Cheap Clothes That Don't Look It and A PERFECT Online Experience!
Written: Jul 11 '03
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Old Navy is cheap—seriously cheap, but with styles that my kids love to wear. I’m ok with that. They’re in their teen years so the growing has slowed down a bit, but one is average height and overweight and the other is above height and very tall, and I can fit them both beautifully in one place!
The odd thing is that I have six stores within 20 minutes of my house but I still use the online store the most. The reason is that I shop in bulk, allowing me free shipping, and I shop through UPromise.com so I get 3% back for college. Every little bit helps and since we know the fit and quality, the kids can come sit next to me and pick out a few items and we don’t have to make a trip to the store. On the rare occasion that we’re wrong about the size or color, I can return it at the store and have with absolutely no hassle.
WHAT IS OLD NAVY?
It’s the bargain brother of some of the more expensive and trendier clothiers like the GAP and Banana Republic. They specialize in casual wear with lots of jerseys, hoodies, and t-shirts. They’ve branched out in the last few years and have added more sleepwear (although you see these all over town worn during the daytime hours as regular clothes) and dressier clothes especially for women. They also do children’s and infants. Just recently, they added maternity (only a few physical stores have added this line—two in my area out of 6).
Not everything has the Old Navy logo on it, but quite a few do. You can still buy plain t-shirts and fancier shirts without the logo. T-shirts range from a few dollars to $20 and are of substantial weight material. Khaki pants average $24 but are on sale quite often for $12.99.
THE SITE
It’s a fun site with lots of bright colors and splashy items. They mimic the weekly advertisers that go out in the paper and their TV ads so the site changes a bit as the “Item of the Week” changes. The design of all of their ads match the item. For instance, when they were into the 70’s Brady Bunch-style clothes the site became a flash back to the 70’s with flower power and all. During the 4th of July holiday, it’s a Red, White & Blue Patriotic theme. The site is ever changing, enough to keep your interest, but not so annoying that you cannot find anything.
Size charts are available to help you pick the perfect fit. In addition, subcategories narrow down your shopping to tops, bottoms, sleepwear, etc. Each item has a photo on the smaller size (but not as small as a thumbnail) for quick loading and each links to a larger version and specific details for that particular item. You’re also given 1-2 items that would coordinate well with the item you’re looking at. Most items are shown by themselves, front and back, and not on a model. I like this feature, as when models are used they seem more worried about the pose than the clothes— sometimes with other sites they show pants with the model sitting so you cannot see the hang of them.
THE NAVIGATION
Basic and simple—by category: men, women, boys, girls, baby boys, baby girls, and maternity. You can also search the site or find a store with the easy-to-use store locator (a nice touch which gives you a map, driving directions, and the stores address and telephone number).
FEATURES
Gift Reminder: Sign up to be reminded when friends and families are celebrating birthdays. I’ve not used it, and it’s very rudimentary, but for those who appreciate this kind of service it’s there.
Weekly Ad: If you don’t get the Sunday paper, you can still see what’s in the weekly ad by viewing it at the site.
Gift Boxes: Like the store, gift boxes are available at a fee. I don’t mind and I know that’s one way they keep costs down. The currently price online is $5 (in store is less but you have to put it together yourself—here the extra is because someone is doing the packing for you). There are two styles online to choose from—bright and cheery, typical Old Navy-style!
Gift Receipts: They’ve stiffened their return policy, they’ve had to because of so much fraud. Because of that, they have a great gift receipt and they offer them in the check out process. See refunds and returns below for more info.
Address Book: Keeps the addresses of those you may send orders to or have sent orders to available to you in the check out process—makes gift giving very easy. You can store up to 25 addresses.
Sweepstakes: There’s nearly always a sweepstakes going on. Right now, it’s an opportunity to win $1,000 for the school of your choice. They’re very community oriented and provide sweepstakes like this as well as gift cards for community events. We’ve been the recipient several times of gift cards for drawings for a local community theatre group. They’ve always taken our requests kindly and have been generous even though I suspect they get thousands of requests a month.
QUALITY
I think Old Navy is great. We’ve yet to have an issue with any item we’ve purchased and have never returned anything except for size. Every item has arrived in pristine condition, in new packaging, and smelling like a new item should. Absolutely no worries here for us.
QUANTITY
You won’t find every item on the store online, but you will find more of what’s in the store. For example, trying to find a large size of pants for my older son is nearly impossible in the store, however, those same pants online are available in his size every time we’ve shopped. Even when we shop the sale items online, we find a vast selection.
PRICING
Nearly always identical to the store but a few times I’ve returned things to find I got an excellent deal online—either because of coupons or special online offers. The store handles the price differences well and allows me to repurchase the new item at the lower price if necessary.
REAL TIME INVENTORY
Something I think every online vendor should have! You’re not able to purchase items not in stock and there’s not sad surprise in your e-mail after you order telling you you’re not getting what you ordered. I LOVE that!
SHOPPING
Super-simple. Navigate through the site. Pick your items, the color, and the size. Add it to your cart. Register (name, address, billing, credit card, etc.), add any special codes (for free shipping-search the web or sign up for their e-mail notification—it’s almost always free shipping over $75), and check out. You receive an instant e-mail notification and another when it ships.
