AJWright: Stretching the Dollar Yet More
November 3, 2009 by Aly Walansky
Filed under Accessories, Bargains, Fall Trends, Home Decor
A few weeks ago, I had dinner with some of the AJWright team, and we discussed their concept of off-price retail.
AJWright.com
It was one I am familiar with: I had flown out to Boston last fall to have a similar meeting with TJX (TJMaxx/Marshalls, of which AJWright is a family member) and learned a lot – about how their buyers get the deals, and just how far the deals can take you. Essentially, they take advantage of department store overstock, and end up with current-season merchandise at a fraction of retail.
But even I wasn’t ready for this experience. AJWright is sort of to TJ Maxx what Old Navy is to Banana Republic – the seen-as-scrappy little brother who will be the one who save the world.
OK, not the world. But tons of money.
Armed with an $100 gift card, I ventured out with my mom today to see just how far I could stretch the dollar. (Or, $100, as the case may be.)
Within an hour, I left with two heaping shopping bags.
Inside:
a totally hot pink lace nightie
matching g-string
two thongs
mini food chopper
pink polka dot flannel pjs
spatula
thigh-high gray “suede” boots (OK, they aren’t real, but no one knows that)
mustard thigh-high “suede” boots
black long-sleeve t-shirt (no name, but a staple)
six pairs of black knee high socks (LIVE in these)
pink print opaque tights
baking pan for mini cupcakes
baking pan for regular-sized cupcakes
a box of fancy chocolate
shower curtain
**** I think that’s it….total cost: $80.89!!!
Is that unbelievable or what? This is all totally cute stuff, at up to 70% off discount and chain store prices! Crazy. It’s like better than a sample sale, and you can try on too!
Just so you can experience a little bit of this on your own, I am awarding one reader a $50 gift card to AJ Wright. To have your chance to win, please share the best buying bonanza experience you ever encountered…how much you spent, and how much you got for it! Deadline to enter is December 1, good luck! Please earn extra entries by RT-ing this contest on Twitter. (I am @alywalansky)
got a $150 running pants for $35 at marshalls once.
The best buying experience that I ever had was at a church rummage sale. I got a new brand name leather purse (with tags still on it) for a quarter and I got lenox china dishes for $1.00 each (set of 8). Best buys that I ever had.
Best shopping steal was a $200 designer purse at TJMaxx for $18.00.
I got knee high J.Crew boots for $12 at a warehouse sale!
Sure could use this for Christmas.
My mothers birthday recently passed and I was strapped for cash. I had a hundred dollar american express gift card. So I knew I needed to use that. But I had to stretch it. I found out you can use bed bath and beyond coupons at ULTA so I had 5 20 percent off coupons. I purchased a baby bliss pro tt hair dryer on sale for 20 dollars. Then I headed to AJ WRIGHT and found 2 pairs of seven jeans on sale for 25 dollars each. Which left me some wiggle room to buy myself 2 gorgeous long sleeve winter sweaters priced at 10 bucks a pop ! I thought I was going to have trouble finding her nice gifts on a budget ! Goes to show if you shop smart you come out ahead ! That was the most bang for my buck !! Still have 8 dollars left on my gift card !
Using coupons, I was once able to get my $120 grocery bill down to $1.25. It was amazing.
Spoke with the manager at my local TJ Maxx, and got a gorgeous sweater reduced to FIVE dollars because of two easily replaceable buttons. Original cost on ticket was $79.99.
Tweeted http://twitter.com/cdziuba/status/5416888513
Kohls Dept Store had Dinnerware on clearance 60% off , I had coupon for 20%-ended up getting $150.00 set for around $20. Warren Kimble Rooster design-Love it!
Once I bought a pair of Breckenridge jeans on the closeout rack of Younkers for $6.00. I love that brand and the fit was great.
I bought a sterling silver antique filigree broach at a church rummage sale for $0.25.
a 250 leather jacket new with tags for 15.00 at a thrift shop
Once at CVS I was able to use coupons with a sale and got 5 packs of batteries for $1.00. Thanks!
The best buying experience I have had was recently: I went to Sears to get a new pair of jeans. Well, I found the perfect pair – the stitching was done in PINK!! (My fave color) and they were on sale for $17.00 So, I went to check them out and guess how much they were? THREE (thats 3) DOLLARS!! PINK and THREE DOLLARS???? Needless to say, I was happy
the best I had was when a hilfiger outlet was moving locations and I got brand new jeans for 8 bucks a pair that I had paid 60 bucks for a month before for my son. I bought 20 pairs
This would be wonderful for the holidays. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
I found one pair of TR Jeans for $10@ Marshalls, retail over $250 and it’s a latest style!
http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/5444039952
I shopped one of Macy’s end-of-season sales where everything was 75% off and I also had a 20% off coupon!
I found a purse usually selling for $i25.at Marshalls marked down to 24.99
I went to an estate sale and got a designer coat for $1.00.
My best buy was about 10 tank tops for $5 at Kohls…they have great sales!
i once got a pair of chuck taylors for 7.50
Got a $200 leather coat for $20.00 clearance at JC Penneys.
I went to the Root candle outlet store in Lodi Ohio with a friend. They happened to have all of their “sayings” decorative signs and frames half off. I was so excited! My friend and I spend 100 bucks between both of us!
Thanks for entering me! Great Contest!
Janna Johnson
janna@FeedYourPigBlog.com
jannajanna@hotmail.com
http://www.FeedYourPigBlog.com
i got a lacoste polo for $4.00 at a thrift shop because the girl working had never heard of it. (They had another lacoste shirt price at $30, but I didn’t mention that) I later went to the Lacoste store in the mall and saw the same shirt for $75
At Wal-Mart the other day, I got 3 shirts, 2 skirts, and one pair of pajamas for my daughter for $13.00. If I would’ve paid full price it would’ve been $42.00!!
I love Flea Markets!!
I study and use Herbs and one time i found a set of Herb Magazines and books for ten dollars;)