Thursday, November 19, 2009

Gucci jewelry and watches sample sale

New update: I just have to say, holy crap you guys are amazing, and I truly admire your perseverance! (Note to eBayers: THIS is who you are screwing over-- people who wait THREE HOURS to do some shopping!)
I got in line at 8:45, got into the sale at 11:45 and didn't get out of there until 3:30 because of how long the line to pay was. The prices were great, but what a long day.
Update: if you are still on the fence, here's a very recent update from a dear reader (and FYI - the Armani sale doesn't start til 3PM):
The line sure is long! And its not moving one bit. A lot of hungry women and some men waitin to get in. As usual its wrapped around the container store. Not a lot of armani takers tho
This will be a GREAT place to get holiday gifts! I hope the selection and discounts are good! Up to 90% off a selection of as-is merchandise. Everything includes the standard international warranty, and all serial numbers will be recorded (which means no eBay buyers!) <-- I think this is a best practice and should always be enforced when possible. I'm so tired of resalers swooping in and buying tons of merchandise for the sole intent of eBay-ing it. I understand if you want 1-2 extras for gifts or potential resale, but grabbing all you can just to unload it online? Get a real job. These are women waiting in line to buy themselves something nice!

What: Gucci jewelry and watch sample sale
When: Thursday, Nov 19 - Friday, Nov 20; 10AM-8PM daily
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W 18th St
Cash or CC (V, MC, Amex, Disc) with ID only. No checks. All sales final.

21 comments:

  1. Anonymous11/13/2009

    I heart you. Love the commentary on e-bay sellers! In total agreement!

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  2. hehe, I was hoping I didn't come off as really angry, but hearing the stories of the YSL bags ending up on eBay, and the guys hoarding Manolos yesterday-- it makes my blood boil!

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  3. I also agree with you. I wish stores, sales, etc. would stop selling to people with suitcases (like the Manolo guy), multiples of identical items, etc. It makes my blood boil when I read about it or see it. A woman once grabbed an entire rack of Gap designer collaborations that I was looking at and swore at me for objecting--she just swooped her arm through the hangers, grabbed the lot and ran to pay. I was looking for one in my size. I checked ebay when I got home and there she was, modeling her finds. The laugh was on her, however. The staff were great, if appalled, brought out more stock and I got my dress. The dresses were later reduced--I presume she took a loss.

    I blame the stores for not limiting the amount one person can buy. I imagine it would be a hassle for sales clerks, but it needs to be done. I'm sure ebay is filling up as we speak with H&M Jimmy Choos to add to the Manolo and YSL bags. I know it's unrealistic, but I'd like to see these vultures banned from all sales/designer collabs in perpetuity. I don't even like most of the items they chase but it is still wrong in every way. If you buy something and it doesn't work, fair enough, resell. But when you go out expressly to grab all the stock, force up prices and make a killing, that's wrong.

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  4. hi, can anyone explain to me how Gucci deter e-bay sellers by recording serial numbers?

    I was at the Gucci watch sale last year, and this woman purchased 50 watches of the same kind right in front of me. I won't even return to the sale unless this situation is curbed.

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  5. Angeline11/14/2009

    i was at the sale last year too and i really hope they limit the number of watches. i just want maybe 1 or 2 for myself and one for my mom. i hate resellers. i am curious though, how does recording the serial numbers stop ebay sellers?

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  6. I don't think they will prevent people from buying (although if you're considering FIFTY...), but I suspect that keeping track of serial numbers means that a re-sold watch will have no warranty (name won't match) at the very minimum. Gucci might also keep a close eye on eBay already due to counterfeits, perhaps requesting serial numbers of products or else shutting their auctions down. Or they're just talking a tough game-- I don't know, but to me the more the 'resellers will not be tolerated' message is spread, the happier I am!

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  7. Anonymous11/15/2009

    Was the sale last year good? I have to work so I'm wondering if I should take a day off. I'm been wanting a gucci ring for the longest. Any information would appreciated. Thanks!

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  8. Angeline11/18/2009

    thanks for the explanation tina! i'm taking off work tomorrow to go shop! =P

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  9. Anonymous11/19/2009

    The line sure is long! And its not moving one bit. A lot of hungry women and some men waitin to get in. As usual its wrapped around the container store. Not a lot of armani takers tho

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  10. Anonymous11/19/2009

    I got in line at 8:45, got into the sale at 11:45 and didn't get out of there until 3:30 because of how long the line to pay was. The prices were great, but what a long day.

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  11. Angeline11/19/2009

    hi tina! the sale was crazy! waited 3 hours to get in (got there 915am - got in 1230pm), shopped for 1 hr, waited to pay for over an hour, waited another 30 min to get my stuff packaged and left around 345pm! i spent 6 hours total there! haha it was like i went to work. they were letting in ppl like 15 at a time and it took forever. i saw ppl buying like 20 watches!

