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Anniversary Sale

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NAS stock position, sale dates and sold outs

delurked

Veteran

I've been thinking about the sale in past years vs. this year and the stock positions Nordstrom takes for this sale.

In 2021:
Highest tier Nordstrom credit card could shop 7/12
Regular Nordstrom credit card could shop 7/16
Non credit card opened 7/28
Sale ended 8/8

In 2022:
Highest tier Nordstrom credit card can shop 7/6
Regular Nordstrom credit card can shop 7/9
Non credit card opens 7/15
Sale ends 7/31

(I know there's one more tier between highest and regular, but not needed for this convo). So, this year the time between credit card customers is 1 week, vs. 2 weeks last year, with the shortening of the sale by a few days.

The past several years, the most in demand products get snapped up before opening to the regular credit card customers, much less the non credit card holders. And many are purchasing in multiple sizes to ensure they can end up with an item they like, because otherwise when one goes back later to find the other size, it is often out of stock.

Then what has seemed to happen is the flood of returns happens. Both from the multiple sizes purchased, but then also from those for whom the item just does not work. And while some get their NAS packages quickly, the later in the sale or for some others, it takes a fair amount of time to receive their packages. With the sale being shortened even a smidge, it will be harder to exchange or know what to repurchase during the actual sale.

I do find patience and frequent looking back to the site can allow for finding the item when the onesies and twosies pop back on the site. I'm not sure my conclusion, other than noting the stock position Nordstrom has to take not to have too much inventory creates the intentional frenzied feeling. Then the irritation of not getting the item I want to try. Then the rush of needing to purchase if/when it reappears. Then the unease of seeing a bunch of them later, after the sale ends.

I mean, I love a NAS sale. And I live in an area where stocking up on winter items is a fantasy. So, I'm not sure where my musings are taking me, other than to take Angie's advice and to enjoy the shopping for what it is, while knowing if I miss items here I will find other things I like. I appreciate that Angie and others can see and touch some of the items so I have more information from which to base a potential purchase. A purchase is only a good purchase if it's something I will use and if the quality is worthwhile. So I really like the feedback others here provide to help the group of us. And I am happy to add my input to do the same. i love this community that comes together during the sale.

I guess that's my way of saying, let NAS 2022 begin.

Anniversary Sale

24 replies

Latest reply was from delurked

JAileen

Veteran

I’m an “influencer”. That’s preposterous, of course. It just means I have a Nordstrom card. I got the card for the sole purpose of participating in NAS. The nearest Nordstrom is over 100 miles away, so I rarely shop in person.

In the past I’ve been swept up into the thrill of the chase, etc., and bought lots of things. I have no regrets. The items have been fine for the most part. I just don’t need anything this year. I have a few items on my wish list. I had another item, but it has “sold out” before the sale even started. My guess is it’s some kind of supply chain issue.

delurked

Veteran

JAileen - I think the "sold out" issue will probably resolve itself when the sale goes live, so you should check back on it then. It's likely more of a glitch that corrects when the sale starts, though I'm sure a few items may be backordered if there's a supply issue. Come to think of it, I don't think Nordstrom ever shows backorder with a date it's expected. It probably just is offline until available for them.

The fun part is I have looked at many items for my fantasy life, but as it gets closer to when the sale starts for me, I will whittle them back to reality. That means my NAS will be small too, but I do expect I'll find a couple things that fit my needs (wants).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Delurked, you are right! I nodded along with your words. Very happy that card holder status is not getting as much emphasis at this NAS. Icons - the highest tier - have one exclusive day to shop instead of three, for example.

If you score at the NAS - fab! If you don't - there will always be something else that is meant to be around the corner. Relax and enjoy the sale as little, or as much as you want. Don't let the NAS boss you around

Items are not sold out yet. Trust me! It's a bug in the system that defaults the item to "sold out" before the sale is live, IYKWIM. You'd think Nordstrom would have fixed that by now....but nada.

