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Why We Hate Forever 21, & Why You Should Too
By admins | February 2, 2010
Our animosity towards Forever 21 has grown over the years, from a simple pet peeve to a burning hatred. Online, particularly on “what I’m wearing” type blogs there is a preponderance of fashion loving ladies sporting their Forever 21 gear. It seems young fashion savvy shoppers online and off are continuing to favor our nemesis, Forever 21. It is so hard, when we see a blogger, coworker, or friend bragging about their latest Forever 21 deal, to keep from screaming; “Do you have any idea who or what you are supporting?” We’d hoped for awhile that the despicable chain would disappear, which has been the fate of many retailers this year. However, it seems their evil plot of world domination is continuing. Forever 21 has just announced plans to develop 30 massive department stores across the country, including one in Times Square replacing the Virgin Megastore. So to make it perfectly clear why you should forgo F21 (if you must indulge in disposable fashion, H&M or even Target are better) here is a list of reasons to boycott Forever 21 forever!
- Sweatshop labor in the US – Forever 21 has been running sweatshops in California and using Mexican immigrant labor in subpar working conditions to provide you with cheap disposable clothing. Especially for our LA readers, how can you in good conscious spend money on a product that forces fellow women to work in sweatshop conditions? Several of these women have banded to together and created a must see documentary called “Made in LA”. It is very easy to say “Oh yeah, it may be cheap labor but I can’t afford anything better” and thereby distancing yourself from the issue at hand but watching this documentary and seeing the faces behind your garments should open everyone’s eyes. Additionally, Forever 21 has been taken to the California Supreme Court regarding its unfair labor practices repeatedly. As one factory worker Guadalupe Hernandez explained she earned, “$4 per hour working 10 hours a day 6 days a week in a factory with no running water and no bathroom.” Clearly the cost of fast fashion is too high!
- Sweatshop Labor overseas – As many are not aware, much of Forever 21’s products are not made in their own factories, but rather subcontracted out. F21 finds third party manufactures who produce private label pieces (i.e. with Forever 21’s labels and hangtags) made in subcontracted overseas sweatshops to make the incredibly low price-point that F21 demands. You see, Mexican/American sweatshop labor is far more expensive then that of Chinese, Cambodian, or Bangladeshi workers. Forever 21 has repeatedly faced lawsuits regarding overseas sweatshop labor; however, they avoid the consequences by laying the blame on the third party contractors and deny any responsibilities. Unfair labor practices, child labor, dangerous work environments and the exploitation of women are the true cost of that $12.99 sun dress you picked up.
- Designer copyright infringement – We’ve written before about the legalities of protecting a designer’s original designs and what can and can’t be protected in fashion. Unfortunately knockoff’s and thievery are common place in the fashion industry and if not always illegal they are at least unethical. Please check out our full post here about being inspired by a high-end designers and creating an affordable versions vs. running a business based solely on direct copycats. Bottom line, Forever 21 is the largest offender of creating knockoffs, be it upscale designers or struggling independent designers, F21 is in essence stealing their livelihood from them. They have been taken to the US District Courts for their violations and have been sued over 50 times in the last 4 years alone for copyright infringement!
- Proselytizing and shopping don’t mix – For those of you who are not aware, the owners of Forever 21 Mr. and Mrs. Chang are evangelical Christians and big supporters of Christian missionaries. This, in and of itself, is not a big deal, however they have been accused of discriminating against employees and workers based on religion. Mrs. Chang has been known to take young designers and send them on Christian missions and if they become “born again” they will be promoted and financially rewarded. Have you ever looked at your Forever 21 packaging or shopping bags? Those numbers printed on them are bible verses. Frankly, we don’t need our tube tops and leggings preaching religion to us.
We encourage all of our readers to forward this post on to any of your friends, relatives, and coworkers, who perhaps shop Forever 21 and are unaware of their business practices. We encourage all of you to think about how you spend your buying dollar and support businesses that are deserving. Please check out the clip below from the documentary Made in LA.
Here is more related scoop;
Topics: fashion industry, shop | 322 Comments » 
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February 2nd, 2010 at 10:49 pm
F21 is terrible. I’m glad I finally have gotten over the lure of cheap, cute clothing made in some of the most ill of circumstances.
I’m with you guys!! *fist pump*
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Hear Hear.. any thought on how to bring them down from the inside…better yet keep a tally of knockoffs and send those to the original designers… And NO settling out of court, after a while I think they’ll get it….!
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:24 am
Crazy that with all those brilliant reasons to boycott them you didn’t even have to mention the clothing! Their stuff is cheap, looks cheap, and wears cheap. The stuff literally falls apart after a few weeks.
No more, I’ll pass it on!
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:45 am
Brava! Thank you for putting this out there. I couldn’t have said it any better. It always makes me so angry to see what the Chang’s get away with! Hopefully if enough people take this to heart, things will change. I’m off to spread the word…
Cheers!
Suzanne
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:19 am
Thank you for a couple of things…
“what I’m wearing posts” – do NOT get me started on this..
I actually unfollowed F21 on Twitter bc they COPY everything and it’s ridiculous!
I had no idea about “Made in LA”. I am going to check this documentary out.
This was such an awesome post – so important to make people aware of a label’s work ethic.
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:35 pm
I don’t like them in the least but I do have a question – isn’t that what kind of labor EVERYONE has these days?
I just assume if it’s new, and it’s not American Apparel (sexually harassed, yes but sweatshop, no)…then this is exactly how they’re made whether I buy clothes @ F21, H&M, Macys, TG-170, Bird, etc.?
Is that NOT true?
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:18 pm
It’s awful, we don’t have one here in Vancouver so I’ve never shopped there anyways.
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Great information! I just posted a blog about your article–of course giving you credit for the information. I avoid stores like that simply because of the poor quality of the merchandise (I mean really, any store that has a zero-returns policy should be avoided), but it is WONDERFUL to have more dirt on them!
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Wow I wasn’t fully aware that all these issue were going on with the Forever 21. It’s really sad,but then again I used to work for them so actually I can believe it. Mr.Chang has to be the cheapest man on the planet, I mean only 10% off is all the employees get on already cheap and low quality clothing? Come on you call that a discount?!
February 4th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Aside from their sweatshop conditions, working for their stores isn’t much better.
They treat you like crap when you work there. I was there for 8 months and only last that long because I wanted to hold out until I moved for school.
The store’s policies are insane– there were many polices in place that would take away precious break time because following them would cut-out of the time you actually had on your break. For example, the bag search before you left the store for your break… you’d have to first try to find a manager, then you would have to open your bag and open every pocket, wallet, everything– totally exposed in front of the entire store, not to mention taking time out of your “break” since you’ve already clocked out for it by this point.
I could go on & on about how I hated working there, but it would take up multiple pages.
Just not a good company overall.
February 4th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
You shouldn’t advocate H&M either. Instead of donating their unwanted and/or overstock clothing, they destroy it and throw it away. I read an article about homeless people picking through bags and bags of clothing and only finding one or two garments that were wearable. What a waste!!
February 4th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Ok, another handwringing article. How about the ILLEGAL immigrants do thru the correct process?? Instead of protesting co’s poor working conditions-how about protesting the hiring of ILLEGALS?? As long as this practice is seen to be ok, you and others are encouraging our newest Slave culture, like the lady said: if you are undocumented, you are invisible.
February 4th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Why is it that when Gap, Inc was accused of this the media and society were in an uproar… and yet this remains unnoticed.
February 4th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Sarah – the company released a statement regarding that incident, which ONLY took place at ONE store, and said the practice would be stopped and was not typical. Don’t try to put H&M on the same level as F21, unless there’s a lot of concrete proof.
Thanks for the great article on F21 – I’ll have to start weaning myself off their clothing.
February 4th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
As for clothes from forever 21-
who cares if they fall apart on some people or people think they are tacky or what not. A lot of people have been obsessed with this store for years, and now all of a sudden it is almost a fad to ‘bash’ on any store that sells cheap clothing or has anything that provokes the nerves of liberal human beings and people who think that ‘ooo saying im so against forever 21 is going to make me look cool when I show my friends this site’…even though you wear their clothing on a daily basis.
We are college students. We can’t afford designer clothes (unless mommy or daddy buys them) so this store gives us a chance to look good for less, as do many other stores. (every store in america is going to have a complaint about it, even the ones you self proclaimed “PEOPLES RIGHTS” activists shop at. it’s everywhere. it wont stop.)
And why won’t it stop? because people make the choice to work where the work and if they don’t like it, they don’t have to work there. hell, if i worked in a place that was a sweat shop, I would quit. I could care less if forever 21 went under I could shop other places, but if their workers want to complain they can go find a better job somewhere else, and if they can’t, it’s no one’s fault but themselves. They settle for $4 an hour. If they were legal immigrants, they would be able to find jobs in places that suit the standards set by the US Labor unions. If they are illegal, that is their own damn problem. (Might sound stereotypical, but that is a fact.) I Feel like if this is a true sweat shop, it wouldn’t even be allowed to be established in America. People act like we don’t have inspectors coming around checking these things…..when was the last time you were in a factory/huge building and there was no bathrooms? Really? Don’t you think that sounds somewhat fabricated? Go back to school. Get an education and better your life. And if you’re illegal, get a green card and build your life. But if you want to settle for a sweatshop, that is your own problem.
I hate hypocrits. Not saying that you guys are bc. everyone has a constitutional right to their own opinion, but I found this post on a girls site who frequently shops with me at F21.Fake. Fake. Fake.
February 4th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Since you’ve never seen it, it couldn’t be true huh? How about you watch the video in the OP. Or watch the PBS documentary about sweat shop labor.
I live in NC and there have been 4 raids in the last year on sweatshop and or farms, where illegal immigrant are kept in giant wearhouses with no heat, ac or plumbing.
February 4th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
I agree completely with comment number 15. That person said it all way better than I can. Instead of coming to a site and bashing on this store why don’t you get off your ass and do something about it. Personally I love Forever 21. It has great fashion for less as do stores like Target and H&M. They do the exact same thing as Forever 21. Why not bash on them as well? Or are you too afraid that their lawyers will more than likely put you down in your spot and you won’t seem so strong to the people who support you? So either shut it or do something about it.
February 4th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
I think the illegals are asking for this treatment and cheap labor when they cross the boarder in the first place. They know that they can’t legally find jobs in the US because of their status, and obviously, jobs not requiring real paperwork would pay below minimum wage.
February 4th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
They are doing something about it, they’re raising awareness so that people can make educated decisions. Personally, I don’t want my money to go a company that treats its workers like that, regardless of if they’re illegal immigrants “settling” for work in a sweatshop. Which I doubt they are, life and employment and immigration situations are not that cut and dried. Holytoledo is right, sweatshops are not “allowed” in the US, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. This is not just fed by the workers who continue to work under these conditions, it’s fed by the people who continue to buy the products, who say that them having a cute top for $10.99 is worth someone else’s suffering. Well, to me it’s not worth it, so I’ll choose not to shop where I know it’s happening. Maybe for some of you it is, and you’ll choose to ignore it. That’s you’re choice, but at least acknowlege the role you’re playing in the perpetuation of this problem.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
you can’t sit here and tell me that a bunch of people just randomly go missing and are forced to work in factories (if they are forced to work there why are they even being paid?) for a store as big as forever 21 and nothing has been done about it?
1) forever 21 is too big of a company to have illegal shit like that going on…why would they risk their multi-billion dollar corporation forcing people to work?
2) if you know forever 21 is going to pay you 4 bucks an hours and are going to treat you like shit and don’t have a bathroom for you to use THEN DONT WORK THERE!!!! If you want to immigrate to america, do it the right way so that you dont have to suffer like you did back in your country! I want everyone to be happy and successful, but coming to america to prosper and then settle for terrible working conditions is just a contradiction.
3) You’re going to have jerk bosses at every job, at every branch, of every company. It’s easy to call out forever 21 because you think its a ‘fad’ to shop there and just because its what the majority of girls wear, it makes it more ‘cool’ and ‘alternative’ for you to break away from the mold and start a revolution. seriously, this is being protested by the exact people you claim and have claimed to hate. You can’t tell me that every forever 21 is full of torment. Why do people keep working there then???? They have been around since the early 2000’s; obviously things aren’t as bad as the writer is making them sound!
4) If you want to make a difference, get proof of the sweatshops you claim exist and the ‘forced’ labor as well as abuse of employees and get forever 21 shut down forever if you are that passionate about it. America wouldn’t let this happen for this many years, especially to this magnitude with such a big corporation so you should look past the people complaining about how they hate their jobs (even though they chose to work there) and look at if they are actually taking peoples rights away…or are those people giving their own rights away just for a job?
Statements 3 and 4 that you mention should even be spoken about in this article. You are just trying to add bad points to reflect on the terriblness of the treatment they recieve in the factories. In fact, you could have just combined issue 1 and 2 since they are the same thing, except diversified to different countries (but wait, arent the people working in america from different countries anyways?) Copyright/Religion…you guys are liberals; let them do what they want to do in terms of that..who cares-if it offends you, don’t shop there. The only legit argument here, if it’s even true, is the forced labor. If you show me that people are truly ‘kidnapped’ and ‘forced’ to work for forever 21 then I will show sympathy and stop putting your article down. Until then, I strongly disagree with your standpoint. Say you kidnapped someone and forced them to write for your website or you would kill them/hurt them/whatever. Why would you even bother compensating them $4? They aren’t forced. They choose to work there. If they aren’t happy, they can leave or find something different. I’m in college full time with 2 jobs 40 hours a week. If I can do it and they want to be successful too, they can find the tools and go for it. Why should I feel sympathetic for someone that has a job that sucks? They should feel sympathetic for me that I have to pay $100,000 for College, gas, car, rent, bills, food, etc.!! Because I don’t want to be like them, is the reason I shop at Forever 21~so I can save my money and become a better and successful person. So if they aren’t being forced to work and they continue to work there despite the conditions, I don’t mind at all. Just keep giving me inexpensive clothes so I can pay for law school with the rest of the money. THANKS!
February 4th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
i know the economy is bad, but there are jobs available for legal citizens and people living in the united states. just because it might not be the job you want, doesn’t mean there aren’t any available.
I have friends complaining about being unemployed all the time; so on my free time, I print them off applications to stores that are hiring and they are just like, “eh, I don’t wanna work there, too much work” or “I don’t want to work in food” etc. You can’t sit here and be picky if you want a job. But there are jobs available. They don’t have to just settle for a sweat shop; there are plenty of other things. Maybe they are just good at sewing really fast and they enjoy it? you never know. but if they are complaining, why don’t they go to a local library (where internet is free) and fill out applications online for jobs?
That how I have found all my jobs! And if they speak spanish, ok every site and its mother is now bilingual thanks to this mass immigration, even the librarians are probably bilingual to help them search for jobs other then where they are at, and when they find a new one they can give a big “f-you!” to forever 21 and be on their marry way. but no. they either take the first job they can get, or one that keeps them under the radar from the government. Ugh. I just don’t see why we have to do this work for these people. If i had to get off my ass and actually try and try to get a job, why can’t they? The language barrier is not an excuse because they chose to come here.
I am a really loving person, I know this makes me sound like a heartless bitch but i am anything but that. It just makes me upset when people complain, especially regarding this subject, when they made a choice to come to america and they made a choice to work there.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
@holytoledoo
Being “forced” to work somewhere is a bit of a gray area. Are they actually kidnapped and chained to sewing machines? Probably not. Are their circumstances and the fact that they’re desperate enough to come to a country illegally and work a $4.00 an hour job because it’s still better than starving at home being exploited? Yes. And in my opinion that’s not okay. Besides the article doesn’t say that they’re being forced, but does indicate that they are being exploited. You seem to think that everyone in the world has absolute control over every circumstance in his or her life and that’s just not true. You’re in college now, but what if you graduate and there are no jobs? Or there are jobs, but every one you apply for has a hundred other applicants? It’s happening all over the country. Will you then have a little sympathy for people who can’t find anything better and have to make do with what they can get?
p.s. I work in law, and in my experience if you can’t muster some sympathy for other people’s crappy circumstances, you’re not going to make a very good lawyer. Just saying.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
p.p.s. I just read your most recent post and your friends sound a little spoiled. Don’t judge everyone else by their attitudes about work.
February 4th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
@holytoledooo:
“They don’t have to just settle for a sweat shop; there are plenty of other things. Maybe they are just good at sewing really fast and they enjoy it? you never know.”
This is a joke, right?
Oh boy.
February 4th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
My option of the whole situation is individual greed. I don’t believe in a communistic society but I do believe people should have a moral obligation in knowing when enough is enough. This goes to top cooperation’s and countries all the way down to the consumer. I don’t believe fashion is a absolute necessary to a persons life, I believe as a country and culture we elevate it WAY out of proportion than it needs to be. This constant “I need more this and the newest that” to define myself is just getting way out of control. I often hear people say that if these companies don’t do this or that to cut costs than they will no longer be in business or someone else is going to come along and do it to. What they need to do is stop over paying themselves if they really care to allow the actual portion of the industry live a slightly more comfortable life. What the joke is to me is that owners a company like forever 21 that believe in an after life, that they will be judged do not think their god wont look down upon them and their exportation of people, either in the U.S. or over seas where governments are getting fanatical kick backs to allow their countries citizens be used. In the end it’s an individual’s choice to decide that what they feel they can live with in this life or the next if they believe there is one. The excuse that all these other places do it, so what’s the difference is no real excuse at all.
February 4th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
My option of the whole situation is individual greed. I don’t believe in a communistic society but I do believe people should have a moral obligation in knowing when enough is enough. This goes to top cooperation’s and countries all the way down to the consumer. I don’t believe fashion is a absolute necessary to a persons life, I believe as a country and culture we elevate it WAY out of proportion than it needs to be. This constant “I need more this and the newest that” to define myself is just getting way out of control. I often hear people say that if these companies don’t do this or that to cut costs than they will no longer be in business or someone else is going to come along and do it to. What they need to do is stop over paying themselves if they really care to allow the actual portion of the industry live a slightly more comfortable life. What the joke is to me is that owners a company like forever 21 that believe in an after life, that they will be judged and do not think their god wont look down upon them and their exportation of people, either in the U.S. or over seas where governments are getting fanatical kick backs to allow their countries citizens be used, because why? That they have moneny? In the end it’s an individual’s choice to decide that what they feel they can live with in this life or the next if they believe there is one. The excuse that all these other places do it, so what’s the difference is no real excuse at all.
February 4th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
if someone can delete my double post, id be thanful.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Thanks everyone for all your interest in the topic and all the comments!
We just have to answer a few points by Holytoledo. Clearly you are very young and naive and have an extremely narrow world view, but since you are a college student hopefully as you mature this will change. Saying people are not being forced to work in sweatshops and should just quit their jobs if they are unhappy is an absurd and simplistic suggestion. Comparing these often third world women, who do not have access to higher education and are often single mothers, to your college friends who don’t want a part time job is ridiculous. Furthermore, regardless of why one works in such conditions these sweatshops should not exists. Just because people are enduring mistreatment (slavery, sexual harassment, discrimination etc) does not make it ok to support it.
Also, did you even read the post? Saying that it’s untrue because you never heard of it and the government wouldn’t let this happen makes it clear you haven’t read the post. They have been taken to court many times and are in front of the Supreme Court in CA and the public is very aware of this, and it has been covered by all major media outlets.
We suggest you read the post carefully and do some research but at the end of the day we have two things you don’t, college degrees and over a decade of experience in the fashion industry working with manufacturers and factories.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
I’m tired of that “I’m a college student, I’m poor” excuse for buying crappy, mass-produced clothing. I know lots of college students (I’m involved with a student organization based at my alma mater) who don’t feel the need to blow all their money at F21. I think a lot of F21 customers are buying quantity. If they saved up a little of that money they could buy something of a bit better quality.
Hell, I spent my college years in Danskin leggings, Hanes men’s t-shirts and a couple of men’s shirts I got on sale at Bloomingdale’s. I don’t really have much sympathy for people who think they have the RIGHT to designer looks at rock-bottom prices. God forbid you go through your college years without a fake “Balenciaga” or “Anna Sui” look? Lots of people manage that just fine. Then they grow up, get jobs and buy the real thing when they can afford it.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
@holytoledoo
You mentioned your college friends. However, from your posts, it’s very hard to believe that you actually made it to college. It’s because I don’t agree with your passionate agenda, it’s the fact that your view on life is way too simplistic. Do you honestly think that these women want to do this?
You so easily condemn them for not seeking “other options”. This only speaks to how sheltered your life must be, where in your sterilized bubble world the biggest problem is showing up at school with the same outfit as your classmate. I’m glad that in your life you haven’t had to suffer through (or witness) being sick without health insurance, or going hungry for days because your parents can’t afford to feed you, or being terrified that the government will deport you. But you should still respect and understand that these unfortunate circumstances are very real, and many people do suffer them daily.
Don’t think people are outraged because they’re “jealous” that F21 sells such cheap clothing. F21’s abusive labor practices is a serious offense.
February 5th, 2010 at 12:02 am
I’ve been avoiding F21 on 34th Street for a while. I just can’t take the racks packed so tight with clothing I can’t even yank out a top. This alone says a lot about a store and how they perceive their merchandise. I can’t comment on the documentary as I haven’t seen it, but I’m going to watch it. Thanks for the heads up.
February 5th, 2010 at 12:03 am
The day I saw that ridiculous “John 3:16″ on the bottom of a bag from a store full of skanky weekend clothing was the day I knew Forever 21 was a complete joke. C’mon kids — if someone can print freaking bible verses on the bottom of bags containing pre-marital-sex-inducing outerwear while keeping a straight face, they probably are crazy enough to exploit people without any sense of hypocrisy. Jesus loves him some tramps in plastic sunglasses, apparently.
That being said — under-shirt camis are worth $2 (MEN’S undershirts come in 3-for-$5 packages, ferchrissakes), and if F21 is the only place that prices them accordingly, I’ll keep going back for more. The rest of the store might be slutty crap, but those things are freaking amazing.
So, where do I go for some guilt-free clothing that won’t cost me more than I make in a week?
February 5th, 2010 at 12:58 am
I worked at Forever 21 for over a year. They did NOT following the child labor laws (IE. wouldn’t let any employee have over a ten minute break regardless if they worked 5:30 to 6 hours, ect). I despised every moment working there. It’s a corrupt company. However, the prices are affordable which makes me continue to shop there. However, Forever 21 must change their policies and their crooked system.
February 5th, 2010 at 1:18 am
Whyhate the movement is here to help all of you that feels used and abuse by forever21, let send them a whyhate tee shirt. from us to them.
February 5th, 2010 at 1:24 am
@holytoledooo:
I am sorry but I just cannot believe you are in college. If you are, I’m assuming you have lived an extremely sheltered life somewhere in suburbia.
