How to shop a "flash sale" and score deep designer discounts!

Flash sales (and websites dedicated entirely to flash sales) are becoming more and more common - one of the few silver linings to a slow economy - and if you know how to take advantage, you can grab amazing designer investment pieces at a fraction of the usual cost. 

Stores like Banana Republic and The Bay often have lunchtime deals that are good for a couple of hours online or in-store for one day only.  A few select items are involved, and the deals are substantial.  You can gain access to the info by following them on facebook or signing up for their emails.

Sites like Beyond The Rack, Snitzy, and Gilt offer great brands (yes, to Canadians) for specified periods of time (usually a few days) and are very much worth checking in on each week.  They have calendars telling you what is coming up and when, and as soon as a sale goes live you need to be ready to pounce before items sell out.  I grabbed a Pink Tartan coat in 2008 that was currently retailing around $800 at Holt Renfrew for under $400 on Beyond The Rack.  It's still my favourite coat and what a bargain!  Gilt.com has Valentino, Tracy Reese Shoes, and Ali Ro on sale today.

For more tips & tricks on how to maximize your designer discount dollar, check out this great article from The Globe & Mail.  Thanks to my girl Vanessa for sending it my way!