I've been shopping at Zara for years all over the world. I feel compelled to write a review on this particular location simply due to the glaringly awful customer service, customer relations, & customer hospitality. Not that they will ever read these reviews. People will still shop there regardless of customer service because Zara does offer designer look a likes for fractions of the price without looking like a glaring knock off. As most Zara shoppers would agree, the quality fluctuates depending on the pieces. I have sweaters & jeans that I've worn for 5 years & they still serve me well. I still wear a Zara scarf that I bought 6 years ago & paid only $3.99. Conversely, some T-shirts will fade into obscurity after 8 washes. Pros: designer looking designs for a fraction of the cost. Also, I always shop the end if season sales and you can't beat $9.99 jeans, $4.99 Tshirts, or $14.99 shoes. Cons: the shoe sizes fluctuate depending on the style of shoe. I have anywhere from size 39-41 in Zara shoes. Also heeled sandals are way too tight around the toes. Beautiful design but poor design functionally. And now to the gist of this particular store - as someone who has worked in the retail & customer service realm, I can tell you that my former bosses would have fired the entire staff at this Skokie location. They all have enormous egos and all think they're stylists working at Vogue or a high fashion house. If you ask them a question, they respond with more "likes" & "ums" than an actual answer. The cashiers & managers are exceptionally dull. No "hello" or "thank you". They are like robots except robots have more personality. I have seen other customers receive the same treatment, and even beration. Employees have put clothes back on the racks and pushed me - the customer - aside without even a simple "excuse me". It's like the customers don't even exist. Furthermore, don't you dare try to break up a conversation between two employees. I had a question for a fitting room attendant and she actually told me to "hold on " while she finished illustrating her weekend escapades to her coworker. The complete and utter lack of acknowledgement of customers put the staff at a negative eight stars. Never once have I even heard a "Thank you " at checkout despite being here at least two dozen times in the last 18 months. If one thing is consistent here, it's the lack of customer service. I would give one star but then I remind myself of the $4.99 - $9.99 bargains at the end of season sales. Employees definitely deserve zero stars. read more

Zara is here! Finally a store that I can look forward to when going to a mall. European style and great material without the boutique prices. A bit dangerous because I want to buy the whole store out. Prices are great, comparable to Banana Rep. The difference is BR is just so dull. I mean how long are you keep bringing the same merino wool polo season after season! Evolve already! read more

The worst customer experience ever. Between them and corporate I have never been more frustrated.

Some of the clothes in here are so bizarre looking - I really don't think I'm trendy enough to be shopping in here... or the right size. I can usually get away with a medium at most places, sometimes a large... but some of their larges just do not fit right. Most likely because Europeans are long and lean and I am short and chubby, but isn't H&M from Europe too? No sizing problems there, and cheaper too! I still managed to walk out with 5 items of clothing (I love things on sale) that I may or may not keep. Doh! :) read more

There was no one to help me find a shirt or even greet me. All of the employees were too busy talking to each other. There is not a lot of people who can help you there, but the cashier was friendly and helpful with my return. Unfortunately the clothes are just a bit too big for me, but they do have some nice prints. read more

I am doing some last minute shopping for a trip to Europe and have only one day off to do it, I came to Zara knowing I'd find some good stuff... the employees are SO RUDE! I was there for 3 hours trying pieces on and putting outfits together, I had a pile of KEEP clothes (well over $1000 worth of sales for them) where the dressing room attendant told me to put them... after the looong shopping day at Zara in Old Orchard I came out of my dressing room and didn't see my KEEP pile, so I asked where it was? She said I just put everything back on the shelves... I thought she was joking so I was still nice about it... she didn't care and said an unapologetic sorry. I didn't have time to look around again or remember what was all in my pile! I never get mad, but she could tell I was upset and she wanted nothing to do with the situation... i was already annoyed of everyones attitudes then this!? c'mon Zara... this is NOT how you keep customers! To end this novel of negativity... I should of just walked out right then and there with how miserable my ONLY DAY shopping experience was there... i ended up just buying what i had in my dressing room (still $400 worth of clothes) i get home, go through my bag and the cashier didn't put a skirt in my bag that was on my receipt, now i have to find time to go back and get it... I called this morning to tell them they forgot to put a skirt in my bag, the girl on the phone sounded like she had no clue what to do, so she paged a manager... the manager told her to tell me to call back at 10am because they were closed! WHY ANSWER THE PHONE if you're closed!? I JUST WANT TO RETURN EVERYTHING AND GO TO ANOTHER LOCATION! AH!!! read more

