• 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 415th 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 sarahz32
New York
1 review
25 helpful votes
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December 20th, 2017

Ordered items on Nov 24th. Like--10 of them. Firstly, they put false stock numbers in their e-commerce shopping cart so that items never show "out of stock". You order a bunch of items, and then two weeks later it's roulette as to which item in your order gets cancelled. I called customer service not once, but twice, and each time I was on hold for 30+ minutes before even reaching a representative. You talk to the rep, and it's obvious they are reading off cues. One actually told me, on a Wednesday night, that my order (that still hadn't shipped) would arrive that Friday. Bull. I worked in shipping, and no matter what carrier you use, nothing is making it from TN or CA to NY in one shipping day. My order arrived the following Tuesday. Meantime, I asked if they could check with the shipping department to see when my order would be shipped, and they literally said "we can't do that, I mean, I could send an e-mail but they probably won't respond". WHAT? Worst customer service experience literally ever.

Thumbnail of user narellei
Australia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 14th, 2017

They will send you the wrong item, and refuse to pay for the postage to send it back to the US. Customer support also wanted me to phone them rather than emails. I will never use this site again.

Thumbnail of user caitlynb4
Kansas
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
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March 25th, 2017

I know that it's pricey but it's so worth it! I bought my items and two days later got all my packages in the mail in perfect condition! :D love this store online and in person.

Thumbnail of user barbaraw106
Wisconsin
5 reviews
4 helpful votes
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November 8th, 2016

I bought Potter Hufflepuff Girls Cardigan as a birthday gift and believe the receiver will be thrilled, I will find out this Sunday, I have not given it yet I can say the quality is excellent and arrived very fast, I will be buying more from them for Christmas gifts

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user bethanym110
North Carolina
1 review
3 helpful votes
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March 5th, 2021
Verified purchase

I placed an order using my hot cash I earned for $30. It offered me a free shipping discount so I applied that code also. On my order review it showed both discounts applied so I submitted my order. They then charged me full price and only gave me free shipping. Contacted customer service, very slow and not helpful at all. Told me next time don't use 2 codes together. IT SHOULD HAVE STATED THE 2 CODES COULDN'T BE USED TOGETHER INSTEAD IT TRICKES YOU INTO THINKING YOUR TOTAL IS ONE THKNG THEN CHARGES YOU FULL PRICE. Extremely unacceptable!

Thumbnail of user ericad34
New York
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
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July 13th, 2020

The website ordering system is dreadful with loopholes they don't tell you about and then you call and the customer service does everything in their power to deny any wrong doing. I foolishly trusted them and made a pre-order on a purse from Loungefly. It was a gift, so I entered the address of the recipient in the 'Shipping' fields. I received an order confirmation and was told it would ship in 4 - 5 weeks when released.

Well that time came and nothing, no email, no tracking number, no purse. I contacted HotTopic only to find out my order had been cancelled and no notification was sent to let me know. Furthermore, it was cancelled because my shipping address didn't match my billing address and so the system rejected it. WHAT!? Why even give the option to enter a different address if you won't accept it? Why not even tell the customer that they can't do this let alone tell them you've cancelled the order?! I trusted that my order was confirmed and by the time I realized something was wrong, the item was sold out.

What makes it even worse is being on the phone with them for almost an hour while they profusely tried to get out of it and do nothing to make up for their seriously flawed checkout system and lack of communication. They actually expected me to be constantly checking the order status during the four weeks between the order and when it was scheduled to ship to make sure everything was okay. In other words, this was my fault, not theirs. Zero accountability, because I am supposed to know that I shouldn't trust them to contact me with any problems.

Absolutely done with this company.

Thumbnail of user asyab
California
1 review
2 helpful votes
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October 30th, 2015

WHAT EVER YOU DO, DO NOT ORDER ONLINE! THIS MAN NAMED JOSE I TALKED TO YESTERDAY WHEN I PURCHASED THE ORDER AND HE GAVE ME A HARD TIME AND TODAY I CHECKED ON IT AND HE SAID MY CARD WAS FLAGGED AND THAT THE ORDER NEVER WENT THROUGH. THATS TOTALLY BS. ANDDDD THE CALL DROPPED AND HE ACTED LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED AND THAT IT WASNT HIM ON THE PHONE BEFORE. I REMEBERED HIS NAME ON PURPOSE SO THAT THERE WAS NO FUNNY BUSINESS! THE RATING SHOULD BE NEGATIVE 100!

Thumbnail of user beckya28
New Hampshire
1 review
3 helpful votes
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December 12th, 2017

PLACED ORDER BLACK FRIDAY, CALLED TWICE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON BECAUSE IT HADN'T MOVED, WAS LIED TO TWICE SAYING IT WAS GOING RIGHT OUT AND 15 DAYS LATER MY ORDER IS CANCELLED BECAUSE THEY "RAN OUT" - NO KIDDING BECAUSE NOONE BOTHERED GETTING MY ORDER READY IN 15 DAYS NOW I WON'T HAVE THIS FOR A CHRISTMAS GIFT, ALSO SAID I WOULDN'T GET BACK THE REWARDS I USED TO PURCHASE THIS, REWARDS I HAD EARNED AND NOW I LOSE THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE TOO LAZY TO GET ORDERS READY? ITEM WAS IN STOCK WHEN I ORDERED BUT CLEARLY AFTER 15 DAYS IT'S BOUND TO RUN OUT, RIDICULOUS, WILL NEVER ORDER FROM THEM AGAIN. NOONE ANSWERS THE PHONE NOW EITHER, MY "ESTIMATED WAIT TIME" HAS BEEN 10-20 MINUTES FOR THE PAST HOUR NOW.

