How often do you see something you love but can’t afford and manage to get it in the sales?

[Fjea]

I am rubbish at sales shopping and generally prefer to pay full price for the ease of having a full choice. I see people talk about only buying from certain shops in the sales, are they choosing from what is available or have they spotted something and waited patiently?

Basically I’ve fallen in love with a jacket which would be a stretch at even half price..

I find what I like online, put it in the basket, and wait/check for sales or coupons. I check for the same items in other stores (like next sells lots of brands), check eBay (for the official store-joules often have exclusive eBay sales-other brands have it too). I'm never fussed if I miss out though. I got a lovely river island outfit in the black Friday sale on very for £30 cheaper than it was on river island direct. If you know a student or someone with blue light card they might give you a code. Lots of websites give codes for signing up to emails or creating an account. Topcashback is good too. It's a chew on but I'd rather spend time than spend money 😂

Happy shopping 😊

I saw someone wearing a jacket that looked terrific on her. I asked her where she got it [high street shop I don't normally rate]
A year later, I saw a jacket exactly like it , in my size, in a charity shop for £2.

It looked a lot nicer on the other person but I like it

Good tips @Quackpot, thanks!

Excellent find 😊

Sometimes I wait and set up an eBay alert. You'd be surprised how often you can get specific items that way.

I always shop out of season and I look on vinted too.

I put it in my basket and stalk it until it (hopefully) comes on sale. Most of the time I end up forgetting all about said item and realising I didn't really need or want it as much as I thought, other times I don't give up (hello Mulberry satchel) and eventually get it in a sale.

I mostly buy clothes during the sales - I rarely buy clothes or shoes at full price. I wear my clothes for years though, so I don't need to buy clothes throughout the year when the sales aren't on. I just choose from what's available - I live in London so have access to plenty of shops.

I agree with eBay as well, though if it's something on the pricier side and I'm not sure of the style I don't like to take that risk, then I'm landed with something I might have to sell at a loss - this has also happened to me..

Tbh, I rarely buy any clothes or accessories at full-price (or in person at a bricks and mortar store).

I find many brands like COS overstock (online) so pretty much everything will end up being reduced by at least 50% when they go on sale. I often try things on in store as I see them and then keep a Pinterest board of anything I want to buy. With more expensive brands, again, I try on and then wait, although that said, I did this with Zara too as I hate paying full-price for clothing.

I think the key is to be patient as eventually, pretty much everything will turn up at a reduced price either on the brand’s own website or elsewhere be it eBay, Depop, Vinted, Vestiaire Collective and various other consignment sites.

How long after something has dropped out of a shop’s current stock would it appear on eBay/bunted etc?

Rarely. For me it's about how much I'll actually wear it on an every day basis with my existing wardrobe and whether it's good value for the fabric quality. I wouldn't spend a large sum on a piece of clothing- the justifications of things being 'classic' and 'timeless' are largely nonsense and everything ages and wears in the wash to a degree, as well as we go off things. I've wanted things before then seem them in the sale a while later and still not bitten so that says it all about how much I really wanted it.

Post a pic of it OP? Maybe someone can find a cheaper similar alternative..

Bunted = vinted 🙄

www.meandem.com/quilt-detail-feminine-leather-bomber-jacket-dark-khaki

I haven’t even tried it on as I’m not in London so can’t get to any actual me and em shops. So it might not even suit. But. Sigh.

I do love a bargain!

But I only shop within certain parameters. No interest at all in EBay. And I’m less excited by second-hand / vintage / pre-loved / whatever than I was thirty years ago. My ancient face needs fresh new things to flatter it. And, as someone who knows how much fabric costs (and that labour / rent / insurance / equipment / design expertise should cost money) I’m very anti suspiciously cheap clothing. But I’m also strongly against shamelessly greedy mark-ups.

And of course one has to be canny and notice when structures and processes change. Sales used to happen at particular and predictable times of the year (this was when garment shopping happened in strange buildings called ‘shops’). Nowadays, when most of my shopping is done at 2.am under the duvet, sales can happen at any time, all the time, or never - depending on the ethos and economic structure of individual brands.

Lots of 21st c start-ups make strong arguments for paying everyone fairly and charging fairly all the time - so they don’t do sales. It’s an interesting development.

With a few brands I know their ‘permanent collection’ items are never on sale - so I’m resigned to buying at full price if I really want the item. Other places invariably put half their stock on sale, sometimes just weeks after it’s appeared - so I don’t race to buy immediately unless there’s a truly irresistible reason to do so. I’m quite happy to wait and see if the things I like eventually appear at 50% or 70% off.

On the whole it seems ridiculous to pay (let’s say) £150 for something from a pretty average High St brand - when the same amount could get something of much, better quality and far more satisfying design severely reduced from another brand.

I have a few brands I love, although not everything I do keep an eye on pieces I really want. I very rarely buy things full price unless it will go out of stock very quickly and unlikely to return. I keep an eye on vinted and have managed to purchase many bits I had on my wishlist at a fraction of the cost, and everything I've ordered has been perfect condition so far. I don't see it much different from an item being tried on in the changing rooms if only worn once or twice.

I'm waiting for the June/July sales patiently as I have alot on my wishlist, I'm happy for half price on the higher end stuff, but my wishlist is long so I'll just pick up what fits my budget.

I've just bought on ebay, for £15, a jacket I saw for well over £100 4 or 5 years ago. That might be longer than you are prepared to wait! It's a classic sort of style fortunately.

That’s definitely playing the long game!

Rarely.

I cannot afford the items in the clothes shops I like even when they are on sale. Reiss
Whistles
All Saints
Sezane,
ME+EM
Wolf and Badger

I enjoy looking though but that is as far as it goes. As a woman in my 40's I have outgrown H&M, DP, Zara, Mango for staples but cannot stretch to high end shops.

I mainly buy from outlets - in sales etc
then eBay and charity shops
sometimes I’m lucky straight away others I play the long game
off to Bicester village in a few weeks but know what im looking for and have a budget in mind - if I can’t find - I will try stuff on then stalk elsewhere

Pretty much never. I sometimes buy stuff because a sale is on. Like Joules or gap I try and wait for an offer.

Yep, eBay alerts and patience are your friend here. I've quite happily waited years but once got the dream dress I'd had my eye on, realised I wasn't going to wear it, sold it on for a profit, and spent less on the same dress in a different colour a couple of years later which I also don't really wear often but love so much I don't even care 😂

That said, my normal approach is start saving and if you still want it when you've saved for it go and buy it. If you still want it you'll probably get your money's worth and if you don't then you have the cash.

almost never .
Reasons:
a. They never go on sale
b. They sell out so fast , they don’t even make it to sales.
its one of the reasons why I buy so little , would rather just buy it and enjoy wearing it for longer, instead of spending money elsewhere .

plus I see most places accept klarna now , which might make it easier for some.