Only Mine zip-back sweater and a general NAS rant - YouLookFab Forum

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Only Mine zip-back sweater and a general NAS rant

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Warning: I am in a MOOD today

Does anyone remember how much they paid for the Only Mine sweater at NAS? It's now on the website for $71. Is this the same deal as NAS?

Which leads me to my rant ... why does Nordstrom undermine NAS by putting NAS items on sale six weeks after the sale ends? Why would I shell out my hard-earned cash for fall clothes in advance if I can hold on to my money for another six weeks and get the same deal?

I don't get it. Maybe someone who understands the inner workings of retail can explain.

Shopping

25 replies

Latest reply was from Vicki

Sylvie

Veteran

Yes, it is the same deal as NAS. I've seen some of the NAS items go on sale for 40% off, which is less than NAS.

IIRC the advantages of NAS are double points, being guaranteed to get your size at the sale price and free alterations.

Some of what I bought has sold out. Some of what I bought and haven't worn/detagged is on sale for the same price or lower. Where it's lower I'll get a price adjustment or return/rebuy. Luckily, nothing that I've already worn is on sale for less than I paid. If it was, then I'd see it as the same situation as buying something full price only to see it go on sale later.

I don't think NAS has been undermined. I just think the six week to sale prices lead time is kind of insane. It works out well for me though as I typically put whatever I like on my wishlist and wait to purchase once it goes to Rack pricing.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am hoping to benefit with that sweater, so I am actually happy...I couldn't order during the sale itself but my hubs is going to the US next weekend so I am making an order now...if I can figure out what I want, that is....

but you have my sympathies anyway..

Makrame

Veteran

Good question, and I will be curious about the answers. I sort of expected these items to go on sale again fairly soon after NAS, just because that's how Nordstrom sales generally seem to work. I think most NAS items were 30 to 40% off.

I did learn from previous experience that some items may be completely out of stock, at least in certain sizes, by the time "the second sales wave" rolls around. There is at least one item I bought at NAS that is completely sold out now. I also noticed that certain accessories, such as scarves, never seem to go on sale outside on NAS.

catgirl

Veteran

Yes, I found it strange that it was all on sale so quickly. That's how I got the Angie's pick twisted argyle sweater that wasn't even in my store at the time of NAS!

MNsara

Veteran

Yes, I noticed too! I think the zip-back was actually a dollar or two less in NAS, but another top I got (and haven't worn yet) is $60 instead of the NAS $80 with plenty left in my size

I agree with the beauty of NAS being the extra points and size/color selection -- although I had to do some serious stalking even during NAS to get certain things!

Question about NAS alterations: you used to get complimentary basic alterations on NAS items. Available to anyone, I think. Now with $100, or $200, or $whatever, of alterations on your Nordstrom card, do NAS alterations use that up? I asked one SA and she didn't know - and I have a few NAS things to be altered soon.

Sylvie

Veteran

MNSara, if you haven't worn your top, you should return it and rebuy or at least try to get a price adjustment.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I didn't get the Only Mine sweater - may try it at some point, if still available by the time I decide.

I've noticed that a lot of the NAS items go on sale again, fairly soon after NAS finishes, but I don't see it as undermining NAS - just a lucky break for me because I'm slow to make up my mind which items I'd like to try. One thing though ...I bought a nice blouse awhile back, which I don't think was part of NAS, and I waited until it went on sale. Thing was? It was too big on me and by the time I got the blouse and decided to return it for a smaller size, the size I wanted to try was gone. There are other items I've bought from Nordstrom that went way down in price after I bought them, but ...I can't always get the size or colour I want by the time something's on sale. So to me, NAS is a great opportunity to get the newest, latest things in advance of the season, all on sale. I think this is a wonderful idea - much better than waiting for "end of season" type sales.

If it's something you really want, then it's a good idea to snap it up. Meanwhile, you will see other NAS items go on sale, go on further sale, possibly even see them at the Rack etc., but these are just lucky breaks, and you can't count on getting what you really want by waiting too long. If not at NAS, then some things will be "the one that got away" if you know what I mean

Hope you try the sweater. Sounds like it's on sale now, for a similar price as during NAS. It could even go on sale further...but then, the colour/size you want might be gone. Or, it might sell out completely.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

When an item goes back on sale quickly I do wonder about the genuine value of the item. Has the item been manufactured to be sold at the sale price?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

The Only Mine sweater was $69.90 at NAS. Just slightly less than now.

My hunch is that Nordstrom contracts directly with vendors to offer items at specific price points. The big exception is lingerie. There you get the exact same things once a year for a lot less. The bras that are featured at NAS do not go back down again 6 weeks later. That is why I restock all of my basics at NAS.

cciele

Veteran

MNsara -- I used a Nordstrom card to buy some workout pants that were on sale during NAS. Later I brought them in to be hemmed. They didn't charge me for the hemming. So I assume the free alterations for NAS is truly free.

For non-NAS sale items, they charge you the alteration fee and then you get the amount credited on your CC bill.