You can opt for instant checkout if you wish. This option allows you to add items to your cart, click on the “Instant Checkout” button, and your order is placed immediately with the credit card information and shipping information already on file. Don’t use this option if you have a special offer—you won’t be able to enter it.
If you don’t like to shop online you can call your order in—call 1-800-OLD-NAVY and choose option 1.
PAYMENT
They have their own credit card (I should do a review on it—I had a love/hate relationship with it), Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover/Novus, and JCB. You can also use the plastic Old Navy Gift Cards (you can buy them here as well). They don’t charge your card until your order ships.
SHIPPING
They ship to all 50 States, APO & FPO addresses, the US territories of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Marina Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. Although they have shops in Canada, they don’t ship to Canada.
Standard orders are processed the next business day (Monday through Friday, not including holidays), pending credit card authorization and verification. Orders shipped via standard delivery should arrive in 7 to 10 days.
I’ve placed seven orders in the 2001-2003 time span. Each has been perfect! Timely shipping through FedEx which included tracking, and perfect packing—everything arrived in perfect condition (back when they sold dog items online I purchased ceramic bowls—even they made it in one piece. I miss the dog selection!). I’ve never paid for shipping, but you know when you check out the exact cost—no surprises.
Shipping is reasonable and is based on the total amount of your order, not weight. Up to $25 is $5.95; $50.01-$75.00 is $8.95; $200.01 and more is $15.95. Rush Delivery (usually overnight depending on order time) is available for an additional $9 per order. (Rush Delivery is not available for addresses in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories, or to P.O. Boxes, Rural Routes, or A.P.O./F.P.O. addresses).
ORDER TRACKING
No only can you track your shipping, but they keep the entire history of your orders. All of my orders are still online should I ever wish to look back on them.
PRICE ADJUSTMENTS
If an item you purchased is marked down within seven days of the date on your invoice (not your order date), they will do a one-time-only price adjusted. You’ll have to call 1-800-OLD-NAVY (press option 1) or send an e-mail to custserv@oldnavy.com within those 7-days. Beyond that, no adjustment can be made. You’ll need to Include your order number or your customer number in your email message. They’ll refund you the difference in your original form of payment. They will not do price adjustments at the store.
RETURNS & EXCHANGES Info from their website:
Online Purchase Returns:
As long as your return is done before the “RETURN BY” date on your invoice all is well. It’s usually 30 days after your order date. Within the 30 days, you’ll get a full refund returned in original funds. You can return as well and will get full value during this time. You can do it by mail or at a store.
Returns or Exchanges by Mail:
To return or exchange your purchase or gift by mail, use the pre-paid return or exchange label that arrives with your order. If you use this label for a return, $5 will be deducted from your refund to cover shipping & handling. If you're making an exchange, however, shipping is on them!
There are instructions on the forms or you can contact custserv@oldnavy.com. Or call us at I-800-OLD-NAVY (1-800-653-6289), option 1.
Returns or Exchanges to a Store
You can return an online purchase to any Old Navy store (but not to Old Navy Outlet stores or Old Navy stores in Canada). Be sure to bring your invoice and the credit card you used for the original purchase. If you return your merchandise on or before the "Return by" date, you will receive an exchange or a full refund in the original form of payment. If you return your merchandise after the "Return by" date, you will receive an exchange or a store credit for the original price paid.
Without the invoice, you may exchange an item for another size or color. Both the item you are returning and the new item must have the same current selling price. Or, you may receive a store credit by mail for the current selling price. Valid I.D. is required.
Please note that we cannot refund shipping & handling charges. To find an Old Navy store, click on our handy Store Locator, or call 1-800-OLD-NAVY (1-800-653-6289), option 2.
Express Exchanges
I-800-OLD-NAVY (1-800-653-6289), option 1, to make an Express Exchange. If they have what you want in stock, they’ll send the replacement right away. There will be no additional charge for standard shipping & handling (just be sure to use the pre-paid mailing label for the items you return). You should receive the new item within 10 days. They’ll charge your credit card for the new merchandise but credit your account as soon as we receive your return.
Maternity Returns & Exchanges
If you'd like to return or exchange a maternity item, just mail it back to them. Use the pre-paid mailing label attached to your invoice, and they’ll pay for shipping -- even for a maternity return.
Maternity Returns are also accepted at all Old Navy stores (but not at Old Navy Outlet stores or Old Navy stores in Canada). Exchanges for another size or a different color may be made by mail or at one of the more than 50 stores that now carry Old Navy Maternity merchandise. Please be advised, however, that all the styles available on our website might not be available in all Old Navy Maternity stores. If you're making a return to an Old Navy store without an invoice or gift receipt, you'll receive a store credit by mail for the item's current price.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Shop the Bargains section and you’ll find some great stuff and unbelievable prices. I love their inexpensive, but high-quality clothes, in styles my kids will wear, and ones that I won’t freak out if they get ruined in their first wearing—it works for me! Easy exchanges by mail or in-store, online coupons and special offers, outstanding service—it’s an exceptional online shopping experience.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Mens/Boys Clothes
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About the Author
Member: Mom
Location: USA
Reviews written: 253
Trusted by: 190 members
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