May 14, 2015

*SAMPLE SALE* Don't Worry, BB Happy!

What a shoe crazed day it has been! One of New York City's most in-demand sole searching events, the bi-annual Manolo Blahnik sample sale, returned this morning for their short but sweet legendary bargain-filled shopping spree. From the get-go, the event was off to a very busy start with 100+ early birds quickly filling up the two banquet rooms (one for invitees and another for public) at the Warwick Hotel. Not long after, bins upon bins of luscious shoes started arriving. For bargain hunters with an undying shoe obsession (I'm guilty as charged), it was a great way to start the day!

Obviously, as this sale is only for one day, this article is written for posterity purposes and as a forum where us gals can share and discuss our experiences from today.

The usual ticket system to get shoppers in order and organized was in effect for this spring's Manolo sample sale. VIP shoppers with invitations received alphabetical yellow tickets while the general public was given numerical red tickets. After my group was called in, I entered the sale room where mounds of smile-inducing goodnesses were poured out on tables.

Just like last year's sale, discounts were simply spectacular. Prices started at just $100 for plain styles (no tax!) and went up to $550 for boots and exotics. You can see the full price list at the end of this article.

Sizes were available from 35 to 42. Blahnik's highly coveted BB pumps made their appearance in the form of classic black, patent nude, patent maroon, patent emerald, velvety suedes, glittery evening styles, and graphic stripes. Other yummy highlights included Mary Janes in both classic black and bold red, beige strappy wedge sandals, black d'Orsay pumps, feather-embellished bridal sandals, metallic evening sandals, leopard booties, floral embroidered boots, black d'Orsay flats, and glossy patent pink sandals.

As for the shopping experience, let's just say it was INTENSE. Shoppers were meticulously scavenging through the heaps of shoes placed on each table and aggressively staking out their claim. The signs placed all around the room asking shoppers to be considerate and only carry around four pairs of shoes was completely ignored. I even spotted one highly zealous person commandeering an extra large plastic bin to place her 50+ haul into. Wow.

As awesome as today's Manolo Blahnik event was, if you couldn't make it to the sale this morning, I'm sorry to say that it's best you avoid trying to go this afternoon. The sale ends in just a couple of hours and, by the looks of things, the employees have stopped giving out tickets and the wait is still extremely long for those who have one. But don't worry and BB happy as there is always next time. If history is any indication, their fall sample sale should come sometime in November. For those who attended the sale, let's now discuss!

Price list:
Plain shoes $100/$150/$175
Exotic trim $125/$175
Exotic all-over $150/$250
Exotic ornament $175
Alligator trim pumps $250
Alligator sandals $300
Alligator $400
Below ankle boots $200/$300/$350/$400
Ankle boots $250/$350/$400/$450
Mid-calf boots $300/$400/$450/$500
Knee boots $350/$450/$500/$550
Above knee boots $400/$500/$550

27 comments:

  1. That line was insane. Was in neighborhood and dropped by to peek. they were giving tickets for group 53 and they were only calling group 20 at the moment. This is clearly a hire-a-linesitter sale and not worth the trouble. This coming from a sampl sale veteran.

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    Replies
    1. AGREED!! I had to keep leaving work

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  2. I've been coming to this sale for well over a decade, and this was by far the craziest I've ever seen it. I had one woman standing over me, literally watching me as I tried on shoes and asking if I was taking that particular pair. ANNOYING. Also, I think the four-pair rule was enacted to keep certain women from coming in and literally sweeping the entire contents onto the floor next to them (I've seen it happen at at least three sales over the years.) I was carrying ten pairs around, and I PURCHASED all ten. Since there's no limit on how much you can buy (unlike the Louboutin sale, where five's the limit) it seemed odd to limit it to four.

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    1. Four is odd isn't it? Yes, I saw no one abiding by that rule. Hopefully, you made out with something nice!

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  3. Same chinese ebayers again.
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/xns6htnqrqx49u6/Photo%20May%2014%2C%2012%2045%2024%20PM.jpg?dl=0

    Keeping 50+ pairs of shoes size 35-42 in a corner claiming they buying for "friends". Tables were almost empty at that time. Organizers tried to enforce the rule "no more than 5 pairs per person" around 1pm when I was leaving don't know if the succeeded.

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  4. Miz, I want to leave a thank you note for providing the correct dates ahead of time so I could take a day off work. I bought two beautiful shoes today and it's all thanks to you! xoxo

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  5. anyone know what number they're at?

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  6. Just confirming that they're not letting ppl without tickets in?

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    Replies
    1. I do not think so. Think they stopped at 60.

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  7. what number are they on now?

