Shopping online at department stores, such as Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, or Neiman Marcus, can be both a fulfilling and frustrating experience. You can get the products you want without leaving the comfort of your home, but you can also run into more problems with this shopping method.
Shipping costs, mail-in returns, accepted payment methods, and more can make for a difficult shopping experience, especially if the store you ordered from doesn’t have good customer service.
To get a better understanding of what to expect from your online order, use this analysis to guide you through your shopping experience.
Macy’s was founded in the mid-1800s and has continued to serve customers and wow Americans with its annual Thanksgiving Day parade. While its customer service can be lacking, this middle-end store offers several deals and promotions, wide shipping options, and several return methods.
Macy’s does not offer high-quality customer service and many customers have complaints about their experiences at the store. A common complaint among shoppers is the lack of human interaction and responses received from the customer service department. Many customers who have signed up for Macy’s credit card have experienced billing issues and say they have not been able to reach a resolution with the store.
This store offers shipping to a wide range of locations, including the U.S., Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Palau, APOs, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Military addresses, territories, and P.O. box orders can only use standard shipping. Free standard shipping is offered for beauty and fragrance orders over $50 and all orders over $99 before tax and shipping. Shipping costs include:
Macy's has the best return policy of these stores because it offers several methods of hassle-free returns. Customers can return online purchases at the store, by mail, or through the Return Pickup option offered in specific areas. According to Macy’s website, its return policies for online purchases are:
Macy’s offers some of the best deals among the stores reviewed. It has a rewards program called Macy’s Money, rebate opportunities, promo codes, email coupons, daily deals, and discounts — all available online. The store does not price match, but do allow price adjustments within 14 days of purchase. Save money with our wide range of Macy’s deals and coupons.
Accepted payments include Macy’s credit card and American Express, PayPal, and credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.
If you want the best deal, many return options, and you don’t mind poor customer service, Macy’s has the best offerings for you.
Nordstrom offers high-end products, exceptional customer service, and a unique, yet accommodating return policy. Nordstrom has sales events and a rewards program, but does not accept coupons, which can turn some customers away from its high-priced items.
Nordstrom has very strong customer support and gives the best customer experience among these stores. Many customers praise their customer service experiences, as issues are solved quickly and employees are generally pleasant.
One of the best shipping policies among these stores is Nordstrom's. It offers free standard shipping for all orders shipped within the U.S. Two business day shipping is $15, next business day shipping is $25, and Saturday delivery is $35. Enter your location information for international shipping prices. You can also order items online and pick them up at your local store, if your item is available.
Nordstrom does not have a return policy and deals with returns on a case-by-case basis. As stated on its website,
“We handle returns on a case-by-case basis with the ultimate objective of satisfying the customer. We stand behind our goods and services and want customers to be satisfied with them. We'll always do our best to take care of customers—our philosophy is to deal with them fairly and reasonably; we hope they will be fair and reasonable with us as well.”
To return your items, mail them in with the packing slip or present the method of payment and packing slip in-store.
This store offers promotions, sale events, and a Nordstrom Notes rewards program, but it does not offer or accept coupons. Nordstrom offers price matching and will make sale adjustments within two weeks of purchase. To get a great deal on your purchase, browse our discounts.
Customers can make purchases using gift cards, Nordstrom credit and retail cards, Nordstrom Notes, PayPal, and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, and Discover Network.
If you like rewards and loyalty programs, amazing customer service, affordable shipping, and don’t mind paying a bit more for your purchases, try Nordstrom’s.
Bloomingdale’s has been selling high-end products for almost 150 years. This department store offers numerous promotions, a rewards program, email discounts, and a 365-day return policy. Its customer service can leave some customers frustrated, but others satisfied with their experience.
Bloomingdale’s has mixed reviews on its customer service, but many reviews are negative. Though some consumers love the store and its service, others have had bad experiences with the store credit card, returns, and online purchases.
Shipping is available throughout the U.S. and standard shipping is available for U.S. territories, APOs, and P.O. boxes. Free standard shipping and $5 next-day shipping is available for rewards program members in the U.S. For additional shipping information, reference the charts below:
Bloomingdale’s has a 365-day return policy for items still in saleable condition. Returns with a receipt will receive a refund or store credit and those without receipts will receive store credit for the item’s lowest price within the last 180 days.
Along with Macy's, Bloomingdale's offers some the best deals through its many promotions, a Loyallist rewards program, promotional bMoney events, and email discounts. Bloomingdale’s will make a sale adjustment within 10 days of your purchase. New subscribers to the Bloomingdale’s credit and American Express cards receive a 10% discount for purchases made on the card. Explore additional discounts for the best deal.
Accepted payment methods include gift cards, Loyallist reward cards, Bloomingdale’s credit and American Express cards, PayPal, and credit cards, including Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and Visa.
If customer service isn’t an issue and you want better quality goods with several savings opportunities, go to Bloomingdale’s.
Of the four reviewed department stores, Neiman Marcus offers the products highest in price and quality. Its less-than-stellar customer service is supplemented by free standard shipping and promotional offers.
Like Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus has mixed reviews for its customer service. Several customers have encountered issues when trying to make returns or purchasing clearance items online, but others have had positive experiences and continue to support the company.
Neiman Marcus offers some of the most affordable shipping options among these stores. This store ships to the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico, APOs, and P.O. boxes. Four shipping options are available: free standard shipping, $15 two-day shipping, $25 next-day shipping, and $20 same-day shipping. Charges for international orders will be quoted at the time the order is placed.
All items can be returned if they are unwashed, unworn, and in the same condition they were received. You can make returns by mail for free within 15 days of purchase, but after 15 days a shipping fee will be deducted from the refund. In-store returns with a packing slip will receive a refund in the original form of payment.
Neiman Marcus accepts promotional codes and offers clearance items. You can get a price adjustment within 10 days of purchase. Get the best deal with our discounts and deals.
Accepted payments include Neiman Marcus gift and credit cards, Diners Club, MasterPass, Visa Checkout, PayPal, and credit cards, including Visa, American Express, Mastercard, and Discover.
If high-end, high-quality items with great shipping prices are what you’re looking for, shop at Neiman Marcus.
