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Why can't brooksbrothers.com get suits off backorder?

soupcxan

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Last week during BB's 50% off suit sale I put in an order for a 38R navy stripe Fitzgerald. This ought to be a pretty common size/color combination, not a seasonal fabric. It said it was backordered until 9/19. Fine.

It's a week later and my order now shows a backorder of 9/27. Basicially every day that goes by, they are moving the backorder date further out by the same amount. Searching the forum, this seems to be a common problem with BB.com. I am sure that even at 50% off, they are still making a decent margin on their suits. In this economy, I would think that retailers are desperate for every dollar they can get - so why doesn't the online division get some suits in stock? Or find it at a local store and have it shipped out? Does BB really not need my business?

Anyone have some tips on how to get them to pick up the pace on this? Is it possible to transfer an online order to a store (whose SA could then find the suit and have it sent in)?
 

Cashmoney

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but in this economy, BB is probably trying to reduce inventory as a way to cut expenses. that's what all other big retailers are doing.

so getting you a suit in your size may take a bit longer.
 

JayJay

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Unfortunately, this is very typical of BB for online purchases.
 

Cary Grant

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Originally Posted by Cashmoney
but in this economy, BB is probably trying to reduce inventory as a way to cut expenses. that's what all other big retailers are doing.

so getting you a suit in your size may take a bit longer.


+1
 

JayJay

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Originally Posted by Cashmoney
but in this economy, BB is probably trying to reduce inventory as a way to cut expenses. that's what all other big retailers are doing.

so getting you a suit in your size may take a bit longer.

I was in BB over the weekend, and they confirmed this. They stock fewer items and sizes for each item. In fact, they have had to get most of the items I purchased this year from other stores.
 

soupcxan

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Totally agree with your reasoning that inventories are being cut to reduce costs, but there's a big difference between a retail store that has high overheads and limited space, and a warehouse that has to serve the entire country. Can't they afford to keep at least the basic colors (navy, charcoal) in stock in common sizes? Even if they can't do that, why don't they know their backorder date with certainty? Their supplier ought to be able to tell them approximately when the goods are going to be ready...I don't mind if its a month away as long as it doesn't change every day!
 

Happydayz

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BB is having inventory problems in their brick and mortar stores as well. There's a chain-wide shortage that was severely exacerbated by the 50% off sale
 

CYstyle

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Originally Posted by Happydayz
BB is having inventory problems in their brick and mortar stores as well. There's a chain-wide shortage that was severely exacerbated by the 50% off sale

yep. your backorder suits are going to be done by "october at best" which is what we were told. They are cutting production on tux's and other things to crank out the 1818 suits, which they need a couple thousand of. which also means the stores won't be getting any inventory as well.
 

JayJay

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Originally Posted by CYstyle
yep. your backorder suits are going to be done by "october at best" which is what we were told. They are cutting production on tux's and other things to crank out the 1818 suits, which they need a couple thousand of. which also means the stores won't be getting any inventory as well.
I was told the fall BF won't be in stores until October, is this right? This seems awfully late for fall goods.
 

alliswell

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Originally Posted by soupcxan
Last week during BB's 50% off suit sale I put in an order for a 38R navy stripe Fitzgerald. This ought to be a pretty common size/color combination, not a seasonal fabric. It said it was backordered until 9/19. Fine.

It's a week later and my order now shows a backorder of 9/27. Basicially every day that goes by, they are moving the backorder date further out by the same amount. Searching the forum, this seems to be a common problem with BB.com. I am sure that even at 50% off, they are still making a decent margin on their suits. In this economy, I would think that retailers are desperate for every dollar they can get - so why doesn't the online division get some suits in stock? Or find it at a local store and have it shipped out? Does BB really not need my business?

Anyone have some tips on how to get them to pick up the pace on this? Is it possible to transfer an online order to a store (whose SA could then find the suit and have it sent in)?


If you see a product on backorder for three weeks it means that it will be available IF they re-order it. Do not expect to see it delivered.
 

CYstyle

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Originally Posted by JayJay
I was told the fall BF won't be in stores until October, is this right? This seems awfully late for fall goods.

They said last week of Sept, but that probably means, first or 2nd week of October to be safe. it is late...=_= don't want to knock on BB, but late fall BF and this 50% off suit sale was not very great execution.
 

Dewey

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The more they make to order, they less they need to discount in 2010.
 

Hollowthorn

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Originally Posted by Dewey
The more they make to order, they less they need to discount in 2010.
Basically this. They need to cut back on BF stuff.
 

JayJay

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Originally Posted by Hollowthorn
They need to cut back on BF stuff.
CYstyle, I'm guessing that Thom Browne's contract for BF won't be extended beyond 2011. Any speculation on who will design the line for 2012?
 

soupcxan

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This all seems like a pretty crappy way to run a supply chain. I would ditch them if I could find a suit that fits me as well as the fitz for $500 but so far I've had no luck. So I'm at BB's mercy.
 

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