How to Survive a J.Crew Warehouse Sale

I lived in Asheville for two years before I found out about the J.Crew Warehouse sales.  I can't really come to terms with this fact.  It boggles my mind to consider all the clothes I've missed out on. 

I probably shouldn't be blogging about it, either.  The reason I, the self-proclaimed "queen of the sales", didn't find out about it for two years is because the tight-lipped ladies of Western North Carolina knew they had a good thing going.  Spreading the word would only water down the deals and increase the competition. Sort of a quasi-fight club kind of thing.

I shouldn't be blogging about this.  But I can't help it.  For several reasons:

• It's too good to keep secret
• and I've never, ever, ever been good at keeping my big mouth shut

If you google info about the sale, you're lucky to find a few bread crumbs here and there, and it takes some serious digging to get the hard details.  So here we go, I'm about to tell-all.

There's a J.Crew distribution center in Arden, North Carolina.  About 5-10 miles out of Asheville. Here's the address:

1 Clifford Way
Arden, NC 28704

They have a clearance center store with regular hours:

Sunday 11-6pm
Monday - Sat 10-8pm

It's pretty great.  Not a huge selection, but about 50% off retail.  Quite a few formal dress and shoes when I was there, but the stock probably changes often.

This is not what I'm talking about, though.  The Warehouse Sale is when they pull out the big guns.  Once a month they have a huge, crazy discounts, digging-through-boxes-on-the-floor kind of sale.  And it is glorious.  You have to call them for the dates and times.  Here's the number:

828-687-6475

It was surprisingly hard to find that number.  Use it well.

I've been to three sales now, so I consider myself somewhat of an expert - or at least seasoned.  Here's how it goes down.

• The doors open at (usually) 10am.  There will be a huge line snaked around the parking lot.  They allow a certain number of people in the sale room at one time.  If you want to be in the first group, (and trust me- you do want to be in the first group,) you should arrive at about 8am just to be safe.
• I am fairly certain that they allow employees, friends, and family to shop early at 9am.  I think they get 20% off their total purchase too, which is insane.  If you can make friends with an employee - do it.  If there are any employees out there that want to be friends with me, give me a call.  I give good back rubs and I'll bring you Starbucks.
• The sale runs Saturday and Sunday, but there's really no point in going on Sunday.  Unless you're a guy, that is.  All the ladies clothes are picked over by then but there is usually a decent selection of guy's clothes left.

Once you are inside the main waiting area...

• You will be given a garbage bag and a price list.  The bag is to stuff your clothes into, the list tells you how much everything costs by type of clothing.  Here's a sample list from the last sale (click on the image to enlarge)

As you can see, the pricing is phenomenal.  This is J.Crew, people!  Where a great pair of jeans can cost you $100 online.  At the warehouse sale, the same jeans are $10. 

But there are some things you should know:

• Most of the sizes are sample sizes:  4, 6, and 8.  I did find a good range above and below those numbers, but the majority of the clothes fit into the sample range.  I personally fall into the outer limits of those number and I find it a great motivation to stay in shape.
• I find that J.Crew is a little generous with their sizing, and a medium cardigan will fit a variety of different body types and sizes.  So if you're not skinny, don't despair.  I'm not skinny.  Give the sale a chance. 
• Also, you won't find a lot in the way of petite or tall.  I'm a definite "tall", so this is a bit of a bummer.  However, I have found a few tall jeans and pants there (and I pretty much screamed with joy when I snagged them), otherwise I'll buy normal slacks and wear them like capris.  (Yes, I have freakishly long legs.)
• Selection-wise, it's pretty random.  I never have seen much outerwear, but I'm assuming that the coats get snatched up lightning-fast, so I may just be missing them.  Last time, there were tons of shoes and bathing suits.  At each of the sales there were plenty of sweaters and cardigans, and HUGE piles of Madewell brand jeans for $2 a pair.  I'm not familiar with that brand, but I see they are quite pricey online.  These jeans don't look that amazing but for $2, who cares?
• I have yet to delve in to the men's clothes, but I have seen guys there and it seemed like they were making out like bandits.  Not as much too look at in the way of volume, but much less in the way of competition.  There is also a row or two of J.Crew kids clothes.  I didn't dig much into them because they seems to stop around size 6 and my son is 8 years old.
• A note on quality: these items are not "seconds" or damaged goods.  They are samples, so most of them have strange sample tags inside and the small J.Crew label is either missing or marked through with a red pen.  Some of the cardigans I bought had "sample" written in marker on the fabric inside the garment.  My husband removed it for me easily with rubbing alcohol or acetone.  A small price to pay for $20 cashmere.
• The seasons and years were all over the place.  Lots of current-season clothes and many going 2-3 years back.  Most of them are labeled with a sample tag that has the year, clothing name, fabric type and color - which makes it super-fun and easy to research when you get home!

So, you've got your garbage bag, price list ready, and your about to be released into the jungle.  Here's what you can expect:

Rows upon rows of folding tables and boxes of loosely organized clothes, shoes, accessories and more.  There are a few racks with hanging formal dresses, but most everything is in boxes.  People are buzzing about, trying on clothes over their running pants, sitting on the floor sorting through piles, and frantically digging in boxes.  It's OK to be in shock for a minute after you walk in, I usually am.  Once you come-to and are ready to dive in, here are a few more tips:

• Leave your purse in your car. You'll want both hands free. If you forget, shove your purse into your garbage bag.  Lots of gals tied the bag to their belt loop and sort of drug it around behind them to keep their hands free. 
• Now is not the time to leisurely browse or hem and haw over a particular garment.  If you see something that has potential, shove it in your bag and move on.  You can sort, weed out, and try on clothes later.
• Since there are no changing rooms, be prepared to try on clothes over your clothes.  Many people wear tight running gear to make this easier.  I try to avoid physical activity and I don't own running pants, so I usually just do the best I can and eyeball it.  It helps to know your J.Crew size ahead of time.  In the summer, a skirt over tight leggings would be probably work just as well.  All the sales I've visited so far have been in the winter and it was just too cold to stand in line outside for two hours in a skirt.
• Be sure to dig through other peoples "discard" piles.  Even though the deals are great, often our eyes are bigger than our wallets and a few good finds have to be returned to the heap.
• Give your items a good, hard look over before you check out.  I did spot a few flaws, lost buttons, holes, etc.  Better safe than sorry.
• Stop when you feel ready.  It's way too easy to get caught up in the chaos and just keep going, and going, thinking, "..but what if I missed something?!"  Let it go.

