Gymboree tips?

[mrsklamc]

We are expecting our first little one, I walked into Gymboree tonight not expecting to buy anything- just killing time while DH shopped at the Apple Store- and of course, bought something.

I know I've seen threads about big sales here...and it looks like I may have just missed Gymbucks? How often do they do them? Anything else I need to know? TIA!

 

[tzeitel]

That is funny - I did the same thing when expecting. I just went in to look around while DH was going to some other store - walked out with about 3 outfits! You can find really good deals at Gymbo, especially for the smaller sizes. They do Gymbucks once a season, they also have Red Dot sales - which is their super clearance a couple of times a year.

You can find tons of Gymbo on Ebay - both new and used. DD outgrew their clothes about 3 years ago but before that, Gymbo was 90% of her closet

Gymbo also has a sister site - Crazy 8 - which has very cute things for less $$. They also have some outlets which have their own lines but that are almost identical to the stuff in the regular store.

 

[HHMcG]

I'm a big Gymboree fan. But I have been doing a good job avoiding it lately. (And saving some $ )

My favorite is the "Fill-a-Bag" sale. (I think that is the one.) Everything in the store and online is marked down 30% off, even clearance. It is whatever sale it is that does not require a 'code'. Then if you have a coupon you can usually get another 20% off on top of that. (Gymbo does not let you stack codes.)

I will also buy clearance + coupon.

I try to avoid buying anything that is full price + coupon. But occasionally DD will love something for a special occasion and I'll do it. But it kills me.

Most of the time purchases will earn you gymbucks. I usually try to 'save' some things that we want for gymbuck redemption. If not I find I buy things I don't really need or aren't a great deal. But some things can sell out before gymbuck redemption so it is a guessing game figuring out what to wait to buy.

Get the free rewards card. They will mail you coupons. And depending on how much you spend you earn rewards dollars. Oh and sales may start a day early which is great to get a jump on some of the items you wait on.

 

[mrsklamc]

Thanks! I am just looking for a couple of things right now and they are sold out online, so I will check the stores around me and then wait & see what else comes out that I like. (I was in a store this morning and someone who was obviously experienced at this asked the clerk when a new line would be out and she said the 20th-21st.)

I did some googling and found out that a current magazine that a friend happens to subscribe to has a 20% off coupon in it that expires 11/30 and it looks like in the past they have had a 30% off sale on Black Friday, so hopefully if there is anything else I want, I can combine those and get 50% off.

 

[kellyjeanie]

The key is patience and a stock of coupons. If you can buy ahead that's great but I know it's not always possible. If it's not a complete must-have, just wait - later in the season stuff gets marked down. Watch for the additional % off clearance sales, you can stack those with a coupon and get pretty good deals. Combine that with Gymbucks earning and things get pretty cheap. I agree with getting the rewards card. Black Friday is a pretty good sale, they usually have some nice fleece sets that end up being dirt cheap. They just had the Baby Sale, that's a great sale for new lines.

You should be able to find great deals on tiny sizes.

If you're serious about obsessing, join Gymbofriends, they always have the lead on which sales are coming up, how items fit, new lines, etc. My kids wear mostly Gymbo, either stuff I bought new or used. I always shop there because the sales are so good and the resale is great for what you pay.

Also, CONGRATS!!

 

[LJSquishy]

Thanks! I am just looking for a couple of things right now and they are sold out online, so I will check the stores around me and then wait & see what else comes out that I like. (I was in a store this morning and someone who was obviously experienced at this asked the clerk when a new line would be out and she said the 20th-21st.)

I did some googling and found out that a current magazine that a friend happens to subscribe to has a 20% off coupon in it that expires 11/30 and it looks like in the past they have had a 30% off sale on Black Friday, so hopefully if there is anything else I want, I can combine those and get 50% off.

Just in case you aren't aware, a 30% off sale combined with a 20% off coupon does not equal 50% off.

If an item is $20, they subtract 30% making it $14. Then, they take another 20% off of the sale price, making the final price $11.20 rather than $10.

 

[msmama]

I don't know if your plans include another baby, so you might want to save things, but I know Gymbo stuff wears really well. There are websites and forums dedicated to reselling Gymboree clothing. I've seen some stuff go for crazy amounts of money on eBay, too.

(I personally am not a huge fan - I prefer the gymboree outlet or crazy 8).

 

[BadgerGirl84]

The Gymboree clothes my daughter has are all from thrift stores, consignment sales or gifts. I don't feel like jumping through hoops to get a deal...their regular priced clothes are expensive IMO. Plus, I try to avoid the mall....

 

[kellyjeanie]

I don't jump through hoops, just watch for sales. I don't have time to trawl consignment shops and thrift stores, plus none around here anyway. I don't buy regular-priced clothes. I do buy used on ebay and Facebook if I can find a deal, and occasionally I find a gem at a garage sale - but since the closest Gymboree is 100 miles away but it's rare.

Gymboree outlet is hit or miss. The regular priced stuff is expensive, and the quality isn't as good. I don't get to go very often but occasionally I have found awesome deals at end-of-season sales.

I love Crazy 8 for cheap clothes! It doesn't wash as well but for the price it's hard to beat!

 

[msemomofthree]

One (very long) word for you: gymboplace.com You will thank me (and probably curse me, too)!! It's a great site for all things Gymbo including sale info, new lines, general discussion, a nice BST (buy, sell, trade) section, and just an all-around great group of ladies!

Also check out gymbohaven.com for pictures of old lines. I use it to check out older lines and find ones I like so I can narrow down my ebay searches.

 

[mrsklamc]

Thanks for the tips. I just got several things for 3.99 online. They have a sale that started today, but I think it's just for reward members and will be open to everyone tomorrow.

I'd have liked to go to the store today, but I'm just not going to make it, so $5 for shipping wasn't too bad.