Point Of Origin

Very helpful staff I have bought gifts for my wife and mother here and they help if I can’t decide and do great gift wrapping!

Came in for the first time today to check it out. I was immediately greeted by a very sweet lady, and received a warm welcome. She asked me if I had ever been there before, and when I said it was my first time she showed me around and gave me a free sample of their fragrance. This place is very cute and the staff is nice, but they are a little bit aggressive. That could be a personal thing for me, but all in all the store carries some cute gifts.

I have loved Point of Origin in the past, and am disappointed to be writing a poor review. I went in over the holidays and, as usual, they had a great selection of cute and useful items, so I was all set shopping and getting little «extras» in a store I like and appreciate. Also, most of the staff was very attentive without being overbearing. I found an ornament that was a great gift for the grandparents (my parents, regular customers); it required writing names on a «nice» list on the ornament. The woman who was ringing up my order at the cash register was very friendly, and when I asked her about particulars for writing (what kind of marker to use, etc.), it led to another woman – possibly the owner? – coming over and saying she had just replaced their fine-​point Sharpie, and she could do the writing for me. Great! I was happy to have a skilled hand. She took the ornament, asked me to write down the names I wanted on there, and then took everything to write. Just before penning the names, she said «oh, and it’ll be $ 4. Is that OK?» Well, not really (was $ 1/​name), but again, I was happy to just have it done. Without a word, and without me really realizing it, she wrote the names on the ornament as the other woman was ringing up the rest of my items and I was digging out my wallet. When she held up the ornament, the four names had taken the entire scroll on the ornament. I gasped and said «oh goodness, I’m sorry, but that’s not how I wanted them written.» I had purchased it specifically to be something to grow with the number of grandkids, so wanted there to be room to add more names at the bottom. I certainly don’t expect anyone to read my mind on that, but as someone focused on customer service, and providing a PAID service for personal inscription (if you will), I expected to have a conversation about it before having the work completed. Again, I don’t expect a mind-​reader, but the reaction next is what is prompting the 1-​star review. I stated, clearly but politely, that it wasn’t what I wanted, and explained my room-​to-​grow desire. She just looked at me, almost disgusted, and kind of shrugged, as if to say it wasn’t her problem. I just looked back and said I wasn’t sure what to do. I didn’t necessarily want them to have to suck up the cost and give me a new ornament, but the way she did it completely defeated the purpose (I explained all this to her). I didn’t even want the ornament anymore, and it was ruined. She eventually said she could maybe clean it off, but there would be a purple outline where the previous writing had been. But, «not to worry» because once it’s covered in black writing, you «probably» couldn’t tell. This was not an acceptable solution to me. I stood there in line, with several people around, of course not wanting to make a scene and being polite, but also trying to be very clear I didn’t want that ornament, and didn’t find it my responsibility to pay for an entirely new one (+ writing). She also made it sound like you wouldn’t be able to read the writing if it were any smaller. I quickly and politely pointed out the ornaments that were out for show, and that the writing on those was much smaller, and closer to what I wanted. She eventually said she could give me another ornament at half-​price, but that’s the best she could do, and begrudgingly wrote the names again. I reluctantly agreed, because I wanted to be done and out of there. In hindsight, I should have just left all my purchases at the counter and said I didn’t want any of it. I wasn’t emotional, I just couldn’t believe that this store, a boutique, professing their excellent customer service, would treat a customer that way! Even an acknowledgement of «I’m so sorry I didn’t ask. How can we work this out?» would have been miles and miles above the «shrug & shirk» I got that day.
As an aside, I used to manage a retail store (different goods & city), and the owners & all our staff had great attention to customer service. I’m not saying it’s the right answer, but if this had happened in our store, the answer immediately would have been «I’m sorry we didn’t talk first!» (note to self: ask customers what they want before writing anything). Followed by «Let’s get you a new ornament, and you tell me what you want so we can make this right.» The soiled ornament would have gone up as an example, and we would have sucked up the $ 6.50 wholesale cost of that item.
I realize I may have just been here on a bad day or a tough time of the season. But, I will not shop here again, unfortunately, unless a close friend or family member assures me it has changed.

If you’re in Lakeway, this is a great little spot to find almost anything. Truly one of the greatest gift shops in the area. Even though there are breakables, I take my little 3 year old in there and she somehow finds the dog or the sales associate keeps her occupied while I find the perfect item– or two or three — you get my drift. I always find the perfect item and then some. My quick stop for Tyler Candles, necklaces, stationary and more. Makes me giddy thinking about my next visit to Point of Origin.

Super local business with excellent customer service! I always find great stuff and feel better when I walk out because everyone is so nice! A pleasurable experience every time.

My only complaint about this shop? I wish I lived closer. So many cute gifts. Such a wide selection. And super helpful, friendly staff. Unique, fun clothes, lots and lots of jewelry, and fun homeware items… If they don’t have it, they can help you find something that’s probably just as good.

I’ve instructed my husband that if he needs a great gift quick (and doesn’t want to worry about wrapping it) this is the place to go. They’re helpful, friendly and have a great selection of wonderful things. There’s not too much for guys here — a little. But I’ll tell you — I love coming in and browsing. They usually have a refreshing sample of some food item or drink mix and very helpful staff. I wish more places were this in tune to customer service. There are great gifts for a variety of price ranges, too. I’ve pretty much determined that when I need to purchase a gift or card, I will come here. They have the gifts that I want to give and be given.

Great place to purchase fun and unique gifts. They carry heartstrings, and troll beads. I live in Westlake and it was so worth it to head to Lakeway.

One of the few places in Austin I can get Pick Up Sticks charms & necklaces! The cutest charms ever.

Do you love when local businesses do business really well? Point of origin is right near my house and I’m not quite sure why I had never ventured in. I had received numerous really cute gifts from here. Well, one day I had 2 birthdays to celebrate and no ideas. Off to point of origin I went. Really cute selection of girly gifts, I found personalized gifts for both friends immediately. Why the 5 stars? Really stellar customer service! So friendly, so attentive, so above and beyond! Gorgeous gift wrapping. I don’t know that they noticed me really as I was still half asleep, yet somehow I walked out feeling like I had been treated like a V.I.P. Just like the 2 ladies I saw on line before me (we all felt like friends). I am now on their email list and appreciate how active they are at keeping me up to date (in a good way, not in a delete this immediately way). Oh and most importantly I guess, my friends loved their gifts. V.I.P and hero all in one day! Yay point of origin. Keep up the good work.

This shop is one of my favorite places to purchase gifts for my female friends. They have a great selection of unique gifts, jewelry and candles. I love their yummy smelling sachets that you can stash in your car or drawers to make everything smell yummy!
They are located in the old Randall’s shopping center across the street from where Randalls is now.

This store is GREAT! I am a realtor in town and when I need gifts for my clients I go there, and I always find what I need and the staff is beyond helpful. Also, they gift wrap for free. This is the best place to shop for gifts and I guarantee you wont leave empty handed.
Thank you for all your help, and I can’t wait to stop by again soon.