Some things to keep in mind when you faire des soldes (shop the sales) in Paris:

• Don?t go on the first couple of Saturdays, unless you have tremendous patience.

• Don?t go with children unless you have a back up, i.e. other parent, good friend, or nanny. In fact, it?s really best to leave walking age kids at home. If you do take them, use your stroller, especially if you go on Saturday. The sales can be mad! There is hardly any space and a little one will get tired and cranky faster than you can say, ?I need another size.?

• Take water and snacks. I?m not kidding. You?ll be in line for awhile in some less organized stores-the ones that forgot to bring in extra people to handle the check out lines. Happens every time. And when you leave to finally go get a bite to eat, you?ll find that the restaurants are very busy. Everyone else is doing the sales and wants a lunch break out too.

• Try your stuff on before you buy! Some stores now let you return things (ask!), but do you really want the hassle?

• Be careful what you buy. It might not matter to you, but some stores will bring out the same stock they had out last year, or the year before, or the year before. I call it their "sales stock." The same ole crap that nobody wants?.well hardly anybody. Some of the luxury stores are famous for this.

Speaking of luxury stores, if you want a new Louis Vuitton don?t worry about the sales and killing yourself to get over there. They never go on sale. However, Gucci does, so if you'd like that, stop reading this article and head on over there now! The pickings will be slim in only a few days?

Heck, I?d better get on over there myself.

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