Why is Abercrombie/Hollister so LOUD??

[RUDisney]

Hollister is the worst for loud music. I tell my daughter that they're nuts for playing their music that loud. The parents have the money yet they are driving them out of the store.

We were at Abercrombie one day and a young man was working there. My husband asked him how he could stand the smell of the perfume all day. He said the perfume comes down from the ceiling (scent sprayers). It took him awhile to get used to it. FWIW, my daughter thinks it smells great.

I get a kick out of how teenagers think Axe smells good, too. Blech!

I boycotted these stores a long time ago. If I can't hear what I'm asking the clerk, how can the clerk hear me?

 

[tlbwriter]

well, that and to remind you that, if you think it's too loud, you are too old to be shopping in that store!

Apparently my 11 year old is too old to shop there, because she hates the music too!

 

[karenos]

This is really more of a vent than anything....

My daughter, 14, needed new clothes. I walked into Abercrombie AND Hollister and I thought I was going to DIE! Why do those stores have to turn up the music so loud? It made me want to make a mad dash to get what I needed and leave. Not the nice, relaxing shopping trip I was expecting.

What do you guys think? Are there any stores in particular that just drive you NUTS?!

I think it is so loud so I will rush right out the store and not pay attention to the $&^% high prices I am paying for their clothes. Now another question: Why is it so dark? You shouldn't need a flashlight to go shopping....

karenos

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Because you're old?

(me too).

This reminds me of a road trip we took when I was younger. I was driving my new Firebird, my sister was in the front beside me & my mom was in the back. We were headed to my grandparents house about five hours away. So as the songs got better, the music got louder and finally my mom couldn't take it anymore. She said "turn that music down! It's to loud!!" She had literally just said it when the DJ on the radio came on and said "If it's toooo loud, you're toooo old!!". We cracked up laughing, and really couldn't stop the entire day. We still laugh about it to this day.

As for the stores, I agree that it's loud in there, but it's also to dark and sometimes the smell is overwhelming. My kids love it though.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I agree about the music and the smells at those places. I was a kid once, and I know I was suckered into having my parents shell out money for crap, but I had to laugh at the Seinfeld reference by a PP. I guess it is true about dim lighting.

We're bracing ourselves for the Holiday shopping season, too. Last year Abercrombie had 2 shirtless gentlemen and 1 girl, in her underwear, greeting customers at the entrance. I'm not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but I thought it was a bit over the top.

 

[4nana]

I occasionally shop at Hollister for my DGS's. We refer to it as 'the cave' as ours is so dark and dreary . By the time I finish shopping there , my ole' ears are in shock and I walk around the mall smelling like Hollister cologne.

 

[Traveliz]

I believe their standard is the music is to be "uncomfortably loud." I can't stand it.

Liz

 

[cheerful chickadee]

I'm more annoyed by the darkness in those stores. My ds is 14 and into Hollister but everytime we go in there I mess with him by putting my hands out in front of me and calling his name as if I can't see him because it's so dark. He will be annoyed and say "I'm right here, mom" and I'll say "step into one of the spotlights, I can't see youuuuu!". He is so embarassed by it and I of course think it's hilarious lol

I agree with abercrombie's perfume, it gives me an instant headache just walking by the exterior of the store.

 

[RadioNate]

Even worse is the stench. It is so thick it's disgusting! Luckily my DD has outgrown those stores. Unfortunately DS is just started to get interested in them.

No kidding. I had a friend who worked there and she said before they opened they just walked around spraying all the clothes with the "scents." It is loud and reeks just walking outside of the store. I refuse to go in.

In fact, the one time I did go in it was to buy a gift card for our babysitter. I walked up to a register where 3 people were working only to be completely ignored. After a shopper with clothing approached & paid, I tried again to get the gift card only to be told I needed to go to another register. I left.

If and when my DS is into it, the only way I'll buy their stuff is online. Just walking past is migraine inducing.

I worked at the Disney Store one year and our holiday store room was next to Abercrombie. If you were working in there all you could hear was the THUMP THUMP THUMP.

