how to >> shop The Clymb

i think they're calling them "online sample sales."  love em.  someone got really smart and started one for outdoor products:  The Clymb.  cute name too.

all you do is sign up and you have access to limited time outdoor deals.  deals are up to like 75%, which is fantastic.  sales last 2-3 days, so there is always a new selection of products.

right now they have:

Kaenon - sunglasses for over %50 off
Skull Candy - fancy headphones and ear buds for cheap
Burton - snowboarder back packs at the moment
Foursquare - snowboardery clothing
Special Blend - more snowboardery clothing

it isn't usually all like that, they have women's product, hiking shoes, all sorts of stuff.

definitely worth checking out.

sign up for The Clymb here.

how to >> use eBay InstantSale

while i do love my online shopping, i am also a big proponent of don't keep stuff around the house that you don't use.  is there a word for anti-hoarder?  keeping un-used stuff around the house is just like stalk piling potential money.  sell it!

ebay has been around for quite a while, but i have just discovered their semi-new InstantSale for used electronics.  ebay makes you an offer for your old iPhone, Blackberry, etc. right then.

i think i'm going to sell my old iPhone 3G.

1.  go to eBay InstantSale

2.  enter the item you want to sell, or search from their popular searches (your item may or may not be applicable)

3.  follow the instructions and accept or decline the offer

they are offering me over $56 for mine.

prodeal + cash back >> mountainhardwear.com

so, i get to take advantage of something pretty amazing in my industry:  prodeal.  the outdoor industry dealers allow employees of retail stores to buy their product at a super discount.  the point of prodeal is to enable employees to buy products easier so they have a chance to use it and can therefore sell it better.  pretty smart idea i think.

so, today i purchased something using my prodeal on mountainhardwear.com.

the amazing buttafleece jacket

i've been eyeing this guy for a few months now but never pulled the trigger.  then, it sold out of course.  i've been checking back since new years, and it was finally back in my size.  hurray!  

so, sometimes prodeals are done through order forms, sometimes through special sites, but mountain hardwear does their through their regular retail site, so i was able to get my mega discount AND the 5% cash back they provide through ebates.

total savings:  prodeal + 5% cash back

how to >> use ebates.com

i love ebates.

it is brilliant.  and it is simple:  you get money back from every online purchase you make.  (well, just about every, i have to caveat that.  some ecommerce sites don't have a relationship with ebates)  you get a check in the mail every few months for a % of the purchases you made through ebates.  while most sites offer less than 10%, it really ads up.  a couple months ago, I got a check in the mail for $50.  granted, i shop online a lot, but still.

how it works:  ebates is what you call an "affiliate."  they work through an affiliate marketing program, meaning every sale they send to an ecommerce site they have a relationship with, they get paid a certain % of that transaction, a commission.  they then pass on part of that commission on to you, the shopper.  ebates posts links to all your favorite sites.  all you do is click on the link to activate tracking.  ebates does the rest to follow your purchase and calculate your cash back.

So, go sign up right now!

tip of the post: always check ebates before you confirm your purchase.


1. shop around, find something you want to purchase

2. go to ebates and see if the website where you are about to buy from is on ebates.   they may have additional coupons and shopping tips too!

3.  click on the link to go back to the site you were shopping on (make sure this the last thing you do before making your purchase to ensure the tracking works)

4.  make your purchase

5.  wait for your check in the mail

25% off sale + cash back >> toryburch.com

i think my first pair of real designer shoes were this adorable Coach multi-color striped shoes.  i am not a big color person, and these were rainbow, so it was a big step (pun intended) for me, and i loved them.  i think i got them my senior year in college and had them until last year when even buffalo exchange would accept them.  (buffalo exchange post to follow)  anyway, with the birth of anything, it's death must follow.  the first pair of designer shoes i ever bought were the first i even had to THROW AWAY.  i usually don't make it to the point of throwing away.  i tend to get sick of something and end up giving it away or selling it.

here they were:

anyway that was just a small anecdote to let you know how hard it is for me to wear out a pair of shoes.  and soon after i got those adorable striped coach shoes, i got some silver juicy couture flats with gold hardware on them.  equally as cute.  these met the end of their days as well.  and who can live without silver flats?

in come the amazing Tory Burch after holiday sale on sale.  25% off!  and i found these guys:

metallic eddie ballet flat

next step?  yep, check ebates.  thank you 3.5% cash back!

total savings:  sale + 25%

in-store pick up >> nordstrom.com

i love nordstrom. they have the best stuff. they have an amazing return policy. they allow in-store pick up! 

this way i can shop online for what i want and then order it online and have it waiting for me when i pick it up in the store. it is just as good as the instant satisfaction you get from shopping at the mall, AND i get my 5% ebates cash back because i purchased online.

most recently i got the following:

o by oscar de la renta woven wrap for me

halogen altitude scarf for the bf's mom for xmas

it's so easy. you just go to ebates, click on the nordstrom link, buy your products online, then go and pick them up at customer service.

total savings: ebates cashback 
added value: easy, in-store pick up!

free shipping day >> just about everywhere

today is free shipping day.  awesome.  i just cannot get myself to purchase anything!  i am having major buyer's remorse problems these days.  i think it's because i've been doing so much shopping lately for the holidays.  and i went to vegas recently and had traumatic experiences with winning and then losing and then winning.  it is hard on the heart.

anyway here are a few my temptations today:

j.crew's cece suede flat in oasis green.  adorable...  and!  they are doing 30% off your entire order, which would usually convince me instantly.  i don't know why i can't just pull the trigger.

c. wonder's universal camera case.  how cute are these...

good luck on free shipping day!  find some hot deals.