I HOPE we don't have the same supply chain issues as last year.

delurked

Veteran

Angie - I also have a feeling not all of the color options are showing either. For example, the booties I was looking at show a light tan and more of a wine color. I'd be surprised if black doesn't show up at some point. Not saying every shoe would also come in black, but I would guess almost all of them do.

Peri

Veteran

I do hope it's better this year...last year was so frustrating. I don't know how things stack up from a business point of view but I sincerely doubt Nordstrom would have changed the structure of the sale if it had worked well for them last year. They didn't change it out of a caring heart for the lower tiers!

I have seen a few things I would enjoy having and if it works out I'll be happy about getting them. I'm trying to not get my hopes up though...NAS has to prove itself to me this year to make up for last year.

delurked

Veteran

Yes, Peri, I agree. It was clearly a business decision to switch up the timing of who can shop when. I also am a little leery of how the sale will play out based on the past. But for their sake, as well as ours, I do hope things work out better this year.

Kathie

Veteran

Since 2019, I’ve been placing my first order to ship to the store, and then I relax and wait until everything arrives to go try on, and check out whatever else is still available at my local B&M store. Waiting is tough, but it’s also super helpful to me to see everyone else’s reviews. And, I find that I’m pickier about quality and fit when I can return the items immediately. (I also hope that by returning in store, I can get the items back into circulation for others faster.)

delurked

Veteran

Kathie - that seems like a good plan. I try to make returns quickly too. I’ve got a couple stores where I’ve done ship to store. It lets me make a final decision quickly, and if need be, return immediately.

gryffin

Veteran

delurked - it's hard not to get caught up in fomo. I've been fortunate that with stalking I can usually get what I want. I'm most successful if I can keep emotion out of it and not get caught up in other people's finds. The Ron White Gina boots would be a really practical purchase and are needed. I'm looking at a few other things but I'm trying to be more selective. I do find almost everything I want, because I'd not a card holder is out of stock when the sale opens and I have to stalk. OTOH I got the Paul Green Bobbi Moto boots and I would never have bought them at full price. Not complaining.

Ginger

Veteran

This is a helpful comparison, delurked. Thank you! As a non-card-holder, I really felt on the sidelines last year. It was my third or fourth year of participating, and I'd had fun the previous times, watching items come back into stock. I think last year's extra-long icons/cardholder tiers shopping days, compounded by supply chain issues, combined to make it not very effective for a number of people.

One thing I noticed last year is that once a specific size or color sold out, I can not add it to my Wishlist, and therefore I would not be notified if it came back in stock. That was particularly frustrating when I realized that a t-shirt I wanted to try in several colors ran differently than I had assumed. I wanted a different size in another color but despite regular stalking, if it came back I missed it.

My date, like many, to start is on July 13th. Perhaps this is because I'm a rewards member (The Nordy Club), though not a cardholder.

Ginger

Veteran

I wish I could make returns in store, but the only store in my county closed a year or so ago. There are three another county over but it's a solid 1-hour drive each way, not allowing for bad traffic. I might try a big ship to store order like Kathie (assuming enough is available to make it worth it) and take the opportunity to browse further. Do they let you take a shipping box in the dressing rooms?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ginger, yes, you can try on items in store from your to-store shipment — I do that now that the closest Nordstrom is 45 minutes away. I’m also planning on placing an order to be shipped to that store so that I can do returns immediately on anything that doesn’t work, and also look around in-person because there are often items that are more interesting in person than online (and vice versa!).

delurked

Veteran

Ginger - do you have a Nordstrom Rack near you? I’m hours from a regular Nordstrom, but I return to Nordstrom rack instead of shipping back. It gets me my money back more quickly. I also just prefer the concept of getting the item I’ve decided against out of my house more quickly. I know Nordstrom has free return shipping, but I just find a store return easier. That said, in past I’ve ordered Nordstrom rack shipped to store. You’ve already purchased the item(s). I then take them to the dressing room to try on and then go back to the register to make any returns on the spot. You could do that if you feel like making the drive.

delurked

Veteran

Gryffin- FOMO is real. I really like those boots you have your eye on. I’ve never worn the Ron White brand, so I will be interested to hear how they turn out for you. I do agree that the sale can sometimes let us get into a brand we wouldn’t otherwise if it puts the sale price within our budget. Also, it’s good that even if I order something that doesn’t seem practical for my life, I almost always come to my senses when it arrives to my house to try on.

