JCPenney

Really bad customer service
I just wanted to buy a mini plushie toy (called tsum tsum) for my friend who collects these things and I saw it at jcpenney, so I thought why not? But as I was buying it, the cashier was very rude and laughed right in my face, loudly questioning what it was and even showing it around to his co-​cashiers who were amused too. If it weren’t for the fact that my friend loved these things, I would’ve walked away. I got so mad. First and last time buying these from this jcpenney.
(also there weren’t any cashiers at all in one part of the store floor but there were too many of them on the other side, what is that about?)

I know that my shopping at THIS J.C. penny is probably over.
I was in the market for a mini crock pot, and after doing a bunch of research, the one I needed was at JC penny. After purchasing a specific one TWO days before, I decided I needed a second mini crock pot (yes, I have quite the crock pot collection). But first, I needed to use the bathroom.
Now, I was shopping at JC penny, so I am a customer there, correct? I went to use the JC penny bathroom on their 1^st floor, and it is out of order, being cleaned (supposedly), so I’m told to use the bathroom downstairs, on JC penny’s second floor). Okay, walk down there, and just as I get there, I’m told the bathroom is being cleaned too. Okay, I can wait. In the meantime, a line has built up behind me. Now, I’ve been waiting for the bathroom for around twenty minutes (luckily I didn’t have to go that bad), and there is a line of 15 people behind me. That is not including the two woman with children, and the pregnant woman. Not only that, all these woman, like me, had been sent from the 1^st floor bathroom down here, being told that bathroom was closed.
At this point, two woman behind me decided to get a manager, it has been 25 minutes that the bathrooms, both upstairs and downstairs are closed. An employee was nice enough to find, not one, but TWO managers. JC Penny should take a serious look at their management. The managers first suggested our line, which has now grown, go upstairs to the bathroom on the first floor. When we told them it was closed, they insisted it was not, until JUST at that moment, a woman came from upstairs to complain she had JUST walked down from there. THEN the managers had the audacity to tell us, «This is not a public bathroom.» EXCUSE ME? Most of the people on line had JC penny bags, as far as I know, this bathroom is for costumers. I personally did not have a bag, because I had not yet made my purchase, but was planning to as soon as I used the bathroom.
They also try to claim that there were only 3 stalls in the bathroom. The bathroom actually has six stalls, 5 if you don’t count the one with the broken lock, that has been broken since forever and a day. But we won’t get into that. What I will get into is, the bathroom was supposed on a routine cleaning schedule, and when myself and the other customers on line were finally let into the bathroom, (40 minutes after I started waiting for the bathroom), it did not look like it had been cleaned at all. Also, we were told to be careful, because it had just been mopped, it not only did not look like it had been mopped at all (the floor wasn’t even wet), but there was toilet paper and such on the floor. It’s actually one of the more disgusting bathrooms I have had to use.
In general, this store is not the best store to shop at, unless you love long lines like christmas. But it’s year round, and it’s not because there are that many customers, just because they don’t have enough people working the register, and if they are behind the register, usually one of them is «on break» just hanging out talking to their friends. Looking for an employee to help you find something? Good luck with that. They don’t seem to have enough to go around. And forget if you ask someone in a different department, they only seem to know their own. But this ALL falls back on the management, or lack thereof, who don’t seem to know what to do, or how to manage.
I’ll be skipping this store.

Love places like this with lifetime return warranties /​policies.

But they do have some Liz Claiborne clothes, and some housewares.

Staff wouldn’t bother to help after 25 minutes of waiting. Went across the road to Macy’s to purchase a similar product.

I sometimes stop by in here mostly to visit the Sephora on the women’s floor but occasionally I would walk around to see if I find anything good. They have a mediocre selection with sparse amount of employees on the floor. The only way I was able to get help was from a cashier and most of them look like they rather be anywhere else but there. The only reason why I come back other than Sephora is that they do offer a lot of coupons and discounts so if you do see something you like you can get at a good price.

