Wide World of Maps, Inc

Excellent selection and even better service. Amazing selection of maps, books, flags, and more. The store was clean and the staff was extremely friendly.
I would highly recommend this store to anyone!

These folks print most of the maps you see, and have the license to create custom maps for special occasions, events, or businesses. If they don’t have it, and it can’t be ordered, or they can’t print it themselves, you’re are SOL.
I doubt that even a search on the world wide web can find it, hence THEIR name, which, by the way, was created before the internet. I know, they’ve been around awhile and in the same location, shoot, I think the same people are working here since first visiting the place back in the early 80’s.
Hence the five stars. Some might give ‘em four because they didn’t have the map they were looking for… that’s like going to toys-​r-​us and looking for a Major Matt Mason.

I’ve gone to this store a number of times but went there recently for the first time in years. I like maps a great deal.
In the 80s it was very useful for hiking topographical maps and customer service was very good.
In 2006 I went to buy a large, nice map with my son. Later I learned they called my credit card company to see if I was legit. There was nothing wrong with our behavior or appearance. I stayed away for years after that.
In 2012 I went to buy a standard road map of a nearby state. I couldn’t find one and asked for help. The store was empty and there were two staff. one told the other to help me and neither did. I left angry but didn’t show it.
Three more years I stayed away. However, I returned recently and bought some maps. Customer service was friendly and excellent. So, a big improvement. Hopefully it stays this way.
For real map use, a tiny smart phone picture or computer print out just doesn’t give the detail or size needed, only a paper map will do. So this store is where one goes.

MAPS!
What has two thumbs and loves maps? *points thumbs at self*
This guy.
I couldn’t believe in this day and age, with the power of the interwebs, a store like this still existed.
They have maps of all kinds and of all geographic areas, not just AZ and Phoenix. There are 3D maps, globes, travel books, pins and stickers for marking maps. IT’S GREAT!
There was only one problem… and this is what kept them from 5 stars… they didn’t have anything I was looking for. Although, a manager is supposed to be calling me to give a price on the map of my request, it’s still a bummer that I don’t have it in hand right now. I’m actually surprised they didn’t call me back today too, hmmm.
Anyway, it’s still a cool place and I hope they can stay in business because even with all of our fancy technology, there should always be a place to buy paper maps. There’s nothing manlier than rolling out a map on a table, looking at it inquisitively, making a few concerned grunts, and then pretending like you know where you’re going.

MAPS MAPS MAPS MAPS MAPS MAPS MAPS MAPS MAPS!!!
Old maps. New maps. Big maps. Small maps. Paper maps. Laminated maps. Framed maps. Globe maps. This place has all the maps. I don’t think they were too happy with me when I walked in one day looking for the cheapest world map I could find (I was only going to be tearing it up for an art project), but they totally had me hook line and sinker with the gorgeous framed maps, globes and vintage road maps they held within their walls. I will be back. Because cartography is awesome. And who doesn’t want to dream about the places they can go?
The staff is pretty well versed on maps. I’ve never seen anyone more knowledgable. It also looks like they will make you custom maps of an area you are needing (part of a city, etc…). Bonus is that they offer a AAA discount too. Because AAA doesn’t have all the maps. Like world maps. You can only get those at a wide world of maps.

We had an awful experience at this store!
My husband purchased a beautiful National Geographic world map that he had them mount on a foam board. By the time it reached the framer, though, the map was damaged. We called the store manager to request a new one, and were then subjected to the strangest tirade of accusations. First, the guy accused us of purchasing the map from another store, then lying to try to make him accept responsibility. When we produced a receipt from his store, he then accused us of cramming it into the transport vehicle and damaging it ourselves. When we were able to prove that he himself had done the transport packing, he then blamed the framer for the damage. When the framer confirmed that he had received it in its original packaging material and discovered the damage when he opened it, the manager really went postal. He accused us all of lying and of concocting a conspiracy to make him eat the cost of the map.
Such odd behavior that we decided to stop dealing with the nut case, and let our credit card company handle it. Needless to say, we won the case and received a full refund. But who needed that from a customer service professional?! National Geographic’s online store is a much better bet. Same maps, but no attitude or disturbing behavior.

If you’re looking for some kind of special map for your next adventure, or even a basic road map for wherever, this place either will have it or can probably get it. I came in looking for the new version of the Apache-​Sitgreaves National Forest map a couple weeks ago, after no luck at REI. Not only did they have it, but they had about 10 copies of it! Sure, I could have bought it online, but if I can get it now, AND support a local business at the same time, then score!
Staff was friendly and helpful, and you can tell they like what they are doing. Store is right off I-​17. It’s slightly difficult to pull in and out of their parking lot because of how close you are to the street, so be careful.

If I could rate «The Wide World of Maps» with all the stars in a constellation I would !! This store rocks !!! I am planing a trip to the Nordic countries and this store delivered !!! They had every map I was looking for, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden !! They also helped me update my Garmin so when Im driving over there I don’t land in some Fjord ! street maps, topographical maps, wall maps, AZ four wheel’in maps… It’s the Bubba Gump of maps !!! Every kind you can imagine ! So if you can’t find what you are looking for at the book store, I can bet these guys will have it !! Bön Voyage fellow Unilocalers !!!