Century 21

A surprisingly big selection of all types of merchandise for the neighborhood. BUT the prices are ridiculous. I saw one T-​shirt in there for well over $ 25! Come on now! We’re in Brooklyn — not on Madison Avenue! Let’s have some consideration for middle-​class people that live in the neighborhood. I felt so bad because like I said the selection is overwhelming and they have a lot of hard-​to-​find items but not at the price that I’m willing to pay knowing I can get cheaper elsewhere. I was almost ready to travel into Manhattan to get cheaper prices!!!

Not sure why this place is so low-​rated. It’s a great spot for things you want to be pretty high quality but also cheap… like sunglasses, socks, tights, gym clothes, etc. Much better selection than the TJ Maxx nearby. One of the only places for nice makeup in Bay Ridge too — Clinique counter and all.
I will say that the homegoods section is pretty busted, but if you just need a random kitchen gadget, it’s one of the only stores in Bay Ridge.

Century 21 is a great «EVERYTHING» department store. They have more than one building, and multiple floors. It is a great place to check out whether you just want a large selection to browse from, or if you are going for a specific item. I have been to this store many times whether it was to kill some time, or to buy something. I primarily have bought clothing from here and a luggage when I was taking a trip. The prices vary. Sometimes you will find items at a great sale, other times it will feel completely over priced. But it its like that with most stores. I am happy to say that this is definitely one of my go-​to stores when I need to get something. My only issues is that the LINES are terrible. It is always a busy store so you will never be in and out of century 21, and there will always be a bit of a wait. I have had times where I ended up leaving an item because the wait on the line was just much too much. But other than that, it is a great place.

I usually love coming to shop here, literally a vortex I enjoy. Until yesterday, I made one purchase in the men’s department easy breezy no problem. I was asked if I was signed up for their point system in which I replied yes can I give you my number and so I did. After giving her my number Cathy confirmed who I was by asking my name and making small talk during our transaction. All done nice and quick, I now went to women’s hosiery to purchase some no show socks and some ankle socks two packs only. Upon check out I waited for the one cashier open Lilliana on register 2. As I approached her with my items the girl training her greeted me and the main cashier Lilliana asked me for my number. So I did the same scenario all over and upon getting ready to leave I noticed my receipt didn’t have my customer information or number (I myself manage a large retail store) I approached the cashier and explained that she didn’t complete the customer capture correctly since I just got rung up in the men’s department no problem (a dollar a point). She froze and had no solution for me. She went on to explain that I PROVIDED THE WRONG telephone number. Yes, me the owner of the telephone number lol. I let her know she prob mistyped one digit and went on to ask if she can just return and re-​ring my TWO PACKS OF SOCKS. She didn’t know how to solve my issue so she called over DANTE who explained to me I should call customer service and give the transaction number and have them fix it. Ummmmm, I’m sorry did I make the error of not confirming a customers info and continuing the transaction after I explained I am registered with Century? NO. So why SHOULD I take more of my personal time to fix a mistake YOU GUYS did. Not only could DANTE and LiLLIANA NOT PROCESS THE RETURN and re-​ring me right than and there but I HAD to go upstairs to make the return and even there I could not be re-​rung under my customer number. I would now have to take another trip back downstairs re pick out my items and check out again!!! Seriously? For someone who comes from a large retailer/​corporate background your motto should always be pro customer. There was no way I was wasting any further time with these bizarre policies and rude associates. Oh and on top of that in the returns department after waiting on another line, 3^rd times a charm. My return transaction froze and I had to wait even more with some old rude cranky redhead who clearly hates her job.

Some of the prices are good, BUT they follow you around the whole store. They think that everyone that shops there is a thief. Their return policy is simply HORRIBLE. If you buy something and it breaks, its yours. Regardless if you purchased it 5 minutes ago. They also require ID and a telephone number for any return at all — even if you have the receipt. Oh… and returns without a receipt are simply not done — even if the item has the tags and they have the item in stock. I live very close by yet rarely shop at Cent 21 because of this.

Went to Bk location. Shopping for kids — ENTIRE kids area has one dressing room! Boys bits 2 – 16 — SIX DEPARTMENTS! I waited a half an hour + as people took 30 items in room. I did the same making anyone else wait THEY DONT CARE about shopping experience.
Value is good — experience is HORRID! I look forward to them not buying well so I never walk in again. I HATED MY $ 250 buy there. Absolutely a terrible experience.

