r/mildlyinfuriating • u/CBus-Eagle • 1d ago

I'm slightly vexed Kohls is the Worst

I took my son to Kohls because he needed some jeans and underwear. I haven’t been to a Kohls in a couple years because I think their store is always in disarray and I hate standing in long lines because they only have 2 or 3 of the 10 cash registers open.

But my wife had a coupon for 30% so off we went. Their clearance section is impossible to look through because they are not categorized by size, forcing everyone to just walk down the entire rack looking at each piece individually. Then, the hangers that indicate small, medium, large, extra large aren’t even on the correct size clothing, forcing you to read each tag individually.

We gave up on looking at clearance and went over to the regular priced jeans and he found two pair. Grab a bag of 6 Hanes boxer shorts for $38 and headed to the register, thinking the 30% off coupon will get out the door at $100.

After standing in line for 20 minutes, the cashier totals everything up at $138 and my wife hands her the 30% coupon. Their clearance total is $125. I commented that the discount didn’t work properly and the associate states that the jeans are name brand so not included in the sale.

I review the coupon’s fine print and see nothing about Levi jeans being excluded so I ask for clarification. The associate then states that “all high end clothes like Under Amour and Levi’s are always excluded from their promotions.” I asked how we as customers are supposed to know this unless it’s clearly excluded on the coupon. She just said sorry so we left; paying $125 for two pairs of jeans and a 6 pack of underwear.

It feels like deceptive advertising and it was the last time I shop at Kohls.

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9.8k

u/todddobleu 1d ago

The Kohls by me is an Amazon return desk with a large clothing/perfume/weird toy store attached to it.

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u/mybunsarestale 1d ago

Used to work next to a Kohls and sometimes would wander through on my lunch break. Never dared try and actually buy anything on break cause the line was always 20 people deep trying to do returns. If I did find anything I did want to buy I'd have to come back after my shift or risk being late. 

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u/Ijustreadalot 1d ago

Amazon returns at your store weren't in a totally different area? Recently stores near me have moved Kohl's returns to the front, but I haven't seen that be a significant portion of the line. Amazon returns are always in the back somewhere.

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u/Moomoolette 1d ago

Yes at my store they’re in the back so they force you to walk through Kohl’s which is incredibly depressing, it reminds me of Kmart before it died

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u/MyDogIsSoWeird 1d ago

Hadn’t been in a Kohls in years, took a late lunch to drip off some amazon returns after holidays. It WAS incredibly depressing walking all the way to the back.

Harsh lighting, disheveled, couldn’t wait to get out of there. Nothing enticed me in the least to stay theee longer than i had to be.

Have to go drop off a return I couldn’t cancel on time this week. Can’t wait 😂

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u/SidewaysTugboat 1d ago

Kohl’s was exactly like this when I shopped there 20 years ago. The constant mess chased me out. It got measurably worse? What kind of god would let that happen?

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u/Masquelinity 15h ago

Yeah, and their stuff is still outrageously expensive. I was there recently to return an Amazon package, and I was going to make another stop on my way home for a new pair of shoes, but I was like "Hey, Kohl's sells shoes, let me check there since I'm gonna be there!"

Their selection was garbage, and their prices were eye-watering. Even if I was charging for my time and counting mileage and gas, it was still cheaper to go across town and buy two pairs of name-brand shoes than it would have been to get one from Kohl's.

And, of course, the whole store looked like the first wave of zombie-apocalypse-looters had already run through it. But that's expected from Kohl's.

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u/jdcleman 1d ago

Kmart before it died😅 it really was sad and lonely in there. My mom would take me at like 2 am when we were bored.

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u/wathadhappnwas 16h ago

Born in 1979 so I was definitely around in the legendary K-Mart era and we were regulars, for sure. I remember being stuffed in the cart with my 2 siblings and trying to be so, so good and we would all get ice cream from the snack bar after Mom was done putting whatever it was on layaway. Ohhhh that bubblegum ice cream was the shit for little 6 year old me!!!

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u/Ijustreadalot 6h ago

K-marts here never had a snack bar with ice cream! Now I'm jealous. We just got to sit through the blue light special presentations.

