Linleigh Richker Wardrobe Consultant

It's Sale Season! To Shop or Not To Shop?

Linleigh Richker

Zac Posen at Neiman Marcus

May 25, 2010

Everybody loves a sale but not everyone loves sale time. This is the time of year when we are bombarded with sale notices coaxing us to come into a particular store for fabulous savings. Our anxiety goes up threefold as we try to maximize on savings of some, otherwise unobtainable, expensive merchandise. But catching the sales is like catching a falling knife. The precision of such a task is difficult. The schedule of events and mark down percentages are so complicated that one needs a spreadsheet just to make sense of them. The following are a few suggestions to keep your cool and make smart decisions amidst the frenzy.

Keep Track of Sales and Pinpoint Key Shopping Dates
I keep a folder at my desk with all the postcards that filter in from late April to late July. Even before the official kick off of sales, some stores have Friends and Family days when most merchandise is reduced 20-25% for a period of 3 days. The first week of May is typically the teaser week when retailers like Neiman Marcus and Saks reduce merchandise 30-40% for just that one day. That merchandise goes back up to regular price for about ten days before it's permanently marked down at its first mark down percentage. If you are lucky to time this particular one-day sale you are able to pick from the best assortment.

Have an Objective and Make a List
But don't fret because the real point to take away from this article is not who and what is going on sale, but why are we going in the first place? What is your objective? What are you missing from your wardrobe? I approach sale time like I approach shopping at Costco. If I go into Costco without a shopping list, I end up buying out the store. I meander up and down aisles and fill up my basket with enough batteries, detergent and toilet paper to support a small village. The book aisles are particularly troublesome for me. I am tormented with the savings on bestseller hardbacks and end up buying gifts for the next 5 years. But with a shopping list, I am efficient and purposeful. And that is how you should approach this sale season, with a list.

On my list this year was a new "go to" black cocktail dress. My timing was fortuitous last week as I was shopping for a client when I spotted this fabulous Zac Posen black cotton sheath dress with white slit inlay details at the waist. (pictured above) You're probably thinking, "Linleigh, why are you telling me now, after the fact?" And yes, you are right for scolding me, but I'm telling you to get organized now!

So, instead of approaching the next wave of sales like as a fishing expedition, look hard at your own wardrobe to identify what you need most. Then, hit the stores a couple days before they go on sale to exact the pieces you need. Make friends with a salesperson in that department and have them put it on hold, if possible, or tell them specifically that you'd like the item as soon as it goes on sale. Make sure they have your contact and credit card information. Make it happen and take the anxiety of sale shopping away!

Comments

The biggest mistake for me is to buy things I don't need. You are correct to advise to make a list and most importantly STICK TO IT!
Posted by: Liza in VT | May 26, 2010 at 07:53 AM

the thing that is so frustrating is that the retailers make it a game. when does the sale actually start? two days before? one day before? some ladies are coming in a doing the pre-sale thing with favored salespeople. what if you don't have a regular sales person? it all makes me not want to shop. it rings of dishonestly and i always feel like i'm getting rooked.
Posted by: JC | May 26, 2010 at 07:55 AM

JC
You make a valid point. But why not get what you want? If I don't have a salesperson at a store I wait until I am approached by someone with "snap". I tell dull, dim lit salespeople that I am already being helped or I am just looking if I don't have confidence that they could help me. You need someone who will follow up, find your size in the company's system and then call you when it comes in. And then if you have a good experience, tell them to call you when pre sale starts. Good Luck. By the way, Bloomingdales is having a great sale starting tomorrow, but you can shop now.
Linleigh
Posted by: Linleigh Richker | May 26, 2010 at 08:04 AM

So, what you are saying is i can go into my bloomies here in cherry hill and go ahead and buy what i want on sale - even though the sale starts tomorrow? i think this is what you mean because my girlfriends all tell me that they do that. go the day before.
Posted by: JC | May 26, 2010 at 08:52 AM

The smart way to shop I believe is to pinpoint your 3 or 4 favorite stores. Develop a relationship with a good saleswoman and then use her exclusively. It is a big time saver. They know your size, your preferences and they keep an eye out for you. Why enter all the stores on big sales days? It's such a hassle in my opinion. Plus, I detest browsing. It's an awful time eater.
Posted by: leslie mcnamara | May 26, 2010 at 08:54 AM

Leslie and JC,
Leslie, you are spot on in your strategy. JC, you can go in now to Bloomingdales and pre buy, that is your salesperson will ring it up on Thursday and hold it for you to pick up anytime after Thursday. They are running two different sales, one where you get a specified discount at the terminal as they ring up and one where the more you spend the more savings you get. It's a bit complicated but worth the effort. Make sure you get a smart salesperson and ALWAYS at Bloomingdales ask what sales they are running or about to run because there are always deals there.
Linleigh
Posted by: Linleigh Richker | May 26, 2010 at 09:04 AM

Ya i agree with you.. People only love sales not sales time. Your doing a right job and i gonna follow you. Very interesting topic to discuss. Well done job!!!
www.vivamagonline.com/index.php
Posted by: Sales season | December 23, 2010 at 09:11 PM

Sale always works like a magic word for me! I am just sick... I need help
Posted by: freelance writing | August 20, 2011 at 04:58 AM

The other component to understand is why are we shopping? Is it to fill a wardrobe need? or an emotional need? If you can be honest with this loaded question then shop away.
Sartorially yours,
Linleigh Richker
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