World Market

Reviews

• AP

  Ashley Pesch

  1 day ago
  1.0
  Was 3 days late on the return policy with my receipt and an unused item. This review is specifically for the manager that lied to my face saying they can’t override the return policy when it literally says online that it’s up to the managers discretion post the 30 day notice. I get it, I was outside the policy. But don’t lie to my face saying you can’t. Also, there was no reason to not accept the return considering there were more of the item on the shelf, at full price, and all tags and everything was attached in perfect unused condition. You suck, thanks
• SS

  Scott

  Aug 20, 2026
  1.0
  Shopping at the San Luis Obispo World Market has become an infuriating, embarrassing and completely pointless waste of time because the prices are so outrageously high that the entire store feels like one enormous rip off with virtually no value anywhere. I have shopped at this location since 2000, for more than 26 years, so I know the store very well and remember when World Market was affordable, enjoyable and actually offered real bargains. Twenty years ago, I could spend $50, leave with several interesting products and feel satisfied. Today, I can walk throughout the entire store and struggle to find even one item that is reasonably priced. Who wants to pay around $15 for a little box of tea, as much as $15 for a birthday card, approximately $10 for a small Cadbury chocolate bar, $10 for a jar of pickles, $18 for a jar of German sausages or $6 for German bread? These prices are crazy and completely unreasonable. Shelf after shelf, aisle after aisle and department after department, it is one overpriced item after another. Food, coffee, tea, chocolate, cookies, potato chips, bread, alcohol, greeting cards, silverware, dishware, decorations, paintings, prints and furniture all seem outrageously expensive. There are virtually no genuine bargains anywhere in this store. Regardless of tariffs or the cost of importing international goods, World Market was already excessively expensive long before tariffs could be used as an excuse. The coupons have also become practically useless because the company has loaded them with exclusions, restrictions and fine print. Food, beverages, alcohol and many other products are frequently excluded, and the staff often tells customers that a coupon does not apply. Even when a coupon is accepted, the original price is so inflated that the supposed discount still does not create a bargain. The rewards program is horrible, and even the store credit card does not appear to provide enough value to justify shopping here. What is the point of advertising coupons and rewards when customers still leave feeling overcharged? The store frequently appears almost empty, and from what I have personally observed, people often walk in, look at the prices and walk back out without making a substantial purchase. I rarely see customers buying the expensive furniture or other large items, and I honestly do not understand how this location generates enough business to cover its operating expenses and high rent. Customer service is inconsistent as well. I have encountered a manager who was extremely rude, while another manager had a much better attitude. Customers paying these outrageous prices should receive consistently excellent service, not slow checkout service and registers or credit card terminals that repeatedly produce errors with cards that work perfectly well everywhere else. Between the astronomical prices, worthless coupons, poor rewards, restrictive exclusions, inconsistent service and checkout problems, the store creates one frustration after another while giving customers very little worthwhile in return. This is especially sad because I strongly support physical retail stores and do not want this location to close, but World Market appears determined to price ordinary local customers right out of the building. Unless someone has plenty of money and simply does not care what anything costs, this store is unaffordable. Attractive shelves and imported labels do not justify outrageous prices. They might as well call it “Rip Off World Market” so customers understand before entering that they are unlikely to find a real bargain inside. After shopping here since 2000, I hate seeing what this store has become. The company desperately needs to lower its prices throughout the store, regardless of the additional cost of international goods. Without dramatically lowering its prices, removing the ridiculous coupon restrictions, improving its rewards and fixing its service and checkout problems, I do not believe this location will survive in the future because the prices are so outrageously expensive.
• NE

  Nayeli Echano

  Jul 26, 2026
  5.0
  Great finds on international snacks, drinks and trinkets. Reasonable prices and good quality products.
• CC

  Collette Christel

  Jul 18, 2026
  5.0
  Fun store with lots of choices.
• JR

  Janet Richardson

  Jun 16, 2026
  4.0
  Like to get spices here when I'm in the area, needed nutmeg which they did have. Have purchased throw pillows previously which are great.