Yup it's no longer about aesthetics and making their site pretty, it's all about squeezing that last dollar from your pocket with the lure of FAKE sales.

I've always boycotted Macy's, IMHO they are way over priced but I have also given up on JCP. The fiasco I went through earlier this year when I bought our living room drapes was the last straw.

Oyvay, sorry for the vent!

Macy's used to be a classy site. I have to wonder why it's not welcoming anymore? I haven't been in one of their stores in a long time, have they gone downhill too?

Their after Christmas sale on decorations was fabulous. The nicer ornaments on my tree I bought from Macys after Christmas. I've never seen ornaments like them at other places. And these were good prices too.

Strange. Maybe they don't need our money? :) Oh, speaking of Macy's, their TG parade is AWFUL. My grandson would not watch it, but he did watch the other parade on CBS. All Macys does now is showcase Broadway and never any floats. My son said on TG morning that he'd rather watch commercials than the Macy's parade, that's how bad it's become. lol

I love Macy's. The store, that is.

the macy's closest to me hasn't gone downhill at all...if anything, it seems like they're trying to spruce it up. i went into our local jcp once in the spring and i did think that it was looking quite 'dumpy'...

i don't really ever go to either of those store's websites though since both are relatively close to me...maybe they figure the niceties of the site don't affect their sales???

The Macy's and JCP in my area have gone downhill too. The last time I was in JCP, it smelled icky (you know that eau de thrift shop? Um, yeah) - and the merchandise was just a jumble. Macy's here isn't much better. If I'm shopping in a "real store" and not online, I pretty much stick to Dillard's, since it's still a relatively pleasant shopping experience there.

I haven't shopped at Macy's since they took over Marshall Field's in Chicago and didn't have the sense of tradition to leave it as Field's.

Rarely shop at JCP except for sheets, though I do still think they have some of the best selection of ready-to-hang window treatments. That has been tempered a bit by the experiences here that some have had with them.

les,

I haven't shopped Macy's either. Feel the same as you about Marshall Field's. Did they take out the Walnut Room?

A lot of major retailers have changed their websites - anybody notice the big change on Target's site a few months ago?
Even though Macy's carries luxury goods, Macy's and JCP aren't specialty retailers, they need to appeal to as large an audience as possible - those value driven splash pages draw customers in.

I used to love shopping at the original, actual Field's but I love Macy's and, in fact, was just shopping at the State Street store today, was at the Water Tower Place store yesterday, and the Herald Square store last month.
Gorgeous merchandise, helpful staff, and, all in all, a lovely shopping experience - certainly not going anywhere near *downhill*.

The Walnut Room is still on Seven in all of its glory and looks as beautiful as it ever has, especially decorated for the Holidays as it is now.
Enormous groups of people waiting to eat.
Another nice addition is the food court on the opposite side of the floor which includes the fast food concept that Rick Bayless developed for Macy's - Frontera Fresco - delicious!
Frangos still abound and were selling like hotcakes - long, long line there too.

I'd also like to say, that as a native Chicagoan and career retailer, any ire at Macy's in regard to Marshall Field's is seriously misdirected.

Marshall Field's has been Field's in name only for almost 3 decades - no connection to the original store at all, it was just another department store owned by a string of corporations.

In the early 1980s, Marshall Field's was acquired by BATUS - British American Tobacco - BATUS also owned Saks at the time.
Then in the early 1990's Field's was sold to Dayton-Hudson, the parent company of Target - Dayton-Hudson eventually changed their name to Target Corporation as Target was the future of the company.
In approx. 2005, Field's was sold to the May Co. before they, in turn, were acquired by Federated Dept. Stores - shortly after that, Federated changed their corporate name to Macy's Inc.

Thank goodness Macy's has the resources and customer base to retain the beautiful, original Flagship Field's store.
It could have gone the other way and become an 'office center' like the beautiful Louis Sullivan building that once housed another Chicago original - Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. aka Carson's.

Also, smart retailers have a firmer grip on their inventory and restocking capabilities due to technological advances.
The crazy, overstocked after Christmas sales are a thing of the past and, really, no business wants to sell anything for less than they paid for it.

I don't shop in stores much anymore. But the JCP here is well done and kept with good stock as is Macy. Although probably a bit smaller than the larger cities. They irritate me online with their stupid sales which continue to be the same for over a year. Maybe new online customers think their getting a great deal.

What I am finding interesting with stores like JCP, Macy, Target and others (Home Depot too, they take you to Home Decorators site all the time) is they are starting to sell the same merchandise. What's with the links to other stores at the bottom of their pages? Do they own them or can't see a web page without making money on outside advertising?

Got caught with JCP and their discount signup, an outside company that I had to call personally to cancel. At least I realized the mistake as soon as I hit done.

Beware of freebees or those deep discounts...these are really a ripoff, you will be charged monthly for "stuff" and rediculous shipping costs. The morning TV shows keep pushing these as great online shopping. Bet they have never really played with those sites.

Plus these stores use so much of your info now I am trying to find other options for buying online. Don't get me going on privacy and software...we will need to be programmers to keep up with these guys for finding new ways to stay security safe. You can't even click on an item or search without the items showing up on your screen at different sites. I keep changing options and they keep finding another one for me to figure out.

Price comparison is probably going to be the only reason to go anywhere. I've found most of the merchandise isn't even stocked and is sent from their wholesaler, not the store. I could be an online store selling furniture out of my house in a minute with a business license and wholesale accounts.

Most of the grocery stores no longer mail ads now and if you go to the store to sign up the ads are a day or two late. I do use their online ads to get a heads up. Wonder how long this will last as a safe area.

