Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Talbots's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 102 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 31 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:04/18/2025
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Ive shopped Talbots for years with no problems until 2024 *************. I would advise you not to use Talbot Credit Card if you value your credit score. Due to the paperless policy I called what I thought was Talbots in November 2024 to pay my bill. They were so rude I was not able to get help with my statement so I could pay the bill. Waited a couple days and tried again. They took my payment in full & waived late because it was due to not offering costumer service. I went to the local store, explained this to the manager who help me zero out my account which had a $16.40 credit and I asked that my account be closed. Four months later - February 23, 2025 my credit monitoring sent an alert that i had a delinquent account. January 6th Comenity put $5.54 interest on my account, February they added $22.62 interest and on February 23 they reported $28 to ************* causing my credit to go from 822 to 674 - a 148 point drop. Long story short they waived their so called interest charges on my paid account and still refuse to correct my credit standing and there is no Talbots customer service, all their numbers go to the worthless bank. Ive reported to our Attorney General but Comenity stands firm they will not correct the error. ******.
Business Response
Date: 04/18/2025
Talbots Credit Card is owned and serviced by *************. This complaint involves the customer's credit card so should be filed against ************* and not Talbots. We will, however, forward the concern on the customer's behalf. We will follow up with Ms. ******* when we receive a response. We apologize for any inconvenience involved.Initial Complaint
Date:04/05/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I placed an order online back in February. I received a notice from the *********** that it was delivered. When I went to my PO Box, they were unable to locate the package. I went back a couple more times thinking the package would show up. I also made several attempts with the **************** team at ******************** about not receiving the package, and that it was lost. I received an email from customer service stating they will credit my account. It has been more than a month, and I have not received a credit. I also received an email from the *********** stating the package was being returned to the sender because it was never picked up. I only want a credit of $284 back to my account, and ******************** has failed to provide the level of service.Business Response
Date: 04/05/2025
Please confirm with customer the order number, billing name and billing address. The billing name and address on order 241202IE20072 does not match the contact name and address Ms. ******** provided. Due to privacy regulations, we can only share credit card information with the card owner. Thank you.Customer Answer
Date: 04/05/2025
[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does satisfy my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint #********. I understand that by choosing to accept the business response that my complaint will be closed as resolved.
Regards,
***** ********Initial Complaint
Date:03/06/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
On December 24, 2024, I purchased a $300 Talbots e-gift card for my mother as a Christmas gift. In early February 2025, she attempted to use the gift card at our local Talbots store but the gift card did not work. The store manager advised her to try using it ********* mother successfully made an online purchase for $76.05 on February 15, 2025. However, when she returned to the store during the last week of February, she was again unable to use the gift card. Subsequently, on February 26, 2025, she attempted another online purchase and received the message, "The card number has been reserved (gift card has been authorized already)."I immediately contacted Talbots customer service. The initial representative stated a merchandise credit had been issued and to check my email, but I received no such email. Upon a second call, I spoke with *******, who confirmed that no merchandise credit was visible in the system. After consulting with his manager, he explained the gift card likely experienced a "glitch" during my mother's in-store visit and stated it would take several days to "unlock" the card.I request the immediate resolution of this issue with the issuance of a new gift card with the full remaining balance or a refund.Business Response
Date: 03/06/2025
Our apologies to Mr. ***** for the difficulties experienced while attempting to redeem the E-gift card. We were experiencing an issue with the balance of E-gift cards transferring to the recipient's profile. That issue has since been resolved. The balance which should have been added to the recipient, Ms. ********** profile as a digital merchandise credit was $223.95. We have added that amount plus a token credit for our mistake to total $250.00. The $250.00 credit can be redeemed online, in the store or by calling our catalog department. Again, we are so very sorry for the bad experience.Customer Answer
Date: 03/07/2025
[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does satisfy my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint #********. I understand that by choosing to accept the business response that my complaint will be closed as resolved.
Regards,
******** *****Initial Complaint
Date:02/16/2025
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I purchased the Isle Fronds tote bag in order #******IE67442 on April 28, 2024. I have used the bag a total of three times (I rotate my totes often). It was $97.30. I am a good customer and often purchase items for myself and my mother. I have never asked for a return like this from them, and customer service's only answer was that you had 60 days. I find Talbots' inability to stand by the quality of its products misleading in terms of its own statements regarding the value of its products. I had a pair of boots from Talbots that fell apart after a few wears, but I let it go, as I had worn them. But shoes and a purse are entirely different things, and I expect Talbots' quality to withstand more than three uses. Their **************** had no intention of helping me, and that is also misleading. They present themselves as customer-forward, but my experience tells me they are no longer that type of store. My request is simple - I want my money back. I'll happily send this useless item back to them.Business Response
Date: 02/16/2025
I apologize for the experience you have had with a defective bag.
I processed the return credit for the bag. The price paid was $84.41 so a return credit of $84.41 has been processed to your credit card ending in # ****. You should see it post to your card in the next 3-14 days.
