Need Supply Co.

Have had good and bad experiences. To be honest I typically only buy when there is a sale. Have had a couple good purchases in the past which went smooth. Most recently I purchased a jacket on their site that somehow turned out to be an error in their computer. Wasted my time and am bitter about not getting the jacket.

The hubbs snagged a great deal; they had a 25% off sale for most items. Great customer service; will come back again.

Love this place. Customer service was the best. They had a sale of almost everything 25% off. I would go back if I am ever back in the area.

I ordered a $ 100 backpack from their website — both zippers broke within three months of light use. Customer service provided no relief. H&M quality at designer prices. Never again.

clearly the standout boutique for men’s clothing in Richmond. (yes, they have plenty of women’s clothing, but that’s not rare. men’s clothing… now that’s noteworthy.) the thing is, they rely a bit too much on the Gitman brand for their men’s offerings. Gitman makes awesome clothes, no doubt, but a bit more variety would go a long way. you can’t fault Need Supply too much, though. there’s just not a large demand for quality, unique men’s clothing in this region.

I love this store and the great items they select to sell, but I am very disappointed with this one customer service experience. When you purchase a nice pair of sunglasses that are not inexpensive you would hope it would last for more than 5 months. They refused to replace my glasses that broke in the middle out of the blue as I could prove — the connector between just fell off… as a great company you would only hope they would offer to replace it, but not the case.

I’m a CA shopper and bought something on NEED that I was hoping would get to me before some holiday travel. The package tracking was ambiguous (there was no update and I was worried I wouldn’t get the package) and I was getting anxious and within 20 minutes of getting in touch with NEED, I had full details on the order, an offer for a full refund in case the stuff didn’t get to me on time and a refund of my expedited shipping! All of this when they weren’t really at fault! (the fine-​print reads t hat they don’t process shipping over the weekend, so the tracking information was valid). Always been impressed with their commitment to good clothes and design and now am a fan of their customer service (especially in shopping crazy times like this!) I’ll be back.

Cool store if you’re into the really pretentious hipster clothing BUT beware that the return policy is no refunds, only store credit. Should be something that is advertised up front when you’re making a purchase.

I will begin by saying that as a native Richmonder, I’ve loved watching Need become a nationally recognized boutique. I love that it’s right down the street from my apartment. I love that I just bought quite possibly the most amazing pair of jeans that I’ve ever owned. I love their business model of finding lesser known designers. I just generally love it.
However, I do NOT love Need’s customer service. Of course there are always a handful of sales associates that are great and lots of fun, but the behavior of the others (and you know who you are — I’ve worked in the industry and you have to make that conscience decision to be a complete snob) has always made me think twice about walking through over the threshold and often left me with a bad taste in my mouth if I do.
For example — If a customer smiles at you, blankly staring back like you’re at an angsty Warby Parker photo shoot (all very well in it’s place) is not going to make that customer feel very welcome. Of course the customer must apologize if her VCU hoodie has defiled your personal Temple of Small Batch Fashion — perhaps you should consider posting a dress code? Or remember that without the student body and staff of VCU you’d probably do a lot less business?
Further, if a customer is purchasing a $ 180 pair of jeans and asks nicely if you happen to have another wash hiding in the back, don’t look at the customer like she’s a complete idiot simply because the customer is not part of the sacred ranks of Need Sales Associates, Keepers of the Hallowed Stockroom. And because that customer is very likely to search out those other washes online…
Like I said, I’ve been there. Working on a Saturday sucks — you were probably at the Camel until 2am and now you’re in Carytown and everyone in the greater Richmond area is there because it’s finally above 30 degrees and damn it, you just want to go meet your friends at Ipanema. But if a customer is being nice, smiling, and spending near $ 200 just make an effort!!!

I went into this store to purchase a pair of Warby Parker glasses. Not one sales associate even looked my way as I found my way to the wall of glasses and began trying pairs on. I don’t know if it was because I didn’t look like their typical customer or if the sales associates were just that busy chatting with each other.
I think Need Supply has a very impressive web presence and blog, but is definitely not for everyone and very underwhelming shopping in store compared to online.

