Sam Flax Orlando

Category:	Art Supply Store
Address:	1800 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803, USA
Phone:	+1 407-898-9785
Site:	samflaxorlando.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	8:30AM–7PM 8:30AM–7PM 8:30AM–7PM 8:30AM–7PM 8:30AM–7PM 10AM–6PM 11AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

A Private User

First off this store has a everything an artist needs if you cannot find it at Michaels, which can be a hassle to shop store, however, look for higher prices of course at Sam Flax and I have not seen many discounts. But as an artist I know there are items you HAVE to go to a good store to get, especially if you question the quality and want your paintings to last a long time. This store is layed out rather awkwardly with three isles as you enter and you have to get out of the way of people exiting and entering as you shop, then there is always people stocking up the shelves and moving boxes around which further hinders your search. Is there help? No, I have never ever found help at this store unless I go to the register and ask and then he/she will tell you rather brisquely if they are busy or they will come help you out quickly and they prefer you dont ask to many questions. I am not big on attitude when I enter a store and see it, but the staff act as if they are working at the Metropolitan museum of art and I found most of them snubby. I told them I was an illustrator and I have over 150 published illustration in the U.S. and abroad, they looked at me like I was making it all up. I asked to join any program they had to get discounts and they told me to go to their webpage and sign up there. I just moved here from another state a year ago. So I am new here, I would like to join the arts community, Sam Flax didnt have any knowledge of said community. I found it odd, I was regularly went to a store for over 20 years in my previous town, and there I got contacts to all sorts of art functions. In addition, the first time I ever went to this store it was to buy a small frame for a painting, I could not find anything to fit it. I had to settle for a photo frame that was completely overpriced and while I shopped the girl who finally came to help me advised me to set my purse down on the framing counter in the back of the store, which is the side facing the street. While she helped me and directed me way far away from my purse, three kids entered the store made there way back to where my purse was and stood over it, I rushed to my purse just as one of the kids reached for it. He looked at me in confusion and I said to him, "back off". All three of them left the store, they were never there to buy anything. I told the girl thanks for all her help, but advised her, look dont tell me the store is safe again, next time, tell your customers to keep their belongings with them. I hope that the new location helps the store, maybe less street crooks will enter, secondly, the staff needs to be friendly. I keep reading "friendly all over this review page and I wonder, was it because you were spending tons of money, because I can see them being very friendly if were spending alot, otherwise there is not much warmth in this store, oh other then the heat that continues to pervade the store. I had to leave after I sweated enough to make myself dehydrated. I found this store a great dissapointment, but I hope they can improve.

Caleb Lords

Typically i do not post anything negative. I created a piece of art for SAM FLAX for a project called "What Has Changed". Sam Flax donted the canvas. I donated the rest. It was for an event to be held at the Orlando Public Library. This art piece was dedicated to the 49 lives lost in Orlando. It was truly dedicated to Javier a friend whose life was taken that terrible day. I spent over two weeks emotionally and meticulously crafting this precious work of art, not for me, not for reward, but for them. And for the love and compassion we all share for these beautiful souls. The peice of art went missing. It never showed up for the event scheduled for June 15, 2017 at the Orlando Public Library. I contacted Sam Flax and spoke with management. They said "sorry" we dont have any record of you submitting this peice of art. I signed a release document when I dropped it off at the store. I stopped by the store to speak with management, they were in a meeting. I expressed my concern and i was turned away. They told me they would try to find the art piece. This piece of art was an emotional investment of healing for me and hopefully for whoever would see it. It has suddenly disappeared. If you see it or find it in any location please notify me via inbox. Thank You

Cyndy Phillips

3/30/16 Update: The new staff is way better. Weve been about half a dozen times since this and the environment is way improved. Plus its hard to resist their very "Fred Flare" section of the store. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ One star rating: We spent almost an hour at Sam Flax last night. During that time we looked at everything, found a ton of present s to buy for Christmas and sadly avoided most of the staff. There were two young women and two men working. The one blonde woman was so rude to the other employees both me and my kids were actually shocked. It completely ruined our experience and this was our first visit there. The store is amazing, the prices are decent, the older man who greeted us was kind and attentive- those are the positives. Whoever reviews these please speak with your staff, no one wants to feel that uncomfortable when shopping and they were hanging Christmas lights. That should have been fun. Well try it again but maybe with a different staff or just go to ArtSystems.

A Private User

Better than the local craft store - and cheaper, too. I have not lived near a Sam Flax before now. This is a wonderful place to shop. They have everything I need and more. Great for exploration of new materials! But what amazed me most is the prices. I used to shop at a craft store because that is what was available where I lived before. One day I couldnt find what I needed (brush up paper) so I went to Sam Flax. They had the paper plus several other things I thought I would have to order online. Count shipping (and waiting) costs, and its actually cheaper to shop there. The store clerks are knowledgeable about art supplies - so I could ask about creating the color sepia in a variety of media - and get intelligent help! Also impressive - complete bookbinding supplies, great chairs, easels, storage options and a gift section with what you might expect - artsy gifts. Before you go to your studio and make something, make sure you stop by Sam Flax!

Cole Henson

I love the look of this place and I love looking at art supplies, but after this weird interaction with the staff today I dont know if I want to go back. I asked if they had any agendas in the stationery section and the salesman laughed at me and said he had no idea what I was talking about. Then I explained what an agenda is, and he asked another lady, mocked me for using the word "agenda" and said they didnt have any. I saw two on the shelf made by Rifle Paper Co. here in Orlando right next to them that they didnt seem to notice, but by this point I was turned off from buying anything. Id just as soon buy Rifles products directly from them because theyre great.