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u/metompkin 14h ago

But they have that fancy Sephora facade you walk past to get to the returns

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u/Moomoolette 14h ago

I mostly stopped wearing make up so now there is nothing to tempt me; once in a while I peek and the prices are so insane I’m glad I got off that merry go round and I raw dog the world with my bare face now

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u/sanctuary-m00n 1d ago

Our are at the regular checkout. And they only have one Amazon scanner to share with all the cashiers so if multiple people in line are trying to do an Amazon return you have to wait even longer. It’s ridiculous.

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u/Ijustreadalot 1d ago

That's very annoying. I will definitely stop shopping there if the stores near me do that.

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u/UpsetUnicorn 1d ago

The Amazon returns and in-store pick ups are in the catalogue department.

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u/mybunsarestale 1d ago

That seems smart. I honestly never understood why they didnt have one registered solely for returns and the rest for sales or two returns and one strictly sales if thats how it worked out. But nah, all registers at that Kohls (granted i havent been there in about 10 months now) were also returns. So dumb

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u/Ijustreadalot 1d ago

That is really dumb. The ones near me used to have 3 locations. An Amazon pickup/returns area which was more like a little kiosk than a full counter, customer service which did Kohl's returns, and registers in the front for sales. There's still one store in my city that does that (or did last time I was there. It's been a while). The others have combined Kohl's returns with checkout, but Amazon returns are still separate. That will suck if combining all 3 becomes the norm because it's not like they increase staff to make that work.

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u/brennacedria 17h ago

My store also has Amazon returns at the front. Other than the clearance tho, it's much better than OP's store. The clearance is exactly the same. Also, my husband is a discount freak so he always gets their brand, so the coupons always work.

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u/Ijustreadalot 17h ago

I've found a couple of their brands to be the best middle aged mom appropriate styles that also fit my body type, so that's most of why I shop there. I do pick up basics for my kids there as well so long as I have a 40% off offer and stuff is already on sale/clearance.

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u/skybrume0 16h ago

The back area of Kohls also gives me the final bits I have left in my memory of the ticket master area in the back of ... was it Macy's or Dillard's? My memory wants to say Dillard's because that is what died first in my community. I remember it though! My sister getting concert tickets in high school

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u/Ijustreadalot 11h ago

It was Macy's where I grew up, but we didn't have Dillard's.

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u/Anne7392 1d ago

The benefit of working next door is that Kohls think you are in the store so you get free shipping when you order online. 👍 ( I miss my old office) 🙃

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u/morto00x 1d ago

Amazon returns is the only reason I ever step foot on any Kohl's. Ours is always empty, so lines aren't an issue. But the 10% off coupon that I get from the Amazon return never applies to anything I tried to buy, so I don't even bother shopping there anymore.

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u/Dull-Kaleidoscope214 1d ago

i usually head over to the kid’s section and hand it out to a mom once i’m done with my return since i don’t shop there

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u/skyppie 1d ago

I usually just buy their Sonoma line candles since they're always on sale so with 10% off, it's a tiny bit cheaper.

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u/Blackberry_Stacy 1d ago

Same here! I always give it to someone else and hope they can use it!

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u/AFVET4012 1d ago

I always do my Amazon returns at a Kohl’s too. They always give me that 20% off coupon.

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u/AFVET4012 1d ago

Posted before I could finish. On my way outta the store I always look for someone with kiddos doing their shopping and give them the coupon.

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u/SizzleanQueen 1d ago

Sephora outposts are now inside of Kohls.

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u/Samm999 1d ago

The one near me is out of everything because of massive theft of Sephora products

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u/Three_Twenty-Three 1d ago

At mine, the new Sephora's pushed the men's dress clothing section out. I can't even buy Dockers there. So one of the few reasons I had to go to Kohl's is gone.

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u/amnichols 1d ago

Sephora is now leaving Kohls.

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u/SizzleanQueen 1d ago

Ah. Good to know. I thought it was just Ulta leaving Target.

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u/whenwillthisend2 1d ago

Ulta did leave target!

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u/SizzleanQueen 19h ago

It was kind of a disaster. I loved the idea, but here in LA they had to rope off the Ulta section and monitor it closely. It felt weird.

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u/whenwillthisend2 12h ago

Yea at my target it was roped off at one point then with someone always in the area then I guess they said fuck it because the ropes went away and there wasn’t anyone in the section and everything was such a mess it was hard to even shop it.

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u/Sarith2312 1d ago

Must be regional/market as they just came to my Target

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u/whenwillthisend2 1d ago

When? Because as of August there are no more anywhere. It’s not regional.

