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Have you been shaking your fist at the sky in a fit of pink and green flowers?
I have gone through the range of emotions in dealing with the latest Target collaboration (excitement, anticipation, frustration, sadness). I am a consumer with a credit card/Target credit in hand and would have liked a few pieces from the Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection before it practically sold out by 8:30 am EST on the launch day. Of course any of the few items in my Target shopping basket were completely gone by 9 am EST. Sigh…
So what’s an eager Lilly fan to do? I still have hope that I will get a few items (and already got a mommy and me outfit for my daughter and I!) Here are my tips for getting the rest of the items on my Lilly Pulitzer for Target list:
1. Create a network of shoppers
Your friends are those people who laugh with you, cry with you, and shop with you. Are you friends with fellow Target fans? Ask a good friend or two and get a few more pairs of eyes on the coveted items on your list. I have a friend and enthusiastic Target shopper who is traveling through a few states and has happily offered to get me a few things if she sees them in store (she luckily already got a few things on launch day!) I also asked my mom to look in store (she requires far more instruction and is definitely not a savvy shopper) and she surprised me by finding the ONLY Lilly Pulitzer for Target dress in the store when a store associate offered to help her look in the fitting room. Voila – I got a shift dress in my size!!!
2. Join or Search Facebook/Instagram
It’s the age of social media and virtual girlfriends helping each other out. I’m part of a Facebook group (sorry membership closed right now, but there are a few) where the members are happy to pass on information about where they have seen items like the Lilly Pulitzer for Target items. They even offer to trade items or even better buy and ship products when they have extras. These ladies do it at cost with minimal fees for shipping and handling. I got a girl’s dress for my daughter to wear in a few years and am very happy to have paid just the cost and shipping! They are true shopping buddies that also just want to share the fun. There are also instances of ladies selling on Instagram as well. Keep your eyes peeled and search not only for “Lilly Pulitzer Target” but for keywords like “#LillyforTarget” or a print like “SeaUrchinPrint”. Some Instagram sellers are in it purely for profit though and you can tell as evidenced by their asking prices. Moving on…
3. Stalk a store
People change their minds (a lot). Benefit from someone else’s store return by checking out the customer service section or the section where you want to shop (home, women’s clothing, etc.). Remember that items can be anywhere (see where my mom found my dress above!) I just found out one really fabulous way to look up Target store inventory via Brickseek. It saves the time of driving from store to store because you are presented with the availability of the items that you seek. I’ve looked up a few of the items that I want and it has really helped me to narrow down the stores where there is a greater chance of me finding what I want though I may not sure what section the item will be located. Here is how it works:
a. Go to Target.com and search for the item that you seek in the store.
b. On the item page, go to the bottom in “other Info,” and look for the Store Item number/DCPI number. Copy this number
c. Go to the Brickseek Target inventory page and enter in your zip code and paste the DCPI number.
d. You are presented with a list of numbers in your area and potential inventory including saleable inventory.
4. eBay
I know, I know, why give into eBay right? Don’t give into eBay or Instagram sellers with ridiculous prices! Bidding on items will only drive up the price further and encourage the crazy hoarding and reselling behavior in the future. But I have gotten a few coveted items like a Thakoon for Target dress and a Kate Young for Target dress by shopping for them a few weeks or months after the collaboration launch. I paid close to or even below retail prices for these dresses and am happy to have found them in my size. eBay is the largest virtual shopping place in the US so you will most certainly find what you’re looking for on the site. Just be patient and use my tips for how to create a saved search.
How else are you finding your Lilly Pulitzer for Target items?
Isn’t it crazy how much some people sell items from these stores. I remember when the Karl Lagerfeld for Macy’s collab came out several years back, I saw loads on eBay with such high pricing. 🙂 Great tips! Thanks!
Comfort & Clarks
Ha! I was going to say ebay would be a terrible idea! That’s where all those buyers who hoard and take everything end up selling them at inflated prices. It’s sad when people do that and so freakin infuriating. I have a friend who lives somewhere in CT and her town Target is always stocked. At least that was for the Missoni collob (I think, it was a while ago now). That bit of advice is perfect for those wanting to get their hands on some. Ask people from other towns, sometimes the less fashion forward or obsessed are the ones with decent amount of stock. I just learned over here Dion Lee is set to collab. That is going to be INSANE for Australians. I think we’ll start seeing those mobs and sell outs again like the Stella McCartney one did.
Sxx
http://www.daringcoco.com
Excellent post! One of my blog buddies was selling a LP clothing item, so I tagged you. Glad you’re getting things from the collection.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/
Super tips doll!! Love bargains. Ebay is great, but you really must look around first as I see stuff on there at crazy prices that I could buy in the store cheaper or find elsewhere. It’s a fab place for bargains, but you must be aware of the item your buying because some sellers are crazy with their prices. x
These are such great tips and I think living out of the country has helped me get over the disappointment of not getting items because I used to stand in line at Target and I know there isn’t a chance of getting my brother in SF to do it for me lol. BUT I totally agree with your tips and it’s really all about being patient. I have noticed people always return items (especially if they’re not able to rip people off on ebay) so it’s worth checking the returns or have a friend help like you said. I had no idea about the FB groups of nice shoppers – that is really cool. Great post with so much good info.
xoDale
Dale, seriously these collabs are so gorgeous! There have been returns trickling in so it is possible to find things! I don’t know if you saw my Instagram comment, but my mom just found a few Lilly pulitzer for Target girl’s pieces on Saturday! Definitely use Brickseek to look for a few things and ask your brother to stop by Target since he doesn’t have to wait in any crazy line now. Please also email me if you’d like me to keep an eye out for specific items as well. Hopefully I can help you track down some things through my sources too 😉
[…] of Target collaborations, I missed the Lilly Pulitzer day, but I read online it was insane! Read this post by Little Luxury List – ‘How To Get Lilly Pulitzer for Target without Paying a 500% […]