I work nearby and it is discussed all the time about employees and management smoking out front. Customers can't get into store without passing through cloud of 2nd hand smoke or come out into it. Cigarette butts are all scattered out front and carried into stores all around. Managers and employees should have a smoke room or smoke in back of store if that is how they choose to die.

On March 10, I bought a set of four place mats and other stuffs at the Tukwila, Washington Ross Store (Store# 0044). For some reason the machine couldn't recognize the bar code of the place mats at the time I checked out. Therefore, the cashier scanned another item with same value as the place mats instead. However, I didn't realize that since both of the item cost the same.

On March 31 afternoon (around 16:20 pacific daylight time) I tried to return the place mats at the same store in Tukwila. Nevertheless, the sale associates at the customers service counter, Todd and Senada, told me that I couldn't return it since it isn't listed on the receipt. I explained the story to them, but they even not tried to listen to me and grabbed the place mats then tossed it behind the counter. I negotiated with them, yet they insinuated that I never be able to prove I paid for the place mats since it is not listed on the receipt. Finally, I leave the store only with the receipt.

Such thing never happened at other stores like Marshall and TJ Maxx in my experience. I felt that I was being insulted and I believed your company should provide better customers service training to the sale associates. I can say 90% of the customs won't check the bar codes number and the name of each item on the receipts upon the payment. How the sale associates, Todd and Senada, could insinuate that I stole the place mats and tried to get advantage from the store? Do you think it is worth to get advantage from the store for only $3.99? In addition, it might possible that I brought the wrong receipt (even though I am absolutely sure this is not the case). How could the sale associates, Todd and Senada, grabbed the place mats which was belong to me and tossed it behind the counter just because it was not listed on the receipt?

Yesterday, I walked in Ross stores at the loop, Kissmmee, FL to return my short which was small in size.When i walked in there was no customer service board which i can follow and the register which was taking care of returns was lit off.
I went to the next register which was purchase only assuming they are taking care of return.After waiting for 40 minutes in line because of an old lady who was damn slow with the purchases, i got to know that i have to go to the counter which is number 1 counter and light is lit off.
Old lady asked the lit off counter register lady ' Virgin' to take care of me next but one other customer started complaining about me coming in between the line.Now what is my fault ?There was no customer service board + counter light is switched off as if it's her time is up.I was asked by line manager to go back in line and wait for my turn again.
I talked to the asst/ manager on the spot after that and she agreed that this is common complaint .That means nobody is taking care of it?Nobody?
I have left 3 voicemail with David Clark, district manager and waiting for a good response.
--Sam

I'm one of those proud employees of Ross Dress for Less. (heavy sarcasm) Everything I have read on this board I can agree with. Whether it be managers that are liars, customers that are thieves, or employees that just don't give a damn, it's all true. What people just don't seem to understand is that we are a DISCOUNT store. How you cannot realize that, I dunno, but it seems like every day a customer comes in the store wanting and expecting personal service. We aren't paid on commission people. How many times am I asked where something is a day?? Too damn many that's how many. People walk in the door and ask "where is the shoe dept"? Well, open your tiny little eyes and look to the left and lo and behold! SHOES!

You will find some really, really cheap prices at Ross and this is why people will shop there. I don't see Ross going out of business anytime soon. The reason being that people will put up with a lot of stuff if they can get something they want and like for a cheap price. How many posts on here start with "Store is so dirty but, hey, they have awesome prices"?

I'm not sure why there are so many complaints on here about returns. My store will return practically anything. The only thing I have seen to be non-returnable is an item with no tag and no receipt. Yet, customers still think we are just supposed to take them back. Yeah, no tag, no receipt. I'll just make up some price and punch it into the computer and there ya go! Who really knows or cares if you bought it here? Gee, I do.

There are people that come in day in and day out and I dread it every time I see them. I know they are going to give me a hard time. It's like some people are only happy if they can take out their frustrations on some lowly peon such as a retail worker. It really seems to make them feel superior. "I let that stupid girl at customer service have it! I'm so smart and she's so dumb! I rule!!"

