https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 02 May 2026 08:51:17 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1723990 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 14:06:29 +0000 chadya 1723990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>no way to quote a post or reply directly so</p> <p>@Auburn<br />interesting post, thank you</p> <p>of course given no P/A a customer can choose to return the garment.</p> <p>I think their liberal return policies are catching up with them, and to put that back in the box is hard.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1723167 Sun, 04 Sep 2016 02:32:40 +0000 Anonymous 1723167@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that the adjustment policy should be the same for everyone.</p> <p>I'm not upset about further price reductions. By the time prices get as low as they possibly can go, my size is no longer available. Also, I only ordered a few things, in brands and sizes that I already knew would fit.</p> <p>I do believe we have been conditioned to expect sale prices almost all the time. I try to buy only items that I would be willing to pay full price for. Sometimes I do pay full price. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1723150 Sun, 04 Sep 2016 01:52:22 +0000 Jaime 1723150@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The inconsistent adjustment policy bothers me more than the sale after the sale. It is a gamble, because there are items that do sell out or don't go back on sale quickly. I think the problem is their prediction model, or however they determine their stock. But the adjustment policy should be the same for everyone. (Said wistfully from a place where nothing is the same for everyone.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1723141 Sun, 04 Sep 2016 01:10:24 +0000 Susie 1723141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I posted on the other thread because I too was annoyed to see things at lower prices than NAS so quickly. I came back to say that through oblIne chat, I got a price adjustment on 4 items, no questions asked. Two were a small amount but another was $50 and the 4th was $65. I was impressed at how easy it was. But if others are being told 'no adjustments' the inconsistency seems unfair. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1723126 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 23:24:44 +0000 Barbara Diane 1723126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Janet</b>, yes, it is way too soon to think of wearing what I bought. Except the watch, bra, etc. Some days were so hot, and we don't have air conditioning, that I couldn't stand the idea of trying to see if I could make outfits out of things.<br />On the other end, so many of the clothes were too light for fall/winter for me. I was shocked to see a good percentage of the clothes could have easily been for spring/summer.&nbsp;<br />And, ironically, part of the reason I think I shouldn't buy any of the lighter items now is the fact that NAS got me psychologically primed for fall/winter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1723117 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 22:38:51 +0000 Janet 1723117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Part of the problem is that this sale is well before the season"<br /> Barbara Diane, that is a *huge* part of the problem for me and lots of other people who live in parts of the country where you simply have too much seasonal weather swing to start wearing NAS items within weeks of the sale. People in the Nordstrom hometown of Seattle have a prayer of getting use out of jackets, jeans and boots in August or September -- most of us, not so much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1723112 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 22:11:47 +0000 Barbara Diane 1723112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm wondering how much of the price reductions are because of clothing coming back in after the sale ended.</p> <p>I constantly purchased because I didn't know what size to buy. Or I bought something in one color, then ordered the second, to see which I liked best. In the end, both colors were returned because the fit wasn't as expected. Even though I had sized down. Once I found out that dresses I didn't expect to look good did, I wanted to try other dresses to see which looked best. So, I waited for those to arrive.</p> <p>Because the shipping was slow, the clothing wasn't available for someone else to purchase for a long time. As soon as I made a decision I returned items to my local store to try and get clothing back in circulation as soon as possible. </p> <p>And I kept one item I needed a smaller size in because I heard that I could exchange it at the sale price if it came back in. So I'm just returning it now, especially because I missed the one moment it was in stock in the size I wanted, and because the price is better now, so no reason to keep it.</p> <p>And I still have a few items I'm not sure of. Part of the problem is that this sale is well before the season. I have one dress in two sizes because I could easily be a smaller size before it is cold enough to wear it. If this sale was during the season I wouldn't wonder about which size to keep.</p> <p>All of this wouldn't have been as much of a problem if my local store hadn't decided to both do a major store expansion and eliminate my size. I understand they may be making more money with the added restaurant, but that doesn't help women with clothes shopping. I assume it does help their bottom line.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also, how does the online shopping affect B&amp;M shopping? There were definitely less people shopping in store when I was there.</p> <p>I'm going to analyze what I find, when and where, to fill out my fall wardrobe. And use that to make decisions for next year. Whether to go to a B&amp;M store, whether to wait for later sales, whether most of my clothes will come from Nordstrom or elsewhere, etc.