Gilt Groupe Issue

[Steven Aver]

Not sure if anyone else has noticed this before but I bought a Bamford and Son Cotton/Wool Overcoat for $450 from the Sale this week. Got it last night and noticed that the manufacturers tag is showing a retails of 495 pounds. On the contrary Gilt claimed that retail was at $1600.

I dont know if this was simply a typo on the site but I am not happy with the coat itself, plus the fact that the retail was incorrectly stated. Anyone else notice this? Im going to ask for a full refund.

Nothing against Gilt, they are a good vendor and site, its just this is not the fist time I have noticed this.

 

[mack11211]

Well, on one hand US prices are not direct equivalents of their foreign ones.

On the other hand, 495 GBP would be 700 or 800 USD, so that is a big difference.

 

[jsherman02]

I find retail prices are meaningless.... If you are willing to pay the price for the item...than the retail price means nothing.

However, their (Gilt) return policy is another subject.

 

[Balthazar]

I see your point jsherman, but still, if they are inflating retail prices, that would be a problem I think. People (correctly) assume some correlation between price and quality.

The two things I have bought from Gilt had original tags that matched the claimed MSRP.

 

[Steven Aver]

Originally Posted by mack11211

Well, on one hand US prices are not direct equivalents of their foreign ones.

On the other hand, 495 GBP would be 700 or 800 USD, so that is a big difference.

That I know, but it is still half of what was claimed. Since I expected the retail to be much higher I thought I would be getting a better quality product. I am honestly not impressed at all with this jacket and even unhappier with Gilts return policy.

 

[mr. magoo]

Perhaps it's sold for $1600 in the US and 495 GBP in GB? Kind of like Levis used to be. Since they only sell in the US, they compare to the US MSRP.

 

[GiltGroupe]

Hi,

This issue is a different matter; but, in regards to MSRP and what may actually be listed on the tag there is always room for variance. MSRP stands for "suggested" retail price; but, a Saks, Neimans, Barneys can sell these for whatever they want compared to a designer's own boutiques. Also, in dealing with exchange rates there can be room for additional variance.

However, in this case, with today's conversion rates that jacket would have an "MSRP" of about $800. If you've been to Bergdorf or Barneys and looked at Bamford you will not find an overcoat of this nature for $800. In the case of Bamford (like some other vendors) when they mark things on sale in their own stores they reprint an entirely new ticket instead of putting a sticker over the old price or a slash through it. This is simply the case in the overcoat that you recieved.
When we work out the retail prices we are working from wholesale costs so they will always be inline with department store/boutique markups.

Our return policy is clearly state and we've not found that many people have a problem with it. Any sized item can be returned or exchanged within 14 days for account credit. Items without a size are final sale.

 

[jsherman02]

Originally Posted by GiltGroupe

Hi,

This issue is a different matter; but, in regards to MSRP and what may actually be listed on the tag there is always room for variance. MSRP stands for "suggested" retail price; but, a Saks, Neimans, Barneys can sell these for whatever they want compared to a designer's own boutiques. Also, in dealing with exchange rates there can be room for additional variance.

However, in this case, with today's conversion rates that jacket would have an "MSRP" of about $800. If you've been to Bergdorf or Barneys and looked at Bamford you will not find an overcoat of this nature for $800. In the case of Bamford (like some other vendors) when they mark things on sale in their own stores they reprint an entirely new ticket instead of putting a sticker over the old price or a slash through it. This is simply the case in the overcoat that you recieved.
When we work out the retail prices we are working from wholesale costs so they will always be inline with department store/boutique markups.

Our return policy is clearly state and we've not found that many people have a problem with it. Any sized item can be returned or exchanged within 14 days for account credit. Items without a size are final sale.

The store credit thing bugs me....that is all. You guys have always been great to me, so no complaints...I just am mopre gun shy to order from you knowing that the item is a final sale.

 

[whnay.]

The price for something, anything, it what you will pay for it. Don't buy into the "discount" illusion.

 

[jsherman02]

Originally Posted by whnay.

The price for something, anything, it what you will pay for it. Don't buy into the "discount" illusion.

^ I agree 100%

 

[Steven Aver]

I will be returning this item for 100% refund. Hopefully Gilt will be understanding of the situation.

 

[Bumble_Bee]

Originally Posted by Steven Aver

I will be returning this item for 100% refund. Hopefully Gilt will be understanding of the situation.
Full refund for store credit? No? Then I guess things will get nasty around here.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Originally Posted by Steven Aver

I will be returning this item for 100% refund. Hopefully Gilt will be understanding of the situation.

That you paid like $400 bucks for a $1600 jacket and are pissed about it?

 

[Steven Aver]

Originally Posted by SoCal2NYC

That you paid like $400 bucks for a $1600 jacket and are pissed about it?

No $400 for a $800 that was claimed as a $1600.

 

[teddieriley]

Originally Posted by Steven Aver

No $400 for a $800 that was claimed as a $1600.

I think Gilt's explanation is fair enough. In addition, the exchange rate when they tagged the item was probably closer to 2:1.

I can see you being disappointed about what you received. These instances are parts of the "joy" of internet shopping. Sometimes, you just don't get what you hoped for. But it doesn't appear that Gilt did anything misleading to cause this result (and most online retailers don't).

Gilt's return policy is understandable (and stated). They are basically liquidating seasonable merchandise. They can't have a liberal return policy otherwise they may be flooded with returns when they thought they reduced their inventory. This has to be factored in your buying decision so at least you are prepared for the possible outcomes.