Nordstrom almost got me!!
I was blitz-shopping at Nordstrom the other day. I dashed in for one splurge item (Giorgio Armani Maestro makeup, if you must know – I buy it in person at Nordstrom because for some reason they are frequently out of stock in my shade, and the shipping charges at other sites make me mad).
I was in a real rush because I was on my way to meet First Class Queen at the Intercontinental for Happy Hour, where we had plans to enjoy plates of appetizers and plenty of free drinks. I was running to the nearest Nordstrom register when I literally bumped into James*, the nicest and cutest associate ever. (He was smelling the Diptique candles. I loved him already!)
James was so helpful, and understood my urgency. He quickly found my makeup and was helping me to check out within seconds….but he paused when I gave him my credit card.
“Do you know about Nordstrom Rewards?” he asked.
I had to admit that I didn’t (eek!). “I can’t waste a credit pull,” I confided. “I have to conserve them for great offers.”
In reply, he slid me a slick brochure. “Get In On This,” it read. I unfolded it to find an application for a debit card, in addition to a description about the program.
I peppered him with questions. Did he get credit if I applied? (No). Was there a fee? (No). Would they pull my credit for the debit card? (Probably). So what was so great about it?
Honestly it sounded very alluring. The main points of excitement for me were the Nordstrom Notes, the Personal Triple Points day, and the free alterations. Apparently when I signed up, I would get a $20 Nordstrom Note as a little bonus, then I would continue to earn them along the way. I imagined Nordstrom associates tossing handfuls of Nordstrom Notes at me as I gleefully racked up triple points on my personal day.
Who wouldn’t love that?
I grabbed the brochure and promised James I would think about it. He assured me that he didn’t care one way or the other, but that he was really looking forward to discussing Diptique candles again soon. I had to agree. And those Nordstrom Notes sounded very enticing…until I left the rarified air of Nordstrom. Once I was back out on the streets of San Francisco I came to my senses. What kind of a sign-up bonus was a $20 Nordstrom Note?
Sheesh.
They almost got me.
Did they get you, too? 😉
*James is not his real name, of course.
James may not get “credit” but in the 7 yrs I worked for Nordstrom there was always some great incentive, prize, contest for credit card sign ups….your plates of appetizers and plenty of free drinks caught me. Does the Intercontinental offer something awesome?
thought nordstrom has free shipping and returns as always
I am hoping you paid with a Nordstrom Gift Card that you bought at Staples or Office Depot for 5X? And also think pooling orders using Ultimate Rewards has never given me any shipping charges? Is there a minimum you are not breaking? This process means I often have to go to the store and hang out twice for the same item…….such torture……..but it also means I “always go home and check the Rack to see if it is marked down as were my two for one Nordstrom Faconabble sweatshirts……that would have never happened had I not been employing the “gift card or nothing” rule………..
Nordstrom.com has free standard shipping with no spend minimum.
FCQ thanks you for the mention. 😉
Kathy – I figured that Nordies wouldn’t have SOME kind of incentive 😉
The Intercontinental DOES offer something awesome. I’m going to see if I can convince First Class Queen to write a post about it soon.
JustSaying – Yeah, usually the shipping charges are a result of poor planning. You gotta think ahead in this game! Sounds like you are a Nordstrom Deal pro!
Gene – FCQ is more than welcome. 😉
not a pro…..learn something new every day on these blogs……….your head (along with everyone else) is going to explode in Charlotte I think……you’ll have to tell stories in Seattle……..
Leon and Amy – I didn’t explain this very well in the post! For some reason my shade of this particular item is always out of stock when I try to order it, which means that I need to shop at a different site and pay shipping charges. So I just go to Nordstrom in person. I really need to stop writing posts late at night…
They did land me, but I was buying a $1,500 tux among other things so the credits were a good deal. I also didn’t have any credit pulls at the time so that didn’t make a big difference for me.