Carpe Diem

I wouldn’t take a young person’s review of this place too seriously because, for one, they probably have no idea how a business can or should be run being they just left their parents’ home about a month prior to getting to cal poly to attend architecture school.
The complaint about hours is negligible. They’re a small business and can’t be open ²⁴⁄₇ to suit architectural student needs. They’d also lose business if they shut down to take a three hour lunch as one other review recommended.
The complaint about things being overpriced: false. They are cheap and similar priced to any other store. If you think driving to Blick is going to save you money, it’s probably because you don’t realize you’re spending way more on gas than what the trip is worth or your parents pay for gas and you don’t care. You’re also polluting the air from driving there to save $ 2 on your single item purchase which is irresponsible.
This store probably stopped doing refunds because a bunch of punks kept trying to return messed up items or items they used once or items they purchased and want to return after dropping architecture.
The store is good, clean, average priced and they’re nice. Don’t pay attention to the immature reviews.

This craft shop always burn a hole in my wallet. My monies fly and my wallet cries after every visit. I have a love hate relationship with this store. I love how they provide just enough variety of supplies I need for my architecture models that I can not find anywhere else nearby. But everything is just SO OVERPRICED I feel like they seriously take advantage of us – large population of architectural students at Cal Poly Pomona– and charge us way more for each material we buy because we need it and Carpe Diem is close by when we have deadlines coming up. My suggestion is to avoid this place if you can. Blick and Michaels sells certain things (like foam core sometimes) for way less. But if you have a deadline and you need the supplies, then Carpe Diem is your best bet and may save your life.

Absolutely love that this store exists. They’re the only store that carries the gouache I need for my art classes. Other stores I would have to order online. Only downside is that they close early and they’re tiny and a bit hard to find but overall they deliver great customer service.

Every time I come here, I’m reminded why it’s better to drive to Blicks or ANY art store besides this local art shop in Walnut. $ 10 minimum for credit card purchases and no returns? I don’t understand why this place still hasn’t changed its store policy and become more student friendly…

After ordering a small number of copic markers, 6÷25÷15, today they have yet to ship (10 days later!) I called and was told they would ship «today, possibly Thursday.» Needless to say, that didn’t happen. Stay far, far away from this unprofessional business.

STAY AWAY! if you are looking for art supplies go to Blick instead. I had to get a list of art supplies for an art class so I decided to try this place out since it’s the closest to my house. I spent $ 160 at this place and found out my classmates only spent $ 100 for the same supplies at Blicks. I called and wanted to return most of the supplies but they have a strict no return policy. If you need a lot of art supplies just order at blicks. They have good online deals and you went get ripped off.
The man who helped me out was helpful and considering I didn’t know anything about art, I handed him the list of things I needed and he was nice enough to gather all my supplies. However, there was a couple things on the list I told him I did not want to get and he placed them on my basket anyway.
This place is horrible as far as prices go.

Terrible customer service.
They have a no return policy, which is ridiculous in the year 2015.
I attempted to exchange a sketch pad the next day, since I didn’t realize it didn’t have perforated edges. They took 25% my return for edges that were «bent.» Told me I «should’ve taken better care of it.» In reality, the edges were at a slight curl, no more than the ones on the shelf. If they were to place it at the bottom of the stack, it would be perfectly flat.
Don’t support these people, go to Blick instead. They have a better return policy.

not open enough hours. not open on weekends. poor customer service, not helpful or nice and often rude to customers (except the owner, he is nice and helpful). does not have any return or exchange policy what so ever. one employer in particular is very rude and unhelpful.

Beware misleading information on this retailers website. Site implies that certain items qualify for free shipping however the customer service claims that all items in an order must qualify. The prices are good but don’t get duped into thinking you’re going to get free shipping, because apparently $ 15 is worth losing a repeat customer over. Seems shortsighted to me, but what would I know, I’m just an artist.

Doing my senior thesis in industrial design I needed a some acrylic laser cut. I spoke to three of the staff there and they seem to have trouble understanding the concept of a tight fit tolerance for puzzle pieces. I had to make four trips down to correct their mistakes. I ended up paying $ 43 and they still did not get it right. Now I’m late for my review and $ 43 dollars down.
I’ve used many laser cutting stores in the past and this is by far the worst.

never open
never answers the phone.
doesn’t like customers apparently.

Customer service awful I am a long term customer with them and have a project due this week they messsed up my order they are making me pay to send back the wrong order and get this… they won’t send the correct stuff till they get the incorrect order back… so much for my project Due this week. The customer service is awful.

