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Nordstrom called...

Queen Mum

Veteran

to thank me for being such a good customer (which I am really not) and to say that they would like to give me $50. She asked me a few questions about my style, department preferences, etc. and then she set me up with an appointment with a personal shopper.
Yes, I know I'm on a shopping ban, but I was a bit thrown off by the call, and wasn't thinking really clearly. I'm going to cancel the appointment because I have no needs right now, and I really want to honor my self imposed shopping ban. I don't want to take advantage of the shopper's time just to go in and get one item with the $50 they offered. Especially since the shopper she set me up with happens to be an acquaintance of mine... with fabulous style... I'd love to let her help me, but I know I'll put an extra self-imposed obligation on myself.

Soooo, I"m wondering if anyone else has gotten one of these calls and also what the expectations are when you use a shopper. I generally don't go in with the intent of purchasing an entire season's worth of clothing, which would be my guess as to what a shopper would be there to help you do. I pop in, browse the racks, try on a few things, and buy 2 or 3 items at most at one time. I would like to go in after my shopping ban is over and let her help me start my fall wardrobe. I would just love to know first how this whole personal shopper thing works.

Shopping

28 replies

Latest reply was from SW Ann

MNsara

Veteran

QM - this has not happened to me, but sounds intriguing.

I'm sure the shoppers love it when a customer buys many items at once, but they also have plenty of customer's who come back and pick up additional items throughout the season (if you are sure they get the credit for the stray purchases) -- the ones the shopper helped them find.

I'd love to Marianna's inside scoop on this I wonder if your friend, the shopper, even gave your name to Customer Service, or whatever, to offer this to you. . .

P.S. I'm actually awaiting the call from Nordstrom's where they say, "Would you pulleeze just make up your mind!"

tarzy

Veteran

I've had several letters offering this same thing. I would not feel bad about canceling at all if you don't have money to shop right now. I think it's a nice service, and of course it's nice to save $50 - but I know how these things go, and whenever I use a "special savings," or a discount, or whatever, I always end up spending more than I intended!

I'm sure the offer will be there when you're ready to use it, and you won't hate yourself in the morning.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I got one of those via email. I used it to buy some nude underwear to wear under a white dress.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Sara- that *should* have been the call I got too... "lady, you've exceeded your quota of returns... please only make purchases that you are sure about :-)"

Tarzy- Exactly! I can envision the whole episode... go in to spend $100 and leave with $1000 worth.

Anna- did you have to go use the shopper to get the $50?

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

QM - I also got an email offering me a $50 credit for a "first time" personal shopping experience. I think the basis for the call is to get you to use a personal shopper on a regular basis, presumably you would have more successful shopping trips and thus, spend more money at Nordstrom's.

I would love to take them up on it, but I may already "have" a personal shopper? I asked for help finding something (jeans, I think) ages ago, and the woman was a personal shopper...so techincally I have a personal shopper (she has my information and sends me generic emails from time to time about offers in the store.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Actually it the head of customer service who set me up with an associate in lingerie.
I think it could have been any associate in any department though.
I've used a personal shopper at Nordstrom exactly once. I had an very ornate skirt I picked up travelling once and she found two shirts to go with it. She did not bring any extras with her. I find regular sales associates are more likely to bring you extra stuff to increase their sale.
I think if you go in with something specific in mind a personal shopper is good. They go to departments you'd never think of visiting.

Queen Mum

Veteran

okay, that makes sense MPJ.

So, what happens when you use a shopper? Do they have stuff ready and waiting for you when you get there? Do they follow you around the store while you browse the racks, or do you follow them while they browse for you? Do they set you up in a dressing room and bring stuff to you?

Can you tell I'm one who likes to know what is going to happen in any given circumstance? I don't like looking like I don't know the system

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

When I used the shopper, she brought stuff to me.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Um... where is my free money and personal shopper?!?

Marley

Veteran

Hmmmm . . . I have never had this happen to me, which I find very strange because I think I would win hands down their "Top Shopper" award every year if they had one! I do get a LOT of phone calls from different NOrdie sales associates - which used to be very uncomfortable because they used to have my home phone number and because of the way that our telephone, cable-service, etc. is set up - the phone number and id would flash across our TV screen everytime they called - and of course my husband would see that it was Nordstroms calling and get just a little bent out of shape because of all of the Nordstroms calls we were getting! So, I changed it to my cell number and now my husband doesn't have to even know when or how often Nordstroms calls me! Whew! That took a LOT of strain off of our relationship! Anyway, no - I've never used a personal shopper and have never had the $50 offer - but I WANT it - BAD!

