Are Canucks shopping NAS?

Roxanna

I've traditionally stated away from NAS because I am allergic to paying for shipping and duties and the exchange is usually not so great.

Any of my fellow Canadians participating this year? *Elizabeth's* tip to call Nordies here in Canada to check for stock seemed like a great idea...I might try that.

But truthfully I'll probably sit out because I am horrible about knowing what I need for a season until I'm already in it!

8 years ago

Anniversary Sale

31 replies

Latest reply was from Nora

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Roxanna, I'm shopping it. I've done so for a few years now. I will be judicious because the costs are so much higher now with the CAD so low.

What I often do is order things to be sent to a US address. I live 45 minutes from the border. I drive down there, try stuff on in the bathroom, and immediately package up and return what i know I do not want. This saves on delivery and duties.

If a family member is going to the US I will ask them to bring back my loot. (I was lucky enough to do this last year).

Once I went to Michigan and shopped with Sveta. We made a trip of it because I had to be in Toronto for work so visited her in London just before that, and we headed down to NAS together. Fun times!!

I get good deals on underwear, statement items I could not find here, and footwear. For me, it is worth it because shopping is so terrible where I live. It might be different if I lived in Toronto.

8 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I have stayed away because of the Canadian dollar, duties and delivery. I live 2 hours north of Toronto. Shopping here is terrible so I would love to go to the US for the NAS. This year is not a great year for me because my stepson is getting married and there are a lot of events. Not complaining but it will be an expensive summer.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I was just about to write a little post about NAS. I feel like a petulant teenager about it - envious of the US folks who can take advantage of the great deals, and envious of those who know what direction they want to take this winter and what they even need at this point and are confident enough to buy now rather than into the season.

So I've been a bit cranky about all the NAS fuss and I feel a little sheepish. Of course new fall catalogues and new clothes always grab my attention and I am waffling between making a list , or being sensible and not shopping in the US. I too am allergic to all the added costs we incur, and am still not sure I understand how the sale will work for us . There doesn't seem to be a separate tab of info for the Cdn stores.

I did buy some things last year, and if I remember correctly, it might have qualified for free shipping and returns. Hopefully Elizabeth will pop in here to yell at me and remind me if this is worth doing . I'm betting they don't allow calls to stores during sale time, or at least I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't.

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Won't the NAS also be in the Canadian Nordies stores?

8 years ago

Anonymous

Yes, but unless you are in a city with a store - and we only have 5 or 6 open right now - we're ordering from the website , and paying for shipping. The website converts to Cdn dollars for us, but we are looking at a 28-30% adjustment. We also have to pay duties etc. Elizabeth keeps telling us that we can call a store to have the inventory checked, but I'd be surprised if they would do that in the midst of a big sale like this. If you live in one of the cities where there is a Nord - shopping the sale would be fun because you can touch and feel and try on.

8 years ago

Active Member

I got a circular from Cdn Nordies saying the sale starts on the 22nd in Cdn stores...

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Really, K2? I didn't get that (or didn't pay attention to it.)

Anyway, I can't do it in store. I will probably just stick with online. It's two hours to the closest store...

I hope Elizabeth P has some info; she seems to be the savviest of us all about this. But Gaylene or Marilyn might also have good information to share.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I'm going to have a look at Angie's picks for bags and footwear, and see if anything grabs me.
I live in a town with a Nordstrom but I don't want to fight all the people. I like a calm shopping environment so if I do buy something, it'll be online.

I will be happily responding to K/Rs in this board though. That's always fun

8 years ago

Glory

Veteran

I haven't participated in the past due to duties and also being allergic to those additional costs. I cheer wildly from the sidelines! We now have a store here in Ottawa but I do not plan to go. I would not even know where to start unless I had one of you lovely ladies by my side!

8 years ago

Anonymous

Glory, I'm in Ottawa too and part of my hesitation is (always) paying for parking and fighting road closures due to construction and sink hole repairs ;).

*suz* I can just imagine you quickly trying stuff on in the bathroom at the border parcel place, lol! You know, I've never thought to do this in Ogdensburg, but I should at some point!
I'm not sure the mirrors are that great though. And thr cleanliness is questionable.
The things we do for free shipping (or ANY shipping).

I'm not talking about Nordies or NAS specifically, but when it comes to ease of shopping, sometimes feel like the Americans are staying at the Ritz while we are stuck in an overcrowded KOA in our rain ponchos contemplating sleeping in the car.

8 years ago

Jules

Veteran

No.... For all the reasons mentioned above. But interestingly, while I've very
much taken Angie's advice about shopping early for spring/summer and really benefitted from it, I have zero interest in doing fall shopping in July. And I find plenty is still available from September right up until December, giving me plenty of time. The first wave of fall stuff available in Toronto stores might not even be of interest style wise or practically (transitional clothes such as heavier weight ankle pants, flats worn without socks, light wool coats, etc are not much use here - maybe 4-6 weeks of wear). I've found in the past the trendiest stuff shows up first and I get a better overall selection a couple of months later - not being one who is dying to snap up a trend.
I do enjoy seeing Angie's selections for the overall visual effect of what's to come, although it doesn't always play out the same way at my retail options. Still fun!

8 years ago

Anonymous

oh my god Smittie - I'm killing myself laughing - that is SO true. And you have to pay to park at the Ottawa Nordstrom? What is that all about?

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Smittie, that is hilarious!!! OMG. So true.

8 years ago

Roxanna

Veteran

@Smittie you have me killing myself over here, too

@Jules - you are so right! Thanks for that perspective, I desperately need a winter coat and I remember starting early last year - very much against my nature - because I wanted the pick of the stock. But all they had out were fall coats, which last for about a month here in Toronto. The heavier coats didn't show up till October/November.

