https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 14 May 2026 06:14:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance/page/2#post-1478644 Wed, 22 Apr 2015 22:18:56 +0000 annagybe 1478644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually it is not transparent capitalism.<br />Bloomies, Saks, Shopbop, etc announce most of their sales (Friends &amp; Family), either through email or other online ads. I subscribe to Shopstyle and they give me the heads up on a lot a retailers sales.<br />Nordies, &nbsp;it appears when price matching doesn't really advertise or announce the lower price, you have to hunt for it. Even in the store they have these rinky-dink signs saying it. One I saw was on the floor, under the clothes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance/page/2#post-1478502 Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:41:47 +0000 Janet 1478502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Firecracker, you hit the nail on the head for me. I've had the same experience with NAS, and last year, for the first time, I had a SA balk at giving me the "new" sale price on an item that I bought during NAS that not very much later went on a better sale. I pointed out that I could simply return the item (I still had the tags on) and buy the new one at the new sale price, but she was still reluctant. Another SA stepped in and took care of it. But the experience soured me just a smidge. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance/page/2#post-1478488 Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:02:34 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1478488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, thanks for bringing up this topic. You put your finger on what I find annoying, too, the "on and off sale game." I wasn't sure why I was bothered, until this discussion. You're right, it's different than the old model of putting things on sale to clear them out at the end of the season. I've always made my buying decisions on in-season items by weighing how much I want the item, how much I want it right now, and whether I am willing to wait for a lower price and risk that the item isn't there at end of season. I usually don't stalk items, so I feel a little bit like I've been had if I buy something early in the season and then see it go on sale a few weeks later, but not yet at the end of the season clearance time. Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has always been a fun change to this whole deal, with the chance to get in- or pre-season items at a sale price. But in the last year or two, it has lost its luster for me, as I've seen Nordstrom put the NAS items on sale again quite soon after NAS, and often for a lower price. <br />Laurinda, I appreciate your comments, too--I had no idea that Nordstrom was involved in that lobbying, and those labor issues do interest me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance/page/2#post-1478327 Wed, 22 Apr 2015 02:55:50 +0000 Beth Ann 1478327@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for bringing this up, Janet.&nbsp; It helps me be an informed shopper.&nbsp; Lots of retailers are changing their tactics.&nbsp; Kohl's sales strategy has just become even more confusing than before.&nbsp; Many retailers are basically marking up to mark down.&nbsp; Kohls' price on Levis is higher than JCP --- but their sales much more frequent.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance/page/2#post-1478280 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 23:58:27 +0000 Janet 1478280@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not opposed to price matching, but I guess I am accustomed to things going on sale and staying on sale until they are sold out. I hate this on-and-off sale game. It feels so arbitrary. I like being loyal to Nordstrom because I like racking up some Nordstrom notes to help offset future purchases. I am not a big comparison shopper, but maybe this nudge me towards being one in the future. It's all just as well, I'm stepping back on the shopping and spending anyway.&nbsp; </p> <p></p> <p>ETA: I'm also in a really grumpy mood today, so I'm not particularly receptive to change. ;-)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance/page/2#post-1478274 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 23:39:55 +0000 reliquaries 1478274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really do not understand the opposition to price matching - personally I'm not loyal when it comes to where I shop, and if I can get something identical elsewhere for the exact same price, I'm going to do it.</p> <p>Gotta love when capitalism works like it's supposed to... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance/page/2#post-1478252 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 22:33:34 +0000 chadya 1478252@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div></p> <p> <div><br /> <a href="http://youlookfab.com/member/annagybe/" rel="nofollow"></a> </div></p> <p> <div></p> <p> </div></div><div></p> <p> </div><br /> <div>From upthread</p> <p> </div></p> <p> <div><br /> <div></p> <p><i>I don't think predatory is quite the right word for their new sales tactic. Maybe reactionary. </i><br /><i>Hate<br /> to say it, but the seem to be losing their cache but undercutting. By<br /> price matching they seem to be showing that they really don't have truly<br /> unique fashions. Even their house lines have become progressively<br /> ho-hum.<br /> </i></p> <p> </div></div>Last time I was in Nordstrom other than the shoe dept, quite unimaginative.&nbsp; This is Garden State Plaza Paramus, tons of stores there and tons of malls in the area.&nbsp; Only thing is perhaps they know their customer and that is what she wants.