Marvelous Girl

Nordstrom takes six weeks to deliver coat

Posted by: marvelousgirl on: November 24, 2009

I’m usually a big fan of Nordstrom, but my recent transaction with the company has made me NEVER want to shop there again!  Why you ask?  Because it took six weeks, ten phone calls to customer service, three calls to UPS and a letter to Nordstrom’s corporate headquarters to get the coat I purchased!!

I don’t know about you, but I find that sort of service unacceptable.  I ordered my coat on Sept. 20 and didn’t receive it until Oct. 30 , when I was told it would arrive in 5-8 business days! 

So what went wrong?  Apparently the coat left the Nordstrom’s warehouse via UPS.  From there, UPS “tried” to deliver the package to my second-story apartment but couldn’t find my unit (out of an eight-unit building).  Shocking, I know. 

Seeing that the UPS carrier was too lazy to walk up a flight of stairs – that’s a story for another day – there was no package notice left to alert me that the coat was sent back to Nordstrom. 

So, Nordstrom sent out ANOTHER coat and the cycle with UPS started all over again.  But here’s the kicker…Nordstrom failed to inform me (the customer) of the status of my order.  So in the meantime, I’m calling the company’s customer service and getting the runaround.  On three occasions customer service promised me the package would arrive the next day and it never did.  On two occasions they promised me a return phone call and never called back – infuriating!

Finally, four weeks after my purchase I got a UPS slip on my apartment door saying the package couldn’t be delivered.  I called UPS and they said the package had been sent back to Nordstrom.  So I called Nordstrom and they finally explained the troubles they were having with shipping and asked me for an alternative address to ship the coat (which they should have done weeks prior).  I gave them my work address and the package still didn’t show up for another 10 days!

The most disturbing part of this whole story is that I probably would never have received my coat had I not been such a squeaky wheel.  Also, I had asked for a refund for all the time I spent tracking down this coat (40 days) and Nordstrom wouldn’t give me one.  If I were you, I’d think twice when ordering from this company.  Unless you have the time to order you swimsuit in February so it’s there by June.

And let’s not let UPS off that easy.  The icing on the cake is that I got a UPS delivery a week later to my second-story apartment.  What’s that all about?!  Do their carriers pick and choose the packages they want to deliver?  If Nordstrom was smart it would switch to Fed-Ex.

Who should get the H1N1 vaccine?

Posted by: marvelousgirl on: November 23, 2009

Hysteria has hit the nation this season with the threat of the Swine Flu and people are looking for immunity.  But who needs to get the H1N1 vaccine and who doesn’t?

You may think that the elderly or others with a week immune system are the people who need vaccinated, but that’s not true according to Herd Immunity.  The theory proposes that “the higher proportion of individuals who are immune, the lower the likelihood that a susceptible person will come into contact with an infected individual.”

In simple terms, to prevent the spread of H1N1 those who work in high-traffic areas (think hospital and school workers) are the ones that should be vaccinated. 

The vaccine therefore acts like a firewall, preventing further transmission of the disease to the rest of the population.  The goal is to vaccinate the “spreaders” – those likely to give the Swine Flu to others – rather than grandma and grandpa who hardly leave the house.  In doing so, when grandma and grandpa decide to leave their house, the grocery store bag boy isn’t giving them H1N1 because he was vaccinated.

Get it?

Is “O” the new Lifetime or Oxygen?

Posted by: marvelousgirl on: November 23, 2009

Oprah Winfrey recently announced she will end her daytime talk show in 2011 to reappear on the Oprah Winfrey Network – her OWN cable company.

Winfrey made the decision because there were more and more viewers watching less and less of network television and she saw her audience dwindling.  In short, there are just too many choices too many other places.

