Contests
Win This: Become A Maxxinista and You Could Win $500
What: Win a $25 TJ Maxx giftcard every week day from now until Oct. 27th.
Why You Want This: It’s the end of the second week of the contest and you want to make sure you enter today, so you can be eligible for this week’s grand prize, a $500 giftcard to the store. Imagine what you can do with $500 at TJ Maxx…you could buy a totally new wardrobe.
How to Enter: Tell us your favorite TJ Maxx purchase in the comment section below. We will select one winner from today
Don’t forget you can also enter via Kathryn Finney facebook fan page and by adding “RT @KathrynFinney I am a Maxxinista” twitter
Please read Contest Rules
This is a paid contest.
Sponsored Post: How Do Off-Priced Stores Get Their Designer Stuff?
Full disclosure: I used to work at Marshalls – T.J. Maxx’s sister brand. Granted it was about, ahem, 20 years ago, but my experience working at the store gave me a front row seat to the inner workings of an off-priced store. When the store was quiet (usually during weeknights), I would roam the stock room because that was where designer merchandise was kept until it could be legally placed on the sales floor. I would secretly stash discounted – up to 60 percent off - Girbaud jeans (In the early 90’s everyone had to have a pair of Girbaud jeans with the little label in the front. In order to fully show off the label, you had to tuck your shirt in, (which made my Air Force Reservist father very happy) in the bins located underneath my checkout counter, until I could purchase them on my lunch break. I also observed how “regulars” shopped the store, always timing their shopping dates to when new merchandise was placed on the floor.
One of the most frequently asked questions on The BudgetFashionista and See Jack Shop is how off-priced stores like T.J Maxx and Marshalls can sell current season designer merchandise for less while department stores sell the same items at significantly higher prices. The answer? It’s a matter of simple economics, supply and demand (along with a little legal maneuvering), and having smart buyers with great vendor relationships. T.J. Maxx buyers travel the world to find the best merchandise at the best prices. In fact, off-price buyers meet with vendors 40 times a year, while department store buyers are only meeting with them four times a year. It is these up-to-the-season purchases that deliver the greatest savings to you!
Here’s some examples of how off-pricing works:
Designer A makes 300 pairs of shoes based on pre-season sales to XY department store.
Major department stores purchase merchandise several months prior to the actual placement of the merchandise on the sales floor. The department store calculates the amount of merchandise needed based on a combination of factors such as fashion trends, demographics, weather predictions, etc. Placing an order for merchandise several months in advance, called a purchase order, lets the designer know how many pieces they should produce for that season. This is one of the main reasons (along with giving magazines plenty of lead time) that fashion weeks are held several months prior to the actual season of the clothes.
XY department store realizes they over projected for the season. They have more shoes than they can actually sell and return the excess inventory to Designer A.
Major department stores have clauses in their purchase orders that allow them to return excess merchandise back to a designer/brand. Under this clause, XY department store could return some of the shoes back to Designer A. Multiple XY department store returns by the number of other stores making returns, and Designer A is now faced with a warehouse full of current season shoes, which is called overstock. The designer now has a choice- keep the shoes in the warehouse and while absorbing the production and storage costs or try to sell the merchandise to someone else, or they can return them to the vendor.
T.J. Maxx store offers to take the overstock off Designer A’s hands/ or gets them directly from the vendor at a significantly reduced price and sells the merchandise to you at a discount
This is called “opportunistic buying” (meaning T.J. Maxx knows Designer A is desperately needs to get rid of the excess inventory, so offers to buy it at a discount). Designer A, happy to be rid of the overstock and to make even a small profit, sells it to T.J. Maxx.
And that’s how you can discover a Maxxinista find everytime you shop at T.J. Maxx.
Win This: Become A Maxxinista and You Could Win $500
What: Win a $25 TJ Maxx giftcard every week day from now until Oct. 27th.
Why You Want This: It’s the end of the second week of the contest and you want to make sure you enter today, so you can be eligible for this week’s grand prize, a $500 giftcard to the store. Imagine what you can do with $500 at TJ Maxx… you could buy a totally new wardrobe.
How to Enter: Tell us your favorite TJ Maxx purchase in the comment section below. We will select one winner from today
Don’t forget you can also enter via Kathryn Finney facebook fan page and by adding “RT @KathrynFinney I am a Maxxinista” twitter
Please read Contest Rules
This is a paid contest.