Lisa

Veteran

I have no insight on the sale cycle. I use NAS to purchase the items I "must have" at the NAS price. Then if I happen to see the item later at a lower price I just get a price adjustment. For a few items, I returned them during NAS and then recently saw them on the sale rack, in my size, so I figured they were "meant for me" and repurchased them.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes!! To Jules' point, I think these items are all manufactured specifically for NAS. So did they overbuy the Only Mine sweater (or it undersold?). And then you are gambling during NAS on what will sell out and what won't?

I get that free alterations could be an incentive, but as a Nordstrom card holder, I get a couple hundred dollars of free alterations every year, and even double points isn't incredibly compelling, because that happens often enough - triple points Sept. 12-16, in fact.

To me, buying clothes months in advance of needing them is sort of like buying a Starbucks card and loading it with cash. Why am I handing my cash over to Starbucks way in advance of using it? I mean, that money could be in my bank instead of Starbucks' coffers. Same with NAS. At this point, I still haven't started wearing fall items, so forking over money for sweaters in July only makes sense if I can't get the same sweater at the same price in September. Which, as it turns out in this case, I can.

Makrame

Veteran

I agree with the "preloading" analogy. On the upside, this gives us plenty of time to keep the tags on and decide whether we really like something enough to keep.

I did not buy much at NAS but I am keeping the tags on a couple of items so that I can make final decision on the "totality of my fall wardrobe" when the fall season actually starts.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Hm...I get the Starbucks card analogy, but for me, I mean, I did well at NAS this year, but having that money in the bank for another 6 weeks would have accrued such a laughably negligable interest that I don't see the big deal.

I like the free alterations, that are not available now on sale items...WAY worth any loss of bank account interest.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*pours Laura a cuppa calming tea with a slice of her favourite pie*

This has been weird for sure. Usually, the NAS stuff ends up at the Rack in November and the pickings are very, very, *very* slim. Some of the NAS things are back on sale right now, while other stuff is not on sale at all. Most of the stuff I got isn't available anymore, let alone in my size, so I'm still very happy about what I bought and when I bought it.

Hugs to you, Laura

Anonymous

Laura, first I wanted to thank you. I ran a check for pricing on all of my purchases. Out of the 8 items I bought, five are still at full price or are not available at all. However, there were three items on sale. What gives?

I decided to call Nordies regarding the houndstooth print top shawl collar blouse. The price right now is $20 below NAS. I just got a price adjustment The chevron skirt and the zip sweater are back to about NAS prices so there was no need to request an adjustment. This was my first official NAS so I'm learning along the way. I guess it was an experiment that I might or might not repeat next year.

I do agree with you. It really makes little sense to me !!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This makes no sense to me either, Zap. WHY would Nordstrom discount some of the items now? Overstocked?

Thanks so much for sharing your info with us, Zap. Good to know.

Anonymous

I'm glad you posted your rant, Laura. I just called and got a price adjustment on the Halogen knot-front sweater.

DonnaF

Veteran

I was at the Westfield/San Francisco Centre Nordies today and noticed a TON of stuff that was on sale online was full price in the Petites department, including a top that was supposedly completely sold out and unavailable; they had many. The SA said they "might have missed one or two" things, but this was definitely quite a lot of merchandise that had not been marked down. She said she would have given me the online price, but of course that means that I always need to know what is on sale online.

On a similar note: Last week, I found that the Macys sales price online was higher than the store sales price, probably because the online price (of some handbags) started out higher.

lynn

Veteran

This is why I read this blog! I couldn't get the Only Mine at NAS because I waited too long and they sold out of my size and color. So, I ordered it and paid full price. THEN, someone on the forum commented that things would go back on sale which I never would have checked and I got the sale price! Thank you all for the wonderful tips all the time!

Jjsloane

Veteran

Ooh I think it's like amazon pricing. Very unpredictable! I think the bottom line is if there is something you absolutely must have (and you have a tough size to find) buy at NAS. Most things remaining (most popular never to be seen again) will go on deeper discount and eventually at the Rack for best discount. Not sure why Nordstrom does this as their return policy allows you to return and get the better of all discounts (if you track it and request such).

I really believe NAS is very exciting and is perfect for those who truly plan ahead (Angie, her clients...) and are not overly budget constrained. I hope I'm not speaking ill of my favorite retailer.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Well, this has been an education! I am sorry to be so rant-y today and have relaxed after that cup of calming tea that Angie poured me, but I am glad to know that a few of us have benefitted from this conversation by getting price adjustments.

Nordstrom is my favorite retailer, by far, so I am not trying to put them down. I'm just trying to understand what the heck their thought process is!!

And now, thinking soothing thoughts and drinking more tea ...

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Laura, thank you for raising these concerns, because it truly helps each of us. Now, I feel like a rant, because I bought the Trouve argyle sweater and it's on sale. I'm not quite sure how the price adjustments work. Is there a certain time frame on them or does one simply take in the item and receipt and get a credit?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Vicki, I hear you!! I think you can call Nordstrom for a price adjustment?

I was so busy ranting that day that I completely missed my opportunity to buy the sweater, which sold out while I was fuming

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Laura, I'll give them a call right now and I do hope you find the sweater in your size. What color are you going for?