KOHL'S - This is how their displays have looked the last few times I've visited. My main issue with them are their bogus sales, where one day the price will be $29.99 for an item, but then when you get their 20% coupon in the mail good for specific dates, the price will be $39.99. Also, their merchandise never changes. I've seen the exact same shirt I've purchased four years prior on their shelves. Plus, they've closed all their dressing rooms since Covid save for one women's and one men's. It becomes a game to circle the store over and over, looking for the dressing room. I've also had issues with paying their credit card online. I sent a note with a bill I mailed letting them know that I was canceling my card due to the inability to pay online. Someone from corporate did call me and attempted to walk me through it online and guess what? She couldn't do it! She had to call me back and then have me delete my account and start over. The following year, I received their new credit card in the mail and could not activate it online or by phone. That was the final straw. BYE!
BATH & BODY WORKS - As much as I like their products, I will not visit their stores or shop online. Their prices are outrageous now, the salespeople follow you around the store and do not shut up, and the sales they advertise online last two days. To read about my terrible online experience, see this post. I'll stick with my Black Market B&BW (see previous post), thank you very much! |
I used to love going to the mall. It was my favorite pastime until loyalty programs suddenly became... almost so mandatory? Back then they actually had good deals though; for example, my grandma was an avid JC Penney shopper and she would take pride in how a $60 swuimsuit was on clearance, but also how her rewards account had accumulated $20 to redeem, so she only paid around $7!!!
ReplyDeleteIdk if it's because I used to work in retail, but it made me hate loyalty programs even more. Upper management would be on our asses about the amount of loyalties we did/didn't do, and it was so frustrating because they weren't even that beneficial! They even had the audacity to tell me to not let the costumers know they had $5 rewards available because THEY SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THEIR APP FIRST. Girl, you bet I quietly told them anyway. So, whenever I see retail employees chasing costumers around with their little iPad, I make sure to stay away and avoid eye contact. "Are you on our rewards program yet-" GET AWAY FROM MEEEEE ðŸ˜ðŸ˜‚.
I know it's not the employees' fault, but companies should do better and realize that harassing costumers into giving their personal information (that will probably get leaked in a data breach) is not cool. Not everyone wants the app and shitty rewards, some us still appreciate genuine deals and just want to pay and leave.
Sorry about the long rant, but I agree with you on all of this. The harassment, the digitalization of everything... I hate self check-out too because anything can trigger something in the register and guess what? An employee needs to come unblock it. So what's the real progress here? LMAO
I love a long rant, so feel free to rant away! OMG, I loved malls! Grew up going to them weekly, back when there were numerous local department stores. We had so many! And it was so fun to hang out there with friends in high school. So many have shut down here and the ones that are still open are deserted. It is sad :(
DeleteI also worked in retail for a number of years, but there weren't any loyalty programs back then. And while I love shopping at TJMaxx, I hate when they are constantly asking you at check out if you have their credit card. I now just say I'm unemployed and that shuts them up! But yeah, I know they are being forced to ask it by upper management.
Self check outs drive me nuts because you're right, there's always something that triggers the need for an employee to come over. And I hate when they just stand there and watch you struggle with something instead of coming over to help. SMH!
I'm so with you about Target - NOTHING IS A BARGAIN ANYMORE! Every single time I shop there, I notice the prices escalating more and more. The other day I saw a medium size bag of tortilla chips for NINE dollars - NOPE, ain't happening! And as far as cashiers go, you're right, that's why I ONLY do self-checkout.
ReplyDelete"After further investigation online, I discovered that to get the lower price, you have to link your checking account to their 'rewards' program." ---- don't you just love how more and companies are doing that right now? And I like you..."Adiós, muchacho" !
Maybe because I live in a high-rise city apartment building, but I've never gotten AT&T's door to door tactics. My cell phone is with AT&T and I just got a notification (in Dec.) that my phone bill will increase by three dollars in Feb. And then at the beginning of Jan., I got another email notification with newly added monthly cell phone charges (one with a FIVE dollar increase); hoping that I will be tempted do that. So, instead of paying $33.00 per month in Feb., I'll pay only $35.00. And what's hysterical is that I will get the same amount of DATA. So no, I won't be going to $35.00. I know it's only an extra $2.00 from the $33.00 they will be charging me in February, but it's the principle.