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1477600 Mon, 20 Apr 2015 17:59:55 +0000 retailgirl 1477600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@catseye...Nordstrom is a wonderful employer, and usually chosen as one of the best companies to work for. Your compensation is based upon your effort; i.e., commission and bonuses. There are lots of opportunities to move into management, and if you are mobile, the sky is the limit. Time off, health benefits are competitive. For retail, it's very good. That being said, retail is a tough business, there are so many outlets clamoring for the customers' dollar and the retailer's margin is not huge. Retailers walk a fine line between charging a fair price that will attract customers and move goods and making a profit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1477591 Mon, 20 Apr 2015 17:41:44 +0000 Gaylene 1477591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not in the U.S., but I have to say I'm amazed at how mass market retailers manage to stay profitable in that competive market. Free shipping and returns, price matching, liberal return policies, frequent sales and % off coupons, discount outlets, and massive inventories so customers can pick and choose between a variety of colours, styles, and sizes aren't the norm for most of the rest of the world. </p> <p>I guess it becomes a trade-off--a highly competitive retail sector means having to be constantly finding new ways to attract buyers and to be able to cut costs and corners in areas which, hopefully, will not be noticed by the average customer. </p> <p>I can't see the genie getting stuffed back into the bottle, so it will be interesting to see if B&amp;M mass market retailers can keep up--or if Amazon, and its ilk, become the dominant, or even only, players. And if Amazon starts using drones and increases automation in its warehouses that could have a huge impact on the thousands of people employed by the retail sector. Are our frustrations just the tip of an iceberg? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1477529 Mon, 20 Apr 2015 15:18:44 +0000 Laurinda 1477529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree Catseye, that it is hard to tell how well workers are being treated unless you know them personally. [And what work situation is perfect?] An important difference for me is that with a smaller store the agreements/contracts/etc involve only the employers and employees at that store; the larger stores I mentioned are supporting a lobbying group (ARAWC) that is pushing legislation that affects thousands of employees outside their own businesses at the state or national level.</p> <p>Again my apologies and feel free to delete my post if this is too political for YLF. I live in a US state where labor issues have been deeply involving us for the past 4 years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1477490 Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:11:12 +0000 catseye 1477490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did not have the impression that Nordstrom was a particularly good employer.&nbsp;</p> <p>But how do we know whether any of the independent boutiques treat their employees well, that is, when they have them and not just the owners working there.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1477477 Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:40:17 +0000 Laurinda 1477477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All the more reason to shop independent boutiques: Nordstrom along with Lowe's, Macy's, Kohl's, Dillard's, Safeway, WholeFoods, and Walmart are working on gutting workmen's compensation... "a quiet, multistate lobbying effort to make it harder for workers hurt on the job to access lost wages and medical care—the benefits collectively known as workers' compensation."</p> <p>They don't want anyone to know about it either:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/03/walmart-lowes-safeway-hiding-ties-workers-comp-lobbying-group">Lobbying Group Scrubs Page Listing Corporate Backers After Mother Jones Article</a></p> <p>My apologies if this is too political for YLF, but I think it is important to make informed purchases. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1477456 Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:19:43 +0000 catseye 1477456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They have always price-matched, but it requires you calling them or chatting online. Now they make it easy by offering the price-matched item to everyone who is browsing. I personally have no problem with this. I tend to order from Nordstrom if the product is the same, for the free shipping and the return policy. But I will not buy if the price for the same product is much lower elsewhere.&nbsp;</p> <p>Nordstrom has been changing since last year when they announced that they were getting rid of the semiannual clearance sale and changed into 6 sales a year. And the anniversary sale is always temporary pricing as well. I think they would probably prefer not to do something like this either. But comparison shopping is too easy nowadays and they have to compete on price as well as service, selection, and everything else.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1477446 Mon, 20 Apr 2015 12:57:23 +0000 Janet 1477446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting perspectives on this. And I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in the frustration. </p> <p>I'm ok with the idea of needing to jump on sale items because they might sell out. But needing to jump on them because the sale price will go away (even though there is plenty of stock) just doesn't seem to make sense. Either price match or don't. I don't like sale games. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1477430 Mon, 20 Apr 2015 11:56:48 +0000 crutcher 1477430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just went to my bookmarks to order a little Kate Spade tote that I had found at Nordstrom and viola, it is marked back to original price..this is not two days...I wish I understood their reason for doing this...Maybe if I did, I wouldn't be so disappointed in them...Sorry,,I am just venting..I probably didn't need it...I will go and have a big jolt of caffeine and calm down... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476892 Sun, 19 Apr 2015 14:29:23 +0000 unfrumped 1476892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All of the varying prices everywhere give me a headache. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476809 Sun, 19 Apr 2015 07:58:32 +0000 CocoLion 1476809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I noticed this price matching and probably the effect it will have on me will be to act more quickly on something if I know it will go up in price again. &nbsp;So I am in the minority thinking this isn't so stupid. &nbsp;A perfect example is for something like Rag &amp; Bone denim which doesn't get marked down, and I know the wash I want and the size. &nbsp;Now some items that are less basic, more trend, I will wait until later in the season or even take my chances at the Rack if I don't want to pay full price. &nbsp;But for the good stuff that usually doesn't go on sale or sells out before it does, I think this very temporary price reduction strategy is great for consumers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476801 Sun, 19 Apr 2015 05:31:43 +0000 Janet 1476801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, interesting discussion this has sparked. I haven't been particularly impressed with Nordstom's newest offerings in the last 6 months or so (particularly shoes), but in fairness, the location nearest me is small and has a very conservative buying base, so not my favorite location anyway. </p> <p>I love supporting local boutique stores, but again, not much near me that isn't catering to the conservative Annapolis market. It's better in Baltimore. I just wish those boutiques had more reasonable return policies. Sometimes I really need it take something home and try it on with my existing wardrobe to be sure about it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476798 Sun, 19 Apr 2015 04:46:52 +0000 annagybe 1476798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Honestly I think they're changing their whole game. They are opening far more Racks than regular stores.