Filene's Basement Strategy

RichmondStyle · Oct 23, 2008

Three weeks ago, I found the perfect suit at a Filene's Basement -- a solid navy 2-button Oxxford -- which fit me like a glove. This would be an absolute workhorse of a suit. The only problem is that the suit is priced at $1199 (which makes it $899 with the suit sale that they currently have going on).

There is no way that my wife is going to tolerate a $900 suit in light of the recent suit purchases I've made. I could, however, probably get away with it if were around $699 or so. I just called today and the suit is still there.

Here's the question -- is this suit going to keep getting marked down until they sell it, or is it just going to sit there until somebody takes it at $899? It is an unusual size and obviously not a brand that appeals to the brand-whores of the world. Are there any Filene's Basement coupons out there that I can use to make this more affordable?

gqreader239 · Oct 23, 2008

lie to your wife?

Ambulance Chaser · Oct 23, 2008

FB's discounting strategy varies by store. In the Washington, D.C. area, Oxxford suits never go below $800. I think you may be able to stack a sales coupon on top of a sale. Get on the FB mailing list, and you will periodically receive coupons by snail mail and e-mail.

RichmondStyle · Oct 23, 2008

Ugh. That's what I suspected. I remember in Boston at Filene's Basement they had a pricing strategy for which they were famous that automatically discounted clothing based on how long it had been on the rack.

I got on the FB emailing list a few weeks ago, but haven't received anything. I looked at the old coupons that have been posted on this forum, though, and they all claim not to be stackable with any other discounts.

Probably best that I just forget about this suit, I suppose.

dkzzzz · Oct 23, 2008

Originally Posted by RichmondStyle

Three weeks ago, I found the perfect suit at a Filene's Basement -- a solid navy 2-button Oxxford -- which fit me like a glove. This would be an absolute workhorse of a suit. The only problem is that the suit is priced at $1199 (which makes it $899 with the suit sale that they currently have going on).

There is no way that my wife is going to tolerate a $900 suit in light of the recent suit purchases I've made. I could, however, probably get away with it if were around $699 or so. I just called today and the suit is still there.

Here's the question -- is this suit going to keep getting marked down until they sell it, or is it just going to sit there until somebody takes it at $899? It is an unusual size and obviously not a brand that appeals to the brand-whores of the world. Are there any Filene's Basement coupons out there that I can use to make this more affordable?

Sign up for e-mail promos from FB on theri site. You will get discount coupons right away.

chorse123 · Oct 23, 2008

Originally Posted by RichmondStyle

Here's the question -- is this suit going to keep getting marked down until they sell it, or is it just going to sit there until somebody takes it at $899?

There is an FB near me that has a rack of Oxxford, and in three years, I've never seen a clearance sale on them. They mark the suits down during their frequent suit sales, i.e. $200 off, but this usually cannot be combined with other coupons.

The good news is that turnover is pretty slow, so if you can't afford it now, you might be able to save and get it at a future sale.

adambparker · Oct 23, 2008

The couple times I've spoken to a sales associate who actually knows anything about what goes on at FB, they've told me that higher-end stuff often gets shifted around between stores if it doesn't sell, rather than being marked down.

Based on experience, however, I've seen stuff like Oxxford suits sit for a year or more without being marked down, so coupons is your best bet.

Ambulance Chaser · Oct 23, 2008

Originally Posted by RichmondStyle

I got on the FB emailing list a few weeks ago, but haven't received anything. I looked at the old coupons that have been posted on this forum, though, and they all claim not to be stackable with any other discounts.
FB sales clerks don't always read the fine print. Take your suit to the youngest looking guy at the checkout counter and try to stack discounts.

RichmondStyle · Oct 23, 2008

I just signed up again for their email promotions and listed my birthday as next week. Maybe I'll get lucky.

minhi · Oct 23, 2008

Originally Posted by RichmondStyle

Three weeks ago, I found the perfect suit at a Filene's Basement -- a solid navy 2-button Oxxford -- which fit me like a glove. This would be an absolute workhorse of a suit. The only problem is that the suit is priced at $1199 (which makes it $899 with the suit sale that they currently have going on).

There is no way that my wife is going to tolerate a $900 suit in light of the recent suit purchases I've made. I could, however, probably get away with it if were around $699 or so. I just called today and the suit is still there.

Here's the question -- is this suit going to keep getting marked down until they sell it, or is it just going to sit there until somebody takes it at $899? It is an unusual size and obviously not a brand that appeals to the brand-whores of the world. Are there any Filene's Basement coupons out there that I can use to make this more affordable?

I know $200 is a lot of money for most people (i think it's a lot), but in the grand scheme of things is it that much for a suit that really fits and you'd get a lot of wear out of?

If i had to convince my SO i'd look at other places i could cut $200 or agree to limit purchases for the next few months. I've never seen those suits at FB go below $900 or so and they are good quality.

Eccentric · Oct 23, 2008

Finding the perfect fit is damn hard. If you have found it, then buy. $800 for Oxxford isn't bad, either.

bleachboy · Oct 23, 2008

Originally Posted by Eccentric

Finding the perfect fit is damn hard. If you have found it, then buy. $800 for Oxxford isn't bad, either.

THIS!

maxnharry · Oct 23, 2008

Originally Posted by bleachboy

THIS!

+1

NWT isnt that much cheaper on ebay. BTW, I always assumed that the NWT Oxxfords on eBay came from Filenes or is there some other source?

needshoehelp · Oct 23, 2008

On a related note, how come FB never seems to get suits from their big hauls in the "Vault"? They get lots of nice sportscoats which, although overpriced at first, will go down, down, down if you wait long enough. Their suits pricing, however -- not part of the Vault -- does not budge.

adambparker · Oct 23, 2008

Originally Posted by needshoehelp

On a related note, how come FB never seems to get suits from their big hauls in the "Vault"? They get lots of nice sportscoats which, although overpriced at first, will go down, down, down if you wait long enough. Their suits pricing, however -- not part of the Vault -- does not budge.

I saw a couple dozen Brioni suits in the latest haul at the various NYC FBs.

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