Warning about free shipping code

[slovejoy]

I tried to place an order with the free shipping code and CS told me it was not a valid code and that many of the codes found on the internet are not valid codes. She also said that if it was a catalog code those are not meant to be shared and I should not be using that. She waived the shipping this one time for me because I was going to cancel some of my order to bring it down into the cheaper shipping range, but it was akward on the phone and I felt a little bit like I was swindling them. Maybe this code should be reserved for internet purchases only.
On a side note I ordered a bunch of replacement parts and wanted to pass along the availability status to you.
-Felicity's teacup and saucer are still available code ESAL-02. $8
-Felicity's brocade slippers are still available $6
-Kit's undies are only available with her skirt and together they cost $8. (I didn't end up ordering these).
-Molly's meet socks are still available MD-05 $3
-Ordered some random T-shirt hoping it would go with some of Jess's things and it was $2, not exactly sure what I am getting but for $2 I can't complain.
-Sam's/molly's undies are available at $2.

I also ordered Kit's treehouse outfit since it's a possible retirement.

Thanks
Shanna

<font color="#051E50"><font size="1">[ March 04, 2006 09:35 PM: Message edited by: slovejoy ]</font></font>

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ March 04, 2006 09:37 PM: Message edited by: slovejoy ]</font>

[Melissa*Olivia]

The catalogue I got in the mail the other day has a code for free shipping. I didn't post it because I had a feeling that it's not supposed to be widely shared.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't think she was trying to say that the code is top-secret confidential. I know what she meant. Codes get abused, plain and simple, whether they specify use guidelines or not. Pretty soon AG will probably do away with them all together.

I recently put my boss' name on the AG mailing list to get a catalog (her first). The catalog came last week with the free shipping offer, and they also assigned her a customer number. I did not post the code because I knew it would get pummelled to death right away, and I didn't want that to interfere with her (or my) ability to use it.

I think this code was attached to catalogs intended for certain people -- perhaps people who have never purchased from AG and people who have in the past but haven't placed an order in quite a while. So I agree that this code was probably not intended for wide-spread and multiple use, as the AG CS person said. Codes will probably be extinct some day, as people just can't seem to use them with discretion.

[chrstnwmn7]

I have to chime in here and say that I agree with sharing codes at your own discretion though. I personally believe these codes help generate a lot of impulse buying revenue for any company. Which is their strategy anyway. I overheard a staff meeting at my local wal-mart while I was coming into the store. The manager stated how much in impulse sales they had for the month. I felt like "well I fell for that one".

I really wish AG would reward current customers as well as new ones. I would share a code to fellow board members and family members. A lot of my orders have been due to codes. I understand about being honest I agree. I just can't believe a CS rep said you shouldn't use a code that was printed on a catalog for the whole world to see. I do have to say bravo for standing up for what you believe is right! [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

Also thank you for sharing this with us!

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ March 05, 2006 01:40 AM: Message edited by: chrstnwmn7 ]</font>

[Melissa*Olivia]

I just can't believe a CS rep said you shouldn't use a code that was printed on a catalog for the whole world to see.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">As I mentioned in my post, my boss got this catalog with a key code # and an account # imprinted on the address label. The code may be "linked" in their database only to the account numbers for which the catalogs were printed -- that is probably why slovejoy was told that the code was not valid (for her).

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ March 05, 2006 02:03 AM: Message edited by: Melissa*Olivia ]</font>

[Molly-Felicity]

If you had talked with 95% of the other CS's they probably would not have said a thing.

I think we discovered back in the days of "The Code" that there were a few (and I mean very few) CS's that were rather nasty about codes. I really think that these particular ones take it upon themselves to act this way.

Often a free shipping code will make the difference as to whether I place an order or not. I'm sure AG would rather have my possible $20-$200 order than nothing at all.

[Melissa*Olivia]

If a code has rules governing its use and a CS person tries to enforce them, why does that make them "nasty"?

[FelinaDoon]

Last year there were no rules governing the "CODE" There were a few CS reps who got nasty, but most of them were very nice, knowing that codes sales increased their reveniew

[dollie45]

As far as not being entitled to these free shipping codes, I have never had an internet order rejected or questioned when I used the free shipping code. It's just that much more business for American Girl. I say use them but that's just my 2 cents.
Carol

[mypinkmermaid]

No conspiracy, no limits, no restrictions, just as one person said, one CS rep who had probably taken a lot of orders that day using the code and took it upon themselves to try and make it sound as if it was a hush hush kind of deal. Either that, or think about it: what's the first thing most people do when told something is a "secret"? Share it with someone else, of course, which is exactly what the marketing department wants you to do! I have placed multiple orders using all different codes and the only problem I have ever had is the CS person not knowing what the code was for, and that was only because they just weren't familiar with it, not because they had any reason to not want me to use it. The codes work just fine. One thing to remember is that when ordering over the phone, you have to give the code first, before placing the order, or it will not work. FOund that out one day when I placed a huge order, then gave the code, and the poor person taking my order had to write it all down, then delete it and start all over again. But he was very nice about it, and never once made me feel bad!

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ March 05, 2006 11:48 AM: Message edited by: mypinkmermaid ]</font>

[cami713]

I dont think the sales codes are actually attached to the key codes. I know I've gotten catalogues with codes that were posted here, so they don't seem to be exclusive to one person.

I have no problem with sharing codes, and have shared at least one 10% off code, and I would share more if I had them. I hope the people who do have problems with sharing aren't using the ones that are posted here as that's really not fair.

I often order things I had no intention of ordering when there's a code. And I won't order anything without at least SOME code. AG costs too much for that, when they don't have some sort of frequent buyer program.

Personally, I believe they know that a lot of people feel that way. If they didn't, or if they cared about the sharing of codes, they'd stop having them, or be more specific "This code good for one purchase," and then no one would share them.