When To Buy At Myer (And What I Bought)
September 18, 2008 | Filed under Money, Style
One of the larger department stores in Australia is Myer. With fifteen locations in my state (three within a reasonable travelling distance of my home, one in the city, and two near where the fella lives), much of what I buy actually comes from Myer. It’s much better priced than its main competitor, David Jones and tends to hold larger, and more discounted sales.
These sales take one of six forms, and the amount you save is dependent on the sale you go to.
- The regular year-round sales, that interchange between different departments. For instance, it might be “take 10% off manchester” one week, then “take 10% off children’s clothing” the next week. You don’t really save any significant amount in these sales as you’re still buying things at about 150% of the wholesale price that the store bought them at. In other words, they’re still making 150% profit.
- The special twice-a-year sales. They occur once at the end of the financial year (end of June), and once after Christmas (end of December). Both sales will afford you better bargains than the year-round sales, between up to 25% to 50% off certain items. However, you’re still providing the store with up to 100% profit on the wholesale price.
- The “Take 25% off the Marked Price” sale after the two big sales (generally end of July, and end of January). This is on stock that’s left over from the special twice-a-year sales, so you’re taking an extra 25% off that already discounted 25% to 50%. The items are already cheaper than usual, but they’re hardly a super bargain, as you’re still providing the store with up to 75% profit on the wholesale price.
- The “Take 50% off the Marked Price” sale after the 25% off sale (generally mid August and mid February). This is the same as the 25% off stock, but there’s less variety left. The store’s margin is starting to decrease, and they’re really only earning about 25% on top of the original wholesale price.
- The “Take 75% off the Marked Price” sale after the 50% off sale (generally mid September and mid March). This is the same as the 50% off stock, but there’s even less variety left. The store doesn’t make any money with these sales – if anything, they’re only just managing to cover the wholesale cost, occasionally even operating at a loss, just to get the stock out of the door.
- The “Take 90% off the Marked Price” sale after the 75% off sale (October and April). This is the same as the 75% off stock, but there’s no variety whatsoever. For instance, you might find the same style of top, but there’ll only be ten size sixteens left. The store loses immense amounts of money on these sales – not even half of the original wholesale price.
Many people are happy to content themselves with the first four types of sales. I however, prefer the “Take 75% off the Marked Price” sales, as there’s generally enough variety left (e.g. up to ten styles available in my size) for me to have a bit of a choice, and it provides a large enough discount. Give those corporate bastards enough to cover their costs, but not enough to make a profit, that’s my philosophy.
With this in mind, I bought three items yesterday from their 75% sale racks, items that are, I think, versatile enough to last me well into the future.
Corporate work dress, $12.50AUD down from $119.95AUD. So. Cute. It’s actually a shirt and dress in one (e.g. top half is a white shirt, sewn onto a black skirt), so it makes getting dressed in the morning a whole lot easier. Forget about matching top and bottom…this has already done it for you!
Basque black elastic patent heels, $25AUD from $139.95AUD. I’ve been coveting these heels since I saw them at full price way back in March. I waited six months for them, but goddamn, I finally got them at a reasonable price!
Jane Debster black suede heels, $25AUD from $159.95AUD. It’s a really sensible court shoe, with a nice not-too-high-not-too-low heel. Very practical for every day office/corporate wear…if I ever get to that stage of my life where I need this.
And these three items are an ideal example of why the 75% sale is the ideal sale to shop at. I wouldn’t have bought them at the 50% sale ($50AUD for a pair of shoes? $25AUD for a dress? Are you insane?), yet they wouldn’t have been available if I had waited till the 90% sale. Smart shopping ftw.
15 Responses to When To Buy At Myer (And What I Bought)
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I hardly shop at Myer (and we only have one) because I always thought their prices to be too expensive. I have grabbed a few bargains in the makeup/perfume departments but I have never really gone looking for clothing bargains there. I used to always go into the city for the end of financial year sales but it gets so busy and I hate crowds so I haven’t gone in two years.
I love the dress you bought, it’s an ingenious idea and looks great!
Bobbi-lee on September 18, 2008 #
I really wish you lived in Canada. Then you could show me how to do all my shopping HERE ;)
The second pair of heels is too cute. I want!
Chantelle on September 18, 2008 #
You got the shoes! :D :D :D
I love the dress. Much more convenient! Especially if you lift your arms over your head frequently o_O I’m sick of having to tuck my shirts in each time!
Alexandra on September 18, 2008 #
I wish we had super discounts like this D: I know clearance sales exist, but majority of the shops here sell clothes for petite people and I fit under hugeee :P
Chien Yee on September 18, 2008 #
I’m too cheap to shop at Myer anyway- I go there for big things, like winter coats, or.. yeah, winter coats, maybe a cocktail dress, but that’s about it. Kudos to you for saving so much though, awesome.
Carmen on September 18, 2008 #
I love Myer, but d00d – I purchased a teal V-neck jersey on sale there ($39 from $49) and two months later the armpit area had, well, eroded. And yes, before you start, I *do* deodorise!
My best sales buy would probably have to be my Babydoll Marcs trench, $190 from $350 at David Jones.
I wish we had Myer and DJ here in Enzedd. I used to love going between the two of them in Sydney, made for a great afternoon out :)
Reply: Dood! Was it a Miss Shop top? Everyone knows you don’t actually buy the Myer brands…you buy the outside brands that they stock, then discount! ;)
Rhiannon on September 18, 2008 #
Woooo rock on! I love Myer’s after Christmas sales for the underwear… I pretty much stock up like crazy at the end of each year on AWESOME UNDIES.
Jess on September 18, 2008 #
You’re the best at shopping. :) I love the shoes.
Chantelle on September 19, 2008 #
That dress is cute! Especially with some nice black heels and a chunky necklace.
Hehe, I agree with Chantelle, you ought to do international store shopping. Kohls, yes?
Erin on September 19, 2008 #
I love the shoes. Really awesome and the dress is more amazing =). Myer’s may not exist here in the US or at least in my vicinity (from Chicago). I wonder how to thrifty shop here….
I agree with Erin. Kohl’s?
Mihoriel on September 19, 2008 #
I love the high waisted skirt/dress! I have a thing for “corporate” clothing..
Shen-Shen on September 19, 2008 #
Oh the dress is super cute. I bought a very similar one from Athens, which came with a high wasted elastic belt as well. But that is rather tight for me to wear at work (i.e sexy). It was the only size however.
The shoes are amazing! I LOVE them. Why don’t stores here sell stuff like that? Everything I saw were either tall boots, or fuck me heels (such as heelsforyou.com/Images/Tonys_Vol17/729.jpg).
May you wear them for a loooong loooooooooong time.
Vera on September 19, 2008 #
those second pair of shoes are so cute. I can never find my size in the sale items =/ dang small feet.
marilyn on September 19, 2008 #
So… I’m going to be running helter-skelter to Myer tomorrow, yo.
Xuan on September 19, 2008 #
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