Not about sales but about shopping



Shop the luxury designer brand sales

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It isn’t a little known fact that luxury and designer brands too go on sale, just like every other brand. The only difference is that luxury brands do not advertise their sales with flashy advertisements and large banners proclaiming sales of 80% off! In fact, unless you know about the existence of the sale, you might not even be aware of it, even if you walk past the store or into it.

Here’s a few tips when shopping a luxury designer brand sale:

  • Luxury brand sales happen twice a year -  Generally, once in June/July and once in November/December. Look out for subtle ads in the newspapers or little plaques that say “Sale” in the store window.
  • Items on sale are limited and are usually from past seasons - don’t expect to find the popular IT bags of the season. Those are either usually sold out or not on sale. Classics too hardly ever go on sale. Gucci for example, rarely has discounts on their classic Jackie O bags except for those with seasonal fabric, and the Celine Boogie bag hardly ever goes on sale.
  • Discounts range from 30% to 60% - The general rule of thumb is that of a 30% discount in most brands. Gucci doesn’t usually go higher than that unless you are extremely lucky (and I have been!), Salvatore Ferragamo recently went up to 60% off on very selected items at Starhill.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask the price - Sometimes you might be surprised at the amount quoted. Also, the price tag tends to be hidden away and it looks awful to be rummaging through the bag to look for the price tag.
  • Do your homework - If you are lucky (and because stocks of luxury brands don’t move as quickly here) you might even get the season’s IT bag on sale, or something classic. Knowing your prices help too.
  • Different stores may have different stock and designs - Because the designers have a few different stores around town, you might find that certain stores have some designs that others don’t. So, do shop around before committing. It was easier when there was only KLCC and Starhill to contend with. However, now that Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and The Gardens are up, the net is cast wider.

Over the years and through trial and error, I have amassed my designer handbag collection purely by scouring the sale racks and in the process scored some excellent bargains on full leather bags I could not afford otherwise. No matter how much I want them, I cannot afford the designer items while they are on full price, so waiting for the sale is the next best thing for me.

There is one caveat however. If you are hoping to buy a Louis Vuitton on sale, don’t hold your breath waiting. As far as I know, Louis Vuitton is the only designer brand never to go on sale at all, ever. Pity.

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January 2, 2008 | Filed Under Fashion, Sales, Tips 

comments

5 Responses to “Shop the luxury designer brand sales”

  1. aw on January 2nd, 2008

    Louis Vuitton (or Gucci as well?) actually destroys unsold bags.

    PB says: LV is the one that destroys the bags. Gucci does have sales. And are still on sale till the end of Jan

  2. Giddy Tiger on January 2nd, 2008

    Is Coach still on sale? * prays*

    PB says: I think it still is. Maybe for a week or two more?

  3. KittyCat on January 5th, 2008

    I’ve been to the LV shop in Paris and no wonder this brand’s No.1 for bags and luggage. For one, the service is excellent - yours truly was in her grungiest, backpacker look a la pasar malam style but the assistants? Warm smile. Friendly greeting and “Can I help you, madame?” Even if I didn’t have the thousands for a bag, I’d definitely wish I do!

    Back to the topic, I love classics and have given up on sales. That’s why I’m stuck with one handbag for years…

  4. Cacti Flora on January 14th, 2008

    LV in KL is exorbitantly priced! If you go to the official LV website in French, they list the price in Euros. Convert that into RM and minus the tax refund for tourists (VAT) you will find that LV in KL charges about RM 300 to RM 600 or more on some items.

    Sales in Europe are cheaper. I often travel abroad and find that when it is sales time, the minimum discount is usually 30%. It can go up to 70%. It usually is 40 to 50% off. Classics (basic evergreen things), that will never date will RARELY go on sale. I bought a YSL leopard print flat shoes for RM 750 ish in Paris last week. It was about double the price 2 weeks ago and very rare. (Lindsay Lohan was spotted wearing it). In KL luxury brands are controlled by Singaporean companies and buyers. Sales are crap here.
    A friend who works in a brand at KLCC told me that there are 4 layers of sales before it reaches the buying public.

    1. The first layer : goes to The Brand Managers in the company (who decides what goes on sale anyway)

    2. The balance of the items goes to the rest of the staff.

    3. Then it goes to their regular customers in an invitation only preview!

    4. And then we get the manky (Aussie term) leftovers.

    My advise is don’t waste your time in a Malaysian sale. Save your money and buy the classics abroad. They stand the test of time and an investment in the long run.

    Things that never date and always come back in style:
    ________________________________________

    Khaki, LV anything, Hermes anything, gold, silver, military, leopard print, snakeskin, crocodile skin, velvet, leather, (sadly)fur, black, navy,
    white, red, JP TODs loafers, manolo blahnik pumps, trench coats (to wear abroad), gucci and fendi monograms, pearls, diamonds, rolex watches.

    BUY THESE INSTEAD EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ON SALE as it is better than a fashionable frou frou colorful items at half price that you will not wear 5 years down the line.

    PB says: Thanks for the update. However, since not everyone will have the luxury and opportunity to hit the sale periods overseas (I agree sales overseas are much better!) or to shop for luxury brands overseas, the next best option would be to shop locally.

  5. Veronica on February 20th, 2008

    Omi,

    I cringe at the thought of a destroyed Louis. But I guess to keep their high fashion and scarcity appeal, they must. I drool over them almost everyday…one day I’ll get my Speedy 30 haha

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