Papyrus

I’m a sucker for stationery stores and I think writing letters and sending cards is truly a lost art. I can spend a long, LONG time in most greeting card stores (just ask my family!), and I love gift stores, too. And Papyrus is one of those stores where the quality of the products they carry is so high end, many of the cards and stationery products are tantamount to works of art. Sure, prices are higher than, say, at a Hallmark store (not that there are many Hallmark stores around anymore, alas), but the product line here is so fine, many of the cards even seem hand-​made, or have unique embellishments, and all are packaged well (I love the plastic overwraps, the envelope lining, and the golden round hummingbird decal to seal the envelope).
Not only are there awesome cards here. There are lovely gift ideas, hostess gifts, small home accessories, and gifts for many life occasions (adorable baby socks and bibs, picture frames for graduates, small glass plates with quotes for Fathers Day or Mothers Day, fantastic stocking stuffers for Christmas and gorgeous bunny themed figurines for Easter, etc). There are usually beautifully scented soaps and candles, pretty jewelry and boxes to put trinkets in, and an area for gifts and toys for babies, toddlers and older kids. (Today there was the softest pink stuffed bunny baby toy I have ever seen, in my entire life. And coloring books and a few craft kits for toddlers). And there’s a ton of boxes of note cards and stationery and gorgeous wrapping papers and gift bags.
I usually buy seasonal things here when they are on sale. They also have a loyalty program where, if you sign up for it (it’s free to do so), you get every third or fourth card free (this replaces their old punch card program).
I’ve always found the people who work here friendly and helpful. I’ve never had any incident with unfriendly or unhelpful sales help. I’m surprised to read how people have had other experiences. If I am looking for something specific, I ask; otherwise, I love to just browse and explore on my own.

Went back the other day to shop for my partner’s birthday. Sadly same horrible service. Only customer in the store, and saw three associates. No interaction on the sales floor, and no concern for what I might be looking for. Will not be returning.

Yes, the product is expensive, but I like it. However, I do not base my reviews off of product, especially if I’m visiting one out of many stores in a chain.
Papyrus is a store I go to when I can afford to spend more on a card, candle, or do-​dad than normal. I am quite fond of the quality of their stuff. Today, I went in with a $ 100 budget. I was looking for an iPhone case and was definitely eyeing a few of the awesome smelling candles.
When I walked in I noticed there were two employees talking and leaning against the counter. We made eye contact, but I was not greeted or smiled at.
That didnt bother me as much as the fact that I spent a while in there, clearly interested in several things. I was an easy sale. I finally walked out after receiving no customer service. I thought maybe they would say goodbye or have a nice day, but they simply (and stupidly) let $ 100 or more of a sale walk out the store.
Since this is the second bad experience I’ve had at this particular location, I thought I would write about it.
I am an approachable person and I’ve never been ignored twice at a store. I can only conclude that the management is poor at this location.
I worked in retail five years and managed for three of those five. I know what poor customer service is! I’ve never done anything like this, but I’ve decided i’m going to contact the company.
I boycott this location!

I walk in. I find a nice card. I buy the nice card. I leave. It happened just the way I wanted it to happen. What more do you need?

I don’t understand why other reviewers whinge about about «bad customer service because no one acknowledged me when I walked in the store». Personally, I hate when a sales associate jumps on me the moment I walk into a store. It makes me feel pressured. If I need help, I’ll walk over and say «I need help» and help is there. We’re fortunate there are any of these brick & mortar stores left in Seattle. Paperzone? Gone. Arvey? Gone. There used to be a number of reasonably-​priced stationery stores all over Seattle… all gone. You can have some poor underpaid schmuck at Office Depot run up & lick your hand I suppose, but why would you want to go there? It’s dead depressing & the selection is crap.

I love their cards, but not their customer service. It would be nice if the sales associates would perhaps stop talking to each other for a few seconds while they ring a customer up. The only words said to me throughout the entire transaction were «do you need a bag?» I would have been willing to forgive them but it’s happened at least three times — but I keep coming back because of their cute cards and because they’re two blocks away from my work.

I’m pretty anti-​greeting card. I mean, when I get them, I stick them up on the fridge for a few months and eventually put them in a box or the trash (depending on how sentimental I’m feeling) and never look at them again.
However, there are some occasions where I have to buy greeting cards, like for my sister’s wedding or when my boss asked me to buy a birthday card for a coworker. When these rare occasions come up, Papyrus is definitely my go-​to card shop.
The cards here are always beautiful or adorable and simple. They have a nice message without being overbearing and awkward. They are also more original than the cards at Hallmark with different textures and designs, but they also cost a little bit more. Most cards here are from the $ 5 – 8 range, but considering how rarely I buy cards, I’d rather spend a dollar or two more for the perfect one.

Last summer I wanted to get some fancy thank you cards. I’d never been in Papyrus and wanted to check it out. The selection of cards, paper, wrapping supplies, notebooks and stationary is great. Almost too much stuff, but hey, I can’t really complain about variety. What I can complain about was the Total and Complete Lack of Customer Service (a sentiment echoed in other reviews). I was not approached or acknowledged in any way until I got rung up. I was perusing for at least 15 minutes — a fairly long time to be ignored in a smallish store where they could see me the entire time. And though there were other customers, the employees were not busy ringing the whole time. What really left me with a bad impression was witnessing an interaction between a customer and the girl ringing her up. The customer presented a punch card as she was paying. The employee flatly said «We don’t do that anymore.» Not nicely, without a hint of sympathy or apology. After the customer expressed disappointment the employee offered a brief explanation, but still in a curt tone.
I worked in customer service for a very long time, and how you say something makes all the difference. The employee could have conveyed the same message but in a much, much nicer way. Though the stationary I got that day ($ 15 for 10 pretty blue cards with matching envelopes) was lovely and I think Papyrus’ selection and quality is top notch, the horrible customer service would keep me from coming back.

I’d been dreaming of hummingbirds lately. Imagine my surprise when I spied Papyrus’ hummingbird logo! I found a wonderful wedding card for a friend, and a book for myself (The Bombshell Manual of Style). The greeting cards and gifts are always beautiful at Papyrus.

I’m writing this review not because I love the store all that much, but because I feel it’s getting a bad rap. This is a stationery store. Stationery is EXPENSIVE!!! Take a look online, it’s still expensive. Now think, if you worked at a mall with high-​end clothing stores & a very nice movie theatre that all got a lot of foot-​traffic, but the store you worked at sold expensive paper & 90% of the people who came into your store would never buy anything & never had questions about anything & never had anything to say to you except «40 dollars for paper?!? You’ve gotta be kidding!!!» How would that make you feel?
Papyrus is a lovely store that sells lovely things that all have lovely price tags. The people who work there are friendly but keep to themselves as they know that pretty much everyone is «just looking.» If you have questions, they are more than willing to help.
The greeting card selection is absolutely excellent. I will never buy Hallmark again. As for the stationery, it’s nice, but I prefer handmade paper. Papyrus does well in a pinch, it’s high-​quality & looks very nice. For recycled options, try the subsidiary company, Crane.
(For handmade paper try Goods For The Planet on Dexter Ave!)