Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Barneys 660 Madison Avenue

Ages and ages ago, Barney's started out as a store for men down on Seventh Avenue about 17th Street. Somewhere along the line they decided to expand and get heavily involved in women's fashions.

This is another one of those war of Yelp reviews going from "My favorite store in the world" kind of thing to "Worst customer service I have ever seen"--

Barneys New York

4.0 star rating
205 reviews Rating Details
660 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10065
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
(212) 826-8900
Nearest Transit Station:
5 Ave./59 St.
59 St.
Lexington Ave./59 St.
Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 8 pm
Sat 10 am - 7 pm
Sun 11 am - 6 pm
Price Range:
$$$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   What's this?

  • "7th floor Co-op is like all of my clothing dreams come true." In 21 reviews
  • "I really like the selection of young designers at COOP." In 23 reviews
  • "The sales peeps here always hook me up." In 49 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites' | Facebook Friends'

205 reviews in English

  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 7 reviews
    New York, NY
    4.0 star rating
    6/19/2013
    Dear CO-OP shoes on 7- please answer the damn phone, really.  There were shoes I really, really needed and it was 7:30pm.  I played the odds and got in right before eight.  Luckily, they had the amazing Nike Sky Hi Paris edition I wanted and hot Ksubi shades.  The sales people are always nice and not pushy.  They know when you're a shopper and are very accommodating, like shipping from LA when something is out here

    One star off for not answering the phone
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 6 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    1.0 star rating
    8/23/2013
    Shockingly poor service every time I have been here. I went in twice to look at a certain designer's jewelry and could not get any one to get it out of the case for me!!!! One associate just started folding scarves on top of the display case blocking my view of the jewelry. Another said she didn't have the key.

    I left and returned a few days later, since I was really interested in the designer and her pieces were only sold in a few locations in the city.I felt like I was inconveniencing the staff and still could not get anyone to help me. I ended up buying what I was looking for elsewhere .

    Some lack of staff and service throughout every department. It seems like more of a tourist browsing spot than an actual place to shop. Go to Bergdorfs
  • Review from

    • 89 friends
    • 314 reviews
    New York, NY
    7/6/2013
    I think is is more of an "a-ok" store; but there is nothing between being that and a 'fan' so let's give it a four stars mostly for the nicely organization and variety of brands yet it lacks the friendly costumer service of the competition.
    Came here in quick sort of shopping moment looking to spend some gift cards I received; plus looking for a gift for my significant other; but at first we had a little bit of trouble finding anything; it was almost by accident that we stumble into the floor (can't remember which was) that had the mans shoes and the bathing suits and some other casual attire.  As I said before; staff was not friendly neither seem very eager to assist.  They were grouped in a corner talking to themselves while we had to look for our sizes.  When it came to take care of the charges; we were passed on from one register to the next just the same with the cashier.  On top of all that it's super expensive; they should carry my bag out to the taxi for the amount they charge.
    Generally this is store for the reach and famous of course; but glad we found what we were looking for at the end.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 1 review
    East Village, Manhattan, NY
    9/7/2013
    I went to the Shoe Department on the 7th floor. Had a specific pair of boots I wanted in black. It took 5 min for a sales person to see I needed help. Finally a gentleman came, I told him my size but the color didn't seem right. He said this was the faded black. Anyway not what I wanted but I was under the impression this was the only color. Online they had both and the color I wanted. He should have gave me the option and told me they didn't carry the color I wanted in the store. That information could have been helpful. I wore them around the house and now they say they can't exchange them. Okay fine. The sales lady who helped me this time was rude and so unhelpful. I work in a luxury environment so I can relate when you experience poor service. Lose the attitude. You work in sales and it's your job.
  • Review from

    • 1 friend
    • 5 reviews
    Greenwich Village, Manhattan, NY
    9/4/2013
    My most favorite department store in the USA.They have something for everyone.The selection is just WOW.The service can be better but what the heck:)
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 3 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    8/15/2013
    This is the best place on Earth. I go here twice per week. Just wish it was open 24 hours....hahaha
  • Review from

    • 13 friends
    • 135 reviews
    New York, NY
    8/5/2013 1 check-in here
    Mmmmm...shopping. I could do without the uppity nature of most of the patrons here, but then again, what can you expect? If you know what you're looking for and know how much you're willing to drop on something then by all means, go for it. Not the best place to loiter around and window shop since a) You'll likely be tempted and impulse buy something, b) A salesperson will ask you if you are interested in buying something and then look at you sideways when you say no or c) You'll drool on something you love and lust after and inevitably want to buy it.
  • Review from

    • 18 friends
    • 58 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    5/12/2013
    So here's the thing - if I could rate Barney's on selection alone, it would be 6/5 stars. There's 9 floors with everything you can imagine.

