Gymboree was founded in 1976 by Joan Barnes. The company was originally a workout facility for children called Gymboree Play & Music.
By 1984, there were 125 franchise locations operating in 20 states.
In 1986, Barnes opens the first Gymboree retail store. The store was a success and 15 more were opened the following year.
By 1989, there were 32 retail stores.
In 1993, the company goes public. Nancy Pedot is promoted to CEO.
In 1997, Pedot is replaced by Gary White.
In 2001, the company sells its Zutopia brand to Wet Seal.
In 2003, the company headquarters moves from Burlingame, CA to San Francisco, where it remains today.
In 2010, the company is acquired and taken private by Bain Capital.
Today, Gymboree operates over 1200 children’s apparel stores in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. There are an additional 500 Play & Music centers worldwide.
GymboreeGymboree was founded in 1976 by Joan Barnes. The company was originally a workout facility for children called Gymboree Play & Music.
By 1984, there were 125 franchise locations operating in 20 states.
In 1986, Barnes opens the first Gymboree retail store. The store was a success and 15 more were opened the following year.
History
By 1989, there were 32 retail stores.
In 1993, the company goes public. Nancy Pedot is promoted to CEO.
In 1997, Pedot is replaced by Gary White.
In 2001, the company sells its Zutopia brand to Wet Seal.
In 2003, the company headquarters moves from Burlingame, CA to San Francisco, where it remains today.
In 2010, the company is acquired and taken private by Bain Capital.
Today, Gymboree operates over 1200 children’s apparel stores in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. There are an additional 500 Play & Music centers worldwide.
Date: March 3, 2018
To: Gymboree Representatives
Re: Order Number: GXXXXX4269
I am contacting you because I have had great service with your company over
a period of years. However, my most recent experience has left me so
unhappy that I am compelled to tell everyone I can exactly why I will not
continue to do business with Gymboree or any affiliated companies.
I placed my order on February 23, 2018. Everything seemed fine. My
packaged was expected to arrive on Friday, March 2. When I arrived home,
instead of a package waiting for me, I find a notice from UPS that says a
signature is required. I contacted UPS immediately to see why the package
required a signature and if there were any other options available. The
representative stated that the shipper, Gymboree, required a signature. The
only other option was to pick up at the UPS hub, 17 miles away, or be home
for an attempt at redelivery on Monday, March 5. The UPS representative
also said that the shipper could contact UPS right away and give permission
to remove the signature requirement.
I then contacted Gymboree to find out why a signature was required and see
if they could immediately contact UPS to remove the signature requirement in
hopes that the driver was still in my area and could attempt to redeliver
the package, allowing me to receive it still on Friday. I was advised by
the Gymboree rep that they had not required a signature because it was under
$500. Therefore, they would not contact UPS to remove a requirement that
they had not placed on the order. I asked for a supervisor, and was placed
on hold. After a total of 45 minutes on the phone, no supervisor spoke with
me, and I hung up.
I contacted UPS again and explained to them that Gymboree was stating they
had not required a signature. UPS said their information from Gymboree
required a signature and they were not authorized to remove the requirement,
that the shipper, Gymboree, had to do so.
I called Gymboree again and explained to the representative my situation. I
asked if a Gymboree representative could contact UPS right away to remove
the signature requirement (that I am told should not be on there because the
order was under $500.) I was told that a message would be sent over asking
this to take place within the next 48 hours. I asked again for a
supervisor. This time, I was placed on hold for 15 minutes, and once again,
I hung up since I didn’t see an end in sight.
By this time, I have repeatedly explained to both UPS and Gymboree my
problem. It was obvious by this time I would not be receiving my package
on the expected date of Friday, March 2.
I then went to the Gymboree website to your company by email. I filled
everything out, complete with details of my situation. It wouldn’t go
through because I apparently had too long of an explanation. However, the
system didn’t tell me that. I finally just cut it down to the cold, hard,
facts.
The response I received is simply ludicrous! I get an email stating that
UPS is holding my order at their facility 17 miles away and I can pick up
NEXT WEEK, and Gymboree will be sending me a coupon. Basically, Gymboree is
happy to have DONE NOTHING to solve this issue, but wants to send me a
coupon to continue to purchase from them in the future!?
So, were the cold, hard, facts and my order history not enough to warrant a
phone call? Was I not clear that I no longer wanted the order, and would be
returning another order that should arrive shortly, as well as a previous
order I placed? What part of this was not clear to the representatives at
Gymboree?
On your website, it says that you listen to your customers and do the right
thing. This was clearly not the case here. If that were true, I would not
have received the email stating I will be picking up my order NEXT WEEK at
UPS and all is just fine. Oh, and let’s not forget the coupon that was sent
so I can continue to hand over more money to a company that is ignoring
fixing the problem they created!
