Dee M.
Google
Welp .. unfortunately I did not read the reviews before booking a class . If I had , I would’ve avoided half a horrible experience . Arvin was very communicative while booking my pottery class before arriving to Costa Rica . I specifically asked “ if I book this class will I be able to retrieve my items the same day “ because I knew it would have to go into the oven. He said yes . When I arrived with my husband , Arvin was really cool and charismatic . He played American neo soul music while we worked . I chose to make a vase and my husband wanted to make a coffee cup to take and use for his daily coffee at home . My husband feels Arvin spent more time standing near and behind me assisting me and did not help him at all . In fact I recall him showing me then telling my husband “ just do what she’s doing. No biggie though . There was only one table beside the one we worked and no visible hooks so I pit my bag on a back table . Soon after there was a LOT of traffic ( young men running in and out of a back door and fishing around the table where my back was and my back was turned so I had to keep looking over my shoulder ). Arvin noticed I was very aware and he told me not to worry because those were his sons . I later read the reviews to find out someone had a similar situation and money was taken out of two bags .
Arvin made a batch of water color paint . Not sure what that means but he was next to me working on his own project and as I was using black paint I saw he was too except his black was rich and shiny . I asked the difference he said mine was natural and his was chemical . As we were leaving I asked could we come back later to get our items and he said not until tomorrow at 3. When I booked 2 weeks prior he said same day but thankfully I allowed an extra day when booking. The next day came and I confirmed 3pm and then he said 5! I called before the 5 to ask if we could do 4:45 due to a dinner reservation and he said not until 6 or 7! Ultimately he contacted me and told me it was ready at 5. He said he had left already but our items were left there and wrapped waiting for us . We left our friends at a restaurant to pick it up to go back to finish dinner . We wanted to reveal our items without friends . When we opened them , my base had MULTIPLE breaks and fractures and chips .
My husbands handle on his mug was broken and the paint was running down the side lol
Both items had no shine , polish or glaze and were rough, porous and matte. We were so disappointed.
We called and asked why they were in this condition and was told by Arvin it’s because he was rushing . ( as if that’s ok ). I asked what he would do to make it right and he never responded .
I want to add that I read a review that their items were withheld and it was found later that the items were being sold . I want to add there was a lady there when we arrived and made a beautiful piece . I heard him tell her that he wanted to have it / keep it so he could sell it . The lady was very defensive when she said no . Now I’m wondering if she’s aware of what the less than above board business practices that goes on here . I DO NOT RECOMMEND unless you want to work several hours for broken pieces of matte clay and possibly stolen personal items , and wasted $80 per person with nothing to show for it .
