Talbots
Reviews and Complaints

So sorry the only category I could find is "complaint." I am writing to say that if I shop at the Talbots on OleanderSt. or in Mayfaire Shopping Center in Wilmington, NC, I am always delighted with the service the sales people give me. They are friendly, knowledgeable, and so helpful! I don't like to spend much time shopping, and the ladies' ability to efficiently help me find the perfect fit and look can't be underestimated. It is because of your excellent employees in addition to your products that I keep coming back and back and back. Mel Pitts

I made a purchase at this store: www.talbots.com.

After paying for the merchandise and paying for shipping I received the goods in Ottawa. A month later I received a bill for customs fees from FedEx which was the company handling the shipment. The FedEx bill was almost the same as the cost of the merchandise. The store also misreported the value of the shipment which inflated the fees.

When I contacted the customer service they refused to help dealing with any of this.
They responded saying that they were not responsible for shipping or for Canadian taxes.

My major complaint here is that the store advertises in Canada and has physical stores in Ontario. At no point during the online order process do they advise the customer that the items are not going to be shipped from Canada. There is no warning about import fees.

A company that has stores and presence in Ontario should not be allowed to operate like this. They should be transparent about the origin of their goods and they should be held accountable for misleading Canadians.

The appropriate resolution for this issue would be for Talbots to clarify the possibility of fees related to orders from Canada and to work with FedEx to pay for this outstanding bill.

Talbots at Ciconut Point Estero Florida is a terrible store and should be avoided; there are several others in the area! It's run by a rude woman who's more interested in telling you about how good she is rather than helping. Other people working in shop come and go and have no training...it's a shame because the shop is located in a great place! Something should be done and it's not just me...when I mention it to the shop at Bell Tower in Fort Myers they say everyone complains about that shop in Estero and something should be done...like a change of manager...she is just plain rude and unhelpful! I'll certainly never go back!
PS No help either...the customer does all the work!

I have had a "Talbot" credit card for many many years.

Talbots recently wanted updated information [through "Comenity"].

Comenity canceled my card with Talbots without asking for that "current" information.

Talbots felt so bad that they sent me a $100 credit and an apology.

I decided to "play the game" and re-apply for a Talbots card [initially forgetting that I put a freeze on my credit as a measure to protect my personal information, privacy, and credit rating which has always been between 750 and 800s plus !

Naturally, Comenity denied the card because my credit history info was locked.

I "unfrooze" my credit [at a lose of credit-protection] and reapplied for the Talbot card.

Comenity denied it on the second attempt due to having "a rule" that a person needs to wait 30 days to re-apply. They sent a notification [in the mail] only after going through the embarrassment of having a credit card denial in the store! !Do you think they might have said that in the beginning, ...no...so now as I wait for the 30 days "[censored]" [pardon my language] to pass as my credit is "unfrozen" and my personal credit /information is in jeopardy of having no protection!

All this is because "Talbots" will only give "special coupons and sale offers" if you have their credit card.

This is a good way to lose a lifelong customer!

I have been a Talbot's credit card holder since 1993 with no late payments or any issues. I used my card often both for orders from the catalogue and in the store. Today I received a letter from Comenity bank indicating my account was closed, it could not be reopened and I " could submit a new application". Upon immediately contacting the bank I was told my account was missing "some information" (even after being transferred 3 times, no one could tell me exactly what was missing from my 25+ year old account) and that the account was closed because they "could not contact me". I received no calls, previous letters or other communication before this closure letter, Obviously they had my address as I received this letter, I also mailed in my payments with checks that contained my address and I receive numerous items ordered by mail that have arrived at my home with no problem. It was clearly a lie to say they attempted to reach me prior to this letter. I want Talbot's to understand why, after all these years, I will no longer be shopping at their stores. Comenity is a nightmare with little regard for long term customers- recommend to all customers to stay far away from a Talbot's credit card- no regard for customer service and just plain rude.

