Bear Basics

I actually shop here a lot and love the clothes they have as I work on campus. However the supervisor Sandy may want to mystery shop her staff as her salesperson ‘Anya’ is racist. On a recent trip she made a point to follow me around the store. Then she checked my bags which is fine because that’s policy and I HATE carrying them around the store. However only mine were checked and not other patrons even though it’s a store policy. I also do not like being followed around the store especially since I shop there frequently and manage their Cal 1 payments. Maybe just a training needs to be done as not everyone that works there displays this type of customer service.

As a true Cal Golden Bear fan it hurts me to write this but the customer service at Bear Basics was terrible. Anja and Daniella treated me as if I purposely bought the wrong sizes for my nephews and nieces. I can’t help this mistake but I shouldn’t feel like I did something wrong. Their facial expression as I walked up to the checkout counter was not accompanied with a simple «hello.» They simply didn’t seem like they wanted to be there. After I returned with the right items, Anja looked at me as if I did something wrong and asked me, «are you sure these will fit?» Are you kidding me? I’m not some kid who should be talked down to like this. I said, «Well, I sure hope so.» No response from Anja. Have a little compassion for your customers. When all was done, they didn’t say anything to me. Even a simple goodbye would have been fine. At this point I should have just returned everything instead of giving them my business.
Wow, just the worst customer service experience I’ve ever had. It’s sad because I actually preferred Bear Basics over the Cal student store for its selection, their once stellar customer service, and Cal spirit. It’s not the same here anymore — missing on all three fronts there. I’m definitely not coming back until they correct this. Going to the Cal student store from now on.

Very dishonest business. I ordered a sweatshirt online and had to return it, for which I was charged $ 18.50 after they received it back. I read their return policy before sending back the sweatshirt, which does specify that customers are responsible for return shipping (which was $ 8 for FedEx). However, after they processed the return, I was charged an additional $ 10.50 for the shipping they originally paid to send the sweatshirt out to me. When I inquired about this, I was told it was «just company policy». How is it okay to charge someone almost $ 20 to return a sweatshirt?

The store charges more for clothes compared to the store at Bancroft. However they do have more sizes. You have to check in your bag, and the tellers will watch you as you walk around. It’s awkward to go ask and try on clothes though
Gave it a 3 instead of 2, because the t-​shirt emporium downstairs is amazing (but still over priced)

Moved to Berkeley to start new as a grad student. Walking along Telegraph, see some Cal gear. Think hey why not, might as well show some school spirit. Bought a pair of blue and yellow striped socks, cute. $ 12.
Go home, wear them for maybe a day, notice a large hole in one of them near the toes. You may be thinking «Hey, you wore them, anything is fair game.» No. Maybe with a $ 3 pair of socks, but these socks were thick and expensive and quality.
Took the socks and the receipt back to the store, but they wouldn’t exchange me a new pair because I’d already worn the socks. I won’t be shopping there again, with so many other stores around selling Cal gear.

meh.
— They did have some nicely fitting tshirts with nice designs, but…
— really disappointed with the sweatshirts. The ladies ones were trendy cuts or super expensive with way less selection than the men’s, and the men’s have the most unflattering fit I’ve ever seen — huuuge baggy arms and tight elastic at the bottom. Nice, if you’re going for that look of the spoiled girl who turns into a blueberry in Willy Wonka. Hard to see how that looks good on a guy either.
— very expensive!
— some helpful employees, but also some who emitted that «we’re angry you’re here» vibe.
I recommend Nor Cal Sports instead. For comparison they have:
— Huge selection of tees and sweatshirts.
— The fit on their sweatshirts is perfect!
— Nice price! (Half as expensive as Bear Basics, for a better quality and fit shirt)
— kind, helpful employees

Don’t waste your time here. The first time I went in, I had a drink in my hand. They told me I couldn’t bring it in, so I had to stand outside to drink it. I’m not some little kid who is going to go spill my drink on the clothes. I’m a mature adult who is capable of drinking my beverage without spilling it. They should treat me as such.
After I finished my drink, I was stopped again because I had a bag from a previous purchase. I was told I had to check it in at the register. So I had to go wait in line behind customers that were paying so I could check in my bag.
After checking in my bag, I could finally look at their merchandise. They sell the same stuff as Joy’s, but at a much higher price. Since Joy’s is located right next to their store, I left and bought all my items at Joy’s. I will not be going back.

Look for all your BEAR necessities here. Customer service is a bit of a FLOP. And by flop I mean honest service but the enthusiasm is lost amongst the staff there. It’s a bit quiet and we’ll dead.