Empolees are wonderful. Many customers say that this store in the worst, maybe, if you stop being so needy and rude, then maybe, your customer service experience would be more enjoyable. Every time I come into this store, I am always welcomed. Yes, the lines at the register are unbearable but the cashiers are super nice. read more

Zara at Old Orchard has the WORST customer service. The managers in womens are incompetent especially Karina and are rude except for Melissa. Melissa has a great approach to customer service. Managers should keep in mind that thanks to the customers shopping at this zara location, hours are increased in the bugdet. Managers, lead by example please, if employess mirror your attitudes and rudeness they do the exact. Don't blame employees for their behavior because it is the way managers have unsuccessfully trained them. Sadly, Skokie is the only location with unfortunate issues. Also, be aware that the managers BLOCK the escalator with a rolling rack so customers can not shop on the second floor 20 minutes before closing! Not even State nor Michigan Ave blocks their escalators and they let customers shop freely until they close at 7pm. The manager Karina( black long hair hispanic) said they ALWAYS close their second floor in order to prevent lines....Hello! Zara Downtown stores have triple the lines than Skokie has. Poor customer service and HR should be notified. read more

My customer experience with the Zara Old Orchard store manager has compelled me to write my first and only Yelp review, as I feel regional teams and fellow shoppers should be aware of the unacceptable attitude of the OO store. I was hoping to make a simple exchange of two items, and because I'm not a frequent Zara shopper, was unaware of their stringent 30 day exchange only policy. Firstly, I do believe that in today's competitive e-commerce/retail landscape, 30 day policies are archaic and disadvantageous to a store's competitive position. If a store, espeically a mid-tier price retailer like Zara, does hold such a policy, I expect to be made aware of it at check-out. Never in my interactions had I been told of the strict policy. Then, what's even more unacceptable is how the store manager of the Zara store (old orchard) made me aware of their policy. She was called over the second the cashier knew it was a return, and very bluntly and rudely told me no credit, no returns, and only an exchange based on the item's current value ( i had bought the item 35 days ago) would be possible. She pulled up my receipt and pointed to the italicized size 5 font on the back of the receipt to back her case. I told her I hadn't been made aware of the policy, and she told me I should read the fine print on the receipt more often. I am appalled by her utter lack of general human courtesy and shocked she is employed in a typically customer-service focused role in retail. read more

Very negative experience with staff! Went to return a blouse that was ripped in two places, which I realized after getting it home. When I went to return it a week later was told I probably caused the damage (although I had tags, a receipt and had bought it along with hundreds of dollars of other merchandise). When I protested was asked to leave. Worst costumer experience ever. Be ready to keep anything you get here forever! read more

Left without purchasing, they would have made over $200 from my sale but lost a customer because of the long checkout lines. Seriously you have 10 people waiting in line and can't open another register? You do long returns and check outs on the same register? Bad business. read more

The most disorganized Zara I have ever stepped into. Horrible shopping experience. Manager was nowhere to be found when I asked. Employees are also disinterested in helping. read more

I would give them 0 stars. I purchased a pink suede purse with a black leather tassel and handle. The dye used in the black leather handle and tassel bled all over the purse and my hands. I returned the purse to the Old Orchard store and a very arrogant employee said there was a disclaimer on the purse tag stating the dye could bleed. He tried reading the tag and couldn't find the disclaimer. He changed his story and said my blue jeans rubbed off on the purse. The one and only time I used the purse I wasn't wearing jeans,I was wearing running pants. He said they bleed too. Zara, Old Orchard would not return the purse and told me I had to call customer service. When I called Customer Service they said they stand by their store managers decision and I cannot return the purse. I can see why Zara has such a low rating on Yelp. Shop at Nordstroms, they have great Customer Service. read more

I absolutely love the clothing at Zara. I've been coming to this location in Skokie for years and I generally have not had any problems. Recently though, I have encountered difficulties with a manager in the Men's Department named Juan. Several times in the last couple months I've had to deal with his rude behavior, which has bordered on insulting. My recommendation is to shop online as opposed to in this store, at least until they figure out the management situation. read more

