• HotTopic

HotTopic

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Overview

HotTopic has a rating of 2.43 stars from 217 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 41st among General Apparel sites.

  • Service
    45
  • Value
    41
  • Shipping
    37
  • Returns
    29
  • Quality
    36
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 33.3%
Positive
3
Neutral
0
Negative
6
17
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What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

No positive highlights yet

Critical highlights

  • I attempted to call the customer service number, and got cut off the first 7 times I tried.
How would you rate HotTopic?
Top Positive Review

“Great company!”

Sylvia K.
3/8/23

Great company and awesome products! Always find what I'm looking for plus more. Love the tshirts and funko pops!

Top Critical Review

“Bad price for small things. Not worth my 9$.”

aoife d.
12/20/23

Bought the spirited away sprite soots hairties, there is 2 in one pack for 9.90$, not even a day later, one hairtie already broke even though i did not stretch it. The charm was loose on it as well, will not purchase them again, and not worth 9.90 in my opinion, i live in harrisburg, and i go to the park city mall, they have a hot topic there.

Reviews (217)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (58)
Thumbnail of user tlbruce84
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 24th, 2023

Hottopic needs to go out of business. We already know it is overpriced. First off just so everyone knows if your billing is different from where you are shipping it to they will cancel your order. So if you have relatives that live far enough away do not buy from this place. Also they didn't even tell me it got cancelled I found out the day it was suppose to arrive guess what didn't come the items o yeah they cancelled.They never email to let you know or anything. So I then recorder said objects. Sent them to my house so I can send them out paid 26.99 for over night shipping. Guess who didn't get it for over 4 days plus. So now I can't even ship it or send it or even bring it with me while I travel. Also I now have to figure out who will get it so no one steals it from my porch while I am gone. The supervisor on the phone guaranteed I would get at least one of my packages by 23rd Called them they said they don't refund shipping.

Service
Value
Shipping
Thumbnail of user isabellar252
1 review
2 helpful votes
February 13th, 2023

I've been shopping at hot topic for a couple years now and every time I go to the pants area they never have plus size. I've only found pants that fit me once and it was the only plus size in the store. I think it's unfair that they don't have sizes for everyone and the only way you can get them is by buying them online, they should have them in store like everywhere else.

Thumbnail of user sylviak155
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 8th, 2023

Great company and awesome products! Always find what I'm looking for plus more. Love the tshirts and funko pops!

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user aoifed7
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 20th, 2023

Bought the spirited away sprite soots hairties, there is 2 in one pack for 9.90$, not even a day later, one hairtie already broke even though i did not stretch it. The charm was loose on it as well, will not purchase them again, and not worth 9.90 in my opinion, i live in harrisburg, and i go to the park city mall, they have a hot topic there.

Tip for consumers:
not worth the money.

Products used:
hair acessory

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user guadalupem151
1 review
1 helpful vote
September 3rd, 2022

1. They remove all negative reviews under the pretense of it "not following website guidelines"

2. Once you purchase items they may modify/change your order without asking you. Once they tell you they modified your order, they say that they can't cancel it. Even though they themselves have modified it... make it make sense. Anyway, a lot of their designs are created by independent artists I highly encourage buying directly from local artists.

Tip for consumers:
Don't use this site. Buy through local artists.

Products used:
Haven't even received

Thumbnail of user sheena.c.knight
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 5th, 2023

I ordered a pair of Velvet Boots as a Christmas present, but I received a Doctor Who button up shirt instead. When I called customer service they gave me a refund, but could not provide the boots as they were now out of stock. They ruined the most perfect present and now I can't find another pair of boots like it. I was able to keep the shirt though so that's a plus...it is 2 sizes too big so it's perfect.

Tip for consumers:
Next time just get the order right

Products used:
A single shirt from the purchase

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user darlaa39
1 review
1 helpful vote
August 14th, 2022

My daughter and I have spent thousands of dollars here over the years but its all changed. Management at corporate and store level is terrible. They don't care about customers anymore. You can't get help from ANYONE. The bank that has their credit card, COMENITY BANK, is the worst! I would rate them "0" but that isn't an option. I won't do business either again. They just lost 2 more customers. Whatever you do, don't go to he one at Town Center Kennesaw, GA. Save yourself a headache and rising blood pressure!

Tip for consumers:
Not sure

Products used:
All

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user oliviad404
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 20th, 2023

Very awesome store and the staff are very helpful. This is definitely my favorite store to go to anytime.

Products used:
shirt

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user jeradh8
1 review
5 helpful votes
February 18th, 2023

We had shopped at Hot Topic for years. This morning their website was hacked and items were purchased through my credit without my authorization. I called immediately and was basically told, too bad, not our problem, our money now, take it up with your credit card company. I did, problem solved, and you will never have our business again.

Service
Thumbnail of user brandonv231
1 review
1 helpful vote
June 14th, 2023

They have a lot of different sorts of clothing and jewelry and other different many things that fit what I like to wear and use. Would recommend checking out.

