Party City

Unorganized, almost 0% customer service. No clear direction on how to direct customers, first in last served or what!!!
Unfortunately that is the closest place

This store has been reorganized but I’m not sure if it is necessarily better. Kind of hard to get around with the cart but maybe that’s because my cart was a little janky. The prices are OK, it’s a little random because some things look to be at a pretty decent price while others seem ridiculously over priced. I love the variety in novelty items though. I went here yesterday for my son’s spirit day at school. They had a lot of hawaiian stock. We were in and out pretty quickly. My only complaint was that the registers were not being manned. There were two register lights on but no cashier. When one finally did come over he turned off the two lights and then turned on a third register asking the next in line to move over. At this point there was about 4 people in line. I have worked many years in retail so I am not one to gripe so much about having to wait but there kind of should always be someone on the register to at least monitor the comings and goings of customers.

Came here a couple of times for costumes, party supplies, and random things like socks and antlers… I always find something. The customer service is good here, and the manager is accommodating. Sure, they’re out of stock for some things sometimes, but they’ll call other stores for you and explain things properly. Maybe it’s because I don’t expect wonders upon entering any party city, but my experience at this store has been good. Thank goodness it ain’t so packed.

I was not looking forward to visiting this store after I went to Michaels and the employee there said «maybe try Party City». We both sighed. Not Party City right after Halloween for Dia De Los Muertos supplies. So I ventured over here, pulled up to see the empty parking lot. At first I thought, is this place even opened (insert the sound of crickets here)?!
I walked in and the only guy in there said his greeting hi welcome to party city. First thing I noticed was the DIRTY BROKEN as in PIECES MISSING carts. I wanted to vomit! PLEASE GET NEW CARTS… Thats your New Year’s Resolution please! So I ventured off to see the Halloween supplies basically being put away and taken off the shelves. It looked bare. I got the last finds of Dia De Los Muertos costume accessories. Then the same guy came to do the check out. I said does anyone else work here is it a one man store tonight? He said yes but they were on their break. I didn’t have any coupons or discounts and DDLM was the next day.
I ended up not attending the party so I needed to return the items that night. Trip 2: Everything had the tags on it and I had my receipt so I was good to go. The manager was called to assist me with my return. She said what are you returning? I responded nicely with Dia De Los Muertos items. She began to tell me they can not take Halloween returns after Oct 31. I said but I just bought these items yesterday and it was Nov 1 for a party Nov 3. She looked at me and said ok I will let it slide but just this time. Meanwhile, I have no idea what their return policy is. However, I got my whole refund back. I had my son with me and we started talking to a child behind us in line. The manager had a different tone now she chimed in about her grandchildren. And said have a lovely day. So I’m giving her 4 stars but the CARTS… well they get a nasty negative zero stars.

Horrible customer service. I brought my auntie here to look for a costume. There was one young girl «attending» multiple customers… really she was only ignoring most of them and trying her best to disuade them from requesting to try on outfits. She went out of her way to give warning to my auntie and I, in no kind or apologetic tone, that we were only allowed to try on one costume each. Neither of us was even thinking of trying one on since we had just arrived and were still looking around. Had we wishes to try a costume, it would have been nearly impossible anyways. Not only did there appear to be a throng of people, most womwn’s costumes were not only skimpy bUT also ran in ridiculously small sizes… I’m not complaining on behalf of most men, only as a concerned nephew of an elderly and slightly plump woman wanting to partake in the Halloween festivities. We ended up leaving and heading to Halloween City in Lemon Grove where the store was very clean and orderly. We were told by a very polite woman dressed as an inmate that they were also owned by party city and that we would likely find similar stock in costumes. Unlike party city, our polite inmate made an effort to show us a few options that may work, and informed us that we were free to try on anything.
I recommend heading to Lemon Grove and looking up the polite inmate instead. Like a cheesy, gore inducing Halloween sign I say KEEP OUT!

Poor customer service! Stood in line for at least 15 minutes because the rude female cashier decided to take a phone call that lasted an eternity. Another register eventually opened, and the man who assisted me was nice and apologetic. Won’t be shopping here again.

We always come to get balloons for our kids birthday, we buy them the night before because our kids like the surprise of waking up to their room filled with balloons. Every time they ask if we want to add the special stuff in the balloons so they will hold the helium longer, we always decline. Then we get their pressured sales pitch about how they won’t last and will fall to the ground and we really need to add this stuff for 15 cents/​balloon. We still decline. Then they always get all nasty. The lady this visit asked if it was for a party that night, I was in there about 6PM. I told her I needed them for something in the morning. Then she tried her sales speech and I said I don’t need it. She said that they weren’t going to last and I told her they would. She repeated that they won’t last and I still said I didn’t want it. Then she was all nasty because I wouldn’t do it.
I will attach a picture of the balloons taken the next day (about 15 hours after purchasing the balloons). Yep, they lasted and are still on the ceiling.
I don’t need your pushy rude salespeople telling me lies to spend some extra money. Maybe you guys should be real and tell people how many hours a balloon will actually hold helium, which is 12 – 20 hours according to Google. And then lay off when I decline.

Big store! stuff for moms party. I came in with the intent on just getting streamers. $ 65.00 later I have all of the makings of an awesomely decorated party for my Momma. Thanks Party city! My only complaint is there was no candles in the store with the number 70 on it. :-(

A fun place to shop. The greeting cards half-​price and awesome deal. Their season stuff Halloween Christmas Valentine’s Day always have a great display. Even have helium balloons at a great price. Never busy can get in and out of there in speedy time.

