AOE Supply

Category:	Art Supply Store
Address:	12908 N 56th St, Tampa, FL 33617, USA
Phone:	+1 813-989-0302
Site:	aoeartworld.com
Rating:	4.4
Working:	9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 10AM–5PM 12–5PM

Location

Photos 58

Reviews 8

Melinda F

Ive been to AOE a number of times over the past few years (maybe 9-10 visits in 2 years), so I think that my review can be a fairly representative of how AOE is... Quality:The supplies offered at AOE are generally better than what I can find at Jo-anns or Michaels craft store - essentially it caters more to "fine arts" rather than "crafts" (not to sound condescending or anything, just categorizing). For example, it offers a much larger and nicer variety of art supplies such as pens (nicer ones like Copic, Staedtler, Micron; then the garden variety Pentel, Pilot, etc.; calligraphy pens, brush pens, etc.), paints/inks (for print screening, tempera, acrylic, oil, everything), brushes, wire mesh, fancy papers (handmade, rice paper, etc.), wood, etc. So essentially the art supplies they stock are definitely nice. Service:The service at AOE is spotty...the most of the regular employees seem pretty cheerful and nice (hence the "fair" end of the spectrum). But I have encountered a few (twice in person, and once by phone) who were pretty rude towards me. Most recently, I purchased about ~18 pens amounting to about $50, and they failed to put 2 of the pens in my bag...I did not notice until I got home, after scouring my car, my bag, my room - no luck. And the lady on the phone refused to do anything about it and spoke super condescendingly as if I were careless and lost them. Furthermore, their store policies are pretty unforgiving, though fair in the sense that they clearly post their policies all over the register (No exchanges on paper, pain, books, open packages, basswood, markers, pantone, airbrush supplies, brushes, portfolios, projectors, easels, pens, pastels, teaching items, mat/foam/chip/illustration boards). I remember once the customer in front of me in line was a former art student who had purchased paint for a screenprinting class but decided to drop the class - the paint was completely unopen and untainted, but they refused to exchange or refund any of it (only store credit, which wasnt good for her since she was electing not to take anymore art classes). So, again, fair in the sense that their policy is posted clearly, but unforgiving. Appeal: Exterior: The shop looks pretty run down on the outside; pretty bad parking lot also. I wouldnt consider the inside especially appealing, except that you see so many awesome supplies, so it is hard not to be excited. Price-wise, the prices are fair - honestly you can get most of the items for LESS online, but it is a convenience being able to see products in person (color doesnt always translate well online). And supporting the local economy is nice...But considering the prices are better online and the service can be pretty poor, AND the policies are so stringent, it might just be better to buy online and save the hassle.

Fred V. Lord of Glencoe

yeah yeah, everyone is happy and everyone is so nice.... Besides having to wait a while just for someone to point me in the right direction (despite saying "just point me in the right direction"), I finally finally find tools that might work for my small project. At checkout, the moon-faced guy said that returns are accepted under certain conditions but nor mentioning which ones since they were sooo busy. Arriving home, I GENTLY open the wrapping and realize that a- its crappy quality tools and b- it doesnt work for the project as everything is just a hair too small, which I couldnt see in the store short of opening the package in the isle. Tried to return the stuff today and moon-face (him again) tells me in a condescending way that open items cant be returned, its store policy, on the receipt and "he told me" (which isnt true), and "dude, I just work here", but clearly he doesnt care about trying just a little a harder... A dab of glue around the plastic and back on the shelf would have been just fine anywhere else but not there. I guess I shouldve done it myself. Lost $20 Not first time but certainly last time at AOE for me.

A Private User

I just came back from this place and the people are so rude. I have been at this place a couple of times and they have the worst customer service. They say "" I will check in the back for you to see if we have it in stock" and the they never get back to you. Happen to me three times on the same day. The manager in there is very rude and condescending. I think this could be a great place if they hire new people and try to be nicer to people. Oh and there returning policies are horrible. They tell you in the phone we dont promise anything but come by to see what we can do and once you get there they are rude and tell you flat out no we cant do anything for you!!.....I wish there was another art store in Tampa but for now I rather drive down to Clearwater...The stuff in that other art store are very professional. AOE GOODBYE!!!!!

A Coastliner

Ive been going to AOE for the past 4 years. No one has ever been rude to me, Ive never seen customers mistreated or ignored regardless of race or ethnic background, and the sales reps are pleasant. Very well stocked in art supplies, drafting tools and supplies, various types of paint, tools for scale modelers and wood carvers, and high quality airbrush equipment. At times it did get very busy with customers (college students and artists live in the area) but I simply waited for my turn and received the reps undivided attention. Overall, good service and I plan to continue purchasing my supplies here.

Michael Hopkins

They have everything you need for an artistic project (and good deals). They have supplies that are difficult to find in other stores. As an example, I couldnt find a Proportional wheel ( a round scale figure-outer) at any stores...they had it! Their staff is very helpful and friendly and even laughed at my corny jokes. I cant say enough good things about this store (wish they had one over here in Clearwater) Ive been working for myself as an artist since 1970 (had 3 of my own galleries etc. and I would work for these people.)

Michelle Doll

One of my favorite places on the planet. So much cool stuff! Its hard to just pop in for a quick visit- I want to look at everything! Workers are very patient, even with my ADHD grandsons. As a professional artist, I appreciate the excellent quality of the products they sell. Some of my favorites are here, including Golden, Holbein & Faber-Castell. I especially love color pencils and watercolor pencils; AOE has both types in dozens of colors. They sell them individually and in collections. Best local art store in Tamps!

Evelyns Colors

Puedes encontrar todo lo que necesites para decorar con el tema que desees, un rincón de la clase, en tu escuela o kinder Garden. Y los suministros para cualquier artista plástico. Es un paraíso, además de la atención amable de los despachadores.

A Private User

I was in there for the first time today and was very impressed, I walked around for a little bit to see what all they had and then went to the counter to get some help with a list of supplies I needed for school, the man looked me square in the face and asked me if the list was everything I needed and then proceeded to lead me around the store showing me everything that had to offer, I got everything I needed and was in and out in about 15 minutes, I will shopping at this store in the future.