It obviously works or they wouldn't do it...I'm just shocked it works!

 

[SpecialK]

Abercrombie pumps the scent through their vent system. (My sister complained to corporate about it once and learned that in their response.)

And you don't have to worry about your kids wanting to apply to work there - you have to be "invited" to join the sales staff. I am so happy my sons decided it was just too expensive to shop there.

 

[MichelleVW]

I'm so glad that my girls don't like their clothes. I hate shopping anyway and no way do I want to be in a smelly loud store.

 

[Disney Ella]

Abercrombie pumps the scent through their vent system. (My sister complained to corporate about it once and learned that in their response.)

I complained to corporate once too, but I never got a response. The mall did respond and said it was part of Hollister/Abercrombie's "corporate mandate" and they could do nothing about it. I never go in the store, but the cologne/perfume is so strong that you can smell it just walking through the mall. I must have walked by one day when they just sprayed and it set off an asthma attack. If they can keep the smell in their store only, that would be great, since I never go in the stores. But why should other mall shoppers who don't even shop at those stores have to suffer?

 

[2Kds2K9]

I've actually complained to Hollister Corporate TWICE. The first was when I went in to get a gift card. All the available cards had half nude boys/girls on them. I refused to buy one for a girl 13. Was told by the sales clerk I could go online and get a plain card. I told her I could go to another store all together and get another gift card.

The second time I complained was when I sat there for 20 minutes watching a male employee grope a female employee. She looked uncomfortable about the whole thing. I was amazed it was going on. Told corporate they needed to remove the male unless they wanted a sexual harassment suit.

I've not gone back since. I'm big on voting with my dollars. I WILL NOT support Hollister or Abercrombie. Have you seen the latest Abercrombie ads? They are naked models with clothes held over their privates IF my DD14 goes in there, she is either spending her own money or using a gift card bought by someone else. I refuse to walk into either store.

I'm no prude my any stretch of the imagination, but I don't think the sex ads need to be drilled into teens.

Also, they have got to be the cheapest made closthes on earth while costing a small fortune. I've seen much better quality at Wal-Mart!

It would be nice if everyone who had a problem with these stores would just stop patronizing them. Maybe they'd get the message.

 

[punkin]

I've actually complained to Hollister Corporate TWICE. The first was when I went in to get a gift card. All the available cards had half nude boys/girls on them. I refused to buy one for a girl 13. Was told by the sales clerk I could go online and get a plain card. I told her I could go to another store all together and get another gift card.

The second time I complained was when I sat there for 20 minutes watching a male employee grope a female employee. She looked uncomfortable about the whole thing. I was amazed it was going on. Told corporate they needed to remove the male unless they wanted a sexual harassment suit.

I've not gone back since. I'm big on voting with my dollars. I WILL NOT support Hollister or Abercrombie. Have you seen the latest Abercrombie ads? They are naked models with clothes held over their privates IF my DD14 goes in there, she is either spending her own money or using a gift card bought by someone else. I refuse to walk into either store.

I'm no prude my any stretch of the imagination, but I don't think the sex ads need to be drilled into teens.

Also, they have got to be the cheapest made closthes on earth while costing a small fortune. I've seen much better quality at Wal-Mart!

It would be nice if everyone who had a problem with these stores would just stop patronizing them. Maybe they'd get the message.

I have to laugh. I told DD12 the other day that Abercrombie's bags are better made than their clothes.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I so totally agree. I went into those stores last year for the first time when DD was 13. I walked in and out. I will not shop there (dd14 is ok with that), it is way to loud and way to dark! I want to see the color of the clothes I am buying. It is insane. I will stick to Kohl's, Penny's and Aero!

 

[Elmo9607]

I flat out-refuse to shop at Abercrombie, since they don't have clothes that accomodate my size. (which, btw, is a pant size 14 and a shirt size large) Their extra large shirts are tight on me. So basically, as soon as you get hips and a butt and heaven forbid you "grow" above a size 8 (I think the largest their pants go up to is a 10!!!) you are not welcome there anymore.

