Difference is, Macy's will honor the sale price up to one week after purchase and if they don't, you have the option of returning them and repurchasing them at the sale price
Macy's is one of the few department stores who does that. For most stores, if you missed there sale, its your own fault. If you want things at a good price, you wait until things go on sale. If I want to buy my clothes at reasonable price, I go to tjmax or to factory outlets or for black friday midnight sales. If I need something more immediately i go to the store and buy it and accept w/e price i have to.