. Was Chevron implying theirs weren’t clean or that they don’t want customers to use them? I believe this violates public codes. I only wish I had asked before I made my purchase. I found this rude and I’m sure the restaurant does not appreciate it either. Chevron is officially off my list.

March 24^th was my first visit to Chevron Trading Post. I was looking for supplies for making Kumihimo braided jewelery. The staff working this morning were all very friendly, enthusiastic, and helpful. While they did not stock an extensive supply of Kumihimo supplies (I have yet to find this except on line), they did have a section devoted to Kumi and I found what I was looking for. I was also informed that they do have classes in Kumihimo. The selection of beads and findings was tremendous. There were so many beautiful stones and beads. Sure wish it was not such a far distance from Wisconsin!

I rated them 1 star:
Customer service: horrible– I recently purchased 2 of their starlights as birthday gifts 13 days ago. My sister opened her 2 starlights 7 days after the purchase and informed me that one of the light cords was not working. I called and spoke to the owenr, Bridget, who indicated I would need to pay $ 8.50 to receive a new cord. She said I had to pay for the shipping costs because of the time it would take her to stand in line at the post office and the actual cost to pay for the item. As a sign of good faith, I was going to mail back the original cord and original packaging with the original receipt but Bridge, the owner, refused to compromise.
Bridget, as a business owner, failed to understand (a) you don’t punish your customers for selling them faulty equipment– Bridget indicated that I may have damaged the cord and as a result was calling in to get a replacement by saying it never worked (b) thus she was eluding to the possibilty that I was a liar © she wanted me to pay 25% of what the entire star and cord cost to begin with because she sells customers defective products.
Lesson for Bridget:
I have purchased over 300.00 worth of products from you in the last year alone. I will NEVER VISIT YOUR SHOP AGAIN or purchase products from this store because of this experience. As a business owner, it is worth a small business write off of $ 8.50 to ensure you have returning customers who will continue to spend money will over $ 8.50.
IF YOU ARE BUYING A STAR FROM BRIDGET, THEN ENSURE YOU HAVE THEM CHECK THE CORD BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

Not impressed. The two employees in the store were carrying on a rather loud conversation about allergies, sinuses, and getting on Medicaid to get medication paid for… I felt like I was intruding. Just before I made my purchases I asked about using the restroom, and I was told that there were no public restrooms available. I find it either hard to believe or ridiculous that a store who caters to mostly women does not have a restroom facility available. If I lived in the area, there is no way I would ever be taking a class there… nor likely would any other woman over 40 (restroom facilities are important!). I would have left my basket of beads there and not purchased anything except that the beads I picked up were ones I needed for a couple gifts. I would rather order online (much better prices and more comfortable feeling) than patronize this store again.

Not that there are not many other options but sometimes it is nice to return to the familiar, in this case shopping by mail at Chevron Trading Post. I had run out of a specific bead and could not find the same one anywhere so I thought rather than running around in circles why not just go back to where I got it in the first place? This was my favorite bead shop when we lived in Asheville and it still is. The person who I spoke with on the phone took the time and patience to locate the exact item I needed and sent it out first thing the next day. To say it was shipped with care would be a gross understatement. They could have shipped an egg it was so well wrapped.
It is nice to know you can go «home» again if only virtually. Viva Ashevegas!