Heartbreaker, Dream Taker
Coldwater Creek
I really have to give this Coldwater Creek affair I'm having a rest. The relationship is just not working out for me. I find myself frustrated and irritable, barely able to sleep some nights. I ask myself over and over, is this really a relationship? It feels so one sided, as if I put out all of the effort with little actual return. When I'm being really honest with myself I know, I know that investing so much of my heart in Coldwater Creek is toxic for me. It's just so hard to say "finis". Smart women, foolish choices, you've heard it all before, haven't you?
No, the relationship isn't abusive, you don't have to worry about that. It's just (keep this between us, would you?), it's just that — Coldwater Creek likes to tease me. Coldwater Creek is a first class flirt, putting out the most wonderful "to die for" women's outfits, making me tingle all over in anticipation, filling me with lust. I hear the dresses purr, "Come closer, baby, and feel my fabric". The jackets extend their arms to me, promising to hold me tight and never let go. I imagine the two of us being as one. God, it's been so long! I bend closer. I almost touch and then — cold water.
NOT added to your Cart; item(s) no longer available.
95% of the time I decide to finally buy something from Coldwater Creek, it's no longer in stock. Each time, I'm all hot and bothered for nothing. Each time, I have to go relieve my frustrations in the markdown section of Nordstroms (not that that's anything to be ashamed of, perfectly natural).
The Part That's My Fault
We all bring our own baggage into any relationship, and my baggage is this: I just can't pay full price for any piece of women's clothing. If it isn't on sale, markdown or clearance, I'm completely incapable of consummating the purchase.
Coldwater Creek sells women's clothes, accessories and home decor with a Northwest touch. The clothes are bold, and loose and stylish — business casual with just the right amount of creative flair to float my boat. The regular prices are not outrageous for a "wardrobe piece", most within a range my budget could handle. $65 for a skirt, $85 for a jacket, $75 for a dress; it's not unreasonable. I just can't buy unless there is a SALE sign next to the price. A girl has to be ready before she buys, and the SALE sign gets me ready.
Coldwater Creek's position, I'm sure, is that if I really want what I want badly enough, I'd make the first move and buy at full price while they have plenty.
The Part That's Coldwater Creek's Fault
I simply hate the way their Outlet@TheCreek section works. Now, if you read other reviews on Coldwater Creek, you won't hear the same complaints, so go figure. My friends are all happy with The Outlet — take some time to read their reviews and you'll see they've had many consummated transactions.
Here's what happens to me:
I go to Coldwater Creek once every few weeks. I spend a few minutes looking through the full price section, absolutely drooling over the outfits they've put together. The site itself is highly navigable and offers accessories that are matched perfectly — easy enough to purchase a whole ensemble with a few clicks. Size ranges are vast, going from XS to 3X with many styles also in petite or tall.
Then I head into The Outlet to score my bargains.
The "size" search in The Outlet is supposed to return only those items that are available in your size. Key word is "supposed". Well, I do what I'm supposed to do, search by my size, and then I carefully go through every one of the search results, deciding what I'd like to buy.
This can be a pain, even before I get to adding my items to the cart. By the time clothes get to The Outlet, Coldwater Creek's inventory is not deep. A three piece outfit will be returned in my search, but only, say, the skirt will have my size in the drop down box. Well, sniff, if I've fallen in love with the whole outfit, I'm no longer so excited about buying just the skirt...so, I wave goodbye to the cool jacket and shirt, and move onto another selection.
This is where they get me. I'll finally find something that I want, the right price, the right color, the right style. I add it to my cart and *bam*, get a "no longer available message". Break a girl's heart, why don't you? Time and time again.
Three weeks ago, I followed the link from a promotional email within less than a minute of having received it. "New items added to The Outlet!". I tried to buy five different items and five different times my size was no longer available. Coldwater Creek rarely offers their products in more than one color, so I don't have the opportunity to pick up a jacket or skirt I love in a second choice shade. When they are out, they're out, and they're out nearly all the time for me.
The Reason I Hang On
Why hang onto such a toxic relationship? When pain and disappointment outweigh joy and fulfillment, surely it is time to get out. Well, there's one reason and one reason only:
My black suede jacket.
Oh my Lord, this jacket to die for. I managed to get one in my size a few months back, for $34.99. It is the best "wardrobe piece" I have ever owned. Comfortable, loose, flowing and it pulls every outfit I wear it with together. It dresses up, it dresses down. It's everything I ever wanted Coldwater Creek to give me, and they gave it to me with fast shipping, beautiful packaging, and a rebate to Upromise to boot.
I keep pressing on because I don't want to just be a one night stand to Coldwater Creek. If it worked once, it can work again, yes?
Coldwater Creek and You
If I were smart, I'd warn everybody away from doing business with Coldwater Creek, just so they wouldn't snatch up size L before I can get to it.
I can't do that, though. It's not fair to you or to Coldwater. Your relationship might be much more fulfilling.
Their clothes are beautiful. They aren't overpriced (by much). The Outlet has great bargains. Coldwater Creek's service is good.
If you are willing to pay full price, head on over there and load your cart up. You'll have an orgy. If you're a bargain hunter, like me, be prepared to hunt and scavenge and maybe, just maybe, you'll score a jacket that you love, too.
Or, a broken heart.
