There are many benefits to working in the often grueling fashion industry.  Never having to wear “business” attire for work, never starting work before 9 a.m., never paying retail, and, the crown jewel: the sample sale invitation.  Designers and showrooms have a certain number of lust-worthy pieces each season that are not available for retail sale, instead being loaned to media and celebrities, or, shown to retail store buyers.  At the end of the season, these gently used pieces are sold at incredibly low prices (I’m talking 80% less than what the same item is priced at Saks.) at sample sales.

Although they have become a bit more publicized over recent years, the “Sample Sale” has its place as an urban fashion myth.  These events are typically held at strange hours (8 a.m. on a Saturday) in dingy showrooms deep in the heart of Manhattan’s Garment District.  The more high end the designer, the more mysterious and coveted the sample sale invite becomes.  For those that work in the industry, especially editors and publicists that get these designers in the press, there is the “press preview” invitation that entails going to the sale before the masses and one would think, getting first dibs on an Yves St. Laurent shoe.  If only it were so civilized.  There’s nothing quite like the promise of actually owning the season’s “it” shoe (purchased at an obscenely low price) to turn perfect civilized women into savages.  Take it from someone who has been hit in the head with a shoe or two in a hot, dingy showroom over the years.

As retailers have expanded their businesses to include an online presence, it  was only a matter of time before the sample sale hit the Internet.  Storefronts like Gilt Groupe, ideeli, Rue La La and Haute Look have become wildly popular over the last twelve months.

Their principles are the same as the Manhattan sample sales. Exclusivity included.  Shoppers must be “members” in order to even view items for sale.  Membership is, of course, invite-only and existing members can invite newcomers.  Each site features about 10-15 designers daily, 10-15 looks from each designer.  And, just like a sample sale, all current season merchandise, all at upwards of 60% off retail, but, from the privacy of your own couch.  Sounds like shopping utopia, doesn’t it?

Several months ago, I was working with a retail client who was exploring the idea of building a members-only discount website.  As part of my preparation for that project, I wrangled memberships for myself on each one of the sample sale websites.  Most have the same basic format: merchandise is updated daily around noon. They have the same genius email marketing tactics to lure shoppers in day after day.  My inbox has at least four messages every morning teasing me with what designers are going to be featured in that day’s sales.  Since the merchandise is available in limited quantity, whoever clicks first, wins.  Yet, all of these sites offer some form of a wait list.  If the item that you have selected sells out, shoppers can be added to a list and notified of item availability. I have scored some pretty amazing stuff since starting my research for my client (the proverbial icing on the cake being a $1500 cocktail dress for $300) and have not been hit with a Manolo, yet.