Rampage!
I have never been to such a frightening ZARA Warehouse Sale since I started going five years ago.
This time they had it at Jaya One's Event Hall, which is bigger. The turnout was massive, and it was a working Thursday no less (don't these people have to work/take care of their kids/study?). I arrived at 10.55AM, The queue snaked from the hall all the way into the parking lot until the furthest end.
At 11am, they allowed the early line to enter fast enough, but once inside, it was a mad dash of browsing, grabbing, pushing, nudging, elbowing and stepping on each other's feet - the perils of warehouse sales.
Although widely referred to as the ZARA warehouse sale, the same company also brings Massimo Dutti and Pull and Bear into Malaysia.
The offerings were pretty good this time, with decent and varied designs. I could even find outfits i liked in S size. But I was one of the earlier 'vultures'. Those who came later had to pick through the Ls and XLs. There were nicer Massimo Dutti designs and more of its tops and dresses (than prior sales), and plenty of its quality and well cut jackets going for RM199 (read: must buy!)
As usual, they only had a few narrow mirrors scattered throughout the hall. They placed them quite ill, by the aisle where shoppers needed to pass. Unlike in Atria (the venue of past sales) where there was an empty corner for us to rest and try on the clothes.
The worst had to be payment. The queue was uncontrolled and unchecked. It winded along the perimeter of the store. I shopped for an hour, queued for another, and then I had to leave for a meeting, so my friend continued queuing for a total of FOUR HOURS TO PAY. She later related how there were people who almost fainted (from the exhaustion, bad air ventilation, hunger), those who needed to go to the bathroom but were told by the salesperson that they had to queue again to enter, those who tried to cut queue, those who wanted to give up... When she neared the cashier counter, she realised that one of the reason the queue moved so slowly was that people were just jumping into the queue before the cordon lines began. Some control by the staff would have made the entire process less disrupted and more fair. In the case of this ZARA warehouse sale, perhaps it'll be wise to go in a group (or a reluctant boyfriend) and one can start queueing early then take turns to stand in line (yes, it's complicated, but sales are 'no joke' to a lady).
On the other hand, Warehouse Sales can sometimes be fun and rewarding despite the pains. There is nothing more exciting than chancing upon a great item at greatly slashed prices. Over the years, I've even come out of my grumpy shell to chat with other shoppers and to ask/give opinions about the pieces we are trying on. I was sharing a mirror today with a lone shopper, and offered her my two cents to narrow down the many wonderful (Massimo Dutti) jackets she was trying on. Finding out that I was an 'experienced' warehouse sales hound, she asked me for tips. I realised that I do indeed have a strategy:
Warehouse Sale Shopping Tips
Preparation
1) Have a good, hearty breakfast - you'll need the energy.
2) Before entering, empty your bladder and rehydrate - you don't want to waste time going to the toilet, and you don't want to be fatigued from dehydration
3) Go in light clothing, preferably a sleeveless top and shorts - you're comfortable, not hot, and you can slip clothes onto what you're wearing and still get a good idea of how it would look like properly worn
4) Wear something with pockets, so you can keep your money/credit card and phone there and keep your hands free for grabbing.
If you must, use a slingbag, but I prefer to be bag-free so it doesn't encumber me while I try on clothes (removing the bag each time is an extra step in the process).
Let the Shopping Begin!
5) Grab first, think later.
6) (in the case of ZARA Warehouse Sales) Go for those that are on hangers first. Chances are that those are more limited in designs and sizes. Those in the bins have more of the same designs so you'll probably still get the size you want if you dig deeper and wider.
7) If another woman is holding something you like, and look like she's still considering it, don't ask her if she wants it. With regards to clothes, women are like boys with their toys - they don't want it until someone else wants it. Tail her discreetly until she drops it, then snatch it up like free gold.
8) If it's not your size, don't deceive yourself that you can wear it/tailor it/shrink into it...you'll probably end up not wearing it. And even though it's "only 20 ringgit!", that's money gone down the drain.
9) (if you're alone) Don't be shy to ask a stranger if it looks good on you. They are probably more honest than a friend! Over the years, there were friendly strangers who have helped me to decide what to buy and what not to.
10) Before paying, always go through your pile and ask yourself honestly whether it's 'really me?', or you're just caught in the sale craze. Skim through until you settle on items you really like.
For those who dare to brave it, here's the details:
They do restock each day of the sale, so go early to get the good stuff! And good luck!
To see what I bought,
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