Not only have I had to waste my time with all these calls, email, now more
emails, but I will also have wasted my time shopping, as I still will not
have the products I ordered. Major waste of my valuable time! And yet,
somehow, Gymboree thinks all this is ok, and even ok to add on another ½
hour of my time to require me to pick up the order from the UPS hub. That
will not happen.
I am attaching a picture of the goods I plan to return. This will be the
stuff I have purchased online, as well as in the store. This picture only
shows the girl stuff. I also have a good amount of boy stuff to return,
too, since I have many nieces and nephews for which I buy.
I will also share this information with the Better Business Bureau, and more
importantly, with others that I know. I will share my bad experience with
anyone willing to listen in hopes that they will not do business with
Gymboree in the future either.
I understand mistakes happen. I also know that it is EVERYTHING in how a
company handles correcting that mistake that defines a company. Gymboree
failed miserably with this situation, and continues to do so with the most
recent email I received.
My hope at this point is that there will be no delay in the processing of my
returns, and crediting my account.
Michelle C
So i typically don’t leave reviews however; i though i must after the experience i had. I ordered $100.00 worth of clothes for my son’s birthday i tracked the package and it said it had arrived however; it wasn’t there. It wasn’t stolen, i happened to be home when the postman delivered the mail and it simply never arrived. I called the corporate office, i spent 45 minutes on the phone, the issue was, I now needed to re-order the clothes but i couldn’t pay for them again! They told me i needed to dispute with my bank which can obviously take an incredibly long time. I then spoke to a supervisor who said the same thing, offered a discount but i would still need to re-purchase the items. I explained that i have been a loyal customer for 13 years and I simply expect better service, it’s my son’s birthday, and as a company catering to children’s clothing, they need to do better then that… and they agreed! They shipped the items overnight so they would arrive before my son’s birthday at no cost to me and will conduct the investigation on the location of the package with out me needing to do anything. My son will get his gifts, the package can be figured out later. Thank you Gymboree for having a heart. Remaining a loyal customer.
I went to use my Gym Bucks to find out that I have to spend $50.00 to use the $25.00 gym bucks. That is crazy!! I already spent my $$$ to get the gym bucks. Next, I called customer service to get my credit card information off there web site because it would let me delete my information. Customer service said they couldn’t and there isn’t any manager I could talk to get this straighten out. Dan at customer service said he could give me his extension number but not ID #. I will never shop at Gymboree and will tell every grandparent and parent I know not to shop there. They have no respect for their customers!!!
Recently went to a closing store and was basically ripped off. After reviewing my receipt as soon as I got home I called the store and was told that all sales were final and there was nothing they would do. Watch your prices when checking out!!! You will be penalized for their mistakes and they will not acknowledge it!! With customer service like that it’s no wonder they are going out of business!! Very disappointed in this and that kind of behavior from a business!
A purchase was made @ Gamboree on July 12, 2017 with a delivery date on or prior to July 26,2017 (10 business days). A package from Gamboree was delivered to our address on July 21,2017 and when the package was opened we found the contents were for a different customer and not the product we order and payed for. After numerous calls to Gamboree to get the correct products delivered, there has been no acknoledgement that our order has not been delivered. Customer Service will not provide access to management to escalate this problem and calls to the corporate office are just as ineffectual. As a long time customer of Gamboree, this choice this company has made to not address a problem is not acceptable!!!
I ordered a dress for Christmas on 11/28/16. It came in the mail the wrond size. I called that day and after a very long wait, I was assured that the dress was still available and they would over-night me the dress for my inconvenience. More than a week later the dress has still not arrived. I called customer service and was on hold waiting for a representative for 51 minutes! They then tell me the dress is nolonger available!!! No one contacted me. They just kept my money! The customer rep just kept apologizing like that would make it okay. It is two days before Christmas and I have no dress. I asked to speak to a manager. I was told after 15 more minutes that none were available. This is horrible customer service. The guy then said that they could have the dress for me sometime next week. How is that possible if it is unavailable? “Lovie” is suppose to call me back, but he wpuld not give out any other name or contact information above himself.
Hello
On December 9, 2016 I shopped in the Sarasota Fl University Town Center Gymboree store. I requested and paid for the items to be shipped to my daughter in Boston.
The same day I similarly purchased items at Gap Kids, also having them shipped.
The very next day Inreceived a shipping notification from Gap that the items had been shipped and were in transit. I never received a notice from Gymboree. The following Monday I called the store to follow up and was told the items had been boxed and were ready to ship and would be picked up by UPS that evening. No notifications were received. Midweek I called again, only to be told that UPS “never showed up”. I was assured the items would be shipped that day and the manager on duty said she would call me with a tracking number. The store failed to call.
Today, a week later, I called the store and was told the items were picked up however, the attendant was too busy to give me a tracking number. I am signed up with UPS to receive shipping notifications and have received NONE regarding shipments from Gymboree.
