ComplaintsforThe Cato Corporation

• Initial Complaint

  05/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I picked up a layaway and purchased items on Sunday May ****************** ************* ga. My daughter is 28 and I have shopped at Cato since she was six months old. Most of my experience has been pleasant but the most shocking was the last encounter. I was picking up a layaway. Apparently while in layaway a necklace set that was with the layaway was damaged . I remember seeing the store clerk who recovered my layaway going over to her showing her a necklace set and I wonder if it was mine because the color could not be missed. But quickly dismissed it. Shopped paid for my items and left. When I got home opened the tissue paper and lol the necklace was broken in the front. Could not be missed. I was immediately incensed. If it was shown to me I understand things happen I would have just ordered another but the dishonesty of this clerk and store manager leaves me speechlessness. The next day I I went back to the be store. One store clerk when I was explaining how I felt keep telling me to just let it go! Really.!!!!!!!! The store manager needs a course in ethics. So sad that a purchase of $375 was returned due to dishonesty over a necklace set the was *****. ************************************************************ ***** will be returned. I will not be returning to that store and am not sure wether I want to shop at a store that does not value me as a customer or as a person ethically. Retraining needs to take place. I will not send anyone else to that store also.

  Business response

  06/10/2024

  This District Manager contacted this customer and offered an apology. The store staff did attempt to find out more about her dissatisfaction and offer assistance, however the customer did not want to discuss her issue with the Manager. Anytime an item is broken, or defective we want to satisfy the customer by offering an exchange, or ordering another item to meet the customer's request. 

  Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I purchased jewelry from Cato Company, dated 03/29/2024. I received the items. I wasnt satisfied with one of the earrings, so I returned the earrings back to Cato Company with a return *** label . I checked my credit card account and noticed the refund amount was 0.04 cents. I emailed Cato Company about my refund. *******, Cato Company associate emailed me on 05/07/2024,about the refund amount was deducted from the prepaid label used to return the earrings. I explained to ******* that I used my credit card to purchase items from the Companys website . This isnt a joke and its an insult.

• Initial Complaint

  05/06/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I returned items purchased within 24 hours of said purchase. They will not return my money to my bank account for 5 days!! I need that money now! They sure jerked it out of my bank account in about 5 minutes!! This is fraud.

• Initial Complaint

  11/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Hello this boot that i purchased i only worn one time and the materials is coming apart this boot ?? is not made out of good material i don't feel that i got my money worth thanks in advance.

  Business response

  11/29/2023

  We will reach out to this customer regarding her issue with the damaged boots she purchased. 

  Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  11/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  The correct address for the business was not listed but the address is irrelevant, as the problem appears to be a company wide issue. However, the address where the item is to be returned is:The Cato Corporation ************************************************************ I am located in ************* and the nearest physical store is more than 200 miles away.1. I ordered an item and the total was $15.99, and shipping was an additional $6.95.2. The item is too big so I need to exchange the item (for a smaller size). The company is charging me another $6.95 to ship the item back.3. The company does not offer exchanges, so, I need to re-order the item and pay an additional $6.95 for shipping.4. In order to receive the correct item, I will end up paying $20.85 in shipping costs, which is exorbitant.5. The final cost of the item will basically be $36.84 and the item is not worth that amount.The customer service agent told me that these costs are listed on the website in the return policy. Regardless of the fact that the company informs the customer, doesnt make it any less of an unfair business practice. The weight of the item is such that $6.95 seems to exceed what it would normally cost to ship the item one way. It is possible that the company is using excessive shipping costs as a form of additional revenue.Resolution requested: I would like to exchange the item for a smaller size without having to pay a copious amount of shipping fees. I believe that the shipping fee that I initially paid is sufficient and the company should be barred from charging me $6.95 two more times. In my opinion the additional $13.90 in shipping amounts to theft.

  Customer response

  10/31/2023

  Ive decided that I am not going to exchange the item. I am going to return the item. I do not want to do business with this company.