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u/Sarith2312 1d ago

My Target’s Ulta section opened September

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u/whenwillthisend2 1d ago

I don’t think that it is an Ulta section, since they were taking out Ultad they upgraded their beauty section and selection in stores. I’m not trying to be rude by saying google it but literally they aren’t in Target anymore. Unless you’re in another country.

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u/Sensitive-Neat-9091 19h ago

My target also has a Ulta they just opened it after a huge construction project on it. Maybe like a year ago? I was just there and it’s still opened and has the Ulta sign 🤷‍♀️

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u/Sarith2312 1d ago

I’m wondering if maybe mine just never changed the signs over to the Beauty Studio rebranding

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u/Child_of_the_Hamster 1d ago

That and Amazon returns are the only reason I’ve been inside a Kohls. Tbh I’m basically priced out of Sephora now (or at least can’t justify the prices with necessities being as expensive as they are now) and returns are faster at Staples. Somehow the parking lot of the kohls nearest me is still packed from open to close though.

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u/UpsetUnicorn 1d ago

I don’t forget the complementary perfume squirt after making an Amazon return.

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u/SunOnTheMountains 1d ago

Kohls is the Amazon return desk that I avoid because items I drop off there never get back to Amazon, and I have to call Amazon customer service to avoid getting charged for the replacement.

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u/sicilian504 BLUE 1d ago

This is why I only drop Amazon returns off at UPS. I'm giving it directly to a shipping partner, I get my little tracking drop off receipt and I'm good to go. Haven't had a problem yet. Only downside is UPS can be busy at times. But they're so used to doing things repeatedly they're usually pretty good at getting people in and out. As soon as I get in my car I grab a pen and write what I dropped off on the back of the tracking slip for record keeping in case I need to provide proof I dropped something off.

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u/ML5815 1d ago

Our UPS has Amazon stations where you scan your QR codes for return, bag your stuff in a clear bag, print out your own label and get your tracking number without even having to talk to staff. I love it.

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u/knosmo78 1d ago

Ours too. It's usually a very quick drop off.

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u/Moomoolette 1d ago

They have these at the Winn-Dixie near me and they’re making me do returns there now

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u/iwillreadaboutit 1d ago

Keep your receipt for sure. Had two separate returns that never made it to Amazon from a UPS. Stolen somewhere along the line. I couldn’t get my refund. I keep my receipts now.

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u/patentmom 22h ago

I use staples as my return for Amazon products. They give a receipt and they're pretty much never busy. Their hours are better than UPS, too.

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u/Benblishem 4h ago

Yeah, at Staples it is a very quick drop-off.

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u/Acceptable_Tea3608 19h ago

I've used Whole Foods which has a separate counter away from any of their main transactions. Its in and out, except WF is quite far from me. I found a UPS pickup stop in a store across from when I live that I can drop off. So far, so good.

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u/cupcakelyfe 13h ago

I do my Amazon returns at Whole Foods. I usually get my return back within an hour or so after dropping off at Whole Foods!

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u/ifiwasinvisible8 1d ago

I like kohls, but they are only worth it if they have a sale. Often carters, Levi’s, and a few other items aren’t included in the sale. But so, Sonoma, Croft and Barrow, Nine West, Lauren Conrad, and a few others brands allow coupons. If you stack the coupons you end up getting a really great deal. I also apply my kohls cash to purchases . But again, you have to wait for a sale. They also have better items online, so a lot of times I order online and ship to the store for free. This way I can combine my coupons and make sure the total is what I’m expecting.

Personally I don’t think you got a good deal and I would return the purchase. Especially if you feel like you overpaid.

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u/hexensabbat 15h ago

See and this is why I don't bother with Kohls. Too much mental effort to go to a store just to not get ripped off.

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u/ifiwasinvisible8 12h ago

I understand. I personally like online shopping so I purchase online and ship to store for free. Online will show the item with the sale and coupon already factored in, so it isn’t mentally draining for me. I’m not someone who likes to walk around stores, otherwise Kohls would be annoying . Online also has better items than in store.

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u/RXlife13 2h ago

Most of the time, the coupons only work on Kohl’s-only brands. Their FLX line is pretty decent and I always find some Jumping Bean clothes for my son. If you’re good with sticking to certain brands, the coupons are totally worth it.

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u/Acceptable_Tea3608 19h ago

Don't you have to pay online to complete the order? How can you then use coupons in-store?

