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I have had my eye on this Borrelli topcoat ever since it appeared at my local Filene's Basement (Connecticut Avenue). It is double-faced cashmere, quarter lined, with patch pockets and spalla camicia shoulders. Absolutely beautiful. Filene's price was $1899.99, which was way out of my price range. The topcoat was then moved to the 30% discount rack. Still too expensive. A few weeks ago, the discount became 40% off. That was still too much until a salesman informed me that I could use a 20% discount coupon on top of the 40%, which would result in a total of 52% off, bringing the cost to under four figures. I thought a lot about pulling the trigger, but then remembered that I had overheard a salesman saying that the 40% off discount would go through November 16. I received another 20% off coupon for use from November 15 through 21, which clinched my decision to wait to see if a higher discount would kick in.
This past Saturday, I headed to Filene's bright and early in the morning armed with my 20% off coupons. Sure enough, the discount had moved from 40% to 50% off. If a salesman allowed me to use a coupon on top of the discount, I could get the coat for 60% off, which would be slightly over $800, including tax. Pretty reasonable price, I thought. I approached two young salesmen on the floor and asked them whether I could stack a 20% off coupon on top of the 50% off discount. One of them replied that I couldn't. Just as well, I thought. I really don't need the coat anyways.
The salesman then said, "We'll take 50% off the price, then take 50% off that price, which is a better discount." Um, what? The salesman was stating that the items on the discount rack were effectively 75% off! I had to verify that I understood what he said. I plucked a shirt off the rack, pointed to the price tag, and asked, "So you'll take half off this price, and then take half off again?
"Yep."
Not believing my good fortune, I quickly tried on the coat again. It fit like a dream, requiring almost no tailoring. I brought the coat to the counter (making sure I got the same salesmen to check me out), and asked again, "So you'll take half off this price and then half off again?" The salesman affirmed, and rung up the coat. Total cost: $475 before tax, just over $500 with tax. Or approximately 89% off the original listed retail price of $4300.
If anyone's interested, the coat is also available in a size Eu52. I can't guarantee you'll get the same discount as I did, however.
This past Saturday, I headed to Filene's bright and early in the morning armed with my 20% off coupons. Sure enough, the discount had moved from 40% to 50% off. If a salesman allowed me to use a coupon on top of the discount, I could get the coat for 60% off, which would be slightly over $800, including tax. Pretty reasonable price, I thought. I approached two young salesmen on the floor and asked them whether I could stack a 20% off coupon on top of the 50% off discount. One of them replied that I couldn't. Just as well, I thought. I really don't need the coat anyways.
The salesman then said, "We'll take 50% off the price, then take 50% off that price, which is a better discount." Um, what? The salesman was stating that the items on the discount rack were effectively 75% off! I had to verify that I understood what he said. I plucked a shirt off the rack, pointed to the price tag, and asked, "So you'll take half off this price, and then take half off again?
"Yep."
Not believing my good fortune, I quickly tried on the coat again. It fit like a dream, requiring almost no tailoring. I brought the coat to the counter (making sure I got the same salesmen to check me out), and asked again, "So you'll take half off this price and then half off again?" The salesman affirmed, and rung up the coat. Total cost: $475 before tax, just over $500 with tax. Or approximately 89% off the original listed retail price of $4300.
If anyone's interested, the coat is also available in a size Eu52. I can't guarantee you'll get the same discount as I did, however.