This lack of diligent attention to my order is unacceptable and a deterrent to repeat business. How may I be assured these items have been shipped or cancel the order and receive full credit for my purchases and shipping charge?
Please advise how this matter may be promptly resolved, or I will have to dispute the charge when it appears on my credit card statement.
Thank you for your anticipated assistance.
T Hearn
Complaint in regards to customer service experience at the Burlington, MA store.
Store: Burlington, MA Store #22
Associate Name: Alexia
I am writing this in reference to a store purchase experience on
10/15/16. I first ordered clothes online at Gymboree.com, sizes 5T and
I received sizes 10-12. I went to the Burlington, MA store to exchange
the wrong size to 5T. Went I tried to explain the situation to one of
the associates was quick to cut me off and tell that they weren’t the
ones that shipped me the wrong size. After trying to find the same
shirt in size 5T, I noticed there were none on the shelf and the
associate checked in the system and told me they couldn’t do the
exchange in the store because they didn’t have size 5T in stock. She
checked to see if she could do the exchange online and size 5T was
completely out of stock. She then offered me a refund which I refused
to take because I made this purchase with Gymbucks and I would only
get $7.99 for a shirt that cost $19.95. I asked if I could exchange
for a similar shirt that cost $19.95 and she did not allow me to
exchange. She was incredibly rude and loud in front of all other
customers in the store which was quite humiliating. After I insisted
that it was not fair for me to get $7.99 back, she decided to call her
main office or ‘home office’ to ask if she could do the exchange with
a similar model shirt. Whomever on the phone told her that this was up
to the store manager to make such exception. I then asked to speak
with a manager, she said she was the manager. She started talking to
the other associate and I was just standing there for a while with no
answer from her. When I asked what was going on, was very irritated
and said they were trying to decide whether or not to allow the
exchange. At this point, I had been in the store for over 40 minutes.
In the end, the ‘manager’ Alexia made the exception and exchanged the
shirt. She was very rude and didn’t apologize at any moment.
I called Gymboree corporate office and expressed my concern with the
service I received that same day. Someone took my name and my phone
number and said that a district manager was going to call me. No one
ever called.
I know that Gymboree takes pride at customer service and it was the
first time that I experienced something like this. I have been making
purchases at Gymboree since my kids were born. I would really
appreciate if better training was provided to your managers so they
are able to handle certain situations without having it escalate to a
complaint with your corporate office.
Thank You
Dear Mr. Breitbard & Mr. Garcia –
On May 3rd, I made a full-price purchase. Two days later Janie & Jack had a Mother’s Day promotion of 15 percent off entire order. I called to see if I can get this applied to the order I made two days prior to promotion’s start (5/5).
Two telephone agents advised me that I should repeat my same order again today with the promotion price and then take one of the orders back to the store. Why all this extra work on the consumers’ end to complete the same outcome of getting the 15 percent off?
This practice does not seem consistent with your VISION of “exceeding your customers’ expectations for service.” According to the conditions, J&J is not obliged to honor a online purchase made two days before the promotion – but if their frontline call agents had the authority to do so – THAT would be exceeding my expectation.
Rebecca
I purchased an item from Janie and Jack over a year ago from the Bowling Brook, IL location as it was the only location that had the size that I needed but I never received it. I was charged for the merchandise and shipping charge. I was told that my account was credited for the merchandise but they could not override their system to get the shipping charge reversed. Well, according to my credit summary report I never received the credit for either and per several conversations with one of the managers for well a year now I was supposed to have received a money order for the $10 shipping fee but as of today still have not received it yet.
I have a problem. I have been an employee for Gymboree over a year now, and the store I work at is a hostle enviornment. I have been trying to get a hold of an HR representive so I can talk to someone about this. I have been harrassed and even sexually harrassed by my FEMALE boss. She makes my live at work a living hell.
PLEASE. Email me, contact me, so this can get figured out, before it gets out of hand.
Were you able to get in contact with anyone? I’m experiencing the same issues at my store and I’ve called and left messages and emails and no one answers or returns my calls.
I have a awful sitityation in my store ! Have you any luck with hr ?
You have provided notice to the company about what is being experienced in the workplace. Consider filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Their website: EEOC.GOV
I am a sales associate from the New York City Metro district and have ongoing issues with my coworkers for over 2 years now.
How high up on the chain of command is your problem? If it is merely at the level of the SM or the ASM and HR is dragging their feet, consider contacting your District Manager. HR is going to contact your DM anyway and the company has what they call an “open-door policy” so you are well within your rights to report anything
I have been waiting for a shipment from Janie & Jack – a Christmas outfit for my son I’ve waited for for 20 years. The day after thanksgiving – I placed an order. Over 10 hours worth of calls to your offices STILL hasn’t gotten me my order PLEASE help me. This is absolutely ridiculous.