New favorite store I stumbled upon a old orchard mall. Seems like a new addition. I love the style of their clothing line and the quality. The price range varies there which I like, not too pricey. I really needed work clothes but also look fashionable and this place is perfect! I'm now a fan. read more

Never shopped at a store where more merchandise was on the floor than on the rack. Clean up your store this is an embarassement read more

Zara - Wow Zara how can you expect people to shop in this mess. Everywhere I look clothes all over the floor - Men's Clothing Near Me - Skokie, Illinois

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I called the store asking a question about a return, and the sales associate was extremely rude. I passed it off as a bad day, and didn't say anything. Then today, I went into the store. I was immediately greeted with, "I'm not open here, so I can't help you". That was it. I then moved to the next register. There was no clear line, and all of the customers were unsure of where to stand. The sales associate then snapped, "the line is there!" She was rude to every customer, did not smile or even look up. Extremely cold and acted like we were ruining her day. I've worked in sales/customer service, and bent over backwards for customers. I was shocked at their attitudes. I'll never be shopping from the store again. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. I have taken my daughter shopping here a few times. They carry a lot of merchandise. Each time I noticed long lines to pay for merchandise, 4-6 people behind the counter but it seems like only 1-2 working the registers. Suggesting adding more employees to cover the registers falls on deaf ears. It appears they do not care. The clothing to me seems like a better quality Forever 21, fair at best for fast fashion. Unfortunately for my daughter we will not be returning. I am big on customer service, treat your customers well and they will return, if you don't, there are numerous other places money can be spent. Competition is always there. During a recent shopping trip with my daughter, one of the tops she wanted needed to be ordered online as they didn't have the size in store. I was told that the online purchase would be a $4.00 charge to send or spend $50.00 for free shipping or I could return to their store and pick it up myself. I spent $400.00 at Zara and they wanted to charge me $4.00 to send a top they didn't have in the store. I decided to pick-up the top myself 5 days later. I strongly feel the $4.00 charge to send a top you don't have in stock is ludicrous, ESPECIALLY when the customer standing in front of you is purchasing $400.00 worth of merchandise!!! When I returned home and thought about the situation I called customer service, they did NOTHING and did not offer to send me the top and in asking them to do so, they still did nothing. Upon picking up the top I asked to speak to a manager. He told me to contact customer service and I told him I already had and it went nowhere. Based on Zara's lack of interest in DOING THE RIGHT THING, I returned the vast majority of the items purchased. CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT A PRIORITY, you simply do not matter. Thank you for showing me how you feel about your customers, message received loud and clear. I will simply shop elsewhere. read more

Came here today with my mother, it is a tuesday and we were in the store at 1:30pm. We ended up only finding one item and were stuck waiting in the checkout line for 25 minutes. Jaime (the manager) informed us the all but 1 cashier took lunch at the same time and she is sorry. All anyone took away from that is "I can't do my job well so now everyone has to deal with my inadequacy" she insisted on apologizing while doing nothing to help and brushing offf customers like we were a nuisence. She never even got on the register to help knock out the line of very obviously frustrated customers. She is extremely in professional and stuck up and i do not think i will return. read more

I love Zara clothing. I love it so much that I usually only buy clothes form there. However, the customer service here is usually not up to par. The line at the cash register is always so long and the cashiers are really slow at their jobs. Also, the shop is really messy and I wonder who is organizing the stuff. read more

Fashion forward clothing at affordable prices. Quality is horrible on most items. Service and overall Zara policies are atrocious. Employees have a chip on their shoulder; zara does not believe in customer service and their policies are made to screw the customer. The customer pretty much gets stuck with a defected item. They don't even accept exchanges for a different item even with a receipt. Absolutely horrible! Find somewhere else to shop. read more

Juan is the worst manager from Mens! I had the worst experience ever! I love to shop at zara, but worst management! My mother is 80 years old and had a return with my 2 year old daughter. She had a minor issue with the cashier. My mom had high blood pressure because the mens manager started SCREAMING at the top of his lungs at my mother GET OUT OF MY STORE! In front of customers and he even requested security. What a shame and dissapointment. My mother is 80 years old. This "gentleman" has poor management. Incompetent and disrespectful! Can't beleive he still works there. If customers steal at Zara, I bet he wouldn't tell at them. On the other hand, to elders he certainly does! Hopefully Zara corporate reads thr reviews! read more

