Sample Sale. What are they? Why do bridal shops have them? Why are they typically in the summer? Inquiring minds want to know!
So I went to good ole’ Wikipedia just to look up the definition of sample sale they had and they were dead-on correct. You can read their definition or just continue reading in my own words. Or both.
So sample sale. Can also be termed as cash-and-carry. Floor stock sold off-the-rack. And my personal favorite “great dresses at a really great price!”. Basically, they are our dresses purchased from our designers to have in our shops for brides to try-on. They are our samples that we use for re-order and for one reason or another have decided to not have them in the shop anymore.
Why do we have them? There are several reasons. 1. Could be a dress that just hasn’t done well the brides. 2. The dress has been discontinued by the designer so there is no option to order different sizes or colors. 3. A decision not to move forward with a particular designer and 4. the biggest reason, at least for me, is MAKING ROOM FOR NEW DRESSES!!!
Why in the summer? Two reasons: 1. It’s our slow season (and I get lonely LOL) 2. For me, it’s my buying season. I do my buying and ordering in mid to end of July so I am able to have my new dresses arrive in the shop by the end of November. Just in time for engagement season and the New Year.
So a sample sale is a great way to get a really awesome wedding dress at a really good price. For the most part there is nothing wrong with the dresses. Maybe a little dirt on the hem. Loose beading. May need to be taken in or let out a bit for the perfect fit. Nothing a little seamstress work can’t fix. Of course, depending on the shop, the samples can be in really rough condition. But you won’t find that here. I go WAY out of my way to keep my dresses in as pristine condition as possible.
So that, my friend, is a sample sale. Later on we will talk Trunk Shows!
Leave a Reply