Here’s Exactly When to Shop Those Stores That Never Seem to Have Sales
Like it or not, some stores just never seem to have site-wide sales. Whether it’s because they already offer perennially low prices or a hefty discount section, it can be tough to score additional markdowns while shopping at a few of our favorite online retailers.
But fret not, savers: there’s hope to be had. We did a little digging and discovered exactly when these elusive shops actually host storewide sales events. Read ahead for the best times to shop those stores that never seem to have big blowout sales.
Etsy
Because they work solely with independent artisans and sellers (who set their own prices), it’s long been accepted that Etsy rarely has site-wide sales. However, last year they introduced their first ever Labor Day Sale, as well as a weeklong Cyber Week event in late November, where a majority of their sellers knocked at least 10% off their usual prices. They also just wrapped the “World of Etsy Sales Event” with similar markdowns, suggesting that at least three times a year—in September, November, and March—you can get even greater discounts while shopping the handmade marketplace.
Sephora
Ask any Sephora lover and they’ll the say the same: it’s hard not to blow your monthly budget on one trip to the store. And while the mega makeup retailer doles out plenty of samples and Beauty Insider member rewards completely free-of-charge, site-wide sales events aren’t so easy to come by. However, the store notoriously throws two big weeklong sales a year where Beauty Insider members can score insane discounts on everything in the store.
The VIB Sale in mid-to-late November is essentially Sephora’s version of a cyber week sale, where Beauty Insider members can get an extra 20% off the price of products. The second sale, known as Chic Week, comes in mid-April and promises 15% off every item, so you can stock up on cosmetics twice a year for a fraction of the cost.
IKEA Kitchen Sale
Let’s face it: pretty much everything at IKEA feels like a steal thanks to their super low prices—that’s why their site-wide kitchen sales feel so freakin’ legendary. About three times a year, usually in late July, November and March, the mega-retailer offers up to 20% off everything in the kitchen department, so you can score huge savings off of big ticket purchases, and finally get your renovation project underway.
However, if you happen to miss out on one of these massive sales, don’t worry. IKEA Family Members get a 90-day price guarantee, which means that if you purchased your kitchen parts within the past three months ahead of the sale, the store will honor a price adjustment.
Apple
For as awesome (and universal) as their electronics are, Apple products often teeter on the pricey side. And while site-wide sales are few and far between, there is one notable exception. Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, Apple hosts a one-day sales event (both in store and online), where they offer 7-10% off their most popular items. That means you can score a brand-new laptop for about 100 bucks off—or $40 off an iPad—if you can wait until Black Friday to splurge.
Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.
Beloved for their affordable, period-inspired décor offerings, most of which are made in the United States, Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. strives to keep their price points low so they don’t have to offer frequent promotions. However, if you happen to live in Portland you’re in luck. Once a year (usually in June) the store hosts a big dock sale at their flagship store, where you can score crazy deals on their furniture, lighting, and accessories.
Not planning a trip to Oregon any time soon? No worries. The store offers select item discounts and free shipping throughout the year, so you’ll always feel like you’re saving at least a little something.
Amazon
By now, everyone knows about Amazon’s Prime Day. It’s essentially the new Black Friday/Cyber Monday, as we get everything on Amazon anyway. For three years running, the cyber giant offers insanely good deals just for Prime members—with new deals starting as often as every five minutes. If you’re not a prime member (you definitely should be), you can take advantage of the brand’s 30-day trial for this year’s event (the date will be announced in July). Last year, this instant pot was less than 90 bucks. Definitely worth the buzz.