I love Zara! I love the clothing and the style. In terms of customer service I think this location is lacking that. I've been shopping here for a while and each time I walk out shocked by how unfriendly the employees are. I love the trendy European style but this location is hit or miss. They have a small selection of clothing. I recommend shopping online with free shipping and returns. read more

The store manager of the childrens department could not have been more rude and unprofessional. I had a return from Christmas that was just past the 30 days with the original receipt. She wanted to give me back less than 25% of what it was worth. She was completely awful and condescending on top of it. She should not work in retail or customer service. read more

WORST ZARA EVER!!!!! I was so disappointed. Horrible customer service. It is obvious they have such poor management. Everyone is so rude! Especially the kids manager. She speaks in a demanding manner and doesn't care about customer service. They never have sufficient employees and it is such a hassle when I ask for a size check and there is only one associate who also has to handle checking people out. Clearly the associates get over worked with a load of tasks therefore the managers, specifically from the kids department, need to start helping out with customer service. Get it together ZARA. read more

For some reason the have only one register open most of the times I shopped there, thus long wait to return or check out

Very pretty store. Customer service? Well yes if you keep avoiding eye contact I will go away.

I absolutely fell madly in love with Zara while in Europe. And so has all of Europe it seems, since everyone and their mother shops there. I was enthralled when I found out there was one here much closer, especially when they have the exact same clothes as the one across the pond. Though the prices here are noticeably higher here in the US (even after the dollar to euro conversion), it is still very reasonably priced. They have an awesome coat/jacket selection, and the clothes are magnificent. There's everything from causal to dressy and everything in between. But unlike their European counterparts, where it's nearly impossible to find anything under a size M, size S and XS are bountiful here. Yay for obese America! read more

I think all Zara's in general have poor customer service, it's almost like you have to not be friendly or smile to be hired. The lines in this store are always long and it's rare to have more than one person at the register helping during the work week. I went to Old Orchard to pick up a internet order, I waited in line downstairs only to be told I have to go upstairs to pick up my order, I went upstairs and watched while 3 employees were having a conversation and ignoring me, I said I was there to pick up an order and one of them directed me to the kids section, I went to kids and no one was there. It really should not have been that difficult to pick up an order, there were 8 employees that day and only 2 at a register, this is not how a business should be ran. The three employees standing at the upstairs register were just talking, one of them could have grabbed my order instead of telling me to go a few feet over to the kids register. At the end I had to go back to the second floor register and told them to get my package, and I was not nice about it. I understand retail is not an easy business to be in, I worked retail for many years out of college, but that is no excuse to treat customer poorly. read more

This place was like forever 21 on muscle milk. Weak! i was excited to visit here since we don't have one in minnesota, but it was a big disappointment. You can find better deals at Bloomingdale's contemporary area or Macy's impulse area (look for 40%, 65% or 80% off). Save your money and time and skip this place. read more

I love the styles at Zara. Some of it is a bit over the top for me. I tend to dress conservatively but I always find something I want here. The prices are reasonable and the styles change often. My first experience with Zara was in Germany and was pleased to see that they had locations here. The variety of dresses, tops, sweaters, skirts and such is great. There is definitely something for everyone. I want to bring the hubs here so he can look at the mens clothing as I love what I see. read more

After a recent visit with a friend, I've noticed the sales associates being more friendly and helpful. Maybe the negative comments finally set in- I will most likely come back and hope that this becomes a pattern. I'm only giving this review 2 stars for the improved customer quality but for my experience of a poorly made sweater. I got a sweater for Christmas and realized there were obvious large runs in the back after I left the store, so I went back to exchange it a few days later. Surprisingly, there were the same sweaters also returned (I had snagged the last one a few days ago) piled up on a table, with the same problem- HUGE runs everywhere, threads coming out. I was shocked that Zara would even try to sell the sweaters in this condition. When I asked the sales associate, she said the runs were from the fabric snagging on the sequins and acknowledged they were damaged- she was very nice, but why would you put 10 damaged sweaters back out in this unsellable condition? I got my money back with no questions asked, which I appreciate, and regardless of my sweater expeience, all and all, I will give Zara another chance. read more