I am a 40 plus years as a Talbots customer. I recently had a very difficult encounter with Synchrony Bank with regards to a late payment. Unfortunately, the problem was not resolved with them and I told them I would just pay the account in full and would have to close the account and terminate my years of loyalty to Talbots. Their response was that they would be more then happy to close the account for me. I was appalled to find out that in this day of such fierce competitive markets, anyone would be happy to lose a loyal customer. My local Talbots in Clarks Summit, PA is a great store full of happy and helpful employees and I always enjoyed heading in there for whatever I needed. I don't know if Talbots is aware of the rude and unprofessional way Synchrony is treating their patrons but I think they should perhaps review situations, such as this, to find a better way to address certain issues.

In the past 15 years I have spent thousands of dollars at Talbots. A few months ago I purchased several blouses, two of which did not live up to the quality I have come to expect from Talbots. After only a few wearings each, one blouse developed two holes in the fabric and the other blouse literally came apart at the seams. No biggie, I thought, since Talbots guarantees its products against "defects, " and these two blouses clearly were defective. Imagine my disappointment when Talbots refused to accept my return because the blouses had been worn! Does Talbots not make clothes to be worn? If Talbots' products are not guaranteed to last beyond a few wearings, then I will take my business and my cash elsewhere.

After waiting months for our new Talbots to open in Seal Beach, California; imagine the disappointment to learn that the decision was made not to carry "plus sizes". The Manager gave us the ridiculous excuse that they couldn't take South Coast's Plus size customers. She said Seal Beach had already taken 1/2 of their customers. The decision is nothing short of discrimination. The manager also told us we could order on-line. If we wanted to do that, we would not be in the store. Very, very unhappy with your decision.
Linda Gosztola

On November 24, 2017, I placed an order by telephone for A86749(M) and F90749 (9M). These items were for a party this upcoming Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. The date I called talbots had a 40 percent discount - the 50 percent discount had just ended. The final bill with the discount was approximately $180.00. I have been watching my bank account for withdrawal and nothing so far. I called today and was informed the dress was no longer available in my size. I no longer want the shoes. Needless to say, I am very disappointed.

I tried to purchase this item on Friday, Oct. 20 because the sign on the rack indicated it was 30% off. On checking out, I was told it was not discounted but they would hold it and I could return Monday (today) and it would be 30% off. After purchasing it today and being told it was 30% off. When I checked my receipt at home, I realized I was charged full price. I called the store and was told I had to purchase it with a Talbots card to get the discount (no clerk had mentioned this). I will return the item.
I would be glad to apply for the card, but I see no reason to give my social security number to get this. I have been advised that retailers have no reason to ask for this.
This experience has made me aware that your clerks need to be better trained.
This transaction was made at the Eastchase Talbots store in Montgomery, Alabama.

Where: Talbots Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
When: Monday, 16 October 2017

Today (Monday, 16October2017)I had a very bad experience at the Talbots store in Ridgewood, NJ.

Last Saturday I went to Talbots Ridgewood, NJ and asked if they could steam the coat ($539 – not exactly inexpensive) I bought at Talbots online to get rid of the folds. They said they will try since they have a small steamer. I left the coat there and said I will pick up on Monday.

I went to pick up today. They gave me the coat and I thanked them. On my way to the car, I noticed that the crease on the lapel was still there, the sleeves with the folds, then the belt which I put on the shoulder of the coat was where I put it and the crease on the belt was the same as when I brought it in. It was untouched!

I called the store as soon as I got home. An associate answered and she said the coat was steamed the same day I brought it in (really?). I said it looks like nothing was done on it – I mentioned all the creases. She called the Manager. Manager Debbie said she personally steamed it (really?). When I said that coat was exactly how I left it, that the belt was where I had put it, and all the creases were still there, she said because their steamer leaks she was afraid water drops would ruin the coat. So it turns out she did not steam it (the truth comes out). It was so obvious that the coat was untouched. Why say you steamed it? Why lie to a customer? Is it so hard to say that you did not touch it so as not to ruin a good coat? That would have been a perfectly valid reason.

