Another day, another sample sale site is born — that’s what it seems like, anyway. The sheer variety of new sites is enough to give a normal shopper ADD, or launch her into full-on addiction. Typically starting at noon, flash sales — otherwise known as online sample sales or private sales — have created a frenzy among fashionistas logging on to get the best designer duds at deep discounts. Although sales usually last a few days, it’s recommended you act fast, because the early bird gets the Wang. Their success — fashion sales site Gilt just raised $138 million in new funding — has led to a recent influx in the market. Amazon launched its fashion-oriented MyHabit site in May. And the French company Vente-Privee.com has designs on debuting in the US late this year, which means style mavens could soon buy foreign brands such as Dolce & Gabbana at sample-sale prices. But shopping sites aren’t just about fashion: Flash-sales now offer everything from food to lifestyle experiences to home décor. How do you tell the sites apart — or choose the one that’s best for you? Here’s our handy guide:
For the VIP shopper
Ideeli.com
* Sales start at: Noon, seven days a week
* Pros: Offering cute clothes at discounted prices, Ideeli is one of the most popular fashion sample-sale sites, with 4 million members.
Recently featured: Trendy shoes from Gwen Stefani’s wildly popular L.A.M.B. line (priced at $199, down from $325). µ Cons: There’s free return shipping, but for store credit only. If you want a refund, you pay for return shipping.
Also, Ideeli has an annoying feature in which the free service automatically designates you as a “Second Row” member. To be a “First Row” member, you have to pony up $6.99 a month (that’s nearly $84 a year), granting you access to sales one hour early. But with so many other free options out there, why bother?
For the Classic Fashionista
Gilt.com
* Sales start at: Noon, Monday through Saturday and also 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays
One of the first sample-sale sites, Gilt remains the gold standard — and four years after it launched, it continues to expand like crazy, adding Gilt City, Gilt Men and Gilt Taste to its roster. Gilt Women’s designer offerings are vast, from minimalist Helmut Lang to super-girly Alice + Olivia. Recently, romantic Foley & Corinna dresses could be snapped up for more than 50 percent off (a $275 frock was on sale for $119) and classic Missoni scarves, normally $195, were $119.
* Pros: Gilt has the best selection of designers. Also, if something is sold out, you can waitlist the item — you might get lucky if someone returns it.
* Cons: The competition is intense, and the best items are often sold out by 1 p.m. Also, no free shipping.
For the On-the-Go Buyer
RueLaLa.com
* Sales start at: 11 a.m., seven days a week
Because Rue La La’s sales start at 11 a.m., this site gets an hour’s jump on most of the competition. Clothes are neatly divided into “brand boutiques,” and recent offerings include Nanette Lepore frocks ($179.90, marked down from $378), and some home items, like discounted Kitchen Aid mixers ($199.90, marked down from $249). The site also offers men’s apparel and travel/lifestyle packages, such as three nights at deluxe Arizona spa Miraval ($899 instead of $1,197).
* Pros: It’s tech-savvy: You can shop from your phone, even if it’s not an Android or iPhone. Could be dangerous! Plus, a handy countdown clock shows you exactly how much longer you have to shop.
* Cons: The plethora of options makes the site’s design feel a little scattered. Returns are free only if you take store credit; if you want a refund, you pay for return shipping.
If You’re Looking for a User-Friendly Experience
MyHabit.com
* Sales start at: Noon, seven days a week
Amazon’s foray into the flash-sale frenzy launched in May. So far, boasting up to 60 percent off retail prices, it’s offered everything from Elie Tahari (a dress that retailed for $398 was on sale for $160) to Cynthia Vincent shoes (wedge sandals that retail for $395 were a cool $169), as well as jewelry and kids’ clothes.
* Pros: MyHabit has the most sophisticated, shopper-friendly Web site, giving you an eye for fabric and fit. Short videos feature a model taking a spin in each outfit, so you can see how it looks from all angles. Plus, there’s free shipping and returns!
* Cons: Not as many exclusive deals. MyHabit features lots of brands offered by the other sites — but the quality is there, and it’s still growing.
For the Furniture Snob
OneKingsLane.com
* Sales start at: 11am, seven days a week
Super high-end, ornate furniture and décor at a deep discount.
* Pros: Fancy, fancy, fancy! This site is fun even if you’re just browsing and dreaming about an apartment that could be furnished with a red-velvet gilt elephant stool. Most items are returnable as long as they’re in new condition.
* Cons: Even with the discount, the site is for those with money to burn and a lavish pad to house their purchases: a reticulated carved mirror, originally $2,950, was recently on sale for a mere $1,009.
For the Filene’s Basement Shopper
BeyondTheRack.com
* Sales start at: 11 a.m., Monday through Friday
By sorting clothes by types (the maxi-dress, the 9-to-5 dress, lingerie) instead of by brand, this site attracts a different sort of customer — not designer junkies.
* Pros: It’s called “Beyond the Rack” for a reason — also offered are food items, such as barbecue rubs and marinades for summer cookouts, and cocktail mixers. As for apparel, while the site offers the requisite upscale designers, such as Alexander Wang and Pucci, most of the brands are more mainstream, and thus much cheaper.
* Cons: No free shipping or returns. Plus, the less expensive the items are in retail, the less urgency a flash sale creates.
For the Early-Bird Shopper
HauteLook.com
Sales start at: 11 a.m., Monday through Friday
This site — offering women’s, men’s and kids’ apparel, got so hot that Nordstrom purchased it earlier this year for $270 million.
* Pros: A recent sale of Vivienne Tam items yielded a $530 print frock for $159. Also, Haute Look offers beauty products that rarely go on sale from brands such as Smashbox. Sales start at 8 a.m., so if you’re an early riser, this site’s for you!
* Cons: There are so many sales going on at one time that it can get overwhelming — luckily, you can search by category at the top of the page to narrow your preferences. No free shipping. Returns are free if you take store credit; if you want a refund, you pay return shipping.
For the Foodie
GiltTaste.com
* Sales start at: Noon, Monday through Friday
Gilt Taste, which launched in May, features “artisanal foods and fresh seasonal ingredients, many of which have only been available to professional chefs until now.” Recent offerings from the full-price “market” include gluten-free carrot-cake cookies ($30 for a dozen), a pound of fancy Salva Cremasco from Murray’s Cheese ($19.95) and Saratoga Steaks from Flannery Beef ($138 for four 12-ounce boned steaks). Also, daily special sales.
* Pros: Allows you to shop by type of food (meat, seafood, cheese and dairy, sweets, produce, etc.). Since it’s food, all sales are final.
* Cons: It’s not a full-on discount site, and the “marketplace” section is plenty pricey.