For the best fashion deals you no longer have to rise at 5:00 am to be the first through the store's door, head down to the Los Angeles garment district, nor endure the discount department stores "whatever" racks of clothing confusion. RidiculousPrices.com with retail stores now open in both Simi and San Fernando valleys provide an antidote to traditional bargain hunting. In a boutique-style experience, shoppers can discover such finds as Joy or La Perla causal suits for $17.99 - $19.00, regular retail around $120.00. Poleci tops sold on Melrose Boulevard for $200.00 run about $19.99. DKNY, Liz Claiborne, Rampage Roxy, 321, Tony Bahama and other top labels are also among the organized displays of women, junior, children and men's fashions that have been discounted up to 90%. For those shoppers who are more discount than fashion conscious, RidiculousPrices.com also offers bargain pricing on low priced lines carried at Wal-Mart or Mervyn's.

Both RidiculousPrices.com locations are rapidly building up a loyal customer base, says owner Jim Foster, a veteran jobber. He wheels and deals with buyers to land such deals in the fashion world as the soon-to-arrive overstock purchase of a Fluet dress worn by Paris Hilton in a photo appearing in People magazine. "The clothes I buy are not out of fashion or damaged," says Foster. "Today, closeouts just mean value. With overseas production, the price of clothes manufacturing costs less than it did 30 years ago, yet the consumer rarely sees the benefit."

Last year Foster decided to pass the savings onto the shopper. Instead of offering his wholesale merchandise deals to discount chains stores, he opened the Simi Valley retail store last July. He says, "Why should the discounts chains get the ridiculously low prices and then mark them up to cover their high overhead and marketing? I like to see people being able to afford these great clothes while offering them an enjoyable shopping experience." The alternative to the Valley's typical big box discount retailers was an instant hit and by October, Foster was opening up a larger store in Granada Hills.

While customers' browse through the denim, designer labels, coats, footwear and closeouts, they have personal access to assistance whenever they desire it. Staff people enjoy sharing details on an item's special construction, design elements or perhaps a celebrity story associated with an item that has made it way to the store.

Customer Madhumita Panda, 30, of Simi Valley says that she frequently stops in since discovering the closeout clothing store. "For me it's like going to a designer boutique. I love jackets and to get them at these prices!"

In addition to the deep discounted pricing, RidiculousPrices.com gives a credit toward a future purchase made at the store. I know because I have one. Although I went in on a mission to write a story about this new Valley shop trend, I couldn't resist a great deal on an outerwear jacket that normally retails for $200. I paid $30.00 and received a $3.00 credit toward the inevitable next purchase.

RidculousPrices.com is at 1407-K Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley and at 16860 Devonshire Boulevard in Granada Hills. For hours or more information call 818-368-7250. To shop online, visit www.ridiculousprices.com