Rue21 Logo
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4.2

Overall Score

Author: Kalicia Bateman

LAST UPDATED: January 15th, 2022

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The Good

  • Affordable pricing for men and women
  • Consistent sales and promotions
  • Free shipping and returns
Rue21 is known in the fashion industry as being a bargain-shopping destination. They provide their customers with affordable clothing in numerous locations around the country and online.

Affordable Pricing for Men and Women

The store Rue21 is marketed for a younger generation. Their merchandise is mainly sold for both teenage girls and boys. Because clothes are sold for this age group the company tries to keep pricing reasonable. Most items are very affordable, falling in the twenty-dollar range and can be found at discounted prices at one time or another. Their goal is to be a company that provides youth with fashion and style without having to sacrifice their savings. Both boys and girl's clothing is sold at Rue21 along with many other types of merchandise. Rue21 is not limited to apparel selections but also sell shoes, accessories, fragrances, plus size clothing as well as normal apparel selections. Each category is listed as its own brand and can be easily accessed on their online store as well as in any retail location.

Consistent Sales and Promotions

When shopping on the online website, a customer can find a number of promotions running on the homepage. Promotions such as buy one get one, and free shipping with orders over fifty dollars are frequently found on the website. The top menu bar includes a sales tab for all merchandise that has been discounted to an even lower affordable price. Most items will find their way to the sales selection at one time or another and customers can always find a great bargain deal while shopping with Rue21.

Free Shipping and Returns

Rue21 offers free shipping with any order that totals over fifty dollars. This is a great benefit to customers located in the contiguous forty-eight states but, unfortunately, does not offer to ship to anywhere outside of this location. They do not have international shipping and will not even ship to Alaska or Hawaii in the United States. Rue21 also extends a free return policy to any returns in-store. A purchase made online can be returned to a retail location at no cost to the customer. However, if a customer does decide to return an item via mail, the customer is responsible for all shipping costs. Rue21 will accept returns for the first thirty days after purchase and will even accept any and all merchandise for return as long as it is not damaged.
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The Bad

  • Customer service availability
Rue21 has a few things that could be improved:

Customer Service Availability

Rue21 online shopping website refers customers to get in contact with the customer service department if they have any questions or concerns about their purchases. The only way to get ahold of the department is by one phone number. For a store the size of Rue21 and one that has been in business 39 years, customer service should be a top priority in the best way to keep their customer happy and returning. The difficult customer service is reflected in their return policy by only accepting returns for the most part in-store. A company that is available to ship merchandise all across the country should be able to make returning it through the same mailing process easier on the shopper.
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The Bottom Line

Rue21 is a large company that offers affordable fashion styles to teenage boys and girls in the United States. They have many great promotions running that change with time and keep customers excited to see what is next both on the online store as well as their retail locations. They have been in business for thirty-nine years and have learned how to keep their customers returning. They offer free shipping on any orders over fifty dollars and allow returns for up to thirty days after the original purchase was made. They do however have customer service issues. This can be improved though and customers will continue to love the products and style sold at Rue21. Because of the many positives, we recommend shopping from Rue21.
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Star Rating

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3.2

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99 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

23%

4 grade

27%

3 grade

17%

2 grade

5%

1 grade

27%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Service

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Trustworthiness

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Upset Katy, TX

I ordered items offline. When I paid the items were in stock. Magically after an hour or so I get an email stating that the some of the items are no longer in stock that I ordered. However when I looked online the website shows the items Rue 21 removed are still in stock! Rue 21 claimed to only have one of the items I purchased in stock which was less than the amount of shipping! I called customer service to cancel the rest of the order or provide me with a solution to not charge me for $7.95 shipping. Noone wants to pay $7.95 for one $5.00 item! The lady on customer service was NOT helpful and pretended that she would send me an email to "investigate" my claim! I should have known something was strange when I called the local Rue 21 and asked if the items were the same price in store as they were online. The lady in-store informed me that the items cost regular price in store and they were not doing a red tag sale. The in-store lady informed me that the only way I could receive the discount was to purchase the items online for that price. I wish I had just said screw it and not ordered from here! Now my account is missing funds and I can't dispute the charge until it no longer says "pending"! I have been shopping Rue 21 in-store for years with no problems but I will NEVER again shop online because it is just a big massive scam! Protect your funds and shop in store!!! I can't upload a photo because the items are no longer in stock!