When I first began shopping here in 2010, they had some really nice private labels. I could shop for work or for casual clothing and walk away with a couple of nice outfits for $ 100 or so. I bought boots that lasted me two NYC winters, sweaters that still hold their shape after a wash. I told friends out in the suburbs that didn’t like JC Penney that the one in Herald Square was a lot nicer.
However, I have watched this store in its steady decline. The private labels are disappearing, the store is frequently rearranged and the clothes, shoes and bags are being made of cheaper quality materials. The buckle on the pair of boots that I bought last autumn didn’t last one week. The strap of the last purse I bought there fell off after two weeks. I used to know if I bought a certain label that I would have a decent, sturdy article of clothing that was flattering to my figure. Now I don’t know what is dependable and what is not. The prices are the same but you are not getting the same quality. I saw a maxi skirt that you could find on the Coney Island boardwalk for $ 15 on a rack at JCP for $ 30.
A lot of people have complained about the staff at this store. I have always found the staff to be pleasant and accomodating. My gripe is with the brand…
Today I went to the store to peruse the petite section. There was a sign that read; «The petite section has been moved.» The petite section is now where the bags used to be. (Where are the bags now? Are they no longer carrying bags? Did they have to stop carrying bags because they are losing millions of dollars in sales per year?)
It seems like they also have less space to maneuver around in because the store is packed to the rafters with ugly clothes that they can’t get rid of.
I used to enjoy shopping at JC Penney but now I feel like I’m watching a train wreck: I can’t look away. It is fascinating in a really sad way. RIP JCP.

Two years ago, I was referred to JC Penney by Home Depot. I wanted to buy curtains, traverse rods, and drapes. JC Penney has a very large supply, far more than Home Depot. I found exactly what I wanted. The sales clerk knew the products and was very helpful. Thumbs up to JC Penney. The household section is superb.
Since my first visit to JC Penney, I have become addicted to this wonderful store. They really have the best prices and products. The men’s and children’s clothes are very high quality. To me, JC Penney is the quintessential American middle-​class experience. I love it !!!

I hardly ever shop at JCPenney, but I was recently on the hunt for a cute, yet comfortable, pair of slippers and Macy’s had nothing (I repeat, nothing… nada, zip, zilch), so I thought «Hmm…maybe I should check out JCPenney.»
Well, JCPenney, or what I like to call it, «the slipper capital», had everything — all sorts of cute, comfortable and affordable slippers. I actually ended up buying two pairs because I couldn’t decide which I liked more and they were on sale — score!
The shop assistant in the shoe department was super sweet and very, very helpful. Since I’m in between sizes, she had to bring me double the amount of shoes, but she was very nice and gracious about it. (I used to work in a shoe store, so I know better than anyone that lugging out a million boxes is a huge pain in the ass.)

This is regarding Sephora in JCPenney. I was there a few weeks ago looking to buy some essential makeup as I’ve just started using it. Within 5 minutes of wandering around the store I saw a group of associates huddled together. Did anyone greet me, ask me for help or even acknowledge me? No, instead they were bad mouthing a customer that comes there to use eyeshadow and smells bad. I was genuinely going to make purchases there but instead I left. Who would want to shop somewhere with 6 people talking about someone so negatively and ignore you. You never talk bad about clients in front of customers. By the way went to Tony Moly on 32^nd and they have cute make up. Also the new Mac store on 14^th Street had great lip stick and made me a true devoted Mac addict! Both had great service and Tony Moly has decent prices.

Nah, the only department that actually answers the phone is Sephora?! Y’all are dead to me. Should be ashamed of your trife selves!

While the store has a decent selection of merchandise, the cashier that rang me up was the rudest and most bitter I have ever dealt with. There are so many stores around 34^th Street /​Herald Square that have courteous employees who make the shopping experience a good one. I bought one item at this store and after the way I was treated it will be the last time I set foot in there. No wonder JCPenney has fallen out of favor with the public. They can’t train their employees to treat customers with even basic manners. Like if a customer says hello when he/​she approaches the register you should say hello back and not look at the floor or chat and laugh with co-​workers while you are ringing up a customer. These are basic customer service skills but they don’t even have those!

I’m not a JC Penney shopper. But I happen to work in the same building that houses this department store, so sometimes when I come in in the mornings I’ll see the JCP team getting pumped up and chanting and shouting, I’m guessing in order to build morale and prep for the day ahead. The first time I witnessed that, I thought — hey, looks like JCP is hiring good people and getting back on track, good for them.
Then I made the mistake of trying to buy something there. It is very clear that these morning shenanigans are just that — a joke. NO ONE who works here with a customer-​facing job must take it seriously, because the service they «provide» is abysmal. The worst. I mean like, possibly worse than the post office. The greeters are the only ones who seem like they enjoy working here, and they are pretty much unnecessary. There are never enough cashiers, and the 1 or 2 that are present will make you feel like you are ruining their day by interrupting the socializing they were enjoying before you came and asked that they do their job. Lines are long, and personnel on the floor are scarce. One time my friend asked a cashier if there was anyone else that could help, to which the woman answered: «NOPE»
Avoid at all costs.

