Can someone explain the allure of Nordstrom Rack (and other discount stores)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every once in a while you find a deal or a hidden treasure. It’s the same thrill of the hunt as people who like thrift stores and garage sales. You don’t go to look for a specific item, you just “see what’s there”.

I used to work a block away from a Nordstrom Rack and it was a fun diversion at lunch time to go for a walk on a nice day and pop in to look for 10 min. I found something to buy maybe 1 out of 8 or 10 trips.

This was me at Lord & Taylor. I think they thought I was stealing, because I wasvthere every day, but rarely made a purchase, if I did it was underwear on sale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every once in a while you find a deal or a hidden treasure. It’s the same thrill of the hunt as people who like thrift stores and garage sales. You don’t go to look for a specific item, you just “see what’s there”.

I used to work a block away from a Nordstrom Rack and it was a fun diversion at lunch time to go for a walk on a nice day and pop in to look for 10 min. I found something to buy maybe 1 out of 8 or 10 trips.

This was me at Lord & Taylor. I think they thought I was stealing, because I wasvthere every day, but rarely made a purchase, if I did it was underwear on sale.

What kind of life are you leading that you can go to a department store every single day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because there is no more Filene's.

This was the best and where I learned everything about clothes!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because there is no more Filene's.

This was the best and where I learned everything about clothes!!!

Filene’s was the absolute best. I used to stop in the one on Connecticut at least a few times each week during lunch. I miss it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s one of those right place, right time things. I popped in once and found lots of Baby Boden on the final markdown rack. For less than $35 I got $200 worth of Baby Boden (that had the original prices still on it). But that doesn’t happen every time. You need to know when to time the shipments.

But why did you want $200 worth of baby Boden? I have a growing kid, I get that I often need to buy a bunch of new kid clothes. But when I need them, I need them. Buying way in advance usually doesn’t work because I don’t know what size we’ll be in what season.

Whenever I buy clothes for myself, too, without knowing what I’m about to wear them to they end up sitting in my closet forever. I don’t have room to just buy random stuff because it’s a good deal.

[Anonymous]

I used to find great stuff at Nordstrom Rack pre-pandemic. Now it’s all junk, which is a shame. The one good thing is that they had good return policies and I could order online (say, 4-5 pairs of shoes), and return to the store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to find great stuff at Nordstrom Rack pre-pandemic. Now it’s all junk, which is a shame. The one good thing is that they had good return policies and I could order online (say, 4-5 pairs of shoes), and return to the store.

Yes, they used to be gold mines. Now you really have to hunt or get lucky. TJ maxx/Marshall’s are actually better, but still hunting involved.

[Anonymous]

I agree clothing selection isn't as good as it was years ago, but it's the thrill of the treasure hunt for me. Most times I don't find anything decent, but if you know your brands for the items you're interested in, you can get great deals. I've found a bit of le creuset, staub, all-clad, mauviel, etc from there.

[Anonymous]

It’s the same at all of the outlet stores.

[Anonymous]

I go once every week or two. Only shop the designer section. Have bought Veronica Beard jeans for $70, Frank and Eileen pants for $100, Ralph sweater, rag and bone and Vince.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Although I don't go often anymore, I have had good luck at the Rack on 12th St. I purchased a $200 Rebecca Taylor tweed dress from there that has held up for several years. The Rack in Gaithersburg is not too bad either, but there is tons more junk at that location.

I don't consider Rack and Marshall's on the same level. Marshall's is pure junk these days.

I was just in Nordstrom Rack, T.J., and Marshalls and all three had a gross dingy vibe and were full of junk. There is nothing really differentiating. Saks OFF 5th is junk too. Shopping is supposed to make you happy, isn't it? The discount stores just put me in a bad mood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every once in a while you find a deal or a hidden treasure. It’s the same thrill of the hunt as people who like thrift stores and garage sales. You don’t go to look for a specific item, you just “see what’s there”.

I used to work a block away from a Nordstrom Rack and it was a fun diversion at lunch time to go for a walk on a nice day and pop in to look for 10 min. I found something to buy maybe 1 out of 8 or 10 trips.

This was me at Lord & Taylor. I think they thought I was stealing, because I wasvthere every day, but rarely made a purchase, if I did it was underwear on sale.

What kind of life are you leading that you can go to a department store every single day?

So, DC-specific: There is a Nordstrom Rack at 18th and L--amid several very large office buildings. It is very very easy to pop in on the way to or from the office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree clothing selection isn't as good as it was years ago, but it's the thrill of the treasure hunt for me. Most times I don't find anything decent, but if you know your brands for the items you're interested in, you can get great deals. I've found a bit of le creuset, staub, all-clad, mauviel, etc from there.

Yes, the thrill of the hunt! Just a few minutes ago I saw a Breville smart oven at tj maxx for more than $100 less than standard price (I already have one so I didn’t need it).

I used to work across the street from a Filene’s basement, and went there several times a week; they had such good stuff, and that’s where I bought a lot of my suits and professional separates. Nordstrom rack used to be a decent source, but I haven’t found anything good there in years (except on rare occasions when I can make it to Potomac Mills which still has some OK business casual wear); online there are still decent options but then I have to find time to get to a store to return things that didn’t fit well, etc.. TJ Maxx is not on the same level as Filene’s basement, but it’s the best substitute I’ve found for inexpensive casual attire or slightly dressy clothes for church/brunch. Marshalls, Burlington, and Ross are not worth the time for clothing; Marshalls used to be better than the other two but it has declined significantly.

I love a bargain, bottom line. HHI is over $300k, and I work very long hours, but I find it relaxing to wander through a good TJ maxx to see if they have anything I like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every once in a while you find a deal or a hidden treasure. It’s the same thrill of the hunt as people who like thrift stores and garage sales. You don’t go to look for a specific item, you just “see what’s there”.

I used to work a block away from a Nordstrom Rack and it was a fun diversion at lunch time to go for a walk on a nice day and pop in to look for 10 min. I found something to buy maybe 1 out of 8 or 10 trips.

This was me at Lord & Taylor. I think they thought I was stealing, because I wasvthere every day, but rarely made a purchase, if I did it was underwear on sale.

What kind of life are you leading that you can go to a department store every single day?

Obviously I lived in walking distance and walked past the store everyday. Close proximity, just like the others, and want to spend as little as possible and catch the sales.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every once in a while you find a deal or a hidden treasure. It’s the same thrill of the hunt as people who like thrift stores and garage sales. You don’t go to look for a specific item, you just “see what’s there”.

I used to work a block away from a Nordstrom Rack and it was a fun diversion at lunch time to go for a walk on a nice day and pop in to look for 10 min. I found something to buy maybe 1 out of 8 or 10 trips.

This was me at Lord & Taylor. I think they thought I was stealing, because I wasvthere every day, but rarely made a purchase, if I did it was underwear on sale.

What kind of life are you leading that you can go to a department store every single day?

It's called a thrifty life.