McCaulou’s

I have never written a Unilocal review but felt compelled due to my treatment by the STORE MANAGER. She was hostile and rude when I was exchanging a vest and when I asked her, calmly, why she was treating me in such a rude manner, she said «that’s your opinion». Unbelievable. I will never shop there again.

I’ve had multiple bad experiences here! Not coming back any time soon!
I had been here a few times before actually making my first purchase and it was cute! I like the vintage feel, and they had adorable Christmas sweaters!
The things look nice, and are priced very low, but are VERY POOR quality. My first purchase was a pair of cute fluffy pajama pants (Christmas themed) and I was super happy with them for the first few days. But after I suppose, a week they had ripped in the crotch area! I hadn’t been doing anything crazy in them and the definitely weren’t too small! I ended up sewing them up myself, and keeping them, only wearing them occasionally.
Then a month or so later, I received a sweater I had pointed out as a gift from my sister. After wearing it for BARELY five minutes, I noticed a hole in the wrist area!
A few days later we planned to return it. Once we got there we were greeted by a lady who seemed to be in an okay mood (surprise!). And we asked to return the sweater! Since I’m fairly small, I got a kids size sweater, 16 I think so we were directed to the kids department.
So we went over the and asked the lady at the counter to return the sweater, and she had to go get the manager (this was taking a long time!!). Once she walked over, it was already obvious that she was NOT in a good mood. At all.
As a customer, we should be treated with decent service! The lady accused me of ripping the tag off and causing the hole (which I didn’t!). And was so rude! And we didn’t get our money back! Such a waste!
Do not buy from here!
It’s truly a shame, I love their shoe store a few blocks away!

I’ve been to this store exactly twice. The first time was earlier this year when I was new to the neighborhood and wanted to support a local business. The sales clerks didn’t acknowledge my presence, even though I was the only one in the store. The store is definitely very old school (not in a charming way) and the sales clerks seem to not want to be bothered. I left and vowed never to return. Then yesterday I was in need of baby clothes, so decided to give the store another chance to take my money. Again, not a whiff of politeness. Only misery seems to be available in this very empty store. I should’ve walked out, but really needed a quick gift so I approached the register with my items. The sales clerk didn’t even look at me or speak to me as she rang me up. She looked at me only when I asked for a gift receipt (they don’t offer them) and her energy was nothing but a downer. It was a horrible shopping experience and I regret that I completed the purchase. Note: I had the items gift wrapped and the woman who did the wrapping was pleasant. However, her demeanor didn’t do enough to make my overall experience a positive one.

I had the worst customer service I have ever experienced at the shoe store from the store manager, Mihan. I have purchased numerous pairs of shoes for my four year old daughter here, and I like supporting neighborhood businesses. However, I bought her a pair of rain boots from here less than two months ago and splashing in puddles last week they ripped and her foot was soaked. I went in to try to exchange them and the manager told me that the wear on the soles looked like more than two months and essentially accused me of lying. I offered to pull up my bank statement to show her the date of purchase and she refused to look. I don’t appreciate being made to feel like I have done something wrong when they are selling defective merchandise. Not the appropriate way to treat your loyal customers. Note to potential customers: they don’t stand behind the products they sell. Find another shoe store.

What’s there not to like about old school McCaulous, from having lancome cosmetics to gym socks– I know its rather OLD SCHOOL but who said you are going on a shopping spree?! most McCaulous that I know or have been to are conveniently located and I know not to EXPECT much– I.E. one of those «department stores» you only go to in case of emergency.
«Drats I forgot to put a camisole under my blouse for work» MCCAULOUS SAVED THE DAY!

I have heard that this was the best place to buy kids’ shoes since moving to the East Bay a couple years ago. Today I finally brought my 4-​year-​old in with the intention of buying him rain boots, sneakers, and Crocs. The staff was so unhelpful and uninformed that after half an hour, we gave up and left empty-​handed.
I’ve been looking for an alternative to Village Shoes in Elmwood since they sell a limited few brands, but the staff there is so superior to McCaulou’s that it is worth picking from a smaller selection.

