Can someone explain what the heck Jcpenney is apologizing for?

[minniecarousel]

I was in there today with my $10 off a $25 purchase. The clothes in my size were so old-lady-looking (like the stuff my Mom would order on-line, not JCP). I usually shop at Chico's, Coldwater Creek and Macy's. I tried on a few things, after asking a clerk where I could try them on. She pointed to a fitting room and I told her there were alrready 3 women waiting there (I knew there was a closed fitting room behind me). She let me use the empty room.

I almost left without using that lovely coupon, but I saw a Sharks long-sleeved thermal marked $25, so I got it for $15 plus tax.

I won't be back.

 

[mhsjax]

I seem to be the opposite here. I NEVER go to JC Penney. Hate the store with a passion. My DD needed a dress for a banquet and dance at school. We saw a friend pulling into their parking lot so we followed them inside. My DD found a dress within 5 minutes, great price and it fit. We looked around and both remarked that we saw so much that we liked in the store, and in the past we could wander around for an hour and not find one decent thing. Unlike others I saw stuff that isn't old lady looking , or totally trashy looking for my DD, plus it was easier to navigate, before it looked like people cam in and literally crammed everything they could into one store. Total mess and ugly .

I actually like the store now much better than what it was, which was total crap IMHO.

 

[happygirl]

Is Ellen still going to be there spokesperson

 

[snapppyd]

I went to JCP a couple of weeks ago to look for some summer clothes. I'm in my '50's, don't want to dress like an old lady. BUT, everything I saw looked like it was for a 14 year old.

Then I went to the Macy's in the same mall (Toms River, NJ). OMG, that was worse! It was like Kohl's - all different racks with 50% or 60% off - it looked like a bargain basement store. I noticed it was the same poor quality as Kohl's but with different labels.

I don't know where to shop anymore

 

[HM]

Count me and my 17yrDD as being among those that liked it when they changed the store to no coupon and better daily prices. We don't shop all that much, so we only stepped in there a couple of times, but did find some things we liked and bought because of the prices. It's much easier for the 'non-shopper' to deal with that kind of store, knowing the prices aren't going to come down next week and you don't need to have a coupon. You can pick up something without 'working' for it. I'm sorry they changed back.

 

[MrsDuck]

I'm in the minority, I guess - I LOVE the new JCP and hate the old one. I never used to shop there but I love the Mango, Joe Fresh, JCP, L'Amour, etc. sections and whole dollar pricing. REALLY hope that they don't lose those brands and go back to the ugly, old lady clothes from before...

Everything at my JCP is organized, looks modern and sleek, and checkout is easy. Maybe it's just a difference in stores?

 

[bdcp]

I occasionally shop there and their merchandise has become so "cheap" with the changes they had made. I have bought nothing there since the change. I don't mind the way the store looks, but bring back more name brands please. Personally, I think Target has better quality clothing than JCP right now.

 

[aristocatz]

i think the apology commercial is lame, reminds me of the netfix mess. and it leaves me trying to figure out what i am not "seeing" because i liked the pre apology jcpenney changes.

At least they apologized which I don't recall Netflix doing for their awful decision making......although Netflix has majorly redeemed themselves with their Disney streaming videos contract & that new online series.

I was never a big JCP shopper, though I did start shopping there a bit when Ellen G. was their spokesperson, as a way to support them when that awful group OMM's was after them.

I think it is a bold move to apologize for their poor choice making. I feel, if they want to really get people back into their stores though, they need to do some sort of big promotion or sweepstakes or something. My DH & I were talking last night that they should do something similar to WDW's YOAMD, where random customers win various prizes when they get run up at the cash register-from little things like coupons or small JCP gift cards to a few bigger prizes. Run the promotion for a month & I'd bet they might see more customers

 

[Ruthiesmama]

Netflix sent an email that basically said "we were idiots". It was when they changed the name of the DVD service and made it separate for a minute. They didn't do any ads with apologies that I recall.

