Let It Bead

We looked up and down for the address on the web but couldn't find the shop. Only when I read a few reviews did I realize the shop had moved. Not happy. This was my reason for going downtown more

Well, Let it Bead has always been a place I've turned to to find unique beads or last minute findings. But now I'm going to strongly reconsider. This is the second time I've visited where I've been ignored or curtly greeted AFTER about seven minutes of employee gossip. Shouldn't customers come first? And more importantly, I don't think that I should have had a bad experience with the customer service in the first place. This second time really irked me. Now, normally I'm one to mind my own business. But when there are three people in the store- two associates and myself- it is kind of hard to ignore what's being said. First, topic was about some previous customer that irked one of the associates. Makes me not want to ask questions out of fear I'll be ""irking"" the very people who are supposed to help me. Second topic- comments about some person who was/is having an affair or something?!? REALLY?!? Customers shouldn't be hearing this. I felt really awkward. Totally unprofessional.... not that I would categorize these people as professional. When it was finally time for me to purchase my few beads (would have been more but didn't want to disturb the gossip to get some sterling findings out of the case), I was rung up by some girl with long stringy brown hair. The only words out of her mouth were the amount of my total...and.... oh yeah, a quiet thank you with a stern face. Time to take my money elsewhere!!! Pros: Good place to go if you want dirty laundry aired. Cons: Customer service more

The first time I visited Portland, of course I had to go to all the bead stores I could find. Out of the four I went to, Let It Bead was by far the best. While other stores were nice and had unique things, Let It Bead had the warmest feel. It felt the closest to a home, where as the other bead stores felt a little more... ""storish"". Their staff members were very helpful and open, they felt almost like friends rather than employees. As for their selection, they have a WONDERFUL selection of semi-precious stones. I am more of a czech glass person myself, which I was just a tad dissapointed to find that selection was not so big, but their wide range of other things made up for it. Their new trendy location is awesome and is in a great area of Portland to do the rest of your shopping. Pros: Cheapest selection in Portland, best customer service Cons: not enough czech glass! more

Mostly I am writing this review to point out that the store is now on NW 23rd (cross street Quimby). As far as rating or number of stars - 4 seems reasonable... I'd give the place a solid B. The shop has always been fairly decent in my book - both staff and selection. There are better and worse I'm sure, and honestly it really depends what you're looking for when calling out the ""best"" bead shop. But, you're likely to find what you need for most projects at Let it Bead. more

Customer service at Let it Bead is hot and cold. Not sure why that is - they've moved a couple times in the last year so maybe that has something to do with it. The prices are high on some items relative to their quality. When shopping here, know what you are buying and look it over twice. more

I recently visited Let It Bead for the first time. I am so pleased to find this store. They have a wide variety of unusual beads along with all of my basic products needed at a reasonable price. The atmosphere is bright and cheery with a wonderful, helpful staff. There is fantastic natural light which I find to be very important. I highly recommend this store to any bead enthusiast! more

I?ve been shopping at Let It Bead for years now and each time I go, I usually find exactly what I?m looking for. Most of the time I end up buying much more than I needed because I?m always seeing something new and different. The sales staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. I always look forward to my next trek to L.I.B. more

Out of the two dreddy employees working in the store, I received help from neither of them when trying to decide on tools to purchase. I asked a few questions here and there to clarify which tools I should use and received little to no help at all. I am no expert at jewelry crafting but since they specialize in that and claim to make the jewelry they sell in their store, I would expect a little more friendly expertise. Instead it seemed that their artistic egos overtook their willingness to help. They held up a fifteen minute conversation between the two of them the entire time I was there only pausing to give me a brief answer to some of my questions. I have never received such poor service in any retail store. Usually it is customary for the employees to approach you to see if you do need help. Even attempting to be friendly to these girls did not work, they were stoned faced when it came to customers that were clueless about what they were doing. I will never shop there again. Even though I work a block from this location, I would rather shop at like stores in SE or NE than return here again....not only are other stores more reasonably priced but they also offer more assistance. more