Banana Republic
reviews and complaints

Banana Republic Rips-off their best Luxe card customers by sending fraudulent notices of one day sales. They offered 40% OFF on June 19, 2010 on full priced items on line to their charge customers.

They have trained their on line customers to believe that Old Navy, Gap, B/R, Piperlime and Athleta are all the same brands as they are linked together. Their advertising stated Banana Republic items on sale but DID NOT SPECIFICALLY mention that their other brands were NOT included in this one day on line sale.

This is fraudulent and deceiving advertising. Assumptions were made to their customers and not specifically spelled out in their post card mailer and emails.

THIS IS A RIP-OFF, SHAME on you Banana Republic advertising.

Someone got my information and used my credit card. I got a call from Banana republic about it and that they wanted me to call them back. I did. My call was clearly transferred to somewhere outside of the United States. They guy was so rude and was talking to me as if he was ready to bite my head off. RUDE RUDE RUDE ! Two things B.R needs to do before giving their business to some vague third party in India, 1- TEACH THEM SOME PHONE ETIQUETTE, 2- GIVE THEM AN ACCENT TRAINING IF YOU SO BADLY WANT US TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE IN THE NEXT CITY !
The rep. made it sound as if he was doing me a favor by doing his job. Really ? They are going to send me a replacement card which is going to take 3 months. But I am going to close the account and not shopping at Banana Republic again.

I got sucked in by a big-discount-today-if-you-get-a-store-card offer, and it went badly right from the beginning. I applied for a store charge card but was told on the spot that I'd been approved and "upgraded" to a Visa card. I said I didn't want a Visa card, and was told I had to call an 800 customer service number, and ask them to "downgrade" my account to a simple charge card. I did that immediately, but a week later, I still received the new "welcome packet" for the Visa. I ignored it, as I'd been told to do by the rep I'd talked to. But then I never received the other card. Nor did I receive an invoice or statement. I couldn't see or manage my account online because I had no valid account number -- only the Visa account number which had now been cancelled. I waited a few weeks, but nothing. Then I got a call reminding me to activate the Visa card. I called customer service, waited on hold forever, and then got an agent on an insanely static-troubled headset. I tried to explain the situation and get the problem corrected, but I could only understand every third word the guy said and had to keep repeating myself because he couldn't hear me, either. Crazy. I suggested he get a different headset. He said he couldn't. I asked if he could transfer me to someone else. He said everybody there at the call center had the same problem. They got a lot of complaints about it, he said, but the space they were in just had a lot of static. So we kept trying, but it was like talking to someone in outer space. Finally I was able to make out that the account was past due and had a hold on it. I was furious and alarmed, because how the heck can you pay a bill you don't have an account number for? I said I wanted to pay the entire balance immediately, have them reverse late-fee charge, correct my credit report and close the account. He said he'd reverse the late fee, but I couldn't understand him well enough or be heard well enough to get the mailing address or to pay by phone (which would have cost me an extra $15 bucks, but would have been well worth it at that point). And he couldn't give me my entire account number (which I'd need to pay online). It was the most maddening situation. I finally sent a check to what I HOPE is the right address with just the last four digits of my account number, which was all the agent COULD give me. Now I am just hoping/waiting for my check to clear. I have excellent credit, and it makes me insane to think that for the $100 bucks I saved at the store, I've wound up wasting all this time AND having my credit score put at risk — all for a stupid $268 balance. I just hope I can get my payment applied, then get this account closed for good and make sure they correct their erroneous report to the credit bureaus. I am convinced none of this was an accident, and reading the complaints of others who have had similar experiences, and the company should be investigated for fraud. My advice: DO NOT OPEN A CREDIT ACCOUNT WITH THIS COMPANY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

I attempted to return dress shirts to a Banana Republic store in Indianapolis, IN within two weeks of purchasing them. The shirts had never been worn and had the original tags on them. The CSR at the store refused to accept the return, saying that the shirts were too wrinkled for him to resell. This was shocking since the shirts had not even been removed once from the bag; the CSR on the original date of sale had crammed them into the bag which resulted in the wrinkling.

