Fashionistas on a budget—pay attention to the newest craze that is in the spotlight: sample sales. You’re probably familiar with the term “sample sale,” but you may not know what one is.

“The definition of a sample sale has changed over the years,” Kathryn Finney, editor of The Budget Fashionista said, “A true sample sale is an event at which a designer sells samples from their line to preview new collections to buyers, manufacturers and editors before the items are listed”.

Nowadays, sample sales are run more like warehouse sales, where they sell overstock items, returns and other products that didn’t sell well. Sample sales are also popular for up-and-coming designers looking to showcase their garments or accessories. The discount on the merchandise can range anywhere from sixty to eighty percent off. The easiest way to find a sample sale near you is to “Google” your city and the term “sample sale.”

The events get crazy as women and men trample each other for the best deals in town on designer products. It resembles a black Friday scenario at Best Buy or Macys.

“It was stressful because there were so many people there trying to get the few things,” said Penelope Koleos, “It’s really difficult because you know there are only so many sizes of the product.”

The vibe of the room keeps the customers energized and excited to shop. You get such a rush of adrenaline and get in the zone, ready to dissect the racks and get your head in the game to find your take home piece.

Whether you are looking for samples from a designer, overstock or the latest and greatest things on the market, these tips will tell you how to work the room and save your pretty pennies.

1. If you are looking for a wider variety of merchandise, shop the beginning days of the sale, especially in the morning on the first day. The inventory is overwhelming at the beginning of the sale and lines wrap around blocks, so make sure you are wearing a pair of comfortable shoes. If you are focused on the bigger discount, the end of the sale is the best time, although the store will be limited on their merchandise. As the days of the sale go on the more discounted the leftover products become, especially in the last hour of the sale.
2. Come with a small bag, since more times than less, they make you check your bags. Always carry cash just incase they don’t take credit or debit cards.
3. Always wear proper undergarments, since there are usually no dressing rooms. You are likely to get undressed in a same gender blocked off area to try on clothes.
4. Always triple check that your merchandise is not damaged, but if it is, you can get an additional markdown.

Hopefully you will take these tips into account when you attend you first sample sale, or consider them if you already are on the sample sale bandwagon.