Thumbnail of user candicec96
Oklahoma
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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October 5th, 2020

I love the assortment of neon colored accessories and the HUGE selection of band t-shirts available in stores and online. I also love the skinny jeans that every guy should be rocking!

Thumbnail of user criticalcustomerp
North Carolina
5 reviews
8 helpful votes
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April 11th, 2013

I love ordering from Hot Topic. My most recent order came this week. I pre-ordered the new Paramore CD and had it the da after it was released. Very happy customer here! Thanks Hot Topic!

Thumbnail of user angelinar91
Michigan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 26th, 2022
Verified purchase

I ordered black combat boots August 15,2022. It's August 26,2022, and I still have not received my item I payed for. As you can see in my email that was a confirmation of my order I was charged $95.01. I was told the boots were pre-sale, and that I wouldn't receive my package, my combat boots for another year. So I canceled my order because I'm not going to wait a year, for combat boots. I was also told by customer service I was never charged for the boots. Look for yourself in the screenshots if I was charged or not. It even shows in my hottopic account, in my order history I was in fact charged $95.01. So much for customer service respect and appreciation for your customers. If we dont receive an order that we payed for, we should be eligible for a refund. My daughter never got her boots I payed for and I never received my refund in the amount of $95.01. I will never EVER order from hot topic ever again. I'm angry, frustrated, upset, that customers do not get their refund that they're eligible for which seems like a legitimate scam if you ask me. Don't ever order from here. Save yourself the headache.
Also, the guy threatened me that I was being recorded on the line. I told him record me then but you can't expect me not to be angry when I'm getting ripped off. Hottopic, you just lost business with a reliable customer.
A.M. R.

Tip for consumers:
Don't buy from here, or you will be scammed.

Products used:
None

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user kitb5
Australia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 12th, 2017

I bought so bows and a bag off the website I was completely happy with the bag I thought it was so amazing I would love to keep ordering from them, although I bought the bows we're going to be a bit bigger I still absolutely love them and wear them so much thankyou

Thumbnail of user marcyh62
Missouri
5 reviews
8 helpful votes
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February 25th, 2023

Have always had friendly experiences inside the stores around kansas but always have had issues with the website sending correct and not damaged items

Tip for consumers:
Buy in store

Products used:
Exclusive pop figures

Thumbnail of user christopherr63
Illinois
27 reviews
50 helpful votes
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June 16th, 2016

I like this store a lot. I've had one bad customer service experience with them, though Still Hot Topic has my favorite things. Love all the band shirts. Great shot glass collection too.

Thumbnail of user elleng58
Georgia
6 reviews
58 helpful votes
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May 17th, 2018

I like going in to this store and looking around. Usually get a Southern Rock group T-shirt. Sometimes find other cool things. The sales people are always nice.

Thumbnail of user as283
Washington
1 review
8 helpful votes
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December 9th, 2018

I placed an order on 11/23/18 which apparently got lost, okay, it happens, no big deal. I follow up with them Dec 3rd after confirming with USPS that it never even made it to their facility (it was stuck in pre-shipment status for awhile), I'm told I can get a replacement with free expedited shipping. 24 hours later I get another email that one item isn't in stock anymore, no big deal it happens, I tell them what I want as replacement and they assure me it will get shipped out that day. I (Mind you the person telling me its out of stock was a totally different person) inquire about the expedited shipping and receive zero response. So, I get an email that my new order was received on Dec 5th, but no update on shipping (I'm writing this Dec 9th) so I finally send another email, but get a bit antsy and just call. Come to find out -one- item shipped, standard shipping. The other one -might- ship tomorrow from another warehouse. I'm beyond livid. It's not like I asked for expedited, but if you're gonna offer it, at least hold up on your end. After this I am 100% done with hottopic and all their affiliates because this is not the first time i've had problems just receiving a simple package, I figured after a few years they would have ya know gotten better.

Thumbnail of user viviann37
Georgia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 23rd, 2017

I bought a gift for my friend, and one day I found out the money was sent back to my bank account. THE GIFT WAS CANCELED, BUT I DIDN'T RECEIVE AN EMAIL SAYING IT WAS. I WILL NEVER BUY FROM HERE AGAIN.

Thumbnail of user vonday
Tennessee
1 review
1 helpful vote
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January 1st, 2016

I ordered a shirt for Christmas, and it showed up in a reasonable amount of time. However there was a hole in the side. The hole is on the seam though, so it's easily fixable.

