Boston Store Clearance Center: A Disappointing Shopping Experience

April 12 by Jon
Filed under: Shopping

The new Boston Store Clearance Center in Milwaukee opened last week. The 29,000 square foot store is located just south of 27th and Grange at 5655 S. 27th St. The outlet center sells leftover clearance merchandise including apparel and housewares from Boston Store stores.

One of our readers, Renee, stopped at the store on Saturday to check it out and contacted us about her reactions. In summary, she wasn’t impressed.

If you’re expecting the Boston Store Clearance Center to be an upscale outlet store like Nordstom Rack, you’ll likely be disappointed.

With long racks of clothes, the store seemed more like a thrift shop than an outlet store. There is nothing wrong with thrift shops, but the low-end feel of the store doesn’t jive with the high-end Boston Store brand. Shopping at Boston Store is an upscale experience, which doesn’t transfer to the shopping experience at the outlet store.

In fact, Renee thought that lower-end outlet stores like Marshalls and T.J. Maxx offer a nicer shopping experience and better prices than the Boston Store Outlet Center.

Boston Store Clearance Center Prices

Most of the items at the Boston Store Clearance center are priced using a color coded sticker system. The color represents the price of the item - anywhere from $5 to $50, with most items priced between $16 and $35. Renee noted that some of the items she saw could have likely been purchased cheaper at Boston Store during their 80% off Yellow Dot Clearance sale. Coupons are not accepted at the store. 🙁

Renee’s biggest frustration was that there were only four fitting rooms for customers to use. Since the all sales at the store are final, you need to make sure that whatever you are buying fits before you leave. The store was crowded and there was a very long line to use the fitting rooms.

Boston Store Clearance Center - Your Thoughts

Have you been to the new Boston Store Clearance Center? If so, we want to hear about it! Please leave a comment and let us know what you thought of the store.

Tags: Boston Store Clearance Center

Comments

12 Comments on Boston Store Clearance Center: A Disappointing Shopping Experience

Kim Z on Fri, 12th Apr 2013 1:34 PM

I agree with this article 100%. Was not impressed at all. You can’t use coupons so you are better off going to Boston Store - better selection and it would be cheaper in the end.

Mona on Fri, 12th Apr 2013 1:42 PM

I was there on the day it opened - expected it to be busy and it was. However, I was very surprised that shopping carts were in such short supply. One of the employees saw me waiting at the register area for a cart and promptly asked me what area I would be shopping in and promised to bring a cart to me. I told him I’d be in the “Home” area and in a few minutes he was right behind me with a cart.

I agree that it did not look like an upscale store but I never expect “clearance” centers/stores to look upscale. I’d rather the costs be kept down so true discounts can be maintained.

The women’s clothing offered was not my style but that’s the worse thing I can say. I loved the “Home” section and found several items I was happy with the price of.

The pricing structure is a little confusing because some of the items are not marked but a different sign indicates how to calculate the price. I wasn’t terribly fond of that, but there were plenty of employees available and more than ready to calculate prices for the customers.

All in all, I had a very good experience. I plan to visit the clearance center monthly to see how inventory has changed.

Amy on Fri, 12th Apr 2013 2:18 PM

I agree with Renee 100%. Everything in the store has been available for a lower price at the Boston Store on yellow dot clearance. Don’t get me wrong, I did buy three items (Calvin Klein yoga pants $16, Capri jeans for $12 and a pair of black strappy heals for $20 something). Shoe pricing and home area pricing items was very confusing. Some signage said take an extra 30% off other signs said take an extra 40% off. When I got to the register, I had no idea how much the shoes would be. There were two hand written prices on the bottom of the shoes, and it turned out they were an extra 30% off the lowest price on the bottom of the shoes. Definitley need to work on the pricing as there were a lot more items I may have bought, had it not felt like everything I liked was priced at $16.
The lighting in the shoe area is awful!

Susan on Fri, 12th Apr 2013 5:28 PM

I agree with Renee also. I was disappointed that there were only 4-5 fitting rooms and had to wait in quite a line each time to try on clothes particularly because all sales are final. I too found that many items at the outlet center were priced much higher than I had purchased them for previously in the Boston Store. I am not too anxious to go back any time soon.

Kathy on Fri, 12th Apr 2013 5:54 PM

I agree with Renee. I went there on the second day they were open. The parking lot was full — but many people leaving the store had no purchases. I knew something was up.

It was not what I expected Boston Store to be connected with. The shoe area has dimmer lighting than the clothing portion of the store. It lacks any organization and class! Not worth the time to try to find something only to find that the item is most likely $36.00 for a top.

Disappointed!

Linda on Fri, 12th Apr 2013 9:19 PM

I agree with everything Renee said. I find the T.J. Maxx or Marshalls shopping experience to be much more pleasant and I will not be going back to the Boston Store outlet.

Elly on Thu, 10th Apr 2014 8:39 AM

I agree 110% with this article. I always thought Boston Store is an upscale shopping place and I adore it so much. However, once I entered the Boston Store Clearance center I have my first impression that the B.S. clearance center looks so cheap and not classy at all. In my opinion why open a new clearance center (another extra cost for the building and the employees) which looks like a thrift store better off sell all the merchandise in the regular store itself using yellow/black dot. People will still buy them anyway. I agree 100% that Marshall and TJMaxx have way better deal than the Boston Store clearance center. I will never go back to B.S. Clearance center anymore.

Crystal on Wed, 4th Jun 2014 7:16 PM

A total waste of time. This store sells a bunch of garbage. Store is very dark, dirty and reminds me of Goodwill or thrift stores.

CANDY STEIN on Thu, 19th Jun 2014 7:31 AM

I AGREE, SHOP AT THE REGULAR BOSTON STORE WITH COUPONS AND YOU SAVE MORE

Linda Polakowski on Mon, 30th Jun 2014 1:16 PM

I thought the stuff in the store was very over priced, it seemed dirty and I was not impressed at all, was hoping for Boston Store quality but just lower prices because it was clearance. The displays are tacky, there was not much for men or children and the housewares was a total joke. The store is dingy and dark, and smells funny, and there isn’t much for staff. I have not been back. If you want bargains wait till Boston store has one of there super sales.

Latasha on Sat, 25th Oct 2014 12:23 PM

Obviously this store is not for the rich and famous. It is for your average everyday working person trying to save money while on quality clothes. My experience was wonderful and filled with staff who exhibited great customer service.

Elaine on Mon, 1st Dec 2014 2:48 PM

I went in there on a sale day — just to check it out — and bought 6 beautiful tops, a pair of capris and some pants for my daughter for less than $30 total. I suggest anyone who thinks this is overpriced just wait as sales happen often. Like any outlet, merch changes often as well. I like it and stop often.