Where Sale

When: Saturday, August 2 - Sunday, August 3, 2008, 12-7 each day
Where: Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall C, C125-126, 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach, FL
Link:http://www.thewarehousesale.com

Description:
Do you have a yen for designer jeans, but a bank account that’s running more on the Levi’s*** end of the price range? The Warehouse Sale events specialize in bringing high-end jeans to bargain hunters. They hold events around the country throughout the year and there’s one coming up in the Bay Area in a few weeks!

As with everything I’ve posted about so far… I haven’t actually been to one of these events, so it’s kind of a blind posting. Go at your own risk. Lord knows if I wasn’t a size god-knows-what (READ NOTE BELOW REGARDING SIZING) and 8 1/2 months pregnant, I’d be there in a flash. This particular event is labeled as a “Clearance Sale,” and I’m fairly sure that means the prices will be further marked down. Mebbe I’ll even call them tomorrow to find out for sure and update this posting.

IS IT WORTH IT?
Online reviews and articles about The Warehouse Sale events are mixed. For the most part, people are satisfied with the value, but the selection is limited and it’s not like you’re strolling out with $10 jeans that used to be $300. Think more like $70-100 for jeans that used to be $300. Still pretty cool if you’re willing to cough it up.

From what I’ve read, it’s best to make reservations ahead of time, which you can do by signing up at TWS website, and this also avoids the $5 admission fee.

ARE YOU READY?
For a big sale, always go prepared. In this case, the folks at TWS have been kind enough to outline an FAQs section on their site that covers some important info, such as whether or not they have private changing areas (they don’t). Check the FAQs out here.

A NOTE ON SIZING:
Keep in mind that they specialize in selling SAMPLES, so their size ranges on jeans are limited to size 23 - 32 for women and 28-40 for men. They also carry a brand called “Frankie B” that has sizes 0-10 (women’s)

***I actually think the price of Levi’s are even pretty exorbitant, but, a girl’s gotta wear something, right? I remember when buying a pair of jeans seemed like a fairly nonchalant purchase, but nowadays it’s a regular investment!

FURTHER INFO:
Great article: http://www.lasnark.com/the-warehouse-sale-la-convention-center

When: Thurs, Aug 7 - Sun, Aug 10 -> HOURS posted below
Where: Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA
Link: Yelp Event Write Up … DWR Sale Page

Description:

DWR is dropping off over 40 truckloads of furniture and offering up to 80% off retail.

Personally, I’m not that hot for DWR, but then again our 80 year old Mediterranean is furnished with post-apartment living Ikea grabs and Craig’s List classique chic, so I’m not exactly the choir they’re preaching to. Our true “quality” furniture is either the result of a fabulous wedding gifter or careful investments we’ve made at some of the better consignment stores in the area.

Nevertheless, we ARE in the middle of re-purposing some of our house - making room for baby #2 - so perhaps the better pricing at this warehouse sale may inspire us to modernize some of our furnishings.

SALE HOURS:

Thursday, August 7 Noon - 6pm
Friday, August 8 Noon - 7pm
Saturday, August 9 10am- 5pm
Sunday, August 10 11am- 5pm

Thanks Shal for the heads up on this!!!

When: Friday, August 1, 2008 8 AM onward**

**In order to get first dibs, many women camp out well before the 8 AM door opening, sometimes even starting the night before.

Where: Filene’s Basement, 5300 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20015

Links: http://www.filenesbasement.com/bridal.jsp

Description:

In the interest of complete disclosure, I should say I have a particular fondness for Filene’s Basement, as our annual pre-school shopping trip at the original Boston Filene’s was a pinnacle part of my childhood experience with bargain hunting. Also, my sister scored her lovely wedding gown at the original Filene’s during a post-Running of the Brides escapade.

If you don’t know about Filene’s infamous “Running of the Brides,” you have no idea what you’ve been missing in the bargain-hunting culture!