    I came here looking for a pair of jeans. I had a vague idea of what I was looking for. Before coming here, I did some research online, but I'm cautious of buying jeans online because the sizing can be all over the place, depending on the brand. Also, I'm the type of person who wants instant gratification when buying nice stuff.

    When I got up to the floor, I browsed the denim section, which was pretty extensive. Although there were probably 4-5 sales people chatting together, not one of them came over to help. It was not busy at all, and I think sales people outnumbered customers. After I found the pair I wanted to try on, I had to find and ask a sales person to help me find a dressing room. After that, they disappeared. When I was ready to check out, I made my way to the register, where they magically found me and rang me up (to get their well deserved sales credit, I'm sure).

    What would've been a 5 star experience? As soon as I started to flip through the stacks of jeans, someone should've approached and asked me if I needed help. They also should've talked about the product I was purchasing. When I tried them on, they should've offered feedback on the fit, offered up suggestions of other stuff if it didn't fit right, etc. When I checked out, they should've asked my name, given me a business card, and acted the slightest bit interested. Life as a Barneys employee must be pretty good if no one is trying to get new clients.

    If I were to compare the experience, it would be exactly the opposite of what I had at the Brooks Brothers Madison Ave store. Buying suits there is arguably the best shopping experience I've ever had.
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    4/12/2013
    This review is for the cosmetics section.

    The cosmetic section is like being in a city in a third world country. If you make any eye contact with any of the salespeople you will be HOUNDED. I went to try on lipstick and the salesperson tried to convince me to let her wash my face and put moisturizer on me. I said no. She put foundation around my lips before I could protest. She put on a ton so it was cakey (and the wrong color.) I said it looked bad. She said, "That's because you didn't let me wash your face first." Um no. My regular concealer is not cakey.
    Another salesperson FOLLOWED ME AROUND and tried to shove lipstick in my face.
    When I went to the YSL counter, I swatched a lipstick on my arm. The salesperson said, "Would you like to try that on?" I said, "No thank you." She sighed and nastily said, "I knew you wouldn't." Wtf? That is not how you sell products.

    They are so rude and desperate.
  • Review from

    • 16 friends
    • 28 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    5/8/2013 1 check-in here
    Customer service extremely lacking. I purchased over 600 dollar shoes here and while the sales person was Ok they did not take down any of my info to let me know when something new came in I would like or a sale. Isn't that sales 101?
    I went shopping at Barney's again today and while I love the selection again the customer service is not good. I inquired about a wallet and the girl bluntly said "we don't have it, only in this color." She then walked away. You would think she would check other stores or maybe help me pick something similar. After reading other reviews I felt I needed to add my experience. Maybe they will take notice.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 2 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    4/15/2013
    Brooks Brothers fitting room is by far my favorite place in the city. It comes fully loaded with large floor-to-ceiling mirrors, several elegantly framed pictures, beautifully patterned carpet, a comfy cushioned bench and two couch pillows that make my studio look like a shoebox. I came in to try on a pair of khakis and now I'm completely hooked.

    Day two. I came back today with a few items from different department stores. The lighting here is immaculate.

    Day three. Came here on my lunch break with a sandwich and a romance novel. The heroine is innocent, virginal, and utterly bland. Her name is "Melantha". She ends up swept off her feet by a dashing man named Hawk. He's ill-tempered, violent, promiscuous, and sometimes even a rapist. But his "dangerousness" excites Melantha.

    Day four. I was skeptic at first, but I snuck in my yoga mat this morning. No regrets. Mental flexibility, patience, adaptability, and the ability to handle stress are often cited benefits of yoga and meditation.
  • Review from

    • 111 friends
    • 21 reviews
    New York, NY
    2/9/2013
    Barneys is one of the better department stores in New York in my opinion. I've been shopping here a little under a year and I actually prefer Barneys to Bergdorf, Bloomingdales, and Saks. I find that the selection here is a lot better than the other stores. The space is very simple, clean and sophisticated. It is also a lot less busy and crowded compared to the other ones listed. I am always able to find something here (albeit the high prices) and usually leave with something, unless I'm just window shopping.

    The sales associates here are also very nice. I can't recall ever having a bad experience with customer service at this location. I know the associates make commission here and usually up-sell and are sometimes pushy, but that's normal at any department store. A wonderful department store, with a nice selection of brands and designers, and great customer service. What more can you ask for?
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 12 reviews
    New York, NY
    6/5/2013
    I went in today and bought a pair of sunglasses that I had been wanting to get. The customer service was BEYOND horrible. In the women's sunglasses section there were 2 people, a guy and a young girl, and while the guy at least tried to help a little without a smile on his face; the girl was beyond nasty, rude and snobby. They seemed to try to make me (the paying customer) feel as if I was inferior than them. And by the look of the other clientele, they seemed to be uncomfortable as well. I know it was only a pair of $400 sunglasses, but we are still the customers and in any type of business the customer has to feel welcomed, this was quite the opposite. I didn't feel welcomed AT ALL (and I have to say I was well dressed and presentable for that matter).
    They better make their "employees" lose the attitude or fire them, I can't believe how people like that can get hired. You're just a sales person at a department store. I wish them luck, but I much rather spend my money somewhere else.
  • Review from