When it's time to check out, you will get in line to have your items sorted by a friendly employee.  They will mark every piece on your price sheet and then your bag is sealed up and you take the price sheet to a cashier to pay.  They take cash and credit cards.  These lines can get long if there is a bottleneck of people checking out.  Plan to spend several hours at the sale, including the wait time in line.  I saw many a poor gal wait for 2 hours in line to get in, only to leave just inches from the door because the had an appointment, or work, etc. 

I wish I had documented all the clothes I bought so far!  The best part is going online when you get home and looking up the retail value of what you purchased.  My sister found a cardigan for $20 that was selling for over $200 on ebay.  Over the course of the three sales I've visited, I probably spent about $275 all together but I have an entire new wardrobe, no joke: 8-10 pair of pants, several skirts, 6-8 cardigans some of them cashmere, about 4 tops, a few socks, pajamas, several bathing suits, and a faux sherpa hoodie.  Plus more that I can't even remember.  If you shop retail J.Crew, you know that $275 will get you about 2 pair of jeans and tank top, if you're lucky. 

Really, the warehouse sales are that good.  You should check them out.  (But don't tell anyone I sent you.)

The next sale is February 26th and you better believe I'll be there with bells on.  I plan to document the sale a little more in-depth this time, and I'l be sure to post the before and after on the blog.  Fashion show?  Yes, I think so.

Comments

[Katie]

This is definitely in my top ten favorite reasons I love living in Asheville! I had a friend who grew up here who put me on... and you're not lying, it's an experience! I scored big time the last time I went... last winter. I got a cashmere and wool trench coat in a camel color that fits like a glove! It was missing a top button but for $50 I would replace all the buttons if necessary! (I found the extra button in the breast pocket!) and I also got a wool and cashmere grandpa type sweater that is so warm you don't need a coat, ever! Its in this rich chocolate color. I heart it so. Oh, and I found both of those on a Sunday!!! Usually when I go, I just wear a camisole and some leggings (even if I wear them under my jeans and sweater) and claim a corner in the room as a changing area. I love seeing the clothes fly and how everyone just picks a box for their discards. You're right though, those discard boxes are gem mines! That is where I found said grandpa sweater. See... look at the length of this comment! Those in the know are passionate about this sale!

[Nichole]

I'm so glad you posted this! I always seem to hear about the sale a few days after it happens. This one's going on my calendar right now.

[Nayoung]

Thank you so much for sharing! I don't live close but it will definitely be something I keep in mind when I am up near that area.

[kelliejiggettshawley@blackberry.att.com]

I'm traveling from Durham NC to get to this sale; just experienced the Chapel Hill, NC sale, and I swear - I'M HOOKED on these sales! Can't wait til the end of this month! I'll surely be there with bells on!!! Ringa, linga, ling!!!

[Liz]

Can't make it to the Feb. sale, will you please post the March date when you figure it out!

[susan]

Well, I'm jealous!!! Of this news re: the sale, and of your ownership of that adorable kitten!

[Brandy]

I've heard whisperings of this sale for YEARS but have never gotten the low down til now. Thanks!

[Kevin Porter]

This reminds me of the episode of Friends when Monica is shopping for her wedding dress at a clearance sale and has to battle the other shoppers. Great article!

[DDSmom]

I am going to my first sale in August. I am so excited. I invited an acquaintance to come with me, but now I am not so sure. I think I just want go by myself now and do my own thing.

[Jeannine]

I posted about the two stores that are run by the J. Crew headquarters in Lynchburg, VA (you know, 1 Ivy Crescent?). I gave their addresses, phone numbers, and hours. It's the most popular post on my entire blog and has been for two years! I imagine this post will be the same for you. :)

Happy shopping!

[Ashton]

Do you know when the next sale is?? It still says the next sale is Sept 17.

[Sally]

The next sale is October 29th.

[Гимнастика]

I've heard whisperings of this sale for YEARS but have never gotten the low down til now. Thanks!

[Emily]

if the sale this weekend starts at 9 what time would you recommend getting there?

[Joan Houston]

Hi can somebody tell me when the next big sale is and where it is going to be held
.Thanks

[colleen]

There is a sale the Friday/Saturday (sunday?) after Thanksgiving

[Jane]

Thank you for the post. Will there be a sale in February 2012??

[Benjamin Skinner]

Getting the sale is a big deal when money is limited. Thanks for the survival tips, it's good to go prepared.

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This article is very good. I like it very much.
Hope to see more of the good article.
Thank you!

[Joanna]

Wow! Thanks for this info! Totally going to the next sale!

[Donna]

As an employee justed wanted to say thanks for the great reviews and to share.....next sale is April 21 & 22. Go to the Clearance Store and sign up for their email to receive notifications on future sales.

[Carlene Schnitzer]

The checkout line may be long, but I bet the shoppers didn’t really mind at all! And you’re certain about blogging this big secret? But I see that your consolation is you’re getting updates for future sales.