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Wednesday, January 22nd
Bloomingdales is a renowned American luxury department store chain that was originally established in 1861 by Benjamin and Lyman Bloomingdale. The store found its way into the folds of Federated Department Stores in 1930 and became a sister brand to Macy's, which was also acquired by Federated in 1994. Now, Bloomingdales operates a total of 36 department stores and 23 outlet stores, all bearing the prestigious Bloomingdales name. Notably, the company commemorated its 150th anniversary on September 9, 2022, marking a significant milestone in its illustrious history.
Specializes in high-end inventory
Bloomingdales is renowned for offering high-end fashion items at premium prices. You can find 2,646 items available in their handbag section, which is a fairly competitive inventory. The smallest category at Bloomingdales is the "Under $50." This should give you an idea of the upscale nature of the handbags they offer. Most of their bags are over $100 and some are even over $5,000. So, if you're in search of a specific designer bag, Bloomingdales is a prime destination. However, for those on a budget, you may not find what you want at Bloomingdales. But, there are some cheaper items to be found. For example, the full price range for Bloomingdales ranges from $28 for a Medium Canvas Bag to $8,995 for a Dolce & Gabbana Handle Bag.
Easy user interface for a premium experience
Their website is fairly straightforward to navigate, featuring a prominent link to handbags on the homepage. Upon visiting the handbag landing page, you'll find an array of choices, including links to current fashion trends, best-selling items, and renowned designers. Bloomingdales even provides you access to an online style expert to help you discover the perfect bag. Plus, once you've started browsing, you can easily narrow down your options with useful filters which include selections like designer, color, price, fabric, handbag size, gender, percent off, occasion, and department.
Free shipping on $150+ for non-members
In terms of shipping, Bloomingdales typically processes and ships in-stock items within two business days for standard shipping. For customers who are members at Bloomingdales, you can expect free shipping on every order. For other customers, the free shipping threshold is pretty high. You'll need to spend $150+ to score free shipping from this retailer. On the bright side, for customers who live near a Bloomingdales location, you can get free in-store pickup whether you're a member or not, which might help those shipping costs in a pinch.
Returns within 90 days
One noteworthy aspect of Bloomingdales is its generous return policy. Customers have the luxury of returning most unwanted items within 90 days, provided they remain in a resalable condition. Only items listed as "final offer” will not be able to be returned. Furthermore, Bloomingdales will give you store credit if you have an item but lost your receipt. For this return process, as long as you have the name and shipping address of the original purchase, you can expect to receive store credit for the item at the lowest selling price in the last 180 days.
Concerns about online shopping ding its reputation
According to some third-party review sites, however, Bloomingdales isn't worth the worry even for premium picks. Many third-party sites with verified reviews rated Bloomingdales just over 1 star out of 5 on average. While some customers commended the diverse online selection and praised customer service representatives for their assistance with online orders, the majority of compliments pertained to in-store shopping experiences. Online shopping, on the other hand, was heavily criticized. The most frequent complaints referred to order cancellations without prior customer notification and interactions with impolite and condescending online customer service agents. On the flipside, the company does have an "A+” rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau, which supports the more positive reviews seen on Sitejabber (which gave Bloomingdales a higher 3.5-star average).
Mid-tier, but great spot for luxury brands
Despite offering a substantial selection of handbags, Bloomingdales is known for its premium inventory which may be limiting to many shoppers. Their return and shipping policies rank favorably in comparison to other online handbag retailers, owing to their large-scale operations and the longer-than-average return window. Nevertheless, Bloomingdales was positioned in the middle tier here primarily due to adverse customer service reviews concerning online shopping. While many customers lauded their in-store experiences, the negative encounters online highlighted areas in which Bloomingdales could stand to improve. So, if you're in the market for premium brands, you should still check out Bloomingdales. It's the number one spot for those brand-name handbags that are the height of fashion. But if you're looking for deals or the smoothest shopping experience online, you might want to keep browsing.
Today, handbags play a pivotal role in the world of fashion. They seamlessly blend functionality and style, offering both practicality and a distinctive fashion statement, from totes and clutches to crossbody bags and backpacks. And in recent years, handbags have witnessed a shift towards sustainability, with many consumers opting for eco-friendly and ethical options.
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Handbags possess a rich historical legacy, with roots tracing back centuries. In the 17th century, these accessories served as small concealed pouches for both men and women, carrying coins, keys, and snacks. As time progressed into the 18th and 19th centuries, women's evolving fashion styles ushered in more ornate and decorative handbags, often crafted from luxurious fabrics and adorned with intricate embroidery.
By the 20th century, handbags had become symbols of both status and style, epitomized by iconic designs like the Hermes Birkin and Chanel 2.55 bag, showcasing the burgeoning importance of brand recognition. Influencer culture and social media have further fueled the popularity of specific handbag designs, cementing their place as an essential and evolving accessory in the realm of fashion and style. Whether you want vegan leather or a Coach clutch, there's something out there for everyone.
With so many retailers that offer high-quality handbags it can be hard to know where to start. So, to help you figure out which handbag stores aren't cut from the same cloth, we've put together some key things to consider to help you find the best place to pick your next must-have accessory:
To help you on your way to the height of fashion, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best online handbag retailers available online today. Since a good handbag often becomes an everyday companion, we know how important it is to pick the accessory that fits your unique style. Whether your quest is for a daily commute companion, a vacation-ready tote, or a show-stopping clutch for a night on the town, our reviews can help you express your inner fashionista!
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