So expensiveeeeee.
I like the clothing and I’m sure they’re great quality but you will never see me purchase anything because I can’t get over how pricey everything is. Even their little sales area between the first and second floor is disappointing. In terms of the T-​shirt Orgy downstairs you can definitely find a few funny graphic tees and some clever designs referencing the bay area or Oakland or San Francisco.
Another complaint, which has been pointed out in previous reviews, is the lack of customer service. I had to check in my bag when I first walked in and then afterwards waited for 10 – 15 minutes just to hand them the tag to get my bag back. I wasn’t even lining up to buy anything. It took that long just to get someone’s attention so they could hand me back my backpack.
Overall, their customers are mostly visiting parents or tourists. No student or Berkeley resident would pay these crazy prices for Cal gear. I recommend Bancroft Clothing Company or Joy’s Sportswear if you want better prices and decent customer service.

Fuck this place.
Customer service– NONE. The sales staff are total bitches and wouldn’t even open a dressing room for me. 2 lazy ass employees walked right by as I was standing by the dressing rooms trying on shirts and didn’t offer to unlock them. I had 3 shirts I was going to buy but ended up putting them back after that.
Also, I sat on the stairs because I felt like I was about to pass out and that finally got one of the girls attention… but not because I was about to pass out, but because «I couldn’t sit there». She made me move. Ha.
Gotta love when retail bitches treat you like they’re above you. They really need to get over themselves.
It’s a T-​shirt shop for fucksake! Lighten up, lazy bitches!!!

This has to be the worst customer service I have ever received. My 15 month old daughter, fiancé and I walked into the store looking to purchase some items. As soon as we walked in we were shouted at «No drinks in the store!» It’s a sippy cup! We poured the contents outside. Back in we go to do some shopping and again «Sir! You’re going to need to check that bag at the register!» The diaper bag? Really? We were done after that.

Good store to stop by for Cal gear (but I prefer the Student store or Bancroft Clothing Company since I like the way they’re organized a bit more). However, Bear Basics has more selection of other T-​Shirts if you’re looking for something other than Cal gear. Parking isn’t the best in this area, but there are a couple of garages nearby if there is no street parking.

Great place to get your Cal needs.

This place stands the test of time. I visited from SF with the idea in my head that I would find a couple cool t-​shirts. They still have a ginormous selection and it’s super organized. I came up on a wicked Stone Roses tee and a Depeche Mode Violator tee as well.
I did experience rudeness at the reg. when I checked out. Dude completely went out of his way to not look me in the eyes, he was mumbling, and was intentionally being a jerk. Sup wit that? I live in the Upper Haight and consider it to be similar to Telegraph in many ways, but the thrift shop droogs in my hood, although hipstery, are way cooler to deal with.

Ummm. The workers here are just downright rude. I mean I expect general university level service to be subpar, but Bear Basics is just downright rude. I mean it was rude even on the level of if they were strangers and not being paid to help customers. I asked them for where the fitting rooms were and they first ignored me and were when they did answer were overly bitchy and visibly annoyed. She might have just been having a bad day, but that was just ridiculous. I was going to buy my sweats from there (they were nice) but decided against it solely because of how rude the worker was. I’m just hoping they reconsider who works there and reevaluate their employees/​screening process. I don’t usually go this far, but I’d say their customer service is just shocking.

I’m not really into all the Cal gear, but I love the t-​shirt orgy shop they got going on down stairs! I never leave Berkeley without stopping by. They have a bunch of comical tees that are pretty clever. If you’re into band tees they have a decent selection for different genres. including on the sales racks and some posters too. The upstairs top floor also has some pretty good deals on more casual clothes.

This store rocks! Loved the tee’s in the basement. My boyfriend who is the pickiest shopper left with two shirts. I found a cute hat. We both were able to score some merch. This is a store that has to be visited as long as you are on Telegraph.

This place is alright. If you are a fan of band tees or those tees with the really dumb sayings on them then you definitely need to check out the store downstairs. On the street level it is all Cal merchandise. On the top floor there is a mini boutique and more Cal stuff. There was some cute stuff in the boutique but when you tried it on you could tell how cheaply made it was. When you walk in, you get harassed by an employee to leave your bag behind the counter. I don’t quite understand this. Shoplifting was so middle school. Anyways the employees weren’t all that friendly and the clothes were cheaply made and overpriced so I walked out with no purchases.

I visited Bear Basics for the 2009 USC vs. CAL football game. To be honest, I’m kind of jealous we don’t have one of these in U of SoCal. What I absolutely love is how they have selective American Apparel discounts where v-​necks ranged from $ 12-​$ 14 and even included a Cal printed raglan long sleeve JEALOUSSSSSS!!!
Chances of coming back? I THINK SO!

T SHIRT ORGY!!! TO the Basement!
SO I am a huge band t-​shirt person and this place delivers for me.
Lots and lots of tees downstairs from bands, Tv shows and various cultures (scene cultures I mean).
They also have a great poster collection I get all excited in here all that cotton and screen print… YES YES YES!!! Don’t Stop! lol
Honestly Its a cool stop on the Tel… Do stop by.