Finally, a Zara in chicagoland (& more stores to come)! Zara's been my go to store for youthful business casual and fanciful outerwear and dresses for ages. And despite of the current array of endless black & greys for fall/winter, Zara is the more trendy & chic version of Club Monaco and Banana Republic, for about the same price and quality. Their selection has a high over rate in order to keep up with current fashion trends (don't wait for a sale or it might be gone), so hopefully more vibrant colors are on the way. read more

Stylish clothes without the high prices. I'm definitely a fan. I bought a jacket on a weekend trip up to the burbs. It's great quality and often receives compliments. Kudos to Zara! It's located at Old Orchard Mall which has seen better days, but I'm optimistic about their new renovations. read more

Wow, NEVER put anything on hold at this Zara location. I called Thursday to have an item put on hold because I was DYING to have it. It is no longer available online, and neither of the stores downtown Chicago had it in my size. I was SO DESPERATE to have this shirt that I was going to commute via public transportation (1 hr 25 min each way) from Chicago because I don't have a car. The employee I spoke to on the phone Thursday got manager approval to have the item on hold through Saturday b/c i couldn't make it until today. Called the store at 10:01 am and OF COURSE the shirt--that i would literally do anything for-- is gone. Gone from hold and SOLD. I have never been so annoyed (AND heartbroken)!!! The store is unacceptably incompetent. read more

That was 4 people working , and unfortunately one on the register. The line was six people . Tree of them just was doing nothing :) I step by to guy whom worked on men's stuff and asked , why it's only one is open ... He said because. It's not professional. read more

Poor quality clothes, disgusting store, bad service. Shop elsewhere for cheap quality overpriced clothes.

Zara...I am totally excited that you finally exist in Chicago and still love love your style. But only one person working at the cashier, having one hand scanning the price tags, while the other one answering phone calls? Not acceptable!! Are you kidding me? There are other sales standing right behind me just talking and walking around, not seeing the long line behind the register? What's going on?? I walked out with a bag-full of clothes all still with security alarm tags on them !! Went back driving 40 minutes to the store, not even able to return one of them?? It totally ruined how I used to feel about u Zara. Take some time, and work out your kinks. read more

Rude, rude, rude. I've been a steady customer here for years and tried to ignore the mediocre service. But they have lost me as a customer permanently after today. They had one salesperson checking people out and a line do 4. I politely asked a salesperson shelving clothes if it was possible to open another frosted. He said, "not all all." I said, "I'm sorry-so it is possible?" "Not at all." "So no?" "Not at all." I said "I'm sorry I don't understand." And he walked away. He was done and I am done. Train your salespeople Zara! read more

Living in the city, I generally shop at the Michigan Ave. location, and the employees are friendly and the manager of the mens department is very professional. However, I recently visited the Old Orchard location, and wow, NEVER AGAIN!!! Upon entering the store, the men's department, the male employee was friendly and greeted me, and I asked for a pair of pants which he had to run and get. While he was gone, there was a female employee at the counter, whom I didn't realize was the manager at the time. While waiting for him to return, I was trying on coats and asking her for opinions, which it took me 3, yes, 3 statements directed to her before she responded-apparently doing paperwork was more important that helping customers. Her reply was ok, but it didn't feel sincere at ll. The male employee returned, and I started trying on clothing. After my first round of fitting room fun, I was browsing around for more items in the store, when all of a sudden I hear the female yelling at the male employee!!!! SO UNPROFESSIONAL! It made me feel uncomfortable, like I also was getting into trouble. The male employee was responding in a lower, professional tone, however she kept going and going. At the end, he kept his cool, and told her in the future to take him in the back to discuss discrepancies. She responded saying he was getting worked up about it-hello lady, I was right there, and he wasn't at all. The whole experience almost made me walk out and not purchase anything, and I spend A LOT OF MONEY at the downtown store. I told her I wasn't happy for her actions, and I asked for info on how to report the incident. She responded, and gave me the info, and I immediately reported it to the corporate office in New York. It's my sincere hope that they rectify this situation and get rid of her, the employees do not need to put up with that at all.....and neither do I, which is why I will never go to this location ever again. read more