It's On! The GoLite Warehouse (and Sample) Sale for 2 More Days

 

WARNING! This sale is in a different location. There's more parking and it's easier than the Gunbarrel location. 

Another difference from the usual GoLite warehouse sale, at least from what I've noticed at past sales, is that GoLite is selling both new product and samples. Samples are just that, sample products that sales reps take from store to store so product buyers can see the goods. Sample sales are usually deeply discounted (in this case GoLite was selling them for around 80% off) and are generally sold as is.

And here, my discount-hunting friends, is the fall 2010 GoLite Warehouse Sale price list.

Suspicious Warehouse Sales Are Afoot!

I just drove down Pearl Parkway and saw a bunch of tents near the Scarpa warehouse at:

Scarpa North America

3550E Frontier Ave

Boulder, CO 80301

Get Directions

(303) 998-2895

scarpa.com‎

I saw tents for Scarpa, Backcountry Access, Teko, and one or two others. I didn't have time to stop by and I don't see any announcements on any of their websites. Anyone know the inside scoop?

I also saw a (tiny!) sign for the Wallaroo Hat Company Sale here:

WALLAROO HAT COMPANY
1880 SOUTH FLATIRON COURT, SUITE E
BOULDER, COLORADO 80301

Phone:		(303) 494-5949
Toll Free:		(888) WAL-AROO (888) 925-2766
E-mail:		info@wallaroohats.com
Fax:		(303) 245-8720

But again, I see no announcements online. My toddler likes his Wallaroo sun hat, i.e. he actually leaves it on.

Gear Up for Running at the Bolder Boulder CleaRUNce Sale!

Bolder Boulder Warehouse Sale

Friday, August 27, 8am-6pm

5500 Central Ave

Boulder, CO 80301-2847

(303) 444-7223

Check out the Bolder Boulder Warehouse Sale on Friday, August 27th. You can preview some of the sale items at the Bolder Boulder website clearance sale page.

I went last year and scored $5 Crocs, an awesome New Balance tech shirt that is now my favorite, a tech race shirt that's a little too skimpy for comfort, and a pair of tech socks. I don't remember what I paid, but I'm pretty sure it was under $25. They do take credit cards.

Quick warning: This sale is in a parking lot with tents, but if you're indecisive, make sure you wear sunblock!

View Larger Map

GoLite Warehouse Sale in Boulder This Weekend!

GoLite's awesome semi-annual warehouse sale is this weekend!

Friday, April 23
8am-8pm

Saturday, April 24

9am-5pm

Sunday, April 25

9am-5pm

6230 Lookout Road

Boulder, CO 80301

I've been going to this unbelievable warehouse sale for several years now, since it was in the GoLite office truck port and parking lot. It's always been worth the drive to Gunbarrel during lunchbreak, and it's usually worth the wait in line at the door.

In fact, the wait line at the door has been almost empty the last few times I've gone. That's not because the event is less popular, but because the GoLite team got smart and realized that you want people waiting once they've committed to the purchase, not before they've had the chance to sample the wares.

This is a well run sale with good merch and good prices. GoLite rents out several thousand square feet of empty office space and fills it with tables, racks, and bins of perfectly good merchandise that is still in season. I haven't bought a large quantity of stuff there -- maybe 3-5 items -- but they've always been retail ready and never cosmetically flawed or wonkily cut.

GoLite has been consistent about offering this sale and they've promoted it well, which means the community knows what to expect -- it's becoming local tradition to lighten our wallets for lightweight gear. It's easy to find and easyish to park. The sale itself, though it can be ungodly hot during the summer when the office space has no AC, is not so crowded as to be elbowingly unpleasant, but just crowded enough to inspire you to lust for gear, shop with a glint in your eye, paw through the bins, and lose your inhibition and DIY a dressing room.