I come here a lot and their prices are okay. They tend to be better than Micheal’s down the street and faster than ordering online. They people there are really cool and help me a lot when ever I drop in for something for an art class. I just wish they had better hours.

There’s quite a bit of paint and art supplies in this tiny store in the midst of a warehouse area close by Cal Poly Pomona/Mt.Sac. One can easily miss it if driving too fast by this non-​descript plaza.
The owner or manager was helpful. I was looking for a metal (painting) stand but there wasn’t any at the store, as I thought there might be since I saw a good selection on their website. The guy asked me to go onto their website to see which one I’d want and call him at the L.A. store so that he’ll bring it back to Pomona the next day for me bc he was heading out there that day. I didn’t call him back bc I found a less expensive one on Amazon; since I wasn’t in a hurry to get one; but it was helpful and nice of him to offer. If I need to get more art supplies, I’ll visit their website (first) again for a myriad selection of goodies.

I made a Unilocal account today just to write a review about this place. I have never experienced such horrible customer service in my life. I don’t even know why I keep coming back, probably because they’re the only place I know of that does lasercuts. My first problem with them was when the white dude overcharged me on something, and couldn’t refund my money because it «went through» already. I say. «but. you guys just took $ 6 from my bank account» he says «sorry. theres nothing we can do…». ARE U FUCKING SERIOUS. (sorry for the language) The second time was today, I knew they were very busy so I made sure to call in to MAKE SURE my lasercuts will be done by today. The girl tells me «late afternoon» I ask her ARE YOU SURE She said yes. I wait around the pomona library for 5 frikken hours and come in at 4pm (which is pretty fucking late afternoon) and GEE why am I even surprised, my lasercuts aren’t done. Ofcourse I can’t pickup TOMORROW. I WORK, and I need it by friday! I say… «you promised me today. can you get it done within the hour» and they say «we can try but can’t guarantee anything» WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO wait in my car for an hour to see «IF» they finish? I love joe, the owner, hes super nice and helpful but SERIOUSLY the employees needs to be FIRED. Except the filipino guy, he’s cool and has helped me out alot also. But that white chick who can’t seem to ask the owner correct questions and dude who stole my 6 bucks. WHAT THE FUCK. oh and btw, since I had to wait around for 5 hours for NOTHING, I was also stuck in terrible traffic at 4:30 going home on the 57. NOW I HAVE TO TAKE A HALF DAY AT WORK TOMORROW just to come in and pick up my cuts. THANKS CARPE DIEM THANKYOU!

As an architecture student at cal poly this place has been a godsend.
This place is tiny and cramped but its packed with virtually all you need for any art project you may have. Prices are way better than Michaels and they are never tampered with. Their selection of paints are a little limited but otherwise its a one stop shop for what you need. They also close around 5pm which can be a nuisance if you didn’t plan ahead.

Carpe Diem is located on a major street and nestled in an industrial area. If I didn’t know it was there, I would completely miss it. I’ve actually driven by many times and never knew it was there.
For a tiny store, they have a lot of stuff that I really enjoy. They seem to have a lot of architecture books and a good amount of supplies.
I ended up buying an electric eraser (that I’ve been looking for, forever)
If I need more art supplies, I’ll definitely be going to Carpe Diem

As an on and off art student, I’ve «carpe diemed» my wallet plenty of times at this place.
If you take art seriously, whether it’d be in fine art, illustration, conceptual art or even digital art, you MUST go to this place — I’d grab you by the shoulders and shake you while I’m saying that but I digress…
The materials aren’t cheap (no surprise) but the variety of tools, from monster electronic tablets to a wide assortment of pencils, markers, and different forms of paper make this the go-​to place for all your art related needs. A «Michaels» this is not. It also helps that the people who run the store seem like artists themselves and are very knowledgeable about not only the things they sell but the things particular art students need.
My only gripe: the crappy hours.

A true key to my business. My vendor since 2006 and I’m very satisfied. Once, my box of 12 Itoya portfolios had only 10 and they shipped 2 more right away. Emails quickly answered. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Great prices!

no frills independently owned art store
well priced art store specializing in drafting, modeling, and design supplies. Caters to Cal Poly students, carries a lot of discount supplies, employees were nice, could use more supply/​art knowledge. no prices on items and many items are kept behind the counter in the office, some markers were kinda dry.