Saving Money
on Kids' Clothes: Tips from Our Readers
I have found that sometimes
"saving money" means spending money on the right things.
For instance, I purchase good jeans and pants for my 12 year old and
don't concentrate too much on the price. Since she wears these
more often and is generally harder on them, it pays to get good quality
so they'll last longer...sometimes even on to the next child! But,
when it comes to T shirts and tops, I pick a dollar amount and see how
many tops we can get for that amount. This is almost a game that
my daughter and I play to see who can come up with the most! Also,
watch for faddish types with fancy designs on the front. They
usually cost much more than plain colored shirts and they can be worn
with more clothes usually. And, always check the clearance racks
before you leave the store. Many times you'll find something that
has just gotten dirty and can easily be washed or repaired at a fraction
of the cost! -- Kelly, 35, from IN
I shop at the end of the
season for the next year. I stock up on shirts, pants, shorts in
bigger sizes for the next year. I get lots of great bargains this
way. -- Kim, 28, from MN
I subscribe to the
newsletters of the clothing stores I like. They inform me of the sales
(including clearance sales and 50% off) and often include offers of free
shipping. Since I have three kids I buy on clearance and take advantage
of the free shipping offers so I don't have to go to crowded stores. --
Hilda, 34, from NY
Also never underestimate eBay.com.
I buy brand name clothes for excellent prices. Just last week I
bought 2 lots of designer clothes (54 pieces) for $23 plus shipping. --
Vicki, 36, from NY
OLD NAVY
I always buy out of season,
now that its back-to-school season all summer stuff is on clearance so I
am been buying all my sons clothes for next summer right now. Old
Navy has the best clearance racks I have come across but all the
department stores have pretty good end of season clearance sales. This
way I get really good quality clothes for a fraction of the price. --
Kari, 26, from AZ
I find a lot of clothes for
3.99 on clearance at Old Navy at
the end of the season. By the time the next year comes up I
already have enough shirts to get me through the season. I
already have stocked up enough short sleeved shirts for next summer for
my son. Lots of stores will have their clearance stuff marked down
with additional markdowns. What a way to save. -- Kim, 28, from MN
GAP
Well, I know that Gap
final markdowns always end in 7. So if it marked 4.99 you know it
will go down at least one more time. If it is 3.97 you know that
is rock bottom and you better grab it. -- Leslie, 33, from GA
At Gap
when you see an item marked with .97 at the end (ex:$4.97) that is the
lowest the item will go. if it is 6.99 it will be marked down again, so
wait to buy it. -- Traci, 40, from CA
My favorite place to shop for
kids and adult clothing is Gap.
This store moves clothes out often and really goes low on price.
My strategy is to shop there each week after markdowns (my store marks
down on Wednesdays). I buy only those items that have been marked
down at least twice and preferably end in $.97. Those items are
usually the lowest the store will go. If I do buy something that
ends in $.99, I go back exactly two weeks later and ask for a price
adjustment. It takes the clerk a second to check the computer for
the new price and if it's gone down you get the difference back!!
If there is an item I really like that's only been marked down once and
there may only be one of my size left, I'll buy it and come back in two
weeks for the adjustment also. -- Veronica, 33, from FL
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All Gap
stores have their markdowns effective on Wednesdays. Sometimes
they change it up, but its rare. They also try to get people to
buy more promotional goods instead of marking down (Right now all basic
jeans are $19.50, and backpacks are 25% off until late August). So
if you see there are not any markdowns, check out the promos. I
work @ GAPKIDS/babyGAP. -- Rachel, 26, from IL
I have found that, especially
with The Gap, their clearance aisle has
far better prices than the outlet store without compromising quality.
-- Vicki, 36, from NY
Gap
in store sales get marked down on Tuesdays. So if I am out
shopping I try to stop in. I definitely shop the rounders but also
look on the back of displays which often include marked down items.
My best deal on line was at the Gap.
I purchased shorts for my daughter for $.14 (this isn't a typo-
I thought it was as well- the shorts were 14 cents each). I found
out later that it was a computer typo on Gap's screen because when I
went into the store the shorts were $14.00. I purchased 30 pairs
of the shorts to give as presents and for friends children. --
Lisa, 36, from CT
Speaking of Gap
kids, did you know that if you see something in the store on sale but
not in the size you would like, have the Manager check other stores in
your area or the web for you as they can do that from their phone.
Then to avoid the $5 shipping, charge you merely need to order 1 item at
regular price....like a 1 pair of socks. This fact also applied to
purchasing items from another store via the Manager's phone....The
greatest thing is that it is mailed right to you door within 3 days I
would say. Note: you do have to pay upfront but hey think of
all the leg time it saves you. -- Cheryl, 39, from CA
GYMBOREE
For Gymboree, you have to be willing to shop from the back of the store
and avoid all the adorable lines up front :) Wait until they issue
Gymbucks and you can save 25%. Shop the clearance racks and use
the additional 25% off from the Gymbucks and you are getting great
quality clothes for Wamart prices. -- Leslie, 33, from GA
I used to work at Gymboree
and must say they have the best return policy I have ever seen!
They take everything back no questions asked... Well they ask questions,
but they will always take them back. My tip though is to get on
their mailing list!!!! They have early bird sales where everything in
the store is 70% off. These sales usually take place on a Saturday
or Sunday morning before the mall opens usually around 7 am. The
only way to get in is by private invitation and the only way to get an
invitation is to be on the stores mailing list. -- Suzanne, 32,
from VA
At Gymboree I try to always
shop the rounders and purchase during Gymbucks specials. -- Lisa,
36, from CT
I don't shop there all the
time b/c my kids are young enough that consignment still works, but at
Gymboree I have noticed they introduce a line , 2-3 weeks later it is
25% off and 3-6 weeks after that it is 40% off, then bam!! a new line is
appearing. Just an observation, not really a Gymboree junkie. Just like
the movies, give it a short, very short time, and it is a lot cheaper!!
-- Kerri, 29, from GA
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CHILDREN'S PLACE
The Children's Place does
deep mark downs so go in on occasion. I have purchased a sweater
for 99 cents, flare pants for $2.99 and cardigans $1.99 and chinos for
$2.99. Happy shopping -- Lisa, 36, from CT
I have found some great deals
at The Children's Place Outlet stores. I realize that not everyone
lives near an outlet mall, however, I have shopped at some outlet malls
while on vacation. We just returned home from Gulf Shores, AL and
I found some awesome deals at The Children's Place. I bought a zip
up sweatshirt for my daughter for 69 cents, 3 pairs of flared leggings
for $1.39 each, and a white t-shirt for $1.99. Last year at a
different outlet mall I bought my several shirts and shorts and I didn't
pay more than $2 for anything. The whole store isn't priced that
way, but there are several racks that are worth looking at. It's
not always the current line that is in the regular stores, but kids
always need the basics. I make it a point to visit The Children's
Place Outlet store whenever I see one. -- Sara, 31, from MO
SEARS
About 6 weeks ago, I went to
Sears to shop. When I started to check-out, my purchase was
discounted. In talking with the clerk, I found out that their
sales for the next day are active in the computer at 5 PM.
This was the
Friday night before their Super Saturday Sale. I don't know if
this is true for all their sales, but it is for the sales starting on
Saturday. -- Linda Johnson, Arlington, TX
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