This is the epitome of a “sharpen your claws nails before you go and, if you have the balance to run in them, wear particularly savage stilettos for toe crushing” sale. Of course, it’s usually sequestered to a once-in-a-lifetime event for most women to attend, since the whole sale revolves around getting RIDICULOUS deals on designer bridal gowns. Despite the lack of recidivism for most attendants, the Running of the Brides has developed its own culture over the years and, with the help of media attention and the fact that some families consider it a tradition to get your wedding gown at the event, this is truly a remarkable event.

Go for the gowns, stay for the glory.

More Info: Read the FAQ section at the Filene’s Bridal page (scroll down). REALLY IMPORTANT INFO and STRATEGY are outlined there.

Think there’s little difference between a warehouse sale and a sample sale? Umm… better check that! There’s a HUGE difference between the two and, if you want to save yourself some time and frustration, it’s better to get education now.

This great article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution outlines the differences between the two types of sales. I’m going to directly quote from it (extensively) because it’s already two years old and could easily be moved or deleted anytime.

Sample sale

• Definition: High-end designers and fashion houses sell sample items to the public at a deep discount. These sales frequently occur in cities with large fashion communities, such as New York, Los Angeles, or London, said Kathryn Finney, creator of the Budget Fashionista online shopping guide.

• Pros: High end designer clothing and accessories discounted 20 percent to 80 percent.

• Cons: Sample sizes are made for models, so clothes sizes typically range from 2 to 6. Shoes range from 10 to 12. Some items may be damaged or worn, and the merchandise is often out of season. But in sunny Atlanta, shoppers can buy spring and summer clothing at the end of the season and wear it for a month or two, Ripley said.

• Before you go: Leave your child, big coat, arthritis, credit cards or shopping bags at home, said Finney. They’ll only slow you down.

Warehouse sale

• Definition: Designers or stores give hefty discounts on overstocked items from the past or current season. It’s one last chance for stores to clear the floor for new items.

• Pros: Warehouse sales offer more size choices and include in-season clothing.

• Cons: Communal dressing rooms are typical.

• Before you go: Murdock said it’s important to arrive early and be patient. She added that it’s best to grab all the items you want, then head for the fitting room. Modest shoppers should wear bike shorts or exercise clothes for quick changes.

So, the final skinny? Bottom line? Know your bottom line with regards to your size in specific designer lines. Of course, this is irrelevant for sample sales on things like bags or purses, etc.

When: July 26-Aug 3
Where: 833 S. 19th Street, Richmond, CA / 510-236-1482
Link:http://www.nextdoortrends.com/

Description:

Modern furniture, liquidation of bedroom and dining sets, as well as coffee and side tables. The advertisement claims up to 60% off on limited quantities.

When: Fri, Aug 8, 9-6 / Sat, Aug 9, 10-4 / Sun, Aug 10
Where: Petaluma Veterans’ Memorial Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd, Petaluma, CA 888-322-5515 ext 2292
Link: http://www.athleta.com

Description:

This sale causes a serious buzz around the North Bay. Great prices (up to 80% off) on athletic wear, with prices starting at $5.

There’s a note on the flyer that’s not 100% easy to interpret. It reads:

For safety reasons, NO strollers

9 am - 12 pm Friday only!

I don’t know if that means you can only bring strollers on Friday between 9-12, or that that’s the only time you CAN’T bring them. Call the hotline number to find out for sure:

888-322-5515 ext 2292

I just got a comment from someone at Athleta clarifying. In case you don’t read the comments section, here’s what she has to say:

For safety reasons, we are not permitting strollers between the hours of 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, August 8th, only.

Thanks Heidi for the clarification!

When: Sunday, July 27, 2008, Noon (w/ $12 early bird entry fee) or 2 to midnight (w/ normal $5 entry fee)
Where: American Apparel Factory, 7th & Alameda, Los Angeles, CA, 213-488-0226
Link: http://www.americanapparel.net/fleamarket/

Description:

Heard about this over at Racked LA.

