The Survivor's Guide to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: 12 Tips to Help You Avoid Sale Madness

It's the middle of July so you know what that means, the back-to-schools sales are starting. One of the larger back-to-school sales that take place this summer is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Everyone knows these type of sales get a little hectic, so to help you avoid all the madness we have given you a guide to the Nordstrom sale.

#1- Be there on time at opening time the first day of the sale. That is when they will have the most sizes, more colors, and best overall selection.

#2- Have a game plan and remember to prioritize.

#3- Have an idea of what you’re looking for before you get there.

#4- Know your size. Make sure you know your sizes in tops, bottoms, and shoes. If you know your sizes vary in certain areas, remember to keep that in mind while shopping. Also if you know you have a very common shoe or jean size, you know to go to those areas first. You can always try and shrink tops, but you can’t shrink jeans or shoes.

#5- Go to shoes first. Because you must have a sales person to help you and bring you your sizes be there first, unless you’re not planning on getting any shoes. Other wise you’re going to end up in line behind 15 people waiting for a sales person. Also because shoes sizes always go first, if you wait too long it might be hard to find your size.

#6- Go to jeans and pants second. Because it’s important that your jeans be the right size you need to be able to find the right size, style, and fit for you. Again, if you know you wear a very common jean size, you want to get there fast to be able to get the size you need.

#7- Don’t just browse. If you see something you like in your size grab it, and hold onto it. Otherwise when you go back to grab it later it might be gone. You can always put it back.

#8- Avoid having to try things on. During huge sales dressing rooms are packed, and lines waiting for them are long. If you have to hold it up to yourself and guess. If worst comes to worst give it your best guess, buy it, and try it on at home. You can always take it back and exchange it for the right size, or get your money back.

#9- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It might take a couple minuets but don’t be afraid to track down a salesperson, it will save you time and a lot of frustration. That’s their job, it’s what they’re there for. If you need help finding something they are usually able to track it down. Can’t find your size? Just ask someone. They will be able to check the backroom for you. If they still can’t find your size they are able to find which of their other stores do have it, and they can have it shipped to you.

#10- Don’t be afraid to return things. Buy what you like. Them bring it home and try it all on, make sure it fits. What you might think fits well in the dressing room, might not fit so great once you get home and try it. Match it with what you already have in your closet. Make sure you can get lots of use out of it and wear with lots of different things. If you decide you don’t like it anymore, or want a different color or size, take it back or exchange it. You’ll get your money back and feel better that that you didn’t waste it.

#11- Go more than one day. If you go the first day, wait and go again the third or fourth. As the sale continues on they gradually bring out more of what they have in stock. What you find the third day, might not have been there the first day. Not to mention the third and fourth days aren’t as hectic as the first two days.

#12- Have fun! Make a day of it. As crazy as the environment might be, relax and enjoy yourself. Sales are supposed to be fun not stressful. It doesn’t matter what or how much you buy, it’s about how much fun you have while doing it.