Stay away from ANY May department store. These include Strawbridge's, Hecht's, and several others.

They are a cutthroat business selling over priced products and are inconsiderate, uncaring and unreachable by telephone, mail or Internet. I know, they have screwed me several times.

It all started many years ago with a John Wanamaker credit card. Wanamaker's was wonderful store, very caring, with great products. Then May Company took them over and converted the stores (the ones they didn't demolish) to Hecht's. Immediately they dropped their electronics line (too much overhead - not enough bucks for the corporate executives.) They also dropped my personal credit line from $2,000.00 to $500.00! They did this without warning and for no reason. My credit had not changed! I was then late by 5 days on a payment a year later. They again dropped my credit line to $200.00! The ONLY way to contact the credit folks was via an in-store telephone! After much pleading I was advised that if my payments were on time for three months, they would raise the credit line (again to $500.00)

Two months later May closed the store and turned it into a Strawbridge's! They sent me a new Strawbridge's card - with a credit line of $200.00!

I refused to use their card for two years because I hated the overpriced store and bad-attitude sales clerks, and because they refused to raise the credit limit on my credit card.

It was just before Christmas, 1999, when I happened into the local Strawbridge's (actually, it was cold out, and this store entrance was the closest way into the mall.) In any event, I stumbled onto a really nice shirt on sale for half the original cost (which brought the price down to what most stores would normally charge for it.) I decided to break down and buy the thing (added a couple of other items as well) figuring that maybe the store had changed. I figured I probably still had the sinking $200.00 credit line, so I kept the purchase total well under that. Up comes the warning flag! Call the guards! Cut up the credit card! Credit DENIED!!! Turns out the worthless idiots at the May credit center decided to drop my credit line to $100.00!! I can only assume they were upset that I hadn't used the card in two years.

Being the consumers advocate that I am I began to seek vengeance on this one, only to discover that there is no one who gives a damn! There is no corporate contact, the credit agency is a third party agency with no mailing address or phone number, and there is no phone number to call to complain - other than the bright red ones tethered to the wall at the back of the store!

No one else seems to be complaining either?? I am not quite certain why. I do know that it seems quite absurd to me to be turned down for a decent credit line at a third rate department store - I posses a AAA credit rating everywhere else!

Don't say I did not warn you.

Additional Complaint:
11/11/2002
Submitted by: J. H.
Zip Code: 19087

During the summer months, I was a part time employee at Strawbridges. Upon receiving our information, we had to sign a form saying that although we were to receive our discount "immediately" upon beginning work for the store, should we fail to stay for 90 days, the discount would be charged back to us and we would have to pay the full amount. Why would a discount be given and then taken away? Should it not have been held UNTIL the employee was there for the 90 day trial period and then allowed? There is no way I will pay the discounted amount after I have left the store even though I was only there a short time, probably more like 60 Days. Why do their employees leave before 90 days? They are the worst store I have ever worked in with regards to their mismanagement and unprofessional treatment of their employees. Example: Upon being called back for a third interview, the person responsible for setting it up, failed to let anyone in the store know that I was coming. The Estee Lauder Rep was ill and left a voice mail for the irresponsible girl to reschedule. I was there for at least an hour while everyone ran around trying to find out why I was there! Had I not been looking forward to working with Estee Lauder and willing went to another location for the interview that week, I would known what sort of firm I was being hired by. On top of that, I am a professional Sales person and have my own small business and have been absolutely astounished at the attitudes that prevail in this company. I work with clients from all over the country and just took this job during a slow period of my business, only to be treated and spoken to as if I am an idiot. Strawbridges is a store that I will never shop in again. I cancelled my credit card and cut it up. Consumers were angry all the time because there were no sales people to help them and I did not and do not blame them. Attitudes come from the top of the pecking order and if the sales people are disgruntled and annoyed, it is no wonder. Strawbridges needs new management very badly. It is very clear why they are always hiring when they run the store on part time employees. My people skills are very good and I was able to smooth over many situations during my brief stay. Most of the other's attitudes were disinterest and totally negativity. I had planned to stay at that job for a long period of time, but just could not enjoy my position as I should have due to the store attitude. Strawbridges does SUCK!

