Lemme fill The Gap in my closet. NOW!
Written: Feb 16 '02
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Aww, I am such a sucker for that tiny little four-letter word....
S A L E .
You see, in Italy the state law sets fixed dates twice a year for clothing sales, and I can't get my quick fix often enough unless I shop online. My credit pleads for mercy, but unfortunately, because of this wonderful device - the Internet - even when I'm not looking for bargains, someone shows up on my e-mail and greets me with a nice personal note: "In withdrawal? Come visit us! Listen up: we're giving you, yes, 20% off if you spend JUST $75..
I'm a shopaholic. Blame it on the Gap Inc.(they are all to blame: Banana Republic. Gap. Old Navy.)
Link on to www.gap.com. Click. Sigh.
For those of you who live in the boonies, ya know, GAP is the clothes line owned by the Gap Inc. that sells casual clothing staples, such as jeans, t-shirts, kakhis and overalls, gradually broadening its offer to casual separates that are rational enough to be worn 24/7, such as simple sweaters and shirts, pants, the occasional blazer. You won't find business suits à la Brooks Brothers, or upscale stylish items - bananarepublic.com caters for that. The idea here is average, with a little flair. And average are the retail prices as well.
So lets' suppose you are part of the gazillions out there who know what the Gap merchandise is like, and your nearby mall features a Gap store. Why shop online?
Three main reasons (aside from the obvious one for me - no store in a reasonable range)
- Recurrent sales
- Some styles exclusively online
- Usually a wider selection of sizes and fits
More of that later. Let's take a peek at what the online store looks and performs like.
The main page definitely needs some improvement. It is rather eye-pleasing, but is not highly informative and does not offer a search engine. However, from here one can access directly to the main department of selection - Men, omen, Maternity, Gapkids, Babygap, Gapbody.
The subindexes for each department are very clearly designed and are easy to navigate. This is were current offerings and specials are normally highlighted.
At the top of the page, there is a menu for each range of products - be it jeans, skirts, pants, sweaters of whatever you're searching for, you can browse right into the section with just a click and no further hassle. Of course, each department also features the most important word - the SALE area, where all items on sale for that department are featured.
The product descriptions and pictures are usually well displayed and detailed. They always include the fabric composition. However, based on my own personal experience, the color swatches are not normally reliable, and they don't offer the option of viewing a larger image of the fabric.
Once you select the product you wish to purchase, you're in for another downfall of this website: it won't tell you whether your size is available or not until you've actually hit the purchase button. You're bound to fall in love with an item, only to find out they don't have anything near your size! (at least, they tell you then what sizes are available. Bananarepublic doesn't, you just have to keep on trying. But good ol'Navy tells you right away - why don't you folks learn something from your less fortunate brother?)
However, a few cons are easily outweighed,as the site does have a lot of pros as well.
- Every menu in the department allows you to view all products at a glance, with optional pictures correlating them. You can also download all items on one page, so you have a general view of what's offered in that specific area of the department. The pictures are quite realistic.
The shopping bag is clearly displayed at all times at the right top of the page. You can browse through all departments and collect items,jumping from one section to another (the departments are all listed at the top of every page) and they will all end up in one bag for checkout. There is also a nifty wishlist that is very convenient for harassing friends, family and significant others with e-mails stating watcha want from them.. Should you have a moment of conscience-gnawing at you while filling up your shopping bag and, sigh, return later for your final step, if you're registered to the website, it will memorize your current shopping bag for the next visit, and will retain those items in the bag until they're sold out or no longer featured. (or, of course, if you go ahead and proceed to checkout).
- Gap.com offers a wider range of sizes and fits that normally won't be featured in a medium-sized real-life store. There is (for women's sizes) at least from size 0 to 20, long, short, medium length, and for certain items, slim, regular, loose fit, ad larger sizes. Their size charts are honestly correct.
-The Maternity and Baby departments offer more items that I've ever seen in any Gap store. The baby departments are cleverly divided into boy and girl. I must also say, although I've never been a mom myself, I have never seen better styles for expecting moms and babies at such great prices. I have made quite a smash among my pregnant and mother friends! And more so here than in other departments, some styles are sold exclusively on line.
-Ah, now down to the good stuff: the sales departments. There is always something on sale in each area. And it's not necessarily past season's or last year's selection. Some items are almost brand new to the website. And, upon comparison, at times some of the merchandise is only on sale online, whereas it's marked full price in the store.
The recurrent bonuses - a percentage or a sum lifted by your final amount upon checkout - are always a welcome pleasure to find, and are featured quite often (I'd say 8 times per year, for a limited time only - the 20% off 75$ or more purchases is valid only till Feb. 25th, but don't worry, they'll have something else coming up soon, I'm sure.)
I'm standing in line at the cash register...
This is a secure site, so you really shouldn't have any qualms and should go right on and register all of your data. I'm a prude, so I gave all of my information except for my credit card number. As it is, checking out is really a snap.
When you're going through checkout, you can also request complimentary boxes -to be assembled, but they're free! - gift wraps (for an extra $5), and also add a a complimentary gift note. If you're spoiled and selfish like I am today, well, just note on this same page that you'll be spending the following for your delivery:
$5.95 for purchases up to $25, $6.95 from $25.01 to $50, $8.95 from $50.01 - $75, $9.95 from $75.01 - $100, $11.95 from $100.01 - $150, if you go over that price, well, STOP YOURSELF, GO BACK AND TAKE SOME STUFF OUT OF YOUR BAG, YOU SHOP MANIAC.
And, you what? You want express delivery? Can't you test your patience a little, you immediate gratification basketcase? Ok, for 1 business day delivery, add 9 bucks. Need it faster? Get in your car. Now.
Seriously, all in all their shipping rates are quite fair. Not to mention, they often offer free shipping for purchases above $75 (not cumulative, of course. It's up to you). There are rare occasions when you can get away with free shipping and a discount. Those are field days for me.
Gap.com states you'll be receiving your purchase in 7 to 10 days, I have never waited more than 2 weeks to have my package delivered, and tracking your shipment is really easy. Customer service is very helpful and kind, and if you e-mail them, and I have, they will give you a prompt, graceful and clear reply. I was impressed.
Ok you cashier, so what if I don't LIKE what I get in the mail??
You can return any item purchased on gap.com at any retail store or by mail, and they will credit you instantly. I have been naughty on one occasion, and I will lead you on to my experience. I had purchased an item online, already on sale, only to find out when it had arrived that it had been consistently downmarked again. So I, *the fox*, bought the same product again, had my mother return the item purchased online to the Gap store asking for credit. They replied I could be re-credited only by returning it by mail.
So she did, I got the amount back, and in the end I saved $25 on the same trench coat, including shipping. I waited a long time to wear that coat, but boy was I proud of myself! (Snicker. And don't tell I do such things. It's not nice).
All right. What can I say to wrap things up ? If you've got a soft spot for bargains, but you're feeling iffy about rushing to buy clearance items at bargain outlet online stores without a clear idea of what that certain brand will look like once it gets there (or on you, boy have I regretted some purchases on - can I say ? - Overstock and Smartbargains), play it safe. Gap gives what it promises. No more, and often on line, some for less.
Ok. Now you're hooked. Join the club. (Sigh, again).
www.gap.com.
Recommended:
Yes
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elsa70
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Location: Ciao, baby.
Reviews written: 33
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temporarily out of order. ZZZZZZZ.
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