Black Fishnet Stockings, A Perfume Called Morbid & My Obsession With Hot Topic
Written: Mar 12 '03 (Updated Nov 19 '06)
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Hot Topic Is Not Punk Rock ...
With a username like 'freak369' you might expect me to be at stores like Hot Topic all the time. Sadly, the Southern California lifestyle doesn’t exactly embrace those that are into the more bizarre things in life. Sure there are surf shops, hemp jewelry stores, tattoo salons [when did they suddenly change from ‘shops’ to ‘salons’?] and other assorted off-the-beaten-path retailers – but none that really sell the weird unusual stuff. There are a few Hot Topic retail stores in the area but most are cramped and usually crowded with people that are looking to be cool. Sorry folks, you can’t just walk into a store, buy some black eyeliner and mascara, cute t-shirts, funky clunky shoes and a leather studded belt and expect the world to shift off its axis and suddenly recognize you as a trendsetter. Alas, and at best, you might get the label tragically hip and scooted out of the store.
So, What Is Hot Topic?
Ever see those creepy looking people with the black t-shirts, funky backpacks and layers of makeup? No, I’m not talking about Tammy Fay Baker but I bet she would have a field day in the cosmetics section. Hot Topic is a store that sells the things that other stores are afraid to. Bumper stickers, t-shirts, parachute pants, cologne and perfume, body piercing jewelry, cosmetics, belts, shoes, purses and backpacks and more can all be found on the pages of the internet site as well as at most of the retail locations. In additional the previously mentioned items they also sell music related items such as compact discs, fanwear [my own term for clothes with band names or images on them] and a plethora of patches, pins and posters. Chances are if you can’t find something at a mainstream store, you’ll be able to find it here.
Getting around the website is pretty easy since the shopping sections are broke down for you on the left hand side. The sub sections allow you to choose from areas like tops, bottoms, gift cards, accessories, jewelry etc. If at any time you get lost you can click the large Hot Topic icon at the top of the page to return to the front page. Your shopping cart, membership link and ‘find a store’ options are always a click away no matter what part of the site you are at and are docked in a permanent location right below the icon. When checking out the different parts of the site you’ll be able to view photos and text information on the products as well as see an enlarged view. Sometimes the photos don’t show you the best part of the item and the text description leaves a little to be desired – but you will get the general idea. You’ll see eight products on each page with the number of pages of products displayed at the top and bottom of the page. Click on an image or link to go to that product where – in most cases – you will have the ability to see it in an even larger display. If you need more information, customer service is always there to assist you. If you need quick help, you can take advantage of the “Live Help” area in the customer service section of the site. This is available from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
Products
Among the various clothing lines that they sell [Care Bears, Hello Kitty, Lucky 13, Sponge Bob etc] you can also find the non-mainstream lines as well as several independents that custom make items just for the storefront. The best way to describe the products that are sold at Hot Topic is to take Spencer’s Gifts and give it a major kick in the butt. I’m really impressed with the clothing that they sell because it lasts after tons of use and washes well. I have several hooded sweatshirts that have seen a lot of use and still look extremely good. The jewelry that they sell ranges from the basics like jelly bracelets to full on body piercing goods. If you are looking to pick up barbells, hoops or studs you might be a little disappoint with what the site offers because the retail stores have a much larger selection to choose from. One of the things that I will only purchase online is the cosmetics that they sell – and the only reason for that is that I don’t care to buy something that someone else maybe have opened or tested out.
The non-clothing items such as lunchboxes, patches, stickers, toys and pins are listed at the site but it’s just my experience but the retail stores seem to have a much larger selection. You’ll see about 15 – 25% of the stock listed at the site so if this is something that interests you, your best bet is to make your way to one of the 400 [and counting] stores that are usually located inside major malls. You’ll also be able to pick up bras, panties, bikinis, a wide assortment of headwear and wallets. Sure, there’s more than that available at the site but far be it for me to be the one to ruin the surprises that await you.
Purchases
Since my boys roll their eyes, huff and puff, give me “the look” and generally hate to go into this store I do most of my shopping at the website. I’ve purchased small items like panties, skull & crossbones shoelaces and cosmetics as well as large items like jackets, sweatshirts and boots. I never really had any trouble placing an order outside of the usual page freezes that occur – something that is the fault of my cable provider not Hot Topic. 95% of the items that I ordered were in stock and arrived on my doorstep in about a week and a half – longer during the holidays. As a whole I consider the site to be a safe place to shop as well as taking the time to respond to my emails and answering my questions about products. I feel confidant recommending this site to other people because if they are treated the same way I have been – I know they will be happy repeat customers.
Before You Start Surfing ….
Look to the left hand side of the shopping section to choose the mode you would like to surf the site in. If you consider yourself a goth, punk or club kid [just to name a few] you can select one of these from the drop down box so you will get more product results that are in your ‘area’. Most of the time I cruise in ‘goth’ mode than go to the default [no scene] to check out the clearance section so I won’t miss anything that has been marked down. This is a nice little feature of the site and it helps to cut down the page views if you are shopping for a certain type of product or looking for a gift for that special someone.
