5 Great Online Sample Sales & Why I love Them

This is a guest post by my lovely friend, Christina from Sale Bite

Ever since online sample sales hit the scene a while back, I was a bit skeptical. If you aren’t familiar, online sample sale sites (also known as private sale sites, invite-only shopping, flash sale sites) are member only-some invite-only-sites that offer designer clothing, shoes and accessories for up to 80% off retail. These sales only last for a window of time: anywhere from 24 - 72 hours. While I was hesitant to join in the beginning when Gilt and Rue La La kept emailing me to post their links in exchange for store credit, I now cherish my Gilt credits and fantasize about what I’m going to spend them on. Having recently started a sale Website I’ve since learned a lot more about online sample sales, and have developed quite the sample sale shopping addiction. That, and in the past few months I helped the lovely team at Splendora launch an iPhone app that aggregates online sample sales. This whole sale genre has turned into a multi-million dollar a year industry, it’s overwhelming and nearly impossible to keep track of what’s on sale, when, and where. To help, I’ve assembled an online sample sale tutorial:

My Top Five Favorites Sites, and most importantly, why I love them:

( in no particular order, it’s hard to pick a favorite):

Site 1: Gilt

Gilt: I’m hesitant to list them because they’re SO huge. A little birdie told me they plan on an even bigger expansion, and eventually getting into the brick-and-mortar sector. I’ve always cheered for the underdog, the indie boutiques, so I’m naturally inclined to ignore the big guys. BUT, you can’t beat Gilt for their:

Pros: Volume of sales (between 10 - 20 designers a day), great designers, on average at least 40% off, $25 referral credit (the highest I’ve seen to date), late night shopping (sales that start at 6PM), menswear and kids departments, functional site design, emerging designers feature, sales last 48 hours.

Cons: Sometimes items on sale don’t ship until a month later, I can’t stand the black and gold, the calendar only shows sales a few days ahead of time, credits expire, for having so much capital, their iPhone app is a little homely.

Upcoming sales this week: Eryn Brinie and Hyden Yoo (8/2) Society for Rational Dress (8/4).

Site 2: Rue La La

Rue La La: Rue La La has improved a lot since their launch. With the best styled editorials and functional site design, Rue La La is an overall beauty.

Pros: Sale editorials are shot in house and beautifully styled, sales are listed well in advance and calendar is always up-to-date, sales last 48 hours, they feature a great mix of categories like menswear, home goods and travel, great discounts usually start at 50% off, they host fun editorials like ’summer sandals’ or ‘foodie favorites’, AMAZING iPhone app — If I was to be reincarnated as an iPhone app, I’d be the Rue La La app-, there are sales every day of the week, I love their Sunday Styleathon event, they have a cute blog.

Cons: They only offer a $10 referral credit, standard shipping price is a little high (nearly $10).

Upcoming sales: Yoana Baraschi (8/2) St. John (8/3) Lily Pulitzer (8/4) Derk Lam (8/5).

Site 3: Swirl

Swirl: Launched about a year ago by Daily Candy, and still in ‘beta’ phase, Swirl has made some serious improvements since their first day out. The vibe is an overall younger one than most, but prices are great, and the designers are always fresh and sales are well styled.

Pros: they offer a $25 referral credit, great new, under-the-radar designers, fun photos, new behind-the-scenes features like videos and interviews, designer exclusives, super low prices, coupon codes, most sites don’t offer coupon codes but Swirl is always sending out incentives, sales last sometimes 4 - 5 days, the savings are huge and sometimes up to 80% off.

Cons: Since it’s so new, there are still some kinks to work out, sales are subject to change at a moments notice, there are a lot of ads on site for Visa and other things, not good advance notice of sales.

Upcoming sales: Edun (8/2) Nuj Novakhett, Charlie my Love (8/3) Twinkle (8/5).

Site 4: One Kings Lane

One Kings Lane: This one isn’t fashion, but it’s my favorite home décor site.

Pros: Great site design, easy to use, a whole week’s advance notice of sales, always at least 50% off and sometimes up to 80% off, beautiful home goods, sales last three days and calendar is always set in stone, they have sales on Saturday.

Cons: A sad $10 referral credit, they sometimes throw in random sales that I’m not a fan of.

Upcoming sales: Casafina Stoneware (8/2), Phaidon (8/3) Coyuchi and Avant Art Groupe (8/6).

Site 5: Billion Dollar Babes

Billion Dollar Babes: BDB has been around the block, and then some. I used to go to their physical sample sales in SF years ago, and was very happy they jumped on the online sample sale train. With a recent buyout by Delivery Agent, the site is currently undergoing some big changes, and I’m excited to see what’s in store for the brand.

Pros: Amazing vintage sales like Chanel, Hermes and Gucci. They also host physical sample sales which is fun, sales last 48 hours and sale calendar is published in advance.

Cons: Since they were recently acquired, the site has undergone some changes and at times there are technical difficulties, not sure what the future holds brand-wise, but I hope they keep up the vintage sales because they rule. Site design could be a little more user friendly. They’re in a weird transitional phase, so the overall concept is a little unclear.

Upcoming sales: Estate Jewelry (8/2), Vintage Cartier and Tiffany (8/4).

While they didn’t make the top five some other sites to note are: Ideeli, HauteLook, Beyond the Rack, Beauty Story (beauty), Beauty Ticket (beauty), Market for Drama (beauty), Urban Bloke (men), Jack Threads (men), The Mini Social (kids), Winery Insider (wine), Vacationist (travel), Editors’ Closet, Envite (new and VERY noteworthy, they had Christian Louboutin last week), Zulily (kids), Totsy (kids), Row Nine.

General Tips and Tricks:

1. Like any site, sample sale sites have sales. If something doesn’t sell the first time around, sooner or later they’ll need to get rid of it and mark it down. So, If you really love a good deal, wait ’till these sites have blowout sales. HauteLook is having a bunch now.

2. Don’t rush. When it comes to sample sales, i crack under pressure, and it took me a while to learn not to get all hot and bothered when a designer i love goes on sale. So stay calm, just when an item is ‘in someones cart’, that doesn’t mean they’ll buy it. Actually, because anyone can hold something, you have a fair chance they won’t buy it.

3. Watch your store credits, they expire. Also, some sales are final sale, so make sure to read the sale policies before buying.

4. Keep an eye out for the ship date. Many times items don’t ship until a month later. So if you buy a dress to wear to a wedding, or that hot date, make sure you’ll get it on time.

5. Like I said in #2, you can hold items in your cart. So when in doubt, add add add, you have around 10 minutes to hold items.

That’s it! Do you guys shop online sample sales? If so, what are your favorite sites?