Chadwick's

Full review
I have shopped on and off at Chadwick's of Boston's Online Store for years. I even have their credit card! It doesn't get used often but that isn't because the service is poor. I just am not overly fond of their styles these days and prefer a site that offers clothing that is a bit trendier. I do get many pairs of Skechers from Chadwick's because they seem to deeply discount the less sporty, more playful styles.

This site is easy to navigate and purchase from. Customer Service is decent. The one thing that bugs me is they are often out of stock of items that they are advertising.

What the Site Sells

Chadwick's is a division of the Redcats group of websites which includes Metro Style (formerly Lerner's), Lane Bryant, Roamans, OneStopPlus.com, Jessica London, King Size Direct, Brylane, and La Redoute . They also own the dreadful COBoutlet.com site which is a clearinghouse of Chadwick's and other merchandise. I hate that site.

Chadwick's is the somewhat conservative, traditional but varied one of the sites offering sweaters, tops, tanks, jeans, dress pants, skirts and dresses, swimwear, outerwear, intimates, footwear, and some accessories.

Navigation

Shopping on the Chadwick's site is straightforward. You will see their current specials and promotions on the home page and then can click on the main category links across the top: Fashion, Shoes & Accessories, Special Sizes, Web Only, What’s New, and Clearance.

All categories have several subcategories which will help you to drill down your search. You can also search via keyword or catalog number. There are also links on the left side for more promotions and collections.

When I shop on the site, I usually look at the sales and then browse areas of interest. Clicking on a subcategory will bring up several photos of individual items with the prices below them. Just about everything is on a model which I like. I want to see what clothes look like on real people, not mannequins or on a hanger.

Click on any item to enlarge the photo and read a good description. You can zoom in on the photos but you can't click on the color swatches to see what certain colors look like on the models. Bummer. With every photo is a size chart and a fashion glossary that explains what certain fashion terms mean.

If you are registered member of the site, you can add items to your wish list. Anyone browsing can add items to their cart. Sizing is women's sizing in even numbers and, if you are used to wearing junior's sizes like I am, go down a size. I wear a size 5 in jeans but wear a 4 on the Chadwick's site and could even go down a size in some styles.

Shop along, adding the items to your cart and getting frustrated that the size and color combo you want is not available. It seems like that happens a lot to me for some reason.

When you are finished shopping, you will breeze through the checkout. If you have a promotional code, which they are sending out via email like crazy these days to their site members, you will enter it at checkout. You can only use one promo code per order so choose wisely.

Shipping can be a little steep unless you happen to have a promo code for free or reduced shipping charges.

You will be prompted to fill in your personal details or, if you are a returning customer, enter your email and password to bring up your saved information.

If you have one of their credit cards - either a Chadwick's one or one of their affiliates - you can use that without even having to enter any numbers. Just click the card you want to use. That makes it SO easy to buy stuff you don't really need. You can also use your major credit card.

I am charged tax because New Yorkers seem to never get away from that dreaded deed but only a few states are charged tax.

When you finish checking out, you will get a confirmation page and email immediately.

You will get a shipping email when the order is ready to ship, usually a couple days later.

Orders arrive in a timely manner, usually in heavy plastic bags.

I can tell that Chadwick's is under the same umbrella as MetroStyle and La Redoute because the bags look very similar, the invoices are nearly identical, and all of their policies are the same. I think they also share customer service reps but, at any rate, orders should arrive complete and in a timely fashion.

My Use

I have noticed over the years that, while Chadwick's prices have risen, their promotions have gotten better. They often offer 40% or 50% one item or a straight smaller percentage off your whole order. It definitely is worth signing up with the site to get their mailers. Sometimes you can get a great deal on something you may be looking for.

My most recent transaction was just completed last week and everything went fairly well. I get exasperated with the Clearance section because they don't say when things are out of stock until you are all set to add them to your cart. I also found that several promotional items were either not available or in very limited sizes and colors.

I never like to buy jeans on this size because they are cut full and they don't give waist measurements. Their idea of straight-legged jeans is my idea of flairs. Their idea of low-rise jeans is my idea of mid to even regular rise. They often only offer inseams under 31" and I need at least 32" if not more.

However, they have some cute tops and sweaters and I always check out their footwear because they have decent prices on many styles of shoes and boots.

I get frustrated when I click on a color swatch and I can't see that item in that color. I guess I have been spoiled by Victoria's Secret which lets me "try clothes on" the models in all the colors so I can better access if that color might look good on me.

Still, browsing and searching is simple and shopping is easy. Checkout is so easy that I don't need to even be near my purse of have my card with me. I just click the little button next to the Redcats cards I own that I can use.

I have not ever had a major problem with customer service. I have returned items, exchanged them, called for info and advice, and never stumbled upon a rude of ill-informed rep. They are professional and get the job done.

Now and then, an order will arrive and it will be missing and item. The invoice will say that the item is out of stock and canceled. I will not be charged but still, that stinks when I want something and think I got it only to find I didn't.

More often than not, though, orders are complete and quality is decent to good. The size chart is generally correct and the clothing isn't skimpy or poorly made.

I am not thrilled with their styles but, now and then, I will see things that I like and will not hesitate to buy from Chadwick's Online. I just ordered a coat from them that was reasonably priced and I had a decent promotional coupon.

I don't shop there often but I have shopped there for years and continue to shop at Chadwick's without fear of terrible service or quality.

Shipping and Returns

Shipping fees, in my opinion, are a bit steep. They start at 5.99 and go to $16.99. My last order had $11.99 shipping and tax which just stinks.

You can opt for faster shipping at a higher rate.

Sales tax is charged in New York, Massachusetts, Indiana, and Texas only.

Returns are accepted for just about everything they sell. They enclose a prepaid UPS shipping label with every order. If you drop your return off at a UPS drop site, you will be charged $4.50 to send back your return. If you opt for UPS to pick up your package, you will be charged $6.00 for the return. You can always choose to pay for return shipping yourself as well. Shipping costs to you are not refundable.

They're quite liberal about returns and really don’t hassle you about why you are returning an item. You simply check a box on the invoice telling them why you are returning each item.

Conclusion

While I am not a huge fan of Chadwick's styles, I do shop on the site and have for years. I recently made an order and all went smoothly as usual. This site is simple to navigate and has a fair amount of variety. They do, however, tend to be out of stock on certain sizes and colors of popular items.

Shipping costs are a bit steep and I think they could easily reduce the amount some without cutting their profits. Still, it caps off at $16.99 after $139.00 so, if you make a large order, the most you will pay is $16.99 for shipping.

Chadwick's is a well known name in women's clothing and accessories and the site is reliable I give it 4 stars. A few small annoyances and the slightly higher than average shipping caused a star to fall from Chadwick's sky.