Columbia Factory Store — Local services in Palmetto

THIS OUTLET STORE NEEDS BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE. It has only four fitting rooms. For both men and women. I was there to buy a huge amount of hiking clothing for myself and my husband because I shop this outlet only every two years. The fitting room was opened for me by an associate and after trying on four pieces, I went out into the store again to search for more clothing, leaving 4 garments in the room. I then returned to that room to try on more clothes. At no time did an associate ask me how I was doing. After leaving the fitting room a third time to get more clothing , I retuned to find that an associate taken all of my potential purchases out of the room a n d was rehanging them back on the displays! She argued with me. Her reasoning was that I had abandoned the fitting room, and they only have four for the whole store, so I was out of luck. She was more interested in keeping the store in order instead of helping and waiting on real paying customers. I feel this sales person help is essential to brick and morter stores, and this store should have a sign in the fitting rooms explaining their policy of leaving the room "abandoned ". I tried to explain that I am treated differently at Talbot's and Chico's. She argued that they were high-end stores. I told her she was selling short Columbia's Brand. I did buy over $200 worth of Columbia clothes that day, but I did shop afterwards at Talbot's and Chico's as well as other stores. The interactions with staff in those other stores was much better. This store needs more...

I hate posting such a negative review, but I think people need to know. My wife and I made a purchase at this store recently. She tapped her card when asked to pay, then noticed something odd flash by on the screen. She inquired about it, and the cashier told her it was nothing, just to tap again. She did, and received a receipt for the proper amount. However, today we noticed an unexpected charge for $5 to a charity called Land Trust Alliance in Washington DC. With a little online research, we found out that Columbia is collecting donations for that organization at their registers. We called the store, and they were apologetic and said they had many complaints about this practice since it started a couple of weeks ago. They said it was a corporate issue, and gave us an email address for a third party to request a refund, and the number for Columbia customer service. A lengthy call to Columbia customer service only produced another email address to which we could send our complaint. Tired of the run around, we disputed the charge with our credit card company, at which time we found out this was set up as a recurring charge. To stop the future charges, we had to change our account number. The whole thing seemed very sleazy. Be careful if you decide to make a purchase at a...

Went to return two items for Mother’s Day. The first day I went they asked for the phone number which I give and it would not recognize the phone number. These were gifts so I had my son send me information on his credit card. I went back several days later, they said they would take it back. Give me a fair Amount of the purchase back. Then the gentleman came over and said he smelled smoke so they would not take them back. He smelt smoke off my body unless he was sniffing my returned items, which is very disturbing. I will never purchase anything here again and neither will my son that goes there all the . Very...