Black Friday Shopping Incentives at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys and Nordstroms

While the concept of an egalitarian kind of queue up for great deals sounds great on paper, in actuality, the execution really costs more if one’s time is actually worth more than $5.95 per hour.  Other than perhaps employing one of those OCCUPY brats, an enterprising student or person down on his luck to stay and camp out in line 12 hour prior to opening, you’re not going to be the first in line and therefore you’re not going to be the one getting the doorbuster deal.  (I also realize that in San Francisco, this kind of business deal would never be socially acceptable whereas in New York, this happens all the time).

Fear not, there are other more civilized ways of getting wonderful discounts without all the hassle.  It’s called pre-sale.  Sale associates at the top stores like Neimans, Barneys, Saks and all right I’ll even include Nordstroms but only because they carried Nicholas Kirkwood before anyone else, all collect the information of their best customers.   This kind of symbiotic relationship even extends to the Outlets of these fine retailers.  The Sales Associates know what brands and sizes their best clients need and will text pictures and leak out the information of what will be going on sale, prior to it’s public announcement.   The clients simply inform the sales associate that they want it and then everything is set aside for them, awaiting to be rung up the day of the sale.   Hence what you see on the floor on the first day of sale, where all the fighting is going on, is actually the leftovers of from what loyal clients have already not chosen.  While everyone else is all scrambling to get something, the sales associates will ring up the orders of the loyal client and he or she comes by at a less hectic time to pick up the purchases.

So try and use this knowledge towards Black Friday next year or just rumble through the thick of it all this year.

Here’s the rundown of what the top retailers are doing this Black Friday:

Barneys is hosting pre-sale (items are set aside and then charged on December 1st) of many of their designers which includes Givenchy, Lanvin, Proenza Schouler, and YSL.  Designers excluded would be Alaia, The Row, L’Wren Scott for RTW and Chanel and Louboutin for shoes.

Barneys Outlet in Napa Valley:

Neiman Marcus: is hosting a fabulous shopping incentive where if you spend $100 anywhere in the store on November 25, you will receive a $50 gift card to be used towards the next in-store purchase of one item from November 25 – December 5, 2011.   They limit it to one card per customer.  Furthermore they are Save up to 50% off regular prices when you take an extra 20% off sale merchandis

Neiman Marcus Last Call: Opens at midnight-8AM & 40% off everything except for godiva chocolates and after 8am: 30% off entire purchase.

Nordstrom:  Also pre-selling almost all top designers such as Prada, McQueen and Michael Kors.

Nordstrom Rack SF – Extended hours starting from 8AM through 10PM.  25% One item coupon if you submit your e-mail with a sales associate.

Saks Fifth Avenue –

8AM to NOON
Take an Additional 50% Off Already Reduced Prices
plus, save on selections at original prices throughout the store
50% Off Selections for Her: cashmere sweaters & Selections for Him
40% OFF coats, gloves and cold weather accessories for Her

Get a $25 Saks Gift Card when you spend $100 or more in cosmetics and fragrances

AFTER NOON
Receive Additional 10% Off all sale merchandise when you shop with a Saks credit card in store
30% to 50% Off Original Prices for her and him
30% OFF boots, shoes and handbags

Off 5th (Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet) – Opens at Midnight