If you are in college, as you claim to be, take a class on the consequences of globalization and migration. Hopefully you will learn something. If not, take your ASS down to Los Angeles and SEE how these people live their lives.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:30 am
@HolyToledo
I have two questions for you…First of all, what is your real name? I think the whole country needs to be put on alert so that they do not hire you as a lawyer (assuming you really are in law school). Second, if you really are in law school, I would like to know the name of that school (the admissions office sure screwed up admitting you, makes me wonder if it was an accredited ABA school). Anyway, those of you who wish to continue shopping at Forever 21 can continue to do since that is your freedom of choice. I find it sad that some of you can just blow off the fact that Forever 21 (and so many other companies like it) participate in abusive labor practices, whether directly or indirectly. There are labor laws for a reason, and they are meant to protect ALL workers legal or illegal. Anyone who thinks otherwise is ignorant. We should all have compassion for our fellow human beings…it seems that as a society many of us have lost the ability to feel compassion for others. @HOLYTOLEDO…As a former law student, I find it extremely disturbing that you may one day be a lawyer. Lawyers are supposed to be advocates for those who need help and to be an advocate you must have compassion, something that you do not possess.
February 5th, 2010 at 4:23 am
The reason F21 can get cheap labor is because Mexico is corrupt and there’s no jobs there. People need to work and feed their families. Mexico is a country full of bribery and corruption. Is that what we want the US to be?
Stop these companies who are corrupt and exploit workers. Low wages means lower wages for everyone, immigrant or citizen.
Boycott F21. You can find better vintage clothing at goodwill or pay a few more dollars for quality.
February 5th, 2010 at 10:51 am
I work in forever 21 and let me tell you, it’s terrible. for starters, it is about 80 degree’s in the store. It has caused myself and others to become very sick while on shift and the store policy is that, we are unable to leave unless, we are bringing in a doctors note the next day. One of my fellow employee’s had a death in the family and management asked her to show documentation and bring in a death certificate and mind you this is just for a part time job!!
We have absolutely no rights what so ever while working at the store. We are treated subhuman and quite frankly i am sick of it.
February 5th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I am going to post a link to this post on every single no-nothing “fashion” blog I see plugging Forever 21. They are a blight. Thank you for this EXCELLENT post!
February 5th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
cdbehrle, while I appreciate this link and thought the comment you left me was rather polite, perhaps you shouldn’t call people “no-nothings” then link them to it.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
“# cdbehrle Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I am going to post a link to this post on every single no-nothing “fashion” blog I see plugging Forever 21. They are a blight. Thank you for this EXCELLENT post!
# Jael Paris Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
cdbehrle, while I appreciate this link and thought the comment you left me was rather polite, perhaps you shouldn’t call people “no-nothings” then link them to it.”
Okay. That’s the funniest thing I’ve seen all week. Zing!
February 8th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
I think this debate spiraled out of context! Half of you fail to address the real meat of the article which was telling people not to shop because of the wrongful sweat shop like conditions which by the way are HIGHLY illegal.
There are plenty of OTHER cheap stores you “broke” college paying, rent, phone bill etc. could shop at that didn’t treat their workers like shit.
I actually love F21 and not every item is a steal from a designer(I definitely DO NOT buy any item that remotely resembles a designer item, my favorite designer is MJ and they jock his ish every season), nor do I blow my money there. I buy an item when I need something fast and quick!
They have caught a lot of heat in the past and are attempting to clean their image by selling clothes actually designed by their in house.
I think the correct thing to do in order to out their dirty practices is write to the senator of whatever state this is going on in(seems like Cali) and demand that they do something. Us yelling at each other on a blog board isn’t going to change anything!
Go capitalism!
February 10th, 2010 at 1:09 am
To #15 & 17 – You may THINK you look “better for less” but you really don’t. The clothes are cheap and pill after first or second wearings, and I promise you they don’t look good. I’ve walked through that store so many times and never ONCE have I seen anything cute. I can almost instantly point out a girl wearing their clothing simply because it’s NOTICEABLY cheap.
#17 – Not buying their clothes is the most effective form of protesting their conditions, welcome to supply and demand. Writing about it and exposing them for what they are certainly CAN change things.
#42 – I’m definitely in support of capitalism, but I don’t endorse maltreatment of workers, nor do I find it economical to spend $20 on a cheap dress that will rip on its first day of wear.
I’m a broke college student. I work 20 hours a week to pay my rent and other bills, and spend ~$200-300 a YEAR on clothing. I have many designer items that I purchased off of eBay and I promise that having a small but high-quality wardrobe is much more rewarding than hoarding a bunch of low-quality, pill-prone cheap jersey babydoll dresses. In the long-run, it’s even far more economical, because none of my f21 items have lasted for more than a few months. I don’t believe that “mommy and daddy” are the only means by which a poor student can attain a stylish wardrobe – it’s called budgeting and working.
Sorry for the tl;dr. Thank you for this article!
February 10th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
I was a Store Manager in Tampa, FL for almost 4 years. I ran an 8 million dollar store, had 65+ employees, worked numerous hours, hired/trained/staffed ditrict stores and got treated like an hourly sweatshop employee.. Rarely ever got a “thankyou”. Their poor business strategies effect everyone from the mistreated factory workers to the store level employees who have to deal with all the day to day bullshit (cleaning up clothes from the floor, visual floorsets til 5am, angry customers, maintenance issues that take 2 months to fix, etc..). Its unfortunate that they are dominating the retail industry.
February 11th, 2010 at 5:33 am
I work at forever 21, and it’s terribly poorly managed.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
I frequent Forever 21, and I own a lot of items from their stores. I’ll let you in on a secret, though: I’ve never bought a single thing from Forever 21. I take advantage of them, just like they take advantage of their workers. My money will not support such a corrupt business; those businesses, however, will support my habit of shop-lifting fashionable goods.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Thank you for publishing this! I will never shop in Forever 21 again. I hate going in there because the store is always a mess! They can’t run a business and I’ll never support them again. Also their clothes are not even worth the bargain because they fall apart in your hands! And their return policy is a joke. Thank you again. I’m so interested in “Made in La”.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Shop and support American Apparel
February 12th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
I agree that Forever 21 is wrong by using sweatshops in and out of the U.S. ..But hey, hey, hey there is nothing wrong with people being passionate about their religion. It’s better than them being passionate about the devil, right? Don’t be assholes, and back off the religion aspect as if it were a bad thing.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
I’m disagreeing with the last poster – there CAN be plenty wrong with people being passionate about their religion, especially if it is used to discriminate (quite a common occurrence). In addition, missionary work has been responsible for the destruction of whole indigenous cultures and *I* think it IS a big deal. I wish such people would stop pushing others to accept a bunch of hogwash.
Religion gets far too much of a pass and plenty of skanky things go on in its name, like the hypocritical cranking out of slutty clothes that one poster pointed out.
Psst…Yvonne…the devil isn’t real.
February 13th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
I think its great that you are making people aware of where their clothes are coming from, but from what i can tell (from what people have said who claim to have worked or work there currently) F12 doesn’t treat its legal sales employees any worse than any other big name retail store. I worked in a big retail store before when I was younger and we had to buy clear purse that we took to work and would be searched every time we left the store. This shouldn’t be that big of a deal if you aren’t stealing anything or you don’t have tons of garbage in your purse (cut down your purse search time and carry less in your purse).
post #46, Sarah
YOU are part of why those women/men get paid so terrible that work in the sweat shops and in the stores. did you know that stores inventory at least once a year (big stores more frequently) and they figure how much money they loose because people like YOU steal from them. they then figure those losses into either their prices or into their wages to make up for their losses. Way to be.
their return policy is genius if you think about it, while it sucks for the customers it makes it so they loose money, way less money. F12 might be a terrible company for what they do, but they are relatively smart in how they go about certain procedures within their stores ( searching purses to discouraging employees from stealing, no refund return policy, small employee discounts off already notably cheap clothing, lower quality for your lower price)
its terrible, it sucks and i feel horribly that people are being treated terribly for cheaper clothing for everyone else, but stores like F21 will continue on because you simply can not beat their prices.
obviously the majority of people are willing to overlook the quality of their clothes for the cut in prices. when big companies have such low prices like F21 does it REALLY shouldn’t come as a surprise that their stuff is made in sweatshops and if it wasn’t made in sweatshops then why aren’t more stores priced similarly?
psst someone says, have you ever personally been discriminated against because you AREN’T a christian?
February 13th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
congratulations Zoolander squad, you have effectively put a bunch of illegal immigrants out of work and are now going to be sent back across the border.
February 14th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
blah blah blah who cares….
February 14th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
The trailer made me cry… also, I’m a born again evangelical Christian and I am ashamed at the behaviour os the owners. I apologise on behalf of all true Christians and want to emphasize that the way they are manifesting their faith is not what it’s about. Not saying that they can never make mistakes or that they should be perfect but the way they run their business is no mistake. It’s done on purpose. Also, I used to love F21 but now I’m enlightened. Thank you for this article. I can’t afford expensive designer items and so I sew my own clothes or buy them second hand.
February 16th, 2010 at 4:19 am
My mom use to get like 4 cents for every shirt she made… (less than 4 dollars an hour) These shirts weren’t sold in Forever 21 but rather in other big named stores, that most of you people who are “anti-Forever 21″ probably buy your clothes from. You target popular stores and hella complain about them but fail to look at the logistics or bigger picture. I hate to break the news to you but just because you stopped buying clothes from Forever 21 doesn’t make a difference, the only difference you’re making is helping the unemployment rate increase. My mom lost her job, now she earns no money (now aren’t you happy?) Personally I’d rather be working for 4 dollars an hour than being sexually harassed working for American Apparel… (and my mother agrees.)
February 17th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
To Like You Know:
“have you ever personally been discriminated against because you AREN’T a christian?”
YES.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
“Personally I’d rather be working for 4 dollars an hour than being sexually harassed working for American Apparel… (and my mother agrees.)”
Is this a true story? I’m curious. I had always heard that sweatshops were rife with sexual abuse and there wasn’t much legal recourse, either. Not to excuse American Apparel – I certainly agree that they have their (major) issues.
My impression (see above) was also that most stores that sell new items use similar labor practices so I’m not doubting the veracity of that.
February 18th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
I stopped shopping at f21 about a month ago, Because of their ridiculous return policy. I had bought these shoes and I didn’t like them they seemed very slippery when I got home and actually saw them, I went the next day to return them, had my receipt, the item, and it had its original price tag, didn’t even try them on, when I asked for my money back I was shocked, I didn’t go crazy and yell at them because it did said clearly on the receipt, can only return for “STORE CREDIT” I was mad, so I got my store credit, there’s like 3 dollars on that thing and I wasn’t able to cash it out, when there is a sign that clearly said “GIFT CARDS CAN NOT BE CASHED OUT, BUT IF IT IS UNDER 10 DOLLARS WE CAN CASH IT OUT UNDER CUSTOMERS REQUEST” So I had bought a shirt, and had only 3 dollars left and asked to cash it out, and the guy said NO! I asked why, when there is a sign that clearly said I can because it’s under 10 dollars, this was his response “OH… I DON’T KNOW…I CAN HELP THE NEXT GUEST” I laughed so hard and just walked away, I mean that alone already said there is something wrong with that store. Now even more will I not go back there after reading this.
GIRL ABOUT BEING TO POOR AND CANT AFFORD EXPENSIVE CLOTHES SO YOU SHOP AT F21… I understand.. but thats all a BUNCH OF BULL! So you go to school for school.. school is school not the runway… There’s something known as saving up or mix and matching your clothes, or not giving a damn what people think because you’re not wearing the latest trend. It is unfair on how they treat illegal immigrants, just because they are illegal, and people being so mean on thats what they get blah blah blah… that’s like a racial thing to say, why treat them unfair, MOST Of these immigrants are here to work and make money, theyre not here killing people and making matters worse, theyre here to make money and a living, thats it, If anything, why not make people with bad records, who have killed and raped, shoplifted, do this job. Why? Because they want to be here making all these crimes, why not give them a hard lesson and work like that… Yes Immigrants came here illegal, but MOST of them, the ones suffering and making 4 dollars an hour are just here to make money and save up.
I will not shop here, as much as using “being to poor cause of school” I will not shop here. I work at target, I go to school, and pay bills… But I know how to save up money so I won’t have to shop at places like f21.
Now the whole religion thing is just SAD! In that f21 bag, someone is carrying some short shorts, a revealing shirt and some heels.. is that outfit for church? NOT! One more thing, who else has noticed that their clothes “SIZE” Is way off… A large in real life is SMALL!!! Making people, mostly girls, feel bad about themselves… please f21, STOP!
February 19th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
You want to talk about the rights of immigrant workers and you’re starting with F21? Please. The working conditions of Mexican immigrants in the ag fields of central valley California are so horrible it would put any LA sweatshop to shame. If you’re going to start playing this card and boycotting certain companies based on how they treat their workers, than you might as well stop buying/eating all Ca-grown fruits and vegetables (i.e. all your strawberries, most lettuce, etc.)
February 20th, 2010 at 2:53 am
ok first of all, no one is forcing them to work for the sweatshops, it’s their choice. yea sweatshops are bad and all, but how do you know other stores you shop at doesn’t use them as well? and EVERYBODY steals design ideas from other designers, that’s just the way it works. and for the religious prejudice part, it’s their point of view.if people didnt like it then they wouldnt work for F21 but that’s not happening is it. chillax, F21 is not the worst of your problems
February 20th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Behind virtually all consumer goods available in North America, are multiple layers of concerns regarding labour and environmental standards and violations. These concerns are dishearteningly complex for the average consumer to consider with each purchase, so my suggestion is simply to consider them less by buying less.
While the comments by @holytoledoo are a shocking testament to the naivete of American Youth, she points us to the ultimate issue; the overwhelming desire of consumers (as an overly generalized group) to CONSUME CONSTANTLY (a desire fueled by retailers and marketers).
This complicity in the cult of novelty is what compels competition for ever cheaper and ever faster fashion. Just stop buying it. Anywhere. Cultivate style without becoming a slave to shorter and cheaper fashion seasons that drive the “necessity” to cut manufacturing costs.
February 21st, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Not only that, but the one in 34th street here in NYC had ppl winning up to 100 per hour, they were all recently fired! They were stealing hours and bonus checks from ppl, one of those workers being my mother. I hope there’s a lawsuit! Someone please EFF those ppl up we need news coverage! We need to make this a huge issue, if the media covered this it would all end!
February 21st, 2010 at 5:24 pm
BTW Someone has to put those who were getting that type of money in jail,my mother says working conditions have improved after this week, but there’s still more changes to come. Employees demand justice and they deserve it!
February 21st, 2010 at 9:03 pm
I agree with the comments that said that, unfortunately, f21 isn’t the only store to use slave labour to create their goods.
In fact, I think if you look deep into most industries slave labour will appear somewhere along the way – even if the clothes are made in the US for decent wages what about the materials themselves? Most fabrics come through india, thailand, or similar countries where there are massive sweatshop industries devoted to textiles, dying fabrics, making fabrics, making thread, etc.
You can’t really escape it sadly. Also just wanting to say I’m a christian and I definitely don’t think the Changs are behaving in a very christian way by discriminating against people because of their faith – christianity should be about love not about forcing your opinions on someone else. I think it’s really sad that these people are ignoring the central tenets of their religion in order to justify discrimination and abuse.
Terrible and sad.
February 24th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Instead of complaining about F21 and their sweatshops, why don’t you complain about the illegal immigrants? If they weren’t here, the sweatshops wouldn’t be either! =]
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:42 pm
i agree with justine, and as much as i hate the idea of the sweatshops, i have to agree that no one is forcing them to work there. i think every company has flaws and everyone has issues with their bosses/workers whatever.
all i’m saying is, this is kind of a bossy argument that’s dripping with venom. chill out. you don’t wanna shop there? fine, don’t. you don’t like sweatshops? neither do i. i think you should let people know what’s going on. but do actual homework first. make sure you know for a fact that these things are happening.
just sayin’….
:D
p.s.
putting john 3:16 on the bottom of a bag is NOT shoving religion down your throat. no one’s making you pick up a bible and look it up. no one’s forcing you to give money to a church or sit down and listen to a ‘preacher’. get over yourself and untwist your panties.
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:47 am
I worked for F21, but finally enough was enough. It is a disgrace that this company is growing and growing. The owner and HR execs are corrupt and completely unethical. Customers really have no idea of what really goes in with this company!
March 8th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
I currently work for Forever 21. There are many things on this blog that are completely false. First ler me say that Forever 21 DOES NOT use sweat shops. Thr whole Sweatshop in the US Documentary was from 2004- for those of you cannot add that was 6 years ago and all disputes have been settled.
Working at Forever 21 I have handled the merchandise and have not seen any problems with quality. The problem comes when customers do not know how to read care instruction labels. They don’t bother to read them and then they blame Forever 21.
As far as John 3:16 is concerned- why does it even matter? You don’t have to read the scripture or the Bible for that matter. Seems like some of these people on here would be the type of people that are offended that churches even exist. Move on. If they want to profess their belief and faith in God- let them. They have the right to beleive just as you have the right to be uninformed and completely off base.
Regarding HR and Execs- Wrong again!! I have never seen anything unethical or corrupt. They are good to their employees and treat them well.
My humble yet accurate opinion is that the bashing stems from jealousy. Jealousy in the fact that 99.99999999% percent of these haters don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of being blessed and fortunate enough to grow a business like the Changs have done.
It’s the liberal, left wing, tree hugging, socilist whack jobs that will cause this country to fail.
Just shut up already.
March 9th, 2010 at 10:31 am
^^Name calling. Classy, and always an effective and well-reasoned debate tool.
March 9th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Isn’t it.
March 11th, 2010 at 5:45 am
Aren’t you trying to push your fashion religion on us by telling us that because your website hates F21, we should too? Don’t be a hypocrite. People who want to buy F21, buy it. People who don’t want to, then don’t.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Honestly, I still love forever 21. I do think it’s horrible they use sweatshops in the US, but they are undocumented workers. If they became a citizen they wouldn’t have this problem. The owners sound weird and too pushy on their religious views, but that’s their problem. Just because that company doesn’t have morals regarding whose making the clothes doesn’t mean I shouln’t shop there. If the workers don’t demand higher wages injustice will keep happening to them..EVERYWHERE
March 16th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
I agree with Holy Toledo. Everyone’s making F21 out to be the most terrible thing in the world. But c’mon. Do you guys seriously believe that stores like Banana Republic & Gap etc etc, don’t engage in sweatshop labor and all that? Immigrants are desperate. They need jobs. An immigrant in the US is not going to find a job sitting as a secretary in some law office – it’s a give & take between these huge clothing corporations and immigrant workers. They need the labor – the immigrants need the money. It’s terrible, yeah, but that’s the truth. If they wanted to have a great job and better working conditions – they should have come to the US legally, no? Def agree with Post #65 & #59.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:25 am
I just want to chime in on this conversation regarding quotes like this, “If you want to immigrate to america, do it the right way so that you dont have to suffer like you did back in your country! I want everyone to be happy and successful, but coming to america to prosper and then settle for terrible working conditions is just a contradiction.”
speaking as someone has visited Mexico and sat and talked with families of people who have immigrated to America – illegally and legally, I can’t let these comments go. It’s easy for us as educated young Americans to say something like, “it’s their fault, they shouldn’t work there, get educated and do something with yourself” but in reality, this is just not how it works and it’s very insensitive to say something like that about people who’s lives you have no idea about. When you’ve visited a family in Mexico and used their outdoor toilet that is a hole in the ground and washed your hands in a basin outside and heard their stories – then you can judge why they will take a $4/hour job. Especially when you learn that someone working in mexico MIGHT make $4 in two weeks. People who immigrate to Mexico LOVE america. They love americans. They are GOOD people. They are willing to RISK THEIR LIVES (and many have) to have a chance at something better – to be able to send a pittance back to their families…if they can ever contact them again. One elderly mother hasn’t spoken to her son in 8 years and doesn’t know if he is alive or not – she cried because all she wants is to share a meal with him.
So, don’t get on a high horse and tell them to buck up. If they could, they would.
March 30th, 2010 at 1:08 am
So I guess 4$ an hour is good for them, if they make 4$ in a week in Mexico?
I don’t know if i can have that much sympathy for immigrants, because when my parents came here from cuba they didn’t know english and no one catered to them like they do to immigrants now. You should look at programs like welfare and wic and see where all your tax dollars are going to feed the 3 or 4 kids that mexican families tend to have have as soon as they make a dollar in this country.
i honestly have not that much sympathy. I’m cuban and i come from a really poor ass neighborhood in miami where a bunch of immigrants lived, and some of them are doing nothing and others are making something of themselves going to great universities and whatnot. I think a lot has to do with the way you’re raised. If you have a foundation of doing dubious ass shit like sneaking into countries and lying your way into welfare, your chances of being an upstanding successful citizen are kinda slim.
As for forever 21, I’m sad that their clothes are all sweat shop produced (even though I could pretty much tell bc every single thing they sell is made in china) because a lot of their things i really like, and i happen to work there, and it kind of bothers me that I’m producing labor for a company that is pretty shady, from what it sounds like.
Unfortunately though I probably will continue to buy things there, because i work there and its cheap.
Also, I have something to add. pretty much everything you buy and eat is mass produced, and some had to suffer a little for it. fruits and vegetables, chocolate, rice, grains, who do you think picks those fruits? everything you put in your mouth and probably on your body too. i try to be conscious of that stuff and buy organic things once in a while but seriously if you bought every single item that was cruelty free you’d have no fucking money and thats a fact. try cutting walmart out of your life, (esp if youre in college), or try boycotting everything that is made in china or india, get an american car thats not made from mexican parts, or “assembled” in mexico. its hard, almost impossible, unless you’ve got money to burn, and i honestly don’t, so stop being so hypocritical, because whether you like it or not, you’re american, and everything here is produced from companies in india and china pretty much, so you probably have blood on your hands. don’t blame f21 for everything, they are a part of the corruption but theyre not the only ones
April 1st, 2010 at 12:07 am
I think there’s a big difference between knowing a lot of companies are doing this and therefore not caring that *anyone* is doing it because you feel powerless to change it — and knowing they are all doing it but still feeling like you can individually talk about a company since that company is a sum of the whole (i.e. that company is *part* of the problem – they are just not the *only* part of the problem). I don’t think there’s anything wrong about having a discussion about *one* company as long as you admit they are not the exception, and they are part of the whole problem.
Similar thing with ag markets, etc. This is 39th and Bwy – why would they be talking about ag markets? There are a bunch of foodie/food system blogs that talk about ag markets. Just like there are a lot of foodie/green/animal welfare blogs that talk about factory farming. So, no, I wouldn’t expect 39th and Bwy to talk about those topics. I would expect them to talk about (all) clothing stores, though.