This department store used to be a bit more lively and offer a decent selection of goods, but the last few visits I’ve made left me with the impression of a company that is slowly sliding into oblivion.
Massive piles of rumpled clothing greet visitors on the subway-​level entrance and customers regularly wander the aisles looking for sales help. The area displaying men’s shirts was in complete disarray, making it nearly impossible to find my correct size in a pattern I actually liked. If the discounts were steep enough (like at the now-​defunct nearby Conway’s) I’d bite the bullet and forge ahead. But the prices were just OK — and for clothing that was obviously cheaply made.
The children’s department was no better, with racks upon racks of clothing in random order, making it look like more of a rummage sale than a major national retailer.
As if that weren’t enough self-​abuse, I also decided to look for a waffle maker. The options were also woefully sparse in this department, reminding me of a Goodwill kitchen aisle.
What happened to this store? (I mean besides the high-​profile hiring and quick departure of Apple retail guru Ron Johnson as JCP’s CEO.) It used to be a place I’d visit with my mom as a kid and sometimes actually enjoyed.

bad customer service. Went there on 12/​30, the cashier gave me a bad attitude while I asked for a receipt for a pair of pants that I bought for my friend. The printer wasn’t functioning, but I needed a receipt. After she took my money, she just simply handed me my pants without telling the issue with printer; not to mention an apology. I asked for the receipt when I didn’t see her give me one, and told her that I needed one. She then started to talking to herself (or just complaining it out loud TO ME),” how am I giving you the receipt when the printer doesn’t work?“
She sounded annoyed and bothered. She didn’t handle this situation properly, and kept showing negative attitude to me. They could concealed the transaction and use another cashier register to do it again, or just simply did a return, and charged me by using another machine.
Don’t go there, unless you want your day gets ruined.

Overall, this store really isn’t too bad. It’s never ridiculously crowded and some (some being the key word here) is made just as well as some of the contemporary lines people pay 3x as much for.
I do have to say that the staff do not organize the dressing room situation well. Usually there is someone to handle the line of customers and tell them which room to go in or how many items you can have. Not here… there will be one tired out associate swift-​tacking a pile of garments and no one even notices customers. It’s very annoying.
The lines to purchase items also can be a problem. I went to return something and again, no crowd control. An associate was just sitting at her register, so being next in line I went up to her. But NOOOOO she was having blah blah blah issues. Okay, things don’t always go as planned but more communication before going up to her (the next associate become free, so A-​hole snakes me for the next woman ect.). It was just frustrating having to wait. Chase bank does the line control amazing — as a matter of fact the line experience is so good, I walk out feeling better than I did going in the darn bank! Why can JCP get this down?
For the most part, I’ll come in to try the garments on but order them online. Way better deal :)

I really like this JC Penney. It has an easy layout to navigate, the staff is friendly, and even when it’s busy it’s not that bad. The prices are always reasonable and you can get a ton of coupons if you sign up to be on their mailing list. They’re also really good for returns and never hassle you.
Granted the dreaded Manhattan Mall is upstairs but you can enter from the street and sneak right down to JCP. I like it, I don’t understand all the hate. Also, I always score really good deals on clothes here… And Sephora, hello!

I was never a fan of large chain department stores, but this gem located in Manhattan Mall is a nice quick grab store. But the items here are limited. It’s not Macy’s.
If you know what you are looking for — great!
But I would never spend time browsing around looking for «something».
The sale reps are great and more than happy to assist you, but it’s the lines that kill me.
I got a long spring dress last week for $ 50. It was a great price for the dress, but the lines at the fitting rooms were long and the lines for the cashier/​check-​out were long. I was on a 10 minute fitting room line and a 30 minute check-​out line.
No ventilation here– worst place for ppl with allergies.
I ended up ordering a spring blazer online and shipped it for free to the store.
Picking it up at the store this mother’s day weekend was a must better experience than last week.

JCP has a new sleeker, shinier, cleaner look and feel. It’s more high tech and more preppy. Their only store in Manhattan covers two floors and features free wi-​fi, Sephora, branded boutiques for Liz Claiborne, MNG by Mango, Levi’s, Izod, etc. They just started carrying Joe Fresh, Cosabella and Georgina Chapman. Exciting new brands are on the way.
I think I prefer the look of the men’s casual clothing — it’s preppy. For women, the basics are affordable and decent looking but more hit or miss. Sometimes Mac + Jac and I Heart Ronson will have cute things but I Heart Ronson used to have more items. The Sephora boutique is small but it does carry Nars and Stila. It’s always fun to poke around in there and try out various things.

The entire mall revamped into a JCPenney. They should have at least kept the McD’s!
The staff are friendly, though, and I was asked three times as I passed through once if I needed help, so that’s good. Prices still aren’t that good, but we’ll see what they do with their new pricing campaign.