Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A report from the front (To sample sale online or brick and mortar?)

Another re"tale" provided by the prolific Nancy Brenner:

I feel like I won the sample sale lottery last night. I must report that I snagged the Michelle O cover of People Tracy Reese pink eyelet kimono for a mere $50 at a garmento sample sale . It retailed for $395. A true sample sale price. Only the week before, Gilt, where I have a credit following an errant purchase, had an online sale and I compared the wares. Many of the items I saw at the sample sale were also online, but at substantially higher prices. Why shop online? If you're not a sample sale size, you may be better off buying online where you know you can get your size in 30 secs without the hassle and hustle of getting there in person. And even though sample sales are starting earlier (a good number now at 8 am and some open until 9 pm - formerly unheard of), it may still be hard to get to given your work schedule, parenting or social commitments since it's almost summer (even though it feels like a London fog one at that). If you're an out-of-towner, online still works unless you want to use your vacations for mini-shopping trysts to New York for sample-sale packed weeks like this one where you can catch Shoshanna, D&G, Catherine Malandrino, etc..... The deals online are still good compared to full-on retail and hand to hand combat at Berdgdorf's, but they are not steals compared with brick and mortar. And the shoes were a mere $45 - why don't they start the line with a size 5? Petite feet need to be shod too! Even men were snapping them up, presumably as gifts. I've noticed way more many men at women's sales - without any women in tow - are they shopping for themselves, a girlfriend, or to flip it on eBay? And please stay away from the dressing rooms! Readers, what say you on online versus in-person?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

what sale was this?

nancy said...

The Tracy Reese sale which is still on today at 250 West 39th until 7 and tomorrow from 8-2. Shoshanna's a good one to try too if you're a sample size - sample dresses and skirts for $50 and super bargain dresses from past years for $10 - what else can you buy for $10 today?

Mary Ellen said...

Catherine Malandrino sale was a real find--I got two dresses. The line was manageable, and there was plenty of space to see what was on sale--one tip--the line for the dressing room was outrageous. Wear a tank top and simple skirt or pants and try on many items right on the floor--Mary Ellen

nancy said...

Great tip! I was thinking should I or shouldn't I -how was the pricing on dresses?

nancy said...

Catherin Malandrino sent out an e-mail saying prices are slashed - how much it doesn't say - but probably enough to move the merchandise crammed with sales and shoppers willing to part with their dollar - but ony if it's top value....

Anonymous said...

My main concern with online sales is that designers are forgoing "brick and mortar" sales. For example I went to the Halston sample sale about a year ago and tried on many pairs of shoes and some clothes. I learned that Halston has a beautiful showroom and their shoes don't fit me well. But I left with instant gratification with a purchase in hand.

This year, I anticipated the Halston sale only to find that the sale was on Gilt.com and more expensive. Also if I'd bought the shoes I adored on Gilt.com I would have been pissed when they finally arrived and didn't fit.