Products used:
4 shirts I bought

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user adriannev4
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 18th, 2024

I order my anime shirt from hot topic because they're nice quality. My last purchases however my t shirts looked like the graphic designs were xeroxed on there. They look cheap. Not only that ONE OF THE DESIGNS IS OFF CENTER. For that I could have ordered from a no name person off Amazon and got it for a lot cheaper

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user sydneyc137
3 reviews
4 helpful votes
April 18th, 2022

I literally love this place so much- omg-
Words can't describe how much I love it
But if I had to put it into words, it's my favorite place ever
Everything they have is super aesthetic and the employees made me feel so welcome
And all of the tshirts have my fav bands on them, by far I rate this place a good 10/10
It feels just like my natural habitat, keep up the good work, Hot atopic

Tip for consumers:
PLZ GO ITS SO AESTHETIC GURLLL

Products used:
Goth girl shirts bae

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user hopebatista34
1 review
1 helpful vote
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 bobw1006
1 review
3 helpful votes
March 13th, 2023

Hot Topic sends every month some form of "Hot Cash", a "Spin for Discount", "Discount Promo Code" and many other come on type bait and switch tactics to get you to go to the HT site.
When you arrive and start to shop for items you will see disclaimers that almost any item in stock will have a disclaimer that none of the BS discounts, codes or rewards that drew you on to the site in the first place can be applied to items in your shopping"bag".
They should tell you you might get 20 percent off if you shop for crap that is already on sale.
Too many hoops to jump through. We just abandoned a $164 shopping "bag" as we felt like we were being played.
HT must think thier customers are fools.
We will shop anywhere else in the future.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Thumbnail of user marcyh62
5 reviews
7 helpful votes
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 winterglory88
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 7th, 2023

I've only been to Hot Topic twice but each time I was very satisfied with my visit! Both times I spoke to an employee named Chris and he was super friendly (also complimented my Billie Eilish shirt). Chris was so nice and I had a great conversation with him (both times). The kind of customer service they provide there is the kind we need everywhere. I also love the stock they have! They have so many graphic tee's, pins, stickers, corsets, belts, cute pants, fishnets, etc. They have a HUGE supply of graphic tee's (which is hard to find). I love this store so much and I hope someday I can work there with great co-workers like the ones I met.

Thumbnail of user megane270
1 review
0 helpful votes
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 tracih83
3 reviews
0 helpful votes
March 7th, 2023

I have shopped at Hot Topic for 20 years at this point. Always has fun items you can't find anywhere else.

Thumbnail of user evelyn.greene6759
1 review
1 helpful vote
April 16th, 2023

I have tried to buy clothes off their website a couple times, and I gave up and closed out both times. The first time, I was baited with free shipping and discounts that turned out to not work in my location. I accept that free shipping doesn't apply everywhere, but why even offer it then? Mind you but shipping was expensive too. I live in a major Canadian city with multiple hot topic stores yet shipping costs $30ish bucks?The second time I tried shopping online with them, they had a buy 2 get 1 free promo. Problem was that it didn't apply to all the clothes, and that some of the dresses that it did apply to were not available to me...because reasons? I'd click on something, they'd have it in my size, and somehow it was unavailable for both shipping and in store pick up. I gave up trying to find a third dress that could complete the buy 2 get 1 promo. Like why even put that on your website if it's not really an offer that actually works?

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user kendalk6
1 review
1 helpful vote
August 1st, 2021

All the employees were very kind and helped me find perfect school appropriate outfits for back to school shopping! <3

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user patriciag1661
1 review
1 helpful vote
October 6th, 2021

Four years ago, I made a purchase that didn't go well & I never received it. I was very discouraged to purchase anything from the online website ever again until recently I saw a dress I really wanted to wear for my birthday. I took my chances and ordered from them back in August, package came in within a week & during that duration, I spoke to customer service, they were so polite & helpful. I was so impressed that I made another purchase and my purchase of two stripe shirts is another success! My only criticism is that I wish they could update their delivery system where you could track your order through Fedex as well update the status of your order when its been shipped instead of "In Process". Other than that, I believe that the website has potential to grow and be better regarding business.

Products used:
Clothes, jewelry

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user saraf518
1 review
0 helpful votes
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 nikkim319
1 review
0 helpful votes
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 skb8
2 reviews
10 helpful votes
August 4th, 2021

I placed an order for just over $15 on line and did not pick up the item. They told me the electronic prepayment would be refunded. I happened to check my statement and saw they refunded only $2.26. It took a phone call and six email exchanges before there was any resolution, and I am not particularly content with it. Although they accepted an electronic payment and made the partial refund electronically, they will refund the rest only with a check which I might receive in a month. Had I not checked my statement and taken the time to call and wait on hold while one of their staff looked into it and had the subsequent email exchanges, they would not have made the full refund. The inconvenience of a check, particularly when they otherwise made electronic transactions, is a reflection on customer service. They tried to keep my money and then made it difficult to get it back. Hot Topic is not worth the time and aggravation.

Products used:
None. Cancelled order.

Service
Value
Returns
Thumbnail of user lisam5101
1 review
1 helpful vote
January 20th, 2023

My daughter applied for a job at the Columbiana SC mall store. The manager kept blowing her off, saying she'd call. We were in there and the manager was there. Rather than be honest and tell her that there weren't any positions or she wasn't going to hire her, she kept pretending she was busy. Busy being getting a shoulder rub from one of her employees! I've been a retail manager and know what she was doing. My daughter found a better job elsewhere and Hot Topic lost two regular customers.

Products used:
Too many. Never again

Service
Quality

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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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2.4
217 reviews
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