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722881 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 02:56:54 +0000 Janet 1722881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally agree with Vix. I'm glad I didn't make much of a deal about the sale this year (no appointments, no pre-selections, no SA's), and I'm glad I only got three things. I'm not angry, but I would be mightily irritated right now if I were sitting on a winter item, brand new with tags, which I can't wear for another month, only to see the price cut significantly at this point and not be able to do a return/repurchase or a price adjustment. It really does go against the very accommodating customer service standard they have always had. I've never abused their generous return policies, and it never feels good to have a privilege taken away. The fact that the no-price-adjustment policy seems to be sporadically enforced is even more confusing and I'm sure quite a turn-off for those who are denied what other customers are granted.&nbsp;</p> <p>If this does signal a sea change in their practices, it's a pretty new development, and I doubt they've had much of a chance to track the effect these changes have on customer satisfaction and sales. I'm a pretty darn loyal customer, but it's certainly got me reevaluating my willingness to drop $$$ every July.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722870 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 01:50:56 +0000 Liz A. 1722870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nordstrom can obviously make their own choices as they please, but we are also free to feel how we may feel about it. Frankly, I find this level of judgement unwarranted. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722693 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 21:08:22 +0000 Gaylene 1722693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vix, good points, but I guess those are all factors that need to be taken into a business' overall marketing strategy. </p> <p>I suspect the lure of NAS still holds sway with Nordstroms' customers, especially those who gain "exclusive access" by holding a Nordstroms' credit card. The timing of the "need to clear out inventory" sales might not sit well with a segment of those customers, but wouldn't that would show up at the next NAS event? Unless Nordstroms is managed by total idiots, I can't think that they don't carefully track customer reactions as well as sales numbers. As Angie says, not everyone tracks post NAS prices as carefully as do YLF members.</p> <p>I actually find the decision to not give price adjustments more interesting. Does this signal a change in their "create a demanding customer who can only be satisfied by Nordstroms' extraordinary customer service" policy? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722687 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 21:00:58 +0000 Suz 1722687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It sounds as if Nordstrom's should communicate better about all of this. That would go some way towards easing customer dissatisfaction. Overall, I'm in the Gaylene camp on this, but at the same time, it seems unfair if some people are getting adjustments and others are not. I was able to get an adjustment on the online chat; mind you, it was for a very small amount.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm not going to bother checking with the SA at the store about price adjustments to the items I got in store in Canada. I'm busy creating outfits to wear with those items now in an upcoming trip to a cooler location.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722683 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 20:54:20 +0000 Toban 1722683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with you on this Gaylene. The sale started 6 weeks ago. Price adjustments now would absolutely be expected. I really don't understand the anger about this. (Also ducking head). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722665 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 20:32:49 +0000 Vix 1722665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene -- </p> <p>I posted on the other thread (Liz's) but while I don't consider Nordstrom's practice deceptive, I do consider it unsporting and, frankly: tacky.&nbsp;</p> <p>Don't hype a pre-season sale then lower prices again before the season starts.&nbsp;</p> <p>As someone with a marketing background I can't help but question the effect on their consumer and employee brand. It's a ton of work for their staff and potentially ups their shipping costs significantly -- are they still getting *enough* bang for their buck? Are they carefully tracking consumer and employee (dis)satisfaction along with hard costs?&nbsp;</p> <p>Last year's NAS shenanigans didn't sit well with me. I didn't bother with the sale this year -- apart from browsing online and sticking some items on my wishlist so I could watch for 40-60% price drops closer to when I could actually wear the item I was purchasing.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722635 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 20:04:50 +0000 Gaylene 1722635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, I think I'm going to regret this posting because I know I'll be ducking my head shortly, but I think it's time we get over not purchasing something at the lowest price and move on to enjoying our new purchases. </p> <p>I understand many of us are on fixed budgets--heck, I'm a senior living on a pension these days--but being a frugal, responsible shopper isn't just about buying at a bargain price; it's about balencing wants and needs, making responsible decisions, and living witin my means. Being disgruntled because my neighbour can buy my crop pants for a few dollars less isn't about frugality as much as it is about competition. </p> <p>Maybe it's because, as a Canadian, I don't have the luxury of unlimited returns and rock bottom prices, but the collective angst--and, yes, anger at Nordstrom's for their "deception"--seems unwarranted. I spent some time on a recent thread thinking about what would make B&amp;M shopping more enjoyable, but, as Angie astutely points out, in the final analysis it's EFFECTIVE PRODUCT STRATEGY that keeps retailers in business. Retailers who manage their inventories effectively are the retailers who can provide us with better selection, nicer shopping environments, and good customer service.