Express

I’m super busy and recently purchased items online from Express — which I never do. Of course half of the items don’t fit, so I decide to return/​exchange them in store. I found this location via Unilocal and was hesitant to go because of the reviews, most of which mention a rude sales associate with red hair. It was very close to my house so I go anyway. Immediately I walk in and the place is a mess. I walk to the counter and there are two customers in front of me. I dreadfully see the red haired guy immediately and he’s obviously struggling as he’s the only one behind the counter. He’s slamming things around and ushering customers like cattle. Where were the other employees? Needless to say, I was nervous about my return and almost walked out. I truly didn’t want to speak to him. After waiting 10 minutes, I was finally helped and it was one of the worst customer service experiences I have ever had. When I walked up and said I had a return (mind you, the line behind me was now 10+ people), he didn’t greet me but barked in his microphone «I’m going to need some help, this lady has a ton of returns.» He then asked why I had ordered things online when they have everything in store (to which he later said they don’t have everything in store — my pant size is S), said that I should just purchase in store instead of wasting everyone’s time, and then when the two people behind me had returns asked us if we all had gotten off the same bus while cussing under his breath saying he didn’t have time for this. It was obvious he was pissed and annoyed about doing his JOB, and reading other reviews he absolutely HATES returns. After the transaction was over, I decided to not shop around as I had originally intended to. My thought here is — why isn’t he fired yet? It’s obvious that he hates his job and is a problem. There are so many people that would love to have that job in this city, I just don’t get it. Not only am I never returning to this store and I STRONGLY advise you to do the same, I’ll also not shop with Express moving forward. What a mess.

The few times I’ve been in this store I had the misfortune of having to deal with the red headed guy that works there. (I don’t know his name so excuse me for just calling him the red head)
He was so incredibly rude to me while I was shopping… belittling, condescending and really could care two shits about why you’re there. Doing returns there with this same person was so much WORSE! I can’t even begin to describe the hell he put me through. The whole experience was completely dramatic, belittling and uncalled for. He was beyond rude and clearly upset that I was returning what I had bought. Have you never learned people skills in your life? How do you have this type of job when you literally don’t even know how to kindly greet people?! How this guy works in costumer service is beyond me. He and whomever hired him should get reevaluated because they have no business communicating with humans until they make better decisions and learn how to be kind. If you hate your life or just people in general… DONT WORK IN COSTUMER SERVICE!
It took all of my strength to stay calm while he processed my returns… I’m talking he was throwing hangers around, being loud enough so that other customers knew that I was doing returns and even rounding up on the amount of money I was returning almost to try to embarrass me. It was nuts! Never been through anything like that and will certainly never go back to that store.
No one deserves to be treated in that manner.

I went in today to find some stuff I saw online. After picking up a few items a sales associate asked if I wanted to start a fitting room I said yes she took my items. About 10 to 15 min later I find a different associate and say «someone stared me a fitting room, can I try on those clothes» The sales associate paged the other workers and they couldn’t find any of the items I had wanted to try on. To which they hardly apologized for. They kept coming to the door, is this one of your items, to which non of them were.
They tried to grab things based on what I described, but nothing that brought back was what I grabbed.
At that point I said F it I’m not going to reshop after I just spent timing going through the whole store. Like no thanks bye.
I don’t understand how you misplace ten items or so I wanted to try on, I’ve worked retail I know how it works when you start someone a fitting room. It’s not that hard. Very very frustrating and a huge waste of my time today.

The store is ok; however, lets talk about the ginger guy that works here. He greets you at the beginning like most of the SA do, but when his DIVA attitude gets to his head is when he becomes the most arrogant SA. I went to the store to made an exchange and he told me you know that this store also carries all the stuff you are exchanging so that you take a good look before buying things you gonna return later on. I was like OH REALLY! thank you for letting me know. Then, I told him that I had a coupon for the things I was buying this time and he proceeded to enter the coupon code and asked me for my phone number, which I found weird because no one ever asked me for my phone number when given them a coupon. Then he said is not coming up under that phone number like saying that I stole the coupon from somebody else. I’m not coming back to this store again unless he gets move to another store or fired which would be the better option.