6 years ago

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Stephne Chatsworth, GA

I shop Rue all the time for my kids. I go there today and try and use a coupon. I dont know if the girl behind the counter dont know how to do her job or was just to lazy to. She was not friendly everytime I would find another coupon she made another excuse. Then her so called store manage which was worse than her wouldnt even turn around to answer her question. But if one of her friends walked up to the counter she was sure to look up and smile at them. Its fine if you dont want to take the web site coupons. But the promo deal they were running buy $50 and get a fragrance. Well lord the little girl didnt want to honor that. But at that point I was getting angry. She just looked and me and grabbed one. Point to all this is what is the point of coupons and promo codes to try and save money if they wont honor them. I am very disappointed in Rue 21 at Walnut Square Mall. Thats ok I went over to Aeropostale couple doors down and spent $300 The little girls in there brought me 20% coupons while I was shopping and showed me the clerance what they had. Know the girls from Rue 21 could take some pointers on how to treat customers their customer service skills were on point. Needless to say I will be shopping there instead of Rue 21.

7 years ago

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Mary E Conway Buffalo, NY

I ordered 10 pairs of boots. They we're on sale for $5 each. Over a week later I got a email saying the cancelled my order for out of stock reasons. Was a lie, I could see they were still available online but for a higher price now. After back and forth, they said they had a issue with their system, so they just cancelled it to avoid inconvenience to them! They then told me to place the order again, pay the higher price, then after it ships, contact them and in 30 days I'll get the difference in money back! I'm still waiting on my original payment to be returned! Not a chance! They are a scam! Steer clear!!!

8 years ago

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Kerri Tilson Stillwater, OK

Rue21.com are THIEVES! Ordered $380 worth of back to school clothes for my boys,even paid for over night shipping on 8/11/2018. Order never left the warehouse. Every time I tracked it,it was stuck at “label printed”. Found out on the 18th that Rue21.com cancelled my order on8/18/2018. I was promised a refund in 10 business days. Today is 9/6/2018 still no refund. Their CS center is in Guatemala, and they are rude and will lie to you quicker than a cat licks. Not only am I still waiting on MY money for their screw up, but the boys school clothing never came. Shame on you @rue21.com Rue21.com is the worst company to ever order from.

8 years ago

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Tiffany Reidsville, NC

I bought merchandise online Going on more than 2 months . I never received my merchandise nor my money back when I have been contacting them for weeks now looking for my boxes . They tell me god says they were their NO MY MAIL WAS THEIR NO BIXES SUPPOSEDLY LFT BY THEM WERE THERE AND THEN IT SAYS ONLY 5 lbs delivered well 3 pair of shoes jeans and a shirt are certainly more than 5 lbs . I have shopped here for years and live on a mile long private drive no one can get on the rd with out a key so your gps shows them at my mail bo not my front porch . This is the worst service by the post office and especially rue 21 ever and if you look this is an issue rue 21 is known for not sending your package or returning your money . All the while claiming they did

8 years ago

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sapna Eatontown, NJ

Had a worst experience with Rue 21. Had ordered 4 items online of which I did not get 1 item and among the other 3, two items were not which I ordered. So contacted customer care, who told me to return the wrong items and promised me refund for the missing item. But I did not get the refund for any, even after returning the wrong items. After several calls to customer care I somehow managed to get the refund for just 1 missing item. For the wrong items which I returned them, I never got refund. Every time I call customer care, they say they have issued a refund now, but of no use. I dont even know now, whom should I contact. Rue 21 PISSED me off. I swear never to buy any item from Rue21.

9 years ago

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Terri

2 weeks and still have not received my order. After holding for customer service for 45 minutes I asked to cancel my order. I was told that I can't cancel because the order is in process and they are unable to expedite. Well duh, my order has been for 2 weeks. Asked for a supervisor and was told they are all in a meeting. The rep continued to tell me I can't cancel have to wait and return it to the store. The rep repeated the same call script several times before I got frustrated and disconnected the call. I have $150 tied up waiting for this order because they don't charge your card until they ship. Worst customer service ever. When I do finally receive my order, I will be taking it back. Won't support a company that refuses to help customers and does not hire US citizens for its online customer service.

9 years ago

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Jovana El Paso, TX

Whatever you do DO NOT SHOP ONLINE HERE!! I ordered 3 items recently and they had my order “processing” for more than a week. Then they send me an email telling me that they cancelled my order because the items were out of stock. If they were out of stock why did they take my order in the first place!?! I was depending on those items for Christmas gifts so I’m very upset. Shop at the store but never do online shopping here!!