About the only time I shop at JC Penneys is at Christmas time if I see something in the ad. I used to buy my daughter clothes there when she wore 6x and below but after 6x the clothes weren't as cute and I could get better deals and quality elsewhere. I also never find anything for me in there- the style just isn't what I like. I never went in during the time period of the changes though. I do enjoy Sephora being in there but it's not enough to bring me into the store.

 

[ez]

I have to put a plug in here for Ross. I am 50 and I find amazing dresses that I am always getting compliments on, for under 10 bucks. Seems crazy. Very cute clothes that dont look like youre trying to be 14 but dont make you look like grandma either. The secret to Ross is you have to go in there a lot and be happy leaving empty handed. If you find something it will be the only one they have. It is right next to the grocery store I go to so I pop in there all the time. I have also gotten decorative stuff and bed stuff in there. Really cannot rave enough about it, feels so good to be getting compliments on my "look" again!!!!

 

[North of Mouse]

I see from some of the posts that there are a few people who like the 'new' Penneys (but not enough). The majority of people don't (I'm one). That's the reason for their 'near' downfall. It's going to be a while before they win me back - if ever.

Someone mentioned Ross. I, too, find some good buys there occasionally, also TJMaxx, and Marshalls.

 

[Pigeon]

I seem to be the opposite here. I NEVER go to JC Penney. Hate the store with a passion. My DD needed a dress for a banquet and dance at school. We saw a friend pulling into their parking lot so we followed them inside. My DD found a dress within 5 minutes, great price and it fit. We looked around and both remarked that we saw so much that we liked in the store, and in the past we could wander around for an hour and not find one decent thing. Unlike others I saw stuff that isn't old lady looking , or totally trashy looking for my DD, plus it was easier to navigate, before it looked like people cam in and literally crammed everything they could into one store. Total mess and ugly .

I actually like the store now much better than what it was, which was total crap IMHO.

Last month, we went in with my teen girls looking for a prom dress and nicer dresses to wear to a wedding. JCP used to be our go-to place for dressy dresses. First of all, they now have about 10% of the clothing they used to have, so there's not much to choose from.

The few dresses that were there were so fugly that my kids were incredulous. Most of them looked like somebody had taken a bunch of those shower puffs made out of nylon netting and sewn them together. In hideous colors. We all had a good laugh and then left.

 

[JennyKS]

I've been buying baby clothes at JCP as I find them cheaper than Macys and Kohls. Granted its been 8 years since I've had to buy baby clothes so I'm not up on the current prices but here is an example. Same carters swimsuit size 3 to 6 months:

JCP - $20.00
Macys - $34.00 on sale right now for $16.99
Kohls - $34.00 on sale right now for $20.40

 

[Plaid Sheep]

What is chi chi clothing?

Ha! I'm reading the replies after mine and its like JCP has a multiple personality disorder!! Up by me there are several JCP's and even though they are all remodeled kinda the same way (cross between an IKEA and a void of emptiness) the selection of clothes seems to be different.

Chi chi clothing to me is a higher end, couture Bergdorf/Nordstrom kids please don't touch mommy kind of clothes.

Now this is the way I felt about it. Before it was middle of the road... stuff I would wear to work, wear to a PTO meeting, jazz it up for a date night, stuff to wear for everyday and didn't fall a part after a wash. It wasn't 20 something or old ladyish.. it was appropriate for a late 30 early 40 mom of two who wanted to look fab at a good price.

Now... I can't find anything... the material feels odd... depending on the store its for the older set or the 20 somethings.. it's not much for the middle... it's just chi chi.. and not me.... and i'm sad.

 

[FlyingBelle]

Wow, I guess I'm in the minority. I never found anything in the "old Pennys" that I liked. The Plus size area was all for more "mature" ladies. (I'm in my early 40's but like to be somewhat trendy).

I guess I'm one of the few that shopped MORE since the change. I found many clothes that I really liked and the prices were very reasonable. I'm actually disappointed to hear they are changing back.

