October 2008

Buying “green” can be expensive, especially if you’re like me, and prefer to shop from smaller designers/boutiques who produce in limited quantities. Independent designers don’t produce/sell on the large scale that Wal-Mart does, so prices will naturally be higher…they also make an effort to pay fair wages, produce locally, and donate to charities. These are all great reasons to support smaller designers/boutiques, but I can’t lie, it definitely affects my wallet!

I actually make most of my purchases online and NEVER checkout without shopping around or using a coupon code. I’ve built my business around making online shopping easier, more efficient, and fun; over the years, I have created several resources that I use all the time to help me save green while shopping green…and now, I’m sharing them with you. Happy (green) Shopping!!!

1. Shop with Coupon Codes: Honestly, this is the only way I shop; I don’t have the patience to wait for things to go on sale and I tend to like more unique/designer pieces, which are generally more expensive. And I KNOW I can usually find a code for my favorite boutiques. FIRST…check our list of exclusive coupon codes for more than 20 eco-chic boutiques & designers (also check blog posts in the “coupons” category), then, check grechenscodes.com for more, and if you still don’t find what you’re looking for, google it! Some additional useful coupon resources:
   Retailmenot – user-submitted codes for lots of boutiques (not always updated though)
   White Apricot – good selection of eco-friendly boutique/designer coupon codes
2. Shop Sales at smaller eco-boutiques: Browse through our list of Shopping sites for boutiques, clothing designers, handbags, shoes, and much more, then check out their sale sections. You’re more likely to find current or just out of season pieces marked down at these boutiques. While you’re there, sign up for their mailing lists for sale notifications and exclusive discounts to their subscribers – sometimes they’ll send you a discount code just for signing up!
3. Shop Discount Eco-Boutiques like You Deserve and mainstream boutiques that have a selection of eco-friendly designers like Bluefly.
4. Use our Designer Directories: If I do say so myself, our Directory of Eco-Friendly Designers is comprehensive, easy to use, and a FABULOUS resource for shopping online. Using the directory, you can find most (if not all) the boutiques that sell a specific designer online and then compare prices by browsing each boutique. For example, I found the Del Forte Marina Trouser at Tobi, Envi, and You Deserve. They are cheapest at You Deserve, AND they are not final sale as they are at Tobi & Envi…so it seems the better deal. But it’s always worth it to search through several boutiques before settling on buying from one – Equita still has the Del Forte Marina Trouser at Full price, and even with the “grechen20″ coupon code for 20% off, it’s still not the best deal.
5. Look for Free Shipping: and for boutiques that do NOT have a brick & mortar location in your state (to avoid paying sales tax). But ALWAYS be aware of return policies, etc., so you don’t get stuck buying something on sale that can’t be returned. Unless I’m buying something I have one of already, or I KNOW how the designer fits on me, I WILL NOT buy on final sale, no matter how great the price is; I don’t want to get stuck with something I can’t wear. (FreeShipping.org is a good resource for finding free shipping).

Have any online shopping tips you’d like to share? Leave a comment. Please.

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