And Let the Sales Begin!

Parler Paris Nouvellettre^®
Your taste of life in Paris and France
ParlerParis.com
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 • Paris, France

Dear Parler Paris Reader,

Last night walking down rue Vieille du Temple toward dinner with friends (carrying a package of "boudin noir" (blood sausage), a frozen "Fondant au Chocolat" (flourless chocolat cake) from "Picard" (the best frozen foods this side of the Atlantic) and a bottle of Saint-Emilion wine), I watched the shopkeepers prepare their boutiques for the onslaught the next morning (today), when at the crack of dawn, the official "soldes" (sales) begin in Paris and other parts of France.

On the way home from dinner, the "soldes" signs were in the windows, mannequins had been stripped of their garments (a traditional way to indicate the sales have officially begun) and signs of 50% (and other markdown percentages) were plastered to the racks and on the shelves.

According to article L.310-3 of the code of commerce, the winter sales each year begin the second Wednesday of January at 8 a.m., although some departments/zones have fixed different dates, and last five weeks (through February 10th). (Click here to view the chart)

Article L310-3:

I. General sales involve the selling of goods accompanied or preceded by advertising and are presented as being intended, through price reductions, to achieve rapid disposal of goods held in stock.

Such sales can only take place during two periods in each calendar year for a maximum duration of six weeks, the dates of which are determined in each Department by the relevant administrative authority pursuant to conditions laid down in the decree referred to in Article L. 310-7, and may only involve goods offered for sale and paid for at least one month prior to the commencement date of the sale period in question.

II. In any advertising, company name, corporate name or trade name, use of the word "sale(s)" or derivatives thereof is prohibited for designation of any activity, corporate name, trade name, company name or feature which does not relate to a general sale as defined in I above.

Last year, the laws were amended to allow for two complimentary weeks of choice by the merchant, who must declare their choice to the Prefect, but which cannot take place during the month preceding the summer or winter sale periods.

This is a recurring question for me as an American seeing 'Free enterprise' in France from their very different point of view. For us, it would be unthinkable that anyone, especially the government, could dictate to a merchant when to mark down their wares or not! From a capitalistic concept, the idea of free enterprise is that every merchant may buy and sell their wares as they choose, with some regulations of course, to prevent unjustifiable abuse of power. In this socialist democracy, the regulations are seen as a way of protecting both merchants and consumers by 'leveling the playing field,' so to speak.

It seem to me that here the consumers suffer greatly. We pay full retail most of the year with little opportunity to save money, even on unwanted merchandise. Of course, that's true for the merchant, too. He may have wanted to rid himself of the merchandise and had no opportunity, either! When the sale period arrives, it becomes chaos in the stores and boutiques! Everyone is scrambling to find bargains. I've seen lots of fights break out between two feisty shoppers, vying for the same item! And if for some reason the sale period just isn't convenient for you, you lose out. Simple as that.

Normally I avoid the "soldes" 'like the plague.' Walking down rue de Rivoli between rue du Louvre and the Hôtel de Ville is like maneuvering Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras.

I just received a text message on my cell phone: "Soldes du BHV, encore plus de remises! -15% supplémentaires sur les produits soldés, en réglant avec votre carte BHV du 12 au 22/01. Modalités en magasin."

That means that at the BHV department store, I can get an extra 15% discount on certain items when I use my BHV credit card. Yeah!

The winter sales are much more inviting than their summer equivalent -- that's because, let's face it, we have more use for wintery clothing than summery duds in this northern hemisphere environment, particularly this winter which has been colder and snowier than most. And winter clothing is more expensive than summer clothing (coats, sweaters, boots, etc., so the savings are more significant.

I just wish we didn't have to fight the crowds within a five-week deadline to take advantage of the great deals. But alas, that wouldn't be French, would it?

Happy Shopping!

A la prochaine...

A la prochaine...

Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris
(with Geraldine Kaylor Rauch, author of The Travel Oyster)

Share this article with a friend...
Respond to Adrian

P.S. Read all about yesterday's Parler Paris Après Midi gathering by visiting parlerparis/apresmidi.html and plan on meeting up with us next month on February 8th!

Practice Your French...or English!
Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group

Transfer Currency and Save Money in the Process...
with Moneycorp

When you're buying a holiday home or investment property overseas, trading your currency can be a crucial cost factor. The euro exchange rate is constantly fluctuating, so trading at the right time will mean your money goes a lot further. Adrian Leeds Group, LLC and Moneycorp are working together to ensure you make the most of your Dollar or Sterling when buying a property in France or anytime you transfer from one currency to another.

For more information, visit: moneycorpconvertor.html

PSI Communications -- New Events for a New Year

Join our Tuesday evening salon with a lively mix of people, cultures and new ideas – we have new events and topics starting in January, plus other events and courses. Connect for business and pleasure. Make better friends with your own brain with new communication tools.

Visit www.psicommunications.com or email: antonio.psicom@gmail.com

Buy and sell with Parler Paris classifieds: ParlerParis.com/advertise.html