• HotTopic

HotTopic

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Overview

HotTopic has a rating of 2.2 stars from 189 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about HotTopic most frequently mention customer service, credit card, and free shipping problems. HotTopic ranks 414th among General Apparel sites.

  • Service
    46
  • Value
    42
  • Shipping
    38
  • Returns
    30
  • Quality
    37
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 0%
Positive
0
Neutral
0
Negative
5
17
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How would you rate HotTopic?
Top Positive Review

“Would order again”

Lisa B.
4/6/16

Good products, customer service is alright, the shipping has been known to be unpredictable. Sometimes super fast, others a little slow. If buying Christmas presents from here, make sure to order months earlier.

Top Critical Review

“Terrible Customer Service + Nonsensical Cancellation Policy”

Emily W.
5/4/24

I ordered 2 items about an hour ago from HT's website. I get a notification about 30 minutes later saying one item isn't in stock, so I call customer service to tell them to cancel the other item; I just don't want the order. They absolutely REFUSE to cancel the order even though it hasn't shipped. They tell me the only way to get a refund is to wait for them to ship it, then waste my time and money returning it, wait for them to get the return, then finally I'd get a refund. It's absolutely asinine to have a policy like this. They've permanently lost me as a customer and I'm warning everyone else to please don't waste your time and money with this garbage store since they obviously don't care one bit about their customers' time and money.

Reviews (189)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (59)
Thumbnail of user kimberlys85
Utah
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 17th, 2016

I purchased several items online. The receipt that came with the items specifically stated there is a 60 day return policy. The items met every one of the stipulations required for a money back return. When the items were taken to the store for return They were rejected and said to be "clearance". The items are in fact still listed on the website at regular price and are not clearance. The store used to be customer friendly but with the change of the store manager has become not only hostile but dishonest.

Thumbnail of user jm183
Colorado
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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December 17th, 2015

Since hot topic changed their hot cash program and website back in September, their online shopping experience is a joke!

I have been doubled charged for orders, charged for orders that never shipped, and never received items they show delivered.

None of my "vip points" have been added to my account. I have almost $1000 of purchases (that weren't cancelled) and 21 orders since 9/2015. As of today, my account shows 2 orders and 18 points.

Numerous calls and emails and nothing is fixed. I was once a loyal customer, but until they fix these issues, I am a customer no more!

Thumbnail of user michaelm9676
Indiana
1 review
1 helpful vote
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June 14th, 2022

Site just keeps wiping all payment information after clicking "review order". There's no red text to tell if some information is incorrect (it isn't). Balance is sufficient. Problem occurs with different browsers, on different days, with different orders, and on different profiles.

Tip for consumers:
don't bother.

Products used:
none. couldn't purchase anything.

Service
Thumbnail of user cl453
New Jersey
1 review
3 helpful votes
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June 7th, 2021

HotTopic.com went from being one of the best places to buy Funko Pops online to one of the worst. They ship everything in bags now, and even if they are in sorter boxes inside, the Funko boxes will usually be damaged or destroyed. Order 2 Funko and they'll ship them in a bag. Order 4, they'll ship them in a bag. Order 8, and they'll split it up into 3 different parts that come from the same warehouse and on the same day and ship them all in bags. Then when you go to a store to return them, which the receipt says is allowed, they tell you they can't accept them and you'll need to ship them back. Shipping using their return label costs money and obviously so does buying your own postage. The worst.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user alicem500
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 24th, 2021

We were asked to leave Hot Topic today on the basis of my son's medical condition. The manager confronted us as soon as we walked in the door. I explained my son's medical condition but she didn't care.

Tip for consumers:
Boycott this store!

Products used:
We were not allowed to buy anything. We were not even allowed to look.

Service
Thumbnail of user megane270
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 4th, 2022

Hot Topic has great items that usually have good quality, however, the shipping prices are absolutely outrageous if you live outside of the USA. Two T-Shirts will cost you $30 to ship to Canada. That's almost $40 Canadian for two shirts. To add insult to injury, Back-Order, Pre-Order, or sometimes even items already in stock won't even ship outside the USA. Hot Topic is a great store, but I really detest how international shoppers are treated.

