What's your opinion on Nordstrom Rack? Huge discounts and pretty affordable. Is the merchandise actually from a regular Nordstrom?
Ryan Johnson
Perhaps that's a peculiarity of that particular NR, because my local NR has A-Es in many widths.
Nordstrom Rack sells Woodlore (Allen-Edmonds) made in USA cedar shoe tree seconds. These are the only things that I buy at Nordstrom Rack. Nordstrom Rack also sells Allen-Edmonds shoes, but only in D widths. I bought two pairs of Woodlore shoe trees the last time that I was at Nordstrom Rack.
I like Nordstrom Rack. I try to stop in whenever I am in the area. Hit or miss, but you can find some great stuff. Last year I found a 100% cashmere Zegna sport coat in my size for under $200. I was in shock when I found it, stared at it for a long time trying to think of a reason why I would NOT buy it. The only thing wrong with it was a couple of snags. They tailored it and sent it to my office (I live in another town) for a small charge and I fixed the snags myself in about five minutes.
Just like any bargain basement-type store, you have to be patient and look around. Frequent visits are the key.
Just like any bargain basement-type store, you have to be patient and look around. Frequent visits are the key.
Nordstrom has clearly declined by pandering to the lowest common denominator of public taste : https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/zooop-...500&fashionColor=&resultback=651&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_2_C
I also do this in conjunction with the HauteLook app (also part of the Nordstrom family). Careful filtering is needed, but BB, HF, Eton and other names often mentioned in this forum will show up in HauteLook.
My best experience at NR has been to use the Rack Stores app and track when new shipments hit your local store. THAT is how you can usually find deals. It's actually the app that associates use in the store to look up inventory, so if you have the SKU of whatever item you want, you can actually look around for it.
But yes, very hit or miss in general. At my local store the best thing I've found is the Allen Edmonds, though a coworker scored a great Burberry suit once.
But yes, very hit or miss in general. At my local store the best thing I've found is the Allen Edmonds, though a coworker scored a great Burberry suit once.
I made my first trip to a Nordstrom Rack this past Saturday, in advice from other members. I have to get a grey suit for a wedding in which I am the best man. I have a quote for a lovely made to measure at only CAD$745 ($834 after tax) but as the wedding is on St Lucia, and I was in Seattle for a hockey trip, I thought I'd see if I could find a bit of a steal.
I found that Hilfiger fits me quite well, and the separates came out at $300 US for a two piece, but it was a lighter grey than I wanted. Still, I may grab one next time I'm there, as that seemed to be the regular price. I also found an almost, but not quite, by Hugo Boss. The low rise trousers were the final nail in the coffin for it; it was on for $360 US, needing $88 in alterations, with one I wanted that they wouldn't even do, so with exchange rate, taxes, and all, it came out around CAD$560 for a suit I didn't want. At first I felt guilty about not saving the money, as if would have met the requirements for the wedding, but a couple of days later I wa really glad I didn't drop over 500 bucks on a suit I didn't like.
My overall impression was that they have some hidden gems, and other stuff are brands I would normally find overpriced, at about what I think is their correct retail price. Calvin Klein, as an example, was around $400, which I think is a proper retail price for it.
The stellar finds are few and far between I'm sure, but if you're looking for decent, on a budget, and have an idea of what you're looking at, there are deals to be had. It if what it is - a discount store. But as discount stores go, I think it's a rather good one.
I found that Hilfiger fits me quite well, and the separates came out at $300 US for a two piece, but it was a lighter grey than I wanted. Still, I may grab one next time I'm there, as that seemed to be the regular price. I also found an almost, but not quite, by Hugo Boss. The low rise trousers were the final nail in the coffin for it; it was on for $360 US, needing $88 in alterations, with one I wanted that they wouldn't even do, so with exchange rate, taxes, and all, it came out around CAD$560 for a suit I didn't want. At first I felt guilty about not saving the money, as if would have met the requirements for the wedding, but a couple of days later I wa really glad I didn't drop over 500 bucks on a suit I didn't like.