But do you know what? I find that happening with ALL the cell phone providers. They are all RIP-OFFS. It's all about GREED right now.
My pet-peeve is CVS. HATE them. However, I did find one branch that is close to my apartment that I do shop at because I love the manager and the staff. I also still shop at CVS because my health insurance gives me X-amount of free money (on a debit card) to use throughout the year.
FUN and FABULOUS post, my friend. You and I should start a BAD customer service blog of crappy businesses.
Have a superb week! X
Hi Ron! Isn't the price of junk food insane now?? I think it's becoming cheaper to eat healthy! Who saw that coming?? Not me! I've been buying my multi-grain tortilla chips at Aldi now. They are as good as the Food Should Taste Good brand and are much cheaper. I can't remember if you have an Aldi by you or not?
DeleteCan you imagine linking your checking account to a retailer? That is insane to me. There is no way! It's bad enough that we are forced to do it with utilities. Your AT&T billing experience reminds me of Spectrum. They are always jacking up the price and putting it in fine print on your bill. But since you don't get a bill in the mail anymore (they charge extra for that!) you don't know about the price increases until you get your next bill. It is very deceitful, in my opinion.
I have not had issues at CVS, but my local one does seem to keep the same managers and employees, so they must be doing something right. I often get rewards bucks because I get all our RX filled there. The one thing I don't understand is how the pharmacy closes for a half hour mid-day for lunch. There are always 3-4 people working back there, so they can't stagger their breaks? That never made sense to me, but at least I know not to go between 1:30-2:00 pm.
I knew you'd appreciate a customer service post, Ron! Have a great day! XO
Everything is apps now! I know what you mean, sometimes I just want to buy something and it's only available on the app. I love lululemon but shopping in store is stupid now. I went there to get some pants for my husband, and they didn't have the kind I wanted in store. I wanted to feel the material because it was a very specific kind I wanted - well, they told me I could just order online. If I wanted to order online I would have stayed home. And then there's the thing of ordering online and "just returning" if it doesn't fit. So many returns end up just as waste. I have a real problem with that!
ReplyDeleteI haven't noticed that at all about Bath and Body Works but it's maybe different here. Then again, I only shop there two times a year to load up on their "buy three get three free" lotions.
We don't have Kohl's or Target in Canada but I remember YEARS ago feeling like that with Old Navy (the boys were toddlers). Their stores were just a jumble of items on a table. Such a mess. A garage sale would have been better organized!
I had no idea that Target isn't in Canada! Another reason not to like them. 🤣
DeleteOh my gosh. This post summer up my extreme dislike of shopping for anything. While I haven't had the exact experiences it seems we all are getting mucked around by stores all over the country, and beyond.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was bad before Covid, but I swear it's gotten downhill much faster since then. Thank you for visiting and commenting!
DeleteWe were just talking about how different it used to be. Remember the great service at shoe stores and gas stations? This generation has no idea we used to be able to pull up to a gas station, have the tank filled, the windows washed and the oil checked. Shoe stores, you found what you liked, took it to the sales person and they brought your size, helped you put them on and then rang you up if you wanted them. I miss how wonderful customer service and stores used to be SO much. I used to love to go shopping or even just looking around. There were so many awesome stores. Now I have started to really dislike shopping of any kind.
ReplyDeleteI used to love Kohls and bought a lot of things there, but I haven't been in one since before Covid. The quality went way down, and the options were so limited. I have a number of items that I bought years ago that are still in great shape and I wish they wouldn't have changed. Our store was always pretty tidy, but we went to one in OFallon that was a hot mess with shelves like you pictured. I couldn't wait to get out of there.