Thumbnail of user annas193
Canada
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
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January 15th, 2017

I LOVE the HotTopic in the mall. The staff there are usually helpful and the store is relatively clean (a bit crowded though).
Their online store... what a joke. I tried to order two watched on December 26th which I only did because the shipping was free over $30 (the shipping to Alberta is $31.00 which is double what the watch alone would have cost so I ended up finding another watch as well to make the order up to 30) I had to call in to make sure the shipping was going to come off and the guy helping said it would. He said the order went through but then I immediatley received an email saying it was cancelled (I was not charged) and both items were out of stock but was assured a note was on my account so I could get the shipping free in the future. I saw the watches again online today and called to order them. After the exchange rate I should have been charged $47 and some change. I was charged double that. When I called back (2 hours later) they said there is nothing they can do at this point and I either have to call back after I receive another email confirming that they have been sent OR I can refuse the package when it eventually comes. Total bull$#*!.

Thumbnail of user caryna15
North Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 3rd, 2022

Please don't buy anything online from this company! I pre-ordered a purse on September 8. I was told that I would receive this purse between October 18-28. Never received the purse. I called on October 25 to check status and was told that they had lots of inventory and they would ship my purse out by Monday 10-31. No purse showed on 10-31 but I called them and was told they had plenty of inventory and would have a supervisor call me to give me more answers. Received a call Tuesday from the supervisor and she informed me that they had no inventory and didn't know when they would get it back in stock this year! When I asked for a refund she told me she couldn't for two weeks because it might be back in stock?! Not only this company never communicated with me about this issue but are giving me conflicting information of yes we have it in stock to less than a day later no we are out of stock. Now refusing to refund me for two weeks. Wtf! Please do yourself a favor and don't order online from this company.

Thumbnail of user hopebatista34
California
1 review
1 helpful vote
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August 12th, 2023

This is a inperson review but im a closted trans-masc and one of the sales people (forgot the name) helped me sneak a he/him pronoun pin into my bag so my family didnt notice 10 / 10 customer service

Products used:
pin and choker

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user flooft
Canada
1 review
3 helpful votes
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December 4th, 2020

Their online process is a pain. Customer service isn't helpful in the slightest. Couldn't buy any items after my orders got cancelled multiple times without notifying me.

Service
Value
Shipping
Thumbnail of user briannam202
Virginia
3 reviews
7 helpful votes
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January 12th, 2022

Sold out items still featured as if available items and items not sold out or limited time removed. Right now any shopping from thid site for desirable itens is impossible.

Tip for consumers:
When the first item I wanted was to be removed if limited as well as specification it was. The second item shouldn't have even still been there on the page if sold out. It's majorly disappointing!

Products used:
Was trying to buy Funko Pops recently bit have bought multiple items in years past such as Hades tank tops and blanket, t shirts, accessories, boots, etc

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user jeseniar1
California
1 review
1 helpful vote
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November 28th, 2017

See i am not a person do write bad reviews unless i am really mad. And so on Black Friday they had their deal on tees so i bought my self one and a best friend necklace and they CHARGED MY CARD 8 TIMES NOT 2 LIKE OTHER PEOPLE DO NOO 8 TIMES AND NOW I HAVE 200 LESS IN MY CARD SO I CANT GO XMAS SHOPPING AND THAN I GET AN EMAIL SAYING "I AM SORRY YOUR ITEM IS SOLD OUT AND UNAVAILABLE YOU WILL BE REFUNDED" I HAVENT EVEN BEEN REFUNDED FOR THE 7 EXTRA TIMES AND I AM REALLY PISSED CAUSE THE SHIRT WAS WHAT I REALLY WANTED WHY DIDNT THEY HAVE SAID ON THE WEBSITE AS I GOT OH SORRY IT IS SOLD OUT NOOOO THEY REALLY SCREWD ME OVER AND I AM NO LONGER SHOPING THEIR PS MY SISTER USED TO WORK THERE AND THEY SCREWD HER OVER ON HER PAY TOO AND SHE NEVER GOT IT FIXED... I AM ON A STRIKE AGAINST HOTTOPIC!

Thumbnail of user ashleyt357
Illinois
1 review
3 helpful votes
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December 13th, 2020

I ordered $170 worth or merchandise with 10/14 it is now 12/13 everything was sent to me except a preordered Funko Pop the Funko pop was released on 11/15 everywhere. Hot Topic has never sent me my item pushed my shipping date back 5 times. They claim it has only JUST been released ( insert epic eyeroll)

I emailed Customer service only to receive automated messages not helping me, then today I finally tried to use the live chat feature on their website only to wait 2.5 hours with no response from an agents and then to be booted off the the chat. I then had no choice but to call customer service I waited on hold 45 min to have a agent tell me she couldn't see that anything had to be shipped to me and that I already received my order.
THEN after giving the item # to her, she says there must have been a glitch. I then asked why I still wouldn't receive the item till after Christmas when the site shows that today is the last day to receive the item by Christmas and it shows the item is in stock now. She had no answer for me no apologies nothing. I'm so upset a bunch of wasted time and lies about my item, I was never compensated anything.

I will never order off of this site again please be warned they out source all customer service and they are a joke

Cherry on top of it all I found the item for $3 cheaper on Amazon and it will be here tomorrow

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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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