I am also pretty floored how little people know about immigrants! I feel like the whole “shallow ditzy fashion people” stereotype is being fully represented here, which is a shame.
April 10th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Forever 21 did have a labor issue in 2001 where the workers boycotted the store because they were not paid their back wages. Yes, it is a real issue, even in a company ‘as big as’ that one.
They have rampant copyright infringement– it’s one thing to follow a trend, another to duplicate a pattern (there are documented legal scandals pertaining to this).
As to the Christianity, it’s fine with me if they want to put John 3:16 on the bags, that’s not forcing me to go to church, but the workforce discrimination is sickening.
And last, this is America, you can shop there, I’m just asking why! I’ve bought only a few things there, but what I have bought I’ve been disappointed with. I bought a pair of lounge pants that developed tiny holes along the seams within a week, and a sweater that started unraveling the first time I washed it. It’s a waste of money, really. If you buy a pair of jeans for $30, they last you six months, and you replace them, that’s $60 per year. Might as well buy the $100 ones that will last you for two years. That’s just hypothetical, but I’m sure you get my point.
May 12th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
I find many of these comments a product of ignorance.
For those of you who think that these illegal immigrants should just go home and get a proper visa and green card to come work in the U.S……..
have you ever talked to Mexican-Americans, or studied immigration??
Do you have any idea whatsoever how realistically difficult it is for a Mexican to get a legitimate visa of any kind to the U.S., let alone a worker’s visa??
i’m not saying that illegal immigration is by any means the answer, because it is true that an undocumented worker is an invisible one, however, i just wish that people who were ignorant and naive in the study of immigration and its consequences would not talk as if they have all the answers to America’s immigration problems.
Our nation is far more dependent on illegal immigrants than you realize, and for every facet of this discussion on fashion production, at least two other areas of society are affected.
The consumer’s economic standing is affected by the producer’s economic sellout, which is in turn affected by the level of the consumer’s buyer power. Very often these issues are a Catch 22 and it is difficult to solve these things.
it is possible, but it just takes time, and the commitment of both the producer AND the consumer to ethical practices.
May 22nd, 2010 at 4:14 pm
This is the WORST company to work for!!!! Management is awful and they treat employees like crap, such a cheap dirty company and they are christians, the irony of it!! Awful Awful company!
June 2nd, 2010 at 11:43 am
I only got to comment 29 before I got tired of reading. However, I want to respond to one particular thing. @Wendy #29:
“I’m tired of that “I’m a college student, I’m poor” excuse for buying crappy, mass-produced clothing. … Then they grow up, get jobs and buy the real thing when they can afford it.”
Firstly, mass-produced does not equal crappy, and handmade piecework does not equal quality. Secondly, much of humanity — even those of us *with* jobs who *can* “afford it” — have no expletive DESIRE to wear designer clothing, ever. I’m sorry if this too qualifies as “stealing the livelihood” of top rank designers, but I don’t *care* who designed my clothing. As long as it was constructed in a shop that treats its employees humanely, if it’s wearable and not repulsive to the eyes, I’m content.
I’ve never heard of “Forever 21″; I found this site by searching for the Gollum quote “we hates it forever”, believe it or not. But honestly, this hero-worship of designers makes me ill.
June 7th, 2010 at 3:59 am
I have worked for Forever 21 for close to two years. I have come to hate the company for everything under the sun. Our return policies are ridiculous, we have positions with no power, employees who dont give too shits about their job are the ones who are employeed, and everyday I’m learning more and more about the company that I hate it even more. Yes I agree I need to quit and find another job, but for me, unemployment isn’t an option.
In two years we went from a tiny little store to a large 100,000+ square foot building. During the holidays had at least 250+ employees. And we went from having an amazing store manager to the biggest joke ever. They fired one manager for one who is completly incapable of doing her job, so much so that the only people she puts up for promotions are those who are not trained and have no buisness holding the positions they do.
For example, one assistant manager was hired on as stock, and after just a few months was promoted, he went from having roughly 20 employees under him to 2, and can’t even manage the 2. The newest head cashier, when they started training her, it was her first night ever on registers.
It’s disgusting to see the qualified individuals being passed over for the lazy, unreliable employees that customers complain about most.
As to our clothes, they are cheap, often poorly made items. We’ve had items come in that we’ve had to damage out before they ever hit the floor for one reason or another. We recently got a shipment of belts that looked like they had mold growing on them. Our jewlery doesn’t last. It starts to tarnish after just a days wear. Most of our clothes require that you hand wash or dry clean them otherwise, one trip through the washing machine and theyre ruined.
When I first started with this company I loved it, but now all I see is hypocracy, and a very corrupt company. They will do anything to steal your money, and they write up employees and stores for post-voiding a transaction. Yes, if you truely want your cash back, transactions can be post-voided, you just have to do a lot of work to get it done. Anyone who says there is no option for cash back is a liar, its under another window.
I know I should be saying come shop at my store, but to hell with Forever 21. Don’t waste your money… Oh and to top it off… A Christian company… but lets stay open on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving, And Easter… Why not, more money for the Changs.
July 4th, 2010 at 11:10 am
I am sickened by some of these comments by people who insist that illegals just shouldn’t work some where. You clearly know nothing about the issues and should educate yourself because it’s absolutely not that easy. I’m also grossed out by all the people that insist that “well other companies do the same thing and it’s cheap so I’m just going to continue to shop there”. Have you no moral bone in your body? Just because tons of companies get away with failing to enforce labor laws does not mean we should sit back on our loins and continue to support a corrupt system. Shame on all of you who see no issue you with this.
Forever 21 looks cheap on everyone. Please don’t be fooled into thinking that you’re the exception to this rule. Discerning eyes know a cheap dress when they see one.
There are better places to shop and you won’t end up with a closet of absolute useless crap which you want to rid yourself of after three months. Seriously. Everything we do and buy leaves an imprint on this world. If you think it doesn’t matter, get real. It does.
July 7th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
omg! this is horrible, they’re hiprocates! spread the word by posting the links to this article and other horrible facts about forever 21. on twitter,facebook,myspace etc… this is beyond unhuman!
July 10th, 2010 at 4:23 am
i dont think anyone should be talking bad a bout christians, because two pple are setting a bad example and who knows, maybe they just say tey are, because they want christians to look bad, many ppl does that, i m looking forward to open my same business and preaching through my tube tops and leggings, ill just set the right example, so leave that side alone!! im mexican american, live in arizona like three minutes away from the border, i do have illegal family in some places here, and dont accept it, where i live there are like ten elementery schools, and i can assure you just two of them would be filled with ppl that live here, all the others come from across the border, and thats why we pay more taxis, and thats why my parents dont get jobs fast, thats why my dad have to work in the fields, while we are paying their childrens aduction and theyre houses and theyre support so why would we pay them more and let them be under good confitions, when my legal parents have to work from 2 in the morning to 8 at night sweating, and in winter with tyere boots full of mudd?1 why? thats just as corrupt as those business and nobody cares for that, and nobody argues, youre arguing over clothes, if they dont like those conditions , go back to where they belong, and earn the money the right way, as well like my parents:@ just leave them why dont they do a riot and leave if they care so much?
July 18th, 2010 at 1:59 am
Congratulations, you’ve posted OLD NEWS.
I have worked in this company for over 3 years now and the sweatshop settlement was over before I even started.
July 18th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
I still dont’ see how any of this is bad , all business are like this. & the religion one ? like seriously that’s minute compared to what many big names require their employees to do in exchange for compensation & promotion…hence drugs , sex , prostitution..etc. This is actually a positive twist ? & this whole sweatshop stuff has been past disputed and AGAIN half the clothing in our regular everyday shopping stores are made in sweatshops , atleast Forever21 used illegal immigrants who were glad to pay for whatever they were compensated., i mean they are behind our fruit and vegetables in the grocery stores.duh? So shall i ask you again why you hate Forever21 so much ? I mean they were never involved in anything pertaining to race , drugs , sex trade, prostitution like many of our other big name companies.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:09 am
Where are you even getting this information? I’m thinking you are just a disgruntled fired ex employee. That’s why you are hating on a very popular company. I have NEVER seen any religious stuff on the bags.
And why are you hating on ONE company, when so many are guilty of labor in other countries??
I love their stuff and will keep going there! And the clothes are NOT cheap!
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:21 pm
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:22 pm
http://www.ted.com/talks/johanna_blakley_lessons_from_fashion_s_free_culture.html
August 1st, 2010 at 1:56 am
i like how this article is complaining about forever21 stealing designs, and yet right next to AND below it are urban outfitters ads. they make no attempt to hide the fact that they steal the designs of other designers, artists, jewelry designers, etc. as well. the only difference is that unlike forever21, their STOLEN designs are severely overpriced. kind of hypocritical to see that. i know it’s not the only complaint you seem to have with the company, but don’t even bother listing it if you’re going to support another company that does the same thing.
August 4th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
I shopped at F21 for the first time last month and I noticed the numbers of the bible verses on my bag (although I went in two different stores and only one store used bags like that). I just thought it was a really strange thing to do…
August 10th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
It’s true that most companies use sweatshop labor and corrupt practices to produce clothing. So why not try and stem your consumerist habits by buying second-hand? It’s cheap, way cheaper than whatever forever 21 can offer (I can often find forever21 stuff for a miniscule fraction of its original price), conservational, and money is usually going to charitable causes (goodwill, american cancer society, etc) or small businesses. The fact is that American consumerist culture acclimates us to purchasing far more new clothing than we actually need. I for one can’t ignore the myriad of human rights abuses that lurk behind clothing store racks and have found that getting most of my clothes second-hand (most of the time they’ve never been worn) is the most logical solution.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:23 am
HELLO WATCH THE MOVIE “THE GARDEN” FOR YET ANOTHER REASON
August 12th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Forever 21 (XXI) just got shittier, and douchier. Their security guards at the Hollywood location attacked and choked two deaf shoppers because they couldn’t hear the alarm sound off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fRv–C_vao
August 19th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Luckily, I don’t spend my hard earned kapitol on any of this filthy, and unethical mall junk. Thrift stores and American Apparel are fabulous for me!
Laura LeaAnn thanks for your ignorance, but You’re screams for religious rights are infringing on the religious right of others including your own! Forever 21 is a rich corperation and what evedence exactly do you have that they do not use unfair trade practices. They don’t care about you unless you spend the money. You’re just another sheep following the rest of the fascist crowd, like bill o’reilly as the nazi’s followed hitler. The most ignorant thing you could say when there are people of different religious backgrounds, as for me, I’m Jewish and I wouldn’t dare denounce ANY other religion, but yet I wouldn’t slap something there out of the Tanakh at all. What’s funny about you consevative wannabe’s is you all have this sheep-like mindset and under the influence of some of the most powerful and corrupt polititians who currently exist the face of this earth. Just think of what happened to the economy when little bush was presedent 8 stinking years already now we have a guy in there who’s trying to fix the economical mistakes and all you do is sit in front of a TV screen and eat micky dees garbage. It’s funny also how many of you guys have the same lame vocabulary and use the term whack jobs sounds to me like you ARE bill o’rielly, who has by the way sexually assulted someone in the past and has been involved in all kinds of sex scandals, yet bashes the ones who are born gay, bashes religion CONSTANTLY and you shout for religious freedom! I can only pity you. Can’t you guys puzzle anything together and find truth in anything? Why do you think conservative radio stations always use terms like “we are the most powerful”. Sure, “tree hugger” yep that I am! Sure dump on the earth you live in, go ahead buy more suvs and have more dependency for oil after a trillion dollar corperation spills oil into the very same seas that you ate that discusting toxic fish and dump everything, support capitolism while you are living secretively unhappy when the only cause of any problematic situation are the very mindsets who think the way you do and vote in another dictator or someone who’s just not up to par with any real means of intellect.
I just though you needed some of the truth! I can go on for years, so I shall speak no further. Peace.
August 19th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
JenK, thanks for that! I see who you’re directing that at now and you’re definately on top of things here although I sorta kinda disagree about the “wannabes” part they are what they are.
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:08 am
The backbone of California is illegal immigrant labor. And those women DID get fair wages. They won the case and as of 2004 F21 no longer uses fur in their clothes. With the out of country sweatshops, that’s business. It’s depressing and as a more educated generation we should stand up for it, but bashing a store online isn’t going to do anything about it.
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:11 am
Oh and just so you know. The owner of American Apparel is a sex fiend he’s been sued for some form of sexual assault often. Can you shop there with that on your conscience?
The owners of F21 donate sweatshirts and jackets to the homeless on the streets of LA. I dunno if this is public information, but my information source for this is reliable.
August 28th, 2010 at 2:16 am
hi,
Fantastic explain about of 21st Gowns and fashionable clothes..
Thanks
Renaissance-Festivals.com
August 31st, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Sweat shops? Really. I doubt it. And it’s not like the employees are being forced to work there. They could quit anytime they want. As for sweat shops over-seas, that’s how EVERY factory is. In case anyone was wondering. Designer knock-offs? Ever clothing store has designer knock-offs. Forever21 is cute and super affordable. Why would I ever want to pay $150 for a dress just because it has a name-brand label when I could go to Forever21 and get something similar for $15? I’ve never seen anything at Forever21 that looks close enough to a Designer’s work to be cause for lawsuits. The organizers of this website need to get some substantial info that can’t be argued with if they’re going to convince me. And as for bible verses on the bottom of their shopping bags, I’ve personally never seen one. Ever. And there’s nothing wrong with spreading the word of God. I have a feeling the creators of this website aren’t Christians.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Yeah – Forever21 clothing is poorly made and to boot, they have a no-return policy. I bought 2 things from them over 6 years ago which ripped as soon as I got home to try it on the same day. A very rude supervisor at the Forever21 location at 34th St. in Manhattan refused to exchange it for me. Needless to say, I NEVER shopped there again. And it’s such a shame because their clothes are actually cute.
September 1st, 2010 at 1:59 am
I like how the people who are outraged by this article are probably trying to justify shopping at forever 21 and trying to suppress their guilt by attacking the author. So transparent
September 7th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
TO EVERYONE SAYING FOREVER21 CLOTHES ARE ALL CRAP:
yeah, sometimes the quality of a top or something is off, or looks cheap. But I own lots of forever 21 clothing, some I’ve had for years, and I’ve never ever had a problem with it. I just make sure I know the material before buying! And if you are washing that f21 dress/shirt/skirt 3x a week in hard water and drying at the highest temp, ITS GOING TO FALL APART. take good care of your clothes and they will last much longer!!!
many of f21’s clothes are dry clean or hand wash only. it will pill and fade when not taken care of!
September 8th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Well, I pretty much read every single comment on this discussion. I have shopped at F21 before, and would like to note that my clothing does not fall apart. I’ve bought clothing from other stores, that has fallen apart.
I also can not agree with all of management being complete jerkoffs. There are jerks in every company known to man. I have an interview with the company today, and I will still take this opportunity. If you think I’m not morally sound because of working for them, so be it. I know that EVERYBODY that posted has done something immoral, but we all pick and choose what we think is “not that bad.”
Hell, I need a job… and that POOR COLLEGE STUDENT thing IS a true defense. Not everybody WANTS to buy designer brands. I personally don’t care about labels. I DO shop at thrift shops as well, but I won’t deny that I like some of the clothes in F21 too. I’m glad that I am aware though, regardless of this being true or false… I will keep my ears and eyes “open.” Honestly, I have battles with things that I find immoral all the time, but I have to also use REASONING skills to decide on what is LOGICAL for me to stick through, and what is not.
I want to possibly be a buyer or visual merchandiser one day, so I will start at the bottom and work my way up. If I find out that F21 is as crappy as many employees have mentioned, I will move on when the time is right. But for now, I DO have bills to pay and I AM a “poor college student” whether you want to think that is a fair argument or not.
September 12th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
As an immigrant and a poor student, Ive been a long time shopper at Forever21.The clothes are affordable and fashionable.As recession and jobless rate had caused a huge impact in Europe and America,being employed in a retail stores like Forever21 definitely helps me survive from my daily living cost and look decent. Why pay over $300 for a Diesel jeans if i can buy it at Forever 21 for $17.50? These designer European clothing company(LV,Gucci,Prada) are only getting much richer than any people out there! People rant about mexican,south east asians workers all over America , have you seen how much homelessness and poverty in the world is? At least they are working and supporting their family at home!thank u forver21! i will remain to shop at Forever 21 and look good at the same time!
Religion is a belief that everyone chooses.Mr.Chang had help countries like Haiti and Pakistan.Charity comes from within.
You dont like the verse under each bag? dont read it! This shows morality instead of the other money hungry companies out there.
September 21st, 2010 at 12:57 am
While I agree and disagree with a lot of the comments made here, a pertinent question has not been addressed which was asked in the beginning. Isn’t “sweatshop” like work conditions something that most major companies have, such as Walmart, Macy’s, Nordstrom’s etc.? And where else should we shop then?
I don’t like knowing that workers get mistreated or work under unsafe conditions, but I will admit that I do agree with the comments nury made. My parents are immigrants and heck, my entire family is full of immigrants who worked in order to get into this country legally. The family members who are here illegally actually don’t get a lot of pity from other family members, because in a way it is their fault if they have to work a crappy job and get treated poorly by their supervisors. I don’t like it…but it’s part of the choices they made. If they had just waited a year longer, or waited for someone to sponsor them when it was easier back in the 80’s, they wouldn’t be in their situations. In this day and age, many of the illegal immigrants are taking advantage of the system and in turn, many employers are taking advantage of them so everyone is placed in a precarious situation. And do people know what many illegal Mexican immigrants do? They work here and get paid straight cash (I’ve seen it happen)and then send the money back to Mexico. When many of them are done working, they usually just take off and they live like royalty while the rest of us are getting taxed to death to pay for their benefits. And THAT is the truth.
And quite frankly, many major department stores have their own versions of knock-offs. It’s just a matter of who gets caught first.
October 2nd, 2010 at 3:31 pm
hmm, this is interesting. i have always shopped there..and i was always happy with their stuff. never breaks or tears and what not. and I’ve been shopping there for years.
but its sad but not surprising. almost every store does the same thing. but hopefully it will be stopped…….
October 7th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
This is very sad and im glad that eyes are being opened. I will not shop there ever agian and I hope that someday everyone is treated equally!
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:05 pm
I’m sorry but I completely DISAGREE. Forever21 is cheap so those that have less can have more. With the economy the way it is more people should shop at forever21 so they can have money to pay bills and other important things. The people that work for forever21 making the clothes should be thankful they have a job even if it only pays 4 dollars an hour thats better than nothing. They don’t even have to work there if they don’t want to. My opinion on that is that if they can’t be thankful that they have a job they need to go back to mexico. I’ll always shop at forever21 and if you stop shopping there because of some whiny mexicans than thats your loss go ahead and spend 400.00 on a winter coat when you could get the same one at forever21 for 50.00.
October 25th, 2010 at 12:49 am
So much back and forth. Realize what you are calling people out on. I’ve seen several people call others out on wanting to look fashionable just going to class. Yet, by the end of the post, they’re calling people out on wearing cheap clothes, saying that they (with their all seeing and caring eye) can pick out designers vs copycats. So what are we supposed to wear? Expensive, “higher quality” clothes? Guaranteed they would bash you for wasting your money. So we wear cheap, brand free clothes to everything? Yes, some of us can pick out vintage stores and find goldmines of awesome clothes, but for many of us, it’s easier to just go to F21 (or target or walmart) where we’ll know we can find something that fits, and doesn’t require lots of time or cash. And BTW, I’m not sure what college you went to where there were NO social functions. Personally, I’m all about cheap and comfy during class, but if I’m going out, I like to up the ante a little.
Also, between complaining about our economy and telling us that we’re bad because we buy from companies that use foreign labor or immigrant labor? You don’t realize that when they send that money home to Mexico or Guatemala, etc, that that’s money being taken out of our economy? I’m not a money expert, but I feel like supporting Mexico’s economy and complaining about our own is contradictory.
I’m going to keep shopping at Forever 21 because I like their clothes, I enough sewing skills to fix whatever damages I find, and I’m more focused on saving money than saving people sucking off my taxes. Call me whatever names you want, but at least I’ll own up to it. Thanks! :-D
October 29th, 2010 at 8:52 am
The owner is Asian, what did you expect? (I’m Asian, I guess I can say that at least knowing my own parents) LOL
October 31st, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I have to say, reason #4 speaks to me the most as to why I don’t wanna buy from there anymore. It is really irksome/creepy. I have items from there, but every time I go there, I just see a bunch of cheap crap. I think I”m done with them.
November 2nd, 2010 at 1:08 pm
1. Documentaries are the most biased sources of information that exist in the world today.
2. Most large companies do this in one way or another, which is the only reason why illegal immigration is “allowed” in the U.S. It is allowed not only by citizens and government of the U.S. but also allows for the possibility of illegal immigrants actually making a living during their stay. If “cheap” (always relative) labor did not exist, than immigrants would not come to the U.S. because wages would then be high enough for the UNEMPLOYED WITHIN THE U.S. to make a living, and fluent english speakers would have those jobs because of their competitive advantage(s).
3. I think that people matter more than money, I think that people should be treated fairly, I also know that immigrants take these jobs because they are BETTER than what they have in their home towns. Otherwise they would not come to the U.S. for “cheap” labor. Same goes for factory workers in other countries, they would be starving without this work. To pay them equally to U.S. workers would be illogical, because shipping the costs of working internationally would then cost MORE than just paying some teenagers to do the same work.
I DO NOT disagree with an great improvement in working conditions, but one also needs to take into consideration the reality of life. If we were to give “fair” wages to these workers, this would not only increase illegal immigration (which is ironic that I am actually writing about this, since it is illegal) but would also cause what I explain in #2 above.
Someone above stated that cheap clothing also provides clothing that is affordable to the less fortunate. a $10 dress at 10% off for working benefits isn’t a bad deal for an immigrant worker who wants to dress nice. Good point.
4. DO SOMETHING. If this is an issue that actually bothers you, instead of complaining about it you should do something about it. Go research the issues yourself instead of just listening to the internet (seriously), provide an possible solution, and work to the best of your abilities to make it happen. Maybe give up some of your money for once instead of complaining about how others handle theirs.
And if they want to post scriptures on their products, all the power to them. I can’t believe that is an issue complained about in an article about poor wages for immigrant workers.
This article:
Complaints? Check.
Pointing fingers? Check.
Solutions?
November 2nd, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Oh my god, be more dramatic. Designer copyright infringement? Why don’t we all walk around in rags unless we have a six figure salary to prevent such an ATROCITY!
