Here's how to navigate the booming world of online sample sales -- with secret shopping strategies for snagging the most sought-after items.
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| Gaggia Baby Twin Espresso Maker |
ideeli
Who does it: 2.9 million members. Enrolling is free at ideeli.com/cnnmoney
How it works: Events start at noon each day and last 40 hours, or until the goods are gone. Sales offer apparel, accessories, home items, and kids fashions at up to 80% off. There are also weekly giveaway contests -- a recent one features a two-day golf getaway -- with surprise start times. Members are notified by e-mail, Facebook and Twitter each time a new sale or giveaway starts.
But discounts have a cost: Ideeli fan Sonia Marti, a fashion production coordinator, pays close attention to expected shipping dates, which can be several weeks away. "I don't want to wait for a month and a half to get my order -- especially if it's something seasonal like those summer sandals I only wore twice by the time summer was over," she says.
Secret strategy: To get an edge on the competition, shoppers can log on at 10 a.m. and browse each sale. You can also buy your way into a head start: "First row" members, who pay $7 a month, can start shopping an hour before everyone else.
What you can snag: A little bit of everything, including Betsey Johnson, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Nicole Miller, Max Mara, Jessica Simpson, Pucci, Sony Music, Furla Handbags, Calvin Klein Home, Cuisinart and LeSportsac luggage.
Ultimate score: The Gaggia Baby Twin Espresso Maker (pictured), available now, for $475, regularly $699.
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| Gilt Groupe Website |
Gilt Groupe
Who does it: 3 million members. Enrolling is free; CNNMoney readers can sign up at www.gilt.com/cnnmoney
How it works: Most sales start at noon each day and feature designer apparel at 30% - 70% off the retail price. Sales last for 36 hours, but good deals go fast: Gilt says it typically sells 50% of its merchandise within the first hour.
Secret strategy: Gilt "groupies" start at the bottom of the page and scroll up to give themselves a few seconds lead time on the items listed last. Fans on Facebook can also preview the sales in advance -- but not even the CEO of the company, Susan Lyne, can purchase anything before noon.
What you can snag: Gilt is best know for its high-end fashion selections from designers such Vera Wang, Christian Lacroix, Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors and Jonathan Adler.
But Gilt's footprint is expanding, and stylist and personal shopper Lynne Curtis touts Gilt sibling Jetsetter as her go-to site for discounts on luxe travel deals. One caveat: "They charge your credit card once you make the reservation, so that's before you've even stayed there," Curtis warns. "That can be a pain."
Ultimate score: A Vera Wang dress in silk organza for $699 on Gilt, regularly $1,850.
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| Rue La La Website |
Rue La La
Who does it: 2.2 million members. Enrollment is free at ruelala.com/VIP
How it works: Rue La La features an eclectic mix of wine, travel, fashion, accessories, menswear and home sales at up to 70% off retail. "Boutiques" open every day at 11 a.m. ET and run for 48 hours.
Freelance writer Eleni Gage almost scored a wedding dress here: "It didn't end up being the dress, but it's nice to know I could have gotten an OK dress at a quarter of the price of what I paid."
Secret strategy: The "Quick! Buy it" feature lets shoppers grab an item immediately, then bundle all of the day's purchases together so they only incur one shipping fee. And you don't have to be in front of a computer: Rue La La's iPhone app gives access to shoppers on the move.
What you find: Selections from Juicy, J Brand, Tumi and Waterford, among others.
Ultimate score: Bruno Magli women's boots, which retail for approximately $600, sold for $299.
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| Roberto Cavalli Sunglasses |
Beyond the Rack
Who does it: 2 million members, including some bold-faced names like Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Neil Patrick Harris and Kim Kardashian. Enrollment is free; CNNMoney readers can sign up and score a $10 credit at beyondtherack.com/member/invite/CNNMONEY
How it works: The site runs up to 10 sales a day, 7 days a week -- "it never ends," says spokeswoman Lori Krebs. Sales start 11 a.m. ET and typically last 48 hours.
Secret strategy: BTR fans can sneak a peak at upcoming sales on the site's Facebook page. Since half a million members log on at 11 a.m. each day, Krebs recommends signing in 10 minutes ahead of time to ensure a speedy start out of the gate.
"The hardest part is having a very quick 'clicker,'" says professional stylist Holly Copeland. "You have to be quick with some of the popular items and designers. Setting a reminder alarm right before the sale starts is a must if you really want a particular piece."
What you can snag: Jimmy Choo, Dior, Balenciaga, Miu Miu, Uggs, Movado watches and Versace Home.
Ultimate score: These Roberto Cavalli sunglasses (pictured) sold on the site for $159, down from a retail price of $530.
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| Eyeshadow Palette from HauteLook |
HauteLook
Who does it: 3 million members. Enrollment is free at hautelook.com
How it works: Instead of buying inventory, HauteLook partners with brands directly. That means it often has more sizes and selections available than rival sites, at markdowns of 50% to 75%. Sales start at 11 a.m. ET, Monday through Thursday, and last 48 hours. Friday sales usually extend over the weekend.
"I love HauteLook for baby stuff. They have a lot of the brands that you really can't justify paying full price for," says sample sale shopper Sara Michel Osberg.
Secret strategy: Keep an eye out for the Saturday blowout sales, where apparel and accessories are discounted up to 90%.
What you find: Based in Los Angeles, HauteLook reflects a more West Coast, casual chic aesthetic. There are high-end designers like Herve Leger, Joe's Jeans and Waterford, as well as up and comers like fitness apparel brand Splits 59. HauteLook is also heavily focused on beauty brands that rarely go on sale, like Stila and Kiehl's.
Ultimate score: A Calvin Klein sofa for $799.95, marked down from $2,999.
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| Mara Hoffman Dress on Swirl |
Swirl
Who does it: Swirl, which launched in November, won't disclose its member count. Enrollment is free at swirl.com
How it works: DailyCandy's partner site was created to showcase up-and-coming designers at up to 80% off. Sales start at 11 a.m. ET and last 24 to 72 hours.
But as with many online sample sales, stylist Lynne Curtis cautions buyers to read the fine print first: returns can typically only be made for credit, or not at all. That that can be problematic with items that can't be tried on before you buy.
Secret strategy: DailyCandy subscribers are eligible for special benefits, including discounts like $20 off a purchase of $50 or more or access to a sale an hour before its start.
What you find: Cult favorites like American Apparel, Ray-Bans, Chaiken, Loeffler Randall and Tom Ford.
Ultimate score: This Mara Hoffman dress (pictured) was $990, and sold for only $259..gif)
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