Just ordered an area rug from JCP. I have been looking for one and had seen this one (Open Field Hand Carved Wool) quite sometime ago. I couldn't find anything in a local store that I liked so I took the chance and ordered it. It was a good deal with an additional 20% off and no shipping charge directly to my house for the 8x11 rug. I got it in burgandy but if its not the right shade I will switch it out to the ivory. Can't wait for it to arrive!

It's funny you mention Home Depot and Home Decorator's, emagineer. My DIl wanted an office credenza for Christmas and sent me a link to the one she wanted at Home Decorator's. It was $399. She then called the next day and said the SAME item (it was even called Home Decorator's Oxford) was $192 at Home Depot - over $200 difference! You would think if the stores are owned by the same company, the prices would be close.

Our local department store was Lazarus - I loved that store at Christmas and still miss it. It's where DH and I met so it holds a special spot for me. His first job there was in Tree Trimming. The main Lazaurs store is now closed, but was Macy's before that. I never shop there now.
Dee

Emagineer & Dee: I don't shop Home Depot much online but after reading your thread was curious. I found this article about the Home Depot and Home Decorators relationship.

Here is a link that might be useful: Home Depot & Home Decorators

Dh has shopped Penney's for years. They always had a nice selection of tall clothing ... and well made. This year it's been slim pickin's.

I may shop Macy's once a year, if that. Never online though.

MMM... Frangos!
I lived in Chicago for only a couple of years, but that was one of the good things! Also, I couldn't believe that the State Street store had a little stamp shop, among all the other stores-within-the-store!

I don't shop at Macys, haven't in many years. Just don't like much of anything it has (but I'll look as I walk through it into the rest of the mall!).

Penney's online seems to have a lot of clearance stuff, or else whatever I click on has 2 or 3 "off" colors left. I used to buy twill pants online, sizing was always the same until a recent order, and believe me -- I was in a long line posting bad reviews on the website! I think they changed the country of origin for the pants. Also, a plain long-sleeved T I've ordered in the past suddenly became half the weight -- it was new in stock for fall/winter but was as thin as something you'd wear in spring or summer.

I think they're just cutting a lot more corners trying to stay profitable. Quality control has slipped. Too bad; I used to buy many clothes at Penney's.

What really turned me off on Macy's was their ad campaign featuring celebrities. Ugh! I am so tired of people who are famous for being famous, and I certainly don't want to wear their "brand" on my clothing

Luckk....That website was very interesting. I ended up reading more than expected which had nothing to do with anything normally read, curiosity more than anything.

Their take on how to market via the net and what is going on regarding our buying was of interest too. Apparently FB is becoming the place to go rather than google web pages. I've never done this and am not sure if you can buy at FB. Google is racing to change this.

Another section on web pages, didn't read this but a lot of info which may be why we are seeing changes. A few of us are probably not the normal customer. Product changes in the last 10 years keeps me from a lot of them. Life as we knew it. And the no longer available deal...just take it off, the prices stay the same even shouting a new sale.

There is also a page of the top 10 web retailers in various product arenas and holding companies. Who owns who, which cleared up why we see so many redirected links.

I think Macy's was 2nd or 3rd in sales. JCP was down the list but made the top 10.

I think we all sort of knew that the home-town stores like Marshall Fields in Chicago, Hechts in Washington, DC, Kaufmann's (or was it Hornes?) in Pittsburgh were owned by conglomerates. But speaking as a shopper, I think it was a mistake to homogenize them as Macy's. It felt like we were losing part of the city's identity.

Does anyone remember when it used to be fun to go to another city and shop at the leading department store there?

Graywings wrote:
I think we all sort of knew that the home-town stores like Marshall Fields in Chicago, Hechts in Washington, DC, Kaufmann's (or was it Hornes?) in Pittsburgh were owned by conglomerates. But speaking as a shopper, I think it was a mistake to homogenize them as Macy's. It felt like we were losing part of the city's identity.

I'm pretty sure most people don't know and it's evident if you listen and read to what they say and write.

Who cares what a store is named?
So, basically it would be okay to shop at Field's even though it's a 100% Macy's store?

Where was all of this clamor when the discount mass merchandiser, one small step above WalMart, Target owned Field's for over 10 years?
Why weren't people crying then?
Oh wait, they left the name alone.

So, even though you were shopping in a glorified Target/Dayton-Hudson store that wasn't anything close to the original Marshall Field's, it was okay because they *called* it Marshall Field's?
Got it.

People with handouts about bringing Marshall Field's back in front on the State St. store are laughable and silly at best.
How exactly are they going to accomplish that?
I'd love to meet some of these retail geniuses.

From their website:
Our group continues to work hard to restore this icon's distinctively Chicago quality, service and culture, as well as the name "Marshall Field's."

What?
There has not been a Marshall Field's culture in Chicago for at least 30 years - where have all of these brilliant business people been?

Joanie, those value driven splash pages are driving me away from the website. Call me shallow, but I loved the glam and classiness of Macy's main page. It drew me in. Now it looks like I accidentally clicked on a Walmart link.

Oakley.... I totally understand what you mean - they definitely aren't pretty.
Seriously, Macy's page looks almost like JCP (probably vice versa) but Nordstrom, while they're not promoting sales, doesn't look a much nicer.

I go to other places, like anthropologie, RH, PB or independents for eye candy

Those generic pages don't drive me away because I really never go to browse, I usually have an idea or a specific item that I'm looking for.

Then, if I find it, I always look for a promo code on the site, in my email, or at one of the coupon sites like retailmenot.

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving, Oakley :))
Have a Merry Christmas!

Macy's is horrid, disorganized nightmare. I will never deal with them again, no matter how many couples register there. Some business school should feature that outfit in Disasters in Retail 101.