November 13th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
wow I had no clue..but not surprised. actually maybe i did suspect but the prices made me turn my head. I will try me best to not shop here. anyways its about quality not quantity! i need to give up F21, thanks for the info! i’ll share this post as well!
November 14th, 2010 at 12:36 am
Labor conditions are a universal problem not isolated to just retail. There are American families who knowingly hire illegal immigrants for domestic purposes and don’t treat them much better or pay them much more. Many maids/housekeepers have it just as rough. It’s the American way to hire cheap labor. Not defending it just stating the obvious. It’s been done for hundreds of years for crying out loud. Long before Forever 21 or any other clothing company went into business, people have been fighting for their basic human rights. In order to address the labor issue properly we need to dig deeper than fashion.
November 24th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
I write a satirical blog about all the ugliest clothing featured on the site.
wtforever21.wordpress.com
Ugly and unethical?
November 29th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I work at forever 21 right now. it is really awful… nobody i’ve ever known whose worked there too sticks with it. I feel like it’s a bad work reference too… like I will be looked down upon for working there.
I also hate how they have such ridiculously enormous quantities of product and it’s all straight copy from designer trends.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: they trick you into spending MORE money than you would if you just bought real, quality clothes because all of it is so cheap.. you feel the need to get more quantity. So if you just bought quality clothes you love in the first place you’d save money, rather than spending a couple hundred here and there on cheap clothes that either won’t survive or you won’t like anymore a month later.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:36 pm
All I have to say is that putting John 3:!6 on their bags is 100% up to them. If you don’t like it, then don’t shop there. Also, if they want christians to work at their company than that is also up to them. They shouldn’t have to hire people they don’t want, just as those people do no have to work there. If they discriminated against race I could understand, but not religion.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:41 am
What stores, besides american apparel, are good alternatives to shop from?
do you all have any articles or could you write one about stores that are fair AND fashionable?
December 12th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
i find this to be true, but anyone producing anything in China is using sweatshop labor. the North American Free Trade Agreement made it possible for so many American companies to start producing clothes and other products for a dirt cheap price. We are in turn supporting not only a communist government, but the exploitation of human laborers. Check your tags- chances are it’s produced in Asia, most commonly, China.
And i find it funny that i read this from someone who smokes alot of marijuana. so you choose to support the murderous international and overseas drug trade because you feel it is less disastrous than sweatshop labor? get your priorities straight. it is easy to point fingers and boycott everything but we do live in a capitalist country where nothing is american made. look at who’s pointing the finger. we all have to choose to be ethical but then we would be broke trying to figure out how to live in this country just to avoid stepping on everyone’s toes. trace everything back and there seems to be some sort of corruption.
December 19th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
This is all crappy lies. Forever 21 dosn’r do any of that stuff and it’s an awesome store and co. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
December 22nd, 2010 at 4:01 am
Yall be some i’gnant haters up herr!
Don’t be mad that you’re getting you’re buts kicked by an INTERNATIONAL growing company. You’re probably just some homely looking overweight people who buy name brands just so you can call attractive people cheap. Maybe you should get off your obese buts and spend some time outside instead of sitting on your couch spreading your vicious slander. HATERS!
December 24th, 2010 at 9:48 am
haha im sorry but who cares its cute clothes that I can afford. My forever 21 stuff has never fallen apart. Its all in how you take care of your clothes. I have purchased expensive things that have fallen apart and cheap things that have lasted for years. When it boils down to it its just clothes to wear to feel good and have fun. There are more important things in life. As far as sweat shops there is also the argument that shutting them down causes those people jobs. So then they cannot provide for their families. Do something better with your time?
December 24th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
I personally dont like Forever21 clothes anyway. Half the time their cheap stuff is so plain that I wonder why people even bother to wear their clothes in the first place. I like wet seal way better because their clothes always have different styles to choose from with different patterns etc. Its a place to be different and not like everybody else. When I walk in a F21, everything is clundered, and the stuff look the same. I would love if they shut that store down. Its really wasting space with their plain clothes that is giving others a hard time in other countries…shaking my head.
December 31st, 2010 at 2:51 am
I just started working there and I love everything about it. The people treat me better than any other job I’ve ever worked. So i really think if someone is treated like crap it’s there store managers fault, or the person was just a bad worker. Also who cares what a bag says. If you really don’t like it than being your own bag. Not only does this prove your point but also saves the environment. My store just opened and put 75 people with a job. So why take down a company that is actually opening jobs up for people, especially when the economy is like this? Also what cheap clothing store doesnt look like something from a runway?Not only does every clothing store America has something made from China (which is paid poorly) so does every automobile. So looks like your going to be walking every where, because if you start with one company you have to include them all!
January 2nd, 2011 at 10:04 pm
ok, well maybe this is true, but i have always LOVED forever 21!!!! and well sweat shops are how everything is made now, you cannot prevent it unless you spend hundreds of dollars, and we cannot afford that!how do you thing all the brand names in clothing do it? so do NOT hate them! because there is no point!!!!!!
love you forever 21!!!!!
January 5th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
I love how everyone attacks anyone with an opposing opinion with works like ignorant or naive. This sort of big business atrocity occurs all over the globe, including your so called “better” companies, Target and H&M.
I have to agree with protesting to your left-winged view on the company’s religious standpoint. Oh no, they’re CHRISTIANS, grab your pitchforks- Lets grow up people. I’m an agnostic, but I’m not going to take my business elsewhere just because they want to put bible verses on their bags.
Forever twenty-one supplies a fair amount of money for store employees, and in an economy like this, a job is a job. You cannot base all management on a few rotten apples, its foolish. And why are you knocking this one company? Why not make mention of the hundreds of others who use overseas labor? These workers come into our country illegally; I have sympathy, but it dwindles. What of the overseas workers who practically get paid in pennies? Labor conditions are not limited to retail either.
Bravo for not only bashing a website with such hypocritical ignorance, but also attacking anyone with a separate thought with such class and eloquence.
Take some of your own advice; get educated, there are always two sides to a story, and you will most certainly never know the whole truth of the matter.
Do something more meaningful with your life than bitch and moan online; get out there and make a difference if it offends you so.
January 7th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
While I fully understand your concerns, the whole religious part of your blog could have been left out. After all it is their company. So if they choose to print bible versus on their bags so be it. I can not believe people have nothing better to do than create blogs like this one. Since the labor conditions are so harsh for these women, why not spend your time on something a little more productive like personally helping them find a better job. I have no problem buying clothes from forever 21, it is their choice to work at these factories or not.
January 9th, 2011 at 3:24 am
This article is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever read for reasons I’m too angry to type out.
January 9th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Children’s drawings are found on boxes inside the shipped merchandise from overseas says former employees of F21 in Kansas City, Missouri. Please stop this child raping perpetuated and supported by F21.
January 11th, 2011 at 7:28 am
Wow… I didn’t know that such ignorant people still exist in present day society. Yes I understand it’s inexpensive clothing and it is also fashionable (personally I think their clothes is trash) however, many of your arguments as to why you continue to shop there and do not give a rat’s ass about the poor conditions that immigrant workers have to deal with are just plain ignorant!
I personally am white, and I still have sympathy for immigrant workers. The people on this page that say immigrants come to the U.S. Knowing what they are getting themselves into are wrong! When I was younger I had a nanny that came from El Salvador because her country was in some type of civil war and she was not about to stay in her country just to die. Besides that all of us who are American have ancestors that came to the U.S. Looking for a better brighter future… The pilgrims?? Hello? Did any of you ever learn in history on how the English parliament would take advantage of OUR people and tax them on goods! How we had to fight for our rights to be free! And don’t start with the bs about this being our country because it’s not ours, it’s everyones! First the Native Americans lived here, then the eouropeans took over, then we got here and so on. We are all immigrants somehow. If humans would just stop being so ignorant and realizing that we all come from different places of the Earth then maybe this would be a better world.
And the whole religion thing is bull crap, I’d like to see God open his heavenly gates to some ass whole that mistreats immigrants in the US and in other countries as well.
Maybe I just care about immigrants and how they are mistreated because I live in california and was practically raised by one but I would like to think that there would be less prejudice people in 2011.
January 26th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
I currently work at a Forever 21 in Chicago. I find it strange. Its a bit hard to take it seriously. I’m only 23 & 3 of my managers are younger than me. Some of the policies are ridiculous. And yes, the managers can do whatever they want at my store. Last week my manager made a customer cry, I’m not even kidding. She’s still there but we get written up for small things like clocking out 2 minutes late. I deal because I need the money until I get a better opportunity. I think each location is different & has its own issues. Now that I’m there I almost never purchase their merchandise anymore. I’m only going from my experience, not from what I’ve heard or been told.
The immigrant thing….you guys don’t know what they go through. Its not easy to get a visa. You cant just walk over here & become a citizen & get a job making $12 an hour. Those people struggle.
Now the John 3:16 on the bags, yes it did make me laugh only because some of the merchandise is flashy & revealing.and yes those clothes do fall apart! I bought a pair of boots from there & the rubber part at the bottom came off. I’ve never had 3 week old shoes come apart. Its not like i was wearing them every day. Again, this is my experience. I don’t care much for Forever 21 anymore.
January 30th, 2011 at 1:44 am
You advertise Urban Outfitters and suggest people shop at Target. Those two companies are no better. I’m also sure you most likely wrote this on some sort of Apple product which is notorious for child labor.
I’m sorry I am not privileged enough to boycott a place in favor of some so-called more ethical place(let’s be real, there is no such thing as an ethical business) that is likely far more expensive. Target, for what their clothes are, is ridiculously overpriced. It’s a glorified Wal Mart. Let’s be real here. It’s a Glorified hate-supporting anti-union corporation.
January 30th, 2011 at 11:24 pm
If the “American Dream” as quoted from The OC Weekly is to enslave/sweatshop labor people (horrificly oppress, that is), then these people just like MANY, MANY (such as “EXCLUSIV” shop/shipping/distribution in the garment district of Los Angeles – Chinese/Vietnamese owned & outsourced/sweatshopped/’SOLD-OUT!’)are purpetuating their own horrific nightmarrish experiences/family (slave) roots/inhumane (UN)civil rights onto their FELLOW men, women, & children in order to get the almight (UNNECCESSARY RIDICULOUS RICHES & WEALTH THAT CAN/ARE ONLY OBTAINED/MAINTAINED BY LOBBYING THINGS SUCH AS WARS AS HAVE BEEN ARE PERPETUATED OANY/ALL OTHER COUNTRIES THAT ARE OF 2nd, 3RD, etc… -WORLD COUNTRIES!
February 11th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
I think that you guy r CRAZY. A whole lot of companies use illegal immigrants to make their stuff, food companies and clothing companies. Did u stop eating chicken no I know a lot of u ate ate FOOD 2day. Lol. Fruits veges any thing. So stop boycotting f21. And they r illegal immigrants. If they came over legaly they would get better jobs and better pay. And I like the john 3:16 on the bag. Mr and Mrs chang are showing their faith just like chic-fil-a. Think bout it
February 12th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Somebody comment on my comment I want ur opinions
February 13th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
I would also to add is that clothing companies normally copy designs and sell them for cheap. I think who every wrote this muat just have something against forever 21 personaly
February 13th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Every where you go, you are going to run into a store that supports something that you disagree on. Far as I know many store in America either supports children labor, sex trafficking or sweatshops. We can either decide to not shop there or we can. Really every thing is a personal decision; No one should be forcing anyone to believe one way or the other. Give us the information and let us decide what we want to do.
February 14th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Ok. So I’m not with you guys but I’m not against it either. First off all ILLEGAL immigrants should stop complaining and go back to Mexico. They shouldn’t be here. Secondly I worked at F21 for a year and The working conditions were the same as another department store job I’ve had. Thirdly if your angry because the clothes fall apart easily then don’t buy the cheap stuff, go to bebe or Versace..it falls apart BECAUSE your buying cheap clothing. And that’s all on YOU , if YOU don’t want to spend the money to go buy the real stuff then stop complaining. Fourth If they are stealing from designers let them deal with it it’s NONE of anybody’s business. Plus their NOT exact copy’s they are look alikes. All the store is doing is trying to provide cheap alternatives to designer clothing.
February 16th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
First off, those of you saying that people are ignorant for not seeing things in an illegal immigrants perspective are incorrect . My grandparents are both immigrants from Germany, and New Zealand and they came here the LEGAL way. My grandmother had to live in very poor conditions (an orphanage to get specific) for years before she was allowed to come to the U.S. legally. My grandfather was in the middle of one of the most devastating wars in Germany and had to endure it so that he could come here LEGALLY. The way I see it, is that my grandmother and grandfather suffered those long years while other immigrants took a short cut. SO yes, I guess I am “ignorant” because I am able to actually see things from a different perspective other than what’s talked about on the news. Secondly, ALL companies are sued and have to face wild allegations of one thing or another. I however, being an educated person, want actual PROOF instead of hearsay, rumors, and he said she said documentaries. Lastly, I don’t understand how a bible verse at a bottom of a bag is such a scandal. If I owned a company, it should be my right to say whatever I want. Attacking a company for stating their beliefs, makes you sound like your real bigots in this situation.
February 17th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
I won’t say I understand ur pain but because I don’t I know they want a better life for there family( illegal immigrants) bu I don’t think we should band forever twenty one for who makes there clothes. Every company copies other clothing company designs all the time hollister and abrecombie sell similar clothing. Soo stop baning forever 21.
February 22nd, 2011 at 7:29 pm
It’s true. I work for a company that does production for Forever 21. They are thieves, they treat their workers and vendors like crap. They just want product cheap and don’t care what it takes in order to get it cheap. If there is one simple thing off, like 1″ off measurement, they will cancel the entire order, leaving hard working people stuck with the goods, and BROKE! I do NOT support F21.
February 23rd, 2011 at 4:44 am
I appreciate you guys posting this article, while sweatshop and child labor in factory-production are hard to avoid with any major corporation, it is good to see young adults encouraging change and awareness. and its really sad to see that people took this article as an opportunity to display their own ignorant and insensitive opinions toward undocumented workers. whether or not someone has papers DOES NOT MAKE THEM ANY LESS EQUAL AS A HUMAN. I grew up on the border of Mexico with many of my friends living in fear of their parents being deported & my current friends STILL undocumented. I used to live overseas myself and you don’t know what it’s like to be a foreigner until YOU ARE ONE. now can forever21 be stopped? UHM- probably not. but this animosity and fear of illegals- apparently MEXICAN illegals, can be reduced and with a change in attitude the documented or undocumented migrant population of the US can be productively incorporated into the economy. I support those of you who spoke out against such racist comments that were posted here.
March 14th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
I understand that, for illegal immigrants, working for Forever21 might be the best they can do. But for all the rest of you who whine about how AWFUL it is working in their stores – get a new job! Retail jobs are everywhere, and not every store treats their employees like crap. For the person who said something about how there was a death in one of the employees families and they had to show documentation? NEWSFLASH: most companies make you do that, otherwise there’d be “family members dying” all over the place. You simply can’t trust people these days. Anyway, all of this is sort of beside the point, but I’m with others on this article: where are we supposed to find reasonably priced clothing for cheap? Some people simply don’t like spending 200$ on a shirt. We don’t have Targets and H&M stores where I live, and I highly doubt that their practices are much different than F21’s.
I’m also curious to know what you think will happen to these illegal immigrants once F21 is shut down? It’s not like their work conditions are going to magically get better. They’re illegal immigrants, so they’ll probably be shipped back to where they came from, and their lives will be no better than they are now. You can say that this is all for their benefit, but do they feel that way? Maybe they’re happier being here than back home, regardless of their working conditions. This isn’t going to make life better for them, in fact, it will probably make it worse. America doesn’t take too kindly to people being in their country without permission.
March 18th, 2011 at 10:52 am
You know I keep seeing people bashing a lot of these illegal immigrants and sure it’s easy to do so when you are privileged. But the truth is if you were living in a country where you had to fear your own government you would run somewhere else too. Those people are just trying to provide for their families. You shouldn’t discriminate or objectify them because a lot of Americans claim they are stealing their jobs. Most of your ancestors came over here with an intent to destroy the natives of this land by stealing this land and slaughtering their people. And also remember the people hiring these illegals are your proud American Citizens. You know them the ones who were born and raised in the system.
March 19th, 2011 at 9:46 am
[IMG]http://i52.tinypic.com/ff5ojc.jpg[/IMG]
sorry about that.
March 22nd, 2011 at 12:32 am
For the most part, it sounds like people are getting the message, and that’s encouraging.
However, I can’t believe that some people are suggesting that folks can just go and find a job somewhere else if they don’t like working in a sweatshop. Or that we wouldn’t have these industries if it weren’t for illegal immigrants. Or (love this one) that the US government “wouldn’t stand fer it!!” (misspelling intentional).
Don’t they teach our dirty little secret – the Industrial Revolution – in US history anymore? Dire circumstances and desperation lead people to work in places and for people they can’t stand, in horrible conditions. Some people are literally lied to and promised good tech jobs, and fork over a bunch of money for training…only to come here, legally or otherwise, and find there’s no pie-in-the-sky job waiting for them, just menial labor.
Oh yeah, as for illegal immigrants? They’re desperate to get out of war or gang violence, or horrific poverty we Americans can only imagine (try living off a garbage dump for awhile and see how you fare). They often come here, risking debasement (read: rape or other sexual exploitation), losing every dime they own, hunger, and even death for a simple job.
Why? because they’re RECRUITED by companies and individuals they think are waiting for them with open arms. If they’re lucky, there’s actually someone on the other side expecting them. But often when they get here they’re fortunate to even find anyone willing to help them get a sandwich and a place to sleep, much less a job.
And don’t kid yourself. Large industry in the US is built on cheap labor. Why else do you think we gutted our own manufacturing industry (and recently our customer service industry) so we could outsource it to other countries without labor laws?
Unfortunately, as a nation we’ve started seeing this as the status quo; I personally think (opinion here) that the reason places like F21 can get away with sweatshops in the continental US is that our society has become so enamored with cheap food, cheap clothes, etc. that we’re less willing to look behind the curtain. That’s what this piece is for: to let us see the reality.
How do I know all this? It’s called research for a school paper or two, and it really wasn’t that hard to do. So next time you decide to argue a point about how people in sweatshops can just look for a different job (!) or that sweatshops don’t exist (!!) or that immigrants, illegal or otherwise, are the reason sweatshops DO exist (!!!) you might want to do your homework, because it’s obvious you don’t even begin to understand even the basic issues, much less the more complex ones.
March 22nd, 2011 at 12:45 am
And I just have to say something about the Christianity thing. I’m a Christian, and nowhere did I ever see Jesus suggesting that Christians should take advantage of their employees, mistreat them or cause injustice or oppression. Quite the opposite, actually. He and his disciples spoke out against it in a society where such talk could (and often did) land them in prison for it.
And don’t kid yourselves. Making money off the misery of other people while stripping them of their opportunities, dignity, and livelihood is injustice. That’s what sweatshops exist to do. If the Changs are in fact doing this, then I would presume them to be Christians in name only. Saying you’re a Christian and quoting bible verses while completely ignoring the fundamental teachings of Christ pretty much nullifies any confession of Christ a person has.
March 23rd, 2011 at 6:45 pm
my grandparents were legal immigrants from italy and portugal (yes, we are white people) and they worked in factories like slaves to support their families.
so basically nothing has changed.
March 24th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
forever 21 is awesome the bible verses are there I don’t care, f21 is here to stay deal with it you whiny pussies!
March 24th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
i adore forever 21 meh you people can find something wrong with ANYTHING i love forever 21 it’s my favorite store
March 24th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
I really like forever 21, i hate it when people whine about things but do nothing to help, it makes jobs four dollars an hour could feed my family of five i hope forever 21 prospers and get’s even more popular
March 24th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
I am a relatively heartless person I Don’t care if these people work for 4 bucks an hour it’s THEIR CHOICE God this is bull i looked up forever 21’s site and this shit came up
April 3rd, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Hi im just here to tell you all that almost every single store in the world does this and you cant stop it because they’re to strong for us but if you want to stop it boycott everyday of your life and it wont make a difference! Just so you know.But forever21 isn’t the worst man have you seen what they have on wal-mart and whose making those things once you find out about that you will see that its worst-er than anything in the world right now.
April 16th, 2011 at 3:04 am
Your argument has a lot of fallacies.
April 17th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
I am a current worker at forever 21 and they do not pay you 4 an hr, and sure the discount is poorly and the whole checking bags things but i dont think its bad, jobs are jobs and you have to work your butt for money no one said just by putting a cute face you were going to get paid so people need to get over it. If you don’t want a job that pays you bad and treat you like crap thats why you go to college so you wont have to settle for something less.
April 17th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Okay so i do agree a bit but this is what i think and it is not false on my terms okay kem :/
April 20th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Well,just a question
What If that immigrant was your mom,And she only had 4 dollars to eat,or what if that teenager was your sister,and she had a baby,I just think it is really unffair,and hard for some people,I’m not telling you to stop buying there,But I just won’t be able to wear a a t -shirt that was made by some Mexican who worked lots of hours on it,just to get about 4 dollars..
Maybe I won’t stop buying there.,But I won’t buy that often.
The owners of forever 21 are immigrants,they’re asian,then WHY THE FUCK do they do that to poor people who are just trying to live,It really amazed me,about the cheap prices,yes they’re very affordable,but we actually don’t know how they’ve done that,which fabrics they used,and most importantly to me,how the manufacturers were payed.
Im 13 years old by the way.
April 21st, 2011 at 3:45 pm
I do not understand how someone can give a company their cash… and watch it unravel into a janky clothing currency?!?! When did my dollar bills turn into unwanted denium? I just feel like the legality aspects (in terms of return policy) are right on the fence post.
April 26th, 2011 at 1:14 am
I just discovered this post and it is disturbing… I am an employee of F21 and to be completely honest I love it. I have worked there for a little over 10 months and have no desire to leave. All of my co-workers are amazing and our DM is great as well. It is a great working team and a great working environment. There is no doubt to me that the company uses illegal and immoral practices for production, but what can be done? This disturbs me. There are policies I would change within the company and obviously slave labor type of manufacturing is unacceptable, but I do not think that it is fair to bash the whole company. I think if you look into the core of every major company in the US you will find a load of immorality and corruption. Truthfully I feel like the problem is too big to even begin to try to solve. And really everything can have negative effects, like if there is a huge boycott and people stop buying F21 products then that just puts all those illegal immigrants out of a job and all of the rest of us out of jobs as well. If they only get paid $4 an hour that is pretty terrible because that is not enough to live off of but having no job is far worse and if they wish to get paid more then perhaps they should look for a new job. I get paid a little over minimum wage and I struggle even though I have a Bachelor’s degree and am fully qualified to work at a higher pay rate, but have yet to get another job because I love it there. Overall the practices of the company may be highly unethical, but I am still a fan because I enjoy going to work and inexpensive clothing is a good thing for those who cant afford anything else seeing as being naked is illegal.
