Mann Brothers

I agree with other reviews about the indifference of the customer service and wait time to be acknowledged. In my experience, it is the same at any paint store I have gone to, so that is not to much of a negative. The one plus is that they have very experienced personnel, but you have to ask the right questions to get to the right person. Remember this is not Home Depot or Lowe’s, so there is a expertise in products that you will not find at the DIY stores. If you look at my profile pic you’ll see a giraffe that was painted with Mann Brothers products. I am quite amazed at the way it turned out and it was because these people took the time to get me the right primer and paint.

Customer SERVICE IS AWFUL at this store. Some of the employees lack knowledge about their products and take wild guesses when you ask a question. The store manager can be outright rude and ignores people who are waiting and just waits on who he feels like waiting on. No wonder the mood among some staff members seems depressed. Home Depot and Lowe’s staff do their best to be helpful but these guys seem to do as little as possible.
I had already written a 2-​star review when another problem arose. Based on a color chart they had in the store I misjudged the color of some stain and called the store to ask if they could darken it. I spoke to two employees and they both said they might be able to darken it but they’d have to see the color. That made sense so I went to the store with the 2 gallons of stain. When I got there they told me they don’t change colors – it pointed out that wasn’t what they said on the phone. The assistant manager said he can’t guess the color I wanted and seemed very firm, if not rude in how he stated his position. «What if I show you a color chip?» I asked. He said he might be able to do it. When I showed him the color I wanted he asked a staff member to do it. The guy said he could do it but needed 25 minutes to get it done. Sounded reasonable to me. At that point the assist manager chimed in and told me it would take 3 – 5 hours and they would call me when it was done. That was at 11am. I never got a call from the store that day nor the next day. Result: Mann Brothers /​Shilpark Paint lost customer forever.
The whole idea of going to a specialty stores is that you may pay a little higher price but you expect to get good service and a reasonable level of product knowledge – but not at this place. Higher price, bad service, very little expertise.

I am so freaking pissed right now.
I called this place and spoke to 3 different people as to whether or not they carried «Minwax Antique Oil Finish in the red can» as it is not available in Orange County. Each person I spoke to said «yes» including Carlos whom I spoke to this morning and told me he would leave a can at the will-​call desk for my boyfriend to grab and go. BF made a trip up to this place which is almost 40 miles one way to get it and then the unbelievable happens. He gets there and guess what… they don’t carry it because of the VOC laws in LA. IDIOTS, that is why I called first, so that I would not send him on a wild goose chase. If you cannot have reliable people who know your stock you should not be in business.
I ended up calling Morris the manager and all he could say was «sorry». Not, «hey let me send you some product for free to make up for the $ 30 in gas he just wasted, or for your time or frustration», nothing.
I will avoid this place like the plague and will be telling my woodworking teacher to remove this company from the list of material suppliers so that NO ONE ever has to deal with this crap again.

Best paint shop around. These guys know their stuff and can match any paint colors. Carlos and Alex are my go to guys :)

Really friendly and helpful. Great selection of paints and supplies. Alex and Cole were extremely informative. I will definitely be back :) Thanks guys!

I only use Benjamin Moore for my apartment painting and that’s how I found Mann’s. Yes, you will probably not be greeted, and it’s unlikely you will be giving eye contact until someone is ready for you. I just wait in line at the counter, since there are usually no employees to wander the aisles and assist. It’s a strange system, but if you don’t become offended or impatient you will not be sorry you stuck it out.
They know about paint, and everything to do with painting. It’s wonderful to go into a store where the staff are actually well versed in what they sell. I just ask all the questions I have and I always leave happy. We have matched paint with them, and recently I purchased a stain for our patio furniture that was unorthodox (bc I wanted it in a colour) and Alex set me straight on the best way to go about it. That’s why I go to Mann’s.
Yes, some of them do duck faces at you when you come in. Not sure why, but I get the feeling that it’s a sort of douche bag filter. Personally I prefer to kill customers with kindness, but they can do as they wish and they have a customer in me!
Highly recommended over large hardware stores!

Worst customer service! I asked what type of polyurethane would work best on a painted wood floor and the answer I got «I cant can’t tell you that, your painter needs to come down here and pick one out». You are a paint salesman and you cant make a recommendation? reply… NO. FU I will take my business elsewhere.

Good paint selection, open early, nice people who help you when guidance is needed. And there is dedicated parking, a real asset on a tow street like La Brea.

