A Mano Galleries in Lambertville, NJ Open now

Reviews about A Mano Galleries

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  April 07, 2020, by K.R. Hunt
  I've stopped by this place pretty much every time I've visited Lambertville; probably about once or twice a year. It's an amazing collection of unique and beautiful gifts, home furnishings, and decor made by talented artists and artisans. I love showing the store to friends. Unfortunately, the last time I was there, the staff was surprisingly rude and in my face about having my phone out while I was in the store. I took a picture of a piece, and they asked me not to take pictures, which was no problem. They don't want their artists' stuff getting copied (though social media is good advertising). I stopped taking pictures, having not realized there were signs posted asking customers not to. I was only taking the pictures for my own enjoyment anyway, but I made a mental note not to let them get into social media. Later, I was standing on line to make a purchase of some of their gag gifts while checking the reviews and prices on them online. I'm happy to pay a little extra for the brick and mortar of a store, but I also like to make sure a store's not doubling or tripling prices. (To be clear, their prices were very similar to online for the non-artist-made, branded gifts they carry.) I dream of being able to purchase some of their art, and hoped to when I could afford it, but let's face it, I've got mountains of student debt to work through before I can afford a $135 art piece to hang. I'm broke. If I can buy a gift for $10 online when it's $30 in the store, I'm gonna do it... I'm still in the "guess I'm eating ramen this week" phase of post-college life. I also always check reviews before making a purchase. I want to give a gift that's not going to fall apart in a month. Anyway, the store clerk told me, "If you're going to check prices on our stuff online, do it outside. Don't insult us." (Remember, I was standing in line in front of the counter, about to BUY the items I was looking up.) She couldn't have known what I was looking at on my phone from where she was standing, but I didn't lie - she was right. In a friendly way, I told them the truth - I like to make sure a store's not charging an exorbitant amount for an item before purchasing it. I said that some stores do that. She responded with something similar to the first comment, basically saying to take it outside and that I was "insulting" them. At this point I had my items on the counter. Let's be clear. I had items on the counter to purchase, and she was telling me to go outside. She said something about being insulted one more time, and I said, "You know what? I'm good. Thanks." And left without making the purchase. I ended up buying a different gift for my sister later that day, elsewhere. If the store has a policy on this, they need to post it on their door. It's not uncommon to check reviews and prices online. I'm a frugal and careful buyer. Frankly, though, the woman couldn't have known what I was doing. To make the comment and immediately tell me to leave the store was so rude and strange when I was waiting to make a purchase that I couldn't fathom giving them my business after that. I love the store but am probably not going to go back there. Other places across the bridge in New Hope sell some similar stuff with friendlier staff. TL;DR: Beautiful gallery, great collection, rude staff. Don't use your phone in the store.