| Eddie Bauer |
What they're selling: Clothing and outerwear for men, women and children
Shipping: For delivery in five business days, $5.95 on orders up to $30, $7.95 for orders between $30.01 and $60, $9.95 for orders between $60.01 and $90. For express delivery in three business days, add $6 to standard shipping fees. For delivery in two business days, add $12 to standard shipping.
Gift wrapping: $5 for red box, bow and tissue.
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Return Policy: : All items returnable with a receipt. Customers must pay return shipping unless the retailer erred.
Discounts: Free standard shipping on orders of $100 or more placed by Dec. 23. Sales on outerwear and other seasonal clothing typically mimic what's going on in the catalogue.
Critique: An easy-to-use and large online site with perquisites such as a virtual dressing room, wish list and a reminder service.
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| Lands' End |
What they're selling: Casual clothing for men, women and children. This is the land of khakis and oxford shirts.
Shipping: For delivery in four business days, $3.50 on orders up to $25, $5.95 for orders between $25.01 and $75, $7.95 for orders between $75.01 and $125, $9.95 for items $125.01 on up. For express delivery within two business days, add $6 to standard shipping fees.
Gift wrapping: F$5 for items boxed in a red tartan plaid gift box with red ribbon and blue gift card.
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Return Policy: All items returnable. Customers must pay return shipping unless the retailer made the mistake.
Discounts: Regular overstock sales.
Critique: Another popular online apparel site with an online "personal model" that helps you try on clothing. One gripe: the gift section has slim pickings and does not list prices with the pictures.
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| Delia's |
What they're selling: Clothing, accessories and other goodies for teenage girls
Shipping: For delivery in seven to 10 business days, $4.99 on orders up to $25, $5.99 for orders between $25.01 and $50, $6.99 for items between $50.01 and $75, $7.99 for orders $75.01 and higher. An extra $5 gets you the order in two to three business days. Pay $15 in addition to standard fees, and the package arrives within two business days.
Gift wrapping: $5 for boxed item with ribbon, tissue, box and card.
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Return Policy: Returns must be made within 45 days with receipt and 15 days for sale items. Customer pays return shipping unless the retailer made a mistake.
Discounts: Free standard shipping on orders over $40.
Critique: Couldn't find the relatively high shipping costs right away and I'm still not sure where they are on the online site. Customer service representative kept saying, "I think ..." and "maybe ...." The "help" section also needs help.
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| The Gap |
What they're selling: Jeans and other casual clothing for babies, children, men and women.
Shipping: For delivery in five to seven days: $5 on orders up to $50, $7 for orders between $50.01 and $100, $9 for orders between $100.01 and $175, $11 for orders $175.01 and over. For deliveries within two days, add $9 to shipping fees.
Gift wrapping: $5 for box, card, tissue and ribbon.
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Return Policy: All items returnable with receipt. Customers pays return shipping unless retailer makes a mistake.
Discounts: Free shipping on items $100 or more until Dec. 22. Free $10 certificate from eToys if purchase includes items from gapkids.com or babygap.com. Offers sales items.
Critique: Simply designed site with easy-to-use features.
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| Nordstrom |
What they're selling: Department store
Shipping: $4.95 standard shipping (up to seven days) for orders up to $25, $6.95 for orders between $25.01 and $50, $8.95 for orders between $50.01 and $75, $9.95 for orders between $75.01 and $100 and so on. For delivery within two business days, add $5 in shipping. For next-day service, pay $15 in addition to standard shipping.
Gift wrapping: $5 for boxed items with tissue paper, seal and bow.
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Return Policy: All items returnable. Shoppers who have Nordstrom credit cards do not have to pay return shipping. For other customers, Nordstrom will deduct $3.95 for return postage from an order refund.
Discounts: Sales section includes half-price shoes and other discounted items.
Critique: Is now touting itself as the world's biggest shoe store, but it looks like it's missing a few pairs.
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| Brooks Brothers |
What they're selling: Formal and casual men's and women's attire.
Shipping: Free standard shipping. For delivery on next business day, add $12.50
Gift wrapping: Blue boxes are free when you place your order.
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Return Policy:Yes.
Discounts: Yes.
Critique: Attractive and well-organized Web site.
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| Osh Kosh B'Gosh |
What they're selling: Clothing for children and men, accesseries for home.
Shipping: Choice of standard, second day and next-day delivery. For orders under $49.99: add $5 for standard, $10 for second day, $15 for next day. For orders under $100, add $2 to each method of delivery.
Gift wrapping:Yes.
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Return Policy: Will refund full purchase price.
Discounts:Yes.
Critique:
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