08/20/09

Good Selection of Clothing - Awful Staff

by Hikingbloke

Moved to NYC from Conn. Was excited to see such a big, established outdoor supply store. Went to buy some crampons. None of the staff seemed to know what i was talking about. Two staff directed me to the wrong place in the store. Put it down to a bad day, but each time I have gone for other things I get the same crappy service. Try EMS or Tents and Trails - MUCH better.

• Pros: Great range of outdoor clothing
• Cons: Staff are unhelpful, unknowledgable

07/27/09

great selection, not great service

by nygangster

This probably the most frustrating store that I know of, just cause they always have what I want, but in order to get it, the struggle makes it barely worth it. The sales staff can be inconsiderate, and will either completely ignore you or be super aggressive depending on whether or not their department uses commissions. Still, if you need some really good sporting equipment in new york city, then I'm sorry to say it, but you'll end up in Paragon. It's got everything you'll every need, if you can make it through the shopping experience.

• Pros: they've got everything you'll ever need
• Cons: High prices, Horrible staff

06/29/09

The WORST experience..BEWARE....

by agv5150

My mother is a 60 year old woman who went into Paragon because I purchased a 100 gift certificate for her for Xmas. She is a swim instructor. She is always desparately trying to find appropriate swimwear, sports bras and sportswear that she can use for work. Being older and working in a pool, finding the right items can be tough. I thought Paragon would be the perfect place to try to find the specialty items.

She went, found some pieces and purchased them with the intention of trying them in the privacy of her home and returning what did not work. A week later she went to return the items and was accused ob being a "STYLIST" and could not return them. Granted she purchased over $800 worth of merchandise. However, in paragon that bill racks up very quickly. There is a clause on the back of the receipt that states items purchase as props for shoots, etc...can not be returned.

She purchased about 15 items....different sizes and styles of similar items in an effort to find something that would fit her comfortably for work. She explained that she was not a stylist, just someone trying to find the right fit and not having any luck. THEY REFUSED TO RETURN THE MERCHANDISE CLAIMING SHE WAS A STYLIST.

She was beside herself. A 60 year old swim instructor does not have $800 to throw away just because some company is making up insane policies to keep people's money. She even called the cops to explain the situation. Even they tried to convince the manager to do the right thing...the manager's response was to take him to court...that he would prove she was a stylist. THIS IS CRAZY!!

This is a large store taking advantage of an innocent shopper. She was making a return in the correct amount of time...the correct way..and being told no for an INSANE REASON. Now she has to take them to court????? This is crazy! She is being penalized for purchasing items and needing to return them because the fit was incorrect. I feel so badly for my mother.

This was supposed to be a nice gift which has turned into a nightmare. This NYC "Landmark" should not be allowed to do this to people! So much for customer service. They treated her like a criminal....like she shoplifted items, not someone who was following their policy of returning items within 30 days.

I am so angry at this situation...not sure if I should call a lawyer, media friends....or scream from every internet mountaintop about this incredibly WRONG practice. Soooooo.....for those of you that buy items....even a few too many items because god forbid you want to try them at home and think about your purchase...THIS IS NOT THE STORE FOR YOU...they might claim you are a stylist and KEEP YOUR MONEY!!!!!!

• Pros: NONE
• Cons: Customer Service