Let me tell you something. When I hit my 50 pound weight loss goal this year, I’m flying to Richmond and buying out this entire store! It is the closest thing to a high end London boutique that you’ll find in the area. Every single piece is well made. They also carry the chicest (is that a word) selection of shoes and handbags. The sales people are lovely as well.

We are in California and only have placed one order so far from Need Supply Co’s website but were very impressed with the fact that they shipped out right away, provided a ship notification email with tracking #, and had the lowest price we could find on Alden Indy boots.
We will most certainly purchase from Need Supply again.

Perhaps it was due to the review or perhaps it ’twas a timely coincidence and I’m an arse (I certainly can be) but I did receive an e-​mail today that I’m being refunded for the article of clothing.
Either way I am grateful.
One star above meh, but the mixed bag customer service still holds true.

This place has some really nice clothes and is really my style. I categorize my style as something like a Skater look but a little bit more sophisticated. I love the slim fitting clothes options they have (not skinny…) like shirts and shorts and their shoe selection isn’t bad either. They have a pretty good variety of clothes/​accessories and constantly change up their selection to match what’s in and what’s not. It’s the go to place if you want some nice clothing!
Sales Associates: all of them are pretty friendly and really know their clothing and what to expect i.e.- history of the brand, washing instructions, sizes, etc.
Location: love the new look outside and the décor on the inside. It looks hip without being too showy; it’s a pretty simple concept actually.
I must admit, I have been to this store many times, but have only actually bought a few items here… Like shorts and a couple button up shirts. It is pricey and definitely out of my price range. Some long sleeve shirts average around 70 or even higher and their jeans and pants are a lot more than what I am used to paying for. I usually come here to actually try on the clothes first hand to see if they fit well and find them online for a much cheaper price. But when I do make a purchase here, It’s either the same price as the online item, or nobody else carries it. Just make sure you’re a smart shopper and you can find some pretty nice clothes here for a reasonable cost!

I went looking for a couple of staple pieces in hopes that this store would be it. I had never ventured in Need Supply Co and so I walked in hoping to find some great pieces for my ever-​expanding wardrobe. I really was unimpresssed with the customer service — as no one ever acknowledged me or asked if I needed any help. Upon searching the racks, I came across a few cute pieces, brand name (Citized, Rag&Bone, etc), but they really did not anything in my size. Leaving disappointed and unhappy, I doubt I will be visiting again anytime soon.

I will preface this scathing review with a few comments:
YES, it is impressive to see a boutique that carries lines such as Opening Ceremony, in Richmond.
YES, i have made purchases at Need.
YES, it is nice that they carry a wide range of prices– things mostly in the Urban Outfitters range, excepting their jeans which are mainly designer (and nice) and thus more expensive.
I rarely write a review on Unilocal that isn’t 4 – 5 stars…
My qualms with this store:
I have had awful customer service experiences here. Par example, one recent day i ventured to Carytown for some retail therapy… the store was NOT crowded. I came with the intention of buying something. Yet, no one checked on me once for the 20 minute duration of time i spent in the dressing room. I had to venture out barefoot to grab a different size in a pair of shorts i really liked– NO ONE HELPED ME.
I have had this type of experience a couple times there, coupled with one time where a very friendly albeit overzealous girl helped me. Call me picky, but i go to a boutique for personal help. I much prefer the overzealous helper to the one who stares dumbly around the store… COME ON, isn’t the whole purpose of your job to sell me things?
I then was looking at jewelry, in the market for a necklace, and experienced lackluster service again. No attention, one of the girls working moved the mirror i was using before i had even finished.
NEEDless to say (pun unintended), i left the store empty handed that day.
I hate to throw this accusation, but i must say that i felt the staff pretentious. Having been to much nicer boutiques all over the country that carry mainly «designer» clothing, higher price point overall, stores where i was initially less likely to make a purchase… HOWEVER, was treated nicely and ended up buying something or returning to do so at a later time. (think intermix, poppy in nyc)
Other qualms: a lot of the stuff is just too much like urban outfitters– think 60 dollars for a dress that is mass produced China and cut terribly. Poor quality of fabric and fit… meh.