Don’t bring the KIDS to this store — they are NOT welcome
8÷3÷13:
Dear Manager Kenneth, as promised, here is my public expression of «BOO!»:
I’m the woman who couldn’t find the colored nail polish you were advertising and you didn’t have time to show me. I am also the mom whose child was neatly and carefully stacking paper cups while I was shopping, and as you zoomed by, you snipped at me:
«Are you going to BUY those cups??»
NOPE. I was going to buy MUCH more than cups.
Let me tell you who else I am:
I am that mom who trusts that if my kiddo is harmlessly amusing herself, not damaging product or mixing it, then she may do so until I am done in that aisle.
I am the one that will make sure my kid puts every item back, where it goes, or I will do it myself, like a conscientious customer — I know, we are rare. She even faces products. I know the term, as I have owned my own retail store. I have been in your managerial shoes, Kenneth.
I am also «every stay at home mom (parent)» that has to get more done in 2 hours than you, dear manager, must get done in one entire business day. But I get to do it with a «staff member» that only gets paid in 2 — for– a –dollar nail polish and stacked cups — but only while that attention span lasts.
Now, you are the boss of Party City Rancho San Diego, so if you don’t want to allow certain types of «activity» in YOUR STORE then that is your prerogative.
But you might consider that allowing a kid her harmless amusements allows a mom to shop ten times more swiftly, buy three times more, and LEAVE your tidy store, FASTER.
Oh yes, and she will actually remain and patronize your store.
Instead, I left. I left the basket full of nail polish, I left without buying ALL the party supplies I had intended for my folk’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary Bash.
Did I mention we are inviting a LOT of people?
Passive aggressive comments like yours are not only poor communication overall, but they really irk those of us who feel that our money is much better spent in an amiable, customer APPRECIATED environment. Not an environment that tries to shame a kid for being a kid, or a mom for creatively multi-​tasking and juggling her challenging managerial work. Instead of tearing up the party favor isle, mine was quietly stacking paper cups into a tower.
And you bark.
As a retired retail ‘mom and pop’ store owner who survived Costco down the street with a fiercely loyal customer base, and a consumer whose demographic IS yours, I offer you this, Ken:
Use proper communication skills and ASK for what you want IE: «Please don’t allow your child to touch merchandise you aren’t going to buy»
or: «Kids aren’t allowed to play here»; you know, those things true to your heart. Perhaps «I wasn’t allowed to play and now I’m grown up and the boss, so she can’t now» would be more accurate? I’m sorry if this is the correct expression for you. Or, simpler, humor the customer and KEEP her. Build loyalty and don’t make enemies with sharp pens.
Either way, Kenneth. Your passive aggression not only shooed us away, but it irked me enough to break my cardinal rule: Don’t leave a full basket without putting the stuff back. I do hope you found the note in it saying «Please leave this for Kenneth to put back» and your invitation to read more here on Unilocal.
(Thanks to sweet Vannessa behind the counter who trusted me to return her pen. I hope Corporate is reading this for two reasons.)
Lastly, you might benefit from knowing that marketing research states a happy customer will tell 1 to 2 people about an experience at a store, and an unhappy one will tell 7 to 10? That’s verbal, I wonder what the audience is on Unilocal?
Something to think about out there in your «no kids allowed» Party City, Mr. Manager.
Deb
La Mesa

I came by Party City because I am planning to have a luau party with my class for the end of the year.
I picked up a few things like candies, mega lei’s, cups, and napkins that went along with the them. I was able to find what I needed. Some stuff was well priced and others ere okay, but the good things was that they had every thing I needed and then some.
The customer service was friendly and extremely helpful for me who rarely visits a store like this. I am kinda glad I do not because I can see how things could get out of hand. They have a lot of stuff.

Absolutely love Party City! This store is HUGE and literally has every single thing you need for a party and more! You walk in looking for one thing and hope you’re going to find it, but end up walking out with that specific thing (but better) and every other thing you didn’t even realize you needed!
All this place needs is to sell cakes and you’re set. But if they did it would put every other freaking place out of business!

1 year later, and i’m back! YES, I freakin love party city! I love how it always feels like a old school nightclub or disco when I’m in there they are always playing some fun dancing old school songs, love it! This guy didn’t only ask me if I needed help but when he told me where the streamers and balloons were he walked me to the aisle instead of just pointing or telling me like most people do. I thought that was very gentleman like of him. Anyhow, I was supposed to be buying stuff for the gift bags and decorations for my son’s 2^nd birthday party and as usual they were fully stocked with what I needed and more. I needed Thomas the Train engine stuff and they had plenty not to mention all the super cheap gift bags fillers they had which you can not find anywhere else. Most of all I love how you can buy stuff individually instead of buying packs of things so you can put more of a personal touch on gifts bags. I was able to get everyone something different for their bag and also so you don’t have too much or not enough when limited to buying packs of party favors at stores like target and such. I think they even did a little remodeling because it seemed larger and more stocked in there than it was before. Ample parking by the way, which is always a plus anywhere you go. Ok now go back and tell me how many times I said love in this review lol and then go to this party city versus the others and you’ll see why I did :)