In writing to Banana Republic's complaint email, they said my only option was to go to another Banana Republic store and have another manager evaluate the merchandise. Considering that option would mean I would have to drive 150 miles each way, that is not feasible. They have offered no apology and keep repeating their return policy in their responses.

Needless to say, I have canceled my BR Luxe credit card (which means I have purchased a lot of clothing from them in the past) and will never again buy any merchandise from any of their affiliated retailers.

Banana Republic sent me an email on informing me that my order with them would be delivered using [protected]@Home . Two days after the latest delivery date shown on BR's email I still have no delivery. I called Banana Republic to find that it had in fact been delivered to a "James in Flat 2" THREE DAYS AGO! I'm certainly not James and I live in completely different block to Flat 2! I do not know a James in my block or in any other block and do not recall leaving instructions for my parcel to be left with a neighbour.

Shockingly this is not the first time I have had something intended for me left at a random neighbour's flat. I had absolutely no idea until the lady kindly rang my buzzer the evening of the delivery to give me my parcel. I did not know her at all as she lived in a completely different block and had no access to mine! The behaviour of couriers is lazy, fraudulent and shocking. Why would they 1) leave the parcel with someone else and 2) accept a signature that is clearly not the intended recipient.

I have contacted DHL but am as yet to hear from them. Doubt it. Lazy, fraudulent scums.

I should have kept my Banana Republic Card and never switched over to the Visa card being managed by GE Capital. Nothing but issues and problems, including an inability of their customer service to link or look into the transactions that I had on my previous Banana Card to troubleshoot a double charge. Having the CSR on the opposite end stating "she thinks" this is where that erronious charge must have come from, didn't exactly make me feel confident that the folks on the other end managing my money knew what they were doing.

Dealing with a call center never helps - the CSR's were rude and condescending and when I asked to speak to a manager, they actually refused and told me there was nothing they could do to help find out what the charge was. WOW - talk about lack of customer service. I used to charge all my expenses on this card, but after this experience, no more. NO value to me using this Visa issued by Banana for any other purchases other than Banana Republic purchases - it's really too bad they made me switch from the regular Banana Republic card thinking there'd be value, since it's been nothing but hassle dealing with the credit company in charge. You will get calls at all hours of the day from their credit arm harassing you for payment if you're a few days late. Certainly not pleasant to deal with and has literally turned me off of using this card and charging ANYTHING. When I asked the process to cancle the Visa switch back to a regular card, the CSR said, you'll have to reapply and go thru that process - no thanks.

Banana Republic should be aware that their brand and image of an easy company to deal with is being tarnished by their credit card call center. I used to love shopping for their points and dollars back - now that perk's not even worth it for me since I'd rather avoid dealing with their credit card company.

Dear All! Reading all previous comments, it seems that I'm at the right website to voice my credit concern with Banana Republic's online payment. And hopefully, the company should take it seriously and solve it as soon as possible before missing more clients. FYI - I don't buy anything from them after the disaster experience I would like to share with you right now.

I had a purchase of $42.11 on Gap in July 2010 using Banana's credit card. As a diligent customer (also with Ann Taylor, J. Jill, Talbot) and get used to Banana's credit system, I did my payment online as usual. In September, I checked my personal bank account and figured out that my payment with Banana wasn't gone through. I then checked my Banana and figured out that I didn't! Thought that it was my mistake for not being carefully for the last bill. I did make my payment, including $25 late fee charge right away. To make sure that I did it right this time, two days later I accessed the website again, and it said that the payment went through. But in October, I received a 888- phone call and then a message said that I didn't pay my bill with Banana. When I called customer services number, requested them to provide me information on when was the last time I accessed the system (I know that customer service / or Banana's outsourced call center company is able to check this information on its system), their staff could not answer and tried to persuade me that I didn't make my payment! Together with my 2-month late fee, now I owed Banana the total amount of $89.40.