I’ve seen bad service before but, this one takes the cake. They may have good paint, but the quality of service is mediocre.
I came in and there was 4 customers in line waiting to receive some kind of help. We were all staring around for anyone to help us but every one was too busy handling paper work.
I waited 30 minutes to finally receive assistance and I waited another 30 minutes to get my paint.

I think we have been buying paint and stain products from Mann since we started our company Mortise & Tenon in 1989. Whenever I need advice on a finishing technique or product I always get great info, Morris has been a lifesaver over the years.
They used to be in the North Hollywood but closed that shop years back but still they are close to our retail store on La Brea so all is well.
A great paint store with all the products you’ll need to get the job done. I’m not sure how their pricing compares to other products, quality and information are the most important priorities for our company since we are a mid-​higher end custom manufacturer and retailer.

I got the distinct impression that they didn’t want me to purchase paint at their store. I’ll give you the details and see if you agree.
Upon asking for a little assistance the gentleman helping us said that he does not recommend paint colors. I said that was fine because I knew what I wanted. He continued on that if I needed help with colors I’d have to ask my designer for that. No problem since I also happen to be my own designer. Got the feeling that they only wanted to sell to designers not the hoi polloi.
I have an issue with one room and was recommended a remedy on a paint forum which involves many steps and many products. I wanted to run this by a professional. I outline what I understand to be the five steps and five necessary products. The guy tells me I’ve got it all wrong and then proceedes to outline the exact same five steps and five similar products. He disses one of the products that had been recommended to me but I realize that he also doesn’t sell it. So, perhaps that skewed his recommendations. Annoying but after being «corrected» I know I’m on the right page with my course of action.
I then ask for recommendations for trim paint. As a new home owner it’s a little overwhelming with all of the options. So, I asked if I’d be best going with a latex, alkyd or oil knowing that I want durability and have different kinds of paint I need to be painting over. The guy tells me that each line is good and that he won’t recommend one in particular and he also won’t recommend what kind of product (latex, alkyd, etc). I’m glad they sell products that they stand behind but I’d like some direction, such as, most people are happy with x, or I’ve always had good luck with x. But nope, no recommendation, In fact I’m told yet again that I need my designer to pick the product for me. Sigh.
At this point I’m ready to walk out but I decided to ask if they had a product by fine paints of Europe that I’d be recommended on another forum. The guy scoffs and says that they don’t really carry infomercial products. Um, I didn’t ask for a shamwow, I asked for a primer from fine paints of Europe — one of the brands they carry!
The experience was so frustrating. I’ve got an entire house that needs painted inside and out. I will not be giving this company any of my business. Not exactly in the same location but I’d recommend Cox Paints in Culver City anytime. They will be getting my business instead.

Chris is the silver haired man with beard and moustache, a wonderful helpful kindly man, the other men working with him are equally fabulous.
They make buying paint a wonderful experience

My go-​to for paint and supplies…
The friendly, knowledgeable staff go out of their way to help you anyway they can. These guys rock!
They carry Benjamin Moore, Pratt & Lambert and Ralph Lauren paints along with Mohawk stains, the only UV stain I’ll use in California’s sun.

I telephoned to inquire about a specific item and was told they had it in stock. I drove an hour to get there. There was no one in the store but me and the people that work there. They were absolutely of no help and didn’t have the product. I asked where I could find it and was told (dismissively) to go try a store in Santa Monica. This is the second time I’ve tried to spend money there and been turned away. If my house were withering away from lack of paint I would not step foot in that store to save it.

1. THEY MOVED– they’re a block or two south across the street from the old address, now on the east side of La Brea– look for the BENJAMIN MOORE signage– its a little bigger than the «Mann» sign.
2. GREAT selection for scenic painting, creative finishes, specialty. One of the few places in LA county you can still buy oil paint. If they don’t have it they can get it.
3. Staff that actually know something about paint.

These guys are the Benjamin Moore paint guys in our area. The place is wonderful. Service is good and the men are with it. For some strange reason, they don’t seem to carry gallons of high gloss white paint. Otherwise, they are miles ahead of Dunn-​Edwards in service. The paint is very good quality.

What an awesome find.
This has to be the most helpful paint shop around. They carry many great brands and are available to help with any of your questions.
This is the reason we should support small business’!
I will continue to come to Mann Brothers for all of my painting needs. There are no stupid questions to these guys. And they even help you out by bringing paint to your car.