Last week I was a bit of a shopaholic I have to admit. I went to two large sales put on by two huge Canadian online retailers.
I’m sure you’ve heard of Beyond the Rack (BTR) – and have possibly purchased from them as well. Well, last week BTR had theio wear to an r first ever in-person warehouse sale in Toronto. And I went on the first day with two very excited friends, but we were let down. The sale had promised 85% discounts and advertised “samples” which I assumed to have been including clothing. I really went for a dress to an upcoming event this week. There were no clothes – there was ONE style of ring, old stock of handbags and scarves and worse deals than I could find in any outlet store around the GTA. Then, to make matters worse, BTR insisted on giving what seemed to me like a pre-done robotic type response to the complaints on their website about their false advertising….it went something like this:
I was a bit insulted by this “pre-planned” post
Okay okay, to give them a little leeway, I did see one shoe on almost 50% off. I only had to pay a mere $900 for an outdated (but still gorgeous) $1400 dollar Jimmy Choo pump. I tell you if I had that money I would have bought it just cause it’s gorgeous….but not because of BTR. So BOO to you BTR for being so consumer UN-friendly and for ruining what could have been an exciting experience for Toronto fashionistas and an amazing marketing experience for your website. Oh, and btw, I do know what luxury items are – I just choose to buy them when they are up-to-date and affordable - I bet BTR didn’t realize that I’d be broadcasting your rude reply to me on a blog (see? This is why I reply with my real name instead of my blog name to companies like this).
Luckily, the second sale gave me a much better experience. It was also a sale of “LUXURY” items and it was a much better experience with less of a flea market feel and with extremely knowledgeable and friendly assistance.
The other online Canadian retailer, eLuxe.ca, did a much more high-end, “luxurious” version of a sample sale held in the gorgeous Verity Club on Queen Street West. The location alone made me feel as if I was special and exclusive and once I entered the area with the sample sale, I was welcomed on all sides by everyone from eLuxe that was present. What I loved most of all, was that a good range of the eLuxe team was actually present at the sale, from the marketing team, to the PR team, to the buyers, to the interns. eLuxe was well represented by all levels of their business and to me that showed that they care about their consumers.
Anyway, after I was offered a beverage and a snack, I decided to look around. Of course, cause it’s me, the first thing I headed towards was this:
be still my heart. Guess which one I got?!
*DISCLAIMER: Yes, I am a bit of a shoe addict – I got the disease from my mother. My two sisters have it too. I know this picture may have just given them the undeniable desire to shop*
I actually need a spectacular black pump but at luxury prices I could only afford one shoe – so bought only one of these gorgeous little treats. Guess which one! (no not telling you – we can argue this in the comments).
What I also loved about the eLuxe sale was that you were able to “drop in and shop” at your convenience and your leisure. The eLuxe team also did not hound you, but instead allowed you to browse through the samples and ooh and aah on your own – something I prefer to having a salesperson breathing down your neck.
Happy Shopper
To help you, they even had displays of looks to put together, similar to what they have on their website, by every rack. Each rack was also divided into different types of clothing with one for business, one for spring looks and one for casual looks, for example.
I loved the convenience of the look boards.
My other favorite table was of course, the purses. I recently entered an online contest for a purse and the entrance requirement was to say how many purses I owned. Instead of I number, I put (and I quote) “You actually want me to count?!?!” (The love of purses is another disease I caught from my mother. My sisters also have it. Especially my older sister). I had already picked up the shoes, and actually showed some restraint and REFUSED to purchase a purse even though I fell in love with this one:
it is so cute!
Because it does this (I’ve been craving a purse that does this for the longest time!).
If anyone wants to get me a similar post, feel free to email me for my number and address
And looks schnazzy. And I can see myself (okay a more glamorous version of myself) strolling down the street being the envy of all the ladies on the loose….
All in all, the eLuxe sale completely cheered me up from my previous BTR let down – and made my week. I left and was in such a shopping mood that I ended up raiding the Michael Kors sale at Eaton Center (a store I never go into cause it’s expensive although I love his stuff!) and the Mendocino sale….I was good though – I only picked up stuff that I NEEDED…for the most part.
Oh, and as a goodbye present, eLuxe provided me with a bit of a laugh (and here is your hint for what I bought) – I came home and noticed what is written on the back of their tags – and died laughing because I imagined all the shoes on display and this bag actually coming to life and saying this to the unsuspecting shoppers:
Really. You Need Me. Truly. *puppy eyes*
Cheers and happy shopping!
**I was not compensated for this post – I just truly enjoyed the sale and thought I would share it with you. Thanks eLuxe!**