MsMaven

Veteran

Last holiday season I had a letter with a similar offer, but because my DH was sick, I forgot about it and didn't do it.

I have shopped with Odette at VF a few times. She helped my sister find the perfect MOG outfit and talked her into getting it tailored. Sis looked fabulous in the final outfit.

She also helped me find a dress to wear at a wedding in San Juan PR--wow, three years ago now. This was done informally--i.e. I just showed up and she was there. The next time I yearn for a dress I should give her a call. She is not the one who sent me the letter, though.

catgirl

Veteran

I just got an invitation in writing in the mail to the same effect. Do you get charged anything extra for the personal shopper? That is what confused me... Otherwise, I'm always game for some fun trying on episodes, and I THINK I could resist. But on the other hand, I don't need more buying opportunities actively pointed out to me.

Sparky

Veteran

I got one of these offers around the holidays. The letter mentioned that they wanted to make sure I had an even better shopping experience at their store so they wanted to make sure I had a special working relationship with someone there. The letter said that if I already had someone I liked to let them know (whether it was a personal shopper or any SA) and they would set up an appointment with that person but if I didn't they'd be happy to get more info from me to match me to a personal shopper. I had tried one personal shopper and a bunch of SAs in the past but either didn't really click with them or the SAs left before I got to know them well (my local store is a kind of training Nordie's so apparently the really good SAs go on to other stores ~ some SAs I started to develop a relationship with moved on). When Nordie's called to follow up on their letter to me, I just let them set me up with whom they wanted.

Part of the questionnaire they asked of me included any wardrobe holes I needed to fill, so the focus was on that during my appointment. The shopper pulled out a long rack full of items she thought might appeal to me. The questionnaire asked some good questions such as my preferred colors, budget and whether I would consider sleeveless items (Marianna, you know how much this is an issue for your clients!). One glaring omission, however, was nothing related to my style. So there were a lot of pieces that had nothing to do with my style. It was fun to look at them and I'm all for considering stretching beyond my comfort zone, but there were quite a few items that just were not to my taste or weren't me.

I didn't feel pressure to buy but maybe that's just me. I bought three things I really liked ~ the Nic & Zoe jacket, the Halogen lace tank, and a Kenneth Cole dress that I ultimately returned (the dress fit beautifully but I ultimately decided I didn't love the pattern). The shopper brought me both some items that were on sale and some that were not, BTW.

I didn't feel I clicked with this shopper either for a variety of reasons. (For example, she kept saying "that looks gorgeous on you! It's a no brainer to get it!" But just because something looks good and fits right doesn't mean I should purchase it! I kept expecting her to ask me if I had an item like that already, if it filled a wardrobe or lifestyle need, or ways I could use it in an outfit, that sort of thing ~ you know, be a little like Angie! ~ but she didn't.) Overall though, it was a fun experience.

Queen Mum

Veteran

LOL Marley! yes, the last thing I need is my husband knowing that Nordstrom is calling
AG... yes, the shopper service is free, and of course I am always up for a fun day of trying on, but I really don't need to do that right now. I am going to save up my $$ though, and give this gal a call when my birthday approaches. It will be a fun thing to do to get ready for fall weather. I will have much more on my list of needs then.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Sparky! thanks for the overview of your experience. I hope you eventually find a shopper you connect with.

Beth

Veteran

What an interesting thread. I've received several lovely thank-you notes after purchases (that weren't extravagant) in the past, the most recent to offer assistance for NAS. No free money, though:)

And I can only imagine DH's comments if Nordstrom kept flashing up on the TV screen. :O

san

Veteran

When I used a personal shopper at Nordstroms a few years ago, before I knew Angie and YLF, the gal brought stuff to me in the dressing room. It can be a slippery slope though if you are not aware that they work on commision. You are wise to want to know how it works before going in. I was not as wise and easily coaxed. I started to catch on though when she wouldn't let me return things, she'd talk me into why I should keep them, and then bring in even more for me to try on. For instance she brought me a very expensive coat with a lot going on at the neck, convinced me that I just had to buy it. I did buy it and then decided I didn't like it and took it back and she said, "Oh no you have to keep this coat". Same with a pair of boots that were huge around my calf, when I took them back she said they are supposed to fit large in the calf, that's how everyone is wearing them. I did return the boots at a different store ( I felt I had to sneak behind her back!), then I got a call from her after a few weeks and she said, "Ya know what, I decided that those boots don't fit nicely after all", and I told her I already returned them. I guess I'm trying to say the shopping was NOT personal at all.
Plus there was a sob story about a sick husband and losing their house. I fell hook line and sinker. BUT, I hear many people here saying they have a great experience with their personal shopper in dept stores. And I think there is a song about a fool and his (her) money.

