First of all, I love Bloomingdale's and think they have high-quality products and excellent customer service. My experience at this outlet, however, was a disgrace to the Bloomingdale's brand name. I was delighted when I discovered that this outlet store existed and eagerly purchased two pairs of designer shoes at remarkable prices -- with an additional 30% on top of the outlet price. The first pair have worked out fabulously and I tipped off many of my friends and coworkers about the wide selection and amazing deals. The second pair, unfortunately, were a nightmare and literally cut into my feet. They were unbearable, but I bandaged up my feet a few days later and tried them again thinking that I may just need to break them in. Alas, I was unsuccessful and I decided that I needed to purchase a different style.
This is where my experience with Bloomingdale's Outlet goes south...
I poked around the Internet to try to find the store's policy on accepting returns on worn/defective merchandise and read comment after comment about how Bloomingdale's has incredible customer service and I was hopeful that the store would allow me to find a pair that did not cause physical injury. I called the store and spoke with a representative who first told me that their policy is to not accept returns for worn items. I completely understood, but followed with a brief explanation of what had happened. The gentleman immediately told me that he was so sorry to hear that the shoes had injured me and that, under these circumstances, an exception would be made and my return would be accepted. Elated by this news, I drove the 30 miles to the outlet with the shoes tucked nicely in the original box and receipt in hand. When I spoke with the representative at the register, she told me she would need to call up a manager. I said it was no problem and patiently waited the 10 minutes it took with the manager to appear. The manager promptly told me that the store does not accept worn items for return. I stated that I understood that this was the policy, but that I had called and spoken to a representative on the phone only an hour earlier who had told me that they would be accepted because of the circumstances. The manager told me that her employees would know this is not accurate. I tried repeatedly to explain the circumstances and attempted to convey to her that I would not have driven 30 miles without calling first. I also explained that I would accept a store credit to purchase a different (and less deadly) pair of shoes. She rudely refused and walked away from the counter. She was incredibly rude and disrespectful -- something that I have never experienced shopping at regular Bloomies. If I had not been told that an exception would be made, I would have accepted the policy and accepted the financial loss. I was incredibly frustrated that I had wasted my time and gas only to be treated in this manner when I arrived at the store.
Needless to say, I did not purchase anything on my visit and will stick to the great sales at the REAL Bloomingdale's -- the one where the customer service is spectacular. read more