Mercer

Still shop here, but with zero expectations r.e. customer service — really great clothes but employees are snots with a major attitude problem — sorry, they are not «all that» — hate to disappoint ‘ya gals…

Clothes are cute

Ack! Those prices.
The clothes are so cute, but SO overpriced.
I can find most things elsewhere for half the price or less. For example, let’s take Juicy. Come on, who wears Juicy anymore? Umm me… okay but who purchases Juicy anymore? Ummm. no one. Yet, they still feel compelled to price Juicy at over $ 100 for a jacket. This same principle applies to the entire store. Lots of designer items and lots of trendy items, but I can’t say the same for the prices… Those are out of style.

The only merit to this store is its clothing. Cute, overpriced brand names. that I can deal with. The lack of helpful friendly staff? Not so much. I have been shopping at this store for 4 years and I have always had unpleasant/​non existent customer service. I have continued to purchase only out of convenience. Today I had the WORST experience and as a result I will NEVER shop here again.
Two days ago I purchased a silk top that was originally $ 175 marked down to $ 125. It was merchandised on one of many markdown racks throughout the store. After being shown a dressing room, I received no more help or interaction from any of the staff. All the associates were standing around I a group loudly gossiping. I decided to purchase the top for an event and proceeded to search for someone to ring me up. At the register, the woman did not act enthused that I had taken her away from her chi chat time and said little more than two words to me.
I have purchased clearance items before from this store and they have stamped final sale as well as verbally told me that there would be no returns allowed. For this transaction however, the rack did not say clearance but instead said sale. When I tried to return the item, the sales associate told me I couldn’t return sale items. Another woman walked up and curtly told me that I should have read their return policy on their receipt or in their fitting rooms. Um hello??? If the only time I can find out the return policy is on the receipt (which would mean I’ve already purchased) don’t you think the associate should have verbally told me?
I asked to speak to someone else and the second woman informed me that she was the manager. This woman’s name is ARI and she lacks the grace and tact for dealing with customers. She was snobby and straight up rude with her FAKE smile. I even asked if I could get a store credit and she told me that they didn’t HAVE Store credit… Instead you are suppose to keep the item until you find something to exchange for. I’m a busy person and I DO NOT plan on comming back.
The manager finally allowed the return because I think she realized that her staff is not well trained and obviously had not told me the return policy. Her attitude and condescending tone made me feel like shit. I will NEVER shop here again. I can see why the Bellevue store closed. Why would people shop where they are treated so poorly?

If you’re looking for a non-​Bergdorf place to shop for fine and reasonably priced women’s casual clothes and accessories, you’ve come to the right place. The women who work here are smart, stylish and helpful. Their store is clean and their visual merchandising technique is hip.

I went into this store today and was completely ignored by the sales girls. I’m young and attractive and stylish – and I normally don’t toot my own horn – but I’m trying to make a point. I was looking to buy some jeans, but walked out after they looked at me and turned away. NEVER again will I even set foot in that store.

I live near University Village so it’s easy for me to pop in there frequently. And I do. I really like having Mercer in the Village. They have a nice broad spectrum clothing selection. I bought my favorite pair of jeans there– 100% cotton True Religion Joey size 24. It was hard to find a pair of TR Joeys in my size in 100% COTTON!!! What can I say I am old school and am not a big fan of that «2% elastane/​spandex/​nylon» thing that has invaded most jeans fabric. Mercer had what I wanted and needed. I like the women who work here – they have given me a lot of helpful advice about fit and know their stuff. I always feel fashionable and pretty when i walk out the door even if I didn’t buy anything!

I tried out Mercer today and was amazed by the super friendly and helpful sales staff there, not the snotty «I’m going to stand behind the counter and text my friends ignoring you» type of service more common in many Seattle boutiques. The girls were very helpful and helped me eliminate muffin top. They are also having a cool thing right now, $ 25 buys you a platinum membership which saves you 15% all year on full price merch. Gotta love that! It pays for itself in one trip! Good idea, after all, even though you would never know it from the lack of parking at the U Village, we ARE in a recession.

