at the risk of insulting everyone with "Duh" advice

1. I just ordered the largest size of the American Eagle denim jacket (tried the size one smaller in-store, so I know that one will fit). It's really nice, nicer than the Nordies one I had ordered with tags still on. I think it will get lots of wear, and seems really well made too. Just need to roll up sleeves, alas....

ADVICE: always google for promo codes. I saved $10/20% this way. Sweet!

2. Since I am returning my bootie order from Free People, I thought I'd at least try and salvage the shipping costs by exchanging with something else. There was this Charles David boot that is wicked expensive on FP, but that I liked. I was not going to pull the trigger on a $400 boot, no matter what. But anyway, later at the Copley Mall I popped into a Charles David boutique, and though the original price was even more exorbitant, it had been discounted 70 or so percent, to $150!

ADVICE: I'm still not buying it--decided it's not worth it. But:

PLEASE DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE!

Shopping is such an emotional experience and really pushes my buttons around the issues of impatience, lack of level-headed decision-making, sudden overwhelming desire for satisfaction, etc. etc.

This is one means by which I attempt to counter it.

Hope you're not all "D'oh"-ing me right now! I felt like it couldn't hurt to mention...

14 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

Definitely NOT D'ohing you! checking discounts and policies on returns etc is something we all need to remember! I am not ordering anything right now online or even going to the mall till I figure out what I NEED not just what I want!!! Thanks for the tip on the denim. I am looking at AE online.

Kirti

(website)

I'm not going ''duh''! There are times when I just NEED to shop and I end up buying stuff, full price that I'm never going to wear. I need to plan more and keep an eye out for discounts and promos - do my homework!

Mochi

Here's the code I used today, Meredith:

http://dealspl.us/ae-coupons

Makrame

BTW, I just learned something new about internet shopping a month ago - there is a site called Ebates. They provide cash back for a large number of internet stores (I think it is 7% for Esprit, 5% for Nordstrom etc.). They also consolidate at least some coupon codes on their website. If you sign up with them, you have to go through their website before being redirected to retailer's site - this starts a cash back "ticket" that puts money in your ebates account when purchase is completed. About once a quarter they send you a check - I got the first one (for about $3, ha-ha) along with a $10 gift card to Target as a thank you from them a little while ago. The cash back is not a lot of money but could be enough to cover shipping etc.

I keep forgetting to click through their website, though, and it is annoying when I know I could have paid less.

I also keep items on my Nordstrom's wish list even after I buy them - just got a $30 price adjustment on an item that went on sale.

DragonflyJane

Active Member

No duh-ing from me either.

I can collect Nectar points on ceratin e-shopping stores but constantly forget to use the Nectar portal - oops.

We buy all our fabbo Christmas goodies & treats with Nectar points - we generally collect upto £100 a year just on supermarket shopping so it's totally worth using the portal site too.

Scarlet

It's a good reminder. I will happily buy at the beginning of the season for full price for something I love, but for somethings that I really like but are out of my range I practice due diligence. although I didn't know about googling for discounts. I also find it interesting to track how long the things that I did buy full price stay available. I am living in Europe though, and I don't think we are experiencing the full-on discount kookiness the US seems to have had in the last several years.

Thanks for the code Mochi!

Michelle

Are you kidding? This is great advice - the sort of things most of us know in theory is a good idea but often fail to put into practice. By most of us I clearly mean me. Glad you had some luck! Thanks for the timely reminder!

Transcona Shannon

This is fab advice Mochi and appreciate your reminder!

nicoleb

Fully agree and great advice!

I always check "retailmenot.com" use ebates and collect swagbucks as well. Gotta bring that price down!!! And a good deal always makes me excited.

Mochi,
I just ordered the denim jacket (blue and three scarfs) with the 20% discount plus free shipping. I have an AE at the local mall if the jacket doesn't work out. I'm EXCITED I have wanted a denim jacket for quite awhile and I'm a sucker for scarfs. Thanks for the pointing me to the site! See pics of purchases below!

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Kappy

We don't even get to see the boots?? You are such a tease!

??? Kappy, you mean the boots I was considering buying?

http://www.freepeople.com/shoe.....lace-boot/

They are nice, but quite similar to the docs I've just bought. I don't want anything else from Free People, either. I realized I was just trying to salvage the $8 shipping cost (no fee on exchanges)--which is a dumb reason to purchase anything. So they're simply going back. But I do feel bad about wasted shipping

Suz

Wow. I don't know if I can take advantage of this kind of thing in Canada, but no "doh-ing" from me, that's for sure. I am not a savvy shopper.

Sunita

Those are great reminders! I am a much more disciplined shopper since I discovered YLF...rarely is there an impulse buy, unless it is a v. cheap one!

I used to live in the Boston area while I was a student and *loved* Copley Place. Alas, I was too poor then to ever buy anything there...but I have great memories of window-shopping.

Beth Ann

Such a helpful thread! Thanks for starting the discussion.

Kate

No duhs from me either. It's great advice. In fact, I think it was advice from forum members that led me to sites like retailmenot.com and others to look for coupons before I shop.

Jjsloane

I never buy anything without fully checking all discount options including rebate sites ( use ebates, but do better with mrrebates.com) and google and retailmenot.com. Slickdeals.net has lots of information as well, but generally if it's there it's going to be sold out soon if it's really good. It's much easier for me to check online than keep track of all the "rewards" cards I have for each store.
Glad your story had a happy ending Mochi. I actually refuse to pay shipping on almost anything (unless it factors in to be ok with the discount). I miss out on some things, but I have no real shortage of clothing.
My only additional advice here is if you've bought it do not look again and kick yourself when/if you see it for less. If you were willing to buy it at the price you paid then move on (unless it's the same store and they do price adjustments) People who purchase at full price make it possible for the rest of us to get a discount.

Jaime

I love this kind of advice Mochi. Keep it coming!

Thanks for other examples, Jeanne. I agree that I would not waste (much) mental energy on finding something for less later on...of course if it were significantly less, I might feel wistful, but you're right. And also I've just come to the conclusion that I really don't want to pay shipping. Of course I never did, but some of the things I've wanted required shipping so at some point I caved; not everything I want to purchase comes from Nordstrom. I haven't lost too much on shipping fees, but it's starting to add up, and I simply don't want to pay it anymore. I don't care if it's true what the Boden website says, that these free shipping companies have it already built into the price--I am not even sure about that (Boden isn't cheap; neither is Free People), and anyway, it bothers me. I can see it starting to add up, and so I have to be more careful from here on.

Vicki

Promo codes are the SMART WAY to shop! Thanks for the AE one here.

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