April 26th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Actually patchworkhuman inexpensive clothing is not a good thing, and neither is turning the other cheek. Aside from the materials and energy going into the making of the products you call cheap and necessary, there is waste from the disposal of the items that are “too cheap to care about.”
Trust me, that tube top is not vital for your survival, however, space to live, food, and water is, and you deny these women the NECESSITIES of life so you can consume MORE than you need. You are obviously a selfish person, so there is probably no changing your mind. This might blow your mind, but you can shop at pre-owned clothing stores that are cheap, and that will keep you from being naked, we don’t need your terrible company to keep us from nudity.
Companies like American Apparel have fair wages, and used clothing stores are better than creating more clothing that is disposable. There are companies like People Tree over seas, and cosmetics like lush, or hair products like ethically engineered.
Cheap, easy, convenient, affordable. Would you like to be described as any of these words? You are what you buy.
April 27th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
i HATE FOREVER 21 NOW I WENT TO THE CROUNTRY CLUB PLAZA WHERE I THOUGH WOULD BE NICE CLEAN PEOPLE THERE , BUT INSTEAD THEIRS A BUNCH OF BLACK RUDE GIRLS WORKING THERE ! THASHY. WELL ANY WHO THEY MADE ME PUT MY CLOTHES BACK ON THEIR HANGER AND AWAY ! WHY? BECAUSE THEIR BLACK AND LAZY. THE ONLY REASSON THEY GOT HIRED WAS BECAUSE THE COMPANY DOESN’T WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE FOR NOT HIRING BACL PEOPLE. I GOT THE MANAGER AND SHE DIDNT DO ANYTHING EITHER! ALSO THE CLOTHESE THERE SHRINK!!!!!
April 29th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
I wish all of this wasn’t even true :/ I reallly hope F21 renovates themselves or at least makes an effort to change their ways. All my sympathy to the underpaid and abused workers.
May 1st, 2011 at 12:22 am
Before anyone begins an argument at least use correct grammar. Well at least spelling, and also, illegal immigrants do not have the choice to work in sweatshops. They cross the boarder in order to have a better life. The government is all about “big business” and sometimes I believe our society should move towards socialism to avoid these types of issues.
May 2nd, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Wow people are complaining about this?
Get some lifes!
Please!
May 6th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Why are we complaining? because we care! Are you dumb.Its an issue a serious issue.
May 8th, 2011 at 2:39 am
OK most people here are stupid. Truly unaware/ignorant, crazy, liberals, bias, anti-christian (why is it always ok? nobody can be anti-islam, anti-buddism, anti-catholic,anti-else) but if it results that ‘they’re chrisian and want to spread the word’ the answer from people like you is: “KILL THEM WITH FIRE!” …
Anyway maybe you’re just one or the combination of two or more of the above… but you are at least one. And just to instrospect a little in the religious zone; let me remind you your comment: “Frankly, we don’t need our tube tops and leggings preaching religion to us.”
First you said it was in the bags, and then you dramatize everything saying it’s in your tube tops and leggings…(yours? I thought you weren’t buying this shit!) and if it was what? don’t look at it, or better yet don’t buy it, we dont want you to end up puking my little fella, why won’t you go HOTTOPIC and buy a Cradle of Filth shirt if it makes you feel better. Or a Mario Brothers one. Whatever suits your need maybe the new CD from Anal Cunt will make it for you. Your comments out of context only sound like and angry anti-christian. They are free and should be free to profess any shit they want in their products. Is their company not yours. Again, don’t like it, don’t look.
Now, getting into the point:
Let me inform you all:
I am a mexican legal immigrant. (note to the lady that said :”if they don’t like it go back to Mexico”; ehem not *all* immigrants legal or not, come from Mexico…FYI)
AND, to the nonbelievers: It’s VERY easy to get a work visa. That is if you had studied college. I am bilingual and have a BA, and got my H1B visa after paying a fee and visiting the consulate at my city.
If you only have High School, there are several programs ongoing to get a J-Visa (student) which ALL OF THE TIMES times can be promoted to a work visa type, if you found and employer with an offer for you. (let me inform you also the US is the biggest promoter of this programs).
People that travel as illegals are in their vast majority uneducated,from rural communities all over latinamerica and they are tricked to come to the US in the promess of a better life.(who tricks them? you may ask? the “coyotes” who charge them around 3,000 dlls for the trip across the border -and that’s an average, some get to charge up to 5,000 dlls. per person! yessss.) Funny to say my paperwork at USCIS cost me 300 dlls. per 3 years of work.Yep, 100 per year is the legal fee. If they only knew! right?… no.. wrong. Most of them don’t even know how to read, or let’s say do basic mathematics, as in addition,division, fractions, linear alegebra, etc. in short, they don’t have elementary school finished. In their contries, that’s an equivalent for the same kinda job, “sweatshopppeeeeerrrsss” but for waaay less. Ah, and let’s not forget the narcotrafic wars, corrupts politicians, taxes everywhere, and the basic fear you either will die regardless because you’re not protected. The law is in the goverment side only, or the rich.
And then most of this women they end up having kids and having way less money and no food stamps,living under this health system that doesn’t works and mistreats them, under the civilian protection laws that don’t apply (and you’ll get they don’t apply when your local cop gives you a ‘mordida’ because is the end of the month) and they end up paying for the education of their kids yes from kindergarden ahead you pay. yes in “public” school system. you pay.
aaaand Gueess what?!
BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS
They do get those things in the US,
*they get kids born here= NATURAL BORN=AMERICAN CITIZEN
*AUTOMATIC FOOD STAMPS/ SHELTERS WITH FOOD, NO QUESTIONS ASK
*YOU PAY NOTHIGN for basic education. yes Unless you decide to go to college. COLLEGE/
So,continuing with the point most of them end a lot worse than working for forever21 for $4 bucks and hour, (i.e. rape/sex houses, human trafficking, ) and I think is even ridiculous that the OP mentions this as a bad thing since being under a company that is based in the USA, and where they can always complain about their treatment REGARDLESS OF THEIR LEGAL STATUS. WTF? have any of you read the constitution? NO. I guess not. A foreigner in the United States has a right to the protection of the laws, even if he/she is not a citizen. I guess they rather stay in the shadow and earn $4 bucks a week that yes IS WAY MORE THAN they could get in EL SALVADOR, or MEDELLIN, or DF. (geography news: I mention 3 cities from 3 different countries. Let’s see who get’s the extra points) for the reasons I already mentioned before and other more.
Continuing on, everything is f@cking made in China,nowdays; if you want to complain about f21,you better complain about how the democrats are killing the economy by not EXPORTING anything (AKA no USA INDUSTRY) and IMPORTING everything from ASIA, (call it china, vietnam, taiwan, etc) it’s their fault that we use cheap labor, to end up buying it from them not a effing store of a gazillion that all do the effin same. (say, walmart, target,macys,charlotte ruse, abercrombie and fitch, hollister, ann taylor.. etc etc )
Faggots.
And I dont say much more because Holy Toledoo Said very well most of the major points of THE OLD LAW OF FREE COMMERCE. Nobody put a gun on those peoples head to work at the place. or AT any place. They are putting it IN there themselves on the cost of staying in the country. All because they can’t figure out how to do it right. Well, don’t come post on the net , go talk to those people to get them in their right mind and track if so you’re concern for them.
But to finalize my post: I quote Holly again:
“I hate hypocrits. Not saying that you guys are bc…. but I found this post on a girls site who frequently shops with me at F21.Fake. Fake. Fake.”
BURN.
May 10th, 2011 at 1:22 am
Wo wo wo down girl. Angelina is clearly offended by others being offended by sweatshops. Then throws in the liberal democratic nonsense they are obviously to blame for all the worlds ails. I understand Khadafi voted for Obama, hee hee.
Yeah I went into a huge new store in tacoma, wa with my daughter. FYI always hated the store cheap junk! Hadn’t really thought about the sweatshops until today I saw the prices of the garmets and they were shockingly low!!! I became really uncomfortable and we had a really nice talk about consumerism that spawns these stupid stores. Granted not all of us including myself can always do the “right thing” and buy responsibly. But why buy at all why do our closets have to bulge with crappy, nasty junk that won’t last a washing! I am a dinosaur…You should see my cell phone! We use it as a phone we have a computer at home and a television we can check emails and watch a movie when we get home. Yeah here I go I am really going to age myself when we wanted something trendy we bought fabric and sewed it ourself. My daughter and I go to Goodwill or some other 2nd hand store find a dress or shorts or whatever and remake it. Mondays at goodwill is 99c. Ha ha.
Life is definately not fair and it does baffle me that the Mr. and Mrs Chang would pull in Jesus I am sure he would be overturning the tables at forever 21.
May 11th, 2011 at 9:42 am
well we can’t really blame Reagan. can we.?
If you read and understand the economic world, you’ll undertand the laws they pass and what they have been doing to the economy.
And I don’t blame them exclusively, I blame people like you that don’t know what’s going on, and think “oh is not thaaat, they always blame them”.
And I blame the republicans that do nothing and bend.
IT’S A NATION’S WORK.
If you don’t believe me, look at other “DEMOCRATIC” countries, see how they are, and then we’ll talk again girl.
With all respect.
May 12th, 2011 at 1:43 am
Well, if you hate forever 21 that much, tell us what types of clothing stores don’t use exploited cheap labor? Don’t shop at forever 21? Then WHERE THE FUCK can people shop? Hah, such a joke.
May 12th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
I agree with everything except the stuff about “preaching.” If you don’t like having a bible verse printed on your bag, throw away the bag. Don’t express childish anger at it. Whatever happened to tolerance? If it was something from the Koran would you still complain?
May 13th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
I love f21. I don’t care where the clothes come from, I’m going to buy & wear them no matter what. You are being childish about it.
May 13th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
And, there will always be issues in the world. There always have been. The immigrants had the choice to leave their country and come to America. Besides that fact, nothing is made in this country without the use of sweatshops SOMEWHERE, so it doesn’t really matter.
May 18th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Honestly, find something better t do with your time! If it bugs YOU then fine, don’t shop there!! End of story! Better yet, pick up a newspaper or turn on your t.v. and listen to bigger and more terrible things that are going on in the US and the World!!! Not everything you READ and HEAR are true. As far as I’m concerned blogs of this short should not be able to post. Your opinion is your opinion let everyone else make up theirs :) Without pushing yours on them.
May 20th, 2011 at 8:43 pm
i love forever 21 and besides most stores are like this anyways, get over it.
May 24th, 2011 at 12:16 am
It is what it is….the company is horrible to work for…clothes are decent though…just never work here….Home Office Execs are the most clueless people that exist in retail. They have no idea what reality is….they will die with Forever 21 because no other company will want to hire them.
May 28th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
I find this blog quite ridiculous. Forever 21 is a great store that sells AFFORDABLE and ATTRACTIVE clothing. Those two words together are hard to come by, and I’m sorry if I don’t have the money to spend on clothes from the completely over priced stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, and American Eagle. Yes, it is unfortunate that they use sweatshops to make their clothing cheap, but if those people have it so tough then don’t work there. I’m sure they could find another source of income, and if not then, quite frankly, it is not my fault they can’t qualify for any other job. I also find the quote, “…we don’t need our tube tops and leggings preaching religion to us”, a bit dramatic. The clothes say absolutely NOTHING about the owners’ religion. Do those mini skirts and tube tops really scream Christianity to you? The only thing that has a hint of their religion is their bags, and if you have such a problem with it then don’t look at the bottom of the bag!
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:34 am
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June 5th, 2011 at 10:52 am
If the issue of Forever 21 using sweatshops was truly settled over three years ago then let it go. But I feel like this whole thing boils down to illegal immigrants and the work they are “forced” to do here because they can’t find any better jobs. I’m not sure if anyone is comprehending this but ILLEGAL immigrants are ILLEGAL, in other words- not this country’s problem if they come over here and expect to have the best job. These people shouldn’t be here in the first place. I understand that the process of becoming a legal citizen is long and hard, but if you want to come to this country and make money the right way and get a job that can feed and support your family then it’s something that you have to do. Iv’e worked with illegal immigrants before and I don’t think it’s fair that, in states like mine, they can get away with not paying taxes and taking up jobs that people that are actually legal citizens in this country need. If people are going to come to the United States and risk their lives getting here for a $4/hour job then that’s COMPLETELY their choice. If they don’t want to do it, then they can wait for their citizenship just like everyone else. Then they can have the right to fight and to protest the working conditions that they’re in and the wages that they’re being paid. That is when something can be done about this whole situation. Otherwise, these are just people that know they are illegal and know that they have no other choice. I completely agree that sweatshops are wrong and unethical, but some people in this world are pigs and disgusting human beings and as long as they can get the workers to do the labor for a cheap price and they can continue to make more and more money from it then it’s not going to stop.
June 5th, 2011 at 10:56 pm
I see where you’re coming from but in this day and age aren’t most major corporations participating in underpaid foreign labor? I mean what about Walmart, Macy’s, Hollister Co. ect. not to mention the men on the side of the street selling knock offs of every brand you can think of. If you’re going to reveal one brand why not look into them all.
Bottom line is most major corporations are run but rich people who could care less about you, try to reduce your support of them but it can’t be all or nothing.
Example: Where do you think Apple or Microsoft got the part for the computer you’re typing on?
June 7th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
I find it funny that you’re irritated because there’s a Bible verse on the bag. That’s a petty reason to be mad at a company. In-and-Out puts John 3:16 on the bottom of their products – would you boycott them too? I think not. Stop whining and actually doing something.
June 7th, 2011 at 11:54 pm
You guys should come to third world countries to see how it is. Its soooo much worse! Like BRAZIL. People work like dogs, 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, and they make, at the end of the month, less then 250 dollars!!!!
June 8th, 2011 at 3:50 am
Great blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Many thanks
June 9th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Wow! I really can’t believe what I just read. Why is everyone acting so surprised by this information? Honestly there aren’t many companies that don’t use sweatshops. First we want to better the lives of immigrant workers that only get paid $4. However, we complain that immigrants are taking jobs from american citizens. We need to make up our minds about things.
Placing John 3:16 at the bottom of their bags is a big deal. I am completely in support of it!! Being a christian it’s important to always be living the life of christ and sharing the word of God with others. Who knows how many people have found God because of it. It’s great!!!
June 15th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
I say we all band together and give Forever 21 the fight of their pathetic lifetime. I think everybody should start blogs bashing their crappy clothes line. See how many lawsuits and legal challenges they can fight over at one time. Let the games begin!
June 17th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
When I have ordered from them I have gotten everything late & they sent the wrong size!!! Then they talk to you like shit if you try to return anything. I hope they go out of business. That’s why I got my grandma’s old sewing machine & patterns, cheap fabric & now make my own clothes & buy undies from Walmart
June 18th, 2011 at 2:07 am
The email I forwarded to F21: The Forever Twenty-One corporation should be ashamed of their reputation for the lackidaisical attitude of their employees across the board. There seems to be no sense of loyalty and thus the widespread turnover of your workers. There is no customer care.
My daughter stepped on a security sensor earlier today, July 17th. What is this sensor doing in the dressing room? Your manager at the time – Alma – mentioned that it happens all the time and that it’s happened to her twice. This is twice too many. Is there a lack of security?
When I contacted your Arcadia store later in the evening – approximately
10 PM, your manager – Erma – was flat-lined. Her comments pertaining to your company were not conducive to a satisfied manager. Let’s have some quality control here. How well, as a company, are your treating those who manage?
On another note, I’ve noticed employees “relaxing” while on the job, seemingly working while “on the job” How well do you treat your employees? I’ve asked a few how they liked the job. What a shame that the company spirit is reflected in those who represent your company.
Erma. Alma. Are your other managers’ names Thelma and Selma? If the managers have to look inside the purses of their employees, I think this should be done away from the vision of your customers.
Both your managers of this day should be dismissed for their lack of loyalty to Forever Twenty-One. However, the behavior stems from the top.
You will hear from me further should my daughter have to seek medical care.
June 20th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
I have fun with, lead to I found just what I used to be taking a look for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye rent a car prishtina
June 20th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
Forget about the retail giants. Be good to the earth and each other. Vintage is GREEN!
June 23rd, 2011 at 11:24 pm
F21 might not be to your liking, but to many; it is a liking. I personally like F21 as a clothing store. If you don’t like it, then fine. We all have opinions, but why are you ranting about F21 but not any other stores? There are many stores like F21 out there and some are the exact same. You can’t say they ‘copy’ styles because if you go out there and go shop: EVERYTHING is sorted according to ’style.’ if it’s not ’stylish’ why the hell would they put it up? Our economy pretty much runs on style being affordable, and F21 is just one of the many, many stores that give you affordable and stylish. If they don’t want to work, they quit. But not everyone in the world is going to be nice to you, mostly at work. Work is strict, you’re helping a business and if you slack off, you’ll ruin it. Can you blame them? Would you let your workers run off with money when all they did was slack? I don’t think so. So don’t rant on F21 if you know you can’t do better.
June 23rd, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Why are you so mad about bible verses? Being a Christian, they’re proud of their religion. And so is everyone else. What’s wrong with that?
Everything you put is contradicting current events. When you guys get your choices sorted out, then you can talk.
June 26th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Forever 21 is an example of the fast-fashion industry that is found in Korea and other parts of Asia.
That is, they sell cheap, shoddy clothes and accessories meant to be worn a few times.
F21 is not the only chain guilty of these crimes, but it is a growing trend and I am surprised that not many people are being alarmed by this.
Another crime to add on top of this pile, is that they throw away clothing that isn’t sold by the end of the season. H&M does this too.
It’s the same story as with Walmart and other stores like these. Yes, the products may be cheap, but at what cost? Sending jobs overseas? Devaluing the dollar? Reducing the economy?
I think most people here are ignorant of the reality and accept what they want to believe. Go ahead, enjoy your $5 top. I think the unemployment rate will soon go to 10% again.
As it happens, doing the right thing has little to do with money.
June 26th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
It bothers me when people complain about quality, because I have several items from Forever 21 that have lasted forever. If you’re throwing it in the wash with every other clothing item you own without reading the label, yeah it probably will fall apart. Much of F21’s clothing says handwash on it. I handwash everything I own from F21, and as I said, I still have it all, in one piece.
And people who bitch about their scripture on the bottom of the bags and the religious context shirts…big deal. Don’t buy them. Don’t pick up a Bible and read the text. It’s not like you’re being forced to choose religion by being in presence of the store. I’m not religious at all, but I don’t see why people can’t just leave the religion topic alone. It’s their company, they can put whatever they want on their clothing/bags. You’re not being forced to buy anything/read anything. Yeah… you’re getting in a hissy fit over something written on the bottom of a plastic shopping bag.
July 8th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
i totally agree.
i’ve been trying to get this message through for years.
thanks!
July 8th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
I agree sweatshops are terrible! And of course judging your workers by their religion is bad. But I actually am pleased by the Bible verses at the bottom of the bag. If you aren’t Christian… then don’t read it!
July 8th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
THEY PUT GOOD PEOPLE OUT OF BUSINESS EVERYDAY.
IF THEY HAVE TOO MUCH INVENTORY YOU CAN EXPECT A
CANCELLATION. IN THIS CURRENT BUSINESS ENVIROMENT
THERE ARE VERY FEW OPTIONS WHEN AN UNSCRUPULOUS RETAILER CANCELS THEIR ORDERS. THEIR PERSONAL BELIEFS ARE THEIR BUSINESS. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO PUTTING YOUR NEIGHBORS ON THE STREET WE SHOULD ALL BE OUTRAGED
July 13th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
People need to see the bigger picture. This is happening all over the world, even with stores that you think are “better” to shop at. Forever 21 is just the tip of the iceberg.
July 15th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
well I went to Mexico, majority people are so poor because of their crappy government and crappy system and the gap between rich and poor are unrealistically huge. For many, if they made $10 a day(in their country), would be considered to be fortunate. Why do you think they risk everything coming to USA? because in spite of illegal low wage jobs, they still make much more money to send home and stuff. but all of these still do not justify companies providing ill work environment. What is wrong is wrong.. You can’t just blame forever 21! All the other companies.. Everywhere,, China other 3rd world countries,, They should start fair trade certificate and stuff like that within big fashion corporate companies so customers can see and choose. I also agree with some people’s comment about individuals getting legal status and education and not accepting anything less to change the trend..!
July 16th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Wow, so not only do we have to worry about Made in China goods, but it’s happening further afield. And that’s pretty shocking, too, about religious preaching on packaging. That alone would put me off buying there.
July 17th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Glad I detected this on google.
July 21st, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Wow! I can’t believe people have a problem with the Biblical quote on the bottom of Forever 21 shopping bags!! First off, I use re-usable shopping bags no matter where I shop, but I think its a nice, albeit very subtle, indicator of the owners’ faith; and I don’t have a problem with it. Second of all, this is America and when you own your own business you can do whatever you want (within legal confines, of course) so I don’t see what all the uproar is about, over a Biblical verse. I own my own business and if I chose to have “worship Liz” on the bottom of my bags .. I would. I don’t worship myself and therefore wouldn’t do that, but the point is it’s MY choice!
As far as the sweatshop issue. Honestly I believe people are paid per piece, not by the hour so it might work out to $4/ hour but piecework is regulated differently than hourly pay. Besides all the stores being promoted here.. Gap, Urban Outfitters, Target, WalMart, Charlotte Russe ..etc ALL use the same type of labor. Sure UO, Anthropologie, Banana Republic all charge more and therefore I could see why sheep followers would think “oh, they charge more, therefore they must pay fair wages” umm no, thats not how the world works. They just have a bigger profit margin per item than Forever 21 does. F21 is like a grocery store in that it makes its money from volume sold. As far as quality goes, I’d say its on par with more expensive brands. I used to buy CLU, C&C california, Velvet tops at $50-$300 a pop for cotton and they fell apart as well. So that argument is null.
My main reason for commenting though is the whole Bible verse argument! So you don’t want someone to type a set of letters and numbers that you by no means have to look up… but you WOULD tell an independent business owner how to run their business and what to print on the bags that THEY pay for?? Interesting way to pick & choose “rights”.
July 26th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
This is stupid.
July 28th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Do you know if there’s animal cruelty involved? I ask because of the feathers they use in some items.
July 29th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
I stumbled across this and I felt the need to comment. I was completely unaware of this, and I’m definately going to put some more research into this topic. Thanks for sharing this.
I’d also like to make a comment on my experience as a Forever 21 employee and customer.
