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Business Profile

Womens Clothing

The Cato Corporation

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Womens Clothing.

Complaints

This profile includes complaints for The Cato Corporation's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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The Cato Corporation has 3 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 19 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 8 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/07/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I went to The Cato's in ****** ***** March 6th to put up a layaway. The location didn't have a lot of the items that I wanted but the location in ******* ***** did. When I got to the ******* Texas location they had a better selection so I wanted to put up my layaway there instead of in ******.. today March 7th at 12:00 I went to the ****** ***** location to get my refund for the layaway that I put in and I was told that I'm forced to get a gift card to be forced to spend my money back with that cato. No I do not agree with that policy because one it should have been told to me at the time of the layaway. Two ******** whatever her name is had the audacity to complete the return after I told her I will not accept a gift card. She printed a gift card anyway. I'm not going to be forced to spend my money where I don't want to. I was going to put up a layaway at the ******* location because they have a better selection. But if the person who put my layaway in did not give me that information that is on the store not me. And to inconvenience me to have to go there and the person who I needed to speak with is not there and then I have to wait until Monday until she gets back over $39 this is ridiculous!! Now I don't want to spend my money there at all but I want my money back!!!

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/06/2025

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I ordered an item in the store (*********, **) when I found out how much the shipping charge would be I said to cancel the item. I was told the charge already went through and I would have to contact corporate. I did contact corporate and was told that they cant issue a refund to my credit card but will mail me a check. That was on December 5th and as of today January 6th I still dont have a check and customer service will no longer respond to me.

      Business Response

      Date: 01/24/2025

      Hello, 

      We have previously mailed a check to ******* **** on 12/17/24 in the amount of $43.89 at the indicated address on file.

      ***********************;

      ***********************

      We will confirm this is the customer's correct address and reissue a check with expedited delivery. 

      Thank you, 

      ****** ******

       

       

      Customer Answer

      Date: 01/24/2025

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
      As of now they have not reached out to confirm my address but that is correct and hopefully a check will actually be received this time.
      Thank you. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/23/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      12/23/24 I went to return 3 items that I purchased the week before at the *****, **. store # *****. I knew right away that she didn't like me returning something (they never do.) She said I thought you tried these on, that's why we don't have to deal with this ****, I said I did try them on, but they don't look at home like they did in your mirror, the other worker smarts off with, we don't have magical mirrors. I don't know her name, but she has been there a while.I thought that was uncalled for and very rude. I go there quite often, but will not any more.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/15/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I purchased several items online & they shipped out but I never received them at ******. I would like to receive the items that I purchased. I called to speak to someone directly & she was very rude & disrespectful telling me: she didnt know what I wanted her to do, I shouldve purchased in store & proceeded to hang up the phone on me. If this is how this company conducts business then I will not be purchasing anything else from your company & will advertise accordingly.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/04/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On August 4, 2024, I entered the Cato's establishment with my mother at *******************************************. We were there just a little while before closing-twenty minutes to be precise. We browsed a few clearance items and I picked up a belt and a couple of other items. My mom said that she was going to go ahead and get some jewelry out of layaway. We approached the register to check out and retrieve her layaway items, We told them that we thought the layaway was under the name ****** but I also added that it could also be under my name '******' - ***********************- as sometimes things are put under my layaway instead. They go look in the back and then return to the front and tell her that no- that there wasn't anything under ******. I once again pointed out quite loudly and clearly that it could be under my layaway instead. My mother added, "Yes, It could be under ***********************- check that too." But they were not having it. They started raising their voices that we didn't have anything on layaway. However - the lady kept on blasting my mother about how there was nothing under ****** and when I brought up the name '******' I was met with a rude snarky "No! There's nothing!" But then she would follow that up with "There is nothing under ****** at all!" And it left us frustrated. We put a payment down on that stuff. And we told them we would be back with a receipt. I want an apology because we are customers and we put money down on those items. And I would also like for them to either find the layaway items or refund us our money. It is not good business to have such an attitude towards customers. We were simply trying to pay for some jewelry that we had on layaway- that shouldn't require them to hold such rude attitudes towards us and essentially call us liars.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/24/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I picked up a layaway and purchased items on Sunday May ****************** ************* ga. My daughter is 28 and I have shopped at Cato since she was six months old. Most of my experience has been pleasant but the most shocking was the last encounter. I was picking up a layaway. Apparently while in layaway a necklace set that was with the layaway was damaged . I remember seeing the store clerk who recovered my layaway going over to her showing her a necklace set and I wonder if it was mine because the color could not be missed. But quickly dismissed it. Shopped paid for my items and left. When I got home opened the tissue paper and lol the necklace was broken in the front. Could not be missed. I was immediately incensed. If it was shown to me I understand things happen I would have just ordered another but the dishonesty of this clerk and store manager leaves me speechlessness. The next day I I went back to the be store. One store clerk when I was explaining how I felt keep telling me to just let it go! Really.!!!!!!!! The store manager needs a course in ethics. So sad that a purchase of $375 was returned due to dishonesty over a necklace set the was *****. ************************************************************ ***** will be returned. I will not be returning to that store and am not sure wether I want to shop at a store that does not value me as a customer or as a person ethically. Retraining needs to take place. I will not send anyone else to that store also.