I typically shop Macys and Kohls, and found it was a nice alternative because Pennys had clothes that I couldn't find at other department stores.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

The only time we seem to go in JCP is when DD17 needs a prom dress. She's very tiny, so she prefers short dresses to gowns, and doesn't want anything too fancy--just not her style. She did find a dress that she liked there, and the price was fine ($45, I think). But I'll tell you, you really had to look to find something cute--some of the dresses were just weird--funny cuts, a lot of tulle, etc. And I sew--costumes, mostly. I'm not a professional seamstress or anything. Let me tell you, the quality of those dresses was pretty poor. I saw lots of unfinished seams and poor construction. It wasn't an issue in our case--DD isn't a big "prom" girl, she just wants to have fun, but if it were a BIG DEAL occasion for her, I would spend more for a higher quality dress than I saw there.

We have a Kohl's opening across the street from JCP in Sept., it'll be interesting to see how that compares.

 

[Pigeon]

Wow, I guess I'm in the minority. I never found anything in the "old Pennys" that I liked. The Plus size area was all for more "mature" ladies. (I'm in my early 40's but like to be somewhat trendy).

I guess I'm one of the few that shopped MORE since the change. I found many clothes that I really liked and the prices were very reasonable. I'm actually disappointed to hear they are changing back.

I typically shop Macys and Kohls, and found it was a nice alternative because Pennys had clothes that I couldn't find at other department stores.

Since the "new" JCP transition, our stores have all but done away with the plus size area. They carry no dresses at all and a tiny fraction of what they used to have. Any queries are met with the suggestion to just order everything online. Umm, no, is there any reason to think that people who take plus sizes are going to love everything they order, while women who take a size six are assumed to want to try their clothes on before buying?

Dh also takes tall sizes. I used to buy nearly all his clothes at JCP, but again, they've stopped carrying most of them in the store.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I saw that commercial last night during Americal Idol. I thought it was hilarious. "OMG please come back!"

We used to like Penney's. My aunt had the coupons down to a science. Now, I can't find anything I like-I'm 45, I don't want to wear florescent skinny jeans, especially since I'm a plus size. Speaking of plus sizes, all they had were either dressy clothes or Godawful tops with butterflies or kittens on them. What, if you're a bigger gal you have no taste? This happens in a lot of places, not just Penney's, but they became one of the worst offenders, when they had + clothing at all.

I'll probably give them one more shot since they sounded so desperate on the ad.

 

[mhsjax]

I'm in the minority, I guess - I LOVE the new JCP and hate the old one. I never used to shop there but I love the Mango, Joe Fresh, JCP, L'Amour, etc. sections and whole dollar pricing. REALLY hope that they don't lose those brands and go back to the ugly, old lady clothes from before...

Everything at my JCP is organized, looks modern and sleek, and checkout is easy. Maybe it's just a difference in stores?

Exactly. Sound like you and I must have the same JCP. Clothes were hideous before, now they are cute and much more age appropriate in all age groups.

 

[mhsjax]

Last month, we went in with my teen girls looking for a prom dress and nicer dresses to wear to a wedding. JCP used to be our go-to place for dressy dresses. First of all, they now have about 10% of the clothing they used to have, so there's not much to choose from.

The few dresses that were there were so fugly that my kids were incredulous. Most of them looked like somebody had taken a bunch of those shower puffs made out of nylon netting and sewn them together. In hideous colors. We all had a good laugh and then left.

Well as I said, we have had the exact opposite, and I can't tell you haw many compliments my DD had on her dress last night. Now, this wasn't a prom dress, it was a dress to wear to a banquet and 8th grade formal. some glitz but not too much, everyone raved about her dress. Oh not not one bit of "netting" on her dress at all.


I would never have purchased a dress there before, I tried, looked like a bomb went off with nothing but trashy looking clothes left behind. Who knows, but I can tell you that ours is MUCH nicer now, and without all that street walker looking teen stuff.

Like another poster said, hers had ugly old lady clothes ours did too, and trampy teen stuff. Maybe some of the buyers are different. I know that I can go into some of the the stores up in SC where I have relatives, and they have totally different stuff than we do down here.