What a surprise, bad reviews! I’ve only had lazy employee experiences here. Last time I ever come here. First time, I walked in and knew exactly what I wanted. I was just exchanging a size. I asked the employee to help me find the top in my size, she took one look at it and said she didn’t have it. I said, «wow, you check your inventory just by looking at the top?» She said she could. So I went upstairs and guess what? I found the shirt in my size! Lazy!
I went back today and the employee at the register had no clue what she was doing and kept suggesting we go to another store because her and her manager couldn’t figure out how to honor a coupon being that one of the items had to be ordered. Once we told her to just order all the items online, she pretty much just stared at her screen for like 15 min! She asked her manager repeatedly for help, but her manager was more worried about finishing up for closing. I asked the employee at the register to ask her manager for help and she ignored me and I swear she just stared at her screen. I honestly felt like it was on purpose. The express in north riverside always knows what they’re doing and they are far from LAZY! If you don’t like your job, quit. The end.

I’m a huge fan of Express for a variety of reasons: the quality of their clothes is decent, you can usually find a variety of styles to fit your needs (I’m more alternative/​laid back in style than most girls and yet I still get most of my clothes from here), and I just LOVE their jeans as they last forever and fit perfectly. I’m a next member so I get stellar coupons monthly and around my b*day they give me $ 60.00 in gift cards which is really awesome. Express isn’t cheap but it’s also not outrageously expensive.
In general I’ve usually had good experiences at this store but the last few times I visited I found the customer service to be pretty lacking. I walk in here and never leave without spending $ 300 — $ 500 dollars within less than a few hours. so if I have a question or need help with sizing I surely hope that someone can take a few moments to help me. So due to these recent experiences, as I care nothing about having to park on the street to shop — that’s life in Chicago, I’m giving the store 2 instead of 4 or 5 stars.
Yesterday my boyfriend and I walked in with the direct purpose of getting him a new suit. We knew exactly what he wanted and even picked out/​saw the suit within a few minutes of walking in the store lucky enough. The thing is my boyfriend hasn’t bought a new suit in many years, and never from Express, and was very unsure about his correct sizing for the jacket — and I surely know nothing about Men suit sizes. The store was dead and I found a sales clerk after a few minutes of searching. I asked if they offer measuring for correct fitting of their suit jackets. (Considering chains like Victoria’s Secret and Banana Republic offer measuring I didn’t think it would be too much to ask.) The sales clerk’s exact response was «Ya, we do, but it will just be easier to try on a few jackets.» Ok. I didn’t ask what would be ‘easier’ (clearly for him, not us) but simply if they offer it. I let him know that we were really unsure about my boyfriend’s size and really how a jacket should fit properly and a measuring would be helpful just so we can be sure. Again he responded the same: «Well, it will just be easier to try on a few jackets». Ok. Since that conversation was going no where fast we did just that.
After trying on a few jackets we found one that seemed to fit nice enough and asked a different sales clerk her opinion and she agreed. All in all we bought the suit jacket and matching pants, spent a little over $ 300 dollars (I had a bunch of coupons! So saved my boyfriend a ton — Yay!) and were there for — at best — 30 minutes.
I know Express isn’t a suit specialty store but they sell nice suits and not cheap ones at that. If a person is going to spend $ 328 dollars on a suit jacket and $ 150 on suit pants and they ask for your help in sizing/​measuring. really just take the 5 minutes to do it. People are spending a decent amount on these clothes and, especially with suits, it’s vital to have the perfect fit.
Final Verdict
All and all I’m really let down by the customer service of this store. I love Express, and shop here often, but my last few experiences here have really left a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe it’s time I start doing all my clothes shopping with Miss Selfridge.