Bath and Body is way too expensive now and yes, the salespeople follow you around like you're getting ready to rob the place. I went in there a couple of years ago to buy a candle and the woman drove me absolutely crazy. I know what kind of candles I like, and I don't need any help finding one. I haven't been back since.
People are seriously linking their checking accounts for discounts now?? Do they really not understand all that can happen from that? That is insane.
The only place I will use the self-service check out is at our Aldi. It is convenient and they are on top of it if you push the button needing assistance.
Great topic but now I'm feeling very nostalgic to how good things used to be.
There were a number of businesses where you could get great customer service, back in the day. Actually, every department in a department store had educated salespeople who knew their merchandise when I was a section manager. Things like draperies, luggage, and china. Those women knew their stuff and taught me a lot. There are only two department stores here now (Macy's and Dillard's) with zero people working the floor, just one or two at a few checkout stations. It's sad.
DeleteI loved Kohl's when they opened, too and bought a lot of things there. You described perfectly what happens when I go into a B&BW store. Never again! My Aldi does not have self-service, but they usually have two cashiers and the lines move very fast. Much faster than if I did it myself, so I am grateful for that. Thanks for your thoughtful comment, as always!
I just replied to Nicole after working on a HUGE comment here… and then when I hit send, it deleted my comment to you. Boo hoo. Here’s the nutshell: I also hate Kohl’s bogus sales. I only go there for Amazon returns now, which is sad. I used to like Kohl’s—I worked there for 13 years!
ReplyDeleteI can't go in BBW anymore- I get a headache walking in the door with all of the scents.
I love posts like these. I feel so much less alone. 🤣
I hate when comments get deleted! I have issues on my ipad when I backspace, and it deletes the whole comment. That just started happening a few months ago. Super frustrating! I am lucky that there is a UPS store a mile from me that I can go to for free Amazon returns. I bet you have stories from working at Kohl's. My childhood BF worked at the Mansfield!!! Kohl's for a number of years and she wound up hating it and couldn't wait to quit. She had one particular customer who returned all of her children's clothes after them wearing them for six months. Once they outgrew them, she'd return them and they had to take them back! I cannot imagine! I doubt they do that anymore; this was before Covid.
DeleteGlad you appreciated some negativity today :)
There are a few local places I avoid eating at. I don't shop at businesses that require me to have an app. Please. I don't want that. My local grocery store (Jewel) never has cashiers open and I've started to shop at Walmart - never thought I'd see the day. I don't shop at Kohls much, but I'll get the little girls' shoes there since they've decided to sell me a mismatched pair. Really though, I shouldn't have had to write a letter multiple times to corporate to get that to happen. I get points on a credit card that I use to Costco and then I'll buy socks and underwear there (of the shoes), but otherwise, nope. I know there's another store that I've cut ties with, but I can't think of it. It'll come to me and I'll come back. I'm blown away by the AT&T truck thing. What's happening there? I've never had AT& T at my door.
ReplyDeleteI just can't with the store apps. Like I want them tracking me around the store. Nope! I can't believe you've resorted to Walmart for groceries, but sometimes you do what you have to do. We don't have one very close to us and I'm lucky to have 4 grocers nearby. One of those I only go to if I need something Walmart-ish (like Q Tips or trash bags) because the other grocery stores' prices for things like that are ridiculous. Your shoe story is awful, but at least you got somewhere. I can't believe AT&T has never knocked on your door. I've been ignoring them (or calling the cops on them - LOL!) for 20 years.
DeleteKohl's is simply a dump. I stopped going there. Ours was dirty & difficult to navigate. I have never been a fan of Target either. Overpriced. I've really worked on shopping locally to support my area businesses.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree on both points. I would like to shop local, but there aren't a lot of places that sell the stuff I'm looking for. For example, I bought flannel sheets and a new ironing board cover this week and had to use Amazon because nobody seemed to carry those things (not even the big stores!).
DeleteI agree there are some items I just can't find & I resort to Amazon. The older I get the less I buy as far as material items. As a matter of fact I am working on my clutter!
DeleteThe decluttering feels like a constant.
