I think you're right on the money, EB. I had a great time (in spite my sore back and feet due to having an invite for 2pm and waiting on line from about 7:20 am until 1pm
), and got a Garden Party File bag in Rouge Imperial (which I'd passed on last year in lieu of the Petite Ceinture), a fabulous pair of the Sandale Amalfi in noir at about a third of retail price, and some gorgeous belts and belt straps, including a phenomenal beauty in natural Barenia.I will admit that the scarf selection was less than thrilling, and they did indeed limit you to two scarves, and two pieces of costume jewelry/enamels, but I appreciated that they were trying to limit the hoarding by the resellers on their already limited stock.
However, there was a plethora of crystal and china, lots of gorgeous harness goods, oodles of RTW and homegoods, and the shoes and boots were pretty well-stocked as well. They had some of the Hermessence fragrances as well as the Kelly Calèche and Eau de Merveilleuse, and they also had the scarf book in the regular edition and the silk-covered edition.
And if you talk to Restricter, she had some incredibly lucky finds in the fine jewelry department...
Honestly, I don't know what people expect from these sales. There were a couple of scenes in the queue, and also from a woman who somehow managed to get her handbag all the way to the entrance to the showroom before being stopped by security, whereupon she proceeded to pitch a fit and accuse the manager of "harassment and intimidation." I honestly though she was going to have a stroke or get taken away in a straitjacket.
Sweet sassy molassy, people, it's a sample sale, not a life or death situation. Get some perspective, and try to be a little happy and have fun.
I did, and enjoyed having a reunion with Codygirl, restricter, Hanyeu, FashionistaO, sdsurfchick, and audreylita, as well as some funny chats with Robert Verdi and Linda Wells. Their humor and wit helped while away the hours in line, and that part was just as much fun as the shopping.
All IMHO, of course.
NEEED 
Wow, am I so feeling the love!!! Anyway, cheer up Sleepyjae because there were absolutely no clic clacs when I got in this time (which was not 10am, thankyouverymuch) nor any plumes.
! Love the bag and the belt! Would love to find a belt on sale! Congratulations and enjoy!