Special Reports

Finding Big Bargains 'For Members Only'

(CBS) Everyone's looking for a bargain and now you can find designer clothing for as much as 70 percent off. How? CBS 2's Anne State reports that the secret is online. You need an invitation to join "for members only" websites.

Kim Nelson is a self-proclaimed shopaholic. "It's not that I purchase something every day, but I do go online and shop around everyday," Nelson said.

So when she received an invitation to a "members only" shopping web site, she could hardly wait to start spending.

"I feel like it's a privilege. I feel like it's this exclusive shopping world," Nelson said.

An invitation like that one is the key to sites like ideeli, RueLaLa, and Gilt Groupe, where designer duds are sold at bargain basement prices; everything from clothes, to shoes to jewelry.

"Whether it's past season merchandise, or excess inventory, it's a very discreet way for them to sell goods online without it appearing on Google searches," said Rachel Shechtman with the Council for Fashion Designers.

Here's how it works. Members get an email announcing the opening of a "designer boutique." Pieces are up for grabs for only one or a few days at a time or until they're sold out. You can snag a steal for 70 percent off or more.

"I think it can become addicting!" Nelson said.

Once you receive an invitation, you can invite your friends to join you.

"So if we have a member in L.A., she'll know much better who else out of her friend group might be interested in Gilt Groupe," Alexis Maybank, co-founder of Gilt Groupe said.

Maybank and partner Alexandra Wilkis-Wilson have featured everything from diamonds to dresses.

"We were selling sunglasses that retailed for about $300 at Barney's on our site for about $98," Maybank said.

But to grab the goods, you have to click fast!

"In our Diane von Furstenberg sale, we were selling eight dresses a second!" Maybank said.

Nelson recently struck gold on a site when she found a dress that was sold out in stores.

"I looked through and they had my size, and I was very excited and purchased it right away," Nelson said.

You have to be sponsored or invited to join the sites, but two of them are extending invitations to CBS 2 viewers: Rue La La and Gilt Groupe. (If you are asked for a referring member's e-mail address. Use cbs2web@gmail.com).

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