DeleteLiving in the UK I can't really comment on any here.
ReplyDeleteI would just say that when filling up with gas/fuel/petrol I try and use one of the local smaller gas stations... support the smaller business!
All the best Jan
Yes, if a small business is available, they are a great option.
DeleteMy goodness, Bijoux, what an awful experience with AT&T! I had no idea they are actually sending sales staff to people's homes. This is insane!
ReplyDeleteAs far as those other stores, I rarely shop at them and I don't think I'll be patronizing them any time soon, thanks to your post.
Take care and beware the AT&T salesman.
I can’t even with them. They are relentless in their sales tactics, but once they get you, you’ll never be able to contact them again.
DeleteWhy do I like it when you seem a little On Edge? 🤣 *giggle giggle*
ReplyDeleteI stopped shopping at Kohl's years ago; I loved it when it first opened, but quickly learned the quality of the clothing wasn't good enough for moi, and yes, the sales are bogus, and the regular prices are stupid ridiculous.
I do like Target, and I've always had the Circle App; it's not been an issue for me, as I only need to add my phone number into the keypad when I check out. I get it, though; stuff is expensive.
I refuse to shop at Ross because every one of them that I've ever been in looks like it was just looted, and I can't shop with crap everywhere, and you have to dig looking for something. NOPE.
I've only been in one B & BW in the last ten years, around this time last year, and from what I remember, no one even talked to me. Maybe you're giving off Help Me vibes? (KIDDING!)
A T & T---wow, do they have your number? You might need a specific sign put out front saying NO AT&T! and maybe add a photo of a gun next to it?
Yeah, you don't want to piss me off! LOL!!!! I don't understand what happened to Kohl's as they used to be much like a department store. I guess their buyers and management suck?? You can have your Circle App! Haha! I'll hook a reward card to my keychain but draw the line at apps clogging up my phone. I've never been to a Ross, though I know that there are some around. I know people who dislike TJMaxx and Marshall's for the same reasons (digging through crap to find gold) but the ones I've shopped are usually neat and tidy. I think B&BW started the sales harassment about 6 years ago. You should walk in one to see what it's like now! OMG on the gun comment! My neighborhood association would ban me!
DeleteI used to shop Target regularly, but have noticed their prices have really gone up lately. Even their dollar spot which I used to love no longer holds my interest. I probably shop there once or twice a year now when I need new shoes and can't be bothered to wait for an online delivery.
ReplyDeleteIdk if PNC bank is local or regional, but I refuse to bank with them. My FIL wrote us a check for $6000 to help cover our inventory when we were starting our business. My husband thought it would be quicker just to go cash it at the bank instead of waiting the time it would take to clear if we deposited it into our account. The cashier said she'd have to call fil to verify since it was such a large amount, but then insisted that when she called their number was disconnected so she refused to cash it. Excuse me, they've had the same number for 40 years. So, my FIL called, verified the check was from him and they said we should be good to go. We deposited it and they turned around and flagged it as fraud. WTF? So, he canceled that one, wrote another, called the bank and told them we'd be depositing the new check, they said ok, then flagged that one for fraud too. So, my 80 year old fil had to drive to the PNC, pull the $6000 out of his account and give us the cash. It was such a friggen headache that my husband had some choice words for the branch manager, which got him banned from all PNC banks LOL, so even if it was our choice, we wouldn't bank with them ever.
Costco has a slight no visit policy from me. I absolutely refuse to shop in store because I HATE their parking lot, I HATE the people that shop there blocking the aisles and lining up for the free samples, I HATE how they have long lines to exit the store after I've made my purchase. But, I buy their dog food because it's one of the few my great dane tolerates, so if my husband can't go and make our purchases, I'll door dash his dog food and pay a little extra for that service.
Oh, I won't give 7-11 my business because around here they do not have public restrooms. As one with IBD and sometimes I need a restroom in a hurry, if you can't provide one, I'll only buy from gas stations that do offer them.
