My 12 Step Store

I placed an order last week for a medallion and received it today. I had called prior to placing my order to make sure the medallion would not be a cheap plastic type material. My order arrived today and I’m just a bit disappointed because it is not nearly as heavy as I thought it would be. It’s pretty much 1 step up from the plastic chips they give out at meetings. Regardless, it serves the same purpose. I’m sure I’ll make another purchase.

I feel obliged to write my review! The other reviews I’ve seen that have negative comments are all BS. I have been purchasing merchandise from this store for over a decade. I shop in-​store and online.
I have never ever had a bad experience. In fact, I feel the customer service is outstanding! The products are also good quality and very unique.
So for all you Unilocal readers, I shop all my AA products from this store because of the great service!!!

The staff have horribly bad vibes. Jerks. That’s pretty much all I can say. Zero customer service, they seem miserable

I always buy my birthday chips here and it’s a cute little place. Good books and nice recovery jewelry. The staff is friendly and — guess what — sober. It’s a special place.

I’ve never Unilocaled before but after my experience at the 12 step store I feel inclined to share my experience. I’ve worked in the restaurant and retail industry for over 15 years and never have a seen such horrible customer service. I was the only person in the store and wasn’t speaking loudly so I didn’t see a problem being on the phone. I was in the store for not even 10 mins and once I went to check out at the register I was basically told to either go outside and talk or he wouldn’t ring my stuff up because it was irritating him. I’m sorry if talking to my mother who lives cross country is such an inconvenience. For future reference you should put a no cell phone talking sign on the window if it irritates the staff so much.
From now on I’ll be ordering all my 12 step stuff online from a different store, which is sad because prior to this experience I’ve enjoyed the store.

I have never written a Unilocal post before but felt inclined to after I had the worst customer service experience that has left me shaken.
This is how it all went down in a span of ten minutes. I arrived at 1:45pm and started to browse for a sober bday gift for my friend. Keep in mind this place is very small and intimate. around 1:50pm, I noticed the guy at the counter lock the door. He then stood at the register and I could feel his glare. I felt so uncomfortable so I asked what time they closed so I could be sure to be out of there. I was confused because it wasn’t even 2pm and I thought they closed at 8. In a very stern voice he said «RIGHT NOW» so apparently they were closing at 1:53pm today and I somehow should’ve known that? So I put down the books I wanted to buy and started to look for a bday card quickly but he continued to glare at me from 5 feet away and because I’m in a locked space with this person who looked like he wanted to do something to me, I asked him if everything was ok because he looked really upset to which he replied «I AM UPSET BECAUSE SOMEONE DIDNT SHOW UP FOR THEIR SHIFT AND I HAVE TO GO TO THE POST OFFICE BUT IM WAITING FOR YOU.» I was so appalled by how rude he was and I told him «I’m sorry I’m just trying to get someone a gift.» He then kept yelling at me that I knew where the door was if I wanted to leave… and frankly I did want to leave after this!!! However this was not about me or the guy or the store. I’m trying to buy someone who has 3 years clean a gift!
I understand we all have our own battles we are fighting but in a place where you’re selling program stuff… I did not expect to be harassed and talked to like that. I will never refer anyone here… I love the program and what it’s done for people’s lives, it’s unfortunate this place is associated with selling merchandise for such a good program. I’ve looked at the other bad reviews here and all the responses keep blaming the customer and no accountability is taken. I assume their response to me will be that I should’ve somehow knew they were closing early and left immediately. I’m sorry someone didn’t show up for their shift but a little notice would’ve been appreciated when I walked in rather than glaring and being yelled at to leave. I’m scared to walk back in there and it’s a shame because I love the merchandise I saw and it would’ve been great to be able to refer people from the treatment program I work at.
I attached a picture of the guy because when I asked for his name he didn’t want to tell me at first and then finally said Bob. I would never want to publicly blast someone like this but I do think he could be a harm to others and people should know who to avoid if they want to feel safe in there.

