Part of the issue is that after clothes are tried on by someone, they are supposed to be segregated, and either kept separate or steamed. It’s a lot easier to just have folks take things home and do this at the return counter than to have dressing rooms open with staff to deal with them. Plus, if you have a no dressing room policy, you won’t have people trying things on, and then deciding later not to buy them and hanging them back on the racks.
Larger stores used to have a dressing room monitor who gave you a number for the amount of items you took in the dressing room. And the amount was usually limited. Those monitor positions have been eliminated at a lot of places…thus the mess.
I remember shopping alongside drag queens at the Loehmann’s in Los Angeles. They always snagged the most beautiful gowns–not that I had any use for a ball gown.
The idea that tried on clothes need to be steam cleaned seems very outdated in COVID terms. I know everyone thought that in June. But it’s become increasingly clear that the virus really doesn’t transfer that way. And it would be just as risky for shoppers who merely touch things or hold them up if clothes were a vector IMHO.
I think the stores are maintaining that policy to CYA and also to reduce the staffing costs of keeping dressing rooms running. I know LOFT has had their dressing rooms open, they do spray and wipe them down in between customers (if someone is there at the time) But Kohl’s has theirs closed. WHich is not bad because they always let them get so messy with leftover merchandise.
I also think perhaps stores are benefitting from people who say, “I’ll buy it and try it on at home and then return” and either forget or never bother to return.
The Loft near me does not have dressing rooms open. (CT). Wondering if this is a state thing.
Most places don’t steam, but they do let clothes that have been tried on (and left someplace after) sit for a while before they place them out for sale again. I don’t think that’s a bad idea.
A friend went to Kohl’s and said the merchandise selection was pathetic.
I needed to return/exchange a pair of jeans I got my daughter for Christmas. She really wanted to try the next size up to compare the fit to the ones I bought her. The dressing rooms (American Eagle) were closed, they told us. We were discussing what to do with a different sales clerk b/c the jeans were on sale when I bought, but no longer on sale. We were going to bring the jeans home to try on, but should we exchange them with the first pair? But if they didn’t fit, we would have to go back the next day first thing to get the original pair (she was flying back to college the next afternoon). The sales clerk said “You know, you can make an appt for the dressing room and just come back later tonight if you want.” What? First sales clerk never mentioned the dressing rooms were available by appt. So the clerk whips out her handheld computer thing and pulls up all the available appointments. The next available was 30 mins later. So we went and sat in the car to wait.
While in the car, my daughter pulled up their website. There was no mechanism on their website to schedule appointments, nor was it even mentioned that it was possible. I’m so glad the clerk said something but strange the first clerk never mentioned it to us when my daughter asked if she could try them on!
This store was at our local mall - earlier this summer Aerie dressing rooms were open (younger daughter needed new bras). I have no idea if closing the dressing rooms is a new policy for AE/Aerie stores, or if it’s now mandated for all stores where we live. I have not been clothes shopping in person other than those two times so not sure if other stores here have similar polices.
Most stores near us have closed dressing rooms or they really limit how many can go in. At some stores I’m glad they’re limiting because it’s kept the fitting rooms so much cleaner!
Our Kohl’s is actually very neat, but I wouldn’t say they have a lot of choice. Some sections are very sparse…
I don’t know, I think people just assume the employees will do it because it’s their job. I don’t like that way of thinking…why not be a nice person and make it easier for the employees, who often are stressed and underpaid?
Near the school where I work, they opened up a brand new shopping center with a new Marshalls and it’s very neat and organized. It’s also a lot smaller then other Marshalls I’ve been in and there isn’t quite as much merchandise. There is also a lot more designer merchandise as well. I wonder if this is a new model and concept for Marshalls. The other much older Marshalls near me is bigger and less organized and has much less high end designer stuff, but it serves a much larger area with a much wider demographic in terms of money…whereas the newer one serves a brand new upscale subdivision.