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July 2025 by Andreas Lietz
The shirts they sell are damaged by their theft protection clams. They do not offer a refund as they say this does not qualify as damage. Judge for yourself.
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May 2024 by Ibrahim Memon
The store manager was extremely unprofessional and disrespectful. He is a shorter man, wears a beanie and hoodie most of the time. I am a student at Cal, and see him at the store often. I went in to exchange my shirt for a bigger size (small with medium). I did not have my receipt but had the bank transaction that showed proof of purchase. I bought the incorrect size just 24 hours ago. It was unused with tags intact.
The manager was extremely rude to start off with. I’ve worked in customer service, so I am understanding of people who work CS that may appear slightly anti-social. However, the manager kept making passive aggressive, generalized comments about my appearance and how I am scamming the business (over a $20 tshirt?). I told the individual that the least he could do is communicate with respect, I understand that he was doing his job by asking the receipt but there was NO reason for him to make insulting comments about my appearance, family and myself.
I told him that he could look at their own transactions records, since they have a record of their own. I’ve worked in retail stores like these, and exchanges are made all of the time. He refused to even look at the records and told me that we get scumbags like you all the time. He appeared to be on some kind of powertrip. I managed to keep my composure since I knew that he was not the business owner.
After 20 minutes of pointless dialogue with a disrespectful, unprofessional manager, the owner of the shop talked to me. He told the guy to go away and the exchange was done in less than 2 minutes. After I explained to the owner about the sorry excuse of an employee, the manager was nowhere to be found. I was not leaving without telling him to be respectful towards people. I found him lurking in the back waiting for me to go away. I went up to him, and the guy would not talk. He was avoiding me like the plague. Eventually he was embarrassed enough to run away upstairs.
Exchange was done, thanks to the owner. (Taller man with a beard and glasses). But the manager is a complete idiot and has likely some unfortunate things going on mentally.
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December 2023 by Dom M.
Went here a while back for my cousin's law school graduation. The RUDEST, shiestiest apparel store I've ever been to. Bought a sweater with a front pocket. Went to lunch and the side of the pocket began to unravel and a flap of it started to hang over. Came back the next day to ask for an exchange and they said no.....because I wore it. Clearly, I wore it....but it was defective. THIS after spending hundreds of dollars less than 24 hours prior. The manager or 2nd employee, clearly power drunk, joined in with the employee and started shaking her neck-- a full blown Karen trying to talk tough. Said she remembered me and said, "so, it's just the policy." DO NOT spend your money here. The clothing is of poor quality. Nothing we bought survived more than 2 washes without looking like $hit. And I generally err against providing financial support to establishments that don't understand basic courtesy and respectful service. Go to Amazon where you can get quality rated items, for a better cost, without the scam.
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October 2023 by Jacob
One of the better University clithing stores. Great for souvenirs! Helpful staff
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October 2023 by Jessica Kaitlin Kersey
Came in on crutches a day after knee surgery, asked if they could offer me a chair or stool to sit while I waited for my mom to shop and the staff member made no effort to accommodate. Not the Berkeley kindness I’m accustomed to.
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August 2023 by Zia Dehqanzada
Very strict and unreasonable return policy. Merchandise is cheaper material for the price.
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July 2023 by Thomas K.
Selection is much worse than 10 years ago. They have Berkeley, CA clothing (the city of berkeley not licensed UC Berkeley). Clothes there also feel cheaper than they used to
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April 2023 by Carlos Curry
I Grew Up In The Bay Area & Currently Live In Sacramento With My Wife And Son.I Recall Shopping At, "Bear Basics" When I Was Growing Up & Decided To Take My Family To, "Bear Basics" For Souvenirs.It Was Just How I Remembered It...Great Staff, Great Sales & Plenty Of, "Cal" gear.
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February 2023 by Jenn C.
Need Cal Berkeley gear! Go here! BEST PLACE FOR YOUR CAL GEAR! Definitely need to come back the next time I visit the Bay and Berkeley!
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March 2022 by Phil A.
A great store on Telegraph Ave if you want to get some Cal gear!! The upstairs was closed when I came here, but they had plenty of options on the lower level. Along with Cal gear, they also had a section with Bay Area t-shirts. I came here looking for some Cal T-shirts and found what I wanted. Yes, some of the stuff in here can get a little pricey, but I kind of expected that. Go Bears!!!
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December 2021 by Erika Howard
This does not support the university! Shop at the official university store! Anyways, they will lie about the price of their items until check out and don’t accept Amex. Stay away.
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July 2021 by Angie R.
The dude and I came to Bear Basics on 5/30/21 which I really didn't want to go in as I'm BRUINS ALL DAY shout out to UCLA. We have similar colors so it felt like I was at the Bruin store. I was surprised how big this store was...just for Berkeley clothes. We immediately went upstairs as the dude mentioned something up there which was MORE Berkeley products and baby clothes. The staff was friendly and it was very low key inside not much going on. It was clean, very organized and just made me want to go shopping at the UCLA store. I would recommend to get your UC Berkeley gear here if you have goals attend the school, currently attend or relatives to rep or they have gone. Presently, I have no association with Berkeley so I didn't buy anything. Nice to look around, cool stuff but it's not Bruin :( the dude like the store as well. Glad to have checked it out either way.
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May 2021 by Taylin T.
T-shirt Orgy in the basement is GONE! So disappointing. Bear basics still had plenty of CAL clothes but it doesn't say on their social media accounts that they shut down. Was really disappointed to see they are only open weekends AND that T-shirt orgy is gone after coming all the way out to berkely to shop there. It is not clear from the outside of Bear basics that T-shirt Orgy is closed either which I think would help prevent a lot of disappointment upon walking into the store.
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May 2021 by Matt Holohan
Don't buy anything online. They charge for shipping in both directions making returns not economically worthwhile. Now I'm stuck with a product I can't use.
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May 2021 by Carly Sims
I called multiple times in one day to see if they had an item and each time was told they were too busy. The manager said to call back at a specific time and when I did, still told too busy. At that point he got super rude. I just wanted to know before we drove out from Sacramento if they had the item to give to my daughter for her birthday.