  The resolution I now seek is to not be changed return shipping to return the item.

• Initial Complaint

  06/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  06/02 was date of transaction and I spent $21.39 I bought a set of bras for my client . I wasnt sure her size . I return them and store said I could not return them . They have never been worn and all tags are attached. I dont have money to give to Cato . They should file insurance. They have never been worn and all tags still attached. It should be some class action law suit against Cato for this

  Business response

  06/19/2023

  I've attempted to contact regarding return issue and voicemail box has been disable and will not allow any messages. 

   

• Initial Complaint

  05/09/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I went into the store at Catos in ********* ***** on ******************* on June 2022 to purchase or put a layaway in for $212.92 and it put a deposit of $144.92 Unfortunately due to illness I wasnt able to return until February2023 to get credit on my layaway. Is it on May 8, *************************************************************************** back my deposit due to it has been too long. I think this is against the law to take people money, and they have never received any purchases merchandise or clothing from the store. I do understand that there should be a restocking fee, but the rest of the money should be refunded or a credit to the store I need help getting my money back. Thank you. You have my information. I look forward to hearing from you soon. PS I do have my receipt from the transactions available here with me today. Thank you.

  Business response

  06/19/2023

  We have located the layaway from July 2022 and contacted ****************** to assist her with the refund of her layaway deposit. Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  04/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased a pair of pants online with Cato Fashions and when they arrived there was a hole in the left knee. I had hope to return them at my local store, but because I used my paypal account, I could only get a gift card and less the shipping charge. I dont feel it is fair to have to pay shipping on a damaged item. The store advised me to use the return lable in the bag and write a note explaing them item is damaged and I want to be reimbursed for shipping. I have now paid to have a damaged item shipped to me and paid to have a damaged item shipped back to them. Today I call customer service, spoke with *****? and was told nothing could be done with a photo of the damage. Seems very unfair to make up all the rules after the fact. If the store had told me to take a photo, I could have....I will only settle for a full refund of the item and both shippings charges Online order *******

  Business response

  05/16/2023

  Thank you for this notification - we are working to reach this customer and satisfy the issue on the damaged merchandise. 

  Customer response

  05/17/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me, if they do contact me - I have had no contact with them since filing with you. I know this is time sensitive, just want you to know I would accept working with them, but they need to reach out timely.
  
  Thank you. ***********************;
  

• Initial Complaint

  02/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I made a purchase on 12/24 and it was for several items. I went to return one of those items today 2/12 and the cashier who assisted me (********) refused my return because there was fuzz and lent on it. (keep in mind this is a sweater and the material easily picks up everything) she kept insisting it had been worn without saying. I have been a customer and card holder for over 30 years and I have no reason to purchase something and return it. I had ******** call her manager and she basically was talking to her insisting it had been worn with saying. They told me come Back and see the manager *******. They basically wasted my time. ******* looked at it for less than 10 seconds and said theres a piece of hair and lent and that she couldnt take it back. I work in management myself and have been for years and I wouldnt every conduct business this way. ******* said I can take it to another store. She also said she has the same one and it never gets lent or anything which was a lie. If you see the sweater and the material you would know it was a lie. The way they insulted me was unnecessary. All this over a sweater that was $29.99.

  Business response

  02/17/2023

  Customer has successfully returned the merchandise in her local store in **********, **. She is satisfied with her refund outcome. 

• Initial Complaint

  01/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I place two orders from Cato fashions in December and both of the orders had issues with some items missing and incorrect sizes. so I contacted them to let them know of the problem and was advised they would issue a refund for the missing items and I can return the other items for a refund I returned both orders and they have not issued a refund or contacted me and now they have my money and the items. I want a refund for both of these orders. the order numbers are ******* and the second one is *******. and I have also attached a copy of the return labels.

  Business response

  01/23/2023

  We were able to successfully contact the customer after verification of new phone number. Refunds have been issued on both orders. 

*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. ↩