…In those jeans…
«Hey, cute jeans! Where can I find ones just like that?»
Me: «Oh umm… Nordstroms? I’ve had these jeans for awhile now, so it’s bit of a blurrrr…»
OR NOT! Call me weird, but honestly the last thing I want is any other one of my girlfriends sporting the same clothes as I am. If you’re a random girl whom I’m likely to never meet again, then maybe just maybe I’ll share my secret gems. (Chance of me running into you again is hopefully unlikely… and hopefully not in the same clothes.) Mercer is among my «secret shopping» hideouts. Although I haven’t bought anymore than just jeans from here, I don’t care to share where I get them jeans at. Mine all mine! I stand at about 5’6″ with a petite silhouette, chances of me finding the perfect size jeans that fits me, is rarer than most people think. Here, not a problem at all! And all though I’ve been stingy with letting some women know where I get my jeans from, hopefully this Unilocal review balances my «Fashion Karma». Just don’t approach me and ask where my jeans are from…“Ahhh, sorry I think someone gave it to me as gift???” *nose grows another inch*

The other night I somehow ended up at the U Village (note: must stop drinking before noon) and after a bloodthirsty feast at Anthropologie, I skipped past Mercer, and saw a giant «BLOWOUT SALE» sign in the window. There’s nothing I love more than a sale (other than a good blowout, maybe) so I waltzed in and perused the racks.
The usual suspects are here: DVF, Twelfth Street, Ella Moss, Juicy. Might as well be Nordstrom if you ask me. The jeans bar has a few interesting brands with highly embellished back pockets and unusual stitching, as well as the other usual suspects: Hudson, Joe’s, Citizens, True Religion. The organization of the store is not the best– racks are all about the same height and everything is just sort of piled in. Also, it was nearly impossible to look at something on the rack without two other items slipping off their hangers. So annoying.
There are two huge differences between Mercer and Nordstrom: First of all, Nordstrom has good customer service. Although my experience at Mercer wasn’t bad (i.e. no one was rude to me), I did find it very annoying that as I was looking at the sale racks, two employees were taking the items off the sale racks and boxing them up. Couldn’t they have waited until after closing to do this? Being the hardcore bargain shoppers that many women are, you would think they would at least let the customers look at everything before sending it to Mexico or wherever it was going. Second, Nordstrom has nice dressing rooms. And in some departments of Nordstrom, GREAT dressing rooms. Mercer’s made me want to cry. They are small and have those lame curtains that don’t ever really close. Despite your fabric folding origami skills, there is always a big crack in the curtain, making the whole suck in and squat routine of trying on jeans an entirely humiliating experience.
Basically, if you are of little creativity when it comes to fashion, you follow the middle of the road trends (Tori Burch flats, Juicy Sweatsuits, Uggs, True Religion jeans) and you name Reese Witherspoon as your fashion icon, then you will LOVE this place. Other gals, it’s worth a look while you’re at U Village, but don’t go out of your way.

I’m giving Mercer 4 stars because I had some terrific help the other day when I went there. Most of the time, I enjoy looking but rarely buy anything due to my budget vs. their prices. However, I was on a mission for jeans, and had found nothing at my usual haunts, so thought I’d try them out.
This was at the Bellevue store, and it was a very quiet day with only a couple other customers in the store. I don’t usually like to have some salesperson hovering over me, but this one (sorry, I wish I remembered your name so I could give you kudos) gave just the right level of attention. I described my usual fit problems with jeans, and she hooked me up with many choices that all fit the bill, not to mention my thighs. She clearly knew the different lines and styles, and made a typically frustrating task (finding jeans that fit) much more pleasurable. Ultimately, I bought two pairs, and am thrilled. I’ll be back!

I hadn’t been in to Mercer in years. I’ll admit, for a long time, I wasn’t the biggest fan. I found the service non– existent, the selection ‘not really my taste’ and the prices were through the roof.
I’m not sure what’s happened since then (if it’s me or the store– probably both), but I was quite happy to find a several items I liked in here the other night (at Nordstrom prices) and some great service to boot. One of the gals working was more than helpful and polite as I did my browsing.
Maybe I’m happy with my experience b/​c I ended up trying on just one pair of jeans, which I ended up purchasing because they fit perfectly. That never happens. Maybe I was having a good night, I dunno. One thing I do know is that THAT will probably never happen again.
At any rate, I got a great Michael Stars long sleeve knit cardigan and some stellar jeans that night and I’m pretty sure I’ll be adding Mercer back to my rotation of shops I’ll be frequenting.
The denim wall is better than I remember it being and they have a better selection of Hudson jeans (my favorite, besides the Old Navy ‘Diva’ fit– best jeans ever) than any other store I’ve been into in the Seattle area. If you’re ever in Soho, make sure you hit up Barney’s Co-​Op– now THAT is a Denim Wall… *tears up*
Can’t wait for the after Christmas sale. I’m sure it’ll be a good ‘un.