The clothing there is inexpensive, but NOT flimsy. I have several pairs of jeans, sweaters, boots, jewelery, etc. from there that I bought up to five years ago and are still in mint condition. They really do have some good finds, you just need to shop wisely, as in any store.
As for being an employee, I’d like to know what F21 stores you girls have been working at, because the F21 in the Mall of America hired me last year, and I’m still a happy employee. We get adequate break time, and work reasonable hours with good pay. I honestly have no complaints, except for a bitchy co-worker, which isn’t the company’s fault.
August 1st, 2011 at 4:16 pm
i hate Forever21 website beacuse everything goes out of stock so quick I KNOW that if i wanted a skirt and theirs multiple colors all the smalls will be out i know all the skinny people did not want this same product in all different colors. everything goes out of stock in my cart and its so annoying. some of their stuff is so bad quality step up your game and get bmore high fashion clothes
August 2nd, 2011 at 3:55 am
Truthfully, even after reading thing and watching the videos, I still don’t get why people hate on Forever 21. People complain about the quality and the religious meaning behind it, but who really cares! I’m pretty sure it’s not hard to ignore words on the bottom of the bag (I know before people told me about it I didn’t even notice it’s not like I wear the bag anyways), and if you want better quality clothing what are you doing at forever 21 when it’s sell point is cute fashion for cheap? As labor goes, most stores you go to example large department stores all have clothing imported from other countries such as in south eastern asia with bad work conditions. Most factories are like that there; however, without these retail stores from other countries these people won’t even have work. Is there really a point to boycott forever 21? I don’t think so. Even if you do it won’t change society or anything more than that forever 21 is a business. It needs to make money, and that’s only possible through the methods they use. This is stupid. I know people are just trying help with human rights, but it’s not practical. Like those who protest against using animals for medical research. Those animals might be the reason why you and your love ones are still alive today.
August 3rd, 2011 at 1:13 pm
The main argument with the Christianity is NOT the bible verses (although that is weird to me… but I am an Atheist, so). It’s that the Changs are forcing people to change their religion to work for them. That’s oppression and that’s disgusting.
I personally boycott Chick-Fil-A for their anti-gay agenda as well as Target and adding Forever 21 is not a big deal for me, seeing as I never shopped there to begin with. Their clothes are ugly anyway.
Most of the people on this thread need to grow up. Like seriously? You don’t know the conditions these people are under where they HAVE to work in a sweat shop… I know I got laid off and it’s nearly impossible to find a job right now. These people could be single mothers, teenage moms, dads who got laid off and can’t find a job with 3 mouths to feed. I don’t know and I’m not willing to judge them without knowing their situation.
I’m a broke college student like a few of these people as well and I don’t see the need to wear clothes that “look” designer. I go to Goodwill and Waterfront Mission and I get a lot of cute stuff there for like a dollar and the money goes to help homeless people and stuff like that.
August 3rd, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Well, since I’m a broke-ass college student, I guess I will continue to shop at F21 and H&M.
August 4th, 2011 at 3:03 am
i’m sorry but i’m a college student and i shop at thrift stores and don’t look like a hobo.forever 21 isn’t the only option for cheap clothing and although i am sure other cheap stylish stores don’t exactly treat their workers great but the point of this article is to raise awareness of how the workers are treated. i don’t know about everyone else but i certainly was unaware of this until today but i didn’t exactly think the workers were making a ton of money considering the prices. although how they are treated horrible and i really hope other similar places don’t exploit their workers like this. Comparing f21 to h&m doesn’t even make sense to me because i’m sorry but that shit is not cheap. yes there are certain things there that are pretty cheap which i love but then most of their clothes are $30 but as a college student who has to buy food and art supplies (which are not cheap btw) i can’t afford to spend more than $10 on any article of clothing unless it is extra spectacular. I will continue to be broke most of the time and shop at thrift stores. i don’t know who you guys are but thrift stores are not the end of the world. i found an H&M coat and ALDO heels at thrift stores for next to nothing. yes it’s used, but who cares? it looks good and i personally think of myself as rather fashionable. I do shop at forever 21 from time to time but i don’t shop there on the reg.
that being said i do think that what they are doing is horrible and i wouldn’t wish that sort of treatment on my worst enemy. Also as an artist i can’t Imagine spending weeks on creating a beautiful piece just to see a blatant knock off for $20 at forever 21. I’d sue them too if that happened because inspired by and a knock off are two COMPLETELY different things. I will probably shop at forever 21 way less since i hardly shop there anyway but i see nothing wrong with buying something that is forever 21 brand second hand because it’s already been paid for, none of my money is going towards them. it’s like buying a used cd. you aren’t really supporting the artist because they get none of that money.
I might have repeated myself a few times but i think you get my point.
August 4th, 2011 at 3:07 am
although most of this doesn’t even seen real because i have known several people who have worked there and they were perfectly content and are just as unreligious as ever.
i get the point of this article but i feel like a lot of things were added to make the situation to seem worse than it already is.
August 4th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Well, comment 15. Not everybody has the luck to be a U.S citizen and nobody gets green cards around the corner. Thank god I did have that luck to be born in the U.S and either way i was an employee for forever 21. To be honest with you I would not shop at a store like forever 21 just because Im cheap and I cant afford better clothes cus there is many other stores out there is not like if its the only cheap store in the world. They do treat you like shit and some people have to go through that to get a few bucks Im not dum like that I quit on them on my second week. One day god will make them pay and that day they will realize that money and fame is not everything in life. Money doesnt cure you and money doesnt give you life when you are born you are born with nothing and when die you leave with nothing. Mrs. Chang is obsessed with money and she doesnt even take a break to eat. She eats chocolate the whole day because it gives her more energy to keep working and working and working. One day I was slowing down because I was tired and she came up to me with a dark chocolate bar so that I would work faster I needed a break not a freakin peace of chocolate.
August 4th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Ira, you should try working there directly with the owner like I did. I was one of her fit models and trust me she pushes you around like an animal. Maybe your friends who work there dont work directly with the owner ofcourse I would feel much better if I would be working with one of her hired managers.
August 5th, 2011 at 1:57 am
yeah i suppose they didn’t. and maybe it depends on the store, i don’t really know. it’s just unfortunate that forever 21 treats their workers so horribly because although it isn’t the best quality, i actually do like a fair amount of their clothing/shoes/other stuff. even though when i go there i mainly just buy jewelry or a shirt or a skirt or something on sale because i’m too broke even for forever 21. or maybe i just don’t like spending more than $15 on one piece of clothing unless it’s incredible. I went to the one in times square and i almost died because it was too overwhelming for me to handle and it took me 30 minutes to find the sale section and then i ended up only buying 2 things.
August 5th, 2011 at 2:14 am
and maybe i’m just an idiot who doesn’t pay attention to things but i have literally never even noticed the scripture at the bottom of the bag. it isn’t like i sit there staring at the bag reading it so i’ve never read it. and it isn’t like i never buy things from there i just don’t buy all of my clothes from there.
August 7th, 2011 at 3:09 am
points 1, 2, 3, and 4 are ridiculous. Sweatshops are the most prominent mode of production for ANY company! For F21 to put a sweatshop in the US is actually a step-up, albeit wrong.
As i will reiterate, Provide links for your arguments! And for those who agree, please report research that corroborates these claims!!!!
Where is the proof for #3? Where are the links? BeBe, the fashion store, creates YSL knock-offs/look-a-likes. Many do. It’s not copyright infringement, it’s making a type of look available at a cheaper cost.
#4. is a very petty argument. As one said, you don’t even really notice the scripture reference (it’s only John 3:16) and by it being there isn’t much of a issue. Are you really that harmed and offended that the creators want to show their beliefs?
Don’t shop there if you don’t like the clothes. But to make up petty, cherry-picking, opinionated, discrepancies in order to persuade people of your hate spew is ludicrous.
August 7th, 2011 at 3:13 am
Another note:
You can see on the Website, they donate and use their procedes to go to different causes.
Why did you not put that in here?
August 7th, 2011 at 3:18 am
Sorry, but another note:
They contribute to American Forest, Haiti Earthquake appeals, Shoes That Fit, and Starlight Foundation!!!!
They also used all the money from orders one day to go toward helping Japan when the Earthquake happened.
They also show that they are environmentally savvy; they recycle boxes, energy lighting, and sea transportation vs airfreight.
These should be put in this article and you can view more on Forever21’s website under SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY at the bottom.
August 7th, 2011 at 4:14 am
Me again!
As someone else pointed out, this article says that you should hate F21 just as the creators (of this article) do?
Since that’s the case, then why complain about the bible verse on the bag? At least that doesn’t say you should believe this too.
Hypocritical, yes.
This doesn’t promote change. It promotes hate and false awareness. To really change things, you personally take up a lawsuit against it or directly speak with the owners. Have this documented too! Create an organization that helps give people legal status in the US. Making organizations and lobbying for things that help people so that these wrongs won’t be done is what’s necessary. Not a bitter person who probably can’t fit the clothes or was fired, spreading false hate propaganda. This article is clearly biased.
If you don’t understand economics then don’t speak on the issue of labor, employment wage, or anything including macroeconomics.
The higher the input cost for the companies means higher the cost to sell. The fact that they are cheap is the point of buying their. If you don’t like that they make $4/h then let them do labor (housework or work in general) for you making more.
**As i read through this article comments, i can’t believe the ignorance of people who read this and run with it as pure fact and truth. To seriously believe everything you read or here without any credible sources to back it up is pure stupidity.
August 7th, 2011 at 4:21 am
P.P.S.
If the material or merchandise that F21 uses is relatively inexpensive and cheap then labor would need to be so as well to have a great profit.
If it cost you $2.50 to get the clothing material, paying someone $12 to make a shirt or anything would be detrimental and cause the business to close. Input$5. They would have no profit.
Do you see the point?
Even min. wage isn’t that high so for the person who spoke of helping illegal immigrants to make that much, ….No.
August 7th, 2011 at 4:23 am
There was a posting error…for some reason.
Input has to be greater than output. If the shirt sells for $5 but it cost $17.50 in total to make then the company is down $12.50.
The company would never profit.
August 7th, 2011 at 4:24 am
Not $17 but $14.50
August 8th, 2011 at 2:52 am
Screw you… I like Forever 21…. Just sayingg…
August 9th, 2011 at 12:34 am
Way to go Claude, I agree. More articles to consider regarding sweatshops:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/opinion/15kristof.html
and
http://www.citizeneconomists.com/blogs/2008/08/14/outsourcing-the-good-side-of-asian-sweatshops/
There is no reason for people to feel guilty shopping at Forever 21 (or any big clothing retailer for that matter).
August 12th, 2011 at 7:40 am
Don’t loads of shops and retailers copy clothes??
Its not exactly a crime against humanity to make something that looks similar to an expensive designer but for much cheaper?!?!?!?!
Its called… Business.
people who work in the sweat shops or whatever there called are getting paid !!!
Maybe not enough, but is anybody???
August 12th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
I’m just going to assume the lot of you are probably chunky-ass hipsters who mourn something that happens all the time but for some weird reason when it happens within our borders it is a condemnation.
Everyone who commented on this, check out the brand of your shoes and check out the brand of your clothes…that’s right everything, take off that bra nice and slow…um, where was I…oh yeah.
Go and helps a cause that people actually care about, like the impending events of your mom and me banging like a couple of pigs on top of you while you sleep
August 14th, 2011 at 7:20 am
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August 19th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
C’mon people. Let’s be realistic. Forever 21 has cute clothes, for great prices. Girls are going to buy it. Maybe read the care instructions on the lable? Last time I checked, you don’t throw a knitted crop top in the wash. TAKE CARE PROPER OF YOUR CLOTHES. Simple as that. I have nothing to say about the sweatshops other than; if the people don’t wanna work there, they sure as he’ll don’t have to. And knockoffs? Puhhhhhleaseeee. Let’s try typical American business. Everywhere you go, you will see “stolen” designs from Miss Me, Prada, TOMS, Juicy Couture, Sperry Top-Sider, and soooooooo much more. Go cry about it. It’s not like Forever 21 is going to come to a screeching halt, in fact, the Chang’s have steadily built up their business, and now it booming. Good for them, they’ve obviously fulfilled a dream. And they have just as much right to their religion as you do. So get over it sweetie, you’re not going to change diddly-squat. Forever 21; stylish clothing at great prices. They win. GO FOREVER 21!
P.S. I’ve been shopping at Forever 21 for five years now, and have TONS of clothes and accessories from there. All still in great shape. Beautiful pieces. End of story. Have a great day.
August 20th, 2011 at 1:49 am
The “I’m too poor to shop elsewhere!” excuse is the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen. Really frugal people wouldn’t be dumb enough to set foot in a Forever21. Try a thrift store, they’re trendy now.
Otoh, I think the “sweatshop!” phrasing is partially a scare tactic. I can’t speak for sweatshops in the US, but a lot of people in China LIKE the factories. They’ve improved the quality of life there. $3 an hour is pennies to us, but can buy quite a lot overseas. But, some large factories still could use some human rights improvement, and there’s not really a better way to get that across than to stop shopping at them. Shop at thrift stores. People act like it’s either F21 or AA which is just ridiculous. Try not “having” to have new stuff all the time. Entitlement, entitlement everywhere.
August 22nd, 2011 at 12:22 pm
There are so many chain stores and even designer stores nowadays that use sweat shops. Even if we target a certain store, there honestly is nothing we can do to stop all of these stores .. Otherwise, where else would we buy our clothing?!
And shopping at thrift stores. That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. How is that in any way going to change a thing? Thrift store clothing comes from those designer and chain store brands that clearly advocate the usage of sweat shops. Just because it’s used and cheap, doesn’t mean anything .. It’s still the same brand that you’re wearing.
As much as it kills me to have to ’support’ the brands by buying their clothing, what else can I do? I can’t stop buying clothing from Forever21, Gap, H&M, Macys, etc just because they’re using sweat shops. Even top designer brands use it, unknowingly by their designer.
I’m only a high school student and in terms of cheap clothing, Forever21 does satisfy my needs. If I can get cheap clothing, that is NOT that bad quality (if you look), instead of buying expensive clothing that ALSO uses sweat shops .. which would I choose? You know the answer.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Everyone is saying don’t shop at forever 21, but I am not seeing anyone saying where to shop. Any suggestions?
August 23rd, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Actually, number 17, H and M does NOT use sweatshops. You can shop for cheap and look cute without harming others. Also, 15, you’re an ignorant piece of shit. Most people don’t have any better choices than to work in a sweatshop. You ignorant American fuck.
August 24th, 2011 at 5:16 am
dont they have that same john 3:16 on mcdonalds cups also?
August 27th, 2011 at 1:32 am
Seriously? Thrift shops are miles better. People buy far too many new clothes. At thrift stores like Goodwill, you’re putting more money into the hands of people that need it, instead of sweatshop owners. Yes, it’s just one step away from the store, but that makes an enormous difference. If more people bought thrift, or just bought clothes that LAST, there would be fewer clothes on the racks and in the landfills, fewer resources spent manufacturing new wardrobes for high schoolers every single season. Thrift store clothes are cheaper clothes that last. They support the right causes – helping people, not making sweatshop owners rich. And the ones near me are primarily stocked with older clothing anyway. I never find F21. “I can only afford F21″ is a terrible excuse. You’re clearly just looking for excuses to justify yourself at that point. There are other, better options, they’re just not as simple and trendy as you’d like.
August 28th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
For all the people who think all these allegations could not be true, because sweatshops could not possibly be established in the US….
Well, for that, I have to say that they do exist. My own mother worked for a decade in such a sweatshop in the Chinatown of NYC.
She couldn’t speak English and had no other choice. Some people just don’t pick up another language, and she couldn’t afford lessons. She was a citizen, but she could not complain because this was the only job she could get. Lawsuits take lots of money, money she didn’t have, and if you say anything against your boss they have you fired and BLACKLISTED.
So it’s not as simple as that. There are many barriers to finding a job that treats you like a human being, especially when you are a minority, an immigrant, a non-native English speaker, and a woman.
I for one will not shop there anymore. Yes, lots of companies have unscrupulous business practices. But Forever 21 has crossed a line. What kind of person would I be if I supported them after finding out how they treat their workers? How could I still look my mother in the eye?
I for one will not let my purchases keep such a company in business any longer.
August 30th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
It is becoming necessary to stop shopping entirely. Thrift stores are the thing to do. I seriously hope more people refuse to buy “made in china” or any other products of these douchebags who don’t pay living wages. Sick of tolerating this.
August 30th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Get over yourself! You look like a fool.
September 1st, 2011 at 6:34 am
Have you ever heard specifically what the most recent chit chat is inside Tokyo? That is so fantastic.
September 1st, 2011 at 9:15 am
Sam
I am a writer and human rights advocate. I would love to talk to you about the issue. Please email me at ybdale@gmail.com
Thanks!
September 2nd, 2011 at 6:16 pm
This post is so pointless. Do you know why stores like Forever 21 are able to get such cheap labor? It’s because the people who work at these jobs NEED these jobs. No one else will hire them, so these immigrants are grateful to have these jobs. No, it’s not the most glamorous job. No, if I owned my own company, I would never treat immigrants this way. However, you have to realize that foreigners around the world do not have the same options as us Americans do. We are lucky to have more than minimum wage jobs and to own single homes. These immigrants are used to a much harsher life. They don’t complain because if they do, then their jobs will be taken away from them. When people like you complain about jobs that these people desperately want/need, you take away opportunities that they will never have again.
September 3rd, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Oh gosh. This is literally the dumbest thing I’ve ever read. Here’s a tip for all of you Americans who apparently don’t understand the constitutional concept of free will:
If you don’t like the clothes, don’t wear them.
If you don’t like the pay, don’t work there.
If you don’t like the bible verses, don’t read them.
Seriously please get over yourselves and your paychecks that allow you to afford something a little pricier than F21.
Also, I happen to work there and have no problem with the conditions. Money is money.
September 6th, 2011 at 4:01 am
well this is stupid .. no one’s forcing these people to work there .. instead of ranting over a website why dont you go do something useful like feed starving children in africa or build a school in a village
September 7th, 2011 at 5:56 am
I personally loved working for this company…at first. ive worked at so many other retail stores and loved them also, just had to quite due to change in location…I honestly have to say I loved the whole environment, the ups and downs, everything, Until… I found out that I was under investigatuon for internal theft!!!!! it has been going on for the passed couple of months and the reason was because my “new” clothes resembled f21 merchandise. Not saying that I shop at f21, its just that im being singled out for dressing nicely when hours have been cut dramitcally… LONG STORY SHORT… one of the co-managers seriously dislikes me and when the store manager asked her if she ever rang me up for my purchases she quickly declined, no hesitation…when she range me up 3days ago. Also the clothes i wear do resemble the f21 merchandise because i buy them off a whole-sale website that sells for a lot cheaper. Doesnt mean i took them from the store!!! Besides, even if i were to get to that level… where would i find the time to do this “internal theft” when im working 5 sections to myself, adding customer service, doing go-backs and covering peoples shift in the fitting rooms, and the bag checks at the end of the shift…. Honestly im wronglfully accused and i already brought this up with a family lawyer. whatever im done with this… i literally got on my knees and bent over backwards for this company and what do i get??? accused of internal theft. idk about the company as a whole… but at the store i am currently in , its all about favoritism over productivity and all for one. i have nothing to hide so im going to let this play out and see where things go, either way im going to quit becuase i dont want to be affiliated with this company due to the store.
September 7th, 2011 at 8:16 am
To holy toledo
There is nothing worse than an educated fool
September 10th, 2011 at 1:43 am
Any suggestion on stores or websites where i can find cute clothes??? im starting to become sick of F21 everyone shops there and plus sometimes their clothes is poor quality I mean dont get me wrong i like forever 21 i’ve been shopping there for years but im getting tired of shopping there.
September 10th, 2011 at 2:17 am
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September 14th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Yeah those fancy nike shoes you are wearing?? Also sweatshops. Your abercrombie and fitch sweatshops, Gymboree, Hanes, Ikea, Kohl’s, LL Bean, Pier 1 Imports, Propper International Calvin Klein Inc., Jones Apparel Group, Liz Claiborne Inc., The May Department Stores Company, Oshkosh B Gosh Inc., Sears, Roebuck and Company, Tommy Hilfiger USA Inc., and Warnaco, Inc , and Walmart also ALLLLLLLL have sweatshops. I can understand that people don’t want their clothes coming from sweatshops, but anywhere you can get shoes are pretty much sweatshops. So Mr. Chang isn’t cheap. It is the way the world works.
September 16th, 2011 at 8:35 am
These type of thoughts really get under my skin. When stores have sweat shops using CHILD labor in other countries no one goes off on a rampage about why we shouldn’t shop there. However, when a company has a sweatshop in the US all of a sudden this company’s the axis of evil. Like lillian said practically every store uses sweatshop labor, but I guess as long as we don’t have to see it it’s okay.
Most owners of large chain stores or corporations are cheap selfish pricks. Whether you work in Harris Teeter or F21, the general attitude nowadays is that we should be thankful to have a job. Any job at any pay. In fact, we should be thankful we’re getting paid. It’s their generous gift to us.
I have to agree with people on the illegal immigrant issue. While I empathize with them, ultimately, they have to realize that by coming here illegally, they are forfeiting all rights to decent working conditions and decent pay. It’s sad, but true. Before anyone says I’m just some sheltered kid who doesn’t know anything. I have been sick without health insurance. I have lived eating one pack of ramen noodles everyday for two months which made me very sick. I’ve been helping with rent since I was 16 years old. So, I understand the realities of being poor.
But people, citizens, immigrants, and illegals alike, have to understand America is not what it once was. The American dream is becoming more unattainable each day. The middle class is being destroyed. We can’t just focus on one store. We have to attack the system that allows these type of stores to exist. If we are against stores that use sweatshops, then we have to boycott ALL stores that use sweatshops. If we are against abusive management practices, then we have go against ALL stores with bad management practices. It’s like blaming McDonald’s for obesity. It’s one chain. We have to go after the entire system.
So, please stop bashing Forever21 for practices found in most large retail stores.
September 17th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Do you guys honestly think that these illegal immigrants who are supposedly being “forced” to work in these sweatshops would rather be put out of a job, and maybe eventually having to return to mexico? (or wherever they’re from..) I’m sure the $4 an hour pay is providing them with a better life than whatever they had to endure in their native country, otherwise they would most likely return to where they came from.
Also, I have plenty of clothing from Forever 21 and I hardly ever have problems with them falling apart (besides one tank top that came apart at the seams after several washes).
September 21st, 2011 at 12:09 am
While I don’t agree with slave labor, child labor, sweatshops, direct designer copying, poor employment practices/working conditions, and/or any form of religious discrimination, I think that underlying problem respondents have failed to mention is economic in nature.
