American Rag

03/23/2008 Posted by partigoer

American Rag's denim bar changes time by time. Every time I go there, I find that they have new cool brands and styles coming in. I never wanted to look the same as everybody on the street. They carry a series premium denim that you may not find elsewhere. I got my bf a pair of Vintage China jeans with a lot of beautiful details on the back pockets. He loved it.

Pros: denim bar

Cons: vintage clothes

03/04/2008 Posted by thejoneses

Generally speaking, I am always wary of stores with sh*tty return/exchange policies (or lack thereof). So I guess I should have taken it more to heart when, at checkout, I noticed a sign behind the counter that explained American Rag's return policy (no refunds, exchange or store credit only, must be within 7 days of purchase, new merchandise only, with receipt). Now I am not in the habit of buying things to return/exchange them, but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect decent customer service if you're buying a premium product. So when I pay $200 for a pair of jeans, you better believe I expect the customer service to back it up. This past weekend, I paid my first visit to American Rag's denim bar, which is, to be fair, pretty fantastic. I tried on a ton of jeans and finally decided on 2 beautiful pairs, the size of one of which I was going back and forth about. But I figured, if I need to exchange them, I'll just bring them back with the receipt sometime this week. After wearing these jeans for (literally) less than 5 minutes at my house one morning a few days later, I decided I definitely needed the smaller size. So I take the jeans (I had cut off the tag but still had it), the receipt, and the bag, call ahead to make sure they will let me exchange them (they said sure, no problem), and go to the store on my lunch break. I take the smaller size up to the counter for the exchange, and the guy tells me he can't exchange them. At first, I was befuddled, but then I find out that the denim bar manager (who was not only completely unhelpful but a pretentious biotch) went to the guy at the register while I was in the dressing room and told him that the jeans I brought back "looked like they had been worn" and "smelled." Um, WHAT?! I was so shocked, I couldn't speak. The guy finally put the exchange through, although not without attitude. But then, if I made $10 an hour, I'd probably be a biotch too.

Pros: Good denim selection

Cons: Bitchy & unhelpful staff, total lack of customer service, holier-than-thou vibe, WAY-overpriced vintage items

11/25/2007 Posted by gychii

I was intrigued by the reputation so I wandered in one day only to be bored to tears. The store is large, with what would seem to be a fine selection, but as I went up and down the aisles, something seemed lacking. The prices were reasonable for this off-Melrose location but in the end I walked out empty-handed and disappointed. The staff, by the way, were pretty much non-existent.

10/05/2007 Posted by princesspinstripe

In a quest to actually contact one of the shop assistants at american rag, not only to say thanks because she was so helpful, but also because she was setting up a street style website that sounded interesting, i stumbled across all these scathing reviews of american rag. I cannot have had a more different experience. Maybe because I'm from Europe, and my levels of service expectations are already low, but I found that the staff couldnt be more welcoming and informative. Particulary Nicole who worked in the denim lab. She guided my boyfriend and I through all the latest fits, showed us LA only designers , talked about details like vintage developed trims, and gave honest opinions. If only I hadnt maxed out my credit card already, I would have been able to take home a pair of jeans that not only fitted great, with an interesting modern cut, but ones I could talk about the designer too. All in all a most easy going way to shop for designer denims. A task which is usually riddled with sour faced pretentious shop assistants. Any plans to open the european branch will be gratefully recieved!

Pros: atmosphere and service

Cons: location

07/31/2007 Posted by silvs

my close friend bought a shirt for me here for my 30th birthday. i went to exchange it a couple days later, and they told me there was nothing that they could do since the shirt was purchased more than 7 days ago (it was purchased 10 days ago). the shirt was still hanging on the fixture a few steps away. they wouldn't let me exchange it for another shirt. they wouldn't exchange it for another size. i had never been to this store before. the merchandise did look nice and i probably would have spent some money on some other items as well. i explained to them that i would shop for other items too. but, they were so set on their rule that they lost a customer flat out. neither my friend nor i will ever enter this store again. though i understand they have a store policy for the times when people try to take advantage of a boutique store like this, the managers there should also understand that they need customers to come back to their store if they want to stay in business. there are plenty of other stores with the same merchandise. so please, if you are going to buy some clothes, go elsewhere.

Cons: no sense of customer service

07/03/2007 Posted by jeaniek

DON'T EVER SHOP HERE!!! Their parking policy is the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard of--even if you shop at their store and are a customer of theirs, you are not allowed to go anywhere else on that street and must pay $6.00 negating the validation they give you. On top of that, the so-called female manager on duty was the most patronizing, rudest biotch ever who doesn't understand the meaning of customer service. There are tons of other boutiques with the same merchandise, why go there??? I'll take my (and all of my 10,000 friends') business elsewhere thanks.

Cons: customer service, parking

04/21/2007 Posted by vonluke

I do not recommend supporting American Rag! If you can find what your looking for somewhere else I would not buy from the Rag. When I tried to make a return within 24 hrs. after purchase due to an allergic reaction I had from the garment the President told me that crediting my card back is not they're policy, and that they run there stores like a boutique, with no returns only exchanges, or store credits. American Rag feels more like a sweat shop, not a boutique feeling at all. I know many retailer's, and small boutiques who will almost always break policy to make the customer's shopping experience a pleasurable one. Many sales rep's and Denim wholesalers won't even allow clothing to go into American Rag because they don't want any assoc. with American Rag, or the President, and her poor, business ethics! The lines they carry change all the time prob. because all the reps can't stand the President. I feel very sorry for the staff of American Rag. Working under that monster can't possibly be a pleasure! American Rag is no success due to customer service. They are willing to burn bridges,once they get the money they will never give it back!!!

11/30/2005 Posted by margie2265

this store is much better for guys than for girls in my opinion. the left side of the store (which has new clothing) has some decent labels, but the buyer for this store really has to find a new job. their jeans selection is ok (guys side is much better), but their shoe section is just god-awful. just imagine every trendy, tacky shoe out there...and then imagine it on the shelves here.

06/01/2003 Posted by hkygrl

The store didn't have a lot of the higher end things other boutiques have but there was a huge selection of interesting things on both sides of the store, enough to make the trip worth it. Prices were very good. Great parking also - free with validation.

Pros: selection, prices, parking

Cons: not much high end, mix matched stock, much to see

07/02/2002 Posted by JenBoyd_Citysearch

The left hand side of the store always sucks me in. Of course with the prices--I usually can only browse. The jean selection is pretty great and the salespeople are very helpful. The vintage selection to the right is extensive--tons of great finds for those of not on a celebrity budget.

Pros: Celebrity spotting, Trendy clothes, Customer service

Cons: Prices, Shoe selection