Why send me out thinking the coat was steamed when it was not? That is fooling a customer! If the associate who gave it to me did not know, the Manager could have put a note on the coat to say you were unable to steam it because it might get ruined. WHY LIE?

You see, lying will just put you in trouble because the truth will eventually come out. Lesson for you guys: the truth always wins. It is always in your favor to tell the truth rather than lie. If ever you are to get the flak anyway, it better be from telling the truth.

Is this the culture at Talbots now? Is this what those young associates are learning from the manager – to lie? Unethical behavior is not the way to manage a store. I have patronized this store since we moved to Ridgewood in 1990 – spent a lot in this store through the years. This is a terrible disappointment. I will think twice in coming back to this store.

This coat will always remind of this terrible experience at Talbots Ridgewood, NJ. I will surely recount this experience whenever I can. This store now leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I have shopped at Talbots for years and have spent a quite a bit of money there over the years, including this year! The sales associates are plain rude when you are making returns though. Today I went in the Dewitt, NY store and when the sales associate saw I had a return, she did not saw hello, had a dirty look on her face, and did not talk to me the entire time or make eye contact. This is not the first time it happened at this particular store... it happens all the time ther. They are very helpful and cheery when you are buying something but rude and unprofessional when returns are made.

For the last 3 years I have been "Forced" to return item that I thought I purchased at a discounted price, only to find out after reviewing my receipts that I was charged the Full Price. When I went back to the store to have them adjust the price I was told "they couldn't do it" because the sale was over. So I had no choice but to return the items. I would have kept these item" IF" they were at the discounted price! I sent an email to Comenity Bank (the bank the Talbots credit Cards are through) and they "passed the buck" back onto Talbots. I know I'm not the Only One this happens to! If this has happened to you please find me on fb, this Screams Class Action LS. It's wrong Morally and Legally!

On 5/31/17 I entered the Talbots located in Sea Girt NJ to shop for some clothes for a woman who has developmental disabilities. She was with me in the store along with another woman who has disabilities as well. As we shopped, my arms started to become weighed down with clothing and it was difficult to continue shopping with my hands so full. There were at least 6 salespeople in your store and not one single person came over and asked if they could assist us with anything. I actually had to track down a salesperson to find out where the dressing rooms were to which her response was "under the arches". After we had picked out the clothing we wished to purchase we made our way to checkout. As I stood there with my arms full, again no one even bothered to look my way until I finally just laid the clothes on the counter. The salesperson was too busy telling me about her much needed vacation to ask about our shopping experience.
I frankly am both appalled and beyond frustrated over this entire experience. I am well aware that your brand is pricier than most other stores however to be treated as we were was completely unacceptable. Not once did I ask for any type of preferential treatment but to be clearly ignored was disheartening. I can assure you I will avoid your store and highly recommend the same to my friends and associates. Your representatives had absolutely no idea who we were but clearly we were not treated the same as your other guests. Perhaps another store will welcome the $540 we spent.

I have been a Talbots customer for less than two months. On March 25, 2017, I opened an account and charged a purchase of $87. A few weeks later, I received my first bill and paid it promptly in full. However, on April 27, 2017, Talbots slapped me with a $27 late fee, $1.16 In interest, and a threat to impose an additional late fee of $38.50.

In other words, they were trying to extort over 75% of the original purchase, made a month earlier, in fees!

I don't see how this practice could possibly be legal. I certainly do not think it is ethical. If it is legal, I think the relevant laws should be changed. If you have had similar experiences, I urge you to join me in demanding that consumers be treated fairly.

I have closed my account, returned my cards to Talbots, and posted negative reviews of both Talbots and Comenity Bank with the Better Business Bureau. (Comenity Bank Is already the recipient of a great many customer complaints because of the rapacious practices described above). I do not plan to support a business whose values are so different from my own.

Because Talbots' headquarters is in my home state of Massachusetts, I am also asking my local elected representative to investigate the legality of the fee structure they use for customers.

