Comments on: Talbots Closing All Stores

By: John

John — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:23:53 +0000

In my personal opinion Talbots was great and is now terrible. They made many stupid mistakes that led to thousands of people losing their jobs when they never should of. If Talbots had not bought J Jill those people would still be working in Hingham at their jobs. Also, if their new president hadn’t spent the million dollars to re-finish her office that would have been someone’s job that could still be working there. Talbots has drastically changed over the years and is not the business it used to be.

By: Jacqui Boch

Jacqui Boch — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:18:53 +0000

I am a long time and very happy customer of Talbot’s. The merchandise I purchase at Talbot’s is of the highest quality and last forever. I feel I get good value for the money I spend and the sales associates are always polite and helpful. I hope the stores in my area stay open..or at least I can still shop on line.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:35:08 +0000

I have a complete satisfaction with Talbot’s service to customers. I have purchased garments from Talbot’s for about fifteen years and love the clothing. I choose the garments which are suitable for my attire and occasion and size, and whether the garment state to wash, I still take them to the dry cleaner to keep the perfection of my talbot’s garment to stay in good condition. I have started realizing that if a women wants quality in her life, she has to be willing to accept the steps toward the goals as well by taking better care of the valued garments.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:25:27 +0000

Talbots stock is up 200% in 2 months because the management at the High Corporate Level right down to the Store Level thinks CUSTOMER FIRST. They had to change their exchange policy because it was one of the best in the world. People were taking advantage by bringing back product from months if not years ago after they used it and didn’t even wash it. They just kept the tag tucked or emptied their closet of items they never returned. People did this not because they were bad or not loyal but because of the bad economy. Talbots keep up the great work by bringing in up to date product and focusing on the smart business woman those that want to produce and succeed. Is that you ?

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:24:14 +0000

I have been in retail for over 30 years, both in stores and in the corporate offices. Listening to some of the Talbot employees discussing the generous return policy and how it was implemented because some people took advantage of it is sad. Talbot’s talks of its customer service but created a no exceptions return policy. So, let me see if I have this straight, the economy is down, return customers – their retail base – is told tough luck regardless of circumstance. That tells me a couple of things – 1) Talbots DOES NOT care about its customers; 2) Talbots does NOT trust its managers or customer service people to make intelligent decisions. I have now spoken to 3 people (including my wife) who feel insulted and “ripped off” all of which were not abusing a return policy. They will never shop their again. They will tell all their friends and co-workers their story and Talbots will lose more of their base. To the employees that have written that the return policy is more than generous – be happy you never worked for me, as I guarantee that you would not have been there long. Oh, and by the way, all of my stores made lots of money, all of my stores had people trying to abuse or steal from me and never would I have told someone at 91 days or 97 days with a receipt that they were out of luck. I look forward to your going out of business sale.

By: Disgusted with Jill

Disgusted with Jill — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:11:43 +0000

Let me just say that I sincerely hope J.Jill goes out of business along with Talbot’s. I just went to a J.Jill store this evening around 9pm to buy some summer clothes and was rudely barked at by an employee that the store was closing in 20 minutes. I made it a few more steps inside the store before another employee barked at me that they were closing in 20 minutes and tried to bully me out of the store. Then they started locking the front doors and doing everything possible to harass me out of the store. They’re open until 9:30….wtf? If they think I will spend $79 on linen capris in that environment they are CRAZY. Funny thing is, I made my way over to Banana Republic and they had no problem giving me excellent customer service at 9:20!

By: Disgusted with Jill

Disgusted with Jill — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:02:10 +0000

Hi, I just wanted to say that I sincerely hope J.Jill goes out of business. They are so overpriced, never have a decent sale (5%??) and the clothes are boring not to mention the alarming rudeness of their employees. It used to be a pleastant place to shop and their styles were comfortable yet progressive but now they are just old lady clothes and they have hired some new people that don’t understand the concept of customer service. In this economy I am not spending money in a store that is charging ridiculous prices for basic clothing and is serving it up with a heaping does of bad attitude.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:09:41 +0000

It think that Talbots is constantly getting worse, and the employees do not even recognize this problem because they refuse to take back the merchandise when it is defective. I purchased 3 pairs of pants and after 2 wearings there were threads hanging and hems coming out of 2 pairs making the pants look awful and cheap – they refused to let me return or exchange them since they had been worn. I will no longer be shopping there and hopefully they will learn how to treat their customers.

By: Rumored Closings Ruining Retailers | The Big Fat Marketing Blog

Rumored Closings Ruining Retailers | The Big Fat Marketing Blog — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:16:35 +0000

[...] shows that other recipients (like my mother-in-law) were gullible. Some irresponsible bloggers ran with the story. And worse, some mainstream media outlets like Forbes.com looked into and wrote articles about some [...]

