Madewell sent an email letting us know about their jeans and boots. What is interesting about the email is located at the bottom: Madewell has a Facebook page (click here)! And if you sign up at their Facebook site, they will offer you 15% off your next purchase. "Thanks!" to Beeshers and Anonymous at 10:12AM (in this post) who let us know that this offer expires 10/8/08 and is good for in-store purchases only.I find this interesting and a clever marketing tactic. Clearly Madewell is targeting the affluent high school and college student who is wired with this latest ways of communicating. [This is also another reminder that I am not a part of Madewell's target market. ;) ]
Incidentally, Heather let us know that the salespeople at the SoHo store said the Madewell e-commerce site is delayed yet again and is now expected for the Spring of 2009. Originally their e-commerce site was to "go live" this summer, then delayed to early next year (click here).
What do you think of Madewell having a Facebook site (is it a smart move or a bad idea)? Do you think you will join? If you are already a member, let us know what it is like. :)
Well, since I have a facebook I will probably add them just to see what it's all about. I wasn't aware that they had one, but it is a smart move on their part. First of all, it reinforces their target market; younger students and professionals who are surfing the internet and who hold accounts on facebook, myspace, etc. It's also online word-of-mouth; a friend of yours joins the group, you don't know what it is, you click to find out, etc.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the group, college students receive a 15% discount with their Student ID. There is also a "denim expert" in the stores. The facebook group has a bunch of albums with the "Madewell Sno-Cone Cart" - overall, I think they did a good job with the facebook page, its definitely intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI like it! I'm also almost 50 and really like their looks! Lots of artists, musicians, etc. promote themselves through My Space and Facebook, so the idea is a good one.
ReplyDeletekatherined: thank you for all the information on this! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have a store near me and haven't looked that closely at the clothes, but just ... I absolutely do not like the "madewell" name one bit. It sounds like something Homer Simpson would shop for at Costingtons, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI don't at all mean that as a criticism of anyone who likes the clothes - it's just my reaction to the name :-)
Alexis...I'm cracking up about your comment.."another reminder that I'm not part of their target market ;)"
ReplyDeleteDon't feel so bad...I hear ya!!!
the name Madewell reminds me of Honeywell home appliances... i find it weird it's a clothing line geared towards a younger demographic because the name sounds frumpier than j. crew IMO. i would join the fbook group just for the discount, but as there are no madewells in my area and the website is not yet functional, it's highly unlikely i'd actually use the code. but i do think it's a smart move on their part.
ReplyDeleteffm: you're welcome! I joined more out of curiosity rather than a desire for a coupon considering I probably won't be going there for awhile and I doubt I'll be getting anything.
ReplyDeleteAlso, J.Crew.com is down for me... anyone else?
Just because I happen to have a facebook, I joined the Madewell group just to see what it was all about. Nothing spectacular, and it definitely doesn't really give you any further info than what we already know. There are some really cool looking calendars on the site (I know that sounds random, and if I could figure out how to show you all the pic, I would!) And like katherined said, there are pics of a promotional even where I guess they handed out sno cones :) Even though the discount is offered, I can't see myself getting anything with it, especially since there is no official website available yet.
ReplyDeleteoops, EVENT, not EVEN.
ReplyDelete(c'mon English teacher, get it together! :)
I joined, and the promotion does have an expiration date: 10/8 (listed at the bottom).
ReplyDeleteI'm 22, but will still be in college for a few more years. I am in their target age range, and do like their stuff, BUT it's all the same: skinny jeans, t shirt, cardigan, belt. It is pretty boring.
I did snag myself an awesome grandpa cardigan on sale and was able to use my student ID for 15% off. I was a little offended when I asked, "You offer student discounts, right?" and the woman was like "To *COLLEGE* STUDENTS ONLY" Either I look too young or too old for what she thinks is the right age. Whatevs.
Back to the original point: Joining was a little stupid, since I get 15% off anway. I wonder if they'll let me stack the discounts in-store (Tysons in VA).
Like others have mentioned, it's a nifty bit of marketing for the college crowd. I have a facebook account, so I guess I ought to check it out.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bummer that the site is delayed until spring. I was interested in seeing more of what they have to offer. I assume that there is more to their collection that what they show in the pictures.
The MadeWell discount is good through 10/8/2008. It is IN STORE only. It cannot be combined with other offers. This info is on facebook, you just have to join MadeWell and then read the updates for the group.
ReplyDeleteFYI...j.crew also has a facebook group. It's nothing fancy and definitely doesn't give you as much info as what I can find on this blog, but it's there nonetheless! :)
ReplyDelete