How to Not Make Stupid Mistakes During Major Sales

 

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J.Crew Factory Skirt (in red) / Everlane V-Neck Tee / Old Navy T-Strap Sandals / Madewell Ring

This week is a major sale week and I didn’t want any of you to miss out. For some people, it’s a little like Christmas in the summer and for others, it’s better than that. Between the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and the Amazon Prime Day Sale this week, people are basically getting ready to kiss their money good by.

A handful of them are going to end up with a bunch of stuff they never wear and junk they aren’t going to use. I don’t want you to be that person though. I wanted to share my tips for How to Not Make Stupid Mistakes During Major Sales so you can learn from all of the stupid mistakes I’ve made during past major sales and be happy with your choices.

 

So before you start shopping, make sure you read this post and keep this list in mind. Then, go crazy and get all of the things.

Your To-Do’s (So you don’t make stupid mistakes during major sales):

1. Come up with a game plan.

Would you go into any sports game, video game, investment plan without a strategy or game plan? No? Then would you go shopping without a game plan? Whether you need to think of shopping as a sport or investment, just remember, you don’t want to waste your time and money. So head straight for what you want right at the beginning. If it’s the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, look over the catalogue and get a few categories that you want to fill in mind. For me, it’s primarily bras this year. Once I’ve found what I want, then I can peruse a little more. By that time though, I’m normally spent and ready to be done.

If you go into the sale with a game plan, you’re less likely to spend your money on unnecessary items that you’ll end up regretting.

2. Just get the darn store card (or sign up for the rewards program).

If you can’t handle yourself with a credit card, maybe don’t, but if you can, read on. Many store cards will come with added benefits such as cash back (Amazon), free tailoring (Nordstrom), specialized customer service (J.Crew). Plus, during these major sales, card holders are always treated better. Amazon has dedicated an entire day of sales to their cardholders. Nordstrom lets theirs shop their biggest sale an entire week early, and J.Crew always gives better discounts. Pick your card, it’ll be a good idea, I promise.

Quick notes for this week’s sales:

Amazon: Amazon Prime is the equivalent of Amazon’s Rewards Program. You can sign up for it right now (or the day of the sale) and you’re good to go. Amazon does offer their Amazon Chase Rewards Credit Card, but since the sale starts tomorrow, it’s a little late for that. However, if you do sign up for that, you get 5% cash back on all Amazon purchases.

Nordstrom: They have three different options for store cards and all will give you the option to get early access to the sale. I signed up for their credit card really last minute last year and was approved, but I didn’t have the physical card. I found out though that I could go into a store and get my card number/information so I could shop the sale online (which I did).

Getting the store cards can be annoying and tedious, but as long as you’re careful, they can save you money in the long run.

3. Know your sizing and order multiple sizes to be safe.

I order/go to the same retailers enough that I know about what my size is store to store. But if you don’t, then get ready to order a few sizes. I know this that be tough on your wallet, but I’ll get to that in a minute. The point of doing this is that if you only order one size now and it doesn’t fit, by the time you go back, there’s a chance that your correct size will be gone.

Ordering multiple sizes now can save you from your favorite piece selling out later.

4. If you like it, don’t think buy it.

Have you found the items that you like? Great, add them to your cart immediately. Depending on the sale, go check out immediately. Some sales (like Lily Pulitzer sales, I’ve heard) can sell out in minutes if you aren’t being quick. This isn’t really the time to think about it. Just remember, if you don’t like it, you can just return it. (On the off chance you can’t return it…sell it on Ebay? Those are the only times I would actually risk going into the store.)

5. Free Shipping

We’ve talked about this before. Don’t pay for shipping. There’s always a way around it (often that way is being a cardholder).

6. Get ready to return.

Remember #3 where I said to get multiple sizes and #4 where I said to buy right away? Yeah, I know your wallet is hurting. Well now is the important part. Returning! You need to be ready to return things. I know people hate returning things, but it’s time to get over that. Tell yourself that you’re getting money back. Tell yourself that you’re saving yourself a trip to goodwill later. Do what you got to do but return whatever you don’t want. And do it right away. The longer it sits there, the less likely you are to do it.

Seriously. Stop putting off returning things. Go to the store, go to your mailbox, just go return them.

7. If bloggers are talking about it, it’s probably already gone.

Yeah…..There’s a plus and a minus to this. So there’s a chance that it’s gone. But there’s also a chance that the store sees how popular it is and has already started restocking it. It really depends on the sale. Just be careful what you fall in love with. And get ready to hit the buy button fast.

8. Go go online already.

Don’t fight the crowds. Do it from the comfort of your couch. Take advantage of being able to sort by color and size and designer. You also don’t have to worry about someone hanging up that dress you wanted on the wrong rack. The only reason to go into the store? See #4: All sales final. No returns available. You just have to try the things on first. (I really hate wasting my money).

9. Don’t forget, if you’re shopping online, do your cashback thing.

I almost feel kind of mean saying this, because Nordstrom is no longer offered on Ebates, BUT some departments of Amazon are. Also, Ibotta (a mobile cashback app) will be offering some great Amazon Prime Day deals, so make sure to check those out too. If you need some more advice on getting cashback online, check out this post.

I hope that advice was helpful and now you’re armed and ready to shop all of the major sales this week and next week. And in the future. Don’t worry, you’ve got this. (If you don’t got it yet, there’s always sales to practice on.)

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Photos by Heather