Additional Complaint:
10/04/2002
Submitted by: T. A.
Zip Code: 10466

I went to strawbridges store in Philadelphia two years ago with my wife and her sister.I didnt have my strawbridges card with me so the clerk use my state id to find my account number.He seems to be nervous while he was ringing up the item i had puschase,i then told him if he's not sure what to do he can get a manager to assist him but he told me he was ok.After spending around two hundred dollars i went to another section of the store and attempt to purchase some shirt,low and behold the same gentleman that i dealt with before came over to the clerk and told him to check my id because i just spent a large amount of cash with him.I was furious and felt violated my this man that i burst in tears.i asked where in america can you not spend 2 hundred dollars and not be subjected to what you are putting me through.He then looked at me and said he is not racist,not once did I asked him that question but after hearing what he said i realized what the issue was all about.I spoke to his boss and his boss boss and he told me maybe he need more training to work in the store.Offcourse my Lawyer claimed he wrote them a letter about the issue nad he dont have enough grounds for a lawsuit.YEA iM NOT DONE WITH THEM YET I WILL GET OTHER PEEPS THAT WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING I DID AND FILE A BIGGER SUIT AGAINST THEM.HOPEFULLY SOON!

Additional Complaint:
11/27/2000
Submitted by: M. V.
Zip Code: 18015

Hi, I'm glad I found someone who understands my grief. On November 24, 2000 my mother and I went to Strawbridges to purchase some sweaters for Christmas in the Juniors Dept. My mom found a dress she liked, and I found a sweater so as we entered the fitting room the sales clerk shouts, "Hey what are you doing? What do you have?" I immediately notice her tone of voice and found it unacceptable so I became defensive because she thought we're stealing. I showed her what I had and continued to enter the dressing room, I tried my clothes on and step out to observe this sales clerk. I stood and observed her for about 20 minutes and quickly noticed that I was a victim of racism. On Black Friday the most valued day of retail I saw at least 30 people come in and out of the dressing room and no one of them was questioned. I was the only one because of my skincolor. Then I wanted to assure myself that I wasn't assuming the clerk was racist. So I proceeded the register and I intentionally paid via check vice cash to see the attitude that I would receive. I wrote out my check and handed the girl my license she said; "I need two picture I.D. I was shocked in 1500 I've written I have never showed two picture I.D. So I simply gave her my military I.D. She said that was unacceptably I handed her a Social Security card and she still it was unacceptable by this time I was highly upset so I asked to see the manager. After a short while a manager Chris stepped out and completed my transaction. I spoke to the manager and told her not only had I been suspected of stealing a sweater with my mom, but also I was accused of stealing my own checks. The managers simply apologize and walked away with out even approaching her about her unacceptable behavior. If that wasn’t enough I decided I was going to rearrange my bags, and then I noticed only one of my sweaters was there so I immediately decided to return to the register. I then see the sales clerk putting my sweaters back on the rack after I had paid for them. I honestly had to bite my tongue not to lose my sanity. I will never shop there again!

This is the actually letter I submitted to Strawbridge's Dept store.

November 27, 2000

To Whom It May Concern:

Around 08:30 a. m. Friday, November 24, 2000, my mother and I went to Strawbridges Dept. store to purchase some sweaters for Christmas in the Juniors Dept. While browsing the available selection, my mother found a dress she wanted to try on, and I myself found a sweater. But as we proceeded to the fitting room, a sales clerk, unidentified at the time began shouting "Hey what are you doing? What do you have?" immediately I became defensive; realizing that I was being accused of stealing, I became appalled by the disrespectful tone she directed towards my mother and I. After showing her what I had in hand, I continued towards the fitting room thinking nothing of it. I tried the clothes on and as I step out, I observe the same sales clerk and another associate (Kay School who was wearing a nametag) continuing with what seem to be their normal routine, not harassing any other potential customers about any allege fitting room pollicies. I saw at least 20 people come in and out of the dressing room and no one of them was questioned. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, I disregarded the incident and proceeded to the register to make my purchase. Paying by check, I prepared to make my purchase, but when I handed her my payment she demanded me to produce two forms of identification. I was shocked, in all my years of writing, most of which where to this establishment, I have never been asked for more than one form of ID. I asked the clerk, “Can I see this particular policy in writing?” Extremely frustrated at this point I waited, and was not surprised when the clerk could not produce any physical proof of her claim. Exhausted by the ordeal I handed her one form of identification, a Department of Defense Government I.D. And for whatever reason, she refused to accept it. Upset by her refusal I asked to speak with the manager.

After a short while a manager Chris stepped out and completed my transaction. I spoke to the manager and told her not only had I been suspected of stealing a sweater with my mom, but I was also accused of stealing my own checks. The clerk was rude, impolite, and her character was discriminative in nature. I’ve been customer of this Department Store for over ten years now and I have never been dissatisfied. The managers simply apologize and walked away with out even approaching her about her disgusting behavior.

Then if that wasn’t enough I decided I was going to rearrange my bags, and noticed only one of my sweaters was there. I immediately decided to return to the register. I then see the sales clerk standing there with my sweaters on hand heading towards the rack after I had paid for them. I honestly had to bite my tongue not to lose my sanity. I am very upset with the treatment I received at this store. I can’t believe that you would hire such a person.