My overall impression was that they have some hidden gems, and other stuff are brands I would normally find overpriced, at about what I think is their correct retail price. Calvin Klein, as an example, was around $400, which I think is a proper retail price for it.
The stellar finds are few and far between I'm sure, but if you're looking for decent, on a budget, and have an idea of what you're looking at, there are deals to be had. It if what it is - a discount store. But as discount stores go, I think it's a rather good one.
Feedback is always appreciated, positive and negative. But could you clarify the statement? is there a problem with the organization in general or is there one aspect of the organization you do not like (ie return policy, customer service, products, etc)? As a strategy to get into the sales section of the forum, I see what you've done; congratulations!
Ryan
This is my experience as well. Years ago, the Rack was where the "real" Nordstrom stores sent their overstocks, out of season merchandise, etc. In other words, the Rack was an outlet store in the older sense of the term. Now, I feel at the Rack like I do at most other outlet stores: The merchandise is generally much more generic and (depending on one's standards) inferior to the main stores. As with BB outlets, at the Rack you will occasionally find first-quality merchandise from the main stores, but when I drop in I rarely find any suits or trousers worth looking at. Occasionally a shirt or tie or shoes, maybe, but that's about it.
In general, since Filene's and Sims passed on I am at a loss for where to locate decent-quality suits, sportcoats and trousers at a reasonable price.
Many of these posts seem to be addressing two different types of shoppers. If one is interested in speaking to the subject matter expert and is ready to pay full retail price, many of the specialty stores (i.e. Mr. Ooley's as listed in the previous post) are places that would best suit these interests. On the other hand, for the shopper who feels the rush of finding that "hidden gem," a place like Nordstrom Rack is a champion for the cause.
Personally, I think the search is the best part. Taking the time to search a discount store for quality items exercises my level of knowledge of the fashion world and also keeps me current. It also serves as a great stress reliever when I can take a bit of time during lunch to see what new gems have worked their way into the store.
Either way, both ways of shopping ultimately land me a product I didn't have before. In one case I've learned something new from the sales expert, and in the other case, I've honed my fashion senses by working alone and using my own judgement.
Personally, I think the search is the best part. Taking the time to search a discount store for quality items exercises my level of knowledge of the fashion world and also keeps me current. It also serves as a great stress reliever when I can take a bit of time during lunch to see what new gems have worked their way into the store.
Either way, both ways of shopping ultimately land me a product I didn't have before. In one case I've learned something new from the sales expert, and in the other case, I've honed my fashion senses by working alone and using my own judgement.
Shoe City Thinker
I also think that some of the lower-end discounters (TJMaxx, Ross, Marshall's, ect) have some great deals, but I generally view those stores in context of what I am after. For example, as SG_67 wrote, if I am looking for something specific or I need something now, I generally go to a mainline store (which, in OKC usually means Dillards, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Jos A Bank, or potentially Mr. Ooley's...). Those trips and the associated spending are almost always driven by need as opposed to want. Once I get into the want or "like-to-have it" type of shopping I go to the discounters. From there, the afforementioned lower-end discounters are usually good for simple athletic apparel, undergarments, and potentially even the ultra-rare high-end item that has somehow fallen through the cracks. My primary discounters tend to be NR and Off 5th, but that is primarily driven by my personal sense of fashion and the brands that I associate with those stores.
Bottom line - I think all of the discount stores are worth a look, even if you have a bad experience from time to time. Generally speaking the customer service can be hit or miss and generally degrades as you work your way down the food chain. However, if you know what you want and you have the time/patience/energy to look for it (due to budgetary constraints, enjoyment, or whatever else motivates you to peruse the discount stores) then I am all for it. Just be prepared to fend for yourself, and if you see a hot item you are well advised to grab onto it while you think about it!
