Charles David Warehouse and Sample Sale Report
posted by: Shomore in Spot the Shoe on Sale on October 19th, 2007
Remember the Charles David Warehouse Sale I blogged about earlier this week? As a shoeblogger for Shoeblog, I felt that it was my solemn duty to do some “research” and attend the sample sale. Plus, I had to be in the area anyways to pick up my relatives from LAX. Without further ado, here’s my full report for all your shoe lovers….
At the T-intersection of Buckingham Parkway, visitors are greeted to the Charles David Warehouse with the following sign. Note: The area consists of a bunch of business centers and warehouses so don’t be alarmed if it doesn’t look like you are in a shopping/retail area.
The sale is actually in the parking lot of the warehouse. So, girls, if you are attending, you might want to bring water and/or a hat. It was quite hot out there.
The shoes were, for the most part, arranged by size. The setup is basically a U-shape with a thick center aisle for common sizes like 7s and 8s. Here’s my rudimentary drawing that shows where the shoes are.
And now the good stuff….the shoes! Overall, I felt the selection was pretty good. The sale carried shoes from the Charles David, Charles by Charles David, and Exchange by Charles David line. When I got there (around Friday, 10am), they said they would be continuously restocking the shoes until near the end of the day. From the looks of the loading dock, I think they were getting ready to replenish the Exchange line.
Sadly, while the sale lists handbags, I was informed they sold out on the first day of the sale. I guess the early bird really does catch the worm.
Considering that Charles David shoes can run up to $200 / pair, I thought the prices were fantastic. I felt highly incentivized to purchase in bulk, since a pair of Charles David shoes went for $45 but 2 or more pairs when for $30 a pair. For the Exchange and Charles by Charles David line, the shoes were $25 or $22.50 for 2 or more pairs.
In case you find a shoe without the matching pair, look for an area with shoes missing their solemate.
The sitting area offers you a place to get away from the sun and try on some shoes. There are also mirrors at the end of the center aisles in case you need a different view.
What I affectionately call the shoebox graveyard. All purchases from the shoe do NOT come with the box and are discarded to the graveyard.
I felt the sale was pretty well organized. The checkout line was only a minute long wait when I went. While the salespeople were not overly friendly (i.e. didn’t come up to me and see if I needed help), they were quite helpful when I had questions. I can only assume that it was their second day dealing with shoe crazed women in the sun, so I thought their attitude was very good.
Now I bet you’re wondering what I picked up. I think I fared quite well. I bought 6 pairs of shoes (not all for me) for $165!!! Some of them are probably too high for me, but I just couldn’t resist the price. Also, it’s charity dinner season, so I’ll have ample opportunity to walk around for only a few minutes before sitting down at the dinner table.
2 Purchases from the Charles by Charles David Line
and 4 shoes from Charles David. Click on the picture for a more high-res view.
So, Sol Cal Girls, have I tempted you enough? If you are interested in going, here’s the address. I’d love to hear what you bought on our forums.
1St Annual Charles David Warehouse and Sample Sale
Hours: Thursday (10/18) and Friday (/10/19) – (9am-6pm), Saturday 10/20 ( 9am-5pm).
What: All shoes, boots, and handbags are discounted up to 80%.
Location: 5731 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City, California 90230.
Payment: Cash/ CC accepted.
P.S. Blogging might be a bit slow for me the next few days since the relatives are in town. Fortunately, we are going shopping (window shopping for me) at Rodeo and Melrose and I promise to post picts.
18 Comments
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June 11, 2010 at 8:38 am, Leandro Ostermann said:
Thanks for the article. I really enjoyed the readt.
October 23, 2009 at 3:06 pm, Shomore said:
Laura -
You might want to try signing up to their email list.
http://www.charlesdavid.com/contact/
If we are aware of any sales in the future (we might be on a PR's email list), we'll try to email you or do a post.
October 23, 2009 at 8:57 am, Laura said:
How do I get on the email list to be notified of future sales?
