Tess Designer Yarns

How do I put no stars? Very bad service!
Unfortunately I still have to deal with them. After spending $ 400 on yarn to make a blanket for my daughter only to find out she is allergic to. They gave me the hardest time and would not return. So now I have a $ 400 store credit. I was insulted and they threatened to call the police when I repeatedly said I was unhappy with their service and told not to talk about it because somebody else was in the store. After telling them I wouldn’t shop there in the future because of their policy the reply I got was something like that’s OK we have plenty of other customers no offense.
It amazes me that’s a place like this can still be in business with such terrible customer service

I have been shopping at Tess’ Yarns for 6 or 8 years, both in the Portland shop and at fiber festivals. The festival booths are mobbed because the yarns are gorgeous, priced well, and cannot be found anywhere else. The shop is usually quiet. Check hours. Sometimes they close if traveling to festivals. Don’t expect a regular, full-​service yarn store. This is a small operation (very small) and the products unique. The owner and dyer (Melinda?) has been dyeing artfully for 30 years or so; her yarns are named for her daughter, Tess. I have knit with Tess’ Yarns many times (sweaters, accessories, baby items) and have never had a problem, only lovely results.

The worst experience in buying yarn EVER! The worst customer service EVER!
I’m surprised this business is still IN BUSINESS!
Buyer BEWARE!

I guess I too should have read the reviews before I bought a skein of yarn at vogue knitting live nyc 2014 After starting my oroject the yarn would just rip. I tried different needles and brought to my knitting guild for help. The yarn would rip. I finished the hat finally with many shredded ends to see. I had emailed tess but no response. The yarn had shredded at the top so it could not be worn. I brought the hat with me to vogue knitting live 2015 went to Tess to ask advice on how to fix. She immediately got angry and said this was not her yarn. I will not be giving her any business in the future. She is a very poor business wimenwho needs to learn about customer service.

Wow, I should have read the reviews before purchasing anything from this company. I purchased a skein of yarn at the knitting show and it was defective when I unraveled it. The yarn wasn’t dyed properly and had splotches all throughout it. I contacted the company in Maine and shipped the yarn back. I never received a refund for the yarn. I contacted the company so many times via email and phone and must have spoken with «Ms. Cranky pants» as described in the previous review. She was so rude on the phone and informed me that she would decide at some later date if I would receive a refund and then proceeded to hang up on me. I haven’t dealt with a lady this crazy in a looong time. Do yourself a favor and shop somewhere else. They sell defective low quality yarn and keep your money! I’m still waiting for my refund…

Nice location on near the wharf on commercial street. A little hard to find because you have to go through a hallway that is shared with a paint store and kitchen/​bath design company, then go downstairs. The hours are unique, not opening until 12 noon.
The selection is attractive and only the Tess label. The colors beautiful. They don’t sell patterns so make sure to bring your pattern with you or know how much to need to buy for your project.

I purchase alpaca/​silk yarn from these folks at Vogue Live in Bellevue WA. It has black spots in it (not in tended color) have contacted them but no answer on replacement. I got one answer saying another person would be contacted. Very disappointed in this shop I would not advise dealing with them

I have bought yarn from Tess’ Designer Yarns nearly every year at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival — they really have some gorgeous products that I would recommend to anyone; I am especially fond of their microfiber ribbon yarn.
However, I had to knock them down a star because if you ever want customer service from them, they’re nearly impossible to get in touch with. Emails and voice mails go unanswered; you have to be lucky enough to get them in person (and not at a festival, where they’re too busy to deal with individuals) in order to ask them any questions or place special orders.

I’ve been trying to get a gift certificate for my mother from these people, i tried by phone and website. the women who answer are rude and unhelpful. the website is confusing and gives incorrect information. i was charged for my purchase and the gift was never recieved. maybe they are nice in person, but i’m still waiting for my mother’s christmas present to arrive. i do not recomend their website for anything.

I’ve never visited the store, but I’ve dealt with them at a major fiber festival. Yesterday I bought yarn, all supposed to be on discount due to the show. I was, however, charged regular price for one item, bringing my purchase to nearly $ 100. I wrote an email explaining the situation and asked that the difference be put back on my credit card. Today, I went back to the show, and decided I might has well talk with them directly.
Sweet lord.
The first person I spoke with was VERY nice, and walked me over to someone I assumed was the owner (She was the dyer, but could possibly be the owner as well.)
I told her the issue; she told me she couldn’t help me. «Do you know how tired I am? Do you see all these customers?» I told her I understood but asked if she could handle it when she returned to Maine. She said she couldn’t help me. Within seconds, I was accused of lying about the purchase (I had a receipt — purchases aren’t itemized), trying to cheat them, causing a scene and (my favorite) needing therapy. I asked the first person if Miss Crankypants was always like that and she nodded.
She walked me over to the cashier (who I think is really the owner), who gave me a lot of attitude and told me the yarn in question wasn’t on discount even though I found it in the sale bin along with several other skeins like it.
All this agita was for $ 14.
The first person who helped me apologized to me. I told her there was no reason to apologize; that she had done nothing but provide good customer service. Cashier woman told me Person # 1 worked for her and couldn’t talk to me. I told Cashier I was having a private conversation and to stay out of it. Rather than jeopardize Person#1’s job, I left.
Afterwards I was standing outside of the booth (a tent) talking to my friend and Crankypants came over. I told her I was having a personal conversation and I was finished talking to her. Next, Cashier came over, I told her the same thing and she told me to leave her booth. (I was standing on the grass outside her area.) I told her I was finished with her company and with her.
I got my money finally, but was left with a really bad experience with a long-​time vendor who I had bought from before and who I sent other knitters to.
I saw there were complaints about service posted with the BBB and I can understand why. Honestly, if they can’t handle customer service, they need to find another business. And for goodness’ sake, don’t come to festivals!

I love this shop!
It is hidden downtown and it is paid parking so bring some change. The shop is small, but full of every blend and weight of yarn you could ever want. All the yarn is sorted by color way with sock in the back corner. Prices seem to be fair for hand dyed yarns. There is a fee for winding yarn, which seems odd, so wind at home while adoring your new yarn.
Keep in mind the shop is small so if more than a couple people are in the shop it feels crowded, but it is worth the trip.