Last week I told you all about my hunt to get my daughter this great shearling coat I saw in my local Gap store. The short version of the story is they didn’t have the coat in her size anywhere in N.Y.C. so I had my mom get it for me from a Gap store by her…two states away.
Well, you’re probably wondering why I didn’t just order it online. Here’s why:
The jacket is $59.50 if you buy it in a Gap store, but if you buy it online it’s $64.50.
I know, I know, it’s only a $5 price difference, but it infuriates me that Gap is selling the exact same coat for $5 more on their website. Add shipping to that and it’s a $12 mark-up just for shopping online. What gives?
And just to be sure it wasn’t just this coat, I did some research. I bought my daughter the cable knit hat for $16.50 in a Gap store.
If you buy it online, you’ll spend $24.50 for it. That’s an $8 difference for the exact same hat.
Of course, because I can be a little maniacal about my online shopping, I emailed Gap’s customer service to see why the jacket was more online and it they would honor the lower price offered in stores. 2 days later I got a horrible response about not being able to sell me the coat at the lower price with no explanation for why it was more expensive online. They also offered me a 10% off discount, which never came but that’s another story.
So a word to all you smart shoppers out there–go to your Gap store first! Gap.com is a total rip-off because they’re selling the exact same merchandise for $5-$10 more than in the stores. Maybe they thought no one would notice because of the whole logo controversy, but we’re smarter than you think Gap.
Find more jackets for babies, boys and girls in our buying guides.
Click here to email Jeanine, the author of this post.
Attention All Last-Minute Shoppers! Toys ‘R Us Won’t Close Until 10 p.m. On Saturday
Best Baby Bottles
DBC
October 19, 2010
I’ve noticed this at Banana Republic, too – tights that are $18 at the store are $20 online. J.Crew does the opposite – a skirt that is $88 online is $89.50 at the store (however, it is currently on sale for $59 at the store, full price online – go figure).
Miss Mikelah
October 19, 2010
I guess it depends on where they want to drive traffic, in store verus online. Did the price eventually go down online? Guess this is why you have to shop around. Thanks for the heads up!
Hellokittyluv
October 19, 2010
This is why I always use coupons when I online shop. Just go to sites like coupon cabin or retailmenot. I usually get 20-30% off gap pretty easily. Or I just google search for promo codes. It’s still pretty lame that the prices are different.
EG
October 20, 2010
I usually don’t bother to check and assume that online is cheaper at most places (although I HATE to pay shipping and will only do so if the prices are really low) but I had that Gap Groupon recently so I was in a store. And yes it was significantly cheaper, like at least 20% cheaper, in the store for the clearance items.
rachel
October 20, 2010
thanks for this awesome investigative report!
vinandjuice
October 20, 2010
Old Navy does the same too!
Jennifer
October 20, 2010
I love that you blogged about this. I hate online mark-ups so much and Gap is one of the worst. Cute jacket by the way!! =)
Jennifer
October 20, 2010
WOW!!!! Thank you for this. I am a frequent shopper at gap.com and I didn’t notice. I will definitely be looking at the stores first. It infuriates me as well. I post his as I am about to go across the street to do some returns at Gap, as well as use my 40% off coupon for the day. Thanks for pointing this out, I am sure to watch for this in the future.
Libby
October 20, 2010
That is CRAZY. It should cost them less $$ to sell things online without the cost of store front.
Danielle
October 20, 2010
Wow I never knew that. I hate paying for shipping. 90% of the time I could just get in my car and have instant gratification of having it now. Only time I buy online is during a sale with a free shipping coupon or from somewhere that doesnt have a brick and mortar store. Now I will always be sure to double check before buying!
Elizabeth B
October 20, 2010
Bananna Republic, Gap & Old Navy are all part of same company. That is why they operate the same way by inflating prices for online shopping. I suppose they are trying to make up for lost sales over the last 5 years. Taking advantage of online shoppers who may never be aware that in store prices are lower is bad form! I stopped shopping with them years ago because of their lack of principles in doing business. Too many disappointing transactions in several locations & by phone! I have found plenty of really cute clothes for children in lots of places & often times for less! Thanks for giving everyone a heads up on this “trick” of theirs!
They can’t take advantage of ALL of their customers!!
October 20, 2010
I rarely buy my items from the Gap Store, let alone online. I buy from Ebay, sometimes new with tags, otherwise gently worn. I love the quality and styles from Gap..not the way they do business though!
Helene
October 20, 2010
I noticed this sneaky issue in the past, but I also find that a lot of what I like online is not available in the store so I have to buy onlne… I will only buy if I have a coupon though.
DGO
October 20, 2010
This happened to me at Banana too. Spent $150 online the day after my order arrived I happened to wander into the store everything was less and on sale for 25% off. I re bought it all and returned the online order to the store.
heem
October 20, 2010
i’ve noticed that about their prices also. i stopped shopping online, unless they’re having a sale that only applies online AND free shipping. the stuff gets marked down the the store faster than online too; sometimes a $15 difference in the sale price! i contacted gap over the weekend about their price difference, of course they were very unapologetic….
heem
October 20, 2010
btw, i love target clothes, but i noticed something about 2 years ago about gap and target items….if you buy a shirt or sweater from target, gap socks and tights most of the time match target’s clothing items exactly….so theres another way to save
Megan
October 20, 2010
I wanted to get a maternity tank at the Gap, it was on clearance for $4.97, they didn’t have it in my size so I looked online….the SAME tank top was $19.50! Even when the tank top was full price it was $16.50 in store and 2 for 12.50 each. I was furious because I love those tanks and I wanted four of them.
I finally found a manager at the Gap who agreed to do a return if I ordered them online so I could get the in-store price instead, but what a huge pain! The good news as that by the time I brought the tanks back to return and re-buy them, they were down to $2.98 each
brooke
October 20, 2010
I think it’s horrible that they charge more online and it’s duly noted. But, I think the irony of this whole thing is that I read to the bottom of the post only to find 4 items suggested I buy – from gap.com.
Kristi
October 26, 2010
I absolutely had no idea! I have been shopping online at Gap for years because we live about an hour from the nearest Gap store. I have been overpaying!! From now on, I will just make the drive…Thanks for the info!!