Mercer carries some brands I love (Juicy Couture’s mainline, Citizens), however I’ve never found their jeans in a 32 (or their dresses in a 10 or 12 for that matter), which is a standard size to order. I suspect that when their buyer purchases the size packs, they opt to not carry larger sizes in favor of carrying more smaller sizes, which is totally bogus.
The last time I was here, I had been in the store nearly twenty minutes and had over $ 1,500 worth of merchandise in my hands before anyone acknowledged me. That is totally insulting and I would never reward that sort of service with my money.

Since I am not a size 6 or below, I am pretty screwed in finding jeans here. But I love the layout of the store and the wonderful selection. For a while a few of the employees were former coworkers from the Nord, and they were always nothing but friendly with me. I wish I was richy poo, but I have a little too much Target/​Old Navy/​etc in my blood to afford it here.

The only reason Mercer is getting those stars is because of the denim bar.
Tops: Good selection of brands, but they have a serious lack of small sizes. They also get a lot of way-​too-​trendy pieces that, when I do see someone purchase them, I think FASHION VICTIM. Being a Banana girl myself, sometimes the selection turns me off on its lack of transition through seasons and simplicity.
Jeans: Great jeans bar. But really, some 23’s will come in handy. There are more than 1 small Asian girl out there with $ 200+ for their jeans, I swear.
Service: Horrible. Worse than Nordstrom’s Southcenter (and that’s saying something!) AND Macy’s combined (that’s really saying something!) The staff is trained to look for the Uvillage silicon-​happy moms with chihuahuas and help no one else. It’s too bad, because I’ve got the money and I’ve got the time…
Ambiance: Upscale, which is nice. Sometimes it’s too much. I’m also not a huge fan of the layout of the store. It seems totally disorganized to me. Also, the mannequins — WHO in the heck dresses those? I would rather die than wear some of the outfits I’ve seen them sporting.
So, coming from someone who’s well dressed (simple, but well dressed), I wouldn’t really recommend this store. There are other places (namely, Aritzia, Nordstrom, Banana) that will meet all your needs without the lack of customer service and trouble finding your size. Oh, and their return policy sucks.

Nothing compares to
(duh), but it’s nice to see and touch the clothes you’ve been eyeing online every once and a while. Mercer has a pretty decent selection of brands that I love, so it’s fun to browse through here and try some stuff on. If you need some help finding the perfect outfit or just need a second opinion, Sarah’s your girl ;)

Make my ass look lifted and my tummy little… please no muffin top and I will be super super happy :)… yeah… look at this selection.
frankie b., rock and republic, citizens for humanity… taverniti & co, I love it!!! the clothes are not that amazing, but the jean selection is pretty awesome!!! I love the u village and am pretty happy that they are opening up one in bell square!!! :) but I just wish that they had a better selection in the dresses and shirts. but hey… I love my frankie b.‘s they make me look even more mini!!! I love that… it just sucks that they don’t have a good return policy and that they don’t have an alterations person there… :(

If you’re in need to find those perfect pair (s) of denim jeans — Mercer is one of your better bets to find ‘em. They offer a huge array of great designers — much more updated than Barneys Coop (yet who knows with their new expansion and relocation). I’m always looking for a great deal — who’s not? Unfortunately, they don’t have the best markdowns (or any I’ve yet to see) but their buyers do a splendid job stocking their seasonal trends and classic pieces. And learn from my lesson that if you fall in love with something — better purchase it. I went back for a theory blouse later to learn it was sold and that the Theory store in SoHo never carried it. They’ve got the goods from: NU, Catherine Malandrino, DVF, Juicy, Tracy Reese, Hudson, Trina Turk, Rebecca Beeson, Nanette Lepore, Lacoste, Rebecca Taylor, you get the idea.