I placed an order on the web site in the morning and by evening a crook was using my credit card information to purchase goods at the Home Depot in Sherman Oaks. Three purchases were made over the next two days at Home Depot and then the scum purchased gas at a Shell Station in Sun Valley… Do you know what they’re doing with your credit card information?. BTW the response from the store manager was «well, we can’t assume anything».but I can. NO ONE ELSE HAD THIS CARD NUMBER! I didn’t call the store to complain although I was certainly entitled I just wanted to let them know they had a dishonest person somewhere in their system… A Little courtesy would have gone a long way here… The fraud investigators for my card company and the local police department will enjoy their interviews with you and yours…

Came by for meeting chips, and was astounded at the selection of recovery products! Super great service, totally affordable. Thanks, guys!

The customer service here is hit or miss. I’ve been treated well and very poorly here. Usually they close at 8pm, today I got there at 6pm on the dot, sign on the door said they close at 6 today for Veterans Day. The door was open so I thought no big deal I’ll be quick. No such luck, I walk in and the employee says «We’re closed!» I ask politely «Can I just grab one thing really quickly?» Response — «No, we’re closed!». Hmm, not very spiritual of you!

I would love to give this place no stars. ALEX is the employee I dealt with today who wouldn’t let me speak bc he kept talking over me on the phone and hung up on me TWICE.
What happened is a package I ordered through this store was lost in the mail. It may not have been my 12 step stores problem or fault but they provided ZERO understanding or customer service help in aiding me in tracking down this package. I wanted to tell them this is why I was upset but ALEX wouldn’t let me speak to get a word in edge-​wise. If you want real customer service and you want to support a small business that cares, DONT GO HERE!!! Never before have I been yelled at by an employee the way ALEX did. He claimed I was losing my temper and personally attacking him. How? He wouldn’t even let me speak bc he very childishly just raised his voice over me and verbally bullied me in submission. Awful experience, and MY PACKAGE is STILL lost. Which sucks bc it was a gift that I paid $ 30 extra shipping to get it there faster but it was never delivered!!! Thanks for nothing MY 12 STEP STORE.

Love this store! They always have the perfect medallion or gift when I need it. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and have always provided excellent customer service. I freguently call in advance and they have my order ready and waiting so I can just run in and get back on the road.
This is my «go to» store for all my 12 Step materials/​gifts needs. Would not even think about shopping anywhere else!
(one star off for parking, but there is the lot in back)

I used to like this store until I had to return some items. I was trying to do the right thing and spent about $ 75.00 which I will never see again. They still have my $ 75.00 and refused to work with me at all. As a matter of fact the owner basically ignored me. I won’t be back. Next time I need recovery related stuff, I’ll drive to Bundy & Santa Monica.

I needed to find a medallion for my friend’s upcoming birthday and I found several stores online, but in my typical procrastinator fashion… I ended up waiting too long so there was not enough time for shipping.
So I was very happy to find this store within distance for me to get to.
I found them to be very friendly and I was very glad they had just what I needed. I will be back for a shirt I wanted, too.

I could hardly disagree more with Jon, the first reviewer. In the 25 years that I’ve been sober, I have patronized many 12-​Step bookstores in many cities, and I find this one delightful. I agree with Jon that the prices are quite high, but other than that, I disagree with him completely.
I have always been greeted warmly, and they give me my space to browse. I wonder if Jon has considered that many of the people who go into a store like this are nervous, don’t want to be noticed too closely, and certainly may not want anyone to see or comment on the things they may be scanning. The store staff may have been trying to respect his privacy, which Mr. F somehow interpreted as ignoring him.
Never have what you want in stock? This is a very specialized book/​gift store. I can’t imagine what one would be looking for IN THIS TYPE OF STORE that one can’t find here. Frankly, I only buy greeting cards and AA «chips» here; for AA literature, I go to AA Central Office on Wilshire; for general inspirational or metaphysical literature, I go to a bookstore at a metaphysical church.
And, to be honest, I really do prefer a 12-​Step book and gift store farther out on Santa Monica Blvd. in West L.A., but I really don’t have any problems with this one except, maybe, the prices. I certainly don’t have any problem with the service.
OH! The parking is a BIG Problem. Hint: Do NOT try to park in the strangely-​configured front parking lot; go to the little lot in back of the store, or — better yet — park on the street!

They never have anything in stock. They ignore you when you walk in the store. Everything’s expensive. Skip this overpriced dud.