Uggh…. Scruples. Apparently, I don’t have any. Like many women, I’m sure, I have a love-hate relationship with American Apparel. Here’s a top seven of what vacillates through my mind when I contemplate buying American Apparel clothes or even wearing it (double the guilt factor when I choose to put my toddler in American Apparel tees):

1. LOVE the shirts, the way the women’s baseball tees fit, the snug fluidity
2. HATE that the CEO is an absolute pig bastard who’s a renowned sex addict that regularly sexually harasses his female employees
3. LOVE that the clothes are sweatshop free, made in America, ethically produced
4. HATE the over sexualized prostitute - strung - out - on - black - tar - heroin advertising campaigns
5. LOVE that many hip designers slap great images on American Apparel shirts, making me feel all the cooler when I wear them
6. HATE the CEO - did I mention him again? Never met him, but he deserves a serious smack in the face… except he’d probably get off on something like that
7. LOVE how the clothes actually feel

I have a mini-war that tears at me over American Apparel… It’s beyond Love / Hate even, more akin to Love / Loathe. Thus, I really struggled with my scruples as to whether or not I’d post this sale. After all, I don’t think I’d ever post a “Frederick’s of Hollywood” warehouse sale, or if Hustler was doing a major promotion sale, I wouldn’t post about that, but… American Apparel is just different animal. Which, I guess, is why it continues to thrive and survive. The products are THAT good.

So, here’s the nut - big sale on American Apparel goods, one day only, July 27, 2 PM - midnight, $5 entry fee, $12 NOON EARLY BIRD ENTRY FEE - probably well worth it if you’re serious about the shopping.

Note that this will be a madhouse, as Racked LA mentions in their write up. Last year drew over 4,000 losers (oops, there’s my “loathe” side coming out again) I mean capitalist thriftsters. Clothes will go for as little as one buck. Can your conscience swallow its values for such a steal? It’s easy for me to hold my head high in pride and say “no,” because I don’t live within easy driving distance to this extravaganza… Were I in Los Feliz or Santa Monica, however… I dunno.

When: NOW!!!
Where: Online only
Link: http://olivejuicekids.com/clearance/sf/

Description:

Another fantastic find from my sister-in-law… Olive Juice is doing a fantastic warehouse sale right now. As with most of my posts so far, I’m not that familiar with this business and don’t know if they regularly host a warehouse sale, or if this is just an occassional thing, but the prices are UNBELIEVABLE for high-end, adorable children’s clothes.

Follow the link and click on the “view all” link under the “warehouse sale” section of the left hand navigation bar.

Have fun!

When: July 25-26, 2008
Where: The Works, Horizon Home, 1611 Ellsworth Industrial Drive, Atlanta, GA
Link: http://www.attheworks.net/

Description:

This is supposed to be a phenomenal sale. If I lived in the Atlanta area, I’d be clipping people in the ankles with well-aimed stroller strikes to get knock people out of the way and get first dibs at this.***

As quoted from the site:

Save up to 70% off retail at our unbelievable Children’s Boutique Sale! Save on children’s clothing, shoes, toys, room decor and accessories. Find items from some of Georgia’s top children’s boutiques all at 1 location. This sale lasts for just 2 days, so shop early because these items go fast! Parking will be available for this event, so invite your friends!

A portion of this months charity goes to Soul Food, a charity for a grandmother helping to raise numerous grandchildren in todays world.

***Strollers, btw, are allowed at the event, but not recommended.

When: Ongoing, from now ’til the doors close
Where:1567 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA (at Polk St) / 415-346-2530
Link: SFGate Linen Outlet AD

Description:

If you live in the Bay Area and you’ve never gone to the Linen Outlet… You’ve been missing out on MAJOR deals. This is pretty much where I’ve always gotten my bed linens and, although they’re marked as being a little “off,” I have yet to encounter a problem. I even got a fantastic indoor / outdoor rug here that has weathered years of beatings in the entryway with dogs tracking in and out, etc. It still looks great.

The prices at the Linen Outlet are already about as basement-level as you can get, but with this location closing, the steals are even better.

I’m headed there tomorrow to pick up trimmings for my daughter’s new room. Maybe I’ll see you there!