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

LOL ditto to what chewyspaghetti said XD

Queen Mum

Veteran

appointment is cancelled... shopping ban continues.

Khris and Nicole... stand by your phones. You never know when they might call I was minding my own business trying to get dinner in the oven.

Isabel

Veteran

Here is my take on this : those of us that are not "big" Nordie's shoppers are trying to be lured in...those that already are "good" customers don't need any more coaxing. I have bought maybe 4 things at Nordies in the last 15 months and I have started getting all kinds of "invitations". Frankly, I don't deserve them !!! : )

If "nordie's" ever showed up on our caller ID, my husband would put everything into a Trust Fund where he would be sole executor !!!!

Queen Mum

Veteran

Isabel... I think you're probably right. I went and counted in my closet and I have roughly a dozen Nordstrom items that I have acquired over the past year. So, I don't consider that a great customer.

BTW, after I called and cancelled my appointment, I sent my acquaintance/shopper a message on FB explaining why I cancelled because I didn't want her to see that and wonder if I just didn't want her to help me for whatever reason. I told her that I'd re-schedule for later. She was so super sweet and very excited at the opportunity to help me shop. I'm looking forward to a fun shopping spree for my birthday

Isabel

Veteran

What a great way to handle it QM !!! That is why you are the Queen - such lovely etiquette !

marianna

Veteran

These $50 cards are offered to customers who already shop frequently... It's another way of rewarding you for being a good customer! I've had two customers who received these letters and asked to shop with me personally, and neither of them spent a lot. Some people just want the free $50, and that's okay too...

Really, the $50 card is yours to use as you wish. If you create a relationship with the SA, and come back and shop with him/her, even better!

By the way, any sales associate can be your "personal shopper." There are specific people in the store who are personal shoppers too, and there is no fee for that service.

San, I'm really sorry to hear of your awful experience. That is NOT good customer service.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I think they are really just trying to help you find someone you are comfortable shopping with who can be your "go to" sales person. Nordies can be a little complex to shop, so it's a more pleasant experience if you have a good sales person you can go to that you trust. Of course, commissions are involved, but in my experience most GOOD sales people who really know their business and are in it for the long run don't pressure you because they genuinely want you to feel comfortable so you'll come back! I think the point of this campaign is to hook customers who aren't quite regular customers yet up with one of the better sales people...
I used to have a fantastic sales person and it was so great; I could call her and ask her questions about stuff I saw in the catalog or online. And she would have a room of stuff for me ready when I wanted to shop the sales. It saved me time (but not money...LOL) and I got really great clothes. Sadly, she's moved on and I haven't found anyone since, so I do most of my shopping via the website now.

Sparky

Veteran

I agree with Marianna and Jenava (and they would know how this offer works!) ~ I really felt that the store was trying to ensure I had a better experience and better service by trying to help me cultivate a relationship with someone at the store. It was also clear from the offer that any SA could play this role, not just a personal shopper. While I didn't have much luck going this route, I ultimately approached an SA who had been helpful to me a couple of times to ask if she would help me more like a personal shopper. Well, it turns out she had gone from SA to head of her dept. to a personal shopper. So far so good, and I'm hoping it turns out like Jenava's old SA.

San, I'm so sorry to hear you had such a negative experience with a personal shopper. I can't imagine someone at Nordie's pressuring you to keep an item when you're trying to return it!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I had this happen after my very first personal shopping experience, but I received a phone call from a customer service manager.
I THINK it is designed to encourage customers to work with a personal shopper. I personally think it's a great shopping strategy if you can find someone who you can click with and who "gets" you.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Thanks Marianna and Jenava for your input. I was hoping to hear from an insider
That makes so much sense that they want to help you find an associate who will help you find success.... a very smart tactic. Sarah... that is exactly what I would love... a shopper who "gets" me but also wants to help me explore new looks.
I'm still going to wait and schedule my appointment for later, but I'll let you all know how it goes.

SW Ann

Veteran

I have not received this offer, and I'm not surprised. I've complained so much about lack of service at Scottsdale in past years, I think they've written me off..... I used to have a sales associate who helped me but she had to retire for health reasons and it has been downhill there since then. I mostly shop online now... No one has called me about Anniversary Sale for the last 3 years, and last year, I went, and had to shame someone into helping me; then 3 associates stood around the desk and talked about me. Yes, I could hear them. Sooooo, I probably won't be on that list to get a $50 incentive! I'm not sure if I will even go to the sale this year because my experiences have been so bad for the last 3 years. However, what usually gets me back is great deals for clothes for my DH who is very tall and hard to fit....