Understanding Filene's Basement Discount Schemes

[yanks2182]

I've been frequenting FB the last month or so to look for a nice suit. A few weeks ago I was able to snag a nice HF Hand Tailored for $450 during one of their suit sales. I've had my eyes on a bunch of Corneliani suits, but the price of $600 at a discount isn't cheap enough for me to buy.

This has brought up some questions in my mind. How does Filene's get their items. I know that most of them are leftovers from department stores, but which department stores in particular? When do they get their big suit shipments, and what is the lowest price point I can expect to find the Corneliani suit? Will I see it at anything greater than the 200$ discount that bring the 800$ suit down to $600? How much have you seen Zegna suits on sale there for?

 

[johnnynorman3]

For all intents and purposes, you should expect no suit at any Filene's Basement in NYC to ever be discounted more than 25% off of the FB price. Exceptions are: Clothing from Mitchell's of Wesport and Louis Boston, and sometimes (but not usually) Mr. Sid. Clothes from these stores -- which will sometimes include Canali and Corneliani and even Kiton -- will sometimes go on 50% markdown for a couple of weeks or so about two times a year.

 

[Tuerney1]

When I was an undergraduate and made my first trip to Filene's, I found an absolutely beatiful Oxxford plaid jacket. It's tag price was around $1200 (jawdroppingly expensive for me at the time...I hated to part with cash even at Press or Andover). It was discounted down to $250 and, then, when I went back a couple of weeks later, to around $125...so I bought it. For many years it was my favorite jacket. Sadly I've outgrown it in my early middle age.

 

[yanks2182]

Anyone else know about how they stock their suits?

 

[stache]

Many companies manufacture specific lines that they sell to the discounters.

 

[RJman]

Many companies manufacture specific lines that they sell to the discounters.

That's not what Filene's carries, though.

 

[yanks2182]

When do department stores generally ship to Filene's?