Sample sales are events held to sell items, usually designer clothing and accessories, at a reduced price. The items are usually samples that were created before the item went into mass production, or items that the designer made too many of. The price cuts can be very big – in some cases up to 70 or 80% off of retail prices. It used to be that sample sales were only available to people who lived in big cities like New York or Los Angeles, but online shopping has changed that. Now, internet shoppers all over the place can shop at online sample sales every day.
Membership to Online Sample Sales
Almost all sample sale websites require that you are a member in order to shop so that the sales stay somewhat exclusive. This doesn't usually mean a membership fee, but rather an invite from another person who is already a member. Usually these sites have a request form to fill out if you don't have an invite and wish to be placed on a wait list. However, sometimes a Google search for an invitation code is all it takes to get in.
How Online Sample Sales Work
Online sample sales can be just as competitive if not more competitive than shopping at an actual sale. Quantities are limited, so the sales are time-sensitive. Sales usually start mid-day (around 11pm or noon) and run for 24 hours, or until stock runs out. The schedule of designers is announced ahead of time, so popular brands and styles can sell out in mere minutes to buyers who log in as soon as the sale opens. Typically the shopping cart is timed as well, so if you don't complete your transaction within a certain time frame the items will disappear from your cart.
Examples of Online Sample Sales
- Gilt Group/ Gilt Fuse – Gilt Group was one of the original online sample sale websites to launch. The site pulls in a great number of premier designers and the items usually sell out fast. They recently launched Gilt Fuse (read more about Gilt Fuse) and Jetsetter, a discount luxury travel site.
- Rue La La – Rue La La is very similar to Gilt Group, but tends to be a little more affordable because they rarely carry extremely high-end designer names. They have a great selection of mid- to high-end brands, such as BCBG and Tibi.
- HauteLook – HauteLook carries a more random assortment of items ranging from clothing to candles to bath and body products. They are not as big of a name in online sample sales as the others, but they certainly offer a nice selection.
Online Sample Sales – Pros and Cons
As with everything, there are pros and cons to shopping at online sample sales. This format of sample sale makes great brands at more affordable prices accessible to so many more people than ever before. Many sites have referral programs that reward you with money to spend at the sales if your friends sign up and make a purchase.
Unfortunately, you can't try on anything or see anything in person while shopping online. Even more unfortunate is the fact that most of the sites will allow returns for credit only, so you might be stuck with no new clothes and a credit that you can't figure out how to spend. Also frustrating is the fact that most sites charge $10 or more for shipping, which is expensive compared to standards in online shopping.
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