BUT! Man, the checkout line can be brutal. The price of no line in the door is a long line at the register. This is my kind of shopping, though -- I want to be convinced I really need the gear and really like the price before I'll commit to a half hour checkout line. I'm not sure what GoLite can do but add to its existing battery of 12 cash registers. They've got all the discount pricing in a nice POS database and all the employees (poor bastards) seem to know what they're doing. It's just that most of the people who go to the sale seem to buy many items, which takes time to ring up.

If you can find a designated sucker shopper, give them a print out of the gear you want from the GoLite website with your size preference and two color options then make sure you're accessible by phone. You might need to bribe them first or apologize later, so think about how you'll thank Geeves when s/he gets back to the office. And whatever you do, act thrilled with what they got for you, even if it's the wrong color or doesn't fit. It can be agonizing to make a purchasing decision for yourself in the midst of a warehouse sale much less make a judgment call for someone else. So don't be an ingrate. Accept effusively, pay promptly, and sneak back to the sale later to get what you wanted.

(But don't try to exchange without a receipt! Those poor warehouse sale staffers are harried enough from the frenzied crowds, being on their feet all day, trying to help edgy shoppers find just the right size and color shirt at bargain prices, and keeping one eye peeled for shoplifters. Just suck up the loss and shop for yourself next time!)

In the past, GoLite has had a price list available. I'll see if I can score one and post it here. Check back on Friday afternoon.

Obviously, the prices are pretty incredible -- that 30-90% off price range is legit, though most gear seems to be in the 50-60% off range. My favorite piece of "warehouse wear" is this Wisp Wind Shirt, which I bought at the sale for $20 ($30 off) and have since found to be key gear for running in the Colorado springtime. 

Update: Here are the price lists! (Click to enlarge.)

 

Title Nine Warehouse Sale in Boulder, March 25-28

The Title Nine Blowout Sale is coming to Boulder!

March 25-28, 2010
29th Street Mall
1300 29th Street (on the corner of Arapahoe and 28th Street), Boulder, CO 80301

Prices up to 60% off on womens’ shorts, pants, running and hiking gear, swim, bras, tees, shoes and more! Arrive early for the best selection. Parking available. We accept Visa, Master Card, cash and checks. Gift cards not accepted at sale.

For more info call: 303-996-0074
Thursday/Friday 10am – 7pm
Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 11am – 5pm

GoLite Semi-Annual Warehouse Clearance Sale December 4-6

VeloSwap, the Cycling Flea Market, Is This Saturday

Here's an obligatory plug for VeloSwap, the consumer cycling show that is part of the my employer's corporate "family".

Okay, so VeloSwap is usually mobbed by 12,000 to 20,000 bargain-starved, two-wheel fanatics.

And, alright, it's got that BMX stunt team making noise every few minutes.

Sure, sure, it's located in Denver's most miserable venue, the National Western Complex (home of our Pro Rodeo and right across the street from the Purina factory).

BUT, VeloSwap is also a great way to rub elbows with people who, like you, are really passionate about riding (and getting a great deal).

Check out the 'Swap and see if you can score that sweet Serotta road frame you've been looking for or a lightly used wheelset fer yer fixie or a new mountain fork. At VeloSwap, you really never know what--or who--you're going to run into.

BolderBOULDER Warehouse Sale! Aug 28

The BolderBoulder is hosting its warehouse sale on Friday, August 28th!

BolderBoulder Warehouse Sale
Friday, August 28th
8am-6pm
5500 Central Ave.
Boulder, CO 80301

The official announcement is here.

The sale, which will somehow feature identical pricing on the online store and in person (how will they track inventory?), includes $5 technical t-shirts by adidas. Check out the tech tees here.

Neptune Mountaineering Hosts Multi-Brand Rep Sale - Aug 14

Neptune Mountaineering hosted a summer clearance and "rep" sale from August 14-23. A rep sale is when sales reps pool their inventory to sell off the sample products they've used throughout the season to try to sell product into retail stores. It's like a warehouse sale, except with a smaller selection and, for apparel, mostly size medium.

Did you make it to this sale? How was it? Let us know in the comments.