With a station devoted solely to Oprah, what can we expect?  24-hour programming of Oprah-deemed-worthy movies and books?  Is O-TV the new Lifetime or Oxygen

 

Americans eat more turkey this Thanksgiving

Posted by: marvelousgirl on: November 23, 2009

Americans can’t afford to dine out this Thanksgiving so they’re eating even more turkey at home than last year, according to industry research firm IBISWorld.

Of total 2009 Thanksgiving sales, 92.5 percent, or $27.64 billion, will be spent on food and drinks alone.  Turkey is the single biggest purchase, with 47.1 million birds expected to be consumed this holiday – up from last year’s level of 45.3 million birds.  

In fact, turkey consumption during Thanksgiving will account for nearly 19 percent of all turkeys produced in the U.S. during 2009!

“The recession has caused people to go back to family values as opposed to simply buying presents,” explained Toon van Beeck, senior analyst with IBISWorld.  “Consumers just don’t have the money to fork out on unnecessary gifts and luxuries such as traveling.  Instead they’ll cherish time spent with close family and friends.”

Twi-riffic holiday deals

Posted by: marvelousgirl on: November 23, 2009

Rather than brave the crowds and long lines this Black Friday, many consumers will do all their shopping from home.  According to Deloitte’s annual holiday survey, 3 out of 5 consumers plan to use social media to find big discounts and coupons this holiday season. 
 
For consumers looking for the most affordable options this year (from electronics to home decor and clothes), CheapTweet addresses a big need by harnessing the power of Twitter to help make consumer dollars stretch further. 

CheapTweet scans Twitter for the best deals, coupons and sales that people are tweeting about. Deals are then consumer-rated and delivered via the Internet and Twitter, so users are able to find the best deals catered to their needs.  Every day, CheapTweet filters through more than 15,000 deal tweets to add 6,000 new deals to the site.
 
Essentially, it takes the hard work out of online shopping and brings the deals to you. CheapTweet launched back in November 2008 and since then has seen an outstanding growth in traffic, over +500%! And big brands are signing up to partner with CheapTweet, like Toys R Us, Barnes & Noble’s and Best Buy.

Wedding invitations for the savvy bride

Posted by: marvelousgirl on: November 23, 2009

I don’t know about you, but I’m picky when it comes to wedding invitations.  As a bride, you want something that represents YOU and your personal style.   But sometimes it’s difficult to find a quality invitation at a reasonable price.

Luckily AllMyInvites.com recently launched its wedding collection, inspired by actual brides from Los Angeles to New York, searching for the latest in modern, custom invitations at an affordable price point.

“You don’t have to spend a thousand dollars on quality wedding invitations,” says Roxy Diba, marketing director for All My Invites.  “We understand that planning a wedding can be taxing both emotionally and financially, which is why our website is designed to help you create wedding invites that express your style without sacrificing quality.”

Invitations are priced from $1.24 to $1.99, depending upon the size of the order, and discounts are available for larger quantities.   Once an order is placed, a designer personally sets each custom design to be printed and sends the client a proof for final review. Shipments are generally made within 48 hours of client approval providing a superlative turnaround. 

One of my favorite invites offered by AllMyInvites.com is the Peacock Paisley (shown above) because you can purchase matching bridal shower, save-the-date, direction, reception and even table place cards!  See for yourself at AllMyInvites.com.  I know you’ll love them!

Items from a celebrity gift list

Posted by: marvelousgirl on: November 23, 2009

Reese Witherspoon hits SATINE for some shopping.  She purchased the Rebecca Minkoff Brown Croc Clutch ($340).

No time to check your list twice this season

Posted by: marvelousgirl on: November 23, 2009

If you have specific gifts on your holiday list this year, you may want to get a jump start on your shopping, according to industry research firm IBISWorld. 

“Consumers have become accustomed to sales and deep discounts during the past year, but retailers have low inventory levels this season and will try to keep prices high,” said van Beeck. “Shoppers will need to purchase before the stores run out if they have specific items on their gift lists.”

Yet, if retailers try to avoid discounting key goods for too long, it could spell disaster. People do not have the disposable income and will look elsewhere for their gifts, making the competition fierce and pricing crucial this year.