As for the sales help, they are trained NOT to help people. They are there for the sole reason of "modeling" the clothes. Their official job title is "model". They are not there for your assistance

However, I do love to shop at Hollister The clothes (well the shirts at least) fit me and they are cheaper (I always ALWAYS buy clearance). They have cuter stuff and the sales help actually helps you!!!

The perfume does get on my nerves, but the music doesn't.

 

[taylor3297]

Does anyone remember when Ambercrombie sold nice sweaters, rugby type shirts, nice pants etc? I used to get the nicest sweaters there.

I am surprised Ambercrombie or Hollister hasn't been sued by someone who has an allergic reaction by visiting their stores. My sister can no longer go into either of those stores because she has an allergy attack afterwards.

I don't mind the music, used to manage a record store, but the perfume is horrible.

 

[Jennasis]

Does anyone remember when Ambercrombie sold nice sweaters, rugby type shirts, nice pants etc? I used to get the nicest sweaters there.

I am surprised Ambercrombie or Hollister hasn't been sued by someone who has an allergic reaction by visiting their stores. My sister can no longer go into either of those stores because she has an allergy attack afterwards.

I don't mind the music, used to manage a record store, but the perfume is horrible.

OMG YES! I was just thinking this when I got to your post. The first time I ever encountered an A&F was in a mall in ATlanta YEARS ago and it was all super preppy clothes, and I remember their being a lot of plaid in the decor.

 

[KristaTX]

Even worse is the stench.

It also reeks of their perfume. Makes me feel really sick.

I can get past the music better than I can the stench.

To me it's not the noise so much, but the smells.

And if the music isn't enough, the overwhelming smell of perfumes will surely render you senseless by killing brain cells.

Worse than the music is the smell.

As for the stores, I agree that it's loud in there, but it's also to dark and sometimes the smell is overwhelming.

I agree about the music and the smells at those places.

I agree with abercrombie's perfume, it gives me an instant headache just walking by the exterior of the store.

No kidding. I had a friend who worked there and she said before they opened they just walked around spraying all the clothes with the "scents." It is loud and reeks just walking outside of the store.

Abercrombie pumps the scent through their vent system. (My sister complained to corporate about it once and learned that in their response.)

I hate shopping anyway and no way do I want to be in a smelly loud store.

I never go in the store, but the cologne/perfume is so strong that you can smell it just walking through the mall. I must have walked by one day when they just sprayed and it set off an asthma attack. If they can keep the smell in their store only, that would be great, since I never go in the stores. But why should other mall shoppers who don't even shop at those stores have to suffer?

I am surprised Ambercrombie or Hollister hasn't been sued by someone who has an allergic reaction by visiting their stores. My sister can no longer go into either of those stores because she has an allergy attack afterwards.

I've never had a reason or desire to go into an Abercrombie or a Hollister store, but I've smelled them way too many times. My husband and I were in the mall the other day. As we approached the vicinity of Abercrombie & Fitch, I told my husband, "Hold your breath because we're about to pass a stinky store." He proceeded to make up a newer, better name for the store: Aberstinky & Fitch .

 

[wvjules]

Does anyone remember when Ambercrombie sold nice sweaters, rugby type shirts, nice pants etc? I used to get the nicest sweaters there.

I am surprised Ambercrombie or Hollister hasn't been sued by someone who has an allergic reaction by visiting their stores. My sister can no longer go into either of those stores because she has an allergy attack afterwards.

I don't mind the music, used to manage a record store, but the perfume is horrible.

Well unless a shopper was forced into the store, they wlling subjected themselves to the perfume.

I flat out-refuse to shop at Abercrombie, since they don't have clothes that accomodate my size. (which, btw, is a pant size 14 and a shirt size large) Their extra large shirts are tight on me. So basically, as soon as you get hips and a butt and heaven forbid you "grow" above a size 8 (I think the largest their pants go up to is a 10!!!) you are not welcome there anymore.

They aren't catering to your size. You are not their target demographic. Just like Lane Bryant doesn't welcome size 2s. This is no different.

I swear, everytime I go in there it gets louder.