The low rating is for service (Able, looking at you). I don’t love Express, but I understand they have their demographic that loves loud bassy music and tight clothing. Clothes aren’t bad, especially if you have a coupon. I’m really just here to call out a salesman, Able, who really should be fired or sent back to training. I think our exchange below will sum it all up…
Able: What size pants do you wear?
Me: Size 38 by 32.
(Able goes in back to check, comes back with 34 by 32, a size I haven’t worn since grade school.)
Me: I think you got 34 instead of 38 by accident.
Able: Sorry about that, let me go in back to look. (he leaves and comes back 5 minutes later with size 36 by 32. A size I have not worn since high school)
Me: Dude, I need a 38, these are 36s.
Able: Ya, we don’t have any larger size. Just try these on for now.
(At this point I walked out. I’m not spending $ 300 on a suit with some a-​hole that is wasting my time. A simple «we don’t have that size» instead of insisting I try on a size that I know won’t fit me would have been a much better call. Bad sales skills, and just plain rude.)

The people at Express always do a good job of helping you get the most bang for your buck. Upon check out they help you utilize your coupons, Express credit card, memberships etc. This helps make thing much more affordable and you are able to throw in a few side items for practically free.
No where to park for free expect across the street. So I would stop into the one of those stores and shop around for a free parking spot.

I can’t figure out why some people are freaking out about this location. It’s Express, people. It’s not custom, it’s not a boutique, it’s a chain store.
That said, this location always has exactly what I need.
First off, parking. Don’t park in the garage. Why is this garage here? I have no idea. What I do know is that street parking can be found (look by Whole Foods), and that you’re not really going to be here that long anyway. Red line is even easier.
Second, work clothes. Yes Express seems to have morphed into Forever21’s big influencing sister, but I promise if you can wade through the glitter and sequins, the work attire is still here. I’ve found it’s usually back by the register. It looks like a small selection, but if you pull open the drawers under the pants display, all of the sizes and colors are there. I absolutely adore the Columnist pant and a lot of the sweater tops. They’re always here and I have no problem grabbing a few pieces that I like.
Third, coupons. Get on the mailing list. Get over whatever fears you have of being sent coupons, and get those awesome little ones that come every 2 months. The $ 15 off $ 30 is worth it. The NEXT card is also fairly helpful — especially if you get work essentials from here on a regular basis. I got a few things a week ago and the NEXT discount plus coupons brought me down nearly $ 100! Paying full price here is silly. There’s always a sale on something.
Finally, the customer service? I’m not sure who other people have dealt with here, but I always encounter lovely folks. Those of you that stand around waiting to be helped? Good lord. Grow a pair and go find someone that can answer your questions. If you stand around looking sad and helpless, I’d be even LESS inclined to approach you. The fitting rooms here can be a little slow, but it’s usually because the person staffing it is out grabbing other items for other customers or putting back items that we left in the rooms. She/​He will be back shortly, I promise.

I can’t figure out why this place gets a bad wrap. It’s Express, it carries a lot of sizes and styles, and the staff is always helpful when we go in.

Express has really nice looking clothes. Their dress pants are particularly sexy and the dress shirts to go along with them are cute, too.
But at Express, cute clothes come with a major price that’s like 5 times the price of the quality.
I really did give Express a chance. I went into the dressing room with a ton of stuff and came out with NOTHING because nothing fit.
I’m really not a big boy and they literally didn’t have any clothes my size. Almost everything on the shelf was a small or extra small. I’m a Medium and even the stuff that were mediums didn’t fit, at all. That was really disappointing and made me feel pretty self conscious.
Love the Express style, but could easily get the same look from Kohl’s at a quarter of the price.

If you don’t like to be judge by the way you look, this is not the place to spend money. My daughter and I went in over the weekend, and a (male) sales associate, after noticing us, bypassed and overlooked us, when some other people that «had the same color skin as him» came in. He didn’t greet us however greeted them. We left right out of there and will never return to any of their stores!
BAD BUSINESS!!!

