Gabrielle T.
Yelp
I wish I could write a great review for Ink Stone, but after the disappointing experience I had today, I'll definitely be looking for an alternative.
The company that I work for has been purchasing from Ink Stone for the past decade, and for the most part we've been satisfied. The deliveries are usually pretty quick, we like supporting a local business instead of a big box retailer, and the prices are only a little higher than what can be found elsewhere. Recently, however, Ink Stone stopped selling the 3/16" 30x40 white foam core board, which is a product we purchase often. I mistakenly placed an order for the 3/16" 30x40 without realizing that it had been discontinued, so Ink Stone delivered the 3/16" 32x40 either in error or to replace what couldn't be provided. Either way, when the package arrived it meant that a project with an impending deadline couldn't be handled. I called Ink Stone to find out what happened and had the misfortune of ending up on the phone with Anawin, a rep who was rude and frustrated with the situation before I even finished my sentence. I originally asked for the order to be replaced with 1/2" 30x40 boards, and Anawin kept getting annoyed and suggesting that I cut the foam board down to size instead. I explained that our client wouldn't be satisfied with janky, jagged-edged posters... I mean, I'm just being honest here. Anawin eventually agreed to send us the replacement boards, but couldn't guarantee same-day delivery. I called back a few minutes later to cancel the delivery because the timeline was too much of a gamble.
This time, Anawin wasn't having any of it. He told me that if he sent out a delivery guy to pick up the useless boards, he would have "wasted an hour that we can't get back, for no money, for nothing." I was kind of stunned that the ten years worth of hard-earned-doe that we've forked over didn't establish enough rapport for Ink Stone to just do the decent thing and issue a refund for products we can't use and don't want. Luckily, after a little research I found the foam core a LOT cheaper at other retailers, and I highly recommend Give Something Back or Uline if you need to order printing supplies. At least those companies know how to show a little customer appreciation.