Win This: Get Your Maxxinista On and Win $500
What: Win a $25 TJ Maxx giftcard every week day from now until Oct. 27th.
Why You Want This: It’s the end of the second week of the contest and you want to make sure you enter today, so you can be eligible for this week’s grand prize, a $500 giftcard to the store. Imagine what you can do with $500 at TJ Maxx… you could buy a totally new wardrobe.
How to Enter: Tell us your favorite TJ Maxx purchase in the comment section below. We will select one winner from today
Don’t forget you can also enter via Kathryn Finney facebook fan page and by adding “RT @KathrynFinney I am a Maxxinista” twitter
Please read Contest Rules
This is a paid contest.
Win This: Get Your Maxxinista On and Win a $25 Giftcard
What: Win a $25 TJ Maxx giftcard every week day from now until Oct. 27th.
Why You Want This: Maxxinistas know that you can do A LOT with $25 at TJ Maxx…and that it is pretty stupid to pay full price for designer fashions. Seriously…
How to Enter: Tell me about your latest fashion discovery at TJ Maxx to win a gift card to score more.
Don’t forget you can also enter via Kathryn Finney facebook fan page and by adding “RT @KathrynFinney I am a Maxxinista” twitter
Please read Contest Rules
This is a paid contest.
Win This: Are You a Maxxinista? Tell Us Below and You Could Win a $25 Giftcard
What: Win a $25 TJ Maxx giftcard every week day from now until Oct. 27th.
Why You Want This:Paying full Price is so.. like.. 1994, so enter to win a $25 giftcard to get your Maxxinista on. Plus, this is your last chance to enter in the day contest to be eligible for the $500 shopping spree. You can do ALOT with $500 at TJ Maxx. Just imagine all the designer fashion you can score at prices below the kind you find at department stores.
How to Enter: Tell us why you’re a Maxxinista in the comment section below. We will select one $25 winner from today
Don’t forget you can also enter via Kathryn Finney facebook fan page and by adding “RT @KathrynFinney I am a Maxxinista” twitter
Please read Contest Rules
This is a paid contest.
Are You a Maxxinista Contest Day 4: Are You a Plus Size Maxxinista?
What: Win a $25 TJ Maxx giftcard every week day from now until Oct. 27th.
Why You Want This:For those of us with a little extra “junk in our trunks”, there’s few places to find clothing that are a) fashionable b) excellent quality and c) affordable and the top place on any plus size maxxinista’s list is TJ Maxx. Where else could you find a Seven jeans for less than $30 bucks?
How to Enter: Tell us your top plus size fashion advice in the comment section below. We will select one $25 winner from today
Don’t forget you can also enter via Kathryn Finney facebook fan page and by adding “RT @KathrynFinney I am a Maxxinista” twitter
Please read Contest Rules
This is a paid contest.
Are You a Maxxinista Contest Day 3: Your Top Budget Shopping Tip
What: Win a $25 TJ Maxx giftcard every week day from now until Oct. 27th.
Why You Want This: Department store prices? Done. Boutiques that break the bank? Buh- bye. Alpha Shoppers who spend without thinking? Out like floral prints. What’s in? Being a Maxxinista and we want to help you in this effort by giving you a $25 giftcard. Think of it as spreading the love from one shopper to another.
How to Enter: Tell us your #1 budget shopping tip in the comment section below. We will select one winner $25 Giftcard winner from today’s comments
Don’t forget you can also enter via Kathryn Finney facebook fan page and by adding “RT @KathrynFinney I am a Maxxinista” twitter
Please read Contest Rules
This is a paid contest.
Win This: Freya Camisole Set
What: Win a Freya Camisole (size medium) and matching panty (size large).
Why you want this: Freya makes sexy, stylish undergarments for those of us with a little “extra” up top. Plus this camisole set, which retails for $95, is a great layer to wear underneath falls hot new trend.
How to Enter: Name your favorite fall fashion trend
Contest Details:
- Contest ends October 31st at 11:59pm
- Open to TBF members ages 18 and older, living in the continental US
- One entry per member
Win This: Mandee Style Star Competition
Attention Stylistas
We’re partnering with budget fav Mandees to chose their next style star.
Here’s What You Get
- An behind the scenes pass to a Mandee’s Photo shoot In New York City
- Shop with a Stylist and $250 giftcard at a local Mandee.
