5 Ways to Get Discounted Designer Shoes Without Using eBay

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Which do you love more? Sliding your feet into a pair of new Manolos or saving money? Designer shoe prices can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the brand and the particular shoe. Typically, if you love designer shoes and you don't want to pay retail prices, you would head to eBay, but lately the selection and prices can be hit or miss. Here are my five secrets to finding designer shoes at a discount, without going to eBay.

1. Online Designer Sales

Sample sales are gold mines for getting discounted designer goods. These sales may feature excess merchandise from the current season or goods that didn't sell from last season. In ancient times, you had to find where sample sales were being held and travel by foot and compete with other shoppers; those days are no more. Now, there are several websites that host sample sales on a regular basis. Gilt, Rue La La, Ideeli, Beyond the Rack, and Haute Look are just a few.

Once you become a site member, you will receive emails on a daily basis about which sales are coming. Look for the shoe designers. Try to visit the site as soon as possible when the sale starts because the inventory may run out quickly. The discounts are deep.

2. Shoe Clubs

The best way to learn about shoe sales is from other shoe lovers. Other than your inner shoe circle, where can you find other shoe lovers? A shoe club. Check out Hello Stiletto. Since 2004, the club started with a handful of friends in Boston and has grown to over 10,000 members across the country. If Hello Stiletto doesn't have a chapter in your area, contact the club president, Melissa O'Shea, to learn about starting a chapter.

Hello Stiletto offers many social events, but there are also occasional retail events offered at boutiques and different retailers. In Las Vegas, we had a great retail event held at a designer outlet and there was an additional discount. This was a special treat for Hello Stiletto members and an unusual way to get a really good bargain.

3. Consignment Shops

Consignment shops are often full of designer treasures. In many big cities, certain shops deal only in designer goods, but do not be afraid! The prices are still reasonable. You may be able to pick up a pair of perfect designer bejeweled strappy sandals that have only been worn once for $100.

4. Thrift Stores

A thrift store maven taught me some important lessons about how to shop in thrift stores properly. First, excess inventory from local warehouse stores often goes to thrift stores, so you can purchase unworn brand names. I've often seen stray pairs of designer shoes in clearance, so it is likely that these may also end up at the thrift stores, all alone, waiting for you. The best approach is to befriend the staff and find out when the new shoe inventories arrive. Hit the store on that day and see if there are any designer treasures to find! Also, various thrift stores will have specials on different days of the week. Find out when those specials are and make use of those days to get additional discounts. For example, you might be able to get an extra 20% off on Wednesdays.

5. Retail Store Specials

Living in Las Vegas has a lot of special perks. There are designer shoes in retail stores all over the strip. However, we've got one of two Manolo Blahnik stores in North America in the Wynn Esplanade.

Twice a year, in May and November, there is a 50% off sale at the store. You simply need to call (702) 770-3477, talk to a sales person, provide your email address and be put on the mailing list. You'll be emailed images and prices. A similar sale happens at the New York store in January and July. The discounts, like the shoes, are incredible.

Do you have any other tips or secrets for getting great discounts on designer shoes?