Products used:
Clothing

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user nikkim319
West Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 1st, 2023

I love these stores. Most of them I have never had a problem with. The website and the app are AWFUL! I try to place orders and it never let's my submit my order. The app crashes and wont let me add to my cart or even look at my cart. I have made orders, when it worked before, and the items were sent out, got the confirmation email, and then all of a sudden got a refundz and no email as to why it was refunded, even though it had already been processed and shipped. I give 2 stars only because i like the stores, even though they really need to start carrying more of the bigger sizes.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user kcw1
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 24th, 2015

I went to try and exchange an item that was too big for me but it was a sale item. I talked to the manager at the hot topic at Westminster mall and he tried to help by calling another store to see if they had another size. After he found a store that did, I had to drive to another city to exchange my item. Their policy is to not take back any sale items but the manager that called said it was ok and that he woe vouch for me. However, after driving for a half hour in traffic to exchange my item, the people at the Lakewood mall said that they wouldn't let me. I understand not taking back returning sale items, but they should really change their policy for exchanges. I have to tell people to not get me anything from hot topic since their sizes are different for every brand and no one can get my size right. :(

Thumbnail of user karent578
Kansas
3 reviews
20 helpful votes
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December 7th, 2019

I ordered a t-shirt for my daughter as a Christmas present. Placed the order the end of Sept, first of Oct. Was told it was on back order and they would definitely get them in and shipped out by Dec. 5th-10th. I kept checking on order and kept getting told it was on back order. Last week when I checked several times I was told there was no order. Finally on Dec. 6th, two weeks before Christmas, they told me they cancelled my order. GREAT. They are still selling them online at a discount even. They tell me they are out of the size I needed. I do not trust them anymore. No one else sells that shirt so I can't order it from some one else. You would think in 10 weeks or more they could have said something. 2 weeks ago it was still on back order. Plus I lost my 30% discount.

Thumbnail of user saraf518
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 3rd, 2022

So hot topic sucks they won't give me my money back to my bank account. Because of. Past complaints. About items being damaged or defective. They wanted me to go waste gas and go to my mall and return the item for my daughter there later i went to the mall i got covi-19 and I had a mask on. And some how still got it. This people take your money and don't return it back to your bank account. When stuff is damaged. And if you return it back to them they charge you $5.99 to ship it back to them. They suck big time.

Thumbnail of user rinm1
Ohio
3 reviews
3 helpful votes
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December 14th, 2015

I have never experienced any major problems with hot topic.
In Store: The workers that the store that I go to are kind and informative. They ask if you need help with anything, and most importantly, do their job. I purchased a pocket watch from hot topic in stores. Unfortunately, it broke on the same day while I was wearing it. I brought in the watch and the receipt and it was exchanged.
Online: I have ordered multiple items from hot topic online on multiple occasions. Most items have come in 3-5 business days after I've ordered them. The only problem that I had was with costumer service. I called reagurding a question about coupons and customer service was snappy and overall rude.
If I were you I'd buy directly from the stores. If you can't than ship an item (for free) to a store and save the shipping costs.

Thumbnail of user km242
California
1 review
17 helpful votes
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June 8th, 2018

I went to hot topic for the first time in months and signed the clipboard for my hot topic cash. Later that night I received a text from a random number asking if I want to be friends and if I worked at hot topic. The only thing I can assume is that they saw me write down my number and copied my number down to text me. I was very uncomfortable and lucky enough that he left me alone after I told him to. I brought this up to a manager and she said she would let corporate know. However, nothing has been done. They could easily cover the clipboard as people sign or remove it from the counter after people sign but their excuse was there isn't enough space to remove it from the counter and their boss told them to leave it out. Hot topic does not care if people's info is accessed by other customers or that someone could easily be stalked by knowing their full name and number. DO NOT SIGN THE CLIPBOARD!

Thumbnail of user alvahg6
New York
1 review
3 helpful votes
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September 11th, 2016

I have terrible social anxiety, and the Hot Topic I went to is fairly small and cramped, which caused my anxiety to start up. I had an anxiety attack and was shaking, I couldn't stand or walk, my vision was blurry and I couldn't breathe. My friend hugged me to help me calm down, and just held me. Nothing inappropriate. A worker walks up and starts yelling at us that we have to leave because it's PDA and unacceptable. My friend calmly tried to explain that I was having an anxiety attack and needed to calm down. The worker continued to yell at me, and made it much worse. My friend wound up having to carry me outside, and I still had a lot of trouble calming down. I'm terrified of going back just because of that one worker.

Thumbnail of user sherryr285
Florida
1 review
2 helpful votes
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February 11th, 2021

I have ordered multiple item. Once in October to be told in January that my order had been canceled with no explanation. Now a recent order made in January was to be shipped 7-14 day but a recent email now say July! Why do you sell items you don't have!

