Sales Don't Come From Lies

Dear Beyond The Rack,

I ain't a hater. I realize no one's perfect, but you gotta start upping your game if you want people to stop saying crap about you on the internet. How about treating the people who pay for your products better? I also suggest you stop blatantly lying to your customers about what's in stock on your site. On more than one instance, you've displayed a graphic of an item that you're not even selling. Lame!

Check yourself before you wreck yourself,
D

Review: MBMJ Zippy Heart Tote

I got my Zippy Nylon Tote today and it SUCKS! I spent $25 on stupid customs only to return it.

My brother said "That's Marc Jacobs? It's like he's playing a joke on everyone."

Before knowing it was MBMJ, Amy said "Ooo! That bag looks cheap. Return it."

After I told her it's MBMJ, Amy said "Whaaat?! You can get something like that at Pacific Mall for $10!"

Marc by Marc Jacobs Zippy Heart Tote Review:

• Thin cheap looking nylon.
• Unlined.
• No pockets
• The cute little bobbles keeping falling to the bottom because the zipper doesn't secure it in place.
• Thought the heart pouch was removable, but it's not. It only acts as a pouch to hold the nylon tote inside. Even then, it's hard to zip up.
• Disappointing. My brother said it best: It's as if Marc is playing a mean trick on us.

For $168 USD girls, save your money and put it away for a rainy day. This one's going back.

::: Nathalie

Who needs "influence"?

The real deal, MBMJ Petal to the Metal Cross Body

Alexander Wang rip off bags at H&M, $14.95

The real deal, Nathalie's Alexander Wang Tina Zip Clutch

If you read our blog, you'll know that Diana and I are handbag snobs. It just kinda happened one day. After buying our first designer bag, there was no way we could go back to anything else. Since then, we've been able to spot which designer "influenced" the significantly less expensive version.

This past weekend, we ducked into Town Shoes for a quick look. Diana handed me a bag that looked strikingly like the Marc by Marc Jacobs Petal to the Metal Cross Body.

"When did they start selling MBMJ?" I asked. But it wasn't. It was their house brand.

Then today, at H&M, we walked by a display of Alexander Wang Tina Zip Clutch "influenced" bags. I'm gonna pull the snob card here and tell you that I have the real deal in my closet. So I asked Diana "Am I a sucker for spending big bucks on my bag or does H&M suck for replicating it?" Diana's a good friend and told me H&M sucked. Plus, their version is pretty awful as "influenced" items goes. Apparently $14.95 gets you the latest "it" bag.

::: Nathalie

Distaste: Cross border shopping taxes and Nordstrom sales people

I previously posted about my missed opportunity on the See by Chloe Rise & Shine cross body bag. Determined to find it, I picked up the phone and started calling Nordstroms in the Michigan area where I eventually stumbled across a seemingly helpful salesperson at Twelve Oaks Mall, who located one for me.

Since Diana and I have sorta become experts on cross border shopping, and on which shipping methods incur the least customs and duty taxes, I requested the bag be shipped a certain way.

Unfortunately, the Nordstrom sales person didn't listen.

A yellow UPS notice waited for me at the door the next day, with a Brokerage C.O.D charge of $165.71!!!!! What?! Was the decimal point put in the wrong place? How could this be? $165 is nearly $200! Why?

Well, there was no way I was paying $165.71 on customs and taxes! INSANITY!
I had to decline the package.

Annoyed at the sales person for not having listened, I called Nordstrom. Her manager nonchalantly told me they'd refund the bag and the shipping, upon receiving it back. Not much of a consolation for me, I really wanted this bag! (These sales people should know how women are with handbags. It's our lively hood.)

Well, I got my refund yesterday but I'm still pissed. While Nordstrom messed up, it's insane that Canadians are treated unfairly with absurd taxes. Our countries are so similar, and so close, I just don't see why it's necessary.

::: Nathalie

Fashion Oh-No!: Sheer Leggings

I was at the check out of the grocery store today and happen to look up (to my dismay) and accidently checked out a girls bum. I'm talking butt crack, thong and everything, fully out there on display through her sheer leggings. (Poor girl, she didn't have a clue.) Sadly, this is the second time this month that I've encountered a full moon through what-should-have-been-opaque tights.

