Blends

As a customer of 5 years I can say now that I’ve given up hope on this company: I’ve gone out of my way to stand in line, enter raffles, and apply online for all yeezys and yet I know several special individuals who always have pairs reserved. Done.

Blends is Okay. They don’t carry anything rare or of high importance to sneaker heads. They carry cool shoes for fashion purposes. Nothing like Flight Club in LA. The store itself is cool. Pricing on the shoes is reasonable.

They posted on their IG account stating that there was going to be a restock of the off white (cream/​chalk) ultraboost LTD today in limited sizes. Turns out there was a miscommunication and they took down the post after it had already been up for the night. Me and several others waited in line only to find out that they didn’t have any… Word of advice to management please keep all your employees in the know especially the ones handling the social media pages… Your boy opening today didn’t even know what was going on and stated he wasn’t even supposed to come in…

Came all the way from Temecula, to find out they were closed for inventory! What a waste of gas! Unilocal had this place open for the day.

Super helpful. Had the shoe I wanted and greatly appreciated Chris for wanting me to leave with the shoe I wanted. Will be back for all the latest.

This past couple of years, Blends has been my store of choice (locally) to upgrade my shoe collections and style on the latest trends.
Chris, the manager, and Blends’s staff have always been helpful and provide their honest feedbacks whenever I stop by for a visit.
Their presentations on social medias, in store and on the website are top-​notch and clean with aesthetics. I really love the fridge-​like doors display for their shoes along the sides with color-​coordinations. Plus, it’s really roomy to walk around and browse from the main room to the back room where they carry their latest apparel/​trends.
Overall, I’ve always been satisfied with Chris, and his staff at Blends. Thank you for all that you guys do.

I’m always coming in to blends to see my boy Bobby. He’s always super chill and attentive whenever customers come in and is always helpful when it comes to finding a shoe I’m looking for. If you ever stop by I recommend asking for him. He will definitely be able to help you out.

Came in just to browse and a worker, Bobby, was a very helpful/​polite staff member. He helped me buy some running shoes which I need to buy more pairs of. Overall a great and welcoming staff and store!

So I just walked into this store for the first time. I got to say, I was extremely impressed with the lay out and selection they offered. I’m new to the Costa Mesa area so it’s nice to find a little boutique with a good selection of kicks they don’t offer at footlocker. However my experience was ruined upon my first interaction with an employee. I don’t know if it was the fact that I had my work shoes on or what. But this guy was a complete jerk and treated me with utter disrespect. I walk up to one of the two buffoons who supposed work at this shop while they were both busy texting, probably each other. They didn’t even look me in the eye when I asked my question about the shop. I then decided I would pick up a pair of kicks to see if that would get their attention. I pick up the first pair I would cop, and stood there for a about five minutes holding it. Mind you, there was one other customer in the store at the time, and two people working there. After playing with the fucking shoe strings for 5 minutes the guy finally looks at me and says «oh did you want a size in that?». No you idiot I am holding shoes in a shoe store cause it’s how I get off. God damn what the hell else would I be there before?! Guy comes back after another 5 mins and says «biggest size we have is a 9». You gotta be kidding me 9?! So I pick up another pair. «How about these?» I say, «don’t have those neither» he says. Well I thought this was a shoe store. Long story short worst customer service I have ever experienced. I buy a pair of shoes every five days. You all just alienated a customer that would have increased your monthly revenue by 1000 – 1500 $.

Just had a bad experience and I’ll try to sum it up in hopes of saving someone else a trip to the store in the future…
I bought some shoes online, and after they arrived I immediately did not like them and knew I wanted to return them. First thing I did was call the store and asked what I could do in terms of a return or an exchange instore, and I was told I could mail them back for a full refund or bring them into the store for store credit/​exchange.
On my first attempt to exchange the shoes instore, I was told by the store clerk I could exchange them under normal circumstances but their computers were down since the power was out in the building.
No biggie, I figured I could make the 25 mile trek again since there were a few pairs I could exchange for.
Today, I made the trip again, and the first store clerk who approached me said I could exchange the shoes for something in store or mail them back for a full refund, basically confirming what I was told the first time I called in to inquire about exchanges & returns.
When I found the pair I wanted in my size, the second store clerk told myself (and the first clerk) the shoes could not be exchanged and I would have to mail them in for a refund, basically contradicting what I was told on three separate instances:
1. The first time I called in
2. The first time I tried to exchange them instore & the power was out
3. The second time I tried to exchange them and the initial clerk told me I could exchange them for something I wanted that they have in stock
My main gripe is that there is no communication within the staff, and so far two employees indicated I could exchange the shoes I purchased online for something instore, and the third employee overruled them both and sent me on my way packing, even though I was in the store, with a pair I purchased from their website and wanted to exchange it for something they had in my size at that moment.
Not worth it.
I’ve been coming to this store for over 10 years and watched it being built and sent alot of OG Niketalkers to Nobu & co. back in the day cause of their retail pricing, good selection, etc. but this single experience has been such a cluster F that I can easily take my business elsewhere in the future, and their confusing return/​exchange policy that (evidently) some of the employees don’t even know about.
It’s been fun, and thanks for the memories.