Disappointed, surprised and even angry with myself for the silly mistake, I requested their staff to send paper billing statement. Meanwhile, I went to Banana's online system again to do it at that night with the full amount of $89.4 in hope that I can get rid of this inconvenient experience right away. The system received my payment, acknowledged. To make sure 100%, or even 200% this time ;((, I checked the website continuously every day for a week. The system still showed my payment went through, however, it also I owed the company the same amount of $89.4 for my next billing cycle! Done! I knew for sure that the system was messed up.

I called the customer service number right away after figuring out this and asked them what the problem is. So funny in their system, they didn't see my payment of $89.4. When I explained everything to their staff, they showed negative response that forced me to request to speak to upper manager. With my persistence of asking to speak to upper manager, that staff after 10 minutes of keeping saying that there was no manager (!?) finally got me through his manager. After telling him again the story, the manager told me that he could help me make payment online without the fee (?) (In fact, customer could call and ask their staff directly to make payment if they agreed to pay a certain % on billing value for that service). I was at the highest level of disappointment in Banana's credit system when they try to rip off customers at any occasion by having unreliable online payment system and unprofessional customer service staff.

The story didn't end! I still had my reward coupon of $20 that I would like to redeem on Black Friday this year. When I brought it up to pay for my accessory, the store cashier let me know that I could not use the reward coupon without my Banana credit card (which I have never wanted after all). The funniest thing that, when I decided to use that, I was also informed that the system said that my credit card was terminated some time agoooo!
My good impression about Banana Republic and their brand totally collapsed on that day! While I quite know that customers should separate the service and experience of Banana Republic outlets with those of the Banana’s credit company, I am really not satisfied with the way the company manage their brand, their services in the whole package under Banana Republic’s Brand Name. Good bye” Banana” Services!

I am a long time customer and many dollar customer of Banana Republic. I REALLY like their styles in clothing and they fit me will. HOWEVER, the fabric pulled away at the pocket of my THIRD pair of jeans from BR after the second or third time I wore them. Unfortunately for me, I did not wear these jeans too often and the defect was only visible at the 5 month mark since purchase.

The time element for me to run around to the store, then to be told to call the toll-free customer service number for support; where then the toll-free service rep said to go to the store; then at the store to be rejected again for being past the 30 day mark; then call the toll-free again who said "any workmanship issue over any time is replaced;" then go to the store to be told it WASN'T a defect by the store (after an previous subtle acknowledgement that it was indeed)...took a long time!

Wasn't a defect...huh. I am not overweight, the fabric is obviously pulling away on its own while wearing normally (a.k.a. not torn), the label tag strings are still attached, no wear-n-tear, they look nearly new...huh...not a defect.

In the end, I was blown off big time. BR showed zero interest in supporting. The toll-free guy told me to go to other stores until one of them helped me. Nice. I like driving around complaining about jeans, because I have nothing better to do with my life! I just want to quickly buy something from a company that stands behind their work...not one that lets my behind be unwillingly exposed. I don't even care if I get this pair replaced anymore, nor do I want a credit. Keep your scammed dollars BR! I have several jeans and life will go on. But, this pair of jeans was crap. I am angry and insulted at the inference that somehow I'm responsible.

If I could stand in front of the store for days showing every customer my jeans so they could at least be warned and make up their own mind by seeing my pair; that would be a good thing. I probably won't be wearing the defective pair in front of the store, but that would make a great point. It's fine if you purchase poor quality jeans from a major discount store...there are expectations. I paid, what I consider, a higher dollar for the look and quality of these jeans and I expected more. My kids wreak havoc for years in cheap discount store jeans, but these, you can't sit down in for fear of separating the fabric! I am shocked at the support and I'm too busy in life to spend any more time whining about jeans to this blog, but more so to wasting time with a useless dance with Banana Recraplic.

I have a credit card from BR that I will soon cancel. I will take my clothing shopping elsewhere. I am done whining...please heed my advice...If you like the look of BR clothes, buy that look elsewhere unless you are getting a deal! It's your risk...that guarantee is at the mercy of one person's opinion and YOU ARE NOT that person, nor will that person listen to you, because..."That's policy!"

