warehouse sales

I went to a warehouse sale today at the MN state fair in the diary building for Title 9 (women's athletic apparrel).  The sale goes through Sunday if you're a fan and local.  Prices are up to 75% off retail, and there will be the deepest discounts Sunday, although it will be picked over by then.

I planned ahead, assessing what I need and want and wear most, etc.  I checked my sizes in various brands that the company carries - you see, I've been in love with this company for years and have gotten a few pieces each year for a long time - it lasts forever, too, and is really high quality.

I dropped my child off at school and proceeded to the sale, getting there around 9:30 - had a physical therapy appointment at 11:30, completely confident that I didn't need more than an hour to look at the couple of things I was interested in.  Are you laughing, yet?  You should be.

I walked in and it was chaos - women dancing around each other, clothes strewn everywhere & not necessarily matching the size signs - children dropping toys that moms paid no attention to retrieving . . .  you get the idea.  All of the parking spaces near the building were taken, ironic that athletic apparrel shoppers are unwilling to walk too far . . .  The first woman I see tells me she was there last year and it wasn't nearly this busy.  I'm not sure why I didn't know about it last year, and getting irritated that Title 9 considers this woman to be a better friend than me, but move on.

The first thing I saw was jackets, which are a major temptation to me.  I do need a jacket, but spent way too long looking through them, especially since none of them fit right - apparently, I am the same size as most people . . .   Also, up to 75% off is really .  . .  well, making really high quality stuff seem like cheap store prices, basicly . . . kindof.  I expected that, but had prioritized and planned for this sale (yes, including talking to my husband, so I move on.

I found scrumptious, warm pullovers and not-outside jackets (at least for MN) and tried on many in 80 degree weather, or at least it felt like that . ..  women are great in a group in some ways.  For instance, there is no shortage of honest feedback on your fitting, and therefore, no need to go into a fitting room - I dressed in a way that made that unnecessary, anyway.  Apparently, my mom has popular opinions - everyone else thought I picked out clothes that are too big, also . . . sigh.  More motivation to work out and avoid showing the curves I'm not so proud of.

I had been shopping for 55 minutes without finding the underwear I like (that wasn't there, anyway), or any pants - the main things I had wanted to look at . . . hmmm . . .  I check out the line, and it looks to be about a half hour long or so, so I figure I have about 5 more minutes & head to pants - I grabbed a pair.  At this point, another half hour wait had been added to the line, filled with people who brought company and are taking turns adding to the kitchen garbage bags they had out to help you carry your large purchases - yes, I had one, too!

I freaked, but got in line, thinking I'd do what I could . . .  I had noticed the crazed atmosphere in the middle of it, but sitting in line for the next half hour, I noticed it differently.  The shirts just discarded by one woman are much more interesting than the ones in the boxes, for instance.  I think they're much more interesting, too. . .  There is a table at the back where dressing room discards and newly opened boxes are being opened, and that's totally interesting, as well . . . and much less organized.  However, you might get to see something that noone else has noticed, yet - I visited it 3 separate times.

I also noticed that as we had a long wait in the line, people were asking their friends and the people who happened to be near them in line for opinions, and there were a lot of discards going on as people had more time to think about things.  All sales are final, so this is interesting to me.  My business background is screaming that they should have more cashiers to avoid this . . . and, of course, get me through the line in time. . .

When it was time to leave for PT, I was where I would have been before the pants shopping, and I had to go.  I asked the nice ladies at the front if I could have them hold a bag for a couple of hours.  They said no guarantees, but there's an area by the wall - I do that.

As I drove to PT & back, I'm calling my husband and my mom and complaining about the unpurchased items I had chosen - how I longed for them.  Yes, I realize I sound addicted.  I rationalize that I need to work out more and that workout clothes are a healthy motivator.  My mom remembers the place and tells me what she wants to spend on upcoming birthday and Christmas stuff & tells me to pick some stuff out for her when I get back there.  It's as much or more than our monthly clothes budget for our whole family, and I'm ecstatic!  This, of course, makes me even more desperate to get back there after PT - by main and 65 for the locals . . .  from the state fair and back . . .  uh huh.

The bag was still there, and I had time before picking my daughter up from school, so I kept shopping.  I put some things back, picked up a few more things, and got back in line-  about where I had gotten out of it before.  I was in line with women on their extended lunch breaks (planning to work until 8 to make up for it) and moms trying to get home & get to their kids on time.  We were all stressed, and you've heard of retail therapy, right?  We end up watching/kicking each others' bags in line so we can continue shopping while in line . . .  yep.  It was over a half hour wait - maybe 45, and we were there - I let the moms go in front of me because my daughter's school goes pretty late.  The total was . . .  much larger than expected.  Actually, I added it up correctly ahead of time, but hoped I had been wrong . . .  anyway, I got some of my realtives' gift shopping done for me, got some great clothes, and a funny story.  It was incredibly fun, I'll admit.

In the end, did I save money?  Nope.  However, I did get better stuff and more of it than I would have been able to otherwise.  Since it's a big priority of mine, it was totally worth it!  Keep smiling & I hope I gave you all some laughs & planted a seed to encourage working out, as well ;D