Wide variety of styles and offers, fast shipping, items as promised, attractive page design
Disadvantages:
Registration link not clearly visible
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
It's Saturday afternoon and you're just in this unusual couch potato state. Your covers really like you, and if you've made as far as to the couch, you've been Crazy Glued to the back of it while the chips and soda simply won't let go of your hand. However, you just recalled that special invitation for next week and you still haven't given the slightest thought to your wardrobe choices. Let me bring this up from a girl's perspective: no matter how many different wardrobe options we have, we will NEVER find that it is indeed TOO MUCH. I think the more, the less it looks in our eyes. "Oh, I wore that two months ago, they can't see me in that again!" "It just doesn't look right; I think I've put on some weight." "Tell me, does it look good to you?" Yes! "Nah, you're not supposed to combine mauve with lilac." The conclusion? "I desperately need another outfit! And quick! But wait, I'm in my couch potato mood, so what a drag to have to get up and leave the house to the shopping mall!"
Blessed be the day when clothing stores decided on online shops!!
I don't know about you, but as for me, I have always relied on just a few American brands for my wardrobe choices: American Eagle Outfitters, Express, Hollister, and of course, Gap. If I was the hysterical girl above, (believe me, it does happen) depending on the occasion, I would choose one of my favorite stores' sites to browse over their catalog offers. Let's just say that this special occasion calls for some nice, casual wear. Where would I go? Yes, you guessed correctly: Gap.com
Gap Dot Commercial (com)
Now let's take a little True/False quiz to see if you're a genuine Gap shopper. If you pass with a 50% or above, you qualify to shop through their portal, if not, start shopping elsewhere…no need to fret, you'll learn the answers in my review, and become worthy of a wonderful online shopping experience :P
1) True or False: Gap.com's layout is confusing for the first-time shopper.
2) True or False: You can create an account directly from the top of the home page and this is visibly noticeable.
3) True or False: To be able to shop at Gap.com you need to register for an account first
4) True or False: Currently, you can also shop at Gap.com from any country outside the States.
5) True or False: Currently Gap.com is featuring their Swimwear collection for 2008
6) True or False: At Gap.com you can only shop for Men's and Women's apparel.
7) True or False: Shipping is not included with your order and it costs a standard rate of $15.
8) True or False: Gap doesn't sell or rent the personal details you provide on the site to third parties.
9) True or False: You'll get free shipping if you're a Gap Silver Card holder.
10) True or False: From Gap.com you can easily navigate over to their partner stores: Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Piperlime.
Let's take a look and see how you did….
Are you Worthy Of Shopping at Gap.Com?
The answer actually depends on how much confidence and patience you have for online shops, and if you feel that Gap's style is for you, not on if you scored 100% correct on the quiz above. However, if you feel you have what it takes to shop online and want to benefit from the advantage of a last-minute outfit ensemble, I invite you to read on. (As well as obtaining your answers to the pop-up quiz!)
1) False, well, at least in my opinion. When you type in www.gap.com in your browser and click on enter, you're faced with an attractive and stylish home page. You'll see what looks like a huge fashion magazine ad, promoting their latest collection and offers. I always thought it'd be easier to skip these and click on one of the six conveniently located tabs which direct you to the department of your choice. For example, in my emergency status case, I would immediately click on "Women" and then on the sub tab "Petite". I will then get a column on the left with Top Picks, Departments and Accessories, and from amongst these I can choose New Arrivals, Tops, or Handbags, respectively.
2) Couldn't be farther from the truth! False! If let's say, you wanted to register an account before browsing, you will spend minutes if not hours, searching for the Register Now or Sign Up link. You'll see everything on the site before you see this. My warning goes out again for contact or eye-glass wearers: please keep them on while searching for this feature! The Create an Account Feature is literally this small and in faded gray letters. Where is it on the page? I will do you the favor, and save you some excruciating time searching: the tiny feature is located on the bottom left hand corner of the page, currently under a Piperlime ad featuring a green clog.
3) True, although you'll only realize this when you're ready for checkout. Since the register link is not clearly visible, you'll daintily start stuffing your shopping bag with items, proceed to move on to checkout and right when you're all set to pay, you will receive a box asking for your log-in details or if you're a new customer, to enter your email address and proceed to registration. I guess you can also always register this way, but personally I'd rather register from the home page and then continue to shop.
4) Unfortunately, this is false. Although Gap currently operates stores in 18 different countries, only Americans have the privilege of shopping online. Prices, shipping and tax are all obviously calculated based on American standards and this is clearly stated under "Purchasing, Shipping and Returns." Let's hope Gap decides to be fair to their international customers and bestows them the honor.
5) True!! And what a wonderful truth indeed! Summer's coming up fast, and we need to start searching for the perfect swim suit for basking in the warm sun and indulging in relaxing beach waters. There's an entire collection of casual and chic one-piece and two-piece suits along with cover-ups and accessories. Have a look!
6) False, as you can clearly see from the home page, there are six different departments you can shop for, equal to those Gap stores found across the states: Men, Women, GapKids, babyGap, GapMaternity, and GapBody. These feature an array of stylish apparel.
7) Once again false. Shipping is actually calculated before checkout and you may select from six different options such as Standard, Next Day or Express. The prices for these are stated next to the option and minimum shipping price is $6.00.
8) True: There's no need to worry. If you want to be sure, you'll find this assurance stated under Terms of Use and as far as I'm concerned, they do live up to their promise.
9) True: You may apply for a Gap credit card at a local store near you or through their online shop, and the benefits are endless. You'll receive exclusive mail-in offers as well as, of course, free or discounted shipping on your online purchases. If you're a GapCard member, you'll receive free shipping on orders of $100 or more; if you're a SilverCard member, shipping will be free no matter what the purchase.
10) True: On the home page you'll see a brown bar entitled, "Visit Other Gap Inc. Brands" with Old Navy, Banana Republic and Piperlime listed. You simply click on the corresponding one and you're immediately re-directed to the store of your choice.
Is Gap. com Worthy of Me?
I can definitely assure you of this. They deliver in the full sense of the word. Shipping time is as promised and rarely do they ever ship the incorrect item or size, unless they've ran out of stock for that particular item. However, you will be notified of this at checkout; if you're item isn't in stock you're prompted to choose another size, or color. This is where I think shopping at the store itself succeeds over the online shopping experience. At the store, the employees simply run to and from the stock room, or contact another Gap store nearby until you're a fully satisfied customer.
So if on a very rare occasion you happen to be a hysterical sofa spud in an outfit emergency status, or you simply don't want to deal with the overwhelmingly pleasing Gap breadwinners, then give Gap.com a try. Allow them to quench you fashion needs right at your door.
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