10 Kohl's Problems We Don't Talk About Enough

Kohl’s has always been more decently priced than most of its competitors. Even if you don’t shop in the clearance section, the prices are drastically discounted compared to other stores.

Over the years, however, Kohl’s popularity has decreased. Increasing prices, decreasing quality of customer service, and other complaints are at the core of the shift in popularity.

After a decline in sales, the company expects a 4-6% overall decrease in sales for the year. We’ve compiled a list of ten Kohl’s problems to help you save money shopping .

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1. You have to keep track of Kohl’s Cash

After widespread complaints about how Kohl’s rewarded its customers over the last decade, you would think the program had improved.

But, even when you’ve tracked your cash correctly with physical vouchers and online accruals in your account, rewards still don’t apply at face value.

It’s not the easiest system to navigate. In fact, there are multiple programs, and your offers may have blackout dates.

2. Sales prices aren’t always real

You read that right. As one former employee admits, “We used to mark things up before a sale so that the sale price was just regular price. Not a fan.”

While that tactic is used at many chain retailers, it can be incredibly aggravating, especially given Kohl’s inflation.

3. Inflation is driving customers away

While other stores work to keep costs down and work with vendors to increase money-saving opportunities for shoppers, it seems Kohl’s embraced inflation.

The brand is known for serving middle-income customers, but is now pricing them out of shopping opportunities past the clearance aisles.

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4. The store can be overwhelming

Kohl’s has so many different departments within one floor of shopping that it can feel pretty overwhelming taking it all in as your eyes adjust while you walk through the front doors.

If your store has been sifted through or isn’t particularly clean, this can bring even more overwhelm to the shopping experience.

5. Employees will follow you closely

Kohl’s has a pretty extensive selection of “high-end” products, like perfumes, prestige makeup, and designer handbags.

If you choose to peruse these aisles — whether you go in with a clear mission or are searching high and low for the perfect gift — you will be tailed by an employee.

This is understandable because of the items' price points; however, it makes the shopping experience very uncomfortable.

6. Kohls.com customer service isn’t helpful

If you have an issue with an item or need to complete a return, Kohls.com is not known for being very helpful. Kohl’s employees even admit they wouldn’t use the service.

“I feel like every time a customer gets customer service from a kohls.com rep they get told the wrong thing,” says one. “Calling them from the store never seems to help either,” says another, who could never get a helpful response on in-store issues either.

7. You’re pressured to get a credit card

Like many chain retailers, employees at Kohl’s are encouraged to push you to sign up for a Kohl’s credit card. You are incentivized with perks like Kohl’s Cash to purchase at the store with it.

Whether you seem to be in a rush or be juggling multiple items or not, you will be asked — often multiple times — if you want to apply for their rewards or credit card.

8. Name brands disappeared from Kohl’s

Kohl’s used to be a great spot to grab name brands like Eddie Bauer, Izod, Jessica Simpson, and more at more reasonable prices than other department stores.

Over the last few years, it seems that high-quality brands have been replaced with lower-quality store-brand clothing items or less reliable brands at marked-up prices.

You can still find a plethora of name brands in the fragrance and accessories aisles. Although there are fewer brand options, there are plenty of style and color choices from a more limited selection of prestige brand partners.

9. Kohl’s coupons are not clear

While coupons have historically been riddled with small print, it seems Kohl’s may be removing some of those restrictions and details from their coupons entirely recently.

Multiple customers have experienced issues with in-store purchases, having scanned for restrictions and being turned away for offers they have researched. This puts more stress on employees who have to talk their way through the restrictions with every transaction.

If you’re looking to use a coupon at the store in person, check Kohls.com and their social media account for any posts or specific restrictions that they may no longer be putting in print.

10. Kohl’s never feels fully staffed

Everyone expected retailers to be low on staff during the pandemic. But in the years since, other storefronts have been able to bring back full staff with newly implemented benefits, pay hikes, and more.

Employees and former employees are making their cases against the retailer known online, and it’s not pretty. Kohl’s seems to have missed the mark on employee retention, and being understaffed often makes finding items and checking out take much longer than necessary.

Bottom line

While Kohl’s sales are slowly declining, customer service and discount options seem to be tanking much faster.

If you continue shopping there, be sure to bring one of your best rewards credit cards to earn rewards every time you shop.

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