Ginger - last year the sale was not much fun. It was very frustrating. If this year isn’t better, it will be harder to want to keep playing the game.

Janet - I definitely see things in person differently than I see online, and it causes me to select (or not select) an item based on how it looks on the hangar, how the fabric feels etc.

cat2

Veteran

I use NAS picks here and elsewhere to see what is trending, but don’t buy anything except discounted Kiehl’s.

delurked

Veteran

I'm glad the Kiehl's work for you with the sale. I would consider trying out something new for makeup, but I don't order makeup online to be shipped to me in the summer. It would be too melty, so that avoids any temptation to try.

Ginger

Veteran

Janet and delurked, thank you! If my free time aligns I wouldn't mind the drive to North Dallas to try things on and shop around. There's a Nordstrom Rack about 30 minutes from me, which is more do-able for additional returns.

Staysfit

Veteran

Our local Nordstrom Rack has given me a hard time returning online orders from Nordstrom.

delurked

Veteran

That is interesting Staysfit. I had heard previously they don't accept Nordstrom fine jewelry or designer items, but maybe returns to N. Rack are on more of a store by store basis. Hopefully I won't have issues at my local store, since I consider that convenient. I'd love to shop at Nordstrom, but they just don't have locations where I live.

delurked

Veteran

The shoe I was looking at that had only 2 colors yesterday is now showing 5. They all look like nice colors to me. Lots of brown shades that I didn't even think I liked - they all look like pretty fall shades.

Gentle Souls By Kenneth Cole Elaine Bootie

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Gentle Souls By Kenneth Cole Elaine Bootie

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Gentle Souls By Kenneth Cole Elaine Bootie

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m sure you’re correct that the “feeding frenzy” is intentional, despite all their talk about sustainability. It’s how they get people to shop this event. There may be a few people who look carefully at their winter clothing to decide what they need before approaching the sale, but I think for most who participate, there’s a “Christmas in July” aspect to it, an element of “craziness” that lets people feel ok grabbing whatever. Don’t get me wrong—I’m a sales shopper, rarely look at full-priced merch, so I’m not saying don’t shop sales. But this “sales goggles” effect by which people buy things they wouldn’t (& didn’t) buy at full price isn’t just weird, it’s also entirely intentional on stores’ part. That’s icky.

delurked

Veteran

SF - yes, I like the Christmas in July as the right concept here. Most are probably a combination of buying what fits a list and more impulsively getting what speaks to them in the moment. I’m no exception to that, but I will return as needed once I get to the try on stage. I’ve passed on purchasing some really low priced items in the past. Any money spent on something I won’t use is a waste. The trick for all of us is figuring out what will really get worn and what won’t. That’s something I always need to keep working on.

DonnaF

Veteran

NAS is nice for 30 to (sometimes) 40% off, but in the last month I’ve found stuff 50 to 60+ % off on Nordstrom.com. I liked the black jeans so much (@62% off) that I bought two pairs since getting a decent fit on the backside is so difficult for me. Who knows if the other Finds will work, but I ordered them to try.

Boden Thea Paradise Print Linen & Cotton Pants

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Tamaris Ansa Chelsea Boot

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BDG URBAN OUTFITTERS Edie Super High Waist Raw Hem Slim Jeans

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delurked

Veteran

Donna, yes, I agree. A markdown often beats the price of NAS. Great when you can find what you want on sale! I can see you in that skirt, so I hope it works for you.