I think the cure-all for difficult customers is to have them work at Ross for ohhh I don't know... three months. During holiday season. And for them to have to wait on people JUST LIKE THEM. Maybe there will be a bit more comprehension of what we actually deal with.

Having said that, I do agree there are employees that can be rude. I'm not trying to excuse it, but I certainly can sympathize with it. There is such a thing as being polite.
Sometimes it's hard, but it's something we all need to do, whether we are employees or customers. It's always easier to help someone with a problem if they are being polite and treating you like a human being. The ones that scream and yell are the ones that I don't want to do anything for and certainly won't go out of my way to satisfy. I'm a person. Treat me like one and I'll treat you like one. It's not difficult.


Yes, scheduling sucks at Ross. Hours suck. Pay sucks. Why do I work there? Got me. Right now, I have a job and I'm bringing in a second income for my household and that's important. I was a stay at home mom for a lot of years, so I have no experience in anything. This is where I was hired. Soon, hopefully, I'll have something I can put down on job applications and I'll get something better.

The Bellingham WA store is an accident waiting to happen. I have complained via email to corporate within the last year about this store to no avail. Now I have taken pictures with my cell phone and started a file with all correspondence to ROSS. Why you ask? The other day I was in the store and watched a older woman fall while trying to get through the sheet isle. It is no exaggeration when I say it has to be at least 4 feet deep in the isle. It's only a matter of time before ROSS gets sued for an injury at this location(if they haven't already). It is already a fire hazard and a health hazard. I tell you, If I hear of anyone bringing litigation against the Bellingham Ross for injury, the litigants attorneys will be getting copies of my electronic letters and pictures proving they were aware of the situation and chose not to do anything about it.

They have so much stock end up on the floor which becomes totally unsaleable. Stock is mixed up so bad that it is a frustrating experience to shop there. You spend hours trying to find a matching sheet, or towel and end up just walking out without buying anything. Add to that the condition of the food section and I am surprised the health department isn't involved. There are open containers of food and food spills that never get cleaned up. I won't eat at restaurants in that strip mall because I know there has to be a rodent problem stemming from Ross.

I saw and heard staff saying that the stock people were sent home, at 2 pm in the afternoon. I have seen the same item on the floor for over a year. No one re-stocks, and the staff are all back in the dressing room area just talking and having a great time talking to their friends about the people they see on camera. I sure hope they are filming me, because I am filming them. I have gone to ROSS three times in the last year and I have not once seen anyone re-stocking the shelves.

While I was there, I overheard at least 80% of the patrons complaining about the condition of the store. From what I have read on complaint boards Bellingham is not the only store maintained in the manner. In other words, the CEO isn't doing his job, the upper level managers are not doing their job, the lower level managers are reaping the rewards in lost profits and lower wages and higher turnovers in staff.

Maybe someone needs to organize the labor in the stores. Since the word isn't going out from the top down, maybe we have to send them a message from the bottom up. Maybe if they brought up the wages and working conditions (safety being a real big issue), and staff level, the CEO's might take a closer look at how their stores are being operated. Hey, I work for a Labor Organization. I have seen where a Union comes in and turns a facility around.

Wonder why the CEO does not care that the condition of his stores represent him? Wonder why CEO MICHAEL BALMUTH has sold off 1/5 of his shares in the store within the last 3 months? Makes you want to go hmmmmm. Also, do a search on his annual salary - just in pay and bonus he is at over a million. Add to that stock, etc. he is at 14 million. That answers that question.

I am off to do some google-ing on ROSS, litigants and CEO's as well as labor organizations. I am also going to post my complaints on every consumer board I can find. I will also post a complaint with the Fire Marshall and Health Department. Don't you just love cut and paste? Good luck with that Bellingham store Ross Dress for Less. Sure hope any fines and lawsuits are hefty. I will be shopping at TJ Max and Walmart. Their stores are clean!