A glorified Marshalls with big real estate without the bilingual daycare-​like atmosphere. Granted they have a nice selection but a lot of their stuff seems to be fillers not even the second chance stores would carry. Good luck asking for a bathroom here, 1^st floor security tells you to go upstairs, 2^nd floor lady tells you its only for women, must go downstairs, 1^st floor employee tells you she’s wrong it’s back upstairs. Where do people poop here?

It’s actually very convenient to the 86^th Street R station & far less crowded or messy than the location in Manhattan. I also managed to find something in my skinny size that looked great on me. The line wasn’t crazy long or operating as a total madhouse, which many will find relief in. I find I don’t have as much luck shopping here and wish they would organize things by size and clothing type more often but other than that, if I were going to go to a Century 21 I think this location is the best you’ll get in NYC proper.

I usually shop only for birthday & Christmas gifts for my workers, family and friends. Recently having trouble issued is the stock inventory and selling refurbished items for repackaging and resell the merchandise damage and also the shoes Dept. Several shoes has been wore and been return from previous costumer return for money back…
Furthermore, some merchandising been damaged and the managers doesn’t even solve my issue and force me to buy and I was really unsatisfied. I never coming back to C21 for gift I prefer going to mall shops it for my gf.

I really can’t stand this store but it’s so convenient and when I do find something it’s on the cheap. What I don’t like most about the store are the shoppers especially when it’s packed. So damn rude and obnoxious. If it’s crowded I’ll walk right back out. I have no problem going on a weekday afternoon when it’s fairly empty and you can shop without screaming children, people bumping into you, and the store being somewhat neat. I can’t shop in a mess but to this stores credit they do a good job of making the place very presentable especially after the renovations. I’d much rather shop at the home store. It’s less hectic but that line could get really long very quickly.

Back in the late 90’d when i first started shopping here the inventory used to be better (this was the days of only being able to try on european brands) and when they only had 1 store and the only parking lot used to be the miniciple one diagonally across the street. So far they have made some really impressive advancements and renovations. The staff is sometimish with their attitude and customer service. I still like to go here however there are other places to shop so i don’t really venture here as often as i did «back in the day».

I have not step foot into a Century 21 in ages but given that this is within my neighborhood and it’s not the Financial District, I gave it a shot. This Century 21 is surprisingly pretty calm if you come in during the weekday. Yes, I happen to have a day off so decided to take advantage of not dealing with the crowd. Overall, the women’s apparel section on the upper level was dismal. A lot of the items were still pretty pricey, especially since they are discounted already. I’m not sure if I would be willing to spend $ 1K on a Valentino dress at C21 when I could go to Saks or Barneys for a much newer and cleaner collection. Moving on to the handbag section, it’s a hit or miss. They have certain designer bags locked up in glass display cases but most styles look dated. I was surprise to find a huge selection of LV handbags near the front of the store but they look a bit pre-​owned to me. My favorite part of C21 is probably the annex building across the street where they have the home goods and shoe departments. I definitely found some good deals on home décor items but you have to be careful and look for any damages. It’s kind of like TJ Maxx and Marshalls where most of the stuff are floor samples. As for shoes, it hit my spot. But you do have to do some digging especially the designer items where shoppers just rummage through them leaving shoes hanging in wrong shoe size boxes. Price-​wise, they are pricey but still depends on how much you think they are really worth. Not often you would find a pair of nude Jimmy Choo d’Orsays for under $ 300.

I love shopping at Century 21 store in Bay Ridge. The prices are great and their selection is wonderful. However, my usually great shopping experience has been completely ruined yesterday by one of the most rudest and unprofessional employee I have ever came across. Most cashiers are wonderful and very sweet, however sometimes there is this one nasty, disgusting and rotten apple who ruins the entire experience. That rotten apple’s name is KLISHA and she was my cashier at the home goods section of the store yesterday.
When it was my turn to pay, the Rotten Apple waived and yelled out, «Ova here…» ok… fine. Once I got to her register, she had never once said, «hello» or even as much as acknowledge me and my mother. She kept laughing, talking to other employees, carrying on completely unprofessional conversations and totally goofying off.