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:37:39 +0000

I was not confusing Talbots with another store… I know Talbots and I know that I have paid top $$ for items and have been very unhappy with the longevity of my purchases… Nothing lasts. I want timeless pieces that can be worn and washed over and over… not a wear, wash, and give to Salvation Army… Obviously, I am not the only one that has issues with the clothing and the substandard textiles being used by Talbots. I spent $60 on a plain black shirt. Loved it… wore it two times, then washed in woolite and hung it dry…only to find threads unraveling…. loss of color, and a lot of piling. What is the point??? I have a shirt from Banana Rep. that I’ve had since 2002. The shirt is fabulous. The only reason there is a little hole in the sleeve is b/c my kitty caught his claw in it once… The talbots black shirt would’ve been long gone by now… I am no fool. I know my stores and the clothing is almost the same qual. as Target, but worse and again, overpriced. You do not “get what you pay for” at Talbots.

By: Dorothy

Dorothy — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:50:54 +0000

Everyone is talking about Talbots not going to close. Well the Talbots in Roosevelt Field, NY is closed. Maybe the media was correct. I will not be surprised if we don’t hear of more closings.

By: Denise

Denise — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:05:00 +0000

After recently going from store to store looking for jeans that fit, my 4′11″ 21-year old was giving up and I suggested Talbots. I knew their prices were higher but if that’s what it took to get one good-fitting pair of jeans we were willing to try it. I’m sure the staff knew the minute we walked through the door we weren’t their typical customer, but the lady that helped us was nicer than nice and she helped my daughter find a pair of size 2P jeans that fit her like a glove and she was thrilled. They were my gift to her and worth every penny. She will definitely go back there for more clothes and I’m very glad they are not closing – now that we just discovered them. In the future, my Christmas presents/birthday gifts to her will include Talbot gift cards.

By: amanda

amanda — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:19:40 +0000

We did not lay off 100 associate store managers, we layed off 25 and tryed very hard to find other positions for those managers. Times are hard for all retailers and corperations and are doing again what we can to stay above water. Spend some money and help all of our nation out. Karla I’m so sorry for your experiance.

By: Karla

Karla — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:51:36 +0000

So I went to my local Talbots (SLC) and yes the lady who has been helping me for 4 years, Kristen is gone. Laid off. Now you understand who corporate America is in trouble. They laid her off and kept another girl that always has a strange smell on her breath, mix of cigaretts, alcohol and breath mint.

I am a size 18 and hwile Talbots have not had any selection for the longest I always got good service form Kristen. What a shame.

By: Karla

Karla — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:29:04 +0000

Talbots laid off about 100 associate store managers on Thursday, January 29, 2009.

They are not going to make it, but are going through a slow death face out.

By: amanda

amanda — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:02:21 +0000

Right on Bonnie! I work for Talbots in fact I’m a manager. If we start to sway from our policy then everyone will want us to do the same. Why should there be a gray area? What kind of policy has a gray area? Three months and you can’t make up your mind? Really? This policy is so that we can make some profit from our merchandise. We DO want to stay in business.

By: B Smith

B Smith — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:27:27 +0000

I am sorry that a small number of you have had a bad experience at Talbots. I must admit that I LOVE Talbots.
It is the one store that recognises that all women’s bodies are not created equal. I am one of those women who wear a plus on the top and misses 12 on the bottom. I can find great comfortably casual and fantastic professional wear at Talbot’s. I have never been disappointed and have never had a problem with returns or exchanges. This store is fantastic and I hope they never ever go out of business.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:27:09 +0000

To Jill and Susan! Talbots has a very reasonable return policy…try returning at other store after even 60 days and see what happens! Talbots is more than generous and why did you wait so long to return it?? Even if it was purchased October 1st, you still had a week to take it back..Please? The employees are not rude they just told you something you didn’t want to hear!

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:02:24 +0000

I had the same experience as Susan. When I tried to EXCHANGE a gift that I received from my parents (which had been ordered from a holiday catalog in October) I was informed of the 90 day policy. My mom had not been made aware when she placed the order either. All I needed to do was exchange for something that fit so that the money my parents spent would not go to waste. I called the company to see if they could help me but they clung to their “no exceptions” policy. After being thoroughly embarrassed in the store and then insulted on the phone I had to disappoint my mom who had wanted me to have something nice from Talbots for Christmas. This was a small sale and we are not huge customers but it was a great disappointment for me and my mom since this was the only gift she purchased for me. I understand abuse of retail stores. I used to be an assistant manager in a store in the mall so I saw the worst. However, at Christmas time “policy” should be more forgiving to accommodate exchanges for honest customers. (For example, I would have been willing to take a markdown price even though I had the receipt.) No store should be so inflexible to say “no exceptions”. If they wanted to, they could have helped. Now they have lost two (small and insignificant) customers. But, I will share my experience any chance I get.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:05:15 +0000

Talbots has been my favorite place to shop for years. I never had a problem with the clothes and the stores I’ve purchase items from are always very organized and very well kept. I enjoy the friendly atmosphere. I have invested a lot of money in clothing at the stores. I hope Talbots says in business. I don’t want to shop anywhere else.

