Melissa & Doug

Shipping is taking more than 10 days! And Yes, they tell you one price online and charge you another. Smh never again.

Word to the wise: M & D wooden alphabet blocks have glaring screw-​ups: A «D» block shows the letter in upper and lower case –but on another side also has a lower case «b» instead of a picture of an animal or whatever starting with a D. A «Q» block has a d-​o-​g on one side, which obviously doesn’t make sense. Called in to M & D customer service: cooperative and concerned – but quick to hint that this was a one-​off error, which I seriously doubt with what would seem to be a mass-​produced learning tool for pre-​schoolers such as mine. Speaking of that, what an awful learning tool it is that confuses a child trying to learn the alphabet. If you buy this product (26 wooden blocks aimed at teaching the alphabet), do yourself a favor and examine each block when you get it home to make sure your kid doesn’t think a lower case d and b are the same. Or becomes confused why a Q block depicts both a quilt, but also a dog. As I mentioned to M & D, when you go cheap and have illiterate Chinese suppliers shipping such junk, you get what you pay for. I’m told the blocks will be replaced. Fine. I’m told that their in-​house quality control will be informed. Some quality control, huh? I’m going to report my findings to the toy store in Washington, DC, (Sullivan’s), and I want to emphasize that anything that M & D sell in this category be examined carefully before you think that you’re teaching, rather than confusing, your pre-​schooler. Sheesh!

Well I have both good and bad experience with Melissa & Doug company. Good things first. Prices are reasonable. Shipping is VERY fast. Quick responding customer service. One bad thing. They didn’t include sales tax on the final receipt. It was misleading and confusing when you see a price difference between your receipt and your credit card especially when you ordered over 200 $ worth of toys. Every company I ordered online calculated respective sales tax and includes the tax in final receipt.
When I called the customer service, I was told that the price on the credit card will be lowered once the order was shipped. Obviously, the representative on the phone doesn’t know how their company handles sales tax and gave me false information and reassured me the price will be adjusted. So be make sure you calculate your State sales tax and add to your total balance when you check out.

The place is cool. Small shop and the prices are ok. The staff is cool and there is parking.

Run, don’t walk, from this company. I have 25 years experience in the finance sector and this was BY FAR the most insulting, and abusive interview process I’ve ever been engaged in. They leave the candidate absolutely no dignity. And this is only during the hiring process! I spoke to an employee who had been there for 4 years who said, «I had hoped it would be weird and wonderful but it turned out to be just weird and weird.»

I had one of my best experiences purchasing from this company. I ordered a table easel which arrived damaged (not from shipping).When I called CS it was immediately replaced, but the 2^nd one was no better, maybe worse shape, when it arrived. However, when I recontacted CS, Barbara could not have been more apologetic (and I think embarrassed) and went above and beyond by sending out a larger, more expensive, by double, easel for my grand daughter. To me that is customer service personified. These items, though displaying their name, are not made by them and sometimes products slip through, even twice, reflecting not as good quality as they would like. The test, to me, is if they are willing to take responsibility for those mistakes and stand behind what they sell. That is what is important to being a repeat customer and I am one! They did not even require me to return the damaged ones, which is a hassle in and of itself. We did send pictures, but that was my suggestion, not their request. Classy, classy, classy!

Shady business practices. Be sure to read the «unrecommended» reviews because they are on point. This place is working with every recruiter in town because their turnover is high-​not because they are growing as fast as they claim to be. I had a phone interview and was so utterly disgusted by their process that I canceled the in person interview. That didn’t stop them from aggressively continuing to recruit me until I finally told them to STOP. They did a mock sales call as part of the interview which I KNOW they recorded, but they did not tell me. The gist of the call was to have me, the employee coerce a customer to keep a product they wanted to return. As an experienced customer service professional I found this to be atrocious. They practically wanted me to bully the customer into ordering something they didn’t want. They also asked me if I would be willing to provide child care for the owners children. Both during and outside of business hours. The work hours are 8 – 6 (meaning work starts at 8, not arrive to the office at 8) and you get 30 minutes for lunch which you are not allowed to leave the office to take. Either brown bag it or they order for you and deduct it from your paycheck. The owners are complete narcissists who bring entitlement to a new level. Everyone in this area knows someone with a nightmare story about this place and I refuse to buy any of their products. I go out of my way not to.