Dear hiring staff, PLEASE reassess who you hire to work at this establishment. Your cashiers are rude, incompetent, slow as heck, and racist. It’s as if they intentionally take their sweet time scanning each item because they don’t want to work or be there. I have spent thousands of dollars at Century’s throughout the years, but I dread walking into it now. On top of that, your new layout in the home section is a MESS. Merging children’s clothing with home goods is illogical and unorganized. There’s no point in having a gold card VIP membership, because a) you jip people of their points and b) because the membership no longer allows you to wait on expedited lines. Please get rid of your LAZY staff and invest your funds in hiring some good workers who know what they’re doing and don’t mind working.

Century is one of those stores that you need a lot of energy to shop. Looking for a deal in the clearance rack can be exhausting. I would avoid going during lunch time & mid afternoon Saturday or Sunday. It is always crowded. I would recommend going towards the evening to closing time. Customer service is ok and the fitting rooms are pretty crazy during peak hours.

Century 21 and I used to be best of buddies, I would visit all the time, it did not matter the occassion, they would have what I needed. However, in the last several years, we have distanced ourselves and I don’t have much use for their buddyship, any longer.
Pros:
Designer items at a discounted price
Friendly security guards who immediately greet you as soon get past the revolving door
The Loyalty card program has gotten me some savings and have a seperate line for Gold card members.
Conveiniently located on 86^th street in Bay Ridge
When you purchase cologne they give you either $ 5,or $ 10 off your next purchase that can be used anywhere in the store, except on fragrances.
I found a nice pair of Cole Haan loafers here five years ago for $ 12 bucks…
Cons:
Sometimes I wonder if this is actually a discount store, I have purchased items that I saw for less in Macys. (Polo night pants, $ 32 here… 27 at Macys)
Some of the clothes are damaged… I purchased a pair of jeans here a few minutes before closing time and when I put them on noticed a hole in them.
Whenever you need assistance an employee is hard to find and not always helpful
The congestion in the store sometimes isn’t worth the wait
I am tall and have long arms and its impossible to ever find my size there in a dress shirt. (16 and a half by 37… yes, its not the typical size, but c’mon)
Hopefully, one day, we can reconcile our differences and become great buddies, again!

A few years ago, I would have given this place 4 stars… but man, has it gone downhill. I don’t know if they’ve changed their fashion merchandising team, but lately the clothes I see on their racks is tacky, ugly, and overpriced. I used to be able to easily walk out with several new outfits; the last couple of times I went, I literally walked out with nothing.
This used to be my go-​to place for shoes but, again, they’ve gone downhill. I can usually find one or two pairs of shoes that I like, but that’s not very impressive considering a few years ago I’d struggle narrowing down what I wanted because I loved everything. In the winter, I can usually find cute hats/​scarves/​gloves, so there’s that.
I will say they’ve gotten better with the long lines at the cash register; it is much shorter than it used to be. But I’m not sure if it’s because they hired more staff or if it’s a result of selling less merchandise.

I’m going to be honest that I’ve never been to another C21, but this one is ok. It’s located on the too-​busy-​no-​parking-​ever 86^th street and 5^th Ave. They have multiple entrances (i think 3). My bf likes to get Kenneth Cole dress shirts and his ties here. On the occasion he’ll get some belts. In this scenario, I am the «boyfriend» because I’m the one who just walks around and holds things while he shops.
I don’t think I’ve ever purchased anything here, but I also think it’s too hectic for me to look around to find anything. I do know of a lot of people who love to get things from here so I guess it’s good. I’d come to look around and hoping to find a deal for myself sometime :)

Was at the shoe department, no other shoppers around, I guess it’s the shitty weather we have today. First snow of the year in NYC! You know what that means, gotta get the snow gear for the kids, and boy do these snow boots sell out quick! Was lucky enough to get my hands on the last pair for Kay’s size.
Wasn’t so happy while I was paying, though. The cashier asked if I had a rewards card and kept pushing me to get one even though I had already clearly told her not once, but 4 times that I do not need one.
Toys here are quite cheap and has somewhat of a selection. The store is huge and looks very tidy. All the shelves are organized and stocked up, those are the quality reasons why shoppers, like me, will keep coming back. Oh, and the great low prices, of course!

This time I got a super deal on formal wear!!! $ 45 got me a dress that was once up in the hundreds $$$!
Tip: Go nearer to closing time. I pretty much felt like Oprah when they close stores for her perusal.
Fitting rooms… empty…
Queues…nonexistent
Crowds? In fact I needed to try on one other garment but place was so bare I just went to the nearest corner and over my head it went. (if they read their reviews this confession may soon put an end to this practice) lol
I had a nice shopping experience, I think I’m starting to fall for this department store.
The End.