Carson Pirie Scott

This Carson’s is better than the one at Randhurst Village, in my opinion. It is my guess that the Randhurst Village store isn’t doing very well, in terms of sales, because they took out some of the registers. This Carson’s appeared to have more merchandise and it seemed like more people were shopping here.
The merchandise is displayed better, so that it looks like a place I might like to look around, at least in accessories and handbags. It is, however, still a Carson’s, so don’t expect friendly service. Actually, don’t expect anyone to speak to you at all until you pay, at which point they will tell you about their charge card. I could barely hear the girl that took my exchange. (I noticed something I purchased for a birthday gift was damaged, which figures, since everything is jammed in the racks at Randhurst. I headed here to exchange it.)
I am giving this store 3 stars because would MUCH rather visit this store than Randhurst Village. I really wish the clerks were a little friendlier at Carson’s. It seems to me the customer service is better at both Macy’s and TJ Maxx/Marshall’s, than it is at Carson’s, which is sad.

My experience today was going pretty shitty until I asked for a manager. Barb, the manager, came over to help and totally took care of me. I was already at my wits end with the 2 cashiers attempting to make an exchange and arguing with each other telling me I couldn’t do it. Why not? I had the coat, had the receipt, there had to be a way to do an even exchange without having to charge my card again! Barb made it happen. Thanks Barb for knowing that the customer is important and making them happy is even better! This store is out of my way, but I will definitely return. (Will just avoid the first 2 cashiers…)

I’m no stranger to the act of people being rude to me based on my appearance, but this place takes the cake.
I have been here at least a dozen times while visiting this mall and have never once actually been approached, or helped, unless I needed something in a locked counter.
I remember needing perfume for my valentine and I arrived early, in fact to be the first customer of the day in the cosmetics area and had literally the worst experience I’ve ever had there. I needed something from the Marc Jacobs selection and was patiently waiting for the lady to finish up whatever she was doing and finally she kind of sighed and said, «do you need something?» with the shittiest tone that a human being could have. I explained that I wanted to see something in the case and she said, «everything in that case it over $ 100.» Um, okay. So I said that I was okay with that and new what I wanted. She approached the case and asked how I’d be paying for it before taking it out. She then carried it over to the register and took my card before putting it on the counter. Really? Really?!
After running my card she realized I had a pretty decent spending limit and her attitude completely changed. Before she could dive into her up-​sale spiel I politely told her that I didn’t need her help with anything else and left.
So I just want to take a moment to say thank you to all the employees of this store. Thank you for being terrible human beings, it’s no wonder you’re all 30+ and working in retail.

I visited the shoe department over Memorial Day weekend. The clearance racks were fairly clean, organized and easy to navigate, which is a plus on a busy holiday weekend.
However, there definitely were not enough employees working there at the time I visited. I only saw one associate working the sales floor and another behind the cash wrap. Nope, that’s not going to fly on a holiday weekend.
At one point, there was a fairly long line of potential customers waiting to get their shoes to try on. It also seemed to take the sales associate a while to bring out my shoes. Here’s the real kicker… I only requested two pairs to try.
No one checked up on me or asked me how I was doing when I tried on my shoes. Again, understandable as they were grossly understaffed. Luckily, I didn’t need help with sizes. I purchased a great pair of nude pumps for less than $ 30. They are a fairly good brand too so I was pleased.
As a ex-​retailer worker, I do have to give the gal working behind the cash wrap major kudos. She handled a problem with a transaction purchased by an elderly couple really well. She kept her cool and did a great job explaining to them how she’d solve their problem. That, in and of itself, earns the shoe department one star on what otherwise would have been a two star review.
Bottom line — I suppose it’s worth checking out, but I definitely am not in a rush to go back there.

THE GLIMMER WITHOUT THE GLAM
This is an older Carson’s that could use some major modernization and restructure. Everything about it says old and outdated even though the stuff they sell is current. It’s like walking into your Grandparents home and it still has the old wall covering that they installed in the 70’s. Sorry Grandma, this isn’t a knock on your taste, it’s more of a knock on Carson’s accepting what they have at this location.
Don’t get me wrong, they do carry some nice thing here but when it is surrounded by an outdated design and layout it doesn’t come off too glamorous or modern. This location doesn’t have the home section like most other Caron’s but they do have a Carson’s Home outside of the mall on the outer drive.
I pretty much come here for two reason.
1 — To check out their sale items.
2 — To cut through the store to get to the mall.
The staff that works here have always been helpful and friendly.
Step it up Carson’s, this is 2013 not 1970.

I can’t stand this Carson’s. It’s in horrible condition. It’s run down and in need of a serious makeover. I honestly try to avoid it all costs, which is sad because it used to be one of my favorite Department stores… but now Macy’s takes that title.
It’s sad to see this location in such disrepair, because it’s kind of shocking that the Carson’s corporation is spoiling their reputation with this store.
If they gave it a total overhaul I’d totally come back. But until then…

Nice store at the holidays with gifts for all. Cheers!

This is one of the nicer Carson’s. It has a lot of the higher end brands that aren’t available at all their stores and the sales staff is knowledgeable and helpful. Hawthorne Center overall is pretty good.

I hate this Carson’s! I don’t know what the problem is but every time I go in here, it feels like a junk sale is going on. There is always… just stuff, everywhere! It’s junky and loud and I HATE IT… I was shopping with my grandmother and my mom. My grandmother was looking for a wool coat and there were no coats in Carson’s under $ 200, that really would be heavy enough to get someone through an IL winter… and I was shocked… the way the store looks I didn’t even think they carried name brands anymore. The merchandise doesn’t match the store would really be the only way to describe it. They carry COACH, D&B, Anne Klein and all that. But to me, when I walk in there, it looks like they should be selling second hand items instead.

Aside from the location downtown downtown Chicago, this is my second favorite location. The staff is extremely helpful and they have a decent women’s selection and they have good shoes and jewelry.