6 years ago

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Sabrina Milwaukee, WI

I ordered a belt online from Rue 21 and had the item shipped-to-store. I never picked up the order, but recieved an email that I did. I called the store and the manager told me that since I did not pick up the item, it was put back in to inventory. He informed me that the store does not handle refunds. I emailed Rue 21 customer service on October 21st about getting refunded for the belt that I never picked up and have heard nothing from them. I will not be shopping at Rue 21 until I get my refund.

6 years ago

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Andrea Cibolo, TX

Their customer service and online ordering sucks. Dont waste your money. I ordered a package through their website, they sent two packages, with the same tracking number, one which was mine, the other not. The one that was delivered, was not mine. I went to the post office and because i needed the item I had to pay postage. The company when called, says they cannot help me. It is my problem. So, it's my fault that you sent me the wrong package? Again, dont waste your time or money.

7 years ago

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Shantel Mitchell Mesquite, NV

HORRIBLE!!!! DO NOT ORDER ANYTHING ONLINE!!! I received several items I ordered online in the wrong size. It is almost impossible to find the information you need to return items via mail. I was finally able to return over $100 in merchandise via USPS and NEVER received a refund! Their customer service is AWFUL!!!

4 years ago

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Quentin Langhamh Austin, TX

Bought a shirt online, buy one get one free. They refuse to honor the sale. Indian guy said I need to add extra shirt to cart, but when I did they wanted to charged me for two shirts. Out source call center not helpful. So I just paid full price for 1 shirt not on sale.

7 years ago

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Robin A Marks North Ridgeville, OH

Customer Service is the absolute worst! I placed an order during a flash sale but needed to change a size, they couldn't do that so I canceled the order so I could place another one with the correct size, couldn't get the original sale price and customer service can't do anything about it. They could care less about their customers at all

9 years ago

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Online Ordering SUCKy! Opelika, AL

Ordered online on 7/22/17 and I only received a confirmation with an order number. I contacted customer service today, 7/29/17 to find out my package was delivered to store yesterday! I did not receive any info pertaining to when it shipped, how it shipped, etc. I will never order online from them ever again! I'm just glad I called!

9 years ago

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Nicky Minneapolis, MN

Customer service is slow at calling you back about situations that may arise in store. I have called 6 times for the same thing and the regional manager has not called me back yet. I guess it doesn't matter if I shop in their store or not.

10 years ago

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Katie Mechanicsville, VA

This company basically stole my money. They will not refund my money because UPS lost my package. It's ridiculous to not hold UPS accountable for the lost merchandise. Instead, I spent money for absolutely nothing.

8 years ago

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Sandra Dubas Salt Lake City, UT

I went to Rue21 once and never going there again. Clothing there is crap and the person who was working at the store was really rude. Also their prices are low only because of the bad quality clothing they have there.

9 years ago

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Lilly Logan, UT

The last time I came in here, I was looking for a perfume they had and the teenage girl ignored me first of all, then once I got her attention she acted so annoyed with me and told me they didn’t have it. So I asked if she could check another store. And it was like I was asking her to move mountains.

7 years ago

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Artur Eliazian Burbank, CA

Bought few items and it was never delivered or refunded. It’s been a month since I ordered no package or refund. Stay AWAY from this website bunch of scammers.

6 years ago

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Jonny Hancock Draper, UT

The prices here are pretty low, but the quality of the clothing is not very good. Definitely not the place to go if you are looking for something high end.

9 years ago

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ave Pleasant Grove, UT

I have only shopped at Rue 21 a couple of times, but I would not recommend it. Their clothes are always really cheap and theres a reason why, because they are terrible quality. I would not recommend it at all.

7 years ago

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Rebecca Latonia, KY

I bought a dress & not even 3 hours into wearing it, the dress had ripped on both sides from top to bottom under the armpit area.

7 years ago

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Jennifer smith

Worst customer service ever. They dont want to stop taking about there night out long enough to help you. If you ask for something they are very rude

9 years ago

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Clifton Waveland, MS

Only focus selling clothes for smaller size people can't and buy anything till y'all address this issue

7 years ago

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Will Bothell, WA

They will refuse to refund an item after not putting it in the package and basically call you a liar. SCAMMERS.

7 years ago

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Brette Draper, UT

Their clothes look great online but the quality is very disappointing! These clothes never last! It’s extremely cheap!

8 years ago

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Ashley Davis Sisters, OR

They don't ship for lie 9 days then you have to wait ANOTHER7-10 DAYS

10 years ago