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Another fan of the Rack here. You have to be ok with coming back empty-handed though. I have found decent things that are made for the discount channel as well as things that are main store returns. The easiest way to tell is the quantity of stock. If there is a big variety of sizes and colors, it was made for the Rack. If it's a onesie, it started its life in the main store.
Our Rack is very hit-or-miss, but I have also purchased some of my wardrobe work-horses there. And I agree that their shoe department is better than average (but still second to Saks Off Fifth), but their handbags are usually average, at best (at least in our Rack).
The super sheer Rack hose is great, and only $6. I hate to spend $$ or even $ on such items. It is labelled control top, but doesn't really feel like it or have that much control for that matter. Fine with me!
I have also observed that Racks vary and that some (generally the larger ones) are better. Same with department stores, Ross, etc.
Love our Rack. As others say, you have to be prepared for it to be hit or miss. More often than not, I leave without buying anything. But I've had a few terrific scores, including my beloved Classiques Entier lace pencil skirt and Paige flare jeans--which were heavily marked down from their original prices.
It's especially fun to come across Angie Finds or other items YLFers have posted about, hanging on the racks there.
Like others have said hit & miss, plus huge variations in locations
In Seattle, the downtown one gets some good designer clothes from the real store. Factoria/Bellevue I find is better for handbags, shoes are good there too. Lynnwood is eh. Northgate is downright tragic.
I remember reading that they're opening more Racks than mainline stores. Probably following the money.
When I was a kid the Rack was legit leftovers from the main store. In Spokane it used to be in the basement of the regular store.
Ack! Overwhelms me! I've had most success shopping with a definite list, emergency end-of-season shopping, and shopping for hosiery and lingerie (already fitted elsewhere). Occasional score jeans at the Rack online.
I find it fun to occasionally browse there, but I've only bought undergarments there, so far. The clothing seems to invariably *just* miss my size: either too big or too small.
The shoe section is phenomenal and extremely tempting, so I don't visit often.
My Nordstrom Racks are really good. My fave find is a Mara Hoffman quilted bomber. I knew a woman who always found the best trousers there - but I'm not as good at doing that at the Rack. Well, I always have problems with pants. The stores are broken down into reliable sections. Huge shoe area at the back. One offs in racks in front of the shoes, and coats and dresses on round racks next to those. Designer stuff down the middle of women's. Plainer or more basic things, of which there are multiples, in front.
Just to add, having both now, I prefer the Rack online to the store itself - more size selection and search ability. I like to hunt and gather, but only if things look different every time.
Echoing those who deem the Rack hit or miss--except for the shoe department, which is excellent. That's particularly important to me because I wear a size 11 - 12 shoe (depends on the brand--I really am probably an 11.5, but nobody makes that size) and finding those at a regular store is very difficult. Going to the Rack is the one time I feel I've got a lot of shoe choices and I love that. I don't go very often for clothing because I'm a clothing size 14-16 and the store near me doesn't have a great selection of those sizes available (would likely find much more if I were a size 8 or a size 3x, ironically.)
