What’s Shopping got to do with it…

In 1998, Planet LuLu opened its Online Sample Sale. Back then, operating a store that opened 3 days a month, by invite-only, online, was novel to the degree that “other” business folk called us, INSANE, wacky and… not using the “web” to its fullest. But we didn’t want to use the web. We wanted to do something fun, different and off-the-beaten-trail. Did I say, fun? From 1999 to 2007, we had fun — a lot of fun.

Planet LuLu was and likely still is the value-priced leader for women’s apparel on the web, and for good reason.

I grew up going to sample sales in New York. We were very middle class peep’s (a small family + a dog), and things like snipping coupons and shamelessly using them was more than just commonplace for my family; it was essential. It was our survival. Some days, I feel genetically predisposed to discount; to deep value. No one has ever called me cheap. I’m not. There’s a difference between wanting great value and the notion of cheapness. I want value. I look for value. I also want quality; without it, there’s no value, regardless of price.

From 2007 until now, I have seen hundred’s of new Invite-only, sample-sale-type events popping up. Are they really sample sales? Or invite-only? Are they really “private” sales? LuLu loft sales were private. But can an online sale really be, private? I think it’s just marketing, hype and, well, hooohah!

I’m a big fan of Woot.com, in principal. I’ve never purchased anything from them. For me, I need selection. A lot of selection. Yes, in New York, samples sales of yore were often just one vendor. But soon, the multi-vendor sale became the norm — and I was in heaven!

I see no reason to leap into the 3 day, one or two vendor sale arena. It’s not for me, or LuLu. There’s no value in that, but then part of “value” to me is, selection.

Being able to return things is a lovely concept. Sadly, it’s not always possible with online sample sales — and verboten in offline sample sales. Online, it’s hard, and getting harder to take returns. Online sample-sale’rs often only have access to merchandise for 3 days to a week. That’s it. Then, all that merchandise that isn’t sold, goes back the designer or manufacturer. They, in-turn, won’t accept returns, making it dang hard to offer returns to shoppers. And so on.

Still — some kind of return policy online is absolutely essential, regardless. Why? Cuz I say so. Also because it’s what I would want; there’s value in that. For me, even if it’s a sample sale, find a way. Call it, generosity, good will or just smart — Bend the rules.

Planet LuLu’s policy is, where we can offer returns, we will. There are some vendors that simply say no to returns, and we must oblige. Otherwise, in this NO RETURNS, sample sale, invite-only, private sale world, LuLu continues to offer 7 days — it’s only fair, right and… valued.

We’re happy to see that something Planet LuLu put on the map — the invite-only sample sale — has come full circle. Like anything that goes mainstream, becomes a commodity, we need to find a way to keep it, sacred; a way to rekindle the good-ol days. No returns, advertisements all over Google — that’s not private or of great value in my book.

Happy shopping & see you on the Planet!