    Brooklyn, NY
    7/16/2013
    Barney's has always been an odd bird to me; more boutique-y (maybe even hipster-ey) than Bergdorf, but less classy; more independent than Saks, but with less choice; far less annoying than Bloomingdale's (there is no downside counter-balance here to insert).  I just never knew where to place Barney's.  Well, this week I came to Barney's with something to buy in mind, and I left empty-handed and unsatisfied.  No matter where Barney's fits in the overdone, big-box luxury, Manhattan shopping experience, for me Barney's is now on the "pay-no-mind" list.  I came to Barney's specifically to see and, if all goes well, purchase a pair of Retrosuperfuture sunglasses.  The Retrosuperfuture website goes so far as to tout Barney's as carrying the line.  I came here thinking that this meant an unparalleled inventory and knoweldge of the product.  Was I ever wrong.  I initially went to Atrium Brooklyn to see some samples of Super sunglasses because from a previous visit, I knew they carried the line.  Before buying, I figured that I would just check out Barney's first considering it is right near my office in Midtown.  First, Barney's is so dicreet and subtle about its appearence that I thought I walked into the wrong building.  Second, Barney's has a confusing layout; for example, they have different sunglasses on three different floors categorized by style.  I had to go to three different locations, speaking to three people, before I finally found the Super collection.  Third, the inventory was pathetic, and the salesperson helping me knew very little about the product.  Super sunglasses are oversized by design, so I wanted to get the smallest size frames possible so I could wear them all-purpose.  When I asked the salesperson whether or not they carried the other sizes, he consistently told me that Super only makes once size.  He did not even ask if he could order the right size for me; and had I believed him and not done my homework, I would have bought the wrong product for my face.  I proceeded to show the salesperson the size markers on the frame, which quashed his idea about Super only making one size in their frames (Super also advertises three sizes on their website for their classic frames).  Added to this sizing wierdness, Barney's really had a terrible selection.  They only carried two different styles (when Super has 10+), and carried all their styles in the worst colors.  I originally wanted black, but ended up buying the black with gold arms (which is a signature Super color configuration).  It honestly looked like whatever inventory they had from Super was what they had left in the back.  So much for being touted on their website.  I ended up returning to Atrium Brooklyn to buy my sunglasses; Atrium having not only multiple styles to choose from but every style in signature colors people actually want.  They have a glass wall full of Super sunglasses.  This experience was enough for me not to come back here; I much rather go to a boutique store like Atrium for unique fashion rather than this department store that thinks it is a boutique store.  Barney's = meh.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 4 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    6/28/2013
    If you know anything about clothing, this is the place to shop! The Men's section is amazing! Things that you would never be able to find anywhere else! Things are very expensive but well wroth the price if you did not want to see a person on the street wearing your same outfit!
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    10/7/2012
    One of my favorite stores in the city.  Impeccably curated selection of clothing and accessories, along with a very friendly and helpful staff.  Even during sale seasons, IMO they are still more organized and better stocked than their competitors on 5th Ave.

    The cosmetics section in the basement is worth a visit.  They carry a wide range of products, including some Asian and European brands that you wouldn't see anywhere else.  However please be aware that if you have dark circles or large pores, they will point them out and make you feel a little ugly.  Even if you're just shopping for shower gel, that does not excuse you.  Is it rude?  I don't know.  Are Asian moms rude?  They're just looking out for you.
  • Review from

    • 19 friends
    • 7 reviews
    Mountain View, CA
    7/29/2012
    Barneys is one of my favorite department stores, and I wanted to check out their flagship store while I visited NYC. This place is HUGE (4-5 stories) and you can kill hours here, but it will also destroy your wallet. Most of the items here are out of my price range, but it's still fun to browse. I enjoyed trying on their junya watanabe and Comme des Garçons apparel.

    They have a great selection of denim on the CO-OP floor and probably one of the best places to try on several different types of raw denim in one location.

    Quality clothing, but comes at a high price.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 75 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    1/12/2013
    This is a great store.

    Even in the heat of the hellish sale I was able to find some great things.

    The LA Barneys still reigns Queen however.
  • Review from

    • 6 friends
    • 126 reviews
    Cambridge, MA
    10/16/2012
    My favourite department store in the entire world.

    Threeasfour, Sevan Bicakci, Junya, Dries...*sigh*


No comments:

Post a Comment

Please leave a comment-- or suggestions, particularly of topics and places you'd like to see covered