A desirable outcome? It would be nice to get back the $27 late fee I paid on a bill that I had already paid in full. What I would really like, however, would be proof that they have changed their behavior and that they will not prey on other customers in the same way.

I would like to share a recent experience I had while shopping online with Talbots and paying with my debit card. My debit card is backed by VISA so it is guaranteed. I purchased an item and also used a $25 rewards discount. The item shipped so I checked by bank account and found that a charge for $57.13, the actual price with the rewards discount, then another charge of $82.13 the price before the discount and then a credit of $57.13. So they debited my account $135.26 for a 57.13 purchase, credited back $57.13 but not the $25 rewards discount. The first call to customer service said that it was the banks fault that they don't have anything to do with it and that the bank likes to get interest off my money. My bank representative laughed when I told him and said call Talbots back, that was not how the bank operated. A second call to Talbots said that is how they process the rewards when you use a debit card. Lesson here is use a major credit card not your debit card or pay cash unless you want unauthorized charges on your bank statement that you have to track. Better yet spend your money elsewhere. I shop on line a lot and have never had this type of issue.

On two occasions, Ive encountered similar incidences. My first occurred at a Shreveport Louisiana location. My second occurred at the College Station Texas location.
Not one time did someone acknowledge my presence or offer assistance. Each garment I chose, I personally took to the fitting room. Twice, I had to redress to locate another size.
Disappointing!
I overheard the store manager in College Station tell her associate she was distracted and to stay focused. The same manager overcharged a customer who had returned to reconcile her overcharge!
Unprofessional!
I questioned the two associates in College Station of an upcoming 25% off spring sale. Neither could tell me when it begins.
Uninformed!
I'm not quite sure when and where the decline of personal service has failed. I'll never give up on Talbots, but Talbots must reaccess the value of the customer.

I have been a Talbots shopper and credit card holder for at least 10 YEARS! In January of 2016, I made a purchase using the Talbots card, which triggered a series of errors (on their part) which required me to call each and every month and talk to someone else, explain the whole story from the start, resulting in the representative acknowledging the error, crediting it, confirming my zero balance, and assuring me the problem was resolved for GOOD. The next month, like clockwork, I would receive another bill with another late charge on what should have been a ZERO balance, once again requiring me to use MY VALUABLE time to call them and go through the whole process again - this LITERALLY went on for most of 2016. In October of last year, I made two purchases and used my Talbots card, which had a zero balance. I elected to carry a balance and pay the minimum of $25 on my account. In January of 2017, I sent in my $25 payment, and when I received my current bill, was surprised to find a $25 late fee had been accessed, even though the last payment was received on time. In speaking with several customer service reps today and detailing THEIR series of errors over the last year, it was determined that I made a $25 payment, when I should have actually made a $27 payment to cover my last monthly payment - MY ERROR! I acknowledged the error and took responsibility for it, asking that they waive the $25 fee for my $2 short pay based on alllll of their numerous errors and waste of my time and they REFUSED TO DO IT! I am in shock - I will never step foot in a Talbots again and I plan to tell EVERYONE I KNOW how crappy Talbots treats their loyal customers - this is just TOOOOO MUCH!

BUYERS BEWARE! Spend your hard earned money elsewhere, where you will be appreciated!

I purchased a shirt online that was too small. I returned the shirt to my local store and they did not have the size that I needed. I then asked the clerk if she thought a nearby store had it and she reluctantly looked in the computer and said, "maybe." She never offered to call the other store and she seemed so put off by having even had to check the computer that I did not bother to ask her. This particular store has associates that never greet customers and they act like they are doing you a favor if they do anything. I am so tired of the attitudes of their associates. I have switched to Ann Taylor and I have had nothing, but
Wonderful shopping experiences there!

I just placed the order with you 012317TD73875. The attendant was very efficient, too efficient. No warmth as if I were at the customs or in a military office. I cannot believe Talbots train their representative that way. I was even tempted to hang up. But as I wanted to be more polite than her, I did not.

I just want your people to be more flexible and amiable.

I'm very disappointed.

Client number [protected]