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u/Curly_Bill 1d ago

Ok, bot

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u/ifiwasinvisible8 17h ago

I’m actually not a bot. I just know how to stack the coupons and was trying to explain how to do so. If you don’t do the coupons correctly kohls isn’t worth it.

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u/Bellalou71921 1d ago

That happened to me so many times when I returned at Kohls!!!! I learned to keep every receipt for at least 3 months!

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u/GenevieveLeah 1d ago

It is now.

It had better deals a few decades ago. If you’re willing to wade through the mess you may find something good.

I will say I have two sons and finding middle- school boys clothes is hard everywhere.

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u/Katiemp1977 12h ago

Agree 100% on middle school boys clothes! My son is a larger 5th grader. I’m struggling with finding pajamas that aren’t just lounge pants. And everything over size 14 is $$$$$$

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u/GenevieveLeah 12h ago

Luckily the men’s size small tends to go clearance - we’ve moved into that realm a little. But it only gets us so far!

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u/BackLopsided2500 1d ago

When I need to return something to Amazon up will come Kohl's and Whole Foods as places to return them. They "hide" UPS and you really have to dig to find it. Drives me nuts. I've gotten stuff from Kohl's years ago and wasn't happy with the quality of the brands they sold. The only thing that I got recently was a lightweight puffer coat that cost $25. It was a good purchase for once!

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u/Big_Watercress_6210 1d ago

I had an item recently where the associate only offered me Whole Foods as a drop off location. When I politely asked about UPS they just refunded the whole thing without a return.

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u/lazydaisytoo 1d ago

I think they’re messing with the algorithm, or stores can bid higher to be shown as the only return option. I do almost all of my returns at Whole Foods, but last week I was requesting a return and the only options were UPS or Staples.

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u/Inyanna29 1d ago

Amazon will always try to get you to return to Whole Foods because they don’t have to pay a commission then. Then they will try to spread returns through other vendors to spread the commissions through ups, FedEx, staples, or rent a center ( in my area). Their contracts often state if you take in +/- more returns your commission can go up or down. They don’t want to pay more so they try to limit options

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u/lazydaisytoo 1d ago

Yes, I was confused as to why Whole Foods was not an option, since it’s my go to. In the scheme of things Staples wasn’t out of my way, it was just weird that it was the only option other than UPS, which, ironically, is a few doors down in the same shopping center.

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u/corruptedcircle 1d ago

Huh, I was wondering what was happening when my only return option was a Kohl's despite my pickup always being a Whole Foods that is closer to me, your theory makes sense.

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u/Select_Set_6359 1d ago

Spot on. It's just an amazon return hub with random clothing rack attached.

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u/droaxpish 1d ago

At that point the clothes are just impulse buys for people returning air fryers.

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u/evident_lee 1d ago

The Amazon return desk was what brought me into the store

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u/Three_Twenty-Three 1d ago

This is exactly how I use the Kohl's near me. They know it, too. The Amazon returns desk used to be farther back in the store, and now it's right up front.

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u/Kind-Feeling2490 1d ago

Ours has the ‘Aisle with all the weird/fun crap in a bargain grocery store’ vibe going on. 

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u/Qui_te 1d ago

The one by me is now also 50% a sephora

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u/jima2000 1d ago

Completely agree. If not for Amazon returns, I'd never go in the place.

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u/LarryChavez 1d ago

Not sure if this is consistent but you just described the one near me in Colorado to a “T”.

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u/Efffefffemmm 19h ago

They stopped using Kohl’s for returns here- it was a nightmare- we use the UPS store now.

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u/New_Confusion_6219 19h ago

2 reasons to go to Kohls: Amazon returns and free hangers. You can go to their customer service desk and ask for hangers. They have always responded with “how many?” My closets all have matching sets of those black hangers.

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u/ExtensionFun9464 16h ago

I think Amazon Returns & their deceptive coupons are the only things keeping them afloat

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u/ThePopDaddy 11h ago

Yeah, I just go for Amazon returns, I usually get a $10 off $25+ coupon, which I'll use on clearance clothing.

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u/MissCeeLee 1h ago

I forgot that fragrance counter department store smell. I went to pick up luggage I ordered online and spent 15 min in line choking on perfume. I figured Kohls was safe. It was not

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u/audible_narrator 1d ago

That's how I use it as well

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u/theretailreject 1d ago

Only reason I go to kohls