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Macys - What's really on sale?
Review by Ponie on 2012-05-29
Rating: 
TROY, MICHIGAN -- Although I have a Macy’s credit card, I very seldom use it. Mainly, I purchase gift cards for clients/friends/relatives. There are two stores quite near me; one within walking distance.
Last week I received a mailing that left me scratching my head. In it were four ‘star rewards PASS’ cards. Two were for $10 off a purchase of $30 or more; two were for 20% off any purchases made on any day I choose. As expected with various coupons, sales, etc., at the bottom of the cards was: *Exclusions apply; see reverse for details. Before tossing them, I thought I’d take a look at the reverse.
I was very surprised at what I found: ‘Excludes ALL: Everyday Values (EDV), specials, special purchases, super buys, furniture, mattresses & area rugs/floor coverings, cosmetics, fragrances, electrics/electronics, Licensed Depts., bridge and designer handbags & shoes, designer sportswear, watches, Impulse, Oval Room, 28 Shop, eSpot, sterling flatware, All-Clad, Eileen Fisher, Emporio Armani, Tommy Bahama, Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Dyson, Henckels, Juicy, Lacoste, Lalique, Lauren/Polo/Ralph Lauren/Denim & Supply, Levi’s, Lladro, Waterford China/Crystal/Silver, Wusthof, etc. There were many more companies and/or departments listed but I think these are enough to give a general idea of the exclusions.
At the bottom, in bold print is: Online exclusions differ, see (website) for more details.
I realize some manufacturers do not allow retailers to discount their products. Yankee Candle comes to mind.
A suggestion for Macy’s: On the reverse of the amount/percentage off cards, list the items that CAN be purchased using these cards rather than the exclusions. The list would probably be shorter.
Last week I received a mailing that left me scratching my head. In it were four ‘star rewards PASS’ cards. Two were for $10 off a purchase of $30 or more; two were for 20% off any purchases made on any day I choose. As expected with various coupons, sales, etc., at the bottom of the cards was: *Exclusions apply; see reverse for details. Before tossing them, I thought I’d take a look at the reverse.
I was very surprised at what I found: ‘Excludes ALL: Everyday Values (EDV), specials, special purchases, super buys, furniture, mattresses & area rugs/floor coverings, cosmetics, fragrances, electrics/electronics, Licensed Depts., bridge and designer handbags & shoes, designer sportswear, watches, Impulse, Oval Room, 28 Shop, eSpot, sterling flatware, All-Clad, Eileen Fisher, Emporio Armani, Tommy Bahama, Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Dyson, Henckels, Juicy, Lacoste, Lalique, Lauren/Polo/Ralph Lauren/Denim & Supply, Levi’s, Lladro, Waterford China/Crystal/Silver, Wusthof, etc. There were many more companies and/or departments listed but I think these are enough to give a general idea of the exclusions.
At the bottom, in bold print is: Online exclusions differ, see (website) for more details.
I realize some manufacturers do not allow retailers to discount their products. Yankee Candle comes to mind.
A suggestion for Macy’s: On the reverse of the amount/percentage off cards, list the items that CAN be purchased using these cards rather than the exclusions. The list would probably be shorter.
Comments:
Posted by Justice74 on 2012-05-29:
Another sneaky, but effective sales tactic. Just the mere mention of the word "sale" sends some folks into a shopping frenzy.
Posted by Ponie on 2012-05-29:
Yes, I guess some people just can't resist! I've found Macy's has very nice looking stores but what used to be good service has gone the way of the dodo bird. Quite some time ago I was looking for a golf shirt. Found the color and style I wanted, but not the correct size. Went to the Customer Service desk to inquire. Was told 'If it's not there, we don't have it.' So very different from Macy's precursor in our area, J. L. Hudson.
Posted by MRM on 2012-05-29:
I only step into Macy to buy a colongne Georgio Armani. And I only puurchase it every two years when the cologne runs out.
Posted by littleshorty on 2012-05-29:
I remember getting those coupons when I worked for Macy's Collections. We were supposed to hand them out to friends and family. I never did because of all the restrictions. I like Kohl's coupons. They don't have any restrictions.
Posted by TLSmith on 2012-05-29:
I love Kohl's. I was there this pass Saturday
Posted by Ponie on 2012-05-29:
My Sis does an awful lot of shopping at Kohl's. She says they'll let you load up any coupons you might have all onto one transaction. About 2-1/2 yrs. ago I needed a new toaster oven. The Black & Decker model I had an interest in was selling for $99.99 at Macy's. No thanks--that's a little rich for my blood. I watched the ads for a few weeks. Kohl's had it on sale. There was some type coupon in their ad. Went to Kohl's and picked one up. Only reason I opened a charge that day was because I'd get an additional % off. I believe the final price was a bit over $40. Not a bad deal for a toaster oven which is large enough to hold a 14" pizza. I don't care much for department store charge cards, but I'll grab one when I get a lower price for my purchase.
