I just got an email from the Santa Monica Fred Segal store that they've created an online shopping site for one of their boutiques, 0-+ (call it zerominusplus). It's got fair trade and artisan-created gift items and jewelry.

I just checked out the site briefly. I don't care for their return policy: they charge a 10% restocking fee and things must be returned within 14 days. And the shipping charges are steep (from 10% to over 46% of your purchase price; they have a chart with the price ranges. It seems arbitrary to me, which I read as being opportunistic based on the popularity of certain items).

Although I don't think much of it as an online site, since the sites set up as exclusively online generally have much better service terms, it nevertheless is easier to buy from this site than to fly out to California if one wants something from that particular boutique.

I finally clicked on the ad in Facebook that shows cute shoes from Like.com. I didn't have time to examine the site much today, but it seems to have an interesting concept. It allows you to shop for items visually. So if you see a shoe (or other item) that you kind-of like, but it's not quite what you want, you can isolate the feature you want to search on.

If you know what a D'Orsay shoe style looks like, for example, then you are probably doing all right using text searches on most sites. But if you don't know the particular names for different styles of shoes, then this site is for you--you'll actually be able to look at the details you like, and search for similar items, without getting an advanced degree in shoe terminology.

Rue La La had a boutique opening this morning, and I actually remembered to check it out right when it opened, before everything was sold out. I put a cute pair of silver earrings in my cart, but while I went into the other room to get a ruler so I could hold 5/8" up to my ear to make sure I liked the size for that style, they became sold out.

When I went to check out, I was informed that the sale waits for no one, and the last pair of earrings was taken from my cart since I hadn't yet checked out. That's usually how these sorts of timed boutique sales work, so I wasn't surprised. And really only mildly disappointed, since it was going to be an impulse purchase, and I hadn't entirely made up my mind about getting them in the first place. So someone who knew exactly what they wanted made up my mind for me.

The Chloe sale is Friday. The preview bags look nice (although generally, I dislike the way Rue La La only shows videos as their sale preview), so I might actually do my research in advance, select a bag or two from the line that I would like, and set my own valuation before I see the Ru La La price. That way I'll be ready to spring into action as soon as the sale starts at 11am. . .

I've been sending out Rue La La invitations with abandon lately, and as in my previous post, if you want an invite first register with the email address you'd like to use then add a comment to one of my Rue La La posts and I'll send one your way. Your email address is not published.

I was looking for a used copy of the book Fontbook when I came across this vendor on Amazon.com, Griffin Books, who had a new copy for sale for $599.

Problem is, you can buy a new copy from the publisher for $99. I think the $599 is completely abusive pricing. I wouldn't have a problem with Griffin charging $150. I can only hope that someone who wants to buy Fontbook will see this post before they get to the Griffin offer.

I still haven't found a used copy for sale yet, but I'll keep looking. Although $99 is a reasonable price for the new book, since I don't need it for business it's more than I care to spend which is why I'd be happy to settle for a used copy. I'll try craigslist in NY, there might be designers willing to give away their 3rd edition if they got the 4th. . .

I just got a free "membership" to a new online discount boutique site, Rue La La. I've shopped at other sites like this, they're usually pretty good. Generally it works like this:
1) you get invited to join
2) you get emails announcing when the next sale will be
3) at the time of the sale, you log on and shop online like any other online store

The main difference is that these discount "boutiques" generally have more exclusive merchandise than you'd find at most mass-merchants. And when something's sold out, it's gone. And things can get snapped up very fast. Generally, even if it's in your "shopping cart" someone could grab it from you if you haven't actually purchased it yet. It can be a bit of a frenzy, like a real-life designer sale but without the physical pushing and shoving. Also without the ability to try things on (even while fully clothed in the aisle. . .), so there's the trade-off.

I just signed up now so I can't vouch for this particular site (their next sale isn't until April), but if you'd like to check it out, first register and login then post a comment with your request on one of my Rue La La posts here, and I'll send you an invitation (then once you're in you can invite your friends, etc.).

FYI - I'm the only one who sees your email address, it's not published in the comment.