Remember when the end caps at Target had great clearance items? That has gone by the wayside. OMG - PNC bank!!!! That story is completely INSANE!!!! I can't believe all you had to go through, but I am LOVING that Jason had some words with the manager! LOL! Hilarious and too funny that he was banned!!! Well, I have a story for you.....my parents had their checking with PNC in the name of their trust. When I took over as the POA when my mom fell and was hospitalized, I set up a meeting at their branch, brought in the trust document (which they should have already had on file, but claimed to not) and POA certification papers so that I could begin writing checks from my mom's account. WELL - they had the WRONG trust name on the account. They had added the word 'Family' into the trust name, which was no where on the original trust document. They then concluded that what I was bringing them was a new trust, so they couldn't work with me until I had my parents' attorney write a letter stating that the current trust was the only trust. In other words, PNC's mistake cost me $300 to consult with an attorney to get the letter written, etc. I was beyond furious! And every step of the way, the last three years, they've given me issues. Thank God I've never had to deal with them otherwise. Total incompetency.
DeleteI used to go to Sam's Club way back when and grew to hate it, so I never bothered trying Costco. Oh, and the public restroom stuff is ridiculous!!! I'll keep that in mind to not go to 7-11 when we are on vacation!
My stepmom loved browsing those endcaps back in the 90's. She always brought home the best Target bargains. It's sad that it seems that the internet kind of ruined that. Once everyone was online, deal message boards started popping up and everyone was clearing out the stores then.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear you had issues with PNC bank as well. I've never had a bank cause me any issues, so it was a shocker that this one seemed to go out of their way to make our lives miserable for some reason. Incompetence, indeed!
I agree that the internet did ruin things like that. I think that's why Christmas clearances are no more in a lot of stores. PNC totally sucks!
DeleteI haven't bought anything at Kohl's in quite a while and I can't remember the last time I was even in a Target. Most of my shopping has been at Meijer, BJ's and TJ Maxx. Plus I've been doing some thrift shopping. Everything is ridiculously expensive anymore! It just makes me so mad!
ReplyDeleteMeijer makes me mad with their sales and needing their app, BUT they do send me paper coupons for free things and my husband uses their pharmacy, so we do go about once every six weeks for those things. I will always stan for TJ Maxx! They are the best.
DeleteA lot of those I don't shop at anymore either because of their outrageous prices. But Walmart is the biggest store I refuse to shop at. The way they treat their employees, and the fact that the lines are so long, never enough registers open, and the cashiers are so slow.
ReplyDeleteWalmart truly is the worst! The only reason I ever go there is if I can't find something anywhere else. They used to have a decent craft/material area which was helpful, but fortunately with my kids done with school, I don't need stuff like that anymore.
DeleteWe have totally different companies here in Belfast, but we do have Amazon, which we don't use any more, having read so many reports of their poor pay and conditions.
ReplyDeleteMy reasons are entirely personal.
DeleteBijoux, first I appreciate that you stated none of the reasons for disengaging are political or otherwise, but personal, so thank you. We have a Kohl's in Nashua and while I bought some items there, luggage and some household items, we mainly go there for Amazon returns. The store always looks disorganized with piles of merchandise and, of course, sometimes customers are the cause and also lack of store help. When we lived in NJ, we shopped at Target, but when we moved to the Virginia Eastern Shore there was only one local department-type store close by and a discount type store(Rose's) which we shopped at quite often for garden and home supplies mainly. Larger shopping areas were 90 minutes or more away and clothing items and more were bought at a couple of local thrift stores. Now that we live in a larger city, the downtown only has eateries, brew pubs some specialty decor and jewelry stores, a music store, several banks and a rather nice small thrift store. Amazon is a popular go-to for household items like shower curtains, batteries, tech accessories and gifts which are conveniently sent direct to the recipient's home.
ReplyDeleteI remember years ago when stores had separate registers in specific departments, but alas no more. It's now just centralized checkouts. And, don't get me started on shopping apps which I do not use. There's even a laundry app for the washers and dryers in the mill apts, but there's also a laundry card that you add $ on at 2 kiosks in the building, which is what I do as losing a laundry card would be less inconvenient than losing a cell phone.