Please ladies, if you're going to wear leggings as pants, let's make sure that our leggings are completely opaque. AND please, wear a shirt past your naughty bits, there's no need to put it all on display.

Thank you and have a safe and happy New Year everyone! Diana and I have been slacking hardcore but we promise regular postings soon.

::: Nathalie

Picture sourced through Google images.

Rough Around the Edges

We were pretty pumped to learn from Yulanda that Free People offers decent shipping rates to Canada.

I really want the ring pictured to the left - but check out the model's nails. That's rough! Free People, dontcha think it's important to prep your peeps before taking pictures?

Just a word to the wise.

-D

SS10 Joe Fresh - Snoozefest

Hotpants at Joe Fresh SS10*

Well wasn't that interesting?
About a minute into the collection I thought, "Oh lord, how much longer?"

Here are my thoughts:

• Too many sheers. Sheer tops, sheer dresses, tight dresses with sheer side panels, and even, sheer coats for men. Yes. A model sported a sheer white coat.
• Underwear as outer wear. What?
  
• Hot pants. In what universe will the Joe Fresh woman pick up a high waisted hotpant (with an exposed zipper) and think "This is great. I can wear this to the annual family picnic!" I wish I'd counted how many times this hotpant was featured on the runway. 5, 18, 22 times?
  
• Ridiculously tall cartoon like hats. I'm reminded of Mister Men.
  
• Clone male models all sporting the same dull short, button down shirt and cardigan combo. (Except for the above mentioned guy who's clearly a trendsetter.)
• The return of clogs! Models looked short and almost stocky as they trotted down the runway in pastel colored clogs. (One poor girl was so revolted by her footwear she actually tripped.)
• Stiff as card board fabrics. Did anyone else notice? Oh, except for maybe those hideous tutu like skirts at the end.
  

One piece did strike my fancy - a classic beige trench coat with cute folded pockets and big buttons. Sorry Joe but this collection is a snooze.

::: Nathalie and Mr. Chatterbox signing off.

PS - What was with the sheer knee-high socks?

*Photo source: Fashion magazine blogger on Twitter.

F'real, is that ok???

Fashion is constantly testing boundaries. Here's another - Lara Stone in blackface.
I'm thinking WTF???

Source

Good things in life are never free

Diane Von Furstenburg recently worked with Holts for their 'free canvas bag giveaway with the minimum purchase of $500' promotion, going on this weekend. We contacted Holts corporate for a bag to blog about it. This is the response we got:

Thank-you for your interest in Holt Renfrew! I have attached an image of the bag that you are able to use for your blog post - we would love to see the link. We hope you will both be able to visit Holt Renfrew this weekend!

Really? Let's see: the bag probably cost $5 to produce. (Though DVF was probably paid nicely...) Holts also promotes bloggers, but apparently only once they've made it big.

So here's the thing: what's a few dollars in the grander scheme of things when we're talking about brand loyalty? We shop at Holt's a fair bit and will probably continue to do so. However, you really have to wonder just how much your favourite brand loves you back when you're not worth a canvas bag, y'know?

::: Nathalie & Diana

Don't You Want My Money?

I've voiced my opinions about this in earlier posts, but now it's really beginning to annoy me.

For those of you who are not familiar with Gilt Groupe, it's an exclusive, by invitation only, on-line shop for luxury brands. They carry women's wear, men's wear, accessories, handbags, footwear, housewears and children's clothing on weekends. Sounds good? Well it is. The sales are spectacular and let me tell you, it is kind of exciting buying clothes on a first come first serve basis (their sales start at noon each day).

The Problem: they haven't been accepting international credit cards since the beginning of this year. I used to shop on Gilt with my Canadian credit card and have my orders sent to my uncle's place in Miami. Those days are now long gone.

I was contacted by a representative from Gilt back in April to explain their security policy and why they can't accept international cards until they get their legal process straightened out. Blah, blah, blah.

Since then, I have called Gilt customer service numerous times to ask when they will once again allow us non-American's to shop on their site. I always get the same response: "We're working on it. Canadians are at the top of our priority list. We're hoping to have it fixed soon." Blah, blah, blah.

