For those of us who can't always afford a spree at Barneys or a Cash Bash at Bergdorf's, but we want the nicest of nice in designer items or emerging trends--there are ways to get what you want for less without going broke! This guide is meant as a resource for shopping, hunting, finding, bagging and winning your favorite designer items at a fraction of the cost. Now you too can look like you stepped out of the pages of Vogue or Town and Country..even on a mini-me budget.
While I don't want to be self-serving (okay maybe just a little!), one of your first stops should be Richgirlsstuff on okay. We offer the finest in luxe items for a fraction of the cost. How do we do it? Without giving a way the "store" we have a good eye for sales, lots of contacts and relationships with highend stores and boutiques and we are dedicated to the mission of getting the goods for our clients at a fraction of retail.
Other stores on okay are a good resource. Often times, you can find that favorite Marc Jacobs jacket you have been dying for at a fraction of retail. One person's junk is another person's treasure. Wait til the end of the auction to scoop it up at the price you want!
Next gees outlet stores. We are a bit skeptical about outlets and think they aren't always the bargain that most consumers think they are. For really great finds, Saks off Fifth, Nordstrom Rack, Tod Shoes, Loehmans, Coach Purses, Cole Haan, TSE, Barneys Outletand Neiman Marcus Last Call area fewof our favorites. Make friends with one salesperson; someone whose taste is like yours and have them be your eyes and personal shopper when new items hit the sales floor. Most items gee in monthly and are stored in the back warehouse area until room is made on the sales floor for new items.If you have a salesperson who knows you are just dying for anythingDior--she can often pull something for you before it even hits the public or as it does.These folks have hourly goals to make or gemission to earn--so they like having dedicated customers. Tell them what designers especially interest you and tell them that you are only interested in certain items that are x percentage off (50% or more). If you don't have one of these storesby you, pull up locations on the internet and call and establish a relationship with the Manager of the Department or someone who works Evenings (when the store is apt to be less busy). Ask them to call you if things gee in from your favorite designer. If they are your favorite designer and the salesperson is good at describing items, you probably have a pretty good idea of what item she is talking about. I have even had some great salespeople who would email me pictures or call in measurements. Some of them ship and with a generous 30 day return policy, you have plenty of time to return the items you don't like. The shipping is well worth it when you save 70% off the tag price.
Third, establish relationships at your favorite full retail stores. One of my best salesfriends is my male clerk at Barney's NY. He is constantly alerting me to deals and sales and making sure I am "in the know" and since he knows my taste--he is usually dead on. The same thing with Saks, Neimans, Nordstrom, Bloomingdalesand Bergdorf. These people make money on you buying from them and it also gives them job security. If they know you love Tracy Reese and Tracy Reese goes on sale, they would rather that you get it than some other salesperson's client.Have them alert you as soon as something you have your eye on gets marked down. If you don'tneed instant gratification and can wait a few weeks--mostitems will go on sale within 8 weeks of hitting the sales floor. Stores have to rotate inventory to make room for the new season and trends. Bribes also work. A Starbuck's card or your salesperson's favorite latte on your nextvisit,goes a long way in making an impression. Also know the cycle of sales...Mosthigher retail storesput items on saleBEFORE the holidays to move them. After the holidays they get marked down even more. If30% does the trick--why wait for 50% when it might not be there. Other major sales times are March, May, July/August and October. Neiman Marcus has First Call for its best clients. You get a look at what is getting marked down before it actually does and you can reserve it for purchase the day of the sale. It is all about the Relationships....relationships...relationships. Treat your salesperson like your best friend and they will be your best friend.
Find your favorite Designer's boutique and get into the routine and cycle of their seasons. I have a favorite designer in NY (I'd tell you who but I don't want to gepete with you). I know for a fact that right before Christmas, most items will go 50% off (except the glitzy holiday stuff and who wants a whole wardrobe ofthat anyway?)and most Spring items go 50% off in July. If you know their cycles and if you have a relationship with the store--guess who will get first pick? You! I live in Denver and they are in NY and I always get postcards and phone calls alerting me to the sale. I write down style names and numbers of what I really want and when they call--I give them the laundry list of what I desperately want.
So, it sounds like it is all about the relationships, but there is more to the game. This is our secret weapon of all weapsons--it is called the price adjustment. Sometimes you just can't help yourself and you have to make that impulse buy that is well over your budget. What is a Richgirl to do? You find out what the store policy is on adjustments and hang on to your receipt.
Banana Republic for instance (one of our favorite places too) will give you an adjustment for items that are purchased within 14 days of markdown. So if you buy something for $58 and it goes to $34.99 (which it usually does within a couple of weeks at Banana) you get the difference back in the original form you paid for it. This is great for reducing your credit card debt or for buyingmorebananas :)
Other stores that grant adjustments are Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus (select situations), etc. Actually, most stores do and most are within 2 weeks to a month (with the exception of Nordstrom who has given adjustments out at even longer intervals). Find out their policy and take advantage of it. Heck you are at the mall every week anyway! Keep receipts in dated envelopes and check back before the expiration.
Finally, play the gepetition game. If you noticed that Neimans was running 30% off a select line of Cynthia Steffe but they were out of your size, walk your size 2 jeans down to Saks (where they also carry Cynthia) and tell them that you really want to buy the item (in your size at Saks) but Neimans is giving 30% off. Most stores will honor gepetitors prices. They hate to be outdone by their rivals. Pit them against each other and bag the deal!
We are all hunters at heart and we all love a good bargain that makes us look and feel great. Our last piece of advice for you shopaholics--it isn't a great bargain if it is 70% off but will never see the light of day out of your closet. Don't buy it just to buy it--buy it because you love it and want to hug it and squeeze it and take it home and call it your own. Those patent leather leopard striped pants might have seemed like a good idea at original retail of $1200 when you snagged them for $100 but sometimes there is a reason why they are on sale. Exercise control and save your money for the stuff you just can't live without...that's why Richgirls are richgirls!
If you have any questions or other secrets to share, please contact us at our store! We would love to hear from you and learn your favorite trix!
XOXOXOXO
Happy Hunting and see you out there rifling through the racks!
Richgirlsstuff
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