«I placed this order on a Sunday morning but within minutes immediately turned around, called SkyMall, and canceled the order. I canceled the order because there was no option to include a gift card and I wanted the child to know that the gift was from me. I went onto Melissa & Doug’s website and found the same item for the same price, however, it had the option to include a gift card. So, I ordered this item from Melissa and Doug. Melissa and Doug sent me confirmation on Tuesday that my order had been shipped. I then received a confirmation from SkyMall on Wednesday that the order I had canceled was shipped! My gift recipient received two identical, personalized gifts. SkyMall claims that Melissa and Doug didn’t cancel my order request that they sent them on Sunday right after I canceled. Melissa and Doug advised me that they would fix this problem and that they would call me right back after speaking with SkyMall. I have yet to hear from either company over $ 19.99. Unreal. It’s obvious that someone dropped the ball as I canceled an order within minutes of placing it. My family and business does a lot with SkyMall but after this incident we will not be dealing with either company due to their lack of concern and customer service. Very disappointing! Spread the word… buyer beware if you need to cancel an order from either company!!»

Had to report them to the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General for shady business practices. They also advertise jobs on their company site and on job sites that do not exist and were filled months ago «just to collect resumes». People there are rude and take pleasure in demeaning you. The average mandated working day is 10 hours with a ½ lunch break (if you are lucky). I have also heard that they refuse to take returns. If you want more information, just read «What Won’t You Do for a Job?» in the Wall Street Journal.

Went on an interview here once and they were the rudest people ever. Totally insane. Even if I was not a good fit for the job, they were super insulting and when discussing their business and staff they were extremely bizaare and disrespectful. Most people in the community think they are a joke, anways. Everyone knows what a nightmare it is to work there.

Company refuses to replace or give any info to where parts that have been broken can be replaced, January 2, 2013
Trying to fix broken leg and replace lost screws and round silver disk that tops them. tried to call 3 times to their service center, 1^st time was told they would call me back with info… they did not. Sent email, they said to call again & they could help me. I called again and was told they were the manufacturer but did not supply any parts. Told them I would be happy to buy them. They said NO they didnt do that & they never give any info about the company or their people in China??? Why? they have about 30 employees here in the states. over 1000 in China. I have brought many of their products… I will no longer… what are they trying to hide??? Could there be lead or other harnfull materials they are using? think this review of people working there tells it ALL!

Most of their toys are made in China and they have had several recalls for BARIUM. There is also a shocking report on the Wall Street Journal about their hiring practices titled «What Won’t You Do for a Job?» WSJ. Google it.

I find their products to be well made and educational. There are toys for children of ALL ages.
However, and I hope they pay attention to this review, the products must be foreign made. I bought my grandson the workbench. For assembly, the directions were clear and easy to follow and everything needed was included. However, the very last bolt broke when I tried to tighten it. Off to the hardware store I went. The bolt and Allen wrench were both metric and replacement was not available so I had to find a size, as closely as I could, and then purchase a new wrench. It was a minimal cost, but in an American size. Please take this into consideration for toys that require assembly.
He and all his friends love the workbench, BTW.

Melissa and Doug is awesome! As a first-​time mom, I often make mistakes buying things for my son. When I bought a doll from The Right Start and assumed it functioned a certain way, I was wrong. I tried to return it, but they wouldn’t let me! That made me frustrated and angry. They suggested I call the manufacturer and I am so glad they did!
The woman who answered at Melissa and Doug was so cheerful, attentive and concerned that I instantly felt like I was in the company of people who understood parenting. She forwarded all my concerns on, and said she’d call me back with some resolution.
SHE DID! They sent me a replacement doll! I bought a doll that wasn’t what I thought it was, and they sent me another! It was so easy and they were so friendly about it! I only wish every company selling children’s products catered as well to the needs of first-​time parents!
The doll is awesome too! Great products, great customer service. It’s a win-​win.