Talbots

The stars are for Mary Ann. Wow. I am so impressed by this shop just because of the quality of the customer service delivered by her. I had never been in a Talbots-​and I thought they’d be horrible and snobby but a client of mine recommended their pants and so I set off to see about them. Mary Ann welcomed me warmly and she set about finding me the perfect pair. The pants are cut so nicely. Wow.
I am both shocked AND happy with my Talbot’s experience.
yay.

Visited this location last week. I’ve never shopped with Talbot’s, but I found that their line has a variety of pieces that will accommodate both younger and more mature professionals. (They were also having a great sale! 25% off all regular priced items and another 60% off already marked down items… Score!)
Service was both helpful and pleasant. Will return!

2 stars, ONLY because the collections are still great… and I will shop other locations… now, onto my review.
I entered last night at 5p, and apparently, the MOD (going forward, let’s refer to her as the «lead trendsetter») was having a floor meeting with her staff… not one customer that entered the first 10 minutes of my visit was greeted. Major «retail 101» FAIL. Worse yet, we were all witness to the directions said «lead trendsetter» was providing to the staff. Another FAIL. Speaking of… clap, clap, trendsetters, did ya get that signage up? ;) ok, so the meeting adjourns and I finally see Debbie, the salesclerk that assisted me with other recent purchases, she starts a fitting room for me… I selected about $ 300 worth of stuff and proceed to the register. I ask her, «hey, I noticed the 60% off sale now, can you check if anything I purchased a few days ago is now on sale??» The transaction was so fresh, I still had the receipt in my wallet! I spent over $ 500 that day and was spending at least $ 300 today. Prob doesn’t compare to the average check-​out at Oak Brook, but nonetheless, not small potatoes either. So, Debbie calls over said «lead trendsetter» to assist, who, as it turns out, is the store manager. Now, let’s refer to her by name, Jen. Jen appears and Debbie informs that I’m seeking to confirm if there have been markdowns on any of those recent items purchased. Which, by the way, is my classic Talbots experience. I will be in one day and spend $ 118 on a skirt, only to visit the following week and see the same skirt marked down to $ 79. Ugh, I’ve had it with this flim-​flam game… especially after being a loyal shopper for 20 years… so, back to the story. This Rocket Scientist, I mean Jen, is holding my receipt for over $ 500 from mere days ago, and can clearly see today’s stack of clothes, and that I am in current head-​to-​toe collection pieces… even my shoes people! One would assume Jen would at least greet a customer with a smile, wrong, not even acknowledged at this point. So, Jen, upon hearing Debbie ask the question about checking if there have been markdowns, brilliantly begs the question «HOW would I know??» For reals people, those were literally her exact words. TO ME, THE CUSTOMER. She wasn’t expected to know, she was expected to confirm by entering numbers into that machine-​y thing, duh. Back to Jen, it’s amazing how she is able to address me without even so much as making eye contact. Jen then proceeds to inform me (after punching a few buttons on the machine-​y thing) that none of the items «qualified for a discount.» Whatever that means. She then tells me (apparently for future reference) that if items had been marked down, that I would have to bring the item (s) in, then it/​they would be set behind the cash-​wrap area «for processing,» I would have to find the item on sale and in my size on the sales floor, and then, and only then, would they refund the difference on the item. I call bullshit. Jen, learn what customer service is, being rude and dismissive is never acceptable. Be respectful, look people in the eye, and learn to recognize that every customer is worth your time. I realize we are in Oak Brook, and the local «ladies that lunch» might drop thousands in one trip, but your local clientele has the right to be haughty, you, not so much. I will NEVER shop this location again. Pu-​lease, not when I have choices. Granted, Talbots, thank GAWD your collections have improved the last few years from the matronly broken-​down old showgirl you were from 2003 – 2009, but sweeter collections won’t keep customers returning if the attitude of your staff is shitty. In the words of Eddie Monsoon: «You only work in a shop you know, you can drop the attitude.» I’m sure their D.M. Jeffrey Halverson will «get» that reference. Later bitches.