They handle releases like crap. Would let people line up and wouldnt inform people how many shoes were left and sizes. Went here for the sock darts, shoulda left early if i wouldnt get my size. They probably backdoored some pairs for their friends im sure. If your too lazy to yell size left atleast bring the shoes out so that we can see what sizes are left.

Dope shoe store. Love the designs here, and want to come back next time I’m up in the OC for sure. Also a great location with other cool shops around.

Vincent is a really good help here. Needed someone shoes to go with my new hair cut and walked into this really neat shoe store. They have a really cool layout and a pretty legit selection of shoes to pick from but it’s a little too pricey.
Vince was the only dude working when I walked in and I told him I wasn’t too familiar with these kind of shoes and I was just looking for something nice and he went the whole 9 yards running back and forth trying to find a pair I wanted in my size. After his customer service I didn’t have trouble cashing out for my shoes. Thanks again man, only reason why I’m going back is because of his customer service.

Orange County doesn’t have the greatest sneaker boutiques; however, sometimes you find a diamond in the sand. Blends is that diamond.
I love their layout of the store. Huge mirror. Clear, refrigerator window doors for display. Lots and lots and lots of sneakers.
Vincent was on staff and was very helpful and knowledgeable in regards to the sneakers.
Alll in all, I had good shopping experience and enjoyed my time there.
Would come back.

Dope shoe spot with a very set up and they have a great selection to choose from plus the staff is very helpful and cool

This place is only one notch above Payless, and that’s because the location. Seriously, I remember when the dudes that ran the place would greet you and you’d end up having a conversation about sneakers just because they were cool guys. Unfortunately, these days you’d be lucky if the kids that work here don’t walk out of the side of the store you just walked in too. What sucks just as much is this stores selection. It’s pretty much a Vans Vault warehouse with a few running/​lifestyle sneakers. I didn’t see one basketball shoe today at all. If these kids weren’t so scared of talking to people that wouldn’t matter. These guys honestly don’t have the selection or service to get more than one star.

One of the best spots for sneakerheads in the OC with a friendly staff. Great selection of Vans Vault as well.
Came across a pair of AM 90 OG Infrared in my size just hanging around like a hot chick who was neglected. Thats like a needle in a hay stack around these parts. Huge score!
Located inside the LAB.

Really cool place to browse for fresh sneakers. John approached me for my opinion on these just been released: minty baby blue color sneakers with a shimmery coat, in the air max, wedge sneakers, and hightop flat Nikes, for women. They were fresh as phuck. But I had just purchased 3 pairs of shoes so I can only drool over them and give him my input. My sister ended up buying the air max pair and she loves it! Anyways, there are huge selections on different style sneakers and shoes on the wall shelves and inside refrigerator style casings for shoes (check out the photo). I was only browsing at the time but now I know where to go when I’m looking for limited edition newly released sneakers. Thanks so much john!

I came here midweek to see what they had in stock. They didn’t have my size in a particular shoe, so I asked for a stock check at the LA location and turns out they had my size. Now had I known there was a Santa Ana location, I would’ve preferred this. Now, in reference to the customer service, I’ve been coming here for years. I never had a bad experience despite what others Unilocalers have said. I guess, it depends on the associate who is helping you at the time. I understand some individuals want an overall great experience. But in the end, we’re all consumers. This is one of the only places in the area that has a good/​decent selection of shoes people want without having to trek down to LA. Lastly, if you want to shop in peace. Come early in the week.
«My last review on 2÷3÷09
Sneakers in a Fridge! This place definitely has a great selection of shoes for a reasonable price. Employees are very knowledgeable and helpful. I’ve never had a bad experience here. They have great sales all the time – last one I think was 50% off entire stock out on floor (but it had to be on the ground not in the fridge haha).»

Blends is just ok these days. I used to love going here several years ago to check out the latest Jordans and Air Force 1s but the place is not as inviting as it used to be.
Much like another reviewer said, I used to go here and talk to the guys in the store and became friends with them. I would even bring pizza to them sometimes. They had all the exclusives and they really knew the industry. However, anytime I go there now the employees are nowhere near as friendly and knowledgeable.
Obviously, the most important thing is shoes and Blends still has them but the selection of good exclusives is not nearly what it used to be. Prices are little on the expensive side although you should expect to pay that at a boutique sneaker shop.
I like Blends and the location is good for me so I will come back every once in a while but it is really just another shoe shop.