A sale is a retail store’s way of flirting with you. “Come into the store and see the bargains!” It’s very tempting especially in lean financial times; a sale is a great way to supplement your wardrobe. If it’s really a sale, that is.
Many times the higher end stores bring in sale clothing that is not up to the quality that of their non-sale items. They are loss-leaders. Clothing sold at almost no profit to attract buyers into the location where they will then see the high profit clothing.
This is how it works; the sale garment isn’t as nice as their other merchandise but its cost, while lower, isn’t that much lower. Just a few steps away is a rack with obviously better quality clothing and, while the price is higher, it’s not that much higher. The buyer rationalizes for just $30 to $40 more, I can get this out fit and it looks so much more expensive. That’s true, but you have just blown your clothing budget.
Occasionally, stores make the loss-leaders easy to recognize. Suddenly there are “For Sale” racks stuffed with clothing. At the beginning of the day, there are two or three items of the same style available in multiple sizes. There may be as many as eight to ten different styles, but each size holds these outfits.
Are they still a bargain? Sometimes yes, but most often they are not.
- Check the quality of the fabric. Is the weave tight or loose?
- Look at the zipper; are there any puckers in the seams holding it in place? Does the bottom of the zipper area buckle?
- Also make sure to check any stress seams (areas where the clothing will have additional wear). They are usually sleeves and front and back seams on pants, shorts, or capris.
Be wary of the Early Preview Sale. The stores advertise that they are showing an early preview of the next season’s styles. They announce a pre-season sale and mark the clothing down to entice you to buy early. Is the clothing really for the new season, or is it last year’s models that didn’t sell? Is it unsold clothing from another part of the country where the seasons are several months ahead of yours?
