Jun 28, 2013

*SAMPLE SALE* Doing Pilati

The 2013 summer sample sale season is trying to end with a bang! The YSL sample sale has previously been an epic event amongst the NYC shopping crowd. Could today's opening prove to be no different even with the not-so-stellar early reviews? With hundreds of shoppers lining up as early as yesterday evening, the answer seems to be a resounding "Yes!". We'll just have to see inside. Follow me and we'll do some Pilati.

At the break of dawn, I made my way to Soiffer Haskin on 33rd St to see how today's YSL sample sale line stacked up to prior events. (You can read all my line update tweets: here). The turnout wasn't as record breaking as it was in October when getting there at 6am meant that you were stuck somewhere midblock between 8th and 9th Ave. However, by 8:30 the queue had stretched to B&H on 9th Ave. A reasonable attendance but not epic. Nonetheless, there was some drama to be had while standing around. In the first hour of my wait, the queue was asked to move not once but TWICE! Anger erupted amongst the early-risers as the latecomers cut in front during the moving commotion.

At 8:45, the first group of 10 were let inside to check in their belongings. The Soiffer Haskin staff sternly warned shoppers to only grab their wallets and nothing else. Unfortunately, this warning fell on deaf ears as I spotted one Asian girl dressed in white being escorted out when she was caught with her phone. In addition, a handful of other ladies were asked to forfeit empty plastic bags that they carried with them inside. Therefore, if you can't tell, smuggling these photos out was a daunting task and the quality isn't up to Mizhattan standards. I hope you understand.

Inside, I found the early reviews to be on target. This week's YSL sample sale is not worth it. What was suppose to be a bang was more of a fizzle. Most, if not all, of the merchandise was overpriced. Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of Stefano Pilati's designs, but my main impression from today's sale was that the company was trying to quickly clear out their unwanted old inventory (e.g., they were bagging items in nice but old YSL-branded shopping bags) but by charging shoppers a hefty sum for said leftovers. But putting my personal opinion aside, I do need to report on what I found at today's sale, so here's the rundown.

The handbag section was comprised of Muse & Muse Two totes, black patent Downtowns, Roady hobos, Y-Mail totes, and a few Easys. Handbags were capped at 5 items per person and prices ranged from $599~$899. Muse totes in black were the most popular.

The shoe racks were located on the left side of the venue and I spotted many styles of past season sandals, pumps, boots, and flats. Tribute sandals were aplenty and available in silver, fuchsia, leopard print, black with gold trim, navy, purple and creme. Tributes were all priced $550. Insane! Tribtoo pumps were also sufficiently stocked and were priced $399.

Accessories were situated on the far right side of the room. I spotted scarves, sunglasses, wallets, and jewelry. The jewelry section was mostly comprised of bracelets and key rings. There were no rings at today's event, perhaps all taken at yesterday's VIP hours. Sunnies, on the other hand, were well represented. Each were priced $149 and there were tons of different styles to choose from.

I really hate to say it but the YSL sample sale isn't what it used to be. If you're a long time NYC sale veteran, you already know that the company's sample sales have always been worth waking up early and braving the long line for. Unfortunately, after attending this summer's sale, the YSL sample sale has somehow lost its luster. Do yourself a favor and skip this sale. It just isn't worth it. But if you're still curious enough to check it out, I suggest going on Sunday as final markdowns may be a possibility. I will make sure to keep you updated.

38 comments:

  1. What bracelets are available? And how much are they?

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    Replies
    1. They were mostly woven leather bracelets priced over $100. Nothing to covet.

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  2. what were the shoe sizes like, do you know if there were a lot of 41, 42?

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    Replies
    1. Large sizes were plentiful. The aisles for those racks were practically empty.

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  3. any old fall 2010 palais mohawk pumps spotted?

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  4. omg just left and it was horrible - better prices at dept stores, woodbury and their actual boutiques! and people were rude rude rude!

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    Replies
    1. You're right. For the long wait outside, it really wasn't worth it.

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  5. were there a lot of tributes in 38, 38.5? i'm wondering if it's worth going...

