Personally, I never think about Peebles, any more, because of some less-than-happy experiences several years back after we first got to this area, such as their exciting "buy one-get one" on shoes, except "sorry, not those", and "no, not those, either", because it turns out that you have to look for the signs to see which ones qualify. They make you work for it, and that really ruins the fun of saving a few dollars.
We happened to be driving past today on the way back from Not-Around-Here, heading to Walmart for very basic shoes and a few last odds and ends. Hubby suggested we try Peebles for the shoes, since they'd have a better selection and higher quality, and it was right on the way. I wasn't enthusiastic, but saw the logic in at least checking.
It was pretty quiet and empty, but maybe it's always that way on a Friday mid-afternoon. The store itself is clean and attractive, and they do have very nice merchandise. I found a great pair of very comfy, nice-looking shoes for a decent price within five minutes, and started looking for a checkout. There was ONE! It was at the perfume counter, with a lone checker, and a line of maybe ten people. In fact, nearly all of the customers that we saw anywhere in the store were standing in that line. We've already grown accustomed to the rarity of actual customer service in this area, so weren't even all that surprised. Since we still had other things to do, and I prefer shopping online, anyhow, I got the info from the shoebox, put it back on the shelf, and we left, but not before hubby had to go search out someone who he believes might have been a manager to let him know the situation. The man, whoever he was, was dismissive and went back to whatever he was doing without making any effort to help the one poor lady at the cash register, or calling someone who could.
So, I got online tonight and ordered the same shoes that I know I'll love, having tried them on in the store (thanks for that, Peebles) and for $11 less than Peebles wanted, with free shipping. Peebles Corporation spent buckets of money, and not that long ago, to refurbish the store, but we're not sure why they bothered. It takes more than "pretty" to keep customers flocking back. Many stores around here seem to take the attitude that people have to shop there because they're the only one of the kind in the area, or that customers won't go home, get into their comfy jammies, and order the same stuff online, just minus the hassle, and often for less money. Pennsville Peebles is a good option if you need a nice dress at the last minute but that's about all. read more