Fred Segal Melrose

Everything as of yesterday was 75% (exactly 1 week from Friday since sale started) off at Ron Herman, but 5 items minimum have to be purchased. Spent $218.67 Total.

Theory Black Pencil skirt - $188 original
Blue Tshirt- $80 original
Hype Flowered Black dress - $182 original
Earnest Sewn Jeans - $ 198 original
Seven for all mankind Jeans wideleg jean- $ 160 original

Subtotal $808 original less $606 (75% off) + Sales tax $16.67 = $218.67

I had to go back on Saturday - the girl had forgot to put one of my items in the bag. I got the item and took it home and noticed the alarm was still on. Now I have to go back again.

Last couple of days (1.5 to 2 weeks after sale started) of the sale (Ron Herman Store Melrose), everything is super cheap:

Must buy 5 items/ Most Jeans $19.99
Original Price $49-99.99 is reduced to $9.99
Original Price $100-149.99 is reduced to $19.99
Original Price $150-199.99 is reduced to $29.99
Original Price $200-$249.99 is reduced to $39.99
Original Price $250-299.99 is reduced to $49.99
Anything over is reduced 85% off original price

Update Fred Segal Sale Santa Monica

Fred Segal sale started last Friday, 9/28 (all items marked 50% off). Yesterday, I stopped by a Fred Segal store in Santa Monica and one of the stores (next to the cafe) in the larger fred segal building (i don't know the name) had further markdowns. All pants/jeans $60 and all dresses were $60. I couldn't find anything after trying on a ton of stuff, but these markdowns are more than 50%. All pants/jeans I tried on were originally priced from $150-250.

Fred Segal Sale-Everything 50% off

I stopped by the Fred Segal (FS) on Melrose on Friday afternoon and then Fred Segal in Santa Monica on Saturday afternoon. Some overlap, but different stores and selection of stuff at each Fred Segal since Fred Segal consists of many different boutique-like stores. Some of the prices are way overpriced like t-shirts at $100, with a sale price of $50. I would never spend more than $20 on a good quality t-shirt. I just purchase a whole bunch of long-sleeve crew neck and scoop neck t-shirts (mossimo) at Target for $7.99. It's not the softest t-shirt or the best quality, but I'm willing to compromise for the price. Pants/slacks were $150-300 original price. Shirts were $100-300. To be honest, it was rare to find anything less than $150 original price. You could tell that some clothes were made of cheap material and cheaply made, but it was still $200-300? Perhaps you're paying for the design? I'm such a hypocrite. I just paid $96.34 for a pair of jeans.

Fred segal boutique stores-jewelry, mens store, sunglasses, beauty, childrens, jeans, shoes, bags. Santa Monica FS has more boutiques at 2 separate buildings across the street from each other. I think the main boutique on Melrose had a better selection of clothing than any of the stores in Santa Monica, but as I only bought a pair of jeans. Clothing was scrunched together so tight in such a small space, it was hard to look at them and maneuver around with others shopping right next to you, plus blasting music. oh well, i'll probably re-visit next week when the prices are discounted even more. Usually, the discount at the end of the sale is almost 90% off, but you have to buy 5 items. At these prices with a discount plus 5 items, you still end up spending a couple hundred. oh well, it's only once a year.

Annual Fred Segal Sale

Fred Segal sale starts tomorrow. Finally! Usually lasts 2 weeks with more price cutting towards the end of the sale.

Crescent Heights and Melrose.
10 am to 7 pm M-Sat
12 pm to 6 pm Sun

Fashion for Less - Designers collaborate with Mass Retailers

Experts say the key to successful designer-retailer collaboration is offering an interpretation of the designer clothes at the mass retail level.

Sept 16 - Alice Temperley’s collection at Target, in stores for sixty days, featuring knit tops, jackets, dresses, pants and more from $14.99 to $139.99.

Sept 9 - Simply Vera Vera Wang exclusive collection at Kohl’s. The line, with $34 silk-blend t-shirts and a $138 double-breasted brocade car coat.