There is no need to return the bag. We do not want to inconvenience you in any way.
Thank you for being a loyal Talbots customer. I hope you will give us another opportunity to provide better customer service.
***** *******
Initial Complaint
Date:02/12/2025
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I have been a Talbots charge card customer since 2002 & have always paid my ******************** credit card invoice in full. I paid by ************ check #**** my full balance (Talbots November, 2024 statement) of $360.23. When I received the next Talbots statement, I was shocked there was no reference to that payment; instead I was credited only $104.50. After three unhelpful calls to their so-called customer service number, I wrote letters including my personal ************ statement showing that Talbots bank (ComenityBank in ****) did in fact cash my check on 12/26/24. I have spent at least 10hours attempting to obtain proper credit for my payment and have received only 3 'form letters'. The last one stated I must have a copy of my cancelled check. My bank verified that Talbots "digitized" my check which means there is no actual cancelled check! Shouldn't my bank statement plus documents from Trustco uploaded in the attachment be adequate? Meanwhile, I am being charged interest monthly for an alleged underpayment of my bill!Business Response
Date: 02/13/2025
The Talbots credit card is issued and managed by *************/***************. We have no way to research or resolve the complaint. I will send the information to the escalation team at *************** for research and follow up with Ms. ******* but for the fastest resolution I suggest Ms. ******* file a BBB complaint against them.
Customer Answer
Date: 02/13/2025
Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered.I have contacted the bank used by Talbots sending several documents showing that Comenity Bank/Talbots cashed my check in full response. Yet I have received only form letters continuing to state I did not pay the amount in question with no explanation as to why my bank statement and related documents are insufficient proof of full payment. Please provide a specific individual/department whom I may contact for a full explanation as to why my bank's documents are insufficient to show I made full payment of the amount in question.
FAQ
w
Regards,*****
Business Response
Date: 02/16/2025
The information provided was sent to the escalation team at ***************/Comenity Bank. They will follow up with you. We do not have access to their systems to determine what is needed by them to trace the payment.
In this situation they usually need the electronic transmittal form if the check was submitted electronically or the front and back copy of the cancelled check if the payment was mailed but they will let you know what they need to be able to trace the payment.
Customer Answer
Date: 02/18/2025
Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered.
[You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution. If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
Talbots chooses what company or bank to use as their billing party. Therefore, Talbots needs to take responsibility for Comenity's review of customer responses to Comenity's billing mistakes with specific references to the documents and explanations a customer has provided. A form letter stating Comenity disagrees with no reference to the specific supportive documents I have provided is inadequate. To date, ************* has not responded to me with an explanation that references the actual proof of payment I have provided.
Regards,*****
Initial Complaint
Date:01/04/2025
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I returned three items to Talbots on 1/2/2025. I gave a receipt saying I was refunded ******. However it is not showing up at All on my master card. I chatted with Talbots and waited two hours- only to be told to call the store which I already did. Thry said theyve done their part and weekends take longer. But I didnt return on a weekend. I have a receipt but no money. The ********** company has no record of my return.Business Response
Date: 01/05/2025
The return credit of $249.57 transaction date is 1/02 to the MasterCard ending in #****. The credit has a process/business date of 1/03/25. Since the return was done on a Thursday the credit did not post until Friday the 3rd. It can take between 5 and 14 business days for a refund to appear depending on the terms of the credit card agreement. The reference number for the credit is 05436845003501094186520.Customer Answer
Date: 01/05/2025
Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered.
Other businesses temporarily show the action on my credit card app. When final it posts. This did not show up at all. The card company has no record.
Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
FAQ
Regards,Lara
Business Response
Date: 01/06/2025
Please allow sufficient time for the credit to process to the account. The process time can vary according to the customer's individual bank. The return credit of $249.57 transaction date is 1/02 to the MasterCard ending in #****. The credit has a process/business date of 1/03/25. Since the return was done on a Thursday the credit did not post until Friday the 3rd. It can take between 5 and 14 business days for a refund to appear depending on the terms of the credit card agreement. The reference number for the credit is 05436845003501094186520.Initial Complaint
Date:12/10/2024
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I placed an order on 12/7/24 with Talbots. The items I purchased were all 40% off. Today, 12/10/24, I noticed these same items were now 50% off. I contacted Talbots, knowing they had a price adjustment policy, to request a price adjustment. The order was placed three days ago and I have yet to receive the merchandise, so I am still within the price adjustment period. Yet Talbots denied this request. I am writing to make others aware of the unethical practice and poor customer service received from a manager by the name of *****. I am requesting this price adjustment to be honored.Business Response
Date: 12/11/2024
The 50% off promotion was a Flash Sale and was offered during limited hours on December 10th. Talbots price adjustment policy does not include flash sales. Please see the attachment which is the disclaimer for today's flash sale as an example. The exclusion applies to all flash sales. However, we have issued a credit for difference to Ms. **** as a courtesy and an exception to our policy.Customer Answer
Date: 12/11/2024
Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered.