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    Replies
    1. In the morning, I found plenty. I can't say how the inventory is faring right now though.

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    2. I have a friend who is selling a brand new tribute (38)in taupe color..

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  6. Waste of time. At 1:30 pm no line, just few people and about 3-5 minutes wait. Inside you have to leave your bag and phone. The shoes are still very expensive only 150-200$ off of the original price. You can buy them cheaper in any Department store or even on Ebay. The selection of clothes is massive but still very expensive. I don't see any reason to be there and waste your time or money. I don't see why they will even have this event when there is no actual sale.

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    1. Excellent points! Thank you for your insight!!

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    2. Couldn't agree more!

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  7. I guess they've been paying attention to the complaints. I just got an email from Soiffer Haskin saying further reductions have been taken, although the email does not provide specifics.

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    Replies
    1. Only on certain items at an additional 25% off. It's a start!

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  8. Readers are letting me know that the extra 25% off is on RTW. So the meaning of the ambiguous email has been solved! Case closed.

    A big thanks to everyone who let me know!

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  9. A total waist of time. Thank you Mizhattan for the early update so that I did not bother running there at dusk. When I got their email at 5pm, I couldn't help myself and stopped by. No wait to get in and I could not help to notice all the empty handed people walking out. Only a few men came out with tiny, TINY shopping bags. A total waste. Horrible selection. All shoes are outdated and the handbag selection could not be more depressing. They actually had a tiny pouch that retailed at $299 selling at $269 (really?). I just feel bad for whoever spent the night waiting for this crap. It's worse than being punked by the Gucci sample sale.

    Also, their 15% discount on select bags worked like this: they priced up the bags $100 and claimed that you will get 15% on them (not even all, just the damaged ones). It's a little too obvious. Insulting actually.

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  10. Like another commenter, couldn't resist going w/ email from them w/ extra discounts (which was misleading, only selected items had 15%). What depressing sample sale. Muse small one for 599 & medium size for 799! These weren't for extra discounts (only undesirable looking ones). Small key pouches 199(orig price 289). Are they kidding. No lines now & never seen so many walk out empty handed @ sample sale. Tons of shoes but no wonder w/ price of over 500! To have read that 2 girls waited overnite for this?

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  11. Miz tyvm as always, you saved me so much time <3 - Viv

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  12. Hi Miz! Were there a lot of large black muse bags? How much were they?

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  13. What a disappointing report! I'm glad I didn't head out to NYC to catch this one (I did think about it). $900 for a large black muse bag?! They were only $1000 in the Saint Laurent boutique sale (in Paris, about two weeks ago)! I certainly hope you ladies see better prices as the weekend progresses!

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  14. Mizhattan,

    You have no idea how much time and money you have saved me ever since I found out out about you!

    Oh, and this sale is totally BS.

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  15. Anyone hear if there were any further discounts today?

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  16. glad I didn't go...got further reduction email at work,,was getting ready our of office. Just wondered why SH sent pursue emailing which the sale just started,,,, gave me no good hunch, so I just went home, even my office is 4 blocks away.
    Thanks for the insight of the sale!
    I'm surly missing those old days of YSL sales,, like 2006/2007/2008...:)

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  17. Yeah, my sister went there on the last day of sample sale last year and scored a dress for $10! It seems like they think that we are idiots this year.

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  18. Today the reductions are 30% off shoes (20% off tributes,) 30% off select bags marked with blue tags, all other bags 15%, 50% off RTW

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! Just another reason why I will be skipping that sample sale today.

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    2. seriously, skip it!!! I went today and the prices are still ridiculous for a sample sale.

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  19. I have a large brown downtown handbag that I bought because I got carried away and will never use. Anyone interested in purchasing?

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  20. want to sell a brand new Tribute sandal (size 8). Anyone interested?

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  21. What color? How much?

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  22. a taupe sandal. she got it from department store and wants 600. a bit pricy....She also has tribtoo pump (capped toe, black) for sale at 500...

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  23. just wondering if there are any pieces for mens??

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    Replies
    1. The sale is over. There was a small selection of menswear and accessories.

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