Why I Don't Shop The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

I have received a number of messages inquiring why I don't shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I put together some high level thoughts below. For more shopping and consignment tips & tricks, be sure to subscribe to the Thrift & Tell Newsletter and follow @thriftandtell on Instagram.

TIMING

It’s 100 degrees out. By the time it is cool enough to wear the Anniversary Sale sweater you bought, that exact sweater will likely be at least 50% off at various retailers, including Nordstrom.

PRICES

The discounted prices at the Nordstrom Sale are not any better than what you would find elsewhere. For example, Nordstrom had a pair of sneakers in the sale priced at $199 from $265. A quick Google search showed multiple retailers, including Nordstrom, with lower prices on the same brand of sneakers.

Most retailers will mark in season items down by 60%, 70%, and 80% off, like we're seeing right now on sites like Net-a-Porter, Matches, and even Nordstrom. These are the times to really find quality pieces at the best prices. Throughout the year, many will do Friends and Family promotions with 20-30% off as well.

DESIGN

Nordstrom frequently partners with brands to make items specifically for the Anniversary sale. These items are often classic styles that have been slightly tweaked in design or color. In my experience, if you buy a piece that’s almost like the piece you want, you often are not fully satisfied with your purchase. You may even end up eventually buying the real deal, thus spending much more than if you’d just purchased your exact wishlist item in the beginning.

GO FOR THE GOLD

As we all know, the $40, $80, $300 purchases add up— quickly. It can be tempting to add to cart, but, in the long run, these impulse buys make it challenging to afford the pieces you truly love. Print out a picture of what’s really on your wishlist (a bag, a trip, paying off debt etc.) and look at that each time you want to add forgettable 30% off booties to your cart.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you’ve made it this far you may be thinking, "wow, this lady really hates Nordstrom." I do not! They have great customer service and amazing prices on end-of-season designer items. Nordstrom Rack often has gems too. However, if you want to curate a great closet at the lowest prices, it's important to approach each sale with a critical T&T eye. xx

If you are going to shop the sale, be sure to first read my 10 Questions to Avoid An Impulse Purchase

Can I live without it?
Do I have anything like this already in my closet?
Is this really a deal? Have I seen this for a similar price elsewhere before?
Is this the last size/piece or do I have time to think about it?
What is the return policy? Can I buy now, think on it, and return it if need be?
Will I forget about this in an hour or think about it for days?
Is it really unique or if I don’t buy this can I find this exact piece or similar easily again?
Would I buy this if it was full price or am I just buying it because it is a good deal?
Is this easy to find secondhand for significantly less?
If I resell this, can I at least break even?