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  8. After they reorganized the shoes@4 o'clock, they let everyone in and closed@5pm

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  9. dear miz, thank you again for all the updates and info to get us prepared for the big day! it was crazy but fun. the ticketing system and waiting rooms were all pretty organized too. I probably waited about 4 hours all in but it was worth it because there were plenty of choices (37) when I got in at 1p. as for "one highly zealous person commandeering an extra large plastic bin to place her 50+ haul into" -- as actually ended up filling FOUR of those bins w shoes and having them hand-carted off. which I think is a little extreme and unfair because she kept trying to snatch the shoes we were trying ON to add to her collection. talk about greedy mcgreederson. I ended up w 2 suede booties and cute slip ons and am stoked. no more shoes!!! (until the next one;)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your insight! I hope you enjoy your new booties and slip-ons!

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  10. any advice to remove the sharpie from the label??

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    1. I used diluted bleach and water and it took out most of the Sharpie mark, as long as it is not on any part of the leather. Hope that helps.

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  11. I got in at 4, when they reopened the show room after a brief reorganization. I think it was really nice of the Manolo people to make sure that everyone who waited for hours in the conference room could get in. Of course things got crazy immediately with ladies grabbing shoes left and right. At that point only sizes 37, 40.5-42 had any real selection.

    As I was leaving I overheard some of the employees wonder aloud as to why the company does not enforce a buying limit. Apparently a husband and wife duo hoarded bins, those giant bins that fit like 50 shoes and subsequently screwed over their fellow shoppers. If it wasn't for that pair of resellers so many more people could have been admitted inside not to mention would have been able to buy something.

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    1. Hi Nara,

      Alas, resellers are an unavoidable part of sample sale nature. Hopefully, they didn't grab everything and you were able to grab something nice for all your effort.

      Delete
  12. Thank you, Mizhattan. This was my first Manolo Sample Sale, and I really enjoyed it.
    Some note for posterity purposes. I arrived the hotel at 8:55 AM and I received No.16 for public. A lady in front of me received the alphabet H for VIP. The sale started at 9 AM for VIP. One of staff told me that door would be open after 11 AM to public. I enter the room around 1 PM. Staff brought some shoes periodically, so we had a lot of options in the afternoon too.

    There were chairs, bathrooms, and even water was prepared for us! What a kind and comfortable sample sale!

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    1. Hi Momo,

      Wow, first Manolo sale! Congrats, you're now a sample sale veteran!!

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  13. There was one lady that got so mad when the staff started to mark over the shoe labels. She kept yanking the shoes back and yelled "enough enough. I'm not Chinese I'm not reselling these", while taking wallet out of her Prada bag. I thought she was so rude and those comments were unnecessary. If she was only wearing them who cares about the marker, especially on tall boots. Oh well they are just shoes in the end

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    Replies
    1. That's interesting. Must have been her first time seeing that Manolo has black marker'd their sample sale shoes for eons.

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  14. I didn't go to the sale this year, but I have to admit, I find it very entertaining reading these tales! I can't believe someone actually took a picture of the two Asian girls that was hoarding all those shoes at the corner (someone posted it above through Dropbox). I am sure they are not the only hoarders there, as someone mentioned a husband and wife team too? But boy, I would feel embarrassed if it was my face there. Is it too much to ask to show some manners in sample sales these days?

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  15. I am Chinese, I was mad at these Asian or Chinese, too. I saw some girls with luggeage, and from what they r talking, i can tell they are reseller. I think it's better that the company should have limit per person. They grab it and add $100-$200 sell it back to China or USA. Sample sale is good chance for ppl get their shoes, not for ppl to take advantage to make money. I went last year, i saw Asian put like 30 pairs together, but i am sure they are not Chinese, they are Korean. This time I am sure they are Chinese. it's a SHAME. I DO FEEL IT.

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  16. As someone on the VIP list who got in at 9:30 and is a size 42, I lucked out as the ONLY person at the 42 table- until my friend joined me 20 minutes later. As a result I had a great experience and was not stressed or shoved. The staff really tries to keep the calm and they are VERY patient. It's a shame that can't be said for some of the VIP's They know they are getting in before the public yet they stand in the doorway blocking everyone with their H tickets and they are only calling A & B. I had ticket C and did not even hear them call it until they pushed through the room past all the door blockers who refused to sit down. I had to walk past at least 50 people to get out of my room and into the shoe room. As for the hoarders it is disgusting and they should limit the sale of the shoes. I think the problem is the company ( not the on site workers) would rather them all just be sold then deal with bringing any back. The staff that is on site could not be nicer. As for the marker- really are you embarrassed when you take your shoes off at yoga you will be judged for getting shoes on sale? There is no shame in buying on sale.

    Thank you Mizhattan for your hard work :)

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  17. Hi Mizhattan. I'm from Canada and would love to go to one of these sales. Would you be so kind to let me know when the next one is?
    Many many thanks

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    Replies
    1. Hi High_em,

      The next Manolo sample sale should be sometime in November. I will make sure to write an article to let you know.

      Delete

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