You see, we as a society don’t like to admit this to ourselves or each other, but ever since the Industrial Revolution and the increasingly globalized markets, our economic concerns have become more important than others. Before that, people were content for the most part to make buy/trade goods in local markets, grow/raise their own food sources, and yes, even make their own clothing. However, because of the industrialist shift, foreign goods and technologies of all types have become more readily available in places they once were not.
And at several foreign policy administration members in China responded this past summer to audience questions about human rights concerns with the simplistic reply that… SHOCKER… Economic issues must be settled first, and THEN we can focus on improving human rights issues. I’m not saying this is particularly compassionate, “Christian,” or morally justifiable, but that’s the underlying root of the issues you speak of.
Everyone wants to make a decent living for themselves and their family, and others are willing to remove themselves from issues that may arise while they are obtaining that living. Ideally, everything would return to locally owned and produced, but the reality is that our society will never return to that point. So, we can complain about the deplorable practices of businesses in regards to the environment, slave labor, and immigration, but until policy makers can provide viable solutions that won’t serve as a detriment to these corporations’/individuals’ economic/financial concerns, then even if you boycott F21, it isn’t going to stop them from producing cheap clothing with cheap labor.
I’m not saying, “To hell with it then, shop there anyway!” But what I would like to point out is that we honestly cannot fix these problems unless other economic alternatives are made available, for both American companies and the foreign labor force. As greedy and cold as it may seem, we must face the reality that in today’s global market, it is financial security or greed not compassion for your fellow man that motivates many people’s actions.
It has to be a collaborative effort between the people, the government, and the corporations. Until money stops driving society, or until some global disaster drives us back into pre-industrialist conditions, this isn’t going to change. Do your part, and be aware of the goings-on behind the scenes, but don’t expect the majority of others who support these companies to join you in enacting real change. Sadly, it’s all about the money these days. And when everybody in the world is wealthy, then we’ll work on it. But since that will never happen… Guess we just have to deal with what we have.
September 21st, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Unfortunately this is not Forever 21, fashion or the agricultural industry. This is simply free market capitalism. Demand(the job) and Supply(the workers) will work to reach equilibrium. In this case when there is excess supply(workers) the equilibrium will basically fall to zero. Or about as much money as it takes to keep someone alive or to keep replacing workers after they die.
This is because the Supply(the worker) cannot pull back do to lack of demand as people continue to have children and we can’t just round up a bunch a people and throw them off a cliff to reduce supply.
The reason all these companies and industries act the same is because they are all using the same system of economics. A system that both forces companies to pay barely living or sub living wages and forces workers to work for barely living or sub living wages.
We need to stop fighting amongst ourselves or blaming workers or companies or anything in between. We need a better economic system. This one had it’s place during the industrial revolution, but those times are ending. It’s time to transition.
To what? I certainly don’t know. But it’s time to stop pretending that a mathematical system can be the end-all be-all automatic governing machine.
September 22nd, 2011 at 1:25 pm
I read through all the comments, and honestly? The people advocating for Forever 21 are very closed-minded and ignorant. People who work in sweatshops often don’t have a choice because it is the only possible way to make money. In America, this is because they have no education or something. Over seas this is because jobs are scarce and people will sacrifice what they have to.
You say that shopping at Forever 21 saves you money? In the long run, you are simply spending more money since your clothes do not last as long. The trend of “fast fashion” is such an unsustainable practice. Instead of saving money to buy a great quality piece, people buy a cheap one that will be thrown away in a year. Yes, you may argue that you donate your old things. But actually, if you read about it, the second-hand clothing industry may be doing more harm than good – particularly in third-world countries. ‘
Instead of being selfish, and just worrying about how you will look and new clothes, please take a second to educate yourselves.
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:08 pm
I am very shocked to hear of this. I like to shop at forever 21 because it offers trendy, affordable clothing. But now, I am having second thoughts about this store. With all this unethical practices and legal lawsuits, Forever 21 does not seem as great as before. But, if Forever 21 does not hire the Mexicans to work in the sweatshops, wouldn’t they be unemployed and worse off than before? In no way am I supporting Forever 21’s actions, but are their hiring decisions at the same time both negative and positive….?? Any thoughts on this?
September 25th, 2011 at 11:48 am
would you like to be slave to Chinese made?
Their stuff is cheap, looks cheap, and wears cheap. The stuff literally falls apart after a few weeks.
September 29th, 2011 at 10:03 am
A lot of stores in America are wrong these days. Instead of focusing and bashing on just one, which is F21 in this case, share the spotlight with them all. Have we not heard about Walmart’s unfair practices? And yet many of us shop there constantly.
September 29th, 2011 at 10:08 am
And also, people seem to associate the price of an item with its quality.. just because forever 21’s clothes are cheaper do not make them automatically of lesser quality than other stores. You have to follow the directions given on the label just like any other clothing. I’ve personally had many clothing items from forever 21 last a very long time and at the same time spent over $100 on something from a different store and had it not last.
You just have to have an eye for quality (:
September 29th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/06/are-these-unethical-fashion-brands-hiding-in-your-closet.php
people need to understand that this is everywhere.
say you want to start making your clothes to avoid sweat shops.
well what about the material you bought, that’s in a sweatshop. there may be machines that made in, but the people working those machines, etc.
regardless. almost everything in the world is made in some where whichever 3rd world country. for the cost of labor.
what about your tv? will you stop watching from the television you bought. and start building your own tv’s. or stop buying your children toys because they were made in unethical shops. what about the fruits and vegetables you eat, will you stop eating them because they were picked below the minimum wage. or how about that cheap furniture from ikea you picked up the other day
http://boingboing.net/2011/04/10/sweden-exports-sweat.html
if you choose to boycott one, why not expose all the others right?. i personally am in the middle. but with lower wages in countries overseas it allows you to get what YOU want right?
if you want to look at one idea, then you better look at all of them. whats the point of bashing on 1 store, when theres A WHOLE OTHER MARKET OF STORES DOING THE SAME THING.
September 30th, 2011 at 3:26 am
Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s right. “every company does this, so stop complaining”
And no, not true. Ever heard of fair trade or just basic ethics? Many companies pay their workers fair wages. Jobs are not just jobs. Just because someone gives you a job doesn’t give him/her the right to treat you like shit and pay you shit.
Those of you who love F21 should be even more outraged. You’re the consumer and you have the power to change it. They can easily pay their workers fair wages and produce affordable clothing. Many businesses have proved this to be true a thousand times over.
Just because you had the happy accident of being born into a comfortable life doesn’t make you any better than those poor people making your clothing.
September 30th, 2011 at 4:42 am
I’m not even going to talk about F21… I’m going to comment on the fact that you think that H&M is a safe place to go instead. http://www.dailypaul.com/120858/hm-and-wal-mart-destroyed-and-trashed-unsold-goods
This is what pisses me off. If you’re going to take a loss on it then donate it to needy causes instead of destroying it.
October 2nd, 2011 at 2:28 pm
If everyone stopped shopping at F21, then F21 would go under and the immigrants working at F21 would go where? Oh yeah, they wouldn’t have a job. I bet they are very thankful for the job they have, and would not appreciate the lay-off. If they wanted another one, no one is stopping them. This article is way too whiny. I know people who are currently unemployed right now, and even if they would hate a job like this, they would do it because they need the money and understand that the job market is fierce and if they wanted a better job, they would need better qualifications. The OP is harboring hate towards all the wrong things. PLEASE stop the hate and try actually making a difference. All talk, no action leads to more talk, no action. “Raising awareness” seems more like complaining a whole lot.
October 2nd, 2011 at 2:31 pm
PS, I am poor and had my fair share of bad jobs. My parents are immigrants too. If I felt I could do better, I would get another job. They never trapped me into it. Jobs like this sometimes suck, but its better than their other options if that’s what they are choosing to do, before maybe moving on to bigger and better things.
October 2nd, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Oh, and seriously? You are mad about the Christian thing? They are the bosses of their company and can do what ever they want. They are not the president of the United States. CHILL OUT
October 2nd, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Oh, and PS again. F21 haters, look down at that thing you are angrily typing on. Then read this, you person. http://shopequita.com/blog-nitty_gritty/?p=275
October 7th, 2011 at 4:38 am
I am not demented, I am not wealthy, I am not naive. I have been to several third world countries, and I have seen how they live. I am a single mother, I am a veteran, I am a college student. I meet most of your stereotypes, except I’m not Mexican, and I’m not Christian.
First off, less than 1% of rape cases (before I get the excuses) result in pregnancy — so 99% of women who get pregnant CHOOSE to engage in sexual behavior — and thus produce this child they cannot support. As a single mother of two, I have to tell you, this is NOT MY PROBLEM. Take RESPONSIBILITY. PREGNANCY IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT — because SEX IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT, so you know what? Should’ve used a fucking condom or gotten a degree first. Wouldn’t be in this position.
Second, illegal immigration is a CRIME. It’s a CRIMINAL ACT. I don’t feel bad for thieves, drug dealers, or jaywalkers — who on the surface all appear to be victimless criminals, but aren’t really, so why should I feel bad for illegal immigrants who choose to commit a crime in MY COUNTRY? The CRIME they commit in my country costs billions of tax dollars, millions of jobs (the small percent not currently being outsourced), and cause aggravation for the underpaid overworked public servants who are forced to cater to them. I don’t care WHERE you are from, Mexico, Canada, Spain — emmigrate legally and we’re good — don’t and you are a CRIMINAL, so I DON’T CARE IF YOU WORK FOR 4$ AN HOUR. OTHER CRIMINALS IN ACTUAL PRISON IN THIS COUNTRY WORK IN THOSE PRISONS FOR FAR LESS.
Please don’t bring up the ancient history of this nation because it is irrelevant — the nation was NOT a dominant superpower, and didn’t have laws in place — we do now. Get over the Indians, I’m not pretending it’s not horrible, and a blight on our proud history, but it has nothing to do with the laws we have in place now.
Finally, F21 does not violate copyright infringment laws — which specifically state the product must be so similar to the original that it could be confused with it — they are simply taking advantage of free-market capitalism and mass-producing a similar product cheaper, catering to an entirely separate demographic than luxury brands. DUH, CPT, you’re fucking OBVIOUS.
The arguments you people are making against F21’s business practices are ridiculous — you expect that because you wouldn’t want to be treated that way, that no one should? That’s insane. Those 3$ an hour jobs in China nearly pay the rent. When I lived in Germany, hell, a civilized nation, the average citizen had a take-home of about 700 euro a month (for the entire household), the rough equivalent being 1400$ a month. So your comparisons make no sense, because you don’t acutally know. You’re simply basing it off your own lifestyles, and maybe some NYT article you once heard about.
Finally, I’m poor. I grew up DIRT poor. Move every year poor. Ants on the floor, no electricity, can’t even afford reduced lunch poor.
You know what I did? I joined the FUCKING ARMY.
I served my country for five years, two months, and eight days on active duty. I went to war. I came home.
Now I’m a comfortable college student, because I EARNED MY FREE EDUCATION.
Workers can do it as well. There are MANY programs for illegal immigrants to take college courses — Google it. Same for legal immigrants, and natural citizens.
Personally, I like F21 — and shop there often. I have no sympathy for anyone who chooses not to bring themselves out of their circumstances.
And to those wealthy, naive assholes here who assume that poverty means you “just can’t move up”, your lack of ability to recognize personal responibility disgusts me. YOU are the reason no one moves up in this world, because you sit there and let yourself and others believe they can’t.
Forever 21 is decent clothing at affordable prices — their business practices are sound, the lawsuit was SETTLED IN 2004!, and those of you whine should stop taking your one “Idealistic Liberal Polotics” course in community college so seriously.
October 7th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
This is horriable! It’s not just forever 21 but so many other stores do the same thing.Their are buisnesses that higher illegals to do cheap work out here in California.
October 9th, 2011 at 9:18 am
Roxy is for both usa and canada it has great stuff like jackets and tees and vest and alll the good stuff!!
October 10th, 2011 at 12:33 am
Seems to me like you guys are going crazy. From the article i could almost hear you laugh like psychos. i think you are way more obsessed about ruining someones business than actually telling the truth. Instead of helping people in need like charities or homeless you chose to waste your time on something that wont matter. no matter how much you will try to ruin forever21 it will still exist and flourish. i think you should stop spending your time on stupid things and maybe do something that matters.You spend at least 1 hour a day making and improving this site while you could be helping people in need. BTW if they do run sweatshops they they actually feed their workers or give them money and that may be the only way they can survive. imagine if they had no job at all and no food who would they turn to????? And also i think that a bunch of blondes who obsess over beauty aren’t going to help you with anything . you are boycotting the wrong thing!!! Its amazing how you can boycott something so stupid when you can actually boycott world hunger for example (Something that matters) I believe you are more jealous than caring (if you know what i mean)
October 17th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
where to buy good clothes from =/?
October 21st, 2011 at 7:18 am
Hello. I usually don’t comment on these, but no proof and hatred upon a religion pushed me. If you care so much that there’s something Christian on it, don’t buy it. If you hate it that much, there’s probably also something bigger going on with you. But as for sweatshops, if there’s no proof, why should I believe you? Trying to convince people to boycott when you yourself just heard rubies is pretty ridiculous. Bye.
October 23rd, 2011 at 4:57 pm
HALF THE BUISNESSES IN AMERICA TREAT THEIR EMPLOYEES LIKE SHIT. Really? Please try not to sound so ignorant. I love Forever21 and it’s affordable and cute. Don’t judge people by where they shop.. clothes are clothes. If i want to pay $15 for a moderatley good quality dress than hell, I’m gonna do it and you have no say in my decision. Good god. Being a nurse is a hard job as well, they’re treated like complete and utter shit and get paid little. Nobody’s tryna shut down hospitals are they? shut up.
October 24th, 2011 at 12:52 am
Wow, this article is almost a year old and still getting comments. Why are some of you so angry about this post? You are responding like you own the store or have stock in it. These comments are insane. If you like the store and don’t care about their business practices, thats your choice. If you don’t like it, thats your business as well. But the fanaticism for a company that doesn’t care about you is problematic. This country is struggling because people care more about their precious material things than they do about each other. I was more disturbed by all the hateful responses than I was about the initial post. Good grief.
October 24th, 2011 at 10:19 am
Here, here to 272. Everyone arguing in here thinks they sound different from each other.
October 26th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Last week here in Jacksonville, FL I bought almost this exact same jacket (looks almost identical, the pockets I think are alittle different and the middle part with the buttons is wider on this one from H&M). http://www.hm.com/us/product/94080?article=94080-B#article=94080-B
November 1st, 2011 at 2:27 pm
I LOVE FOREVER 21!!!
November 8th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Yeah shocking, but don’t most companies get their products made in a sweatshop? I’m not saying it’s ok, but I am I sort of think that this is brought to light and shunned because it is a Christian company? I mean, they aren’t the only ones but they are the ones most talked about.
November 9th, 2011 at 9:56 am
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November 9th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Okay. I agree that the working conditions and legal issues of F21 are wrong, downright wrong. But I’m a Christian and there is nothing wrong with that, you don’t need to make it sound like a bad thing. They’re not shoving their religion down your throat by simply putting a Bible verse on the bottom of a bag just so in case you were interested you might decide to look it up. Ooh big deal. However, they do give us Christians a bad name when they have such working conditions, copyright infringements, discrimination, etc. All of that I highly dislike and they definitely should reconsider their beliefs as Christians as well as the way they operate their business. But “hate” is a a strong word. We don’t need to “hate” anybody. Strong dislike is enough lol. Just don’t support them, but hatred is just..no..
November 12th, 2011 at 3:42 am
I’m still gonna shop at F21 lol.
November 15th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Intriguing point of sight on the subject matter, not ever imagined I’d agree… But I do!! Gratitude yet again for the great info – Usually the most effective, Joe.
November 18th, 2011 at 12:33 am
When I read some of the heartless posts made by some of these “college” students, it was obvious they didn’t pay attention. How bout you all take a step back and look at the situation. Be educated and look at some history. The U.S. didn’t have a problem with immigration before 1994, that is until they passed NAFTA. And if you research it, actually invest some time to cure your ignorance, then you would see that the mexican standard of living took a drastic downfall. These people that had their farms and grew their food, were suddenly found without their lands and without their economic support. Look at the same year in U.S. documentations, there was a sudden increase of immigration, why do you think that is? Because AMERICAN companies, kicked them off their land, privatized the seed, and now their cultural that was so deeply rooted had become undone. This is empirical evidence, I’m not making this up. So, add a sociology class along with a globalization focus, “college students”. The rich will do anything for the poor, then get off their backs. The rich 2% of the American population are riding on the backs of all of us, and I’m guessing the people that have written those ignorant comments aren’t part of that 2%. So, question is, why are you bashing on these people that have no power? When the real power comes from the ones who tell you that it’s these poor people’s fault of why we’re in the shithole.
November 18th, 2011 at 10:12 am
don’t ever mess with god’s anointed!#justsaying
November 21st, 2011 at 11:34 am
With all due respect to the people who think that these immigrants have a choice whether to work and should not come at all, may I suggest you educate yourself on the issues? These women, men and children who came DO NOT HAVE A BETTER OPTION – don’t you think they would love to quit? I am an international journalist, and have worked at the United Nations and World Bank and traveled in the poorest and smallest villages where the poorest of the poor live – they are illiterate, die of basic diseases because they can’t afford a bar of soap, often living on less than a dollar a day, and they cannot even afford a meal a day. They are starving and sick. So if you think they can “just go find another job,” perhaps you might want to imagine yourself in that situation. They have not had the luxury of even an elementary school education, can’t read, and are frightened and LIVING ON THE EDGE. More than half the world lives on less than a dollar a day. So while you sit in your “suburban judgement,” I encourage you to read the work of people like Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times, or even the former Guardian Newspaper’s star journalist Misha Glenny, who wrote about international crime in “McMafia.” Well, another option for these girls is they could be trafficked into international prostitution rings, lured by the most evil of men, to service an unending appetite of men for sex. What an option.
November 21st, 2011 at 11:58 am
Actually, with regard to comment number 268, I would like to say one other thing – actually, companies CAN be held accountable and you would be surprised what public pressure can do to change industries.
Don’t think there is “nothing you can do.” There are very specific examples to this, and the first thing is to raise awareness. David and Goliath is a perfect example, as well as pressure that was put on Nike factories in Asia, and even the Gap. A google search will pull up some articles. Companies are made of human beings, and you would be surprised the power one person can have to make a difference by shaming and putting pressure on others…it does stress executives out because it is bad PR. They don’t like a bad reputation and negative public opinion can play a role.
Executives sweat bullets, and as each person becomes aware, you would be surprised what can happen. I have also been down at Occupy Wall Street in NYC, and yes, we are making the 1 percent of the “rich and getting richer” uncomfortable. This is your future too.
A great article on Stanford Business School’s site about how POLITICAL PRESSURE AFFECTS CORPORATE STRATEGY:
http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/news/research/Baron_social.html
Read on:
http://www.globalissues.org/article/57/corporations-and-workers-rights
On netflix of hulu (for free):
The Corporation documentary
There are countless examples, including Amnesty International, which has gained freedom for tortured political prisoners by the letters of individuals, ordinary people like us, to governments. While this is not a garment example, there are many examples like this in all industries. The world is a very complicated place these days, and all I can say is that if we do not raise the level of HUMAN RIGHTS in this century, we have failed.
These are very difficult decisions – hey, I love cheap clothes too! But I also realize that if I buy them, I am supporting what is in essence slave labor and exploitation. The same goes for McDonald’s, how else do I buy a burger for 69 cents (chronicled in “Fast Food Nation?”)…there are many complicated issues with globalization; however, you do not have to turn a blind eye. You can choose to make a difference with just ONE issue. Do just one thing…you do not have to choose to change the whole world, just one small thing. Watching MTV’s educational public service announcements – for example, they produced some on slave labor are a perfect start.
You would be surprised how one person can make a difference!
And yes, maybe there is a way for you to still have reasonably priced clothes (just not bottom of the barrel cheap like Forever 21), and those poor migrant workers still working for say maybe a few dollars more.
This is a hard issue to look at because it makes all of us uncomfortable. But you would be amazed how we all can make a difference.
Happy reading!
November 21st, 2011 at 12:04 pm
From Stanford Business School’s Website:
NIKE OVERHAULED FACTORIES AFTER PRESSURE FROM INDIVIDUAL PROTESTERS AND SO DID WAL MART!
http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/news/research/Baron_social.html
Social Pressures Affect Corporate Strategy and Performance
December 2009
STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS—Nike overhauled labor practices in its suppliers’ overseas factories after it was targeted by activists campaigning against sweatshop conditions. Faced with criticism on many fronts, Wal-Mart embarked on a strategy to burnish its reputation and improve or soften its impact on workers, local communities, and the environment. To deal with new realities in energy markets, British Petroleum rebranded itself as BP, adopted the “beyond petroleum” tagline, and stepped up efforts to develop clean energy and address climate change.
In all these cases, social pressure played a major role in determining corporate strategy and performance. The impact of social pressure on companies is one of the dynamics explored in new prize-winning research that examines the political and social environment in which companies operate.
“Social pressure matters. Firms need to be attentive to these kinds of pressure,” says David P. Baron, the David S. and Ann M. Barlow Professor of Political Economy and Strategy, Emeritus, at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
How do corporate financial performance, corporate social performance, and social pressure relate to one another, and how do they affect firms? In a recent research paper, Baron and two coauthors spelled out a model that could help socially responsible investors better understand the political and social context affecting companies. Their empirical model used data on 2,010 companies from 1996 through 2004 to portray — or estimate — the relationships of these forces.
In November, their paper, “The Economics and Politics of Corporate Social Performance,” was awarded the 2009 Moskowitz Prize by the Center for Responsible Business at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, in cooperation with the Social Investment Forum. The annual prize recognizes quantitative research that promotes socially responsible investing. The authors — Baron, Maretno Harjoto of Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management, and Hoje Jo of Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business — examined data from Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini Research & Analytics, a firm that tracks companies’ environmental, social, and governance practices.
Under Baron’s theory, businesses operate in three interrelated markets: the product market shaped by customers, the capital market shaped by investors, and the “market for social pressure” in which government, activists, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) put demands on companies to increase their social performance. The pressure comes through actions such as regulatory enforcement, product boycotts, internet campaigns, and statements to the press. The data showed that the impact of social pressure was due almost entirely to “private politics” — actions by activists and NGOs — rather than “public politics” stemming from government actions.
By identifying patterns in the data, the trio reached several major conclusions.
