Have you ever waited a really long time to buy something? I have been in the market for a new purse for more than a year, but yesterday my long wait was redeemed by a fantastic deal!
I opened an email from Ebates saying the cash back rebate at Ebags.com had jumped from 6% to 20% off. One day only! So in between blogging, I hunted the site for my dream bag. Not too big, a casual design, and something that could be worn across my body. After years of traditional purses, I wanted a mini messenger bag.
I was eyeing a $30 polyester messenger bag, which reviews said was low quality, or a $35 cloth satchel, which I knew would quickly lose its shape. Then I found this crazy monkey jacquard for $84, above. Cute high-quality bag, but way too much money.
Until I spotted a 20% off + free shipping coupon for $100 or more. I added a badly needed toiletry travel case (been using mine since college) for $19.99. No tax. No shipping. Twenty percent off. My total came to $83.19, $.81 lower than the original price of the purse. Plus, my Ebates check for $16.63 means I will have paid $66.55 for a purchase that would have originally been with shipping, $111.94. That’s 41% off. Yeehaw!!!
The moral of my hot purse deal is that if you wait until you can combine a coupon with a sale and a cash back offer, you are in for a steal.
About three years ago I bought a beautiful leather purse worth $160 for $80 directly from the wholesaler. Three words: NYC, cash, connection. I used it long after it went out of style until the leather was so marked up I had to retire it. My next bag was a hand-me-down from a friend who tired of her canvas tote. From there I moved onto a used grey faux-leather shoulder baguette that probably didn’t match half the outfits I wore it with. But it was only $10 at the fantastic thrift store Crossroads. My latest purse was a cheap black nylon bag I picked up at my college reunion last summer. After two months it was starting to show major wear and tear, so I renewed my hunt for the perfect carryall.
I can’t wait to get my new purse in the mail! What’s the longest you’ve waited for a deal?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
Gosh, good for you! 🙂 …Wish I had known & ridden the wave with you! Sigh. Maybe next time… I need to be more diligent! Happy for You Girl!!
I love the cute monkey print! I needed a handbag so bad since I was duck-taping one handle to stay on until I could find something. Finally found a Groupon deal a few months ago and now have a sensible purse, but still wanted something cute.
Yesterday grabbed an Eversave deal and should be able to get some fun, less expensive totes/bags finally! Love the deals, sometimes few and far between, but oh so worth it!
I always use http://www.mrrebates.com because it has better returns
I love my current purse so much (original price $79 at Kohls, then on clearance and used a gift card I had plus a % off coupon). I loved it so much that I waited a few weeks and went back and saw that it was clearanced even further so I bought an identical second one to have when this first one bites the dust. Check back with me in 20 years and I hope to still be using it, I love it so much. http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/clearance/womens1/accessories/PRD~558790/Simply+Vera+Vera+Wang+Gathered+Signature+Tote.jsp
Julia,
That’s a great deal! I think I have a similar philosophy as yours with purses 🙂
I got my latest bag during a Kohl’s clearance sale. I was able to pair the sale with a $5 off coupon from kohls.com and my stylish black leather bag came to under $20!
It was a little fancier than I would usually buy, but then I got a new job where I have to dress up every day. Now the bag goes perfectly with my outfits!
Thanks for sharing your deal!
Try T.J.Maxx Stores for purses. Just found a fab purse there. No shipping since its In Store Only and Up to 60% off department store prices.