I have been shopping at Gymboree for many years and have come to know an employee by the name of Amanda that works at the Flatirons Mall Gymboree. She is always very helpful, polite and sweet as can be. She’s the kind of person you remember and hope is there when you arrive to shop. She also makes you want to come back because you are comfortable. (Unlike an employee at the Gap in the same mall!)
I am 33 weeks pregnant and work 50 hours a week. I recently wanted to take part in some of the sales you have been offering but making the 45min drive and handling all my kids after school activities made it hard. I called into the store hoping Amanda would answer the phone and sure enough she did! I was more than happy to hear her voice on the other end happy to do my shopping for me. (I also want to add I’m not good about online shopping) I gave Amanda a spending limit and sizes I wanted. She called me back in her personal cell and asked if I wanted pictures! I told her I wasn’t able to pick up the items and I wanted to pay for them and pick up later. We got to talking and realized we lived close to one another and Amanda offered to drive the items to me after work. Later that day she called me when she was off of work and I paid for the items over the phone. We arranged a time and place to meet. Amanda saved me so much time! I live 45 min from the store one way! Also, I didn’t have to deal with the crazy Christmas rush.
She is an amazing employee and you are lucky to have her represent your store! I would guess I’ve been shopping at Gymboree for the last 8 years or so and she is definitely a big part of what draws me back! I’m sure other customers feel the same!
So if there is anything more you can do for Amanda at the Flatirons Mall in Broomfield, Colorado please do it!
Virginia (Longmont, CO)
I performed a service for Gymboree store #68 Edina,MN and was happy to extend credit to a big company like Gymboree however soon realized I had to deal with your facility maintenance section of your business, AFMC (Advanced Facilities Maintenance Corp) and they do not pay vendors. Frankly not happy with AFMC and Gymboree as consider the two companies associated.
Hi-
I just wanted to let you know that you’re facility maintenance company, AFMC (Advanced Facilities Maintenance Corp) doesn’t pay vendors. I performed work for Gymboree store #5080 on April 6 and haven’t been paid. I have been given the runaround by them, they even claimed to have a check sent (in June, July, and August, and now coming up on September 30, I expect the same). Can someone from corporate please address this? I know you have paid AFMC for this bill, because I spoke with your district manager. I am a small business owner getting screwed over by AFMC. I performed quality work at your store, everything works properly, but yet I still get no money for my work. My company is Jefferson County Locksmith (920-728-0198). I hope someone important reads this.
Regards,
Brandt
I have shopped at Gymboree for many years for my children and now my grandchildren. I anticipate the new lines coming out and do not hesitate to pay full price, unlike some who wait for them to be marked down. I live in Champaign, Illinois and I am very frustrated lately as the store here “never” has the new line set on the day it is supposed to be. I should not have to ask a customer service rep to go into the back of the store and drag out every new item I want to look at so that I can make my decision. I would very much appreciate it if the regional manager could light a fire under the employees at the Champaign, Illinois Gymboree store so that I can shop without the hassles of requesting each item of a new line!
I have been a long time Gymboree customer. I absolutely LOVE the clothing. I am trying to express my concern regarding the quality of a specific line. I buy my kids’ clothing ahead if I particularly like a line. This was the case for the Blooming Nautical Line. After one wash of 4 different pieces, the colors ran not only on those clothes but on other items as well ruining many articles of clothing. I tried taking it back to the retail tore, but they only offered my a refund of the current price, which was roughly $3 an item. I paid full price for each of these items when originally purchased. I would expect this from other children’s clothing stores, but NOT Gymboree. I also tried contacting the Customer Service number on more than one occasion but got no where. Super frustrated.
Hello, I’m Janell Watts, President of Sugar Prints – a children’s ceramic impression company. We make custom hand/foot prints (view at facebook.com/SugarPrintsCeramics). About 7 years ago, I met with a Senior Executive in your SF Bay Area offices and we discussed sending me to your LA Store to make this product for your higher end clients as a gift from the company. At that time, I was operating under a different business name and I was not living in the local LA area, so with travel costs for your company, it pushed the product out of your desired budget. Since that time, I have re-launched a new business (with a similar product) and I now live in Southern California. Would you please be willing to connect me with the correct Executive on your team so I could discuss this opportunity with them?
Sincerely,
Janell Watts
Sugar Prints
510-396-6804
facebook.com/SugarPrintsCeramics
janell@sugarprints.net
My husband and I were franchisee #21 in Glendale/Burbank purchased in 1982, and we ran our center(s) well for 13 years until we were bought out by Jim Tong. Our children were in the original “Play with a Purpose” vhs. Now they have their own children, and we wanted to let their children see their parents, but they do not have vcr machines.
We see that this was never converted to dvd. Can you give us a helpful solution?