A pleasant surprise at JCPenny customer service today

[ejpoeta]

I went in to Penny's to pick up something I bought online about a week ago. As I waited to pick it up an older gentleman had been next in line and said he wanted to get a gift card. Then he told the lady behind the counter why. He said he wanted them to know why he was getting a gift card. He had heard that Ellen DeGenerous had gotten Penny's to donate some money to a school and some group was mad because DeGenerous is a lesbian. And he said that he wanted to show support for the store.

He said there are a lot of people like him out there that just don't think it's right these folks sticking their noses in other people's business. I told the man that I was glad he felt that way and thanked him for speaking up like that. The town I was in is a very conservative town where you always see Republican signs during election times and Ron Paul ones too. This man was older and I think he said it very well. He said to me that if my daughter (2) was running across the road and about to get hit by a car would I care if the person who saved her was gay? Of course not. What a pleasant thing to be witness too. I am so glad so many people don't like what these folks do and want them to keep their noses out of everyone else's business.

[hlthe2b]

1. JC Penny's is doing lots to turn their business around under a CEO formerly with Apple...

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for them, given how many old chains of stores we've lost. I urge others to join me in giving them a second look. I fully intend to.

Nice story, btw.

[onehandle]

2. He seems to be turning it into Target, which was his gig before Apple.

The television ads are reminiscent of some Target ads, but a bit 'edgier.'

[Roland99]

19. Gone are the coupons and sales, though.

We're going to be hard-pressed to keep shopping there. My wife has snagged some *amazing* bargains with her couponing and JCP cash and sales shopping.

[MADem]

21. The ads I've seen say they're just going to cut prices all the time.

Screw the sales and coupons, is their argument--just slash prices across the board.

I don't shop there so I don't know what the real deal is. I just have seen the commercials.

[Roland99]

22. We've seen the new prices in-store and in the catalog

Definitely not the same.

Guess they're looking to upscale or something. Best of luck to them.

[Patiod]

23. They are making the prices reasonable

My elderly dad likes some very specific pants from Penneys, which I've always thought were worth $35. They used to be marked $70, and I'd wait for a "sale" and then buy them for $35. Now they're just marked $35, which makes more sense to me.

Looking around the store, they're bringing in some nice things, marked at reasonable prices. Nice quality handbags, for instance. I bought my picky SIL some fun electronic gifts there this Christmas: a USB-powered fan and a plug-into-your-car heated coffee mug for her hour commute. They never used to have anything like that.

(no I don't work for JCPenney - ask anyone here - I'm a shill for Big Pharma)

[MADem]

24. Ha ha!

I have a cousin who is a Big Pharma shill too! He gets incredible vacations, paid for by The Corporation, to exotic locations every year, disguised as "company meetings."

Bastard never invited me along, though--he's got too many kids!

[Patiod]

26. Sadly, I'm just a lowly consultant

Suck off the teat, but without any of the benefits. Hard not to here in eastern PA - they are a HUGE part of the economy.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. That makes sense then.

Apple has the best customer service. Glad to hear that model is spreading to other retail stores.

[Skittles]

7. agreed

Penny's lost me a few years ago but I will give 'em a second look

[JI7]

11. yeah, at least they are trying unlike Blockbuster and Borders

[Frustratedlady]

4. Penney's also announced that they are reducing their prices

rather than having 40% markdowns, they are starting out with huge discounts as the regular price. About time. They are hoping other stores follow their practice. I haven't been in the store since they did this, but I think it's a great idea. People are waiting for items to go on sale before they buy, so they might as well put them up at sale price and get the customers from the get-go.

Go, Penneys!!!

[hlthe2b]

5. 'Hadn't realized Ellen DeGeneres once worked for JCPenney's. Another trivia question... NO Googling

JC Penney opened his 500th store in 1924 in Hamilton, MO.

Question (NO GOOGLING): Where did he open his first store in 1902?

Extra Credit if you can tell me what the original name of the store was

[oldhippydude]

6. wyoming hamlett

think it was Rock Springs

[hlthe2b]

8. Close but no cigar...

Since we have a dearth of those wanting to answer JCPenney trivia (LOL) I'll tell yiou..

Kemmerer, WY

and it was called "the Golden Rule" store.

[The Genealogist]

9. I have been hearing such positive things about Penneys lately

And I am glad to hear it! Personally, I've always like Penneys (and yes, I STILL call it Penneys!). My grandmother loved to shop there (though her income was more of a Montgomery Wards income) and since most of my shopping was done with her, I always enjoyed going to Penney's. When I was a child, my local mall had Penneys, Wards, Dillards, and later Famous-Barr (a St Louis-based chain). I always thought the local Wards store was a bit chintzy, though I did enjoy going there too, while Dillards and Famous Barr were both stuffier stores. Penneys always seemed just right. My first suit came from there, along with more than half of my clothes as I was growing up.

I've said it before, I don't have much money to spend on consumer goods now, but things like socks and boxers, as needed, will come from Penney's.

[eggplant]

14. My folks always referred to it as...

"The boutique of Jean Claude Pen-nay".

[Surya Gayatri]

16. You're so right, TG. Nobody does undies like JCP...

When I get back to the States, there's always a mandatory shopping trip to JC Penney.

I buy a couple of year's supply of well-made, reasonably priced "smalls" (as a Canadian friend of mine calls undies).

SG

[Beacool]

10. Good to know and good for this man!!

I just spent some money at Penneys this past Saturday. I'm glad that I did.

[louslobbs]

12. K&R

Lou

[Highway61]

13. Good for him

K & R

[Surya Gayatri]

15. Are the apolitical masses finally reaching

the end of their rope?

Has the self-righteous right-wing tried to dictate to everybody else one too many times?

We'll see, I guess...

SG

[JNelson6563]

17. You may be on to something.

I think it is a distinct possibility.

Julie

[Surya Gayatri]

18. From your keyboard to God's ears! n/t

[JDPriestly]

20. That decides it.

I am running out of certain clothing items and have to buy new. J.C. Penney's is where I will spend my money.

Thank you J.C. Penney's for being socially responsible.

[Liberal_in_LA]

25. nice!