Shop Around the Clock - Stop in and stock up

July 25, 2:31 PMChicago Style ExaminerJennifer Rifkin

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    If you show up at 8am these could be less than $70!

It’s here!! Can you see the clouds parting, the sky opening up, and heralding angel’s descending from the heavens? Does that happen when there is a really good sale? Who knows, but it still gets my adrenaline pumping when I see the Shop Around the Clock Sale signs in Krista K’s window. My favorite boutique savings of the season, and the only time and place I have purchased jeans in the last 3 years.  Time to stock up!

Here’s the schedule:

8 – 9am 50% off already reduced merchandise

9 – 10am 40% off already reduced merchandise

10 – 11am 30% off already reduced merchandise

11 – noon 20% off already reduced merchandise

20% off all regularly priced merchandise throughout the day

Now I am seriously no early bird, but I will drag myself out of bed like it’s a work day in order to get over to Krista’s and load up on discounted designer brands. Store prices that usually dig in deep with prices averaging $250 are marked down, in some cases, to $75 and below, giving your credit card a big sigh of relief…or at least more for your money.  Last year I bought a handsome pair of Indigo Denim that on a regular day demand $300, for a stellar $60.  That is some bodacious bargain shopping even my Marshall’s loving father would approve of.

This lovely event presents me with the perfect opportunity to bring up a few useful etiquette tips on sale shopping. While you may be gearing yourself up to throw some elbows, there really is a better way.

How to do it:

There is going to be a line, so be sure and get your coffee ahead of time and stock up on patience. Everyone else got up just as early as you, so no snarling.

The store is artfully arranged on two separate levels with regular priced merchandise mainly designated to the first floor by the windows, and sale pieces hung on the walls in the back according to color (or at least it was a couple years ago). Playground rules apply, no pushing, no shoving, indoor voices required (its early!!!) and pick up after yourself. Even if you are in a scurry to flip through and find the perfect gem, don’t skim past tops and dresses that are half falling off hangers or slipping to the floor. Do your part to keep things tidy by helping to re-hang drooping and sliding merchandise. The store associates will love you forever.

Denim dreamland is located on the lower level and stacked by size and designer.  Don’t hover over other shoppers with your morning breath, just waiting to snag that pair of perfect jeans out of their hands.  Use your well tuned methods of telepathy to urge them on to another pair before you elegantly slide in and pick up their leftovers.

Dressing room etiquette is KEY to maintaining the most pleasant shopping experience for you and others.  Don’t leave things lying all over the floor, this isn’t your personal bedroom and that is just sloppy 2^nd grade behavior.  Bring out anything that you do not want exactly in the same manner you found it, hung up, folded, etc. Is it obvious that I worked in retail for 5 years?

Finally, hold your horses in the cashier line.  They are moving as fast as they can to key in and add up and you wouldn’t want them to rush through and make mistakes on yours, or any other shoppers purchases. This stuff is non-returnable! Use this time to make friends with your fellow line buddies…maybe make plans to grab brunch at Southport Grocery and Café when you are all finished ringing up. Delish!

I will be there early with bells on so if you want to breakfast with me afterwards you know where to find me. If you have dressing room questions or need an opinion on how your butt looks in those jeans just yell out “JENNIFER!” and I will come running.  Good luck and get ready.

Shop Around the Clock Sale

Krista K Boutique

3458 N. Southport Avenue

Chicago, IL 60657