Please explain Kohl's to me

[mrsklamc]

What I like about Kohls is that their prices seem mostly reasonable to me (with the $ I make) and their sales can be really excellent. Here in CA, I'm regularly seeing sale signs all over the store and not just lame ones like 10 or 20%, but 50%, 60%!

That and their brand new rewards program which they just started out here at my local store last week or so...I think the staff person explained you get one point per dollar spent and when you reach 100 points you get an extra discount or something. Also they have Kohl's Cash sometimes, which is, I think, $10 back for every $50 spent? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Also they keep sending me those "$10 off a purchase of $10 or more", so basically if you find something (or a couple small things) that only total $10, it's free! I'll go there to get socks or earrings or a kitchen gadget and it costs just pennies!

Plus if you have kids, they always have those books right up front for $5 apiece (and sometimes plush toys too, themed for the books)...heck, just walk in and get a couple of books for your kids (or in my case, my sister & her husband's unborn twins...auntie is going to get them two Curious George books this weekend for FREE! haha!).

I'm not a huge fan of their clothes...I've found a few things in women's, but their style is generally not what I like. Generally the things seem to be nice quality. As for the OP's comparison to Target, the quality seems better to me at Kohls in general and there is more variety since they don't sell much in the way of electronics, toys and they sell no food).

Also their return policy is good. I've bought a bunch of stuff there, but any time I have a return they do it promptly and never give me any grief.

The only two things I don't like about Kohl's are that everything seems to be made in China and also I can't stand that irritating voice saying "The more you know, the more you Kohl's!" UGH! I was an English major so the bad grammar there just kills me. "Kohl's" is not a verb! It's a noun!

Just FYI- Curious George is all gone around here. It's Peanuts now. (This mommy to be meant to buy CG and missed out.)

 

[twinnersmama]

Love Kohls !!
But you have to have their CC to get the % off coupons.
The closest Kohls to us is 1/2 hour away ... so when I get the 30% off coupons, I definitely make the trip. The clearance racks are the best.
Decent athletic shoes

I got a dyson sweeper (plus a ton of other stuff) on black Friday last year for an insane price. It was on sale plus had % off, plus had $10 off promo.

My favorite thing about Kohls is their % off coupons are good on everything ... clearance, sales ... everything. Most other stores have a list of exclusions as long as the coupon.

 

[North of Mouse]

Okay, I probably sound like a moron, but I see people getting all jazzed about Kohl's on these boards. I never paid much attention, since there wasn't one around. Well, we just got one--opened Sunday, with the Grand Opening this coming Sunday, and I got a flyer in the mail with extra discounts. It looked like just another department store to me--high regular prices, decent discounts, bounce-back offers, etc.

So, please educate me--am I missing something? Are they just another JC Penney--which is right across the street, I've shopped there maybe 4 times in the 5 years we've lived here? What do they offer that I can't find in Target?

Thank you in advance. And I'm not slamming them at all, just trying to understand if they're worth a look.

Kohls is just a 'middle of the road' department store with hyped prices. Their 50% off prices are closer to the 'real' prices. They do 'lots' of advertising, but I don't find a lot of 'quality' stuff there. Occasionally with sales and % off coupons I have actually gotten something I needed at a very good price, but it is very seldom.
Shopping there you just have to be aware of their 'gimmicks'.

 

[soccerchick]

I like Kohls for several things:

Brand names like Levis, Lee, Nike, Adidas and Carters are available without going to the mall. I don't think they carry Osh Kosh any more. I did very well with them when my kids were younger. I buy clearance/coupons, etc.

Little kids toys - I'd buy Fisher Price and Little Tykes for much better prices than TRU.

Now I love their online sports fan section. I can buy all kinds of Nats, VT, UF, Redskins, Caps, stuff that my family likes, get 30% off sale prices and free shipping.

Like most companies, their brand stuff isn't as good as name brand IMO (shirts shrink, fit just isn't as nice as higher brand items).

For a while, I could use expired Kohls cash at my store (store manager told me so herself). Haven't tried it in a while, so not sure if that has changed. I tend to NOT use my Kohls cash b/c inevitably something will get returned and I just don't want to mess with it.

That said, the store I frequent is close, clean, and has wonderful, friendly employees, many of whom have worked there for years.

 

[crisi]

Kohls is just a 'middle of the road' department store with hyped prices. Their 50% off prices are closer to the 'real' prices. They do 'lots' of advertising, but I don't find a lot of 'quality' stuff there. Occasionally with sales and % off coupons I have actually gotten something I needed at a very good price, but it is very seldom.
Shopping there you just have to be aware of their 'gimmicks'.

To some extent they are perfect for certain things because of the lack of quality. That can be great for trendy wear once items - looking for a dress to wear to a wedding - give Kohls a try. Need a necklace to update a black turtleneck, see what is on sale at Kohls.

Shopping sales, they are fine for brand names - Dockers are Dockers. Nike's are Nike's. But you'll have to shop the sales. If you are a low price every day brand name shopper, that is Penny's current failing business model. (or was, they are thrashing through business models faster than Elizabeth Taylor went through husbands).

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Okay, I actually went to the "grand opening" today, because I had a $10 coupon that wasn't good until today.

It looked like a typical dept. store to me. The "original" prices did seem quite high. At least in this new store, the price tags were on computer-type LCD screens--probably for ease of changing the prices. There was a lot of stuff on sale, but I ended up buying nothing. I was specifically looking for cargo pants for D, they didn't have his exact size, but did in other pants. I might check back, see if it was just bad luck on that.

I will probably add it to my roster of stores to casually visit/check flyers on, but I don't see me becoming a regular shopper. And they snagged me right inside the door to get a cc--I opted not to, didn't know if I'd buy anything, but I'll likely get one when I do actually make a purchase.

 

[SEA333]

They definitely have good sales at times and I do love the Kohl's cash and 30% coupons! I but a lot of things for my 2 yr old daughter there. They sell some good quality brands there like Carters and Oshkosh for kids, Nike and Adidas shoes, etc. And, you can't beat their return policy. Pretty much no questions asked and no time limit. So to pp who said clothes fell apart after one wash, I would recommend returning them.

That was me, and I would return the clothes if it wasn't such a hassle to get and park at the Kohl's closest to me. I would rather just buy clothes from Target - at least if I buy a $6.00 shirt, I know what I am getting....a $6.00 shirt that will last a year.

IMO, Sears is the most underrated Department Store there is - the sales are AWESOME, and they carry name brands in clothing and shoes. We routinely get Nike, Adidas,and New Balance shoes there for under $40. I'd rather shop in the quiet, serene, nobody - around Sears than the crazy frenzy of Kohls anytime!