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's true about the better coat stock not really reaching the stores until October. I'm not sure about the rest of the stuff. I usually try to get a jump on footwear if I can because that really sets the tone and updates an outfit (plus, I've usually worn something key out the previous season).

NAS is great for online browsing if nothing else, because it gives you a sense of the upcoming colours and trends.

LisaP, I haven't been there but I think the Nordstrom's is at the Rideau Centre -- it's a downtown mall. So parking comes at a premium.

8 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Smittie captures it perfectly!

I tried shopping NAS online the first few years I was on the forum and it was a waste of money. The items stayed in my closet for a few months before going to the thrift store. I realized I'm the kind of shopper who needs to be able to try on items and leave them in a dressing room if I don't like the fit, fabric, or style.

Kudos to those like Suz who will make a trip to the US and try on stuff in a bathroom, or to those who swallow the costs of duties and return fees, to shop NAS; I'm happy to stick to Canadian designers and to support local retailers who go the extra mile to keep me happy.

8 years ago

chouette22

Veteran

Just as a consolation, I have a Nordstrom store 3 miles from my house (in the US) and won't be shopping it. At all. Like Jules, I don't feel inspired for fall yet and honestly always find enough later on in the year. The prices always come down again, and if something is sold out, so be it.

8 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Hello!
Sorry Lisa, busy days here. I have no idea about how the stores will handle the phone calls. You'd think they'd staff up for it.... Maybe? Or maybe not a lot of people think to do that yet? I would think if one tries to be strategic re not calling at busy times, one should get through. After all, customer service is big for them, and they certainly push this service when in the store.

Re am I shopping... I have no idea. No plans, but I definitely can get caught up in the forum frenzy. When I see who is buying what that has the same colour and fit style as I do, you never know... (Peri, I'm counting on a gem or two from you, so I hope you change your mind! )

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So, Elizabeth, let me get this straight...let's say I see something online that I like and think I want. I call up the Ottawa store and ask if they will have it in stock and can mail to me? Is that the deal?

8 years ago

Anonymous

Yeah - I hate to be a pill about this , but I'm still not clear. We make the phone call and if we're lucky, the item is there and can be mailed. We then circumvent all the US shipping b******t and resultant duties, and maybe even get free shipping out of the deal? Plus the in-store pricing is better than what is on the website (even in Cdn dollars) This sounds a little too good to be true.....but hey, if that's the case, then I'm all over it. And we need to call each store , or can one find it for us from all stores in Canda?

8 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Yes, call a store, any one. Say you have an item you wish to see if they have in the canadian inventory. Have the product number handy. They will connect you to the right department (thus is where I can see the busy sale time maybe being an issue). If it is in our inventory, they will mail it for free. I think they will track it down for you, I don't think you'd have to call multiple stores, it should be an obvious computer thing for them. They told me that if its carried in Canada but not in stock, they'll have it shipped from a U.S. store and cover the duties.

I have noticed the prices better in Canada (after exchange) on higher end items. I haven't compared, or it didn't strike me the same way, on lower end ones. i haven't wanted to order a lot from them since I discovered this

Will be interesting to see how this plays out this year for us. Last year I didn't even think to try calling.

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Elizabeth. I really hope this works for a few items. Heck, I'd even be willing to go up to the Ottawa store to pick it up if they could get it in -- that would be amazing!

8 years ago

Nora

Active Member

I have a question for the Canadian Fabbers: Are you able to get early access? I had trouble last year and their talked me through it, but I did not keep notes. Now I'm being told that I can't access until the 22nd, despite the fact that I have a card. Maybe it's new card? I probably should have tried to access before I activated it... Anyway, I find it annoying being a second class citizen, so to speak.

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hi, Nora! That sounds frustrating.

I have access now. I have a card.

Are you signed in? You have to sign in to your account.

If not, and you can't recall details, call customer service and they should be able to help.

8 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

Re shopping downtown Ottawa / Rideau Centre. Do people actually drive?! I take the bus....easy peasy. Not paying $20 to park.

Ottawa Nordstrom......I've been at the cash when people have called about inventory. They seem cool about it. The manager of the lingerie department gave me her email address and said to contact her any time I'm looking for something. She's fantastic and super helpful!

Yes, they can see the entire Canadian inventory on their computers. I've paid in store and had things shipped to my home for free from other Canadian stores. I don't know how they deal with paying on the phone. No, they do not bring in items from the US for you.....that's what I was told a few weeks ago when a bra was sold out in my size/colour in Canadian stores. You have to order on your own / pay shipping and duty. They only operate within Canada.

8 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Interesting Marilyn, that's not what I was told, not with items that we (Canada) do carry. But I haven't "tested" it. It was the shoe dept that told me that - maybe they are different.

Either way, we have more options than a couple of years ago!

8 years ago

Roxanna

Veteran

This thread is so interesting...I wasn't planning to shop the sale, but now I might reconsider if i can get it shipped for free!

8 years ago

Nora

Active Member

I got in. I called and they told me that I had to switch to "ship to a US address" in order to access the sale -- which worked. YMMV...

I did find a couple things that have been on my shopping list (the 1 Madison down, knee-length puffer is calling my name), along with a few others that just appealed. Haven't checked out yet, but will soon, at least for the first round things that I know I want and/or that will sell out quickly, since I think at least a couple of the items in my cart (hello, EF silk t-shirts and Aquatalia boots) will sell out in a day or two.

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Glad you got in, Nora!

8 years ago

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