Even though I have pretty much vowed to limit my shopping, I just checked out net-a-porter to see if they have come to their senses and reduced their old Mayle stock further. After all, most of it is nearly a year old now and clearly it didn't sell last holiday/resort season, nor this summer, and it likely won't sell in a recession. Well, the news is that they did make some adjustments. These are truly pathetic (hence the title of this post). They marked down their remaining spring 08 items from 25% off to 30% off and added the Itali camisole (why it was never on sale defeats me).
In the infintessimal event any of their staff sees this: these items won't sell at this price. There is new Mayle in store and much of it is more desirable. I'd get Tana and even another Pina in white, but I'm only prepared to pay 20-30% of retail at this point as I'd rather get resort 08 items than resort 07. Plus, there is a recession on. Saks reduced their stock to nearly 90% off this week (pre-sale) and while I didn't shop there, many of your customers did. They don't have the money and, if they do, 30% off a year old item isn't going to tempt them to spend.
Also on the please get real list: LaGarconne (items that are a year old or more should be on fire sale, not 30% discount). You could sell these now if your prices were reasonable (instead of having to store them), but those of us who might buy may have spent our money elsewhere by the time you realize that they are dated and drop prices to a realistic level.
11 comments:
not only is it pathetic, it's also insulting to us. i really wish they would realize what a bad idea it is to sell year-old stock at 20-30% reductions. net-a-porter used to be one of my only online options, but that was a long time ago and e-commerce luxury scene has been radically transformed.
at this point i think of la garconne and net-a-porter as archives of old mayle pieces. if i've forgotten to save an image to my desktop, i can probably find it on either of their sites. how sad!
Too true--they are just archives now! It's not even as though they had the really rare items. You would think they realized we had the ability to check other sites, including eluxury, and find the same stock for far less. I am no cheerleader for eluxury (they need to start fall markdowns) but they do get that stock that's several seasons old has to be slashed to sell.
The economy won't suddenly get better and even if it does, these old items won't be people's first choice. I actually like Josefina so much less the more I see it, and even though I like Tana and Pina, I already own Pina in black (so much more useful) and don't feel the compelling need to own Tana that I had six months ago. Most people are not as obsessed with Mayle as I am, so if I'm not interested--and the folks who buy full price have passed--I don't know who they think will buy this stock at this price.
I completely agree with your sentiments. I can't imagine that the online vendors are doing any better than brick-and-mortar stores that they wouldn't need to slash prices to move stock, too. I get so annoyed every time I look at la garconne's sale page. Jake used to have decent markdowns on Mayle; it's too bad they're not carrying the last collections at all.
I heard that the Saks sale was completely insane-- women buying 20 or 30 pairs of shoes at a time. If the Barneys' markdowns were a depressing indicator of the economy, the Saks sale is an even more disturbing sign of tough times.
Evidently Saks was so bad in LA that the fire department evacuated the store at one point. Even if this is an urban legend, it gives you an idea of how bad things are and how large the reductions have to be to get people to shop. Another reason why NAP and LG have poor business practices. I can understand a small boutique, like LG, doing this because they may not be able to afford to make the cuts--although Jake, Odessa and others seemingly have no problem with it--but NAP is backed by one of the major conglomerates and has no stores to support.
My friend Jane is in Saks in Pittsburgh now--she's cleaning up and looking for bags for me. She just got herself a Kooba and a Badgeley Mischka for a total of $270. Saks in NY evidently has nothing left.
Totally agree, I wonder where all the out of season NAP stock end up, surely they won't be able to sell all of them once its past one/two years.
LG reductions are also completely pathetic, Revolve just started their reductions, I managed to get a Karen Walker trench that's been reduced from the eight hundreds to $295 with a coupon, LG's have it in stock in every single size at $588, that's not going to help for a online boutique, when customers can compare prices with just one click.
eniko in ivory paradiso arrived yesterday from the mayle shop. as of now i can still fit into it (hooray!). i think i'll wear it to the baby shower next week.
will post photos soon. the fabric and details are just as gorgeous as i remember. now if only i had the right shoes for it. what would you all recommend?
i'm terrible with shoes. it's either ballet flats, boots, or sandals. i don't own any heels, unless you count my ridiculous dansko clog heels.
I think it would work with ballet flats or boots. I am so glad you got it quickly and that it fits. Please post photos.
My Odessa box should arrive tonight...
Erica- so glad you love your Eniko! I'm sure it looks beautiful on you. As for shoes, I think flats and tights would look good, or maryjanes if you have them. I think I will probably wear mine with flats or ankle boots while it's cold. With a cozy cardigan, too! Can't wait to see pictures!
oh, i wish i had ankle boots! those would be perfect with this dress. i will probably end up wearing it with ballet flats for now. i seem to have misplaced my favorite long thin cardigan, anything thicker makes me feel awkward nowadays.
hi moya-
how long did your odessa package take to arrive? it's been a week and a half and still no sign of mine. wondering if i should start to worry? thanks!
It took about that long--I think the post is bad in NYC. I got my stuff Friday but they had tried to deliver a couple of days earlier when Evan and I were out. Last time, Susan shipped everything Priority mail and it took a day--this time, she used UPS.
Let us know when you get your package--fingers crossed it will be there tomorrow.
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