FAQS
Sample Sales Tips
About Clothing Line:
For over 20 years, Clothingline / SSS Sales has been the premiere company in New York City running authorized contemporary Stock & Sample. We are located in the heart of the garment center. We sell mostly current stock merchandise. Occasionally we sell past season and one of a kind samples. Over the years, we have run these Stock & Sample sales for hundreds of manufacturers.
What is a sample sale?
The term Sample Sale originally meant a sale of designer's samples. Samples are what designers use to show their collection to buyers and owners of retail stores. At the end of a season, the designer no longer has a need for these samples. So, once or twice a year they sell the samples to the public, where they usually would be sold at wholesale prices. Usually, the selection would be limited in pieces and sizes.
Today, many of these designers have taken this one giant step forward... Stock Sales. After a manufacturer has shipped their merchandise to their stores, there is usually inventory leftover. This leftover merchandise is often supplied to us, to be featured in one of our stock sales. Our Stock Sales are open to the public, where you can find the latest fashions, from the top designers at savings from 50% to 80% below retail prices.
How often do sample sales occur?
We run sample sales approximately 40 weeks per year. Since our schedule and the designers we feature change weekly, it is important to keep up to date with this week's sale and our upcoming sales schedule.
Why shop with Clothingline?
Quite simply, we offer some of the biggest selections, at the best prices, from many of the hottest manufacturers / vendors in the industry. The sales we run are the official Stock & Sample Sales, authorized directly by the manufacturer.
What is the difference between our sample sales and online “sale” sites?
Clothingline runs authorized sample sales directly for the manufacturer / vendor. What that means is that the goods are shipped to us directly from the manufacturer on consignment. We are authorized by these manufacturers, to sell their goods for them. At the end of each sale, all goods are shipped directly back to these manufacturers. Because we are running the sale for these manufacturers, we get the largest quantities and selections of styles, colors & sizes. More importantly, because we run these sales directly for the manufacturer, we almost always sell them at prices that can not be beat!
What is the difference between an exclusive sample sale and a group sample sale?
An exclusive sample sale is a sale in which we will feature only one manufacturer / vendor. We run exclusive sample sales for Theory, Tory Burch, Chilewich and several other manufacturers. A group sale is a sale in which we can combine anywhere from two to 20 different manufacturers / vendors.
Who are some of the manufacturers we run Stock & Sample Sales for?
Theory, Tory Burch, IISLI, Helmut Lang, Rag & Bone, Gryphon, Gustto, Kooba, AKA, Design History, Bibelot, Milly and so much more.
Besides Women, do you run sales for Men & Children?
Yes! While the majority of the sales we run are for Women, we do run seasonal sales for both Men & Children. Just to name a few, we run Men’s sales that include Hickey, Helmut Lang, Rag & Bone, Canterbury, Ben Sherman, Evisu and more. For Children, we run sales for Best & Co., Jacadi, Marie Chantal, Rachel Riley and much more.
Why should I tell my friends about our sales?
The more people we get through our doors, the popular our sales become. The more popular our sales become, the more new manufacturers / vendors we are able to pick up. The more manufacturers / vendors we are able to pick up, the more money you will save on your “must have” wardrobe each season.
Here is some important information about shopping our sample sales:
All coats, sweater coats, bags and oversized handbags must be checked into our coat check. Only non-oversized handbags are permitted on selling floor.
We do have a fitting room for most sample sales. Our fitting room closes ½ hour prior to close of store. On some very rare occasions, our fitting room is closed.
Our entrance and selling floor closes 10 minutes prior to close of store.
Our schedule may change weekly.
Mid-afternoon is usually the least crowded time to shop. Lunch time and closings are usually the busiest.
With the exception of a small handful of sales, there is almost never a line to enter our sales.
Often, we will receive new shipments in the course of a sale. These shipments may include new styles and or reorders of sold out merchandise.
Some manufacturers may lower prices during a sale and some may not. We can NOT and do NOT offer refunds or price adjustments. When exchanges are permitted, exchanges are ALWAYS valued at the current selling price, NOT the purchased price.
Subscribe to our email list to receive up to date info about each sale.