First, social pressure and social performance reinforce each other. Greater social pressure can result in better social performance. In other words, firms step up responsible behavior in response to pressure. Nike became an industry leader in promoting better working conditions in apparel and footwear factories in Asia and elsewhere after activists made the company a prominent target in the 1990s. Starting around 2005, Wal-Mart responded to critics by adopting more progressive employee, community, and environmental practices, including recent initiatives to cut energy use and require eco-responsibility among its suppliers.
The researchers also found the reverse is true — better social performance can lead to greater social pressure. Activists and NGOs often target firms precisely because they are responsive to social pressure. The firms are seen as “soft targets.” For instance, Starbucks’ socially responsible bent made it an attractive target for criticism and protests by activists pressing the company to sell “fair trade” coffee.
Second, greater social pressure is associated with lower financial performance. Social pressure can hurt a company’s reputation, brand equity, or productivity. If activists call attention to a company’s poor environmental record, the pressure could dissuade consumers from buying its products, cause some investors to shun its stock, and reduce productivity by hurting employee morale and motivation.
In general, social pressure tends to boost corporate social performance while hurting financial performance. “Social pressure from government, NGOs, and activists has two kinds of effects,” says Baron. “It leads firms to increase social performance. And social pressure tends to be penalized in financial markets.”
Third, financial and social performance are largely unrelated. Why? Consider two contrasting grocery chains. Whole Foods positions itself as a socially and environmentally responsible grocer selling premium-priced products to a niche market. Another grocery chain might be lower on social performance while selling at low prices to price-conscious consumers. Which one will be more profitable — the high social performer or low social performer? It could go either way, since there are so many variables at play simultaneously in determining financial performance, notes Baron.
However, differing patterns exist among the subset of companies selling to consumers and those selling to other businesses, such as wholesalers and manufacturers. Among consumer companies, financial performance is positively associated with social performance, since consumers can directly reward a company’s socially positive behavior by purchasing its products. Among industrial companies, the opposite is true — financial performance is negatively associated with social performance. That’s because responsible behavior can be expensive, and there are no consumers to directly reward an industrial company.
Overall, the study “challenges academics and social investors alike to appreciate the complexity of firms’ relationships with society,” said the Center for Responsible Business in announcing the Moskowitz Prize winner.
— Maria Shao
November 21st, 2011 at 7:41 pm
You know that every single retailer aside from maybe the high end euro brands uses “sweatshop” labor. If you think Kohls, Marshalls, or Ross uses some other magic means of producing your clothing, you are ranting about something you clearly have no idea about.
You probably wear American Apparel with a big righteous sense of accomplishment with your che guevera t shirt and hipster sunglasses. You know that the only way for those workers to make minimum wage or higher is by making 4 times more garments than those getting 4/hr.
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:33 pm
I was so badly treated tonight that I will never ever shop at Forever 21 again. The clerk reprimanded me for being in the dressing room with my pre-teen daughter, and as I was leaving the dressing area, with clothes to purchase, a second clerk joined the first one in lecturing me. When I complained to the manager, she refused to give me her name and continued to recite company policy–that only one person is allowed in the dressing room. (No where in the dressing area were there signs posted to that effect.) I’ve never encountered such a policy in any other store. It is asinine to tell a 52-year-old woman that she can’t be in the same dressing room with her 12-year-old daughter. Mothers, after all, are the ones who pay the bills and decide what to buy their children. Moreover it is absolutely crazy to alienate a paying customer who is walking to the register, credit card in hand, to purchase clothing. I was so angered that I left the clothing on the counter. I will not do business with people who treat me badly.
Frankly, those rude clerks did me a favor. My daughter begs to shop at Forever 21 because her friends do, but most of the clothing there is poorly made, sleazy and often really trashy. We’ve searched the racks for suitable items, but no more. I am happy to take my business elsewhere.
November 24th, 2011 at 4:16 am
I’m 18 and I work at Forever 21 as a sales associate. I absolutely HATE it!!! They are so f***ing picky about having everything look perfect. On top of that, the F21 I work at, doesn’t even have any air conditioner. So I’m working my a** off and my body gets overheated very quickly, I’m constantly feeling faint, nauseated and running back and forth to the bathroom to throw up from heat exhaustion. I hate this job, and I feel like it should be illegal for a store to have no air conditioning for its workers. It just gets too damn hot in the store. I cant wait to find a new job so I can get out of this hell hole
November 25th, 2011 at 10:22 pm
I started to shop at F21 about 3 months ago (I only go there once a month on my free time), and I am not satisfied!! The dress that I bought fell apart a month later! :’( I guess i am going to STOP spending my money on that store!!!!
November 27th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Although F21 is cheap and a crummy store, you have to realize sometimes that is what someone can afford. My sister shops there because even though is a broke college student, she can wear inexpensive clothes and feel GOOD about her image.
“…if you must indulge in disposable fashion, H&M or even Target are better…”
you have to remember there are people who CAN’T afford to indulge. That being said, you do make excellent points, and I agree with a lot of them, but it seems you are putting down something some people can only just afford.
November 29th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
….I must say this site does not impress me. . . Neither do the comments or the video on this site( which I feel if I had not read the article I would not have understood what was going on). . . I understand why you are are upset, But did you stop to think, that these are the only jobs some of these women and some men be able to get? Get off the soap box, and let your story be heard, but if people decide to wear F21 clothing then let it be, it’s not your choice or your life!
I do shop at forever 21, i HAPPEN TO LIKE THERE CLOTHES, THEY ARE COMFY I have several dresses, skirts, and many other things that have lasted for years. and I have worked for forever 21 started seasonal and have been on for almost 3 years and I enjoy it everyday. I will agree that sweat shops suck, sure, and people get treated poorly, but it hapens EVERYWHERE! so why raise a big deal out of one shop? If you do one you should do others! As I was reading these comments and article I couldn’t help but notice almost everything was about the Price of F21 clothes. . . If youre so worried about the people then stop worring about the prices and do more to help the people, mybe i’m contradicting myself but to myself Im making valid points and hopefully some of you other people realize what see!!
November 30th, 2011 at 1:27 am
Hello,I am Deniza from Georgia,Tbilisi. I have some problems with forever21.com order, i try to contact with them but can’t find the e-mail of the forever21.com web-site,can you be so kind to help me
November 30th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
it is their clothes and their designs, whether or not you buy them if up to you. Butfor anyone to be hating on them for their religion is wrong. Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship between me and jesus christ. It is the only truth. I wish everyone would read up and learn before judging. Sure there are hypocrites because they obviously don’t know the true meaning of being a christian, but there are hypocrites everywhere, the terrorists who claim to be true muslims are not???? Think about it.
December 2nd, 2011 at 4:28 am
You mean to tell me that there are actually people out there that support this Forever 21 bashing?
The articles first problem is the fact that the “laborers” in question are freaking illegals. They don’t deserve to be working here or living here without a green card. Period. For them to even have a job that is taking money from us Americans is complete crap. Eff them and super eff their complaints. They can rot in hell for all I care. They work in subpar conditions? Good. Go back to Mexico where you belong.
While is it messed up that ANY store would ever rip off actual designers, you can’t sit there and point the finger at Forever 21 and only Forever 21. They are not the only offender, I guarantee. I’m not condoning it, but it’s something that is bound to happen.
The religion thing is bogus, but what can you really do? They apparently get away with it time and time again.
As for the clothing itself, I have purchased a few things from one of the stores in the past and they didn’t feel any cheaper than anything else I’ve ever worn. Honestly, I don’t see why regular, every day people are bitching about this. If you’re not pulling six figures on your paychecks, you know how bad it sucks to need to buy clothes. I really don’t see the big issue with any of the stores that provide cheap, but still relatively stylish clothing. It saves all of us that still work regular jobs, with regular pay and lots of bills to pay.
GET OFF IT.
December 7th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Who gives a fuck? FOREVER 21 IS THE BEST!!!! OPEN MORE STORED
December 9th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
i would like to know how you’ve acquired this information.
December 10th, 2011 at 5:22 am
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December 13th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
On the illegal immigrant issue, I actually do not agree with a single person on here. No, the illegals should not just “suck it up, get a green card, or go back to Mexico”. I know we’d all love to cast them as the villains in our own little recession melodrama, but we can’t. Alabama passed legislation to crack down on illegal immigrants, and guess what? Their unemployment rate is just as bad (if not worse) as it was before, and now all their farmers have farms way too large to care for themselves. However, just because the illegal immigrants are a necessary part of our country doesn’t mean we need to protect their liberties in the same way we would an American Citizen. No a/c in the shop? Most places in the countries their from don’t have a/c, I think they’re fine. The low wages? Still higher than anything they’d make back home. If they aren’t complaining, don’t do it for them.
As for the whole “they steal designs” thing, who the hell cares? It’s a design! For clothes! They’re made to be worn! Do you want them to completely reinvent everything before they sell it? “Oh no, you can’t sell jeans, Levy already has jeans.” I know I’m being a little over dramatic, but no matter what career field you enter people will always be bouncing off each other’s ideas, it’s going to happen. Besides, it’s clothing, it’s not a life changing scientific study, calm the hell down.
And on the religion thing, they don’t print the actual bible verse, they just print the numbers. Just in case you want to take it upon yourself and read the bible, you know where the verse was located. They aren’t a school and they aren’t a government agency, they have the right to put their religion out there, and you have the right to ignore it if you so wish.
December 15th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
Nothing mentioned in this article is false of any other major retailer in North America, especially H&M. Anyone shopping for a bargain is already forfeiting their will for the garment to be made ethically because ethical labor practices are expensive. Regarding the designer copyright infringement, this should not even be an issue, a blouse is a blouse, if one is available for $10 as opposed to $300 even better. Lastly, F21 is a private operation, whatever they chose to print on the bottom of a shopping bag is their right; if anyone doesn’t like it, it is not mandatory buy it.
December 15th, 2011 at 11:27 pm
All of these people supporting the exploitation of workers and infringement on the intellectual property rights of designers it’s pretty disgusting. Saying “Well EVERY other store does it!” in no way makes it okay.
I work as an independent designer. I pay my bills, eat, pay for everything based on my work. To say that it’s fine to steal designs shows that you obviously have no idea what apparel designers deal with. We are not millionaires with money coming out of our ears. When a design gets stolen it means this company is taking money/work from Legal United States workers in the design field.
This whole argument comes down to that old saying
“If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?”
Judging from the comments it seems many of you would.
December 16th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
I have been trying to reach forever 21 through mails and calls but i havent been able to. On Saturday i called their customer care regarding a query and a person named raymond manag helped me. He said he needed my Credit Cards 1st six and last four digits plus my billing address to confirm a reorder. 4 hours later my credit card got used for 1100USD and i had to immediately cancel my card. This is infuriating and breach of trust from their part. their employee used my personal information and stole from me. I reported this in the forever 21 contact us section and they ask me to check with my bank. I have checked with my bank and hence cancellation of my card! I have to take a legal action because this is theft! I never expected this from the management of Forever 21. i am forced to take legal action because im not getting proper reply!
December 22nd, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Wow, thats so sad, why are mexicans treated so bad, i think the white man forgot who settled here first , Indians in other words mexicans, that so sad, im not Mexican but i feel so bad, when people come from mexico they work there ass off and appreciate anything out here in the us, but dont underestimate them. After martin luther king and Cesar Chavez, times. Theres still prejudice people out there in world, racist Sad.
December 27th, 2011 at 1:51 am
I really can’t believe all the comments of if your not documented your no one in this world seriously whats wrong with your fucking heads ! Do you not understand what they are going through. Did you not go to school learn about human right which should be followed , but unfortunately are not every human should all be equal just because they are human no matter were you were born. And trust me if it weren’t for mexicans you would be missing a lot of things their the ones no matter how much they are getting payed they show up to work because they are just trying to make a living out of what they are payed of for them and their family while people in the fucken computer try to talk shit and don’t know what the fuck their going trough. This thing really got to me & yes I am part mexican. Im never posting things up of how kids who were born in America rather spend their lazy ass at home most of them drugging themselves while mexicans are actually working & they are not wanted here what a shame I know a lot of innocent mexicans just coming for some work & are treated unfairly fuck all of you people who judge & don’t know shit
December 29th, 2011 at 11:36 am
Well said Holy Toledo & Brooke! Keep going against the grain when it calls for bold soldiers. :) To those who seek to make spued information a fact, then go on rants based on what someone conjured up without legit proof: 1. Know there is more likely a ploy or selfish agenda behind a person who goes this length to put a company down…maybe a competitor/rival. THINK FOR YOURSELVES AND DEMAND PROOF… AND INVESTIGATE THE PRESENTED “PROOF”. 2. Why can’t you be civil & behave as though you’re educated by resolving any possible accusations professionally & responsibly. Instead of bashing with truly unfounded accusations. Demand Forever 21 to be socially responsible with tact!
3. Every clothing store on the level of Forever 21 ( H&M, Charlotte Russe…) all copy TRENDS!!…all clothing stores for that matter. How IGNORANT/UNEDUCATED of you Forever 21 BASHERS to behave as though countless clothing stores don’t do the exact same thing!! They try to make designs close enough to expensive ” exclusive” trends many desire but don’t want to- pay full price for/can’t afford to pay.
4. Be real. What this really is about is religion/owner’s faith. EVERY RELIGION GETS A PASS( coexist in the world) EXCEPT CHRISTIANITY!…WHY??? Where is the uproar on TRUE RELIGION’S Jeans???? ( side bar: of the TAO restaurants so many frequent???)…and countless other brands you all are obviously not privy to/ don’t want to be! It’s a direct attack
December 30th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
first of all, in AMERICA, you are NOT forced to work for these wages. You choose to work and make these wages. A waitress only makes $3-$4 per hour and tips. Do we say that it is bad labor? Some of their working conditions are dirty and i wouldn’t want to do their jobs but that is what they chose to do to make money! There is NOTHING wrong with them making designs that are similar to other stores…those stores do the same thing just that since they are considered higher end, nobody says anything about them. i am happy that i can go into a store and purchase clothing that is in style and affordable! Maybe they are being blessed because of their faith and trust in GOD! If you don’t like the quality of their clothing or the price, don’t shop there.
December 31st, 2011 at 2:04 am
As I always say, there are three sides to every story. Theirs, yours and the truth. No matter what, we will always be getting one side of the story.
December 31st, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Well said.
@#265 Crystal Rene.
I too, and my husband are Veterans. 4 yrs for me, 21 yrs for him.
I have family that work for 21 and believe me we are blessed to have this job.So far, they have treated her extremely well, but she was raised with a high work ethics. Work hard, follow policy,don’t tell your business,be respectful but command respect and if they don’t follow policy address it immediately! We are parents that will bring in your work handbook and policy “highligted” and demand they follow it. Same with our daughter that work for Targets.
I feel bad for the one’s who worked for 21 and were not treated fairly,discriminated against,etc I say to you..REPORT IT! We have laws for American citizens and non-citizens alike. Use the laws that were fought for by veterans. But don’t whine about low wages citizens or non citizens. Be thankful you have a job. Most soldiers that get out can’t find jobs and/or companies won’t hire them. Thankfully, our now President has the sense to put out the Hire a Vet campaigne. $4 an hour? and you are NOT here legally? Think about the soldier that just got home, loss of a limb, sight,hearing,suffering from PTSD and you guys are protesting the store 21 and how they may/may not run their factories? That soldier may not even be offered a job! Let’s protest that as AMERICANS!LET’S BE PISSED OFF that America,American corporations hire overseas work/sweat shops to do their jobs instead of AMERICANS because they also use the “cheap labor”. America is so outsourced that everything we use, consume has been outsourced in some way! Lets be pissed that our Veterans are overlooked and underpaid after years of service whether it be 1 year or 20+ yrs.Companies from Microsoft,Apple, IBM,Target, Verizon,T mobile, Att,H&M, Old Navy, Macy’s Dillards.. all outsource and use cheap labor. WE ALL USE SOME TYPE OF PRODUCT THAT IS OUTSOURCED IN SOME WAY! thats Capitolism baby. Good and bad. Lets get mad about real deal issues that we can actually change and make better for the USA’s future.
I’m just saying.
January 4th, 2012 at 12:15 am
STILL LOVE FOREVER21!!….dumb immagrants dont like their job then get a new one. Still dont like it their McD job or hotel job? THEN GO HOME! its by the grace of God that they are even in the states in the first place, they sould be thanking foever21 for giving them a job, when they arnt suppose to be here in the first place. And over seas people do the same factorie jobs as forever21 all over in eastern countries. not a new thing here people. Yeah its sad, but to them its what they get. its called reality.and the whole knockoff argument… Lets not even bring up. the fact that you can buy a knock off just about..hhhmmm… ANYWHERE doesnt make F21 a criminal. And more power to the owners who are chosing to stand up for what they believe in with thier faith. AMEN!
January 6th, 2012 at 11:27 pm
I was with you totally until you started bashing having scripture on the bags. There were hard facts about everything up until that point. Then it became hateful/angry opinion. That statement alone is enough to make me wonder if everything else you said is true.
It sounds like maybe the owners of F21 need to evaluate their beliefs as Christian’s. They should not tolerate or promote the things you are claiming they do.
That being said bashing their choice of putting scripture on their bags is NOT the way to get other believers on your side nor is it productive to your argument.
January 7th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
So what? If Forever 21 didn’t hire them, they wouldn’t have any money…
Plus all my stuff says it was made in CHINA not America.
Actually buy their stuff before saying if falls apart.
All of my Forever 21 stuff I still have (even some after 2 years) and its all perfect.
All you losers need to stop complaining and get a life :)
I love it and will never stop buying it!
Sincerely, person who has bought over $1000 of stuff from Forever 21.
January 8th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
I am a small LA designer, Mrs Chang called me in to head office as I work with TopShop Uk ( great retailer) Hey my fault but I was curious to see first hand so i went.
They sat me in an all white room with 3 white bibles. I was grilled on what religion i was. I was given a Forever 21 bible brochure & Mrs Chang went thru page by page, explaining that God talks directly to her Apparently he’d even told her how to buy the building they are in ( God must be a bit of a real estate guru!!) ..and i can go on & on but to make a long story short they wanted me to leave samples & told me they would order. After that i couldn’t get hold of them & couldn’t get samples back. 3 months later found my REGISTERED trademark & my graphics on their website (imported..which means they ordered a minimum of 9000 units each design) Forever 21’s religion has only 9 commandments apparently thous shalt not steal is missing.
I talk to a Chinese connection, he tells me Chinese manufacturers hate them too. They place the same order with several factories & then cancel who ever doesn’t come thru first.
If something is so cheap theres a reason. Whether you want to ignore it or not..unusually cheap products come at a price..unfortunately a human one. Just know that someone out there is getting screwed ’cause you think a $10 top is cool.
January 10th, 2012 at 9:37 am
I have a few F21 clothing items that I bought second hand at places like Plato’s Closet. I just feel like somebody should mention that actually the garment quality is very high on many F21 piece of clothing. I am a professional seamstress in a costume shop and I know quality stitching and finishing when I see it. Had those few pieces for years and they never have fallen apart. On the other hand – the few upscale items I have owned didn’t last nearly as long. So talk about the human rights issues all you want – but don’t bring “poor quality” into it. That isn’t even supposed to be the argument here.
January 11th, 2012 at 6:45 am
Yo pienso que al igual que como es con FOREVER es con todas las tiendas grandes,son capitalistas y solo piensan en producir mucho por menos dinero los estandares de calidad son muy bajos; es feo el trato que se le da a estas personas que trabajan como obreros pero siquiera ganan 4 dllsporque en mexico ganas como 12pesos la hora eso si es EXPLOTACION, pero mientras sigamos viviendo en un mundo consumista que es controlado por la mercadotecnia todo seguira asi, cosas con bajos estandares de calidad.
January 11th, 2012 at 11:05 am
better than child labour. It’s not like any of you never shop in Wal-Mart for clothes or GAP.
January 15th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
I appreciate, cause I found just what I used to be taking a look for. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
January 16th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
While I do not support sweatshop labor if I can, I have to say that I’m sick of people playing the illegal alien card. Illegal is in the name. They do not have rights beyond basic human decency. You do not go to Germany or France or Japan or wherever illegally and get away with it and expect to be treatef as a citizen…so why is it okay here? Remember, even our ancestors went through due process at Angel or Ellis island. Got a problem? Work to reform immigration but don’t sit there and complain that they deserve to have American rights. Also, for everyone who wants to say “omg go get educated on the issues stupid” please know that is not a valid argument. Get off your hypocritical high horse and back up your statement and maybe people will take you seriously.
January 17th, 2012 at 12:06 am
i fuckin love forever21. fuck all you haters. eat a dick
January 20th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
really? lol out of all the causes in the world this is yours? bringing down forever21? haha i understand the wanting to stop the sweatshops thing…i agree thats not right…but forever21 isnt the only store doing that
January 25th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
C’mon, you guys. Lets be honest. I really love Forever 21 and I have been shopping there for a few years. The clothes are cute and cheap, and unless there is pure proof of anything illegal, I will continue to shop there. Don’t be such a hater and enjoy the fact that clothing stores with these great of prices can exist during a time when the economy sucks. Peace out!
January 27th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
This place sucks! We ordered a dress for my daughters dance this weekend and paid $17.00 for express delivery…well it won’t be delivered for 5 days after ordering. And we will have to pay return postage to return it…That is ridiculous! I hate this place. Every other purchase here I vow to never give them another penny of my money. Now we have almost $40 tied up in a dress that won’t be here in time. No money for another. I HATE THIS PLACE! Cheap clothes and bad business/ return policies.
February 1st, 2012 at 9:46 pm
FOREVER 21 RULES! YOU JUST WISH YOUR COMPANY WAS THAT GOOD HOW ABOUT ACTUALLY SELLING NICE CLOTHES. DON’T HATE FOREVER 21 HATE THE GAME! OWNING A STORE IS A CHALLENGE. CATCH TEENAGERS ATTENTION! NOT ADULTS. ADULTS WEAR WHAT TEENAGERS WEAR(IF ITS NOT ALL OUT).
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:14 am
I think you are just “hating”. For all those workers you mentioned, dont act like you care one bit about them cos you dont. Typical of people to bash others –the more y’all hate and bash forever21, the more they keep increasing. I applaud them, I like what they do–providing clothes to people at affordable prices and providing job opportunities for many.
For those who claimed they worked at f21, you work at some store in one part of the country and you blame your experience there on the owner? grow up!!! work at Macy’s in one state and try blaming your experience on the corporate headquarter. I know my comment is helping to give cheap publicity to this ridiculous write up and i would rather it did not,but i guess i couldnt let all the hatred go scot free especially from a self acclaimed f21 public hater.
Human beings will never be satisfied, they will always hate, hate, hate. I could counter every point you levelled up there, but all i will tell you is “appreciate, dont hate. appreciate dont condemn”. Hatred has never done the world any good.