Marshalls

I’ve had pretty good luck at this Marshalls when it comes to hot yoga accessories. Two years ago, I picked up three Yoga Rat hot yoga towels which were priced for $ 14.99 each. During my December 2013 visit, I picked up three Calmia hot yoga towels that were priced at $ 14.99 each also. I also browsed the active wear section but couldn’t find anything I liked. Next, I hit the beauty section where I scored some Spa Original Dead Sea Cleansing Face Wash. I found this store clean and well organized. I will probably return during my next visit to St. Louis.

Again today I just could not catch a break — I was browsing and trying to enjoy the shopping spirit and so I am in the little kitchen accessory aisle and I had already been in the store for a good 30 minutes — some loss prevention guy that wasn’t very slick comes into the same space as me and starts clicking kitchen tongs and this went on for awhile as I was at first laughing to myself because I figured I could wait him out and just continue to browse but he just kept clacking those things —I didn’t even have on a coat and had a small wristlet for a purse so I’m not sure why I was being monitored other than the fact that I am a crazy shopper and totally random and can spend hours looking at pretty much nothing… I said f-​it and left my cart sit and walked out—

A broken suitcase brought me to this Marshalls. I’ve never been one to shop for clothing, shoes or handbags at this store, but I do haunt Marshallls every few years for luggage. You’ve got to dig through some crap, but they have some great finds. I’ve never found better prices on good luggage than at Marshalls.
When I pulled into the parking lot, my heart sank. This whole plaza looks old and dumpy. But once I entered, I was pleasantly surprised. The store was very well organized and clean, much more so than your average Marshalls or TJ Maxx. I found a great, modern looking black Samsonite carry-​on rollerbag tucked amongst a bunch of gaudy suitcases (I had to dig, but I found what I was looking for… and cheaper than anywhere else!).
Their housewares section is pretty good, too. I grabbed a nice scented candle to go with my suitcase. The young man who rang me up was very friendly. Overall a better experience than I expected.

Ok here’s how soured I am on this store. I went in to return a piece of cookware around 9:45 on Dec 4, 11 Sunday morning (trying to beat the Xmas crowd). I went in with receipt and asked to return. I guess the tag had fallen off so the lady called the housewares to bring up a comparable pan so she could scan for the return. The girl who she called to do this wasn’t bright enough to understand the request over the walkie talkie and had to walk up to the front to understand. Took her a bit of convincing then she finally got it. While I’m waiting this young man who was at the front desk when I arrived has been complaining about talking bad about customers, making horrible faces, complaining about the phone. Just made me shake my head at him more than once, and he didn’t seem to care. Meanwhile 10mins later the girl brings up a pan as I was about to go find one myself. The guy still complaining now about customer phone calls. Lets just say no one worker was welcoming or in a hurry to get the job done. 17 mins later I was finally out of there. Take note, I was the only one in site to be waited on. This store is not the best and does not represent Marshalls at all. They need to take a class from the workers in Osage Beach, MO. Think about it Marshall’s, you lost sales for this store based on a return. Wow… better luck next Xmas.

Marshall’s is my go to place for last minute affordable gifts. It’s not the clothes that I like, it’s the housewares, cooking gear, books, and packaged gifts. I go every year last minute and come out with the best affordable gifts!
Full color hardback cookbooks are generally under $ 10. Many are only $ 5. They have unique cooking supplies that are fun to give as gifts. I bought several full color hardback cocktail handbooks to pair with vodka for gifts. All marked down to $ 3 ea. They were well received.
They have everything from iPod accessory gift kits ($ 10), holiday decorations (4 ft silver metal tabletop Christmas tree that I saw at Macy’s for $ 49, Big Lots for $ 25 and Marshalls for $ 13).
The store is disheveled and I’m not in love with the clothes, but if you’re looking for the perfect under $ 15 gift, give Marshalls a try!