(Some) Gap.com shoppers held hostage: Day 26 If you haven't noticed, we're keeping track of the Gap.com Web site, which now has been down for at least 26 days, unless you happen to visit it enough that you get a notice that you're one of a "limited" number of people who can get into it. (There's nothing we really want to buy, but now we're one of 'em.) There are a few other developments we'd like to share. For one, an AdFreak reader sent us this link to a story in the International Herald Tribune about the site closures. (The Old Navy and Banana Republic sites have been down at various times, too, during the company's e-commerce rebuild.) Though the story quotes only one analyst, Carrie Johnson of Forrester Research, it claims that multiple analysts are high on the site changes, and that the sites will "leapfrog" other online stores. Meanwhile, former eToys CEO Toby Lenk, president of Gap Inc. Direct, says the closures were necessary because of extensive backend work that is part of the renovation. (We know that some people are skeptical about that sort of explanation; we're just telling you what he said.) Oh, also, if you want to see a director's cut of the current commercials, click here. That page also provides a backdoor to the online store in the bottom right-hand corner. If you look around, tell us what you think. —Posted by Catharine P. Taylor

September 23, 2005 | Permalink

Comments

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What is this "Gap" you speak of?

Posted by: P. Vincent | Sep 23, 2005 1:27:57 PM

As someone who builds websites for a living, I've got to point out that this is what development and staging servers are for, and I'm going to have to go ahead and not believe Toby's overly lame excuse.

Posted by: a | Sep 23, 2005 1:42:38 PM

As someone who is an interactive art director for a living, from SF I have to say 2 things:

1. The new website is BORING. Just blach. Doesn't make me feel interested at all in the brand. May be better functionality, but has zero personality. Oh, wait maybe that is inline with their brand. ;-)

2. Yeah, I don't believe the excuse. Also worked for Yahoo!--ya' ever see that beast down when there are new site face lifts or functionality.

2B. Here is my thought though, Gap is ALWAYS hiring. Not one creative CD, ACD, AD or designer I know would go there. They are known for being very crazy to work for, and operate their business just like their clothes...like a sweat shop. Meaning, that turn over is GREAT (just check CL) and they can't keep people on long enough to do anything. Or maybe it's just they don't want to pay to have a second site, that may be in testing until it's pushed live. Or maybe they just have some crazy CFO who is pushing-pushing-pushing something that just isn't ready yet.

Posted by: suz | Sep 23, 2005 4:18:42 PM

Just try ordering something from them during this "blackout" time.

I tried to order a pair of jeans and went through hell with my shipment because" the site is down again so we really have no idea if your shipment went out or when it will arrive. gee sorrry".

Well gee, I'm sorry but your excuses don't fly with me. I've never seen a website down this long without it going under. The kicker: The stores can't even get certain products in because they only order online and can't do so at the moment.

Hellooo, remember the telephone? It works wonders.

I normally don't care about the Gap or most stores, but it was a very infuriating week long experience dealing with them.

Posted by: JC | Sep 26, 2005 12:38:12 PM

Hey, guess what! 6 weeks later and it's down again!

Posted by: Zoe | Nov 4, 2005 1:42:05 AM

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