PSA: Gap Maternity pricing

sewpinkgal · April 2011

So far, I've really liked what I've purchased from Gap Maternity, but it has all been in store purchases. I was browsing the website this afternoon and they have a new color in the rayon/jersey swing skirt that I like so much and was going to get it. However, the in-store price is $10 less than what it's listed for on the website. Wha?! I remember the price of another dress I was considering and the same thing - $10 more on the web than the store version.

I'm not sure if this has been discussed as of yet, but just something to consider if you possibly have a Gap Maternity close to you. Might be worth it to see if the item you're considering is in the store since the prices seem to be off. This seems pretty crummy to me.

jonnygurl76 · April 2011

i used to work for GAP, the online prices will never match the store prices because once things are marked down the sale price is determined by the location of the store geographically. does it make sense to the customer? no, but it is the way they do it. always go to the store if you are able to and if you have more than one-- go to the store that is located in the lower cost of living area, the markdown prices will be lower.

sewpinkgal · April 2011

These aren't differences in sale prices, which I get. These are differences in the regular price. That is odd.

jonnygurl76 · April 2011

that is GAP for you. very odd, but they won't honor online prices instore and vice verse.

cantalopes24 · April 2011

That is so weird. I would have thought it would have been less online. Is their shipping free? Maybe it's to make up for that?

itsmegin · April 2011

Thanks for the tip! There is one by me but I was considering shopping online. I'll definitely try the store first.

Also, at the one by me, it's inside the Gap Baby store, so you would totally miss it if you weren't looking for it and didn't know. Just thought I'd throw that out there in case anyone else has one near them hiding in the baby store.

sewpinkgal · April 2011

cantalopes24:
That is so weird. I would have thought it would have been less online. Is their shipping free? Maybe it's to make up for that?

Sometimes, but not always. It also isn't every item - for example, their basic tanks are the same price in store and online. It's all just really odd.

calliesmom6 · April 2011

One of the tips in the book Baby Barings is to always compare online to in store prices for stores that market baby things. Evern big stores like Babies R Us and I think Target (maybe not?) because the store and the websites are owned by 2 different companies! Even though both sport the same name and merchandise they could have totally different pricing. I was pretty suprised to read this and really paid attention to price tags the last time I went to Babies R Us and then ran home to check the online prices and sure enough...it was true for a few of the items! Sometimes price differences of $10! (Just like you mentioned!) I'm starting to believe anything labeled "baby" or "maternity" also has a secret "sucker" label on it!

muban · April 2011

that is strange. I finally checked out their website yesterday but would like to find it in-store.

Hey SewPink - have you tried to alter/modify any of your existing clothes into maternity? Something like this:

https://denimtherapy.com/maternity-jeans/

muban · April 2011

calliesmom6:
One of the tips in the book Baby Barings is to always compare online to in store prices for stores that market baby things. Evern big stores like Babies R Us and I think Target (maybe not?) because the store and the websites are owned by 2 different companies! Even though both sport the same name and merchandise they could have totally different pricing. I was pretty suprised to read this and really paid attention to price tags the last time I went to Babies R Us and then ran home to check the online prices and sure enough...it was true for a few of the items! Sometimes price differences of $10! (Just like you mentioned!) I'm starting to believe anything labeled "baby" or "maternity" also has a secret "sucker" label on it!

At big box retailers, the online stores and B&M stores are not owned by different people, but they usually have different buyers, margin requirements, buying flexibility, fulfillment, etc. One example is Wal-Mart - the HQ for stores is in Bentonville, the HQ for .com is in the Bay Area. Totally different buyers and programs.

sewpinkgal · April 2011

muban:

that is strange. I finally checked out their website yesterday but would like to find it in-store.

Hey SewPink - have you tried to alter/modify any of your existing clothes into maternity? Something like this:

https://denimtherapy.com/maternity-jeans/

Not yet. Once they stop working with the bella band, I'm going to try one of these two options with some too large jeans that aren't in my regular rotation:

https://katiekadiddlehopper.blogspot.com/2010/09/maternity-refashion.html

https://diymaternity.com/pants-skirts/diy-maternity-pants-2/

Both require you to pretty much sacrifice the pants, but I figure if it's a pair that I'm not regularly wearing, I'm okay with that. I really wanted to splurge on AG maternity jeans, but after the comedy that ensued once I tried them on, I think I'll just jerry-rig my own.