Macys.com

Full review
Hanukkah is approaching and rather than just handing over cash to my adult kids, we want to give them gifts. My older daughter lives in New York City where large shopping malls are not something she can get to easily. She told me there was a Macy’s near her so I figured if I bought something online; she could always return it. I am reviewing Macys.com

What is on the site and how it works:

When I first went to the site I was impressed with the fact they featured primarily items that were on sale. Since I was also looking for a bracelet for my stepson I clicked on the search store locator and found that there is a Macy’s in San Francisco. I went to men’s jewelry and found 9 items. The online store did not have what I wanted and the closest item was twice what I wanted to spend, so I was a bit disappointed in that.

This site is simple to use and straight forward with fast loading pages.

I looked at the specials and went to bath towels first. The on sale price for a 27 x 54 inch bath towel, which is not a super large size is $11.99! So I was again disappointed with the high prices. Although I was looking for my older daughter, my younger one wants luggage and they showed a special on Samsonite luggage. I was so impressed and I really liked the fact I could e-mail that page to her, that I did. The product selection and prices in this department were very nice.

Right next to all these specials on the first page is a large ad for a gift card! Here I go again but it is so much easier than attempting to buy something for adult kids unless you know what they want (If my younger daughter said she liked the Samsonite luggage, I would buy her a piece from this site without a doubt.)

I could purchase a virtual gift card that I could make up myself and my daughter could use it online or by a gift card for the store. I know she likes walking around New York City and I think it is good for her to get out of her apartment, so I chose the latter. This site has so far won the award for the number of gift cards from which to choose – 24! (I thought the 9 at target.com were a lot.) That includes cards that come in a box for an additional $3.95 shipping. Gift cards without boxes have no shipping charges.

Buying the gift:

This was a cinch. There is a promotional code, which I didn’t have, but there may be some around so keep your eyes out for one. I did the usual by putting in where it was going and who was paying and with what kind of charge card. In order to access your account and to add items to a wish list, you will have to register. If you want to buy something and have no intention of tracking the order or looking at your account you do not have to register at this site.

You can pay online with Macy’s online credit card or with Visa, Master Card, American Express and Macy’s charge card.

I really like also that they include a gift card. In spite of the fact that I had this shipped to my home since Hanukkah is 2 days after Thanksgiving and she will be home then, I made out a gift card- it is free, so why not?

Shipping and returns:

This site so far wins the award for the easiest to follow shipping methods. There is no guesswork involved. When you go to checkout you will get a pop up window that tells you when it will be delivered if you bought it on a certain day. For example if the order is received by Saturday, then it will be shipped by Wednesday. We still, of course, don’t know how long the postal service will take, but at least I have concrete days to look at. Shipping is explained in detail on this pop up. It will cost you $5.95 for an item under $25 for example and there are more expansive faster options as well.
I got a confirmation e-mail telling me that the ship date would be November 6 which is exactly the dates that matched the popup. Still one never knows! I received the gift card on November 9. Terrific.

The return policy is clearly explained as well. “You may exchange or return merchandise for a full refund, less shipping charges, based on the original form of purchase.” The item can be returned to the store or “Return by Mail to macys.com Use the Return Form that accompanied the merchandise shipment. We provide a pre-addressed shipping label for your convenience.”

In summary:

This is a very easy site to use. It was reliable and dependable. Some departments are lacking in products and are high priced and other departments are not. There is enough of a selection in many of the departments, though. For example there are 36 Gen XY Rampage shirts available so if I had some clue as to whether my daughter wore these, I would certainly have been able to pick one out. They will cost you about $40.00 though, which is a bit steep for my budget. I usually don’t shop in Macy’s unless they are having a huge clearance sale. My daughter can choose, though, if she wants to splurge or be frugal.