I so want to support local business, but the shoe store is staffed by zombies. With one notable and pleasing exception two weeks ago, in 4 years I have never had one person ask me if I needed help. Not one person I didn’t have to hunt down and ask for help, only to have them wordlessly and limply shuffle to the back to POSSIBLY find the shoes I’m requesting. If you’re lucky, they’ll bring the shoes to you. More likely, they stand in the doorway and mutely look around and assume you’ll recognize THEM. Zombies are like that. I walked out today after the non-​existent help became too much to bear as I searched for shoes for my daughter… after nearly begging them to take my money and find the other shoe for the display shoe that luckily fit my son… which we tried on as they stared at their toes behind the counter. All three of them. Thank goodness for Zappos. It may be a big company but it cares more than the living dead (or is that hyping up their energy level?) at this store.

This store is tailored to the fashionably unconscious. I really wanted support local businesses. So, I purchased a pair of Hue leggings. When I tried to return them a week later because of the odd fit (unworn with my receipt and tags still on), the mgr and clerk insisted they couldn’t take them back because I discarded a cardboard cover they typically use to display them. They told me to call corporate (the store in Lafayette). The Lafayette store (more polite manager) told me I could return them there. However, they couldn’t force the Montclair store to return them because they were just another store not headquarters. Noticing that I was upset, the Montclair manager finally returned them. Such an unnecessary experience. Will not shop here again.

Oakland Store Service
I want to thank Robyn for her excellent service this morning. I was in the store this morning with my 91 year old mother, my father just passed away this past week and besides the quiet, calm atmosphere that McCaulou’s offers we were not only greeted by Robyn but received her patient and caring service. She was exremely helpful to me and my mother who needed special attention trying to find the perfect bra, even requesting to be measured, which Robyn did so patiently and recommended selections and styles. Certainly an employee that fits the McCaulous character of service and commitment to customer service.
Ania

Cool little department store in a small neighborhood.

Too bad there isn’t an option for 0 stars… The service here is horrible. They will never get another penny from me.

I purchased shoes on 10÷18÷13 got home and found coupon in my trash box for $ 10 off in emails. I when back to redeem the $ 10. Asked in shoe department, that sales person said no even after returning shoes to re-​purchase with coupon. In customer service after speaking with manager, another no. Was disappointment with treatment. Other stores have accepted coupons, price adjustments etc… with items on sale within 7 days. I had good service in the past but this episode has stopped me from spending my money at the store.

I can’t believe anyone has anything bad to say about this place. Shopped here since I was a baby! ALWAYS find what I want/​need. And some stuff I wasn’t expecting to find! Always great prices too! I’m almost 25 now, still find what I need cause their juniors section isn’t too teeny bopper or whatever. Good place to get chic/​cute business casual kind of attire.
My mom and I come here and both leave happy customers :) even my grandma and I.
Good kids dept-​toys clothes baby etc. men’s too. And shoes-​so many shoes they needed to bigger store!
staff always friendly !!! Always!!!
They’ll send another size/​style from another store for you– they’ll call you when it’s here the next day. They let me swap a jacket when the button popped off too. Pretty solid place. :)

I enjoy mocking this place just as much as everyone else, but I’ve always found the service, especially at the cosmetic counters, to be very helpful and pleasant. Surprised to see the bad reviews for the saleswoman.
With regard to the stolen Clinique gift bag, I can’t think of any store that would give a replacement gift bag, whether you had a receipt or not.
SMH

This review for store maneger and clinique store… Especially. i got car bargulary stolen all items include what i bought in this store. went clinique in McCaulou’s if they can give me the sample cosmetic bag after i bought amount of item.(only sample bag because I wanted give to my co worker that stolen also) the white woman (lots make up on face) in clinique, i show her police report and explain it, and ask favor because I buy this clinique a lot before. But she did not spare me! there is always extra! she can not kind enough to help me you guys lost my buisiness!!! I never buy this store nothing no more!!! if she be nice to me shoe and this store would have lots buisiness! stupid!!! I did not ask to help me the item actually i bought!!! I asked if tey can help give me other FREE sample bag!!! NEVER SHOP THIS STORE AND CLINIQUE AGAIN!!!