For a shopping addict / bargain hunter such as myself, this isn't very consoling. Especially when I see the brands on the site getting better and better with every passing day. Vena Cava, Tibi, Rag & Bone, L.A.M.B., Psycho Bunny, Helmut Lang for men. It hurts to look at!

So all I have to say is, hurry up Gilt Groupe and stop being so prejudice towards your non-U.S. shoppers. My hard earned cash is just waiting to be spent on your site. Don't let another 5 months go by shunning your neighbors up north.

::: Nathalie

For those U.S. people, click here for a personal invitation link to Gilt. Happy shopping. *tear.

What the... seriously?

DISTASTE

At this point I'm convinced that American Apparel is playing a nasty joke on all of their customers to see how far they could push the branding envelope. People go gaga for AA shit and I just don't get why. It's overpriced, over sexed cotton goods that you could get pretty much anywhere else.

I say they bring prices down, hire some less annoying people at their stores, hire models that are over 24 years old and get rid of those terrible porn like ad campaigns.

What is the secret to their success? I just don't get it.

::: Nathalie

(Yes I own a cheapie gray AA sweatshirt and a couple of old tshirts, but believe me, I bitch every time Diana drags me there. Just ask her.)

Summer Face: Tinted Moisturizers

Yesterday I went sopping for some tinted moisturizers in preparation for my much anticipated, and very delayed honeymoon. Something perfect for that hot, humid Florida climate. 

DISTASTE: 

I thought I'd go cheap (at first) and went to Shoppers and bought the Almay Smart Shade Makeup. This makeup goes on white and "adjusts" to your skin color. I felt it was more of a gimmick than anything else. What really happens is you blend it and these little beads explode with color. Considering my face was darker than my neck, I'd say the skin matching "technology" is B.S. At $20 CND, I thought I could do better and returned it earlier this evening. Ick! (Yes ladies and gents, in case you didn't know, you can return opened products at Shoppers as long as you have your receipt.)

LOVE: 

After doing some research, with the help of Diana, Kiehl's Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15 sounded just peachy! We stopped by the Kiehl's counter today to give it a try. The color was lovely and so close to my olive complexion, not pink like most tinted moisturizers. Already a faithful believer in the Kiehl's brand, I thought I'd try it. I also picked up a tube of their lip gloss in Golden Berry. Both products are just what I was looking for - they're great for your skin and are really light, perfect for hot, humid weather. The last thing I'd want is a melty overdone face on my honeymoon. Talk about scary.

::: Nathalie 

When Mash-Ups Don't Work.

I'm not a hater.
I'm all about people taking risks and creating new and exciting stuff. However, some things just don't work.

When I saw these sandals on Nitrolicious, I couldn't get over how wack they are. The whole selling feature is 'style that isn't compromised by comfort'.

I'm wearing a pair of flat gladiators right now, and I can tell you that they don't need Nike technology to be comfortable.

-D

Oh no they didn't!

Remember that episode of SATC when Carrie is appalled at the idea of a New York woman wearing a scrunchie?
Well, turns out American Apparel is trying to bring them back.

Yikes!

-D

Huh?

From what I hear, being pregnant wages war on your bladder. So it really doesn't make any sense to make a unitard for those with child, does it?

American Apparel is coming out with a maternity line. Uh...

-Diana

Distaste: Gilt Groupe

I've always been very happy with Gilt Groupe but as of today, that changed. I live in Oakville, Ontario and purchase items with my Canadian Mastercard and have orders shipped to my uncles house in the States.

Earlier today I proceeded to checkout with 2 items in my shopping cart, Marc Jacobs trousers for $39 USD and a Trovata buttoned down shirt, $29 USD - birthday presents for my husband. Instead of "Thank you for your order" I get a nasty message saying my order has declined, something about a problem with my shipping address. I'm frantic now about loosing $39 Marc Jacobs trousers so I keep hitting SUBMIT ORDER over and over again. The nasty message gets more detailed and says the address on my credit card doesn't match with my shipping address.

Outraged I dialed the 1-877 number and spoke to a customer service rep that explained I was lucky enough to have made Gilt purchases in the past. Apparently their system was supposed to prohibit international credit cards. Long story short, a few of us got through, Gilt caught on and has now heightened their security. It is completely outrageous to cut of your services to those with international credit cards!