Hi Dorothy! You definitely highlighted the issue of having to shop where you live and the lack of retailers. I do not live very close to any big box stores, so I also rely on Amazon for things like batteries, vitamins, toiletries that would be very pricey at my local grocer. When I worked for a department store, every department had a cash register and specific employees that worked in those areas, as they were very educated on the merchandise. It's sad that's a thing of the past. I'd be getting the laundry card, too. I don't like having my phone clogged up with apps.
DeleteHey Bijoux! Your short list reads like a very well-earned set of boundaries.
ReplyDeleteKohl’s doing “now it’s $39.99 so your 20% off brings it right back where it started” is exactly the kind of thing that makes me also bail on a store. Between that and the dressing room scavenger hunt, I don’t blame you for the BYE.
Target and the “download our app or no deal for you” routine is wearing, too. If I have to work that hard just to get a normal price and an actual cashier, it stops feeling like a treat and starts feeling like homework.
Bath & Body Works sounds exhausting now. Constant chatter, two-day sales and sky-high prices take all the fun out of smelling like a seasonal candle.
At my age, boundaries are a must!!! You just get to the point of being weary of everything. I'm starting to sound like my parents. I used to roll my eyes at them, but it truly becomes exhausting, always having to deal with technology 24/7, just to buy a book. No thanks!
DeleteWalmart. Walmart. Walmart. The people, the workers, the way every visit looks like they’re in the middle of stocking their store which they used to do at night. The workers are either 12 or 112 and none of them know where anything is. AND, my least favorite thing about that store is that the shoppers always stop ME to ask for help! Are you friggin kidding me? Am I wearing a blue vest? No I am not, so the answer to your question is no, I don’t know where the baked beans are! Good lord. I have Tommy Lee Jones resting bitch face. Why would you stop the person who looks that way??? So, yeah, I’m gonna say Walmart.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing this is Mimi? But yeah, Walmart is terrible. I didn't put them on the list because sometimes I have to go there for weird crap. Like I needed some white Corelle dishes to match a set and that was the only place that seemed to sell them (Amazon did not allow me to buy individual pieces), so sometimes I'm forced to go there. That cracks me up that people are asking you where something is! You do not look 12 or 112! LOL!
DeleteWe've had very good luck with AT & T, but recently hubby switched to bundle our cell and tv and internet. I try to stay away from Target for political reasons, and Home Depot for the same reason. I stopped shopping at Hobby Lobby years ago for political reasons, and Meiers because they tackled an elderly man in the parking lot accusing him of shop lifting. He had something in his pocket from home so he would know the right item to get at the store. They injured him badly. I boycott the chicken place, who's name eludes me at the moment for political reasons.. To date I have NEVER used a self check out and don't plan to. I've been with hubby and or my daughter when they've used them, and I try to convince them to not do it.
ReplyDeleteI am anti-political, so I do not use that as a reason to not shop somewhere, but I applaud you for refusing to use self-checkouts. I'm tired of doing work and not getting paid for it. It's the same reason I refuse to do surveys (unless I'm getting a reward for it).
DeleteI totally get the frustration—the "pricing games" and app requirements at Kohl's and Target are exhausting. It feels like you have to jump through hoops just to get a fair deal! And linking a bank account for 10 cents off gas? No thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt’s just too much. Fortunately, there are other places to shop!
DeleteI feel the same way about AT&T. They are horrible!!!
ReplyDeleteI switched chiropractors after the one I used to go to was encouraging people to deliberately expose themselves to Covid to build immunity and not get the vaccine.
Honestly, most chiropractors I’ve heard about believe weird stuff. Ihope you found a normal one!
DeleteADIOS is a powerful word. It's one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteIndeed!!!!
DeleteI liked shopping at Target years ago when my daughter lived in Fremantle and I got some lovely bargains. But the last time I visited one in Brisbane there were no good bargains.
ReplyDeleteI have found the same thing where I live, Polly.
Delete