Second experience being publicly humiliated while attempting to make an exchange. Horrible policies and culture. Going back to Nordstrom, although I was trying to support local.

There are so few places to shop in Oakland, this is a real gem. The clerks are always really courteous and the ambience is calm and soothing, which makes shopping much more bearable. I always find something interesting to buy here and the prices are great.
This is an especially fun place to shop for kid’s clothes. They have a wide variety to choose from and the prices are always rincredibly affordable. As an added plus, they also provide free gift wrapping services for any purchase over $ 15.
I also like to keep an eye out for the cosmetic bonus giveaways. Because this store is off the beaten track, it is much easier to get my bonus here than at a Macy’s or Nordstrom when they have their promotions.
Shop local! Shop here!

I have many fond memories of coming here to sit on Santa’s lap during the Holiday season.
This is a very small department store, but it is nice if I don’t want to drive all the way out to Contra Costa to go to Macy’s and JCPenney or into downtown Oakland to Sears. I have gotten some nice things from here, even though there really isn’t much of a selection.
This place does lack customer service though. It can be hard to find a person to help you if you want to try something on.

Ok, so I’ve been going to McCaulou’s my whole life. Mostly the locations in Concord and Walnut Creek. My family and I have always adored their unique items, free gift wrap, and local feel.
However, recently we had a terrible experience at the Walnut Creek location. I went to purchase and item and use a $ 10 off coupon (which I get in the mail ALL the time) but didn’t realize I didn’t meet the minimum purchase requirement to use the coupon. So, I went and picked up a few things, including over priced leather baby slippers, a few tops, and a youth football. I had MORE than reached the minimum at that point, but I noticed that I didn’t receive my discount. When I asked for the adjustment, the lady said my coupon had expired 3 days ago. I understand their policy to not take expired coupons, but they had already issued a new completely valid coupon after mine and I just threw the wrong one in my purse when I left the house.
What I loved about McCaulou’s was the «family owned» — community feel, but I felt like I was trying to swindle Wal-​Mart. I frequent McCaulou’s and have never presented an invalid coupon and all the lady could suggest was going back home to get a valid coupon. I decided to put my $ 100 worth of merchandise back and will not be going there again.
I’ve spent a considerable amount of money in their stores over the last 24 years and a little customer services and understanding would be nice. I would think they would have been happy with my taking my $ 100 bucks instead of the $ 50 I needed to spend. Also, I went to Nordstrom and they had the same baby slippers with a better selection of sizes and design– and they were the same price. Now I got exactly what I wanted from a store with a much better return policy and better customer service.
Moral is, their items can be found at a million different places in the East Bay and they don’t put their customers first. I think the «local feel» is just a show.

For those of you who hate shopping as I do. This is a very easy department store to deal with.
Everything is neatly stocked, No piles of anything to go through.
The prices are exceptional. $ 59.00 for a Tommy Bahama pull over jacket. In many cool colors. (Think Mother)
Handbags, wallets, jewelry, all at fair prices.
The men’s department is what shines here at the Montclair store. Although the Teen department is a sure bet for finding a gift for that «hard to please teen»
Gift wrapping is free, but only if you spend $ 15.00. Otherwise it’s $ 3.00 for a box.
Parking is easy, and free, in their parking lot, located three steps from the store entrance.
The employees don’t bother you, and all act like they’re” squeezing a dime”, if you know what I mean. The entertainment value on that alone, is priceless.