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Style: A Report From the Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale (Spring 2013)
Today's the first day of the Rebecca Minkoff Spring 2013 Sample Sale in NYC. It started at Noon and I got there right at 11:40am to bring you the first scoop:
The Wait: For those of us in the regular line, it was about a 1.5 hour wait outside (almost 2 hours if you count the time before the sale opened at Noon). For those in the Gilt City VIP line, it was still about 20 minutes at best. Once you got into the sale there was an even longer line to pay. It snaked all the way around the inside of the sale, making it hard to walk around and view the merchandise. I estimate that line would take about 45 minutes to get through (I didn't bother). So, if you're going in the middle of the day, on a weekday, at the beginning of the sale, allow around 3-3.5 hours total for your visit. This is NOT, I repeat NOT a feasible sale for a lunch break from work!
The Selection: There was a very large quantity of bags, with a significant variation of styles. There's a whole table of MAC's and Mini MAC's, about 1/3 of a table of MAB's, and then the rest of the tables had a random assortment of totes and other shoulder bags (mainly). I'd read on RackedNY that there's been a pretty good damages table in the past where you can get mildly damaged bags for $50. Unfortunately, I only saw about 5 bags in the whole sale that were marked as damaged and none of them were RM's signature styles. I also noticed a lot of tourists grabbing up 10-15 bags each to take back to Asia which was something I hadn't noticed at sample sales before today. However, there were plenty of bags to go around :)
Prices: As I've read about her previous sample sales, I'd say most bags were still $175-200. Mini MAC's were $125 and MAC's were $175 whether they were canvas or leather. The materials do not factor into the pricing at all. Click HERE to view the FULL list of prices [COMING SOON]. It was an 8 page document so I just posted the highlights above.
The Verdict: You can get some decent deals on Rebecca Minkoff bags online through flash sale sites like HauteLook, online retailers Zappos & 6pm, and Rebecca Minkoff's own sales for Facebook fans every Sunday...not to mention Ebay! I've seen comparable prices to these sample sale prices on several of those sites (or maybe just $20 more). Frankly, I think spending the extra $20 on a Mini MAC on one of those sites would be a more pleasant experience than visiting the sample sale. But, if you're looking for an item with a much higher retail value, the sample sale might really be worth it for you! If you're not super picky about styles, I'd suggest visiting later in the week, as the lines will undoubtedly be shorter and the prices might be slashed a little.
Is it common for price slashes during the later days of sample sales?
ReplyDeleteHi Cee! It is common especially at this venue (260 Sample Sales). At nearly every sample sale they slash the prices in the last 2 days. However, I read on Mizhattan's blog that at at least one previous Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale they didn't slash the prices at all later in the week. We'll see! At least the lines should be shorter later in the week.
Deletexx HauteontheSpot
Good observations. I was there Monday from like 2-4:30 it was a huge hassle. I didn't even find anything I particularly liked! I basically settled for 3 bags, one of which was a damaged mab mini in vanilla it had some markings from other bag's dye. Got it for $50. The material was a glazed over leather, not my favorite leather finish. I'm more interested in the buttery leather unfinished styles. I kinda regret my mab mini purchases, also got a turquoise one same leather finish for $250. I also got what I thought was a pale grey mini 5 zip but when I got it home it said lavender on the tag, which i thought was weird. All bags had silver hardwear, which is my least favorite. I've been into antique, brass, gold, or rose gold. I was also told at the check out table the mini 5 zip was $100 but was clearly charged the $125 when I paid. Whatever, very misleading plus the tax was off by $4.72 which wasn't cool. And don't get me started about the whole annoying disorganized fiasco of an event. I was very stressed the majority of the time. Would not put my self through that again, especially for no basic core colors like black. They only had patent leather black mini macs, very disappointing to say the least. Oh we'll now I know what I'm not missing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shannon! I completely agree with you on all your points. I definitely heard from a few others who were misled about the price of the mini zips and the tax. Your observations about the selection are very true as well. I had hoped to find a non-patent black Mini MAC but there weren't any. There were a few shades of brown and grey if anyone's looking for neutrals though. There weren't many with gold hardware which is my favorite too :( I'm impressed you waited through the check-out line. It was too daunting for me. Thanks for providing that extra feedback about the payment process.
Deletexx HauteontheSpot
Your welcome! I figured your readers would want to be wary of the check out process. I should have just left but got caught up in all the frenzy and thought I would have regretted not buying anything. Now I regret getting them. Well hopefully I can sell them to someone who wants them more then me, and from now on I will skip these events and stick with online shopping, my favorite :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame this one was such a mess. I've made out like a bandit at the other sample sales at that venue (Diane von Furstenberg, Rent the Runway, etc) and at other sample sales in the city (Tibi, Tory Burch, Elizabeth McKay, etc). So, this one definitely seems to be more of an exception. Of course, I'm a big fan of online shopping too :)
Deletexx HauteontheSpot
Ah I'm so nervous. I have a feeling the black non-patent mini Mac would be gone ASAP :/. What time do you think I should go ? Thank you so much !
ReplyDeleteHi Alice!
DeleteWhen I went on Monday I have to admit there weren't too many black patent ones (maybe around 10-15). There were no black non-patent ones. That's something I would have wanted too. If you're looking for neutrals they had plenty of grey and brown Mini MACs though. They were re-stocking consistently though so maybe there are some new ones? Since it's the third day of the sale the lines shouldn't be quite as long. I would avoid the time right after work and during most people's lunch breaks. So, either early morning (at opening) or late afternoon (3-5pm). That's just a guess though. The sample sales also seem to be less crowded just before closing. Hope that info helps and sorry to break the bad news about the black non-patent :(
xx HauteontheSpot
Thank you so much ! I think I will head over around 2 *cross fingers !
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