- A Feature on TheBudgetFashionista.com
How to Enter:
-email a photo of you wearing your favorite Mandee outfit and a short description of why you love it and how much you paid for it to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Click here to become a Mandee Style Star
This is NOT a Paid Post
Win Free Clothes at Zappos.com!
The Deal: Win Free Clothing at Zappos.com!
The Lowdown: Zappos, the shoe peeps, are now selling clothing. In effort to get the word out about their new clothing section, Zappos.com is hosting a contest to win free clothes and you know there’s nothing we like more than free stuff.
While Zappos isn’t the most budget friendly place to shop on the web (for true shoe deals head to endless.com), we did find some cute items that may be worth a try—especially since Zappos offers free returns.
These bold green RSVP Farah sandals are the perfect ending to your Spring ensemble with their halter-style heel strap and 4 3/4” wedge heel ($75). If you’re looking for a non-black cocktail dress, get this graceful Calvin Klein dress with its gathered waist and optional straps; the cut offers a great fit for almost all body types ($178). Go floral this season with this eye-catching kensie Geo Flower Dress with puff sleeves and ruffles; the scoop neck and above the knee length are right in line with Spring trends ($76).
Shop: Zappos.com!
Congratulations to More Perfume Winners!
Congratulations to our second set of perfume winners! Their perfume is on the way to them right now!
qshukura has won Capri, one of Michael Kors’ “Island” fragrances. Capri has a combination of florals, fruit scents, and woodsy ingredients that combine to create an exotic, tropical fragrance perfect for the summer. Chinese kiwi, honeysuckle, gingerlilies, driftwood—they’re so different, but together they smell heavenly. Capri comes in an oceanic, turquoise bottle and retails for $60.
Congratulations to mari.—she is receiving Fiji, also one of the “Island” fragrances. This new fragrance combines rich, tropical petals of the Fijian tiare flower with the (imagined) scent of Polynesian water to create a mysterious but intoxicating scent. The fuchsia bottle is just as hot. We hope mari enjoys this alluring perfume!
Images from neimanmarcus.com and michaelkors.com
Congratulations to the SATC Contest Winners!
About a month ago, we held an awesome Sex and the City contest. We can finally announce the winners and congratulate them on their fabulous prizes! Gabriela and her three lucky friends are going on an all-expense-paid trip to New York City complete with a tour of all the famous Sex and the City hotspots, all courtesy of NYC and Company, the city’s official tourism organization. Okay, we’re a little jealous, but we hope they have an amazing time!
Rosemary won a sweet VISA gift card worth 500 bucks! We congratulate her and wish her a shopping expedition that we can only dream about. The possibilities for that $500 are endless—we don’t know how she’s going to choose!
Image from telegraph.co.uk
Congratulations to Our Perfume Winners!
Congratulations to our first two perfume winners! Their perfume is on the way to them right now—check your e-mail, you may be next!
cosquellegirl has won the 2008 limited edition of Tommy Girl Summer. It’s decorated with fun, red stripes in keeping with the nautical trend. We’d spritz this perfume on every day this summer—it’s fun, fresh and reminds us that it is indeed the summer and we should enjoy it. The folks at Tommy Hilfiger have re-interpreted Tommy Girl since the first version many moons ago and they continue to make it different and unique each time.
DKNY Delicious Night is on the way to liandxp. Delicious Night is the latest incarnation of DKNY’s apple-shaped bottles. While Be Delicious and Red Delicious were bright and energetic, Delicous Night is darker, sexy, and inspired by New York. Using this perfume would make us feel like a temptress, so we hope liandxp is ready for it!
Photos from fragrantica.com and bellasugar.com
Contest Alert: Saks Fifth Avenue.com and Elf Cosmetics
THESE CONTESTS HAVE ENDED.
The folks at elf.com, home of the $1 beauty products, is having a designer giveaway with over $1500 in prizes. Since no purchase is necessary to enter, stop on by.
Also SaksFifthAvenue.com (aka Saks.com) is having a $1000 shopping spree giveaway if you sign up for their newsletter.
For those of you who want to sign up for the contests, but don’t want to give out your primary email account, head to hotmail, yahoo, or any other free email service and create a what I call a “dummy” shopping email account. Use this email account to register for newsletters, etc. That way you’ll keep your primary account free of tons of emails.
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