Selling out...when did this Tiers program start? - YouLookFab Forum

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Anniversary Sale

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Selling out...when did this Tiers program start?

Peri

Veteran

I'm experiencing the same thing as last year. So far my top 3 wishlist items have already sold out before I'm allowed to shop. (I'm Influencer, can shop starting Friday). Last year the reason was limited supply but I thought Nordstrom had claimed that this year was supposed to be better on that front.

I really didn't have this experience in previous years and I don't remember these tiers. All I remember is that if you had the credit card you could start on one day and if you didn't the start time was later. Am I remembering wrongly?

I get that they are rewarding their big spenders and have every right to, but it also feels frustrating and discriminatory. It would be easier to meet those levels if you have a family to shop for, or a large budget to spend on yourself. Otherwise Nordstrom is saying you are less valued. I guess every business values big spenders more than less big, but I do most of my shopping there and still can't meet those higher tiers.

Well, I'm just griping and wondering if anyone else feels this way? I know items sometimes come back in stock, but that didn't happen last year. We'll see about this year. Meanwhile, it's just frustrating.

Anniversary Sale

28 replies

Latest reply was from Greyscale

Minnie

I'm Influencer level as well and I am experiencing the same.
Several of the items I was interested in disappeared from my wish list and can not be found when I search for them. I guess that means those items are sold out and will not be back.
If you have items that are sold out but still show in your wish list, you may want to check back frequently to see if they come back in stock.

Tanya

Veteran

I hear you, I am in the same situation. Several items from my wishlist are sold out. I will be stalking them to see if they come back in stock. We will see what is left until tomorrow when I can place an order.

kkards

Veteran

I’m guessing that the “tier” thing is a mix of the increase of on line shopping and rise of influencers. I seem to remember reading something a couple of years ago about people (influencers?) buying thousands on line the 1st day of the sale, and then returning most of it weeks later…which then meant that many of the loyal Nordstrom shoppers (ie the people who are most important to Nord’s bottom line) were being shut out.

Kathie

Veteran

The tiers have been around for a few years, though I forget when they started. It’s a bummer when things sell out. A $16 food storage item on my wish list has sold out in 4 colors already, so I’m hoping I can snag one tomorrow in the remaining color. I hope you can get at least some of the items on your list!

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Lots of items do come back, during the sale or after, and sometimes at lower prices. Items are purchased online in more than one size or color, or just don’t fit, and then are returned.
Good luck!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm an influencer too (ha!) so Friday is my US shop day, but the Canadian sale starts even later so I'm waiting it out.

The tiers have been around for a long time. Remember that items do come back into stock. Not always, but quite often.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yep, same here. And as I did not shop much last year, my “tier” slipped. I mean, who actually bought that much last year anyway, right? LOL

I figure whatever is sold out when I get to it, oh well, it wasn’t meant to happen. Sometimes after the first round of orders, returns are made and things come back into stock. And sometimes items go on even better sale in August, well after NAS.

Anonymous

Tiering is so elitist . I get really annoyed by things like this , little socialist that I am

JAileen

Veteran

I can’t believe Nordstrom thinks I’m an influencer! I think it really depends on how much you have bought in the past year.

Jorja

JAileen is right.

What is the Nordy Club?

Member: $0–$499.
Insider: $500+/card members automatically unlock Insider status.
Influencer: $2,000+
Ambassador: $5,000+
Icon: $15,000+ using a Nordstrom credit card.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

First, what Barbara Diane and kkards said.

The NAS tiers and levels have been around for years. First it was levels #1 to #4. Then they gave them names. The numbers were much easier to deal with.

The tiers have been condensed to three, instead of four. For the last two years, each level could shop for three days. Now it's two, and there is one fewer tier.

Nordstrom has honoured your tier for the last two years despite your change in shopping habit. Also, it was easier to become an Icon before this year. The amount to reach was quite a bit less. We will see far fewer Icons next year, is my guess.

I find the tier system annoying too. That said, I understand it. Nordstrom is trying to survive in a very difficult retail climate. They want people to be card holders and loyal shoppers, and have decided to reward them for dollars spent because it keeps the business afloat. The strategy will make some very happy, and others very frustrated. I empathize with the frustrated shoppers.

Christina F.

Veteran

I hear you. It all annoys me because I really, really don't want a card, and so I have to wait till Aug 3rd or 4th to shop (since I'll be away until about the 8th and don't want to have to figure out a package delivery solution).

I looked into the card, and it's only really good to have if you shop at Nordy's A LOT. I shop there regularly but I am not sure it's enough to justify having it.

Usually, a lot of stuff I've wanted has sold out and reappeared, and as is pointed out above, sometimes they go on deeper sale.

Runcarla

Veteran

Well, Nordstrom’s took my points away earlier this year, so I’m kind of po’d with them atm. A SA in the lingerie department at the Nordie’s in downtown Toronto won my heart, and when I can safely shop B&M in the big city, I will pay a visit for a bra fitting and stock up. In the interim, I’m not impressed by talk of ‘customer loyalty’!

Anonymous

What a load of ...I won't get a retail credit card, so have to wait. But if they play games like last year, I'll buy what I did last year. Nada!
My attitude with these stores is if you want to sell credit cards- be a bank. If you want customer loyalty, sell nice products.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Carla, why did they take your points away? That is nuts?! Or maybe you have to use them by a certain time....I'd better check to see what I've got! I get confused between the CAN and the US systems, which are different. I can't even keep track of ONE system let alone two!

