It is sad to see what a disgraceful unsafe junk filled disaster this once iconic and great store has become.  The flagship downtown Calagry store is is so pathetic that I will no longer shop there after a recent visit.  They recently had to evacuate the Calgary Market Mall Bay because of concerns of the upper floor caving in on people's heads! 

The downtown store is full of overpriced clothing.  The place is filthy and a a mess with clothing and other merchandise stuck in aisles and laying on the floor.  Even with virtually all clothing on sale at 50%, there are few people in the store during boxing week.  If you can even find any staff or a sales clerk (good luck) they are rude, indifferent, liars, stupid or all of the above. There is a labour shortage, so the Bay obviously gets the dregs that are left (the bottom of the barrel).  IMHO the place is a fire trap and there policy of locking and blocking doors near closing time is a disaster waiting to happen.  I pointed this out to some rude lady who claimed to be some kind of manager, but got nothing but lies and abuse from her.

At one time I bought a lot of things at the Bay, clothing, shoes, furniture, luggage, toiletries, decorations, Xmas presents, etc.  I supported them, even if they weren't the lowest price, but customer loyalty seems to be rewarded by abuse and rudeness.  Enough of that.  I have always stayed away from the "Big Box" stores.  Until today, I had never been in a Wal Mart.  What a difference! You get greeted by a friendly person at the door, selection is great, evryday prices are great, the place is not a death trap and it was packed with people with loaded shopping carts (not something you ever see at the Bay anymore).  Tomorrow I will go to join up with Costco.  Friends always go on about the great deals and good selection at Costco. 

In tough retail environment, the Bay is likely heading for bankrupcy.  At one time this would have bothered me to see this historic store go under.  Not any more.  Good ridance.  These jokers should not even be allowed to us the historic name on this unsafe filthy junk shop.

Ex Loyal Customer in Calgary

Sales staff at this company have been rude since at least the 1950's, when I was a boy. They haven't changed, except they are, perhaps, even ruder.

I remember my Grade 3 teacher, in Vancouver, back in 1958, referring to "those rude sales ladies, at The Hudson's Bay".

Beware!

Be very careful what you buy, and don't necessarily believe the sales clerk, particularly if it is an expensive, discontinued item on sale. They are now charging significant re-stocking fees, even if you claim an item is defective. Once you've paid them, they got at least a big chunk of the price -- PERMANENTLY.

Shop where staff are friendly, and straightforward, about their refund/exchange policy.

Not the most cheapest place for clothing and other stuff, I pretty only shop there, if there is sale.

Sears for Canadian hosers. But got to give them props for staying in business for 400+ years. How long did Ames last, 20 years?

I ordered a couch. They brought me the wrong couch. After repeated calls and delivery appointments booked, I never recieved the proper couch that I bought. I would set a deliver time with them and they wouldn't show up. After six months of no couch I had to ask for my money back. The Bay never apologized or even cared that I didn't get what I bought. The phone staff are pathetic, they don't care about anything. It's like talking to a brick wall. I am amazed they are still in business. My advice is don't buy anything that has to be delivered from The Bay - you will regret it. A friend of mine went and bought a couch from The Bay after I did - I told him not to do it, but he did anyways. It was suppose to be delivered on a specific day two weeks after the purchase - but it never showed up. He called them everyday 2 or 3 times a day after that - he got his couch 1.5 months.

I am boycotting The Bay, Zellers and Home OUtfitters. I will never buy my furniture from there again nor let any of my friends and family. The short version of my story which is still ongoing is that we ordered furniture over 3 months ago and still have not received anything. 3 times they have called to set up delivery times and 3 times they have not shown. The only reason we are hanging in there is that they are going to give us another 15% off. At this point I don't even know if it is worth my effort anymore. I have to call them 2-3 times a week to follow up. Only twice someone has called me back. I didn't want to give them a 1 Star Rating but no Stars wasn't an option.

The Bay used to be a mid-level department store in terms of price, store appearance and merchandise behind Simpson's and Eaton's (which are now both defunct). I like the new upscale look of their renovated stores and the "central cash" concept at a few select locations. The Yorkdale location in Toronto is particularly impressive. However, I think they're moving too far up in price. $200 for a cashmere sweater? $50 for a beanie cap? Maybe I'll shop at Old Navy instead.

I'm going to use a "Three Bears" analogy to describe how I feel about the Bay. The Bon Marche looks good but its tooo expensive. Walmart is inexpensive but it just doesn't have the style or as sumptous a feeling as the Bay. And the Bay is juusst right! - not too expensive, not too plain---just right. I seriously find better products at the Bay than anywhere else. The Bay is just a good fit.

I could go on and on about how much I hate shopping at The Bay but I'll try and keep it short. Today, I tried to purchase a pair of Levi's jeans in the men's section only to be left wandering around the area looking for an associate to take my purchase. After waiting at the checkout counter for about ten minutes two associates came to the counter. Finally! I thought, someone had come to take my purchase. Instead, one of the employees was making a purchase of his own before he took his break and the other bozo ignored me. Afterwards, the associate who stayed behind told me the counter was closed and to wait in line at another counter where he could help me. OK! I thought, maybe we're finally getting somwhere! When I got to the other counter though, there were a bunch of other employees carousing and taking their time while customers stood waiting in line. The associate who said he would assist me then stopped to join in and chat with his co-worker buddies forgetting about me. Exasperated, I threw the pair of jeans into the air and stormed out the store. It was only when I made a scene that I was finally noticed as I walked away. Too little, too late. I will not shop at The Bay in the future based on this experience! I will take my business to Sears and Eatons instead.

Is Hunnibunni nuts. Neither the Bay or Zellers are expensive. Zellers blows the doors off Walmart!

EXPENSIVE!!!