I also think that some of the lower-end discounters (TJMaxx, Ross, Marshall's, ect) have some great deals, but I generally view those stores in context of what I am after. For example, as SG_67 wrote, if I am looking for something specific or I need something now, I generally go to a mainline store (which, in OKC usually means Dillards, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Jos A Bank, or potentially Mr. Ooley's...). Those trips and the associated spending are almost always driven by need as opposed to want. Once I get into the want or "like-to-have it" type of shopping I go to the discounters. From there, the afforementioned lower-end discounters are usually good for simple athletic apparel, undergarments, and potentially even the ultra-rare high-end item that has somehow fallen through the cracks. My primary discounters tend to be NR and Off 5th, but that is primarily driven by my personal sense of fashion and the brands that I associate with those stores.
Bottom line - I think all of the discount stores are worth a look, even if you have a bad experience from time to time. Generally speaking the customer service can be hit or miss and generally degrades as you work your way down the food chain. However, if you know what you want and you have the time/patience/energy to look for it (due to budgetary constraints, enjoyment, or whatever else motivates you to peruse the discount stores) then I am all for it. Just be prepared to fend for yourself, and if you see a hot item you are well advised to grab onto it while you think about it!
I often shop the Marshalls and TJMaxx at Shopper's World in Framingham which is in the shadow of The TJX Companies (corporate headquarters). For some odd reason both those stores have lackluster merchandise and I walk out empty handed. I would expect the stores close to HQ would get all the love. I typically find more at the Nordstrom Rack four doors from the Marshalls at Shoppers World.
I have to agree on this one. This goes for any off price retailer. Although I have to say that Filene's came pretty close to the $12 Kiton tie a few times.
Generally, if I'm looking for something specific and don't feel like rummaging through endless racks, I'll go the mainline store (NM, Nordstrom, etc.) but if I have time on my hands and feel like being opportunistic, I'll do some rummaging.
This seems exactly right. So many people trash the Rack, saying they never find anything. Well, you have to work at it. Like most everything else in life, they're not just going to hand out Edward Green shoes for $100 or Kiton ties for $12 every time you walk in the door, although I have heard of this happening. That's why you go, because something like this can and does happen. You have to go and keep going and stick with it, understanding that you are not going to find anything nine times out of ten. It's called shopping.
^^
Thanks for the review of your experience at the Rack, Wirey, and more importantly, welcome to AAAC.
Excellent first post....looking forward to your future offerings!
Thanks for the review of your experience at the Rack, Wirey, and more importantly, welcome to AAAC.
Excellent first post....looking forward to your future offerings!
I can also attest to the quality that is often found at the Rack. I am a San Diego, CA transplant stationed in Oklahoma City, OK. In these parts it can be difficult to find higher-end designer brands unless you travel to Dallas, TX or Tulsa, OK. We have a Nordstrom Rack and a Saks Off 5th, both of which have high-quality "mainline" merchandise at a bargain. In my recent trips to the Rack I have come across several AEs, a whole carousel of Zanellas, a few nice Salvatore Ferragamo items, and a handful of other pieces that perked my interest. Speaking to the customer service aspect of the Rack, I have found the customer service to be responsive and friendly, though you do have to look for an associate if you need some assistance (I found the Lowe's comparison above to be fairly accurate in that respect).
Having said that, you do have be patient and really look for brands that you are interested in. The casual shopper would probably visit each of these stores and find them to be problematic, as with any discount store both the Rack and Off 5th have their problems. I would personally say that the Saks outlet is much more chaotic and disorganized than the Rack, but even at NR you have to pay attention and hunt around a bit to find good deals. That being said, I would highly recommend both stores if you are near one. You never know what you might find...
Having said that, you do have be patient and really look for brands that you are interested in. The casual shopper would probably visit each of these stores and find them to be problematic, as with any discount store both the Rack and Off 5th have their problems. I would personally say that the Saks outlet is much more chaotic and disorganized than the Rack, but even at NR you have to pay attention and hunt around a bit to find good deals. That being said, I would highly recommend both stores if you are near one. You never know what you might find...
Heck, a ton of my stuff (mainly PRL) came from Marshall's before I really started buying on eBayeBay
The same can be said for outlet stores, NMLC, Saks Off Fifth, SteinMart and Marshalls. (Yes, even at these last two one can find some decent stuff at a very good price.)
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