Industrial Plastics & Paints - Kelowna, British Columbia

Verminator151029

After making numerous inquiries about where to get 3D printing supplies in Kelowna, I kept hearing about this fellow named Travis that had been brought over from the IPP store in Victoria, to this store, to get the 3D printing sales department up and running. I've heard nothing but good things about Travis and the knowledge that he brought to the store to get everything set up.

But when I finally arrived there today, I find out that Travis is apparently still employed there, but no longer ever comes into the store because he "works from home". Not sure how someone who works from home is able to interact and talk to customers, which in my understanding was the entire reason he was brought to this store. So this is disappointing and seems to speak volumes about the poor management here. Why on Earth would you bring someone specifically over to a store in a different city because of your 3D printing knowledge and experience, and then permit that person to never actually come into the store and interact with people and help with sales and advice, but instead allow them to "work from home"?

Needless to say, the staff that is on hand right now are not that knowledgeable with any questions to do with 3D printing. Although they carved out a nice area for the display of 3D printers and such, it has clearly been left abandoned with missing printers, and a haphazard display with no one around with any real knowledge.

The stock and selection of filament is subpar and disappointing to say the least. I mean, it might actually have more of a selection than anywhere else in town, but it is dismal at best, and missing some common types like TPU and ASA. But most disappointing of all, is finding out that the one person that they apparently brought over who had a wealth of knowledge and could have turned this store into probably one of the better places to get 3D printers and supplies from, can no longer be even spoken to because management allows him to work from home full time and never come into the store. So why bother in the first place?

My interest in coming in was purely for 3D printing, and nothing else. Unfortunately, what I was led to believe with the arrival of this Travis fellow, was highly overstated and with him not even being around anymore, it seems any effort they put into this was just for window dressing and they're really not a place to be buying stuff from. You're best to stick with Amazon as clearly they have no interest in having people on staff that know what they're doing in the 3D printing world. Too bad, because I think this was really an opportunity for this store to become the de facto go-to store in Kelowna for 3D printing, but they have squandered this opportunity through poor management.

Chris R.

One of my favourite stores to visit. Excellent selection of available materials, reasonable prices and Travis is always great to deal with. I'm so happy to have somewhere local to buy 3d printer filament as well.

Laveda M.

WOW! I am so glad to have actually found Industrial Plastics & Paints. I have had a Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioner since 2021. What I did not like was how the Window Kit Connector fitted into the Window Slider Kit. I had a strong feeling that the two flimsy little L-Shaped Plastic Clips, which are meant to provide pressure to hold it in place against the Window Slider, would give out and break at some point. I went through three years with it working (and my being super careful about these two clips), and now, in 2024, one of them finally broke.

I was absolutely flabbergasted when I found out that particular part would cost $90.00 to replace! I tried every way I could think of to hold that connector in place, but nothing worked so I started researching anybody who worked in "plastics" to find out if they could help me.

Am I ever glad that I did not mess around with all these "hardware" types of glues! I found Industrial Plastics & Paints listed on the web, and called them to find out if they could help me.

A wonderful man named Gord Lorenz answered my call and asked me how he could help me. I then told him my story of woe and he, right away, told me to bring the parts on down to him and he would see what he could do.

Not in a million years would I have guessed that I could possibly experience a man diligent enough to inspect very closely what my problem was and present to me a solution. I was overwhelmed with wonder and surprise at his ingenuity and he guaranteed to me that if "he fixed it", it would not break. My response was "Yes, yes and yes, please do it."

The job he did was positively stellar and I wanted to give a shout out to the world that this man is quite the engineer, when it comes to getting a solution to a problem! I am deeply grateful for his kindness and his willingness the solve my problem! YAY Gord Lorenz! May you be profoundly blessed in your life as you move to help people with their problems.

Aisha O.

Christine has exceptional customer service. I went to her to purchase a several water tanks for our food truck build and they were able to help us. Christine is timely with her communications and she makes sure all your needs are met. Going into the store also was a very good experience. I didn't get the gentleman's name but he was also very kind and friendly. 10/10 recommend!

Chris S.

This business is under new ownership. I have been dealing with the previous owner for years. Following ownership change I went in to look at a few items as I usually do. I was approached by a man who said “can I help you you?” I informed the man I was just looking at the moment. He continued to stand there with his arms crossed Staring at me. The uncomfortable feeling finally became too much and I asked if I could help him… at which point he told me he was going to stand there and watch me if he wanted because he was the new owner.

Needless to say I left and have not returned. Another great small business destroyed by faceless a corporation.

Ian M.

Excellent service and a good selection of products.

Bryan T.

They have been great to deal with, I purchase all my filament from them when I can - have had really good success with their house brand.

C B.

The guys have always been so helpful and kind to us here. Our ice maker tray for our refrigerator broke today. They saved us hundreds for a replacement art and just took a few minutes for repair. Thank you 👍