Every time I stop by at this location is always mess in sale section. HUUUUge mess. Clothes on floor, wrong sizing, different style hangers on same items, etc, etc, etc. It is not just discusting, it is simply not safe. Once, very nice and professionally looking sale support associate apologized for the mess, tried to pick up some clothes from the floor same time helping me to find a jacket, but was called to somewhere else. Seems like, even sales people feel sorry, but no managers.

The managers, who are responsible for merchandise presentation in this store, should do a better job. This is not an organized store. Comparable to other BR stores around, particularly dowtown location, Bellevue store is much worse.

Just wondering who is hiring unprofessional and not detail-oriented managers?

Banana Republic cut my credit limit from 2900 to 200.

I can no longer buy anyting there.

I have good credit.

This seems unfair to me, but it just means I will not shop there.

They rae a company that makes their money by selling a product - CLOTHING! Not supposedly by credit card late fees.

I have always paid my balance off in full.

I dont' understand this, as they seem to have lowered customer's limits so low that they wil not shop there. I certainly won't anymore.

So they are trying to sell clothing in a tough economy and are doing so by actually throwing away their customers. Shooting oneself in the foot, it seems. Stupid idiots.

Gee, are we supposed to now think they are not interested in selling clothes, but only in usury?

So my girlfriend and I were in Banana Republic and we intentionally bought enough ($75 dollars worth I believe) to where we received the "complimentary" movie tickets through Fandango. On the 30th of January (the day before they expired) we tried to use the ticket code on Fandango, only to be informed that it had already been used. On the ticket it says to contact Fandango if there are any issues. So I sent Fandango an email and we went to the movies anyway.

Fast Forward to February 9th when I receive this email:

"Thank you for your email and we apologize for any inconvenience caused by our delay in responding to your question.

Recently we have experienced a significantly higher call volume than usual. Due to this unpredictable increase in phone contacts we have been unable to get to your email sooner.

Unfortunately, you received a duplicated code. When Banana Republic purchased the codes from Fandango, they chose to have them printed on physical cards rather than distribute them by email. The company that printed the cards for Banana Republic double printed a batch of about 1, 000 cards.

When a company buys codes from Fandango, the purchasing company becomes solely responsible for the codes and their restrictions. Because of this, Fandango is unable to directly assist you.

Banana Republic is aware of this issue and has provided us with a phone number to direct their customers to so that they may offer compensation for the inconvenience. Please contact Banana Republic customer support at [protected]. All of the supervisors at Banana Republic are aware of this issue and are equipped to assist you; if you speak to an associate who is unaware of this issue, please ask for a supervisor.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

NOTE: Please do not click the reply button. Emails sent to this address are not read."

The brilliant thing about this email, which I received on the 9th, is how they stress that Banana Republic is offering compensation for their botch-up. So I call Banana Republic and they inform me that they were only compensating people until February 3rd. After talking to two separate underlings and a manager, they basically told me to piss off and I informed them that I would take my business elsewhere. $20 cost them an entire lifetime of patronage. Bad business. Bad customer service. Banana Republic, who the hell elected them? I sure as heck didn't. Should change their name to Banana Fascists.

Same goes for Fandango too, they took no responsibility for their part in the obvious problem. I will not give money to thieves and Banana Fascists and Fascdango both joined the ranks of thieves by scamming thousands of people.

I cannot believe how awful this company is. I purchased a sports jacket for my father at Christmas at full price which unfortunately did not fit him. He lives outside of Toronto and not close to a store location and my grandmother has been in the hospital for the past month so he did not have time to get into the store to exchange it. Upon trying to exchange the item he was told that the gift receipt “expired” on January 15th and that he couldn’t even get a STORE CREDIT for the full price paid. They said they were more than happy to give him a credit for the current sale price (which was $89, and I paid $270). I drove out to get the jacket and tried to take it back with the original receipt (which actually makes no statement about exchanges ONLY that full refund in 30 days or less) and was told that he should have shipped that jacket to the store in between driving to see his sick mother. NICE STORE, will never go back.