</p> <p>Is Nordstrom wrong to offer further discounts to move merchandise? Or have we, as customers, turned shopping into a competition where our pride suffers when we don't get the "best" deal. Only a few weeks ago people were excited about planning new outfits with their NAS selections, now everyone is talking about returning them. Maybe it's time to reassess our own attitudes before we take a swing at the retailers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722617 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 19:09:02 +0000 Barbara Diane 1722617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If your NAS items are NWT and your size is currently available, I would consider repurchasing the items, and, after you have them in hand, returning the ones you purchased during NAS.&nbsp;<br />Or, perhaps, ask an SA or the store manager if Nordstrom really wants to incur the extra expense of that, or would they prefer to do an adjustment.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722610 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 18:51:18 +0000 Sylvie 1722610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just online chatted with a CS rep who refused to do a price adjustment on NAS items claiming they were outside the 2 week adjustment period.</p> <p>One of the major reasons I shopped there (other than free shipping/returns + good inventory system) was because I could buy full price with confidence, knowing I could price adjust later.</p> <p>They will now necessarily get less of my business. &nbsp;Oh well - all good things must come to an end someday. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722582 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 18:17:11 +0000 Meredith 1722582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I were you, I would send an email to corporate with exactly what you wrote in your last post. It seems that others are able to get price adjustments and this policy is particular to your store. So odd. I'd be upset over the amount you could have saved too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722571 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 18:07:16 +0000 Auburn 1722571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all, especially Angie, for the thoughts.</p> <p>And I stand corrected on price adjusting. &nbsp;I reached out to my sales associate and she said she checked with her managers and they are taking a hard line this year: absolutely no NAS price adjustments (and of course I'm sure they timed the start of this new sale to be JUST outside the price adjustment window). &nbsp;</p> <p>I can appreciate retail is a tricky business but I do think that since the downturn in 2008, we are just accustomed to all sale, all the time. &nbsp;It's gotten to the point where I RARELY buy anything full price. &nbsp;Like, if you aren't scoring 40% off at Ann Taylor at any given time, you're leaving money on the table. &nbsp;It has certainly, albeit incrementally, skewed my own view of value and prices and, now that I think about it, has contributed to this view I now seem to have where I'm entitled to the BEST deal on any item.</p> <p>I think what irks me in particular about this situation is that the NAS items are specially promoted as NEW fall merchandise. &nbsp;So for them to then make further reductions when it's still end of summer (eg, before you've likely gotten any use out of the items) really makes me question the value of NAS at all. &nbsp;Perhaps I'm feeling this more acutely because virtually everything I "splurged on" at NAS (a St. John dress, a Vince sweater, and a full BOSS suit) are all additionally discounted. &nbsp;All told, I bet I would have saved at least $500 had I waited a month to shop, so I'll be sure to take that into consideration for next year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722508 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 15:33:25 +0000 annagybe 1722508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not a financial person by any means, but living in Seattle we hear a lot about the company.</p> <p><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/11/nordstrom-pops-11-percent-as-earnings-top-wall-streets-forecast.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/11.....ecast.html</a></p> <p>I noticed Rack sales are better than mainline, which explains their greater expansion of the Rack over mainline stores. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722342 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 04:56:37 +0000 rachylou 1722342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess that answers my question on the other thread! Maybe post-sale sales are down? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722216 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 22:48:09 +0000 Angie 1722216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sally, what you just wrote really resonates with me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722213 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 22:41:31 +0000 Sal 1722213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I rarely check back myself for sales. &nbsp;I buy what I am happy to pay and at times that means I know I could have saved money a month or so later. &nbsp;Once I have bought an item I don't mind as long as I love the piece. But I don't think price matching is common here and return policies are not as generous.