Nov 8 - Roberto Cavalli’s one-off collection for women and men will launch in 200 H&M stores. A company spokeswoman described it as “glamorous,” offering “fall/winter party trends featuring sharp retro couture and androgynous decadence.”

mid- November - Erin Fetherston will present a limited-edition holiday collection for Target featuring youthful babydoll silhouettes and flouncy dresses. The line will be priced under $100— Fetherston’s $1,500 designer frocks are sold at Barneys New York.

Supreme court ruling favors L.L. Bean in sales tax dispute

5/26/06 - The Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Friday ruled that L.L. Bean was correct when it charged sales tax on the full price of merchandise before deducting the value of a discount coupon. In a unanimous ruling, supreme court justices said that the value of the coupons honored by L.L. Bean was part of the sale price, and that L.L. Bean properly charged sales taxes on the value of the coupons.

Tax on Shipping at Jcrew Sucks

5/15/07 - inquired about Jcrew.com's policy on charging tax on shipping via email since have never before been charged tax on shipping charges at any other online company that I have placed orders from. Received the following response from a Jcrew customer service representative:

"We charge sales tax on shipping charges whenever we are charging sales tax for the merchandise on the order. This is based on a guideline given to us a few years ago by the FTC stating that shipping and handling is a taxable service."

Since I found out this information, I only order if I find a free shipping online code. Jcrew shipping costs can be high (see below). Also Jcrew shipping is free if you order/call from an actual Jcrew store.

Jcrew.com US Shipping Costs
Up to $25: $5.95
$25-50: $7.95
$50-75: $9.95
$75-100: $11.95
$100-150: $13.95
$150-200: $14.95
$200-250: $16.95$250 and up: $17.95

They should state the tax on shipping in their policies clearly. I didn't see it the "Shipping and Handling" Jcrew link.

Places to Shop Til You Drop

I go to The Grove quite often. I live 5 minutes away. It's a great place to hang out, watch movies and shop. Farmer's Market is also a great place to eat and shop for mostly food. Comfortable cushioned, stadium seating and usually easy to park when not crowded (but of course, avoid Friday and Saturday nights). Familiar food places include Wood Ranch BBQ, Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano's Little Italy and The Farm of Beverly Hills. Also has a French restaurant called Morels. I tried it once and was disappointed. Good for people watching. Most people have to walk thru the outside patio from the self-park to get to the main part of the Grove. Nordstroms, Crate and Barrel, Anthropologie, Jcrew, Barney's Co-op here.

Star sightings a couple of times at the Grove. The biggest stars I saw on the same day hanging out together was in the last week of December last year. Waiting on a bench inside the movie theatre was George Lucas. A couple of minutes later, Ron Howard walks up to him. They met up to watch "Children of Men" which I decided to watch as well. Turns out George Lucas was in town to be the Grand Marshall of the 2007 Rose Parade.

Beverly Center is indoor and has H&M, Forever 21, Macy's with Home Department (better selection than other Macy's), Bloomingdales (no home dept) , Banana Republic, Club Monaco, Sephora, Victoria Secret, Louis Vuitton, Gucci. Food places include Rubio's, Mongolian BBQ and KFC.

Banana Republic, Forever 21 and Victoria Secret are all at The Grove and Beverly Center.

Westfield Century City Mall - I used to go here a lot to watch movies before the recent renovations, but I hardly ever go now. The all new movie theatre is nice (stadium, cushioned seating). They moved the movie theatre to the other side of the mall. Bloomingdales with home dept, Macy's (no home dept), Jcrew, Tiffany, Benetton/Sisley.

3rd Street Promenade - My, how 3rd street has developed (spans over 4 long blocks now). I don't go here that often, but it is a nice one-stop shopping area. Urban Outfitters is on one end and Banana Republic is on the other end, 4 long blocks away. How inconvenient. Lots of street acts. Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Jcrew, Borders, Barnes and Noble, Club Monaco, Levis. Parking is free for 2 hours at one of the many Santa Monica parking lots if you enter before 6 pm.

Old Town Pasadena - Outdoor shopping street. H&M, Tiffany, Crate and Barrel, Jcrew. Lots of boutique stores too. Over 10 miles away. There's really nothing here that I don't have at the closer area malls.