I love Express so much, but this store misses the mark…
~ They are always out of sizes. It’s like the store is only half-​stocked.
~ The sales assistants are kind of rude.
I could look past this, however when I checked out I bought jewelry and when I got home the jewelry wasn’t in the bag! I called, and they had found the jewelry at the register. They wouldn’t ship the jewelry to me, they wouldn’t let me pick the jewelry up at another (closer) Express store, and they wouldn’t validate my parking for me to have to go back and pick it up. So, basically they made a mistake and would not make it right!
I think I’ll definitely stick to my Michigan Ave store location!

The poor women in this store last Saturday had to deal with my insanity for 2+ hours while I was shopping. They were fantastic, patient, and I left with 3ish full outfits. (2 of which I wore this week and got nothing but compliments from coworkers)
Sometimes Express is trashy (aka Michigan Ave location), but the North Ave one had a lot of cute business attire in the back, and the employees were real helpful.

Ok so here is the deal on this Express location — it is great and conveniently located off the Red line (north and clybourn stop). I mean its Express folks, nothing new or exciting here. However, there are a ton of clothes and good sales.
Here is my tip of the day: The last two times I went in there to buy clothes I told the cashier that I had forgot my coupons. First time, the woman gave me a $ 50 off a $ 150 purchase, and the next time I got a $ 30 off coupon. I saved $ 80, and all I had to do was ask? Seems easy enough! You should try it! I love employees who dont care about the company! Their loss is my gain.
Employees can be few and far between, thats the downside. Oh, and you can park in the lot. One of the stores validates your parking, and I think it might be Express. I know Gap does not.

I needed some new worky dressy type shirts. So I thought about how my parents bought me some from Express from last Christmas, they fit me great, but I wanted more.
When I came into the store everything looked like trashy club attire. Where did all the oxfords go? I didn’t see a single one! I know that it is only the beginning of September, but you’d think they would have their fall collection out, right? Everything was sleeveless, and shorts. WTF?
Oh yeah, nobody even acknowledged that I was actually in the store. No smiles, no greetings, nada. I passed four people while browsing.
They only get two stars because they had a nice, yet expensive jewelry collection. However, I left empty handed, and a bit disappointed.

I am glad to be the first man to review this location.
The second floor has a Men’s Department. They sell good quality men’s shirts, and trousers. They also sell jeans, and some fashion items (belts, belt buckles, cuff links).
I like this place because they actually cater to skinny boys, and I can always find a pair of pants here — something I can’t do in many other chain retail clothiers for men. While I realize ordering on line is an option, it is nice to leave with a bag. Instant gratification!
They have a nice selection of going out clothes, and this place is perfect for the last minute New Year’s Eve ensemble.
The staff here is friendly, and the fitting rooms are actually uncluttered and free of those pesky pins that you often find on fitting room floors.
The bad: parking! There is totally no where to park at North & Clybourn.
If you are looking to prep up your guy, this is a good place to start. I’ve seen enough of your husbands to know they need help.

This location is okay. It’s pretty big with the women’s apparel on the first floor. However, they occasionally do but some random women’s items upstairs which I don’t understand why.
I guess you can park in the garage but I always park in the container store parking lot across the street and just hope I don’t get towed. No problems yet.
I love the clothes! The people aren’t the nicest at this location but I can deal for the amount of coupons I get sent. The location at Century Centre is small but the employees there are much nicer. So if that’s what you’re looking for check it out.

I missed the day when this store was called Structure. There were so many unique style that make me kept coming back for more. Now a day, I just go to Express whenever I need a cheap dress shirt for work. There is nothing here that stand out anymore. Express and Gap had fallen off the list for me.
The customer service here was ok. I was greeted and was assisted. I can not say much since I tend to not stay long in this store. I grab my work shirt and head on out.

Is so blah. The layouts are always the same, along with the merchandise, and the awful people that work there. This place is two stories; women’s on the bottom and men’s on top. However, the weird thing about it is the women’s jeans are on the second floor. Doesn’t make much sense to me. Whatever though, no one asked me.
Another bad thing about this place is that there literally is no parking. But there is the parking garage that’s attached, but yet Express doesn’t validate. Jerks!