Did you manage to make it out to your local VV's 50% off sale yesterday? I sure did. I didn't have as much time as I would have liked, but in 1.5 hours, I did some serious damage. Not in the pocketbook department of course, but I found a lot of items in that short time. 21 items to be exact!
I've frequented these sales over the years and its been my main form of clothes shopping, especially for the kids. Back when the kids were still "wee," I would be waiting until the doors opened, first thing in the morning, with all the other crazy thrifters by my side. As the kids got older (and perhaps I got a little more sense), I started going a little later in the day. And now it seems the only reasonable time for me to stop by is in the evening.
Here are a few of my 50% off day tips...
-They usually hold these sales every 3 months or so, often the day following a major holiday. So if you missed this one, don't fret, there will be another. Probably mid-Fall, around (Canadian) Thanksgiving.
- If you join their SuperSavers club (a free club), you can go in the day prior, during the last 2 hours before the store closes and also get the 50% off rate. Highly brilliant.
- Go when you can. Of course, the later you go, the less selection there is, but lets be serious, it is Value Village. Isn't the slogan "The thrill of the hunt?"
- Go up and down every aisle. I know that sounds like a lot, but I'd say within 45 minutes I had scanned every t-shirt/sweater/tank top rack in the place. I walk down the aisle and scan racks on either side of me. Your eyes are generally drawn to colors or patterns that appeal to you. But also slide the items down the racks, looking for ones that might be less visible. And look in all size ranges. Even though you might be a medium, often larger shirts can shrink or smalls can be fitted larger that usual.
- Be prepared for crowds and lines. Last night was fairly tame, but usually the greatest source of congestion is at the change rooms line-ups and people lining up at the tills. Last night I was primarily shopping for shirts and sweaters, so I avoided the change rooms line-ups completely by wearing a tank top. That way I was able to find a mirror at the end of one of the aisles, and throw shirts on over top of my tank. It was incredibly fast. No line ups, no waiting, a few strange looks from other shoppers, mind you, but I think it worked quite well. Of course if you were trying on pants, skirts or shorts, this wouldn't necessarily work so well, and I imagine the strange looks would increase, but to each their own.
- Make the check-out process less painful by removing all the items from their hangers, and make sure the tags are easily visible so the cashier can scan away.
- Bring along some fabric bags that you can load yourself. Again, a major time saver (not to mention earth saver).
- Remember, they have a 7 day exchange policy. So while you won't get your money back, you do have the option to go back and find something else. Of course, it won't be 50% off, but let's be serious, it's Value Village. You can find something.
I'm quite pleased with all my finds. I spent a total of $50.66, for 21 items! Yowza. That works out to just $2.41 per item. The kids stuff was generally cheaper overall (some items ringing in at 75¢), but I the most I paid for an item for myself was $3.50. Not too shabby.
-They usually hold these sales every 3 months or so, often the day following a major holiday. So if you missed this one, don't fret, there will be another. Probably mid-Fall, around (Canadian) Thanksgiving.
- If you join their SuperSavers club (a free club), you can go in the day prior, during the last 2 hours before the store closes and also get the 50% off rate. Highly brilliant.
- Go when you can. Of course, the later you go, the less selection there is, but lets be serious, it is Value Village. Isn't the slogan "The thrill of the hunt?"
- Go up and down every aisle. I know that sounds like a lot, but I'd say within 45 minutes I had scanned every t-shirt/sweater/tank top rack in the place. I walk down the aisle and scan racks on either side of me. Your eyes are generally drawn to colors or patterns that appeal to you. But also slide the items down the racks, looking for ones that might be less visible. And look in all size ranges. Even though you might be a medium, often larger shirts can shrink or smalls can be fitted larger that usual.
- Be prepared for crowds and lines. Last night was fairly tame, but usually the greatest source of congestion is at the change rooms line-ups and people lining up at the tills. Last night I was primarily shopping for shirts and sweaters, so I avoided the change rooms line-ups completely by wearing a tank top. That way I was able to find a mirror at the end of one of the aisles, and throw shirts on over top of my tank. It was incredibly fast. No line ups, no waiting, a few strange looks from other shoppers, mind you, but I think it worked quite well. Of course if you were trying on pants, skirts or shorts, this wouldn't necessarily work so well, and I imagine the strange looks would increase, but to each their own.
- Make the check-out process less painful by removing all the items from their hangers, and make sure the tags are easily visible so the cashier can scan away.
- Bring along some fabric bags that you can load yourself. Again, a major time saver (not to mention earth saver).
- Remember, they have a 7 day exchange policy. So while you won't get your money back, you do have the option to go back and find something else. Of course, it won't be 50% off, but let's be serious, it's Value Village. You can find something.
I'm quite pleased with all my finds. I spent a total of $50.66, for 21 items! Yowza. That works out to just $2.41 per item. The kids stuff was generally cheaper overall (some items ringing in at 75¢), but I the most I paid for an item for myself was $3.50. Not too shabby.
Three new sweaters for myself (Total: $10.50). Unfortunately I just noticed a stain on the white one, so I'll likely exchange it, but I'm fairly thrilled with the other two.
I couldn't pass up this blue sweater. It screams classy Grandpa. And its the real deal, retro. Loving it!
This red cardigan is so pretty and I'm thinking it could be a cute way to dress up a black tank top with jeans, or it could be worn over my black linen dress for a Christmas party. I'm fairly certain I was drawn to the sparkles! (My Mom always said I was part crow, drawn to the shiny stuff). Not to mention it still has the replacement button attached, making me think its never been worn.
One long sleeve, and two short sleeve t-shirts.
While I am in no way affiliated with Vangaurd College, I do like their t-shirt and their logo. Not to mention the color. Its a bible college here in Edmonton.
This brown one is a bit tight yet, but hopefully I can fit into 'er soon. Loved all the buttons. Joe, of course.
I'm liking these two black shirts, although I'm thinking the one on the left may go back. Definitely a boob shirt, and I just can't seem to find anything to bridge that gap (hardy har). The one on the left is super cute with giant black buttons connecting the straps. Its a long shirt and Rob said its almost long enough to be a dress. Making me think if I could find some super cute patterned fabric (with black details), I could put a strip around the bottom, making it into a dress. We'll see.
Even though I was mainly looking for fall shirts, I couldn't resist these three tank tops. I'm fairly certain the center Gap tank (ranging in shades from white to blue) was designed with me in mind. I LOVE IT.
Here is the bundle of kids stuff I picked up. I shopped mostly for Abbi as she seems to be the one lacking in the fall department this year. I'm loving that pink polka dot dress. I'm thinking picture day. Gabe got a few hats (one was left at the park a few weeks ago), a pair of shorts ($1) and a pair of cargo pants that should fit him this fall. 10 items for a total of $15.50!
So those were my fantastic finds of the day. My next Value Village mission will be to get the kids outfitted for winter (snowsuits, toques, boots, etc). They still won't get those items in for a few weeks yet, but I love being able to get my kids totally set for winter for $26.96 (2010's total) and $29.26 (2009's total).
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