Total retail sales on the traditional Black Friday weekend are expected to increase 2.8 percent from last year, totalling $42.9 billion. With 76.9 million people estimated to swarm into retail stores on Black Friday alone, shoppers are expected to take advantage of this day to ensure they get all the items on their gift lists.

Women’s Escape Weekend: Jan 15-17, 2010

Posted by: marvelousgirl on: November 8, 2009

womens escape weekendThe sixth annual Women’s Escape Weekend entitled “Rediscover, Re-Energize, Relax” will be held at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort January 15-17, 2010. 

According to Suzanne Shalaby, Kiawah’s Special Events Manager, this weekend is designed with everything that women love in mind.  “It features informational speakers, cooking demonstration and class, as well as hands-on workshops designed to rejuvenate, pamper, and inspire today’s active and informed women,” said Shalaby.  “With holiday chaos over, it will be a time to rejuvenate by taking a break, meeting others as well as exploring The Sanctuary and Kiawah Island.” 

Proceeds of the event will benefit the Charleston Center for Women, the only comprehensive women’s development center in South Carolina whose mission is to make personal and professional success an everyday event for women in the Lowcountry.

Event Package is based on a double occupancy and starts at $735 per person for two nights at The Sanctuary or $640 per person at the villas. All prices are inclusive of taxes and service fees and include:

Accommodations
Friday reception
Breakfast (Saturday and Sunday)
Lunch and cooking demonstration class
Wine Tasting
Books written by Margaret Seidler and Beth Webb Hart
Dinner on Saturday
All workshops and presentations throughout the weekend
Welcome Spa amenity and gift bag
Friday Day Pass $49 per person
Saturday Day Pass A (includes all day activities) $295 per person
Saturday Day Pass B (all activities excluding evening activities) $165 per person
Sunday Day Pass $105 per person
 
For reservations or details, call 800-654-2924, or visit online for more information at http://www.kiawahresort.com/special-events/womens-escape.php.

The search for the funniest vacation story

Posted by: marvelousgirl on: November 8, 2009

funniest vacationEver catch a flight to the wrong country? Have a hotel give you a squeegee to clean your bathroom after every shower? See an airline have pizza and fried chicken delivered to a plane because they ran out of food? If you have a story, Endless Vacations Rentals (EVR) wants to hear them via the Laugh Out Loud Vacation Contest.
 
Building off the success of its first contest, Endless Vacation Rentals (EVR) is turning its focus to funny vacation stories and giving away more than $40,000 in prizes.
 
Running now through Feb. 2, 2010, just click on www.YourFatChance.com and tell that travel story that made you laugh, cry or cringe – the only requirement is that it must be funny (and not lewd). The winner will receive a one-week vacation rental stay, valued at up to $5,000, through EVRentals.com, plus $5,000 in cash.  Second and third place winners will also receive a one-week vacation and cash in the amount of $2,500 and $1,000, respectively.  Just by voting for the best story consumers will be entered to win one of six, one-week vacations and cash prizes valued at up to $5,000. And while you are at it, go to www.YourFatChance.com or text “LOL” to 95495 to tickle the Hippo (YourFatChance.com’s mascot) and help Endless Vacation Rentals meet its goal of 100,000 tickles, sending two deserving families on a relaxing getaway.
 
Voting and tickling concludes on April 2, 2010. Winners will be announced the week of April 19, 2010. To enter a funny vacation story and view full contest rules, visit www.YourFatChance.com.


  • Sabrina: I would call Nordstrom and tell them you want a discount. That is rediclous. Then proceed to tell them you have a reader base of xxx and see what th
  • Leisa: The best place to go for holiday postcards is Postcards.com! Need invitations, thank you card’s or just spreading some cheer? Design your own ca
  • Khris: Oh wow I like the dress!! I want something like this..Where did you find the dress?

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