Posted by trmn8r on 2012-05-29:
Buying appliances at Macy's at the regular price is like throwing a good portion of your money into the gutter. At least that is what I found years ago, and you did just recently.
Posted by Ponie on 2012-05-29:
I agree, trmn8r. Although they're very active in the community. I'm thinking of the Thanksgiving parades, both NY and Detroit, etc. Each year Windsor and Detroit have a huge fireworks display on the Detroit River for the 4th of July. Macy's is a co-sponsor. Their stores really look good. But as long as the merchandise isn't shoddy, I don't need those highly polished hardwood floors and gleaming display cases.
Posted by Nohandle on 2012-05-29:
Good reminder Ponie that it sometimes takes a magnifying glass to determine what is excluded and I don't have the time or patience for it. One friendly reminder to other members, don't make the same mistake I did one Christmas season years ago. EVERY department store I walked into offered a fantastic discount on my purchase if I opened a store credit card. All the cashier needed was another valid credit card. Boy, was I happy.
In January, after I received a good half dozen new credit card bills to pay, wondered if it was worth my effort. I never used the cards again. There might be a way around all of that but I decided not to deal with it in the future.
In January, after I received a good half dozen new credit card bills to pay, wondered if it was worth my effort. I never used the cards again. There might be a way around all of that but I decided not to deal with it in the future.
Posted by jktshff1 on 2012-05-29:
Great to see ya Ponie!
Posted by jktshff1 on 2012-05-29:
Good info as well
Posted by trmn8r on 2012-05-29:
Yes, they are active in the community. When the trmn8r was much much younger, he helped cater an event for the Macy's crew that wrangled the floats in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Nice bunch of people.
Posted by Ponie on 2012-05-30:
Nohandle, you gotta 'work' it the way I do. :) I only open the charge if I already have in hand an item I want to purchase. If there's a discount offered for opening a charge, then I'll do so. I know what you mean about having 'strange' billing arrive. When I get those statements I pay them in full--and cut up the card.
I don't know when a store considers an account dead and you're eligible to apply for a new one. I think it's two or three years. I've done that with both KMart and Target. I'm not cheap really--just frugal. :)
I don't know when a store considers an account dead and you're eligible to apply for a new one. I think it's two or three years. I've done that with both KMart and Target. I'm not cheap really--just frugal. :)
Posted by Ponie on 2012-05-30:
jktshff1, good to be back. Had a health setback about three months ago but, thank God, no lasting effects. So I should live to be about 105. :)
Posted by Ponie on 2012-05-30:
trmn8r, yes they really do it up well for the Thanksgiving Day parade in Detroit. Before Macy's bought them, the J. L. Hudson company was the only sponsor. But now they're also helped by a large furniture company in the area, Art Van.
Also, many individuals become members of what they named the 'Clown College.' It costs $1,000/yr. to belong and the clowns not only are in the parade, for months they work on the floats, etc. Needlesss to say, since I can't afford that 'tuition,' I don't attend.
Also, many individuals become members of what they named the 'Clown College.' It costs $1,000/yr. to belong and the clowns not only are in the parade, for months they work on the floats, etc. Needlesss to say, since I can't afford that 'tuition,' I don't attend.
Posted by Nohandle on 2012-05-30:
Understood Ponie, but that particular Christmas I had selected my purchases and was in front of the cashier when I was informed (by the cashier) about the extra savings if I charged to their store credit card. It wouldn't take but a moment to set up the account. Yes, I agreed and promptly walked over to the department that handles payments and my new account didn't even show up at that time so I could hardly pay for the purchase right then and there. That didn't work for me. Perhaps a huge purchase might make it worth my while.
Posted by Ponie on 2012-05-30:
OK, Nohandle, got it now. In each case when I've opened a new account, the merchandise I selected was immediately charged to it.
Posted by Nohandle on 2012-05-30:
Ponie, mine was "charged to the brand new account" and the discount was included. I just couldn't pay the charge at the credit/payment department because it showed no record of an account under my name at that time. I just haven't done it since. Perhaps it works differently now.
Posted by Churro on 2012-05-30:
For the love of peace Nohandle PLEASE no more charge accounts.
Posted by Nohandle on 2012-05-30:
Churro, I have no charge cards except MC and VISA and I pay the balance (if any) due in full each month. Go aggravate Sue or is she working while you wait for *the boy* to mow the grass while you watch?
Posted by TLSmith on 2012-05-30:
I have never shopped at Macy's because looking thru the one time I thought the prices were to high. My 16 yr old son is a little over 6'4 and he loves the clothes at Kohl's because they have "cool jeans" that are actually long enough for him and Kohl's is within walking distance of my home.
Posted by MRM on 2012-05-30:
To me, Macys and Kohls are high prices. The only product I buy from Macys is Georgio Armani cologne.
Posted by TLSmith on 2012-05-30:
Khol's works for me because of discounts that are in the Sunday paper and "Kohl's Cash that I usually save up.
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