</p> <p>What I was trying to say is that customers want - top service and low prices, and I can understand why retailers are finding it a challenge and cutting corners with lower quality garments and less generous policies.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722209 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 22:30:59 +0000 Anonymous 1722209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I <u><i>always</i></u> assume the 40 percent discount is the "real" price. &nbsp;</p> <p>However, I will <i><u>definitely</u></i> pay full price for leather goods (belts, shoes, purses). &nbsp;I value good leather products that much. &nbsp;And I do keep them for years. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722207 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 22:25:45 +0000 Angie 1722207@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thistle and Sally, interestingly, money is not everyone's currency - I see this with my clients and friends quite frequently. Time can be the more important currency. Far fewer people than you might expect are calling for a price adjustment, or even know that the NAS stuff just went on sale again.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722205 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 21:54:55 +0000 Sal 1722205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely.....so you feel a mug if you pay $100 when two weeks later it is $60. &nbsp;And I think some retailers will be still be making a good margin at $60, but for others that is break-even or loss....</p> <p>Stores now get new "drops" almost monthly or more often so the sales to keep stock moving are so frequent. &nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722203 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 21:51:21 +0000 Thistle 1722203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think people do want the cheapest price, but retailers have conditioned us to sales.</p> <p>Many of us assume the "real" price is 40% off because they run the 40% off sale so often. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722197 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 21:43:10 +0000 Sal 1722197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is a tricky business and I think retailers are caught between customers expecting the same level of service and competing with constant sales. </p> <p>&nbsp;And the truth of it is most people want the cheapest price.....</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722192 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 21:32:01 +0000 Anonymous 1722192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Informative.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722151 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 19:26:08 +0000 Angie 1722151@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Auburn, unfortunately I have no intel on this for you. Usually, this doesn't happen till much later - like October, and the items I buy aren't available anymore at all.&nbsp;</p> <p>As an ex-retail buyer in ladies wear, I can offer a speculation: Because Nordstrom's sales were soft this year (I think there were layoffs in March), they have had to incur extra markdowns in order to clear their stocks, (that's the way OTB or "open to buy" works). If they don't clear the stock <b>now</b>, they can't reload for the holiday season, which is their most lucrative time of all. The stock has got to turn at a fast enough rate in order to be profitable. And if it doesn't turn fast enough, the company runs at a loss. This is why I keep on saying (check Gaylene's thread): EFFECTIVE PRODUCT STRATEGY IS EVERYTHING. Everything else is a bonus.&nbsp;</p> <p><i>Side note:</i> Stock turn can be low if there is simply too much of an item(s) despite it selling well. And a too fast stock turn - very fast selling items - are&nbsp;<b>as</b> bad because stores don't have the stock to reach sales targets. Retail is a VERY tricky business. And although I am <i>always</i> on the side of the consumer, most do not understand how hard the business is. With my background, I try to see the retailer's point of view too.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-nordstrom-undercutting-nas#post-1722126 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 18:32:43 +0000 Auburn 1722126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was just poking around on the Nordstrom website and noticed a bunch of things are newly on sale, including many NAS items at prices LOWER than they were at NAS (eg, 40-50% off instead of the typical 33% we saw during NAS).<br />Here's a perfect example (I bought but returned this item during NAS):&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vince-suede-scuba-jacket/4328515?origin=category-personalizedsort&amp;fashioncolor=TAUPE">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....rt&#038;fa</a></p> <p>I'm wondering why Nordstrom would do this. &nbsp;As promised, they raised the prices on the NAS items when the sale ended...but evidently only for a brief period (at least on some things) before marking them down even further. &nbsp;Thankfully, my SA is great about price adjustments (I just text her the items and she handles it all for me remotely!) but not everyone thinks about price adjusting.</p> <p>To me, this vastly reduces the appeal of NAS if I know I can get the same merchandise with less panic/craziness AND at lower prices by just waiting a few weeks. &nbsp;And since the merchandise tends to be new fall/winter, waiting a few weeks is not a real sacrifice. &nbsp;Just wondering if you have any intel on this, Angie? &nbsp;I don't remember this happening in prior years. </p>