I swear, if I wasn’t working in the building directly next to where Clothingline holds their sample sales, I wouldn’t even bother walking over there. But, being that it’s next door, I feel like I can hear the bargains happening through the brick and cinderblock, and that somehow I’m missing out if I don’t sneak over there.
In fact, it may be the only redeeming quality that my work neighborhood has… okay, maybe I’m being a tad dramatic. Okay– I take it back, the only 2 redeeming qualities are the sample sale proximity, and this place being a block away.
So, I headed over with some coworkers at about 11:15 AM (sample sale started at 11), and we only waited in line I would say for about 10-15 minutes before we were already inside checking our coats. Much better than last time. After about 5 minutes, both of my coworkers gave up … they just didn’t have it in them to scour the racks of clothes or the boxes of accessories 🙂 I camped out immediately on the line to look at jewelry, only to have some lucky lady ahead of me take the only storybook bracelet there was in the case … drat. It’s like that bracelet is a mirage, I can’t ever seem to get my hands on one.
Then, by the time I got up to the front of the line, all the good pieces were gone, and the sale staffers wouldn’t let shoppers even look at, touch, or choose from any of the jewelry items in these huge bins placed strategically next to the jewelry counter. Why even have them out on the sale floor, then? Aren’t you trying to move the merchandise? Immediately out of the corner of my eye, I noticed this necklace sitting in one of the baggies.
It’s the elusive Seychelles necklace … I had a mini-stroke quietly to myself.
I managed to get one of the staffers to let me look at it by saying it was the only necklace I had my eye on, and she, visibly annoyed, grabbed it from the bin and plopped it down on the counter in front of me. I then mustered up the guts to try and ask her politely if there were by chance anymore storybook bracelets in the bins, because I would love to buy it … big mistake. She basically told me she wasn’t allowed to sell what was in the bins until what was in the case was all sold … again, completely ridiculous. I could understand if everything in the bins were duplicates of what was in the case, but that was clearly not what was happening. I asked her again politely if she could just look really quickly for me to make sure there weren’t any other storybook bracelets in there, and she basically told me that she couldn’t look for it. I guess they’re not priding themselves on customer service.
PS — later on, I witnessed a shopper on the line compliment one of the staffers on her necklace, and the staffer actually took the necklace off of her neck and handed it to the woman. Just like that. Here you go! I’m like, woman, where were you ten minutes ago? Why aren’t you manning the jewelry counter?
Anyway, I still managed to make out okay. In addition to the aforementioned necklace, I found the following tops–
I couldn’t really stop myself from this graphic palm tree t-shirt … I’m going to LA in April on business, and I think I may wear this after hours.
I love the khaki green shade of this linen blouse — I think I may have as much fun wearing this by itself with skinny cropped pants and sandals as I will wearing it open over a tank dress, with a big chunky brown belt, urban safari-style.
I was also drawn to this dip-dyed tee that fades gently from a deep ocean blue to ivory at the bottom. Love it.
This striped knit is really nice and long — almost tunic length, which I love. Makes me feel a little like Charlie Brown, but I am still digging it.
I completely love this striped shell — I think it may be a cotton linen blend — perfect for pairing with a pencil skirt or skinny pants.
PPS — I don’t know how many more of these drama-filled sample sales I can take. I walk out of there and I feel like I need a stiff drink. Also, I am thinking about contacting Clothingline regarding their piss-poor customer service.
(All images courtesy of NYC Recessionista)
Thanks for the reviews of the sale. If I was back in NYC, I would totally have gone. I would have probably snapped at the workers though (if they were that rude). Why the need to be rude?!
Glad you got some steals though!!!
One would think they would be more accomodating to people who are shopping in this economy. There is no excuse for poor customer service. However, I am happy you were able to find some bargains there and am envious I could not go.