Listen to this,
I went into the store (Banana Republic) in Pittsburgh PA on Walnut Street. I brought a jacket I bought 3 weeks ago to return. I had a tag, that fell off, but I still have it and a receipt. The manager was the same woman who sold me the jacket 3 weeks ago, and wouldn't take it back. She said that the jacket looked worn and she wouldn't take it. Let me tell you this, of course you might think that I wore the jacket, but I bought the jacket from clerance and when I tried it on at home, the tag fell off and the jacket was a little bit rinkled to begin wth ( because I bought it from clerance). Anyway, if the jacket didn't look " new" to her isn't it her fault that she sold it to me to begin with, why sell jacket that looks worn. Anyway, I used to be a regular customer there, and now I am never going back there and making sure none of my friends are going there. Anyway, people be aware that the Banana Republic store in Pittsburgh PA on Walnut street sucks because they treat people poorly. I was humiliated in front of other customers and they made me feel like a liar. I honestly, didn't think that it would happen to me but it did. I don't even care about the money I am going to lose and I understand that obviously this vicious manager from Walnut STreet is shooting for manager of the month and simply didn't want to take anything back into her store. I hope she has a very Merry Christmas this year!

The "customer service" for Banana Republic's Luxe [Visa] card is a joke.

First, their "system" consists of endless "if you want . . push 3" loop tapes, without an "escape" to a real person.

Second, the choices offered cover few needs.

Third, once you do choose a "need, " you're placed on hold for 10+ minutes.

Fourth, the "person" who answers can't speak English.

Fifth, while you're on hold, rotten music is played at a very high volume.

Again, there's no way, in BR's system, that you can get to a real, thinking human being.

BR sucks.

I purchased grey cashmere cardigan in Sep2009 at Banana Republic outlet store in Great Mall. However when I tried to wear it, the fabric sticks to my black cloths, bags, chairs, and everywhere. The fabric also flows in air and get to my eyes and it bothered me all day. I thought this is impossible to wear. So I tried to return it today (Nov2009), however the store didn't accept. They said this is worn. I kept explaining them this is not worn. The casher guy said "There is nothing I can do about it because this looks worn. And no one has complained about the facric before". Store manager said "I can't talk to you anymore". I think this is very rude and I even doubt Banana Republic's quality of work. If the fabric sticks everywhere and may bother eyes, it should show signs about it. So shoppers are more aware of it. How should I prove that it is not worn? The cloth was for $65 plus tax; this is not cheap for me. I think they are disrespecting consumers. I think this is wrong.

I went in to return to items that didn't fit right. I didn't realize that their return policy had changed from 90 days to 30 days and I just so happened to be returning my merchandise on the 31st day. I am a very good customer and spend a lot of money there. I even have a Luxe card which is supposed to give you perks of some kind. The manager refused to return the 2 items. I told him the zipper on the dress sticks. He tried it and said he didn't see a problem with it. I told him there is a problem when the dress is on your body and you are trying to maneuver it from an odd angle. He asked me to go in and put the dress on and he would try the zipper while it was on my body. What?!? I'm not going to let some sicko unzip my dress for me? I left the store unable to return my merchandise. I am very upset to have been treated that way and won't shop at that store again.

I just got off the phone with BR cutomer service who refused to help me at all. I was polite and told them I was trying to use a gift card, gave them the gift card # but the card was scratched and I could not read the reference # they wanted. They said they could not help me that I had to go to a store. I stated that I am handicapped and could not get to a store that I had to do all shoppping online & could they please help me - look up the gift card # for the amount - something! NO, NO NO -I tried to get a supervisor and they refused to let me speak to one. Then I asked for a name and number for a supervisor and they said they cannot give out that number. Is there a big secret about who works for this *** company! Lastly, I tried to cancel my order that I had just placed & was told they will put in a request but they can't guarantee it will be cancelled. I guess they are just rolling in money in this weak economy. No one even asked if there was anything they could do to keep my business. They could care less that they just lost a client that used to spend thousands of dollars with them. Glad to see business is so good for them!