Dear Budget Fashionista,
I’m confused…. I purchased an item on sale for $19 and went back a week later and that same item is now $79. What happen?
Answer:
It all comes down to the difference between sales and clearance. You purchased your sandals on sale, which is a temporary price reduction that can be raised back to its original price. If you had purchased your items on clearance, a permanent price reduction, the sandals would have remained at their marked down price. Retailers often use sales as a promotional tool to get you hooked on a product/service and/or to get you into the store.
An easy way to remember the difference is that sales are the deals and clearances are the steals.
Founded in 2003, TBF is a fashion blog dedicated to helping you live your best for less. We give you the 411 on the latest fashion trends & tips and sample sales. 
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
THANKS, I WAS LOOKING FOR THIS EXPLANATION TOO, ITS PRETTY CLEAR NOW.
Love that – “…sales are the deals and clearances are the steals.” And then there are places like home goods and TJ Maxx that will have the same item in the clearance section at a reduced price that they have full price elsewhere in the store. Check for those red price labels, folks. I bought Ed Hardy drinking glasses at a TJX store that was full price in one aisle and discounted to only $5.00 in the clearance section.