And really, did they have to do it now with all of their crazy final sales going on? Couldn't they have waited another week?! Bastards!!!

::: Nathalie

The Pain in our Soles

Last month Diana and I took a lovely day off work to do a little bit of shopping in Buffalo. Really we where there for the launch of Alexander McQueen's Target collection which was in fact, not available at that particular Target. Trying to make the best of our 2 hour drive, we headed over to Lord and Taylor, Urban Outfitters and The Cheesecake Factory for an instant pick-me-up.

I scored at Urban where I found these adorable Sweet Life by Dolce Vita sandals for $20 and we both scored at Lord and Taylor. Diana got a pair of classic black Michael Kors leather flats and I bought a pair of brown Michael Kors opened toed heels. We couldn't wait for the first sign of warm weather to wear our new shoes!

That day finally came I was sorely disappointed (pun intended). What seemed like the most comfortable heel in the store, turned into a nightmare after 30 minutes of walking. My toes were so swollen that wearing any shoe afterward hurt. Diana also experienced similar trauma with her flats. She told me about the crippling pain in her feet after an eight hour day at the office.

Why is it so difficult to make comfortable shoes? There's nothing more disappointing than having spent your hard earned cash on a pair of shoes you can't wear. I'll put up with a little bit of pain for gorgeous shoes but there is such a thing as too much. Curse you Michael Kors for having decived us!

::: Nathalie

Distaste: Club Monaco

Each season Club Monaco comes out with the latest trends of well tailored clothes in the hottest colors. The mannequins are always impeccably dressed and the window displays draw you right in. And yet, you'll never catch me shopping there. Here are my reasons from bad to worse.

The clothes are more expensive than they are actually worth
Even the sales aren't worth it. Just a month ago I was in the fitting room trying on a gorgeous black pencil skirt marked from $110 to $69. While the fit was perfect, the fabric contents where not - 90% cotton and 10% spandex. One wash and that skirt would never look the same. The cotton twill would be prone to wrinkling from sitting down. No thanks, I'll pass.

Terrible customer service
A few years ago I bought a top and changed my mind. It had been past the 30 day refund frame and so the manager issued me a store credit via gift card. A few months later, I wanted to make a purchase with this gift card. Guess what? It was empty! The store and head office weren't much help at all and my money was never to be seen.

Quality
I do have a few items from about 7 years that I still occasionally wear. A black knee length pleated skirt that looks just as great today as when I first bought it and a gorgeous seersucker blazer. Compare those articles of clothing to a white circle skirt I bought in the spring of '07. Due to the nature of the fabric, the skirt had begun to lightly tear at the seams before it's first wash. My dry cleaner even refused to take it in case the garment was damaged further in their custody. Frustrated and disappointed with the quality, I emailed the Club Monaco's customer service. No one ever responded. I sent the email again every few weeks until about the 6th email and finally gave up. They obviously didn't care.

Two weeks ago The National Post's Style section did a feature on 5 Must Have items for spring. Club Monaco's boyfriend blazer was number one on the list. I had purchased my Wilfred boyfriend blazer at Aritzia a week before.
I had to compare the two to see what this editor was gushing about.

Wilfred's boyfriend blazer, $225 CAD, consists of 85% wool, 10% silk and 5% cashmere. Quality fabrics that make this item a real investment piece.

VS.

Club Monaco's boyfriend blazer, $199 CAD - 100% cotton. It's a thinner cotton for a blazer meaning it would wrinkle easy. Certainly not worth the hefty price tag.





When it comes to investing in good quality pieces, be sure you look at fabric content, fit and cut. I feel that for a few years now, Club Monaco has lacked in the quality department making most of their items disposable in the long run.

Since coming onto the scene in the mid 80's, Club Monaco has undergone a lot of changes including the direction in management from creators Joe Mimran (Joe Fresh) and Alfred Sung over to Polo Ralph Lauren. I remember the Star having published an article about the take over and I was left wondering how it would affect the brand. Time would tell. The clothing became more sophisticated and the prices reflected this. (They also dropped the sporty CMX line). I feel that what Club Monaco offers in high style, they lack in care and that to me, is just as important in a brand. While you may see me perusing the latest styles at the Sherway Gardens store, it's very unlikely that I'll be making a purchase anytime soon.

-Nathalie

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