<br />I was at the downtown Seattle Rack today, it's right across the street from the Flagship. Probably two-thirds of the stuff there never saw the inside of a regular Nordstrom. So much filler.<br />Ahh, It's only 20% from the store</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2015/04/12/Nordstrom-Macys-see-benefit-from-keeping-their-discount-stores-close/stories/201504120074"><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2015/04/12/Nordstrom-Macys-see-benefit-" rel="nofollow">http://www.post-gazette.com/bu.....e-benefit-</a>...</a></p> <p>Further pushing me towards independent boutiques.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476794 Sun, 19 Apr 2015 04:33:45 +0000 Marley 1476794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I thought that Nordstroms always price-matched. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476685 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 20:46:41 +0000 kkards 1476685@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, what you say has merit, but if you're in a environment where total retail spending is not increasing, then it becomes a market share game. One of the best ways to win market share is to insure that the consumer has no reason to choice the competator over you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476680 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 20:31:43 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1476680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For some percentage of customers, sure. But many of the places Nordstrom is price-matching with don't offer free shipping and/or returns, so it's not like the comparison is exact anyway.</p> <p>I'm no retail strategist, but I wonder if it'll be ultimately short-sighted to chase the bargain-hunting customer when those policies might drive away a different sort of customer that'll be OK with spending more per transaction. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476679 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 20:25:28 +0000 kkards 1476679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IMO in today's hyper competitive Google enabled world, price matching is a necessity. If you aren't willing to match your competitors prices, the customer, at the swipe of a finger, can and will buy it else where. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476646 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 18:20:37 +0000 Anonymous 1476646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One of the things I like about Angie &amp; Greg's 'finds' feature here is I can see when things go on sale without having to troll the Nordie's site. Now I know I have to jump on those prices! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476644 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 18:16:31 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1476644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've noticed it a lot recently and it makes me more hesitant to purchase from them rather than the other way round. I understand the rationale of price matching, I guess, but even as someone who is a bargain hunter Nordstrom was one of the places I went to get a break from constantly changing prices. To annagybe's point, I don't think constantly shifting discounts go with their image of an accessible yet luxurious retailer without all the stupid sales games other stores play. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476621 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 17:21:25 +0000 annagybe 1476621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think predatory is quite the right word for their new sales tactic. Maybe reactionary.&nbsp;<br />Hate to say it, but the seem to be losing their cache but undercutting. By price matching they seem to be showing that they really don't have truly unique fashions. Even their house lines have become progressively ho-hum. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476610 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 17:12:14 +0000 catgirl 1476610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>yep. I got my floral clutch and black dress on sale and now they are full price again. It's nice not to wait so long for sales but annoying that you can't count on it staying on sale once it happens. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476601 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 16:48:03 +0000 dashielle (Ann) 1476601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They price match anything that is on sale on any other website, regardless of brand, but reverse it once that specific sale is over. If you want something that is indicated as a price match on Nordie's site, you have to jump or wait for it to get marked down (if it lasts to that point). I bet they would give you the benefit on this if you call them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476594 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 16:40:16 +0000 Staysfit 1476594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've noticed it also. &nbsp;You also have to watch the price matching. &nbsp;If they don't have the item in your size and color, they won't give you the discount. &nbsp;I have been disappointed by that more than once. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-annoyance#post-1476592 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 16:39:08 +0000 Janet 1476592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the suggestions to call for a price adjustment. </p> <p>I noticed it on this Rebecca Taylor dress, among other things. A Panache sports bra, Hanky Panky v-kinis...so definitely not just one brand thing. </p>