      Business Response

      Date: 06/10/2024

      This District Manager contacted this customer and offered an apology. The store staff did attempt to find out more about her dissatisfaction and offer assistance, however the customer did not want to discuss her issue with the Manager. Anytime an item is broken, or defective we want to satisfy the customer by offering an exchange, or ordering another item to meet the customer's request. 

      Thank you. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/16/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I purchased jewelry from Cato Company, dated 03/29/2024. I received the items. I wasnt satisfied with one of the earrings, so I returned the earrings back to Cato Company with a return *** label . I checked my credit card account and noticed the refund amount was 0.04 cents. I emailed Cato Company about my refund. *******, Cato Company associate emailed me on 05/07/2024,about the refund amount was deducted from the prepaid label used to return the earrings. I explained to ******* that I used my credit card to purchase items from the Companys website . This isnt a joke and its an insult.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/06/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I returned items purchased within 24 hours of said purchase. They will not return my money to my bank account for 5 days!! I need that money now! They sure jerked it out of my bank account in about 5 minutes!! This is fraud.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/06/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Hello this boot that i purchased i only worn one time and the materials is coming apart this boot ?? is not made out of good material i don't feel that i got my money worth thanks in advance.

      Business Response

      Date: 11/29/2023

      We will reach out to this customer regarding her issue with the damaged boots she purchased. 

      Thank you. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/01/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      The correct address for the business was not listed but the address is irrelevant, as the problem appears to be a company wide issue. However, the address where the item is to be returned is:The Cato Corporation ************************************************************ I am located in ************* and the nearest physical store is more than 200 miles away.1. I ordered an item and the total was $15.99, and shipping was an additional $6.95.2. The item is too big so I need to exchange the item (for a smaller size). The company is charging me another $6.95 to ship the item back.3. The company does not offer exchanges, so, I need to re-order the item and pay an additional $6.95 for shipping.4. In order to receive the correct item, I will end up paying $20.85 in shipping costs, which is exorbitant.5. The final cost of the item will basically be $36.84 and the item is not worth that amount.The customer service agent told me that these costs are listed on the website in the return policy. Regardless of the fact that the company informs the customer, doesnt make it any less of an unfair business practice. The weight of the item is such that $6.95 seems to exceed what it would normally cost to ship the item one way. It is possible that the company is using excessive shipping costs as a form of additional revenue.Resolution requested: I would like to exchange the item for a smaller size without having to pay a copious amount of shipping fees. I believe that the shipping fee that I initially paid is sufficient and the company should be barred from charging me $6.95 two more times. In my opinion the additional $13.90 in shipping amounts to theft.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 10/31/2023

      Ive decided that I am not going to exchange the item. I am going to return the item. I do not want to do business with this company.

      The resolution I now seek is to not be changed return shipping to return the item.

    The Cato Corporation is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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