JCPenney

JC Penney is not a place I often frequent. In fact, in ten years of living on this side of Tampa I had only been in this store one previous time.
During my search for winter scarves and hats to use as a gag gift for Eric C’s farewell party a few weeks ago, I was directed to the JC Penney in Wesley Chapel at Wiregrass Mall. Sure enough they had an entire display of winter outerwear. I also happened to find a display of terrifically tacky and highly discounted Hawaiian shirts, so I filed that information away in case I ever need to look for outrageous costume ideas at affordable prices.
So this year I have been invited to a couple of Holiday parties where the theme is ugly Christmas sweaters, and I was pretty sure that JC Penney would be able to offer up some sartorial finery that I could use for my costume. Sure enough, they had an entire display of highly-​discounted, over-​the-​top Holiday sweaters and sweatshirts just ripe for the picking. (I’ll hold off on posting photos of this little gem until after the Holiday season, but I do have a picture of the Hawaiian shirt that we gave to Eric C.)
Within just a few minutes I had found the perfect sweater, and smiled with delight as it was half-​off the original asking price. Tacky goodness for an inexpensive price. SCORE!!!

I shall preface this review by saying I rarely shop at JC Penney. Last year I bought a watch on sale, and that is the only purchase I remember ever making from them.
I went this past Friday afternoon to take advantage of the convenient Sephora now located inside the store to return some items I had purchased from a free-​standing Sephora. I love that JC Penny is trying this approach to increase business and appeal to a wider audience.
After returning my unwanted goods, I wandered to the watch section. I was looking for a watch for my niece, and saw one behind a locked rotating tray that I thought she might like. An employee came over to help me, and then said «Just a minute, let me go get the key».
She walked over to the counter next to us, where a sales associate was also helping a customer. My sales associate proceeded to join in on THEIR conversation for about 5 minutes, until the other customer left. Both sales associates then left the watch/​jewelry counters and went directly into the back of the jewelry department, behind a closed door. After another few minutes with nobody re-​appearing, I left.
Seriously, JC Penney? With customer service like that, it’s going to take more than a Sephora to bring me back.