Party City of Vancouver

The first time I came here I entered after going to trader joes. I had groceries in my bag and was asked to leave my shopping bags at the front counter. For some reason this just left a bad taste in my mouth. I couldn’t browse the store knowing that I left my stuff at the front where I couldn’t see it. Therefore I quickly just walked back up to the front, grabbed my stuff and left without making a purchase. Since then, I rarely enter this store (especially when I feel like my bag is too large and the staff may ask me to leave my belongings at the front… trust issues, I swear). I understand that they may fear theft and all that, but customers don’t like leaving their belongings in the hands of others. Especially in the hands of rude employees that were working the first time I visited. But I like to find something positive in a business, and what I like about them is that their aisles are very organized based on color so you can easily find items of a certain color scheme for a party.

Party City is the one stop-​shop/​go-​to place for all your Halloween Costume needs and more! HA!
I had my mind set on me becoming Little Red Riding Hood this Halloween. I was able to find everything needed for my costume at my local Party City. I walked in, found a dress, red hood, basket– THE WORKS! However, I decided that I wanted to change up my costume and wear a red tutu instead. I browsed though the aisles, picking which one might be «it», all while maneuvering around the GIANT signs on EVERY rack stating «DO NOT OPEN PACKAGES/​WIGS, IF YOU DO, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE» (Or something along those lines) **Point taken– I’m won’t open the package. I’m too damn lazy to open it anything anyway**
With an armful of Red ‘Hood paraphernalia, I had narrowed down my choices to two. I began to through the rack trying to find a package that was not covered in glitter, when all of a sudden all the items I that I was holding were viciously snatched out of my arms. I hear in a stern, raised voice,
«EXCUSE ME! DO NOT OPEN ANY OF THE PACKAGES!!!»
Confused, embarrassed, and startled, I replied «What? I didn’t open anything!»
«Well I STILL ask that you don’t.» And then she proceeded to walked away with my items. Now, still confused, and now ticked off and embarrassed, I yelled back «DID YOU SEE ME OPEN ANY PACKAGES?!» because the couple next to me had seen and agreed that I had done no such thing.
I asked to see the store manager. To my surprise the mean costume snatcher, «Betty» was it. I’m appalled by how someone with a lack of friendliness and customer service could hold the title of store manager. Her allegations, accusations, a and condescending demeanor were offensive and downright rude. I wanted to file a complaint, and she ONLY then was she quick to offer and apology. The number I was given to call the owner was quickly written down and was hardly legible. I did call (971)208−5062 and have left numerous messages, and STILL no return phone call or followup. I would like to go to corporate and file a proper complaint or view video footage to better understand what «Betty» might have thought she had seen. I understand that she must have been stressed with it being their busiest time of the year, but give me a break. ONE MONTH is nothing. Whatever happened to excellent customer service?! MERRY HALLOWEEN from your Vancouver Party Sh*tty! May their staff have a very BLESSED day!

You might expect a party store to be more uplifting in spirit, but this store is a debbie downer for sure. From the minute you walk in there is country music blaring on the store speakers… depressing songs about relations gone bad, broke down trucks and drunkeness. The store manager must be a real doozie not to recognize how distracting it is to the atmosphere of the store, and ultimately the psyche of shoppers. I limited my time in store because the music was annoying and the employees were um… unexcited to be there. I bought my party supplies on amazon because the selections were cuter and cheaper but I am forced to get balloons elsewhere… that is until amazon ships balloons.

They deserve at least two stars but I can see how they got a couple 1 star review. There’s a strong sense of apathy with the employees. Signs everywhere about various policies and rules… I hate when places do that. It’s rather condescending and makes the customer feel Like they think we are children?
They do have a good selection of stuff but I would avoid in general unless you absolutely need those he man party plates or Dora the explorer piñata.

We found the perfect balloons for our nephews 2^nd birthday and were super excited to create an epic balloon bouquet for him. The staff were so inflexible, unhelpful and super unfriendly, so we ended up leaving with no balloons and vowing never to go into a Party City again! Horrible experience!

Party City has almost everything you will ever need to put together a good party or event for adults or children. They have great prices, the staff is usually very attentive and for mylar balloons they are unrivaled.
So why one star? I want to relate a personal moment that happened quite recently. The Tax Deduction has a birthday coming up and he is fire-​fighter crazy. So we walked in and found fire-​fighter invites, plates, napkins, balloons, party favors… the works. On the way to the checkout register little Tax Deduction informs that he has to use the bathroom. Checkout Lady is asked if they have a bathroom and we are told that they do, but that he cannot use it. A few «are you serious?» and «we’ll be in there with him» later and we drop everything on the floor and walk out. Next door at Petco, they have a bathroom and they let us use it. We don’t have a dog, but we bought dog treats for a friend that does.