I appreciate the willingness to credit my account for the difference, but I would like to know what difference is being credited. Furthermore, the 50% off is still being advertised on your webpage, so this would not classify as a flash sale.
[You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution. If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
FAQ
Regards,Keri
Business Response
Date: 12/17/2024
Percentage off sales can be either flash sales or promotions and can change daily. At the time of the complaint the customer received 40% off and requested an adjustment to equal 50% off. The amounts credited were as below for a total of $57.60. Upon review it does appear that one item (sku ******** forest tweed vest) was credited an additional $16.90 to the customer's benefit. Customer's request for a price adjustment outside of policy has been honored.
Sku ******** $18.31
Sku ******** $31.11
SKU ******** $8.18Customer Answer
Date: 12/18/2024
Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered.
[You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution. If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
I appreciate the price adjustments, but the condescending tone received reflects the level of customer service offered by *******.
Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
FAQ
Regards,Keri
Initial Complaint
Date:12/09/2024
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Have not received refund for returned items. It is extremely difficult to contact Talbots: busy signals, dropped calls. On 12/9/2024 I reached a customer service *** who told me it takes 14 days for *** to handle the returning items and then another 4 business days for a refund to occur. This is almost a month. The ***. did not answer my question as to whether the items were at the facility. I need my refund, please.Business Response
Date: 12/09/2024
I apologize for the aggravation you have experienced trying to get your return processed. We will pull the call you made on ***** and review it with the associate.
I released the return. You should see the credit of $270.19 processed to your ****** account in the next few days. You should also receive an email from ****** notifying you of the credit.
Thank you for your patience and for giving us an opportunity to make it right. We appreciate you being a loyal Talbots customer.
***** *******Initial Complaint
Date:10/02/2024
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Date of transaction: online 9/6/24 $283.50 less $50 order discount, less $25 reward coupon, with a total of $208.50 pd to Talbots I ordered three pairs of shoes Moccasins $139 kept, loafers $64.50 returned, Sneakers $80 canceled by Talbots - out of stock. I used a Talbots gift card of $150.00 and the remainder on Talbots credit card ($58.50). Talbots can't seem to return the money for the canceled shoes (sneakers) which I paid $80 for. I called Talbots and got the run around; was transferred and spoke with 6 different people. I went into the store and spoke with an employee on the phone and was on the call for 1 1/2 hours with no resolution. Someone was supposed to call me yesterday (10/1/24) or today (10/2/24). I haven't heard from anyone. $21.50 was returned to the Talbots gift card which is much less than the amount that I was charged for the sneakers. I would like the correct amount of money returned to me and this frustrating situation remedied.Business Response
Date: 10/03/2024
I apologize for the confusion regarding the charges for your order 240906IE10697.
The amount of the order as placed was $ 233.50. The driving mocs shipped first resulting in $54.62 being pulled from the gift card # **************** and the $25 reward being applied. The loafers shipped next pulling $73.88 from the gift card. The tennis shoes did not ship so the remaining $21.50 on the gift card was unauthorized and the Talbots credit card was not charged.
When the loafers were returned on 9/20 the credit of $73.88 was issued as a digital merchandise credit. It was partially used on your store purchase on 9/24 leaving a remaining balance of $2.49.
I hope this is helpful.
Customer Answer
Date: 10/05/2024
[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does satisfy my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint #********. I understand that by choosing to accept the business response that my complaint will be closed as resolved.
Regards,
***** *****Initial Complaint
Date:09/17/2024
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I placed an order for $116.95 ($8.95) shipping charge. After more than a week I did not receive my order. I called Talbots (1st call put on hold for more than 15 minutes) hung up & called again. Was told there was a Warehouse error. Told them to cancel this order and placed the same order (less 1 item) for a total cost of $84.00. The first order finally arrived and they sent me a prepaid label to send it back. They received the returned order on September 11 but still no credit adjustment on my credit statement. They tell me it is in disputethere is NO DISPUTE ABOUT, I RETURNED THE ORDER, THEY RECEIVED THE RETURNED ORDER AND I WANT MY ACCOUNT CREDITED FOR **************** COMPANY, HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE.Business Response
Date: 09/25/2024
Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. Ms. ****** has now been credits for $99.05; $8.95 and $8.95 for a total credit for merchandise, shipping and return fees in the amount of $116.95. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.Customer Answer
Date: 09/25/2024
[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does satisfy my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint #********. I understand that by choosing to accept the business response that my complaint will be closed as resolved.However, will never order from them again & will close my account after payoff.
Regards,
****** ******
BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.
BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.
When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.
BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period, except for customer reviews. Customer reviews posted prior to July 5, 2024, will no longer be published when they reach three years from their submission date. Customer reviews posted on/after July 5, 2024, will be published indefinitely unless otherwise voluntarily retracted by the user who submitted the content, or BBB no longer believes the review is authentic. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this company, please let them know that you checked their record with BBB.
As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation. BBB charges a fee for BBB Accreditation. This fee supports BBB's efforts to fulfill its mission of advancing marketplace trust.