Thumbnail of user leoc219
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 25th, 2022

Bought a mug for a dollar however it wasn't the same as the picture only the sticker looked real, but was actually printed from the Internet of the original version (clever lol) then pasted on it. Got the real one somewhere else

Tip for consumers:
None

Products used:
Mugs

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user elviar2
Oregon
1 review
1 helpful vote
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July 31st, 2017

Hot Topic in the mall is amazing and the employees are great but... online it's terrible I put all the items that I wanted in the cart but when it came to ordering it it told me something was wrong so I tried it over and over and over again but it wouldn't let me so I gave up because they "didn't charge me" but when I woke up checked my bank account and they charged me $26.79 nine times I called customer service and they were completely useless! They kept on telling me I didn't get charged witch I did! It's 4 months later and I haven't even received anything

Thumbnail of user marianag30
Georgia
3 reviews
0 helpful votes
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November 1st, 2019

I used to visit this store with my sister 'cuz she loved avenged sevenfold and used to buy a lot of merch of them here. I remember asking my mom to buy me anything of nightmare before christmas. If we go to ny, ht is one of the stores we have to visit

Thumbnail of user christellef
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 4th, 2017

They have pretty much everything geeky and pop culture. The workers are really nice and they'll always help you out. I come here a lot and always have a great time and I hope you will too! Again, love this store.

Thumbnail of user sunnyt49
Iowa
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 2nd, 2023

Placed an order Dec. 12,2022 to be shipped to my local store. On Dec. 16 I received an email notification that my order had shipped. It never arrived. January 15,2023 I finally canceled my order and went to another store to purchase a similar item. During the time I was waiting for my order, I made several trips to my local Hot Topic store to see if my item had arrived. Store staff told me to call customer service for shipping updates. Called the customer service number twice and both times they put me on hold while they called my local HT store to see if my order had arrived at the store. Clearly they have no shipment tracking method...even when it's going to one of their own stores. Does Hot Topic know it's 2023 and there are proven systems for shipment tracking? Pathetic! It's unlikely I'll order from Hot Topic in the future.

Thumbnail of user amberc24
Arizona
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
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December 21st, 2015

I order a Christmas gift for a company party on December 2. It is now December 21 and I still have yet to recieve this order. Customer service never answers or calls back or email back. This is the worst service I have experienced from a company. They will not refund my money unless they get the product. Why should I have to pay for an item I havent recieved. Absolutely disgusted with this company.

Thumbnail of user nicka58
Michigan
1 review
1 helpful vote
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October 22nd, 2016

Hot Topic store, Ridgedale Shopping centre, Minneapolis.
Purchased a Tee for my daughter, size Small, for cash.
Did not keep receipt. The size turned out to be wrong, not surprising as the size means nothing in those tees. Went back to the shop on October 23rd, 2016 to ask if they can swap Small size for Medium size. The tee mind you is still unworn, with original tag on it, with Hot Topic written on it. The shop girl refused on the ground that computer will take it.
Avoid this shop with low quality merchandise and idiotic staff.

Thumbnail of user adrienneg107
Texas
1 review
3 helpful votes
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July 1st, 2022

So I always read reviews before buying or going anywhere & let's just say I'm glad I read the reviews before purchasing 100$ order online. The other day it wouldn't work when trying to checkout and now I think it's working but no way I'm wasting my time- I see the real problem-

Tip for consumers:
They don't deliver anywhere on earth apparently lol

Thumbnail of user alexp221
Michigan
1 review
23 helpful votes
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January 7th, 2018

1. There are often huge delays in order shipments.
It can easily take 8-12 days before your order even gets shipped (on the items that are in stock)
2. Their customer service is horrible.
They respond to your e-mails pretty fast, but the help they give you is next to none.
They are never willing to help you.
Most of the customer reps barely speak English (and that includes written English too).
It often takes me time to even understand what they wrote down
3. If you order a collectible item, like FUNKO POP, get ready to receive it in the DAMAGED BOX and when you contact them requesting a free shipping return because the item arrived damaged, they take the life out of you by telling you that the box, not item is damaged so they can't give a free return.
So they pretend to not understand the value of collectible items like FUNKO POPS goes down A LOT when their boxes are damages.

All in all, almost every time i bought something from them I had a bad experience.

Thumbnail of user alicial332
Florida
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
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September 28th, 2021

Hot Topic gives out hotcash for the money you spend but try and spend it and nearly everything is excluded. I have been looking for at least an hour. What a disgrace! At least at Kohls when you earn the cash you can use it on anything before the deadline-this is borderline consumer fraud! You should be ashamed!

Products used:
clothes

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user heatherd31
Vermont
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 24th, 2015

Ordred Christmas gifts from Hot Topic. The site stated they l arrive by Dec. 22nd with express delivery. Here it is the 24th no package! Tracking info states its in Nashua NH and was due to be delivered today. Its definitely not coming for Christmas! Thanks for ruining Christmas!

Earlier this year my aunt bought a 50$ gift card as gift for my daughters graduation from the Concord NH store. She went to use it and it was empty! The manager tried to straighten it out and said she fired a guy for selling empty gift cards. They never replaced the money on the card!

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About the business

Hot Topic specializes in music and pop culture inspired fashion including body jewelry, accessories, Rock T-Shirts, Skinny Jeans, Band T-shirts, Music T-shirts, Novelty T-Shirts and more - Hot Topic

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