The Clearance Section
Jam packed with tons of goodies, this is a section that I hit at least two to three times a week to see what is still available and what’s new. If you are a Hot Topic junkie you might want to check the site before you visit the local retail location to see if you are getting the best deal possible. In most cases [most, not all] you will see that the prices of the products are the same. If a perfume is on sale / clearance at the physical location then it will be listed at the site at the same price. This means that they are on top of the game and the website and physical locations are on the same page. Nothing burns me more than buying something at the store then checking the online site to see that it is on clearance – it usually works the other way around meaning the retail stores have the better prices / best mark downs. Please make your selections carefully because items that are on clearance will not be accepted for return or exchange.
More Than Just Clothes & Cool Stuff…
While I will admit that Hot Topic – both the retail stores and online site – is the nightmare of my ex husband – I have nothing but great things to say about them. The site offers you more than just a shopping experience – but to find the hidden gems you might have to dig a little. Check out the “Community” part of the site to find a place to leave feedback about the site, read interviews with artists as well as reviews of CD’s that are sold at the site, enter a few cool contests and keep up with the music scene and current tours. Sure, they didn’t have to add this section – but it just goes to show that they want their customers to be happy – not just with their purchases but with the content of the site as well.
Returns
I’ve never had to return anything that I purchased from the site. There were a few times that I purchased clothing that was a little too small for me but my neighbor Jane was more than happy to take it off my hands. In case you need to make a return, here are the essentials that you will need to know. You have a 45 day time frame in which to return the item for a refund or exchange. You’ll need to call the toll free customer service number or email them to get a RMA [return merchandise authorization] number and get a UPS call tag sent to you. If you are looking to make an exchange they can take the order for the replacement item over the phone and start processing it. Chances are the two items will cross in the mail so by time you get your new item; they will be receiving the original. Some items will not be accepted for return – these include any type of undergarment, swimwear and lingerie. Make up, cosmetics, body jewelry, music CD’s and other items may not be returned if opened. If you have any doubts, call the toll free number for help.
Customer Service
Hot Topic Inc.
18305 East San Jose Avenue
City of Industry, CA 91748
[800] 892-8674 – Customer Service
[626] 839-4686 – Fax
For your convenience, customer service help is available from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm Pacific Standard Time.
online@hottopic.com - Email help is always available here.
There is also a customer service form located at the site that will help you contact the correct department in regards to merchandise questions, stock options, sizes available, site difficulties and applying for a job at a retail location. To access the form directly, visit this URL: http://www.hottopic.com/services/contact.asp
Payment Options
You can pay for your order using any of the major credit cards – MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover. If these aren’t an option for you, you can also pay by cashier check [sorry, no personal checks], money order or by using a Hot Topic gift card. To take advantage of these options you have to call the toll free number and place your order over the phone. You will then get instructions on how to complete the order, total cost, shipping and delivery time. You have a ten day window of opportunity to mail in your payment for your order. If you are placing an overseas order, please make sure that you ask how long you have to remit payment. You can also use your Torrid gift card online at the Hot Topic site.
I’ve used my MasterCard [both credit and WebCertificate] at the site and have never had any trouble with overcharges, double billings or being charged an amount that was different from what was quoted when I processed the order.
Odds & Ends
There isn’t any nudity at the site but you will see some bikinis and underwear on display. I’d say that the site would be appropriate for those over the age of thirteen but you should check out the site first to make sure that there aren’t any things that you feel are inappropriate. From what I have seen, most of the intimate apparel is displayed on mannequins, not real people.
The site also offers you the ability to listen to selected artists on their radio via the Real One player. You can choose from several different genres as well as control the tracks. This is a great way to sample some new music that you might otherwise not come in contact with.
Gift certificate / gift cards are also available at the site and can be redeemed at the stores as well as online. This is probably the best way to send someone a gift if you don’t know exactly what he or she is into – but you know that they love the store. You can choose from several different cool designs [Sponge Bob, Muppets, Nightmare Before Christmas, Hot Topic logo etc] as well as different denominations $5.00, $10.00, $25.00, $50.00 and $75.00. I’m not sure if you can recharge them at the stores or if you can have other amounts added / credited to the card so if this is something that you are interested in, call customer service.
The Bottom Line
So far all my experiences with Hot Topic have been great. The customer service people handle the calls in a very professional yet very entertaining way and offer suggestions when you just can’t seen to find the perfect gift or product. I like shopping at the online store because, well, the mall sucks. The stores are a little on the small side and while always stocked with products – making your way around the other customers seems to be the real problem. I can sit at my computer wearing my fuzzy black bat slippers, torn and tattered New Kids on The Block t-shirt and ripped up sweatpants and surf the site at my own pace. I don’t have to deal with parents yelling about the price of belts, kids yelling about their parents not understanding what is cool and my own brood giving me the evil eye for dragging them in the store. If you like hitting Hot Topic to check out the goods, give the website a try and see if it’s for you.
Pros: Huge inventory, easy to navigate, clearance section, tons of perks.
Cons: Some products don’t have enough information or large enough photos.
The Bottom Line:
If you like shopping at the physical stores, you’ll love the website!
As always, thanks for the visit!
~^V^~ Freak ~^V^~
© 2003 Freak369
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Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Clothing, gifts etc
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