How I get great deals @ Gymboree

One of my favorite stores to shop at for kids clothing is Gymboree. At a glance it may seem to contradict my frugal and money saving lifestyle but if you look closer you will see that I am actually getting some really great deals.

First of all, I must say that I am absolutely in love with the style, look and quality of the Gymboree clothing line. I have used them as hand-me-downs from one child to the other and the clothing have remained in excellent condition. They always wash well, do not shrink that much and I am able to get top quality clothes for great prices.

Here is how I do it: First of all I always shop at the end of the season for the following year, for example I am buying now the discounted summer line for my children to wear next May (2009). Clothing at the end of the season is typically 50% or more less the original price. Then I will only shop when I get an additional coupon in the mail or online for 20% to 30% off already discounted prices. One of the perks Gymboree has is sending you these great coupons when you have the Gymboree Visa card in addition to that every time you use the Gymboree Visa for a purchase online or in store you will receive an additional 5% off the total. Gymboree Visa points also accumulate with purchases and eventually will get you some $10 gift cards too. I only use this Visa for Gymboree purchases and always pay in full at the end of the month. Gymboree offers additional bonuses during specific dates throughout the year- Introducing Gymbucks. Gymbucks are earned during special shopping periods. For every $50 spent you get $25 Gymbucks to use during later dates where you spend $50 and get $25 off by redeeming the Gymbucks.

Here's the bottom line:

50% off prices at the end or near end of the season (at least 50%, sometimes as high as 75% off)

20% coupon ( I get in the mail or online code, many times I get 30% off coupons too)

5% off using Gymboree Visa
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75% off Regular prices (at least) + Bonus earn Gymbucks $25 for every $50 spent, ($25 off $50, $50 off $100 etc)

Important things to know: In the past I have bought and sold Gymbucks on ebay. The amount of the Gymbucks will usually sell for about half its Gymboree value. I have sold a $50 Gymbucks on ebay for $27. There is a large demand for those items on ebay. Gymboree 20% or 30% coupons sell on ebay as well for a fraction of its shopping value. They all have online codes and can be emailed from the seller to you within an hour of your purchase and save you lots of money too.

I typically shop online since the discounted coupon can be used for outlet priced items. The 20% off ( and others) coupons cannot be used when shopping at a Gymboree outlet. However shopping in an outlet with the Gymboree Visa at the end of the season in a tax free state ( such as Delaware, New Jersey and New Hampshire- I live in Maryland) can also yield tremendous savings.