GirlsTalkingTech

Private Sample Sale and a Wait List

by Kristie Conner

Here and there I have seen blog posts about Justin Timberlake or Ashton Kutcher mingling and in some cases investing in tech start-ups.  Just do a quick search on Tech Crunch and there are plenty of search results.  Justin Timberlake is the lead investor in Particle and as Tech Crunch points out he is not new to Silicon Valley.  Ashton Kutcher among other things hosted an event with Kevin Rose, founder of Digg, at Sundance called “24hoursatsundance”.  While not as timely, meaning we are no longer in the eighties MC Hammer attends many Silicon Valley events and I am quite certain the list goes on.

The point, I was not surprised by the ‘wait list’ when I decided to check out the online, private sample sale that Leena Lao of Tech Crunch, wrote about in her blog “Rebirth of the Sample Sale“.  I mean I was, but then I wasn’t.  Tech is getting FANCY PANTS.  In the description it pointedly says “private”.  I think HuateLook was easy.  They have some great sales and they have some great sun glasses, but that sale is going to end in 2 plus hours. The UNISEX Ta Da normally $395 are 70% of.  This super cute jacket is 81% off.  So far I really like the savings this site offers.  It is easy and well they let me in right away.  To get an invite and throw $10.00 towards my shopping click here.

Next on my list Gilt Groupe,. The Gilt Groupe provides invitation-only access to high-end fashion and luxury brands at highly discounted prices.  Unless, I assume, you get an invitation you need to sign-up for an invitation.  It is worth the effort.  For an invite from me (and I get $25.00 if you buy something click here!)

So, I have to say, sadly, I have not yet received an invite from Rue La La …they must be real f-a-n-c-y.

Not only was I impressed with the sales and quality I am quite frankly impressed with their viral, social media marketing efforts.  You can tweet, FB or put a link in your blog.  If your friends accept the invitation and purchase something you get $10 or $25 dollars for shopping the Sample Sale!

According to Roa, “Online sample sites are drawing massive audiences, and monetizing them in a meaningful way. Of course, it’s a competitive space with every site duking it out for supply (the designer inventory) and demand (the buyers). And yet, even in recessionary times, the sample sales market seems large enough to sustain a market of start-ups, and keeps me looking like TechCrunch pays me a decent salary (joke!)”.

To read the full blog post, which is quite good and includes a lot more information on the sample sale visit “Rebirth of Sample Sale“.

Oh, and you might wonder what is up with the pictures … I am trying to personalize my posts!