Peri

Veteran

I can see I’m not the only one annoyed by this! Though I get the point of rewarding big spenders, don’t they get that their own program keeps me from spending more?! I’m going with Lisa…elitist.

Oh well, small problems. Not shopping is probably good for me.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

It irks me, too, Peri!

I also pine for the days when I first discovered the anniversary sale, before online shopping (I think, though it's hard to recall such a time?), and the store would open early and there was pastry and coffee if you showed up within those first couple of hours. I would pop in to the store before going to work, get some shopping done and have breakfast in one fell swoop. I didn't have a Nordstrom card and have no idea if I was missing out on perks. I enjoyed it!

Dana

(website)

Veteran

Ok...I'm normally a very upbeat, optimistic person, but I am SUPER ANNOYED!!!!!! I'm the Influencer level and have been trying to get a specific sneaker for a couple of years now. It is currently July 16 at 12:13 AM. That's right ...I stayed up to put my order in and I can't add my items to a cart yet. The buy now button isn't there. I'm going to keep trying for a while bf I go to bed. I get that all businesses are working hard to make it right now, but I'm kind of over the whole NAS game.

Minnie

Dana, maybe the system uses midnight pacific time, seeing that Nordstrom is headquartered in Seattle?

Question: I have a Nordstrom credit card that I don't normally use.
I buy everything with the same card, simply because it's more convenient to have only one credit card bill to pay each month.
Is there a benefit to using the Nordstrom card when shopping at Nordstrom?
Thanks.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Minnie, if you use your Nordstrom card for Nordstrom purchases you earn more points toward rewards. Only you can say whether that’s worth more to you than the points you get on your other credit card. I personally only use my card at Nordstrom, though it is a visa so I could use it anywhere.

I must be the only one that doesn’t mind the tiers and the staggered availability of the sale. Of course Nordstrom wants you to spend a lot there and to get their credit card. It’s rough out there in retail and most department stores are in their death throes. I’m just glad Nordstrom is still around and trying to make it work. I’m whatever the lowest category of cardholder is, and I checked earlier this morning and ordered what I had on my wishlist that was available. A couple of things had sold out, so I’ll check back occasionally to see if they come back. No big deal. You can’t expect to get good service, wide open availability, and discounted prices all at the same time - you have to pick one or two at most.

JAileen

Veteran

I only use my Nordstrom card during NAS. If you don’t, you can’t shop early. But the rest of the year I use my regular card, same as Minnie.

ETA: I went to bed around 11:30 Pacific time. I should have stayed up a little later!

Beth0707

Yes it started at midnight Pacific time.

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

Laura, you're not the only one who doesn't mind.

Some high-end department stores have been doing things this way for decades, like with Neiman-Marcus's InCircle that I remember from the 1980s and that apparently is still going (I don't live near one anymore).

Things popping in and out of availability is normal for this sale. I just saw one of my list items that was sold out when I logged on this morning come back, so I ordered it. I'm unruffled about this aspect and even find it sort of fun...

I've been a cardholder since 2005, but I don't think I've ever been past the lowest tier. No aspirations to change that.

For anyone who cares about interest rates on cards, Nordy's rate is the lowest for buys from them but I think if you use it elsewhere it's somewhat higher. For myself, I don't use it anywhere but Nordy and Nordy Rack.

I don't know if you have to have a card to gain Nordstrom Notes and free alterations...I think so? Either way, they've made some changes to their programs and I think actually improved them, to keep customers happier in the current climate.

-- my 4 cents

Debbie

Veteran

Carla it’s likely your points expired. A month or two ago. I make a last minute order to use my points s before they expired.

Peri

Veteran

I think kkards is on to something, as I’ve been watching many “my NAS recommendations” videos on YT and every single one says something along the lines of “buy everything you think you might like, and buy everything in two sizes, because it’s going to sell out and you can just return what you don’t want”. Total feeding frenzy mentality and I guess I need to accept that or don’t shop.

It’s hard to imagine this works out well for Nordstrom, having to handle such a massive amount of returns. It must though, or their policy would change.

Greyscale

Veteran

I'm so confused - it says I'm an "influencer" when I log in, but I'm still not able to buy anything online -- it says I need a Nordstrom card to do so. I got an email from a sales associate inviting me to shop in person early, so it's not all in my head. Is the deal that you need the card *and* the influencer status to shop online?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You cannot shop NAS preselections without a Nordstrom card.

Greyscale

Veteran

Ah, got it, thanks. I got this email from my local store so I thought I had access:

Hello [Greyscale],

I am the Customer Relationship Coordinator at Nordstrom San Francisco Centre, and I wanted to reach out to you so you can take advantage of our best sale of the year, the Anniversary Sale.

This year, you can preview all items on Nordstrom.com beginning on July 6th and start creating your wish list!

As an INFLUENCER, you can start shopping on July 16th, that’s two exclusive days to shop the sale before other Nordy Club members. I would love to get you set up with an appointment with one of our Personal Stylists and make your shopping experience easy and fun.

If you already have a Stylist in mind, I would be happy to set up a time for you to work with them. If not, no worries – I will connect you to someone terrific. We can help you in person or virtually via Facetime.