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  12. Anonymous11/20/2009

    I don't understand why so many of you are so against resellers. No one realizes how lucky you are to live in or within the vicinity of NYC and have access to these sample sales and these prices. Or better yet, none of you seem to recognize that you all have the leisure of spending 6+ hours on a weekday to go shop leisurely. What about people who have obligations and jobs? These resellers are actually doing people a favor by offering them items at far less than they are able to acquire them otherwise as there are many individuals who, like myself, cannot feasibly attend such events. In addition, in case you all don't realize--ALL retailers are resellers in some way or sense as they are all marking up prices someway somehow to make a profit. Department stores are resellers, wholesale clubs are resellers--EVERY retail outlet is a reseller. We all have to make a living and these resellers are selling authentic items to you at a great discount and just trying to make an honest living so why all the hate?

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  13. Anonymous11/20/2009

    Went yesterday at 5:30 waited on line for 2 hours. another hour on line to pay. it was worth it!! bought myself 3 beautiful watches for only $600.!!!

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  14. RE: reseller hate. I agree that resellers serve a basic function in the marketplace, but it's their behavior that has us (or at least me) aghast. I hate to sound snotty, but the sales are here in NYC, and we live here, and we also take the time out of our day to wait in line. No one on this thread is buying $200 watches if they don't have a job, and if you note reader Angeline said she even took the day off work to go to this sale. Personally, I also must also manage around a day-job, which means I can't be there at the opening of a 10AM sale. I have to run over around 4:30 or 5 when I am able, and you can bet I'll be pretty angry if someone with a suitcase showed up and cleaned it out. I suppose I will just say I think people should just buy their 'fair share', even if someone isn't planning on keeping it all for themselves.

    There are great, legitimate resellers who do solid, legitimate sourcing (jomashop, smartbargains, any vintage store), but the guys who show up with suitcases at a Manolo sale, or make off with entire racks of clothing and have the gall to curse at them (like Moya's experience)-- that kind of behavior is just lacking in respect for other shoppers, and that is why resellers are hated so much here.

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  15. And I am LOVING hearing your war stories! I cannot believe you spent such a huge part of your day, but I'm happy to hear it was worth it!!

    $200 watches!?!? o.O

    Did they have jewelry? I'm a fan of Gucci necklaces (just never thought they were worth the super-premo price)

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  16. Anonymous11/20/2009

    So I came back for round 2 since the lines seemed like forever yesterday n I had to run to work. There are literally 3 people in front of me, hopefully they still have that $99 watch table people were speaking about!

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  17. They had jewerly also the cheapest piece I saw was $300.

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  18. Anonymous11/20/2009

    Ok so I'm in, jewelry is 50% off and idk if its all watches or just some are 30% off. The retail of one of the g links are 1135 bucks. Sale is 199 AND 30% off! I love gucci

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  19. WOW, thanks for the info!!! OK, next yr I am *definitely* taking a day off to buy Xmas presents here! Hehehe, watches for everyone!

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  20. Angeline11/20/2009

    thanks for the defense tina! to anonymous - i did take a day off out of my vacation days so it's not like i don't have to work. i save some days esp. for situations like this...a lot of other ppl in line with me that i was conversing with also took the day off from work.

    tina and everyone else - i bought the tiffany look alike chunky heart bracelet in sterling silver. it was 50% off at $300, originally $600. i just had to have it.. it's still pricey for sterling silver, but i love it! they had necklaces, but nothing special. hehe or i would've gotten one. they also had rings, but they were really ugly. they had some gold, but it was also really ugly. the jewelry section was disappointing except for the bracelet. i also got a watch so i'm happy.

    if you missed the $99 table, you didn't miss much. they weren't worth waiting in line for.

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  21. Anonymous11/20/2009

    Just to let everyone know--the prices were not all $199 or $99--many of the nicer styles (in my opinion anyway) were actually $299+ and not marked down more today as I'd went both yesterday and today to get my Christmas shopping done early this year but I guess it's all based on preference. There were almost none in the $199 range which was the lowest price range that was left by the time I got in yesterday.

    Also, I definitely agree with you Tina--we really are fortunate to live in or near NYC and the resellers hoarding items out and being so rude definitely seem to give all resellers a bad name. If they're just buying one or two of a few styles and legitimate resellers then that's a different story because many people do that already without the intention of doing so. I know I personally will sometimes buy an extra with the intention of giving it as a gift then sell it if I see something that better suits the person I planned on giving it to. I think what they should do is limit the # people may buy of each style (perhaps 3 per style or something)...that would be more logical.

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