October 17, 2008 at 9:56 am, Where Sale » Blog Archive » 10/23/08 - 10/25/08 Charles David Semi-Annual Warehouse Sale - Los Angeles, CA said:
[...] http://www.shoeblog.com/blog/charles-david-warehouse-and-sample-sale-report/ [...]
July 12, 2008 at 12:01 pm, Crispy said:
wish i coulda been there
May 05, 2008 at 7:31 am, Mercedes_ShoeBird said:
This blog is so wonderful and the ladies that support it seem wonderful too. Is there any other major designers having warehouse sales in ANY other part of the country ?? I ‘d love to get to a Manolo, Jimmy Choo and Isabella Fiore warehouse sale —– If you know what I mean !!! Just a chance to dig until my hearts content !!!!! That’s my ideal shopping day ! digging thru sale priced high-end shoes !!! (ahhhhhhhhhh!) thanks you guys —-BYE BYE !
April 21, 2008 at 4:41 am, The Ultimate ShopAho said:
I went Thurs thru Sat and found shoes on each day I bought a total of 6 pairs of shoes and a pair of boots. Talk about being on cloud nine;0)
April 21, 2008 at 4:38 am, The Ultimate ShoAhol said:
I was there s October and can't stop jumping up and down for this coming sale. Girls get ready, it will be a madhouse but it is all worth it.
April 18, 2008 at 12:09 pm, Charles David 2nd Semi-Annual Warehouse Sale | ShoeBlog said:
[...] me. Has it been six months since the last Charles David semi-annual warehouse sale? I really wish I still lived in LA because if this upcoming sale is anything like the first one, [...]
November 27, 2007 at 3:30 am, Charles David Shoes on Sale at Amazon | ShoeBlog said:
[...] those that couldn’t partake in the Charles David Warehouse Sample Sale held back in October, I have good news for you. Right now, Amazon.com is having a sale in [...]
October 26, 2007 at 8:55 am, Shomore said:
ShoeCrazy, can I be your friend?
Sophia, I'm totally happy with my purchases but now I wonder if I should have gone on Saturday too.
Love to see what you two bought!
October 24, 2007 at 12:17 pm, Sophia said:
Went Saturday after 4PM. At that time all shoes were $20/pair. Many ecletic and dainty pairs of shoes resurfaced. I bought a good amount. And love them all.
October 22, 2007 at 6:27 am, ShoeCrazy said:
I went on Thursday and Friday.. and got 27 pairs total (not all for me). it was not crazy on Thursday and the selection was not necessarily better. in fact, i think the selection was better on Friday. Of course, on Friday i got there at 7 am to stand in line. Purses were sold out by 9:10 a.m. on Thursday; i missed them too!
October 20, 2007 at 5:24 pm, Vannesa said:
I went on Thursday with my girlfriend Sarah who was the one that told me about it and I only found one pair of shoes, but then when I told my other friend Maureen, we went on Friday and we found six pairs each! We did not know the day before, that every time the table was getting kind of empty… they were bringing new shoes!!! We went again today Saturday, and it truly sucked! It was not nice, especially running into desperate people that wanted to fight other women for one single pair of Charles David shoes….! Inbelievable! But worth it every day of the sale!
October 19, 2007 at 5:42 pm, Shomore said:
Bettie – The feeling is entirely mutual. Whenever I read about the sample sales in NY, I'm green with envy.
October 19, 2007 at 4:30 pm, Shoe Head said:
I could not make it, but a couple of friends did. I heard it was a great sale. One friend complained they were not giving out the boxes. I say discount no box no problems.
October 19, 2007 at 4:22 pm, Shoe Head said:
I live right near there, I could not make it. A couple of my friends made and said it was a great Sale. One did complain that they were not giving out the boxes. I say discount who needs boxes.
October 19, 2007 at 12:09 pm, bettie said:
nice purchases! oh sooooo jealous i'm in ny — wish i could go too!