By: Blackfoot

Blackfoot — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:25:11 +0000

Talbots has been forced to change their return policy because of returns abusers, and it does suck ass that that happened to you, Susan. We’ve been given strict orders not to deviate from the new return policy. Its a shame that the policy had to change, but there were people specifically buying dirt cheap outlet items from the catalog, and bringing them back to their local store and getting full price back. There were sooo many people doing this, over and over again.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:07:19 +0000

I was a loyal customer of Talbots….until today. I tried to exchange a sweater today that I purchased for my mother for Christmas and the manager would not allow it since it was 1 day past their 90 day policy. None of the employees there were regulars and the original employee that serviced me would not even go get the manager, she just pointed in the direction of another register. It did not seem like a company trying to “reconnect with their core customer in a difficult retail environment.” I spend thousands of dollars a year at Talbots updating my wardrobe and if the manager allowed me to exchange my mother’s sweater I most likely would have found a couple things for myself. Instead, everytime I look at the sweater, I will remember the unfriendly employees at Talbots. The last time I had an unfriendly experience in a retail environment was right before Linens & Things filed for bankrupcy. Perhaps the person posting this site has insider information. At this point, I really do not care, I am taking my business somewhere else.

By: Garry

Garry — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:29:12 +0000

E-mails such as this surfaced in the Fall of 2007. Everything is totally incorrect. Talbots and J.Jill are not closing their stores. Now clean up your act. Apologize to Talbots and J. Jill and do so quickly. Get your act together and only report factual news, not junk news like this. Legal action should be pursued by Talbots and J. Jill against this site. Perhaps you should put a header at the top of your Website with a flashing apology to Talbots and J. Jill. This just proves not everything on the web is correct. Yours is the lowest of the lowest.

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:59:15 +0000

In addition to the closing of Kid’s/Men’s lines in 2008, Talbots also intends to sell off the J. Jill Division. These are steps the company announced publicly as necessary to focus on the core missy, petite, and woman lines.

Talbots has been around since 1947, and in many of those years, new stores have been added to fanfare while under performing stores have been shuttered or relocated. This is a good strategy that is not new and should not change.

Overall, Talbots has taken several overt measures to reconnect with their core customer in a very difficult retail environment. Talbots has been open with investors and customers as well. This is the professional and right way to do business. It does not support the conspiracy theorists who point to isolated bits of information to create a sky-is-falling scare.

The article at the top of this page is not professional. Lack of research and the unfounded suggestion of impending doom for a solvent retailer have resulted in a doom and gloom article that is inaccurate and not worthy to be called journalism.

This article should be retracted with an apology for the harm it has caused to customers and share holders in the venerable Talbots brand. Because most people will not read all these comments, the false headline alone does its damage, impacting sales and stock prices.

I can’t believe Talbots hasn’t pursued legal action against this site.

By: Whatevah

Whatevah — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:26:50 +0000

Joe, you are an idiot. I don’t know what section of the website you are or are not viewing, but it very plainly displays “Find a Talbots store” on the homepage.

By: Pam Bissell

Pam Bissell — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:54:54 +0000

I was upset that Talbots may close. However, lately they have been looking a little too old for professional women. I am a 50 year old Director of Sales and everytime I purchase clothing that has a tag that says “made in China” I simply do not purchase it. The clothes made in China are crap and fall apart no matter where you get them. I have taken back several items that bead up or just do not hold up well at all. So I guess I will have to find another place to buy my clothes when they close. Even the employees have told me not to buy the ones that say made in China. I have spent several thousands in Talbots. Maybe a new buyer would benefit and save the company.

By: Pam

Pam — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:59:50 +0000

Thank goodness Talbots is NOT closing. I went into a short depression. Ha. It’s where I buy all my clothes. I am short and the clothes are the right length. I can always find the shoes there too. From dressy to casual, to business chic. They’ve got it all…It’s a one stop shop.
The service is wonderful as in mature sales clerks who care and help. I don’t know what “Kim” is talking about when she runs down Talbots. She must have confused them with another store.

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 23:51:57 +0000

There was a story on the national news about Talbots closing stores tonight, but I couldn’t hear it all. However, I do notice that there no longer seems to be a “stores” section on their website…

By: John

John — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:25:54 +0000

My wife shops at Talbots and I was surprised when she recently received a discount card in the mail just about Christmas time. Why would they send out discount cards when they supposedly closed before Christmas?

By: Elizabeth C

Elizabeth C — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:57:02 +0000

The Talbots store near my house just closed. I was in there a few days ago and some stuff was marked down but at least half the merchandise wasn’t even on sale. I would also bet the associates knew nothing about it.