Shoe Coupons and Advanced Notice of Sales
My favorite way to stay on top of shoe sales, both online and locally, is to sign up for newsletters. Designers and shoe stores regularly have sales, and I'm always alerted to them via email newsletters.Next time you visit a designer's web site or your favorite shoe store, look for their newsletter signup form. In addition to receiving sale notifications, you're likely to get coupons and coupon codes. These are great, since you can often save on new arrivals that aren't on sale.
And when you do get those shoe coupons and sale notices, don't lose your head! Stop, take a deep breath, and think about shoes you might actually need before you look at what's available to be had.
Staying focused on your wardrobe requirements helps to avoid impulse buying of shoes you won't wear.
Rewards and Bonus Programs
Many major retail chains offer membership cards and reward programs. Among them are stores like Famous Footwear and Designer Shoe Warehouse. These programs are usually free to join. If there is a charge, you'll need to calculate whether the savings will be more than the signup fee.Pay programs usually give you a discount as purchases are made, while with free programs, you'll typically earn points for every dollar spent in their store. When you reach a certain number of points, you earn a gift certificate to use on a future purchase. If you can manage to hold on to your certificate until a sale, you're really in business.
Before signing up for anything, be sure to ask whether or not the discounts or certificates pertain to all items or only regularly-priced ones. You'll want to know how and when you'll actually be saving money.
Buy Shoes from Different Sources
We all have favorite shopping spots for shoes, but it sometimes pays to look in other places for bargains. I picked up a pair of Kenneth Cole mules off a clearance rack at Meijer during a shopping trip last spring, and I'm a huge fan of the shoe selection at Target.The same is true of brands and designers -- even though you have favorites, you'll want to give other labels a try. Some of my favorite, most comfortable, and most complimented shoes have been from brands I'd never heard from -- coincidentally, they've also been some of my least expensive purchases.
When you're trying a new shoe store, make certain to find out what their return policies are. Especially online, you should only buy shoes you can easily return if they don't fit.
Part 1: Buy Shoes on a Shoestring - More Ways to Save Money on Shoes
