Want to learn how to budget shop on the Neiman Marcus website? Yeah, us too! You expect high prices and high fashion from Neiman Marcus, so it’s not exactly the first store you’d visit when you’re watching your pennies. Still, there are some shopping strategies you can use to make the experience just a bit more accessible. Let’s dive in.
How to shop Neiman Marcus online
1. Don’t stray from the sale pages
Once you type neimanmarcus.com into your browser, be disciplined about clicking right over to the sale page. As of this writing, it’s on the far right side of the website’s horizontal menu.
From the main sale page, you can jump into the women’s sale collection. My suggestion would be to use the price filter on the left. There’s no better way to stay on budget than to limit your exposure to everyone that’s beyond your range.
As of this writing, the lowest option in that price filter is “less than $150.” That’s the bad news. The good news is Neiman Marcus has more than 3,000 items available in that price range. If you change the sort option to organize the collection from lowest to highest price, you’ll see a lot of panties and lip colors priced under $30. That can be frustrating to scroll through if you’re looking for something specific, so try filtering by category or designer instead.
A few interesting options that I see are:
- A pretty Diane von Furstenburg pintuck top for $85.
- A versatile navy shift dress by Trina Turk for $129.
2. Shop offseason
Shopping offseason is a tried-and-true method for paying less than full price. It’s especially applicable at Neiman. As long as you don’t mind having wearing last season’s clothes, you can save A LOT. As I write this in November, the majority of sale items are summer pieces — short dresses, skirts, tanks, cut short-sleeved tops, etc.
The offseason discounts are sizable, too. The shift dress for $129 mentioned above, for example, is marked down from a regular price of $288.
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3. Return in-store
You may change your mind once you try on that piece you bought online. Plan on returning unwanted items to a Neiman Marcus store within 30 days of delivery. That way, you won’t have to pay the return shipping cost and you should be able to sidestep the $9.95 return fee. See more about Neiman Marcus returns here.
4. Check the shipping policy
Don’t pay for shipping. That takes an expensive piece and makes it more expensive.
Neiman Marcus occasionally offers free shipping and free returns on all orders. Use those times to shop — check the website’s top bar for that status of that offer or chat with an associate online.
When the normal shipping policy is in place, many items qualify for free three-to-five day shipping. Some items qualify for free pick up in store. Use those options if sitewide free shipping isn’t available.
5. Don’t get the credit card
Neiman Marcus’ loyalty program relies on a branded credit card. Essentially, you get loyalty points for every dollar you charge to that card — including purchases at the gas station and the grocery store.
That may seem like a great way to get discounts at Neiman Marcus, but it’s probably not worth it. Think about it. Any loyalty dollars you earn are immediately less practical, because you can only spend them in a very expensive store. You’re better off getting a cash back card. You can use cash at stores that have less extreme markups.
6. Use the price adjustment
If you buy something at regular price and Neiman subsequently drops the price, you can get a price adjustment. You only have 10 days to request it though. Plan on watching the price of the items you buy carefully.
As an avid enthusiast of budget shopping, particularly on high-end websites like Neiman Marcus, I bring to you a wealth of firsthand expertise and a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in maximizing savings without compromising on style. Having navigated the digital aisles of Neiman Marcus and successfully incorporated various strategies into my own shopping endeavors, I can attest to the effectiveness of the tips outlined in the article.
Let's break down the key concepts presented in the article on how to budget shop on the Neiman Marcus website:
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Sale Pages and Price Filtering:
- The article emphasizes the importance of heading straight to the sale pages on the Neiman Marcus website. From there, users are encouraged to use the price filter to narrow down options based on their budget.
- The price filter is highlighted as a powerful tool to limit exposure to items beyond one's financial range. The article mentions a price filter option of "less than $150" and points out the extensive selection available within that range.
- Sorting the collection from lowest to highest price is suggested, along with using filters by category or designer to streamline the shopping experience.
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Shopping Offseason:
- The concept of shopping offseason is advocated as a proven method to secure discounts. The article notes that Neiman Marcus offers significant discounts on items from the previous season.
- Specific examples are provided, such as a shift dress marked down from $288 to $129, illustrating the potential savings during offseason shopping.
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In-Store Returns:
- The article recommends planning for the possibility of returning items by utilizing Neiman Marcus' in-store return policy within 30 days of delivery.
- Returning items in-store is suggested as a way to avoid return shipping costs and the associated $9.95 return fee.
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Shipping Policy:
- The importance of checking Neiman Marcus' shipping policy is stressed to avoid unnecessary costs. The article advises against paying for shipping and recommends taking advantage of free shipping and returns promotions when available.
- Additional details about free three-to-five day shipping and free pick up in-store options are provided as ways to save on shipping expenses.
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Avoiding the Credit Card:
- The article discourages obtaining Neiman Marcus' branded credit card, citing the loyalty program's reliance on this card for earning points.
- A critical perspective is presented, arguing that the loyalty points earned might not be as practical, as they can only be spent in a high-end store with significant markups. Instead, a cash back card is suggested as a more versatile option.
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Price Adjustment:
- The article introduces the concept of price adjustment, highlighting that customers can request a price adjustment if an item purchased at regular price is subsequently discounted.
- It is emphasized that customers have a limited window of 10 days to request a price adjustment, underscoring the importance of vigilantly monitoring the prices of purchased items.
In conclusion, by combining these strategies, one can navigate the Neiman Marcus online shopping experience with a keen eye for savings, making luxury fashion more accessible to budget-conscious individuals.
