Today I received an email from Klout–the “influencer metric” measurement site–which informe
d me that I’d received aperk. Said perk being $25 off a purchase of $50 or more from Bluefly.com a very well-established e-commerce site which offers designer brands….
Well, first, what do we mean by “designer brands.” This term is getting a little confusing. I completely understand when I’m looking at something from Ralph Lauren or Michael Kors–designer name = designer brand. It’s when we get to names like 7 for all Mankind or Hayden or CeCe or Miss Sixty or L.A.M.B…..well, I’m not sure if I’m dealing with a manufacturer or if I’m dealing with a brand that’s fronting for a celebrity, or what I’m dealing with.
We certainly have come a long way from the couture houses and the transparency of “designed by so-and-so for y manufacturer or House of another so-and-so.”
What then becomes even more frustrating is the tons and tons of goods that simply look the same. All some sort of knit jersey in black, heather grey, beige, eggplant (or plum, or jam or whatever you want to call it) or another rather dull color. Seriously, if I’ve got to click through 30 pages of utterly boring turtlenecks and open front cardigans, I’m going to lose my patience pretty quickly.
I also was not entirely impressed with the search feature nor how it narrowed the criteria. I typed in “beaded jersey tees” and came up with a bunch of stuff–some of it beaded jersey tees, some of it designers starting with the letter B.
Oh, and then there was the size range. Let’s just say it wasn’t mine….
After my eyes began to water, my right shoulder to ache from the clicking, and my brainwaves to short circuit, I figured it wasn’t worth trying to redeem the $25 on an item or two of clothing.
I quickly glanced through the fragrance offerings, and noticed a few items that were worth the perk. Sadly, no one on my list is requesting fragrance this year, and I’m still working through some fragrance I purchased last year when I worked at Victoria’s Secret (Oooh La La! being my favorite for its cherry and vanilla notes.) So, no new fragrance purchase….
Overall, I’m not thrilled with many of the designer-discount e-commerce sites. Often the size ranges are limited, or the goods are limited, or I have no need for what they are offering. The status-seeking that drives designer purchases is, thankfully, not a particular need, thankfully, and my wardrobe is pretty much full for the season….
So I’ll politely pass on this particular perk.
I still, however, retain my “Influencer” ranking…
