Disappointed in the "outlet" malls

[eliza61]

This is the second year in a row but I'm starting to think the bloom is off the "outlet mall" rose.

Truthfully, I did not find the prices to be all that spectacular.

Anyhoo, we have three supposedly outlet malls around the PA area. Yesterday I went with some friends to the Premium outlet mall in Limerick PA.
The selection of stores is great but the prices and quality was not so great.

I love Banana republic but wow the outlet stuff was bad plus the store looked like a cyclone went through it. That didn't bother me as it is the holidays so I'm sure a cyclone of people have been through but the quality was really different this year.

same thing at a number of other stores.

The only one I thought was a good buy was kate Spade but I wasn't in the market for pocket books.

***sighs*** I'm thinking I do better at the regular mall with sales and coupons.

Has anyone had great luck at outlet malls lately?? I went last Christmas and had the same experience but figured maybe it was because of the crazy economy.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Not lately, but back in September.

We typically only purchase stuff from the Nike Outlet and Bath/Body Works Outlet. Sometimes Coach. And that is at the Centralia, WA outlet center.

Outlet stores can be hit or miss. When we purchase clothing, we double triple check the seams and every area for issues (a lot of clothing is "irregular").

And people are typically bussed there from cities, and they can get totally crazy busy - especially around the holidays!

 

[Pooh2]

One of the few stores that I frequent in our outlet mall is the Disney store. The prices are the exact same that you would find in a regular disneystore or online. The regular mall can definitely be a better bargain for savvy shoppers.

 

[KKB]

We hit the Nike outlet 3x in 3 days in Des Moines--never have found one as good as that one.

A couple years ago hit Coach at North Vegas Outlet malls after the 1st of the year & scored a $400 leather bag that I LOVED--I paid less than $100 for--wish I had bought several! The kids got great deals at Sperry & Nike.

DM & DD went to outlets last month & found great deals at UnderArmour, JCrew & Lauren.

We are doing a cruise for the family present, but I want a couple things for each of them to open. Hoping to score a couple good deals Monday at the outlets nearby(and hoping the crowds aren't too bad, likely not as bad as the weekend) DD is done; planning to spend less than $100 each on the boys.

Like I said, truly hit or miss. Try hitting it around traditional deep deep discount time like Dec. 26-Martin Luther King Day or late June to mid July.

 

[pfp258]

You do know that stores actually make items specifically for their outlet mall spaces. They are never the same quality as the original store.....Coach, Talbots, Chicos, Gap, Banana Republic etc. all manufacture specific items for their stores. People love an outlet mall as,they think they are buying brand names at a discount when really they are buying something that never would be sold in the original store. There is nothing wrong with what they do, but too many consumers don't realize it is second tier goods.

 

[eliza61]

You do know that stores actually make items specifically for their outlet mall spaces. They are never the same quality as the original store.....Coach, Talbots, Chicos, Gap, Banana Republic etc. all manufacture specific items for their stores. People love an outlet mall as,they think they are buying brand names at a discount when really they are buying something that never would be sold in the original store. There is nothing wrong with what they do, but too many consumers don't realize it is second tier goods.

I did know that especially with the coach stores as I like coach bags but this year (and last) it seem like at least the prices where not that discounted. For example I was in the Nike outlet yesterday, didn't find that many sneakers under $75 bucks. Most stores had 25% of sales tag? 25%!!! heck at the sports authority they are up to 40% on much of their stuff and there's a 10 dollar off any purchase of 75 bucks.

I got a post card yesterday in the mail for 40% of my entire purchase at talbots.

all our outlet malls are about 40 miles outside of philly so Im starting to think it's really not worth the drive.

 

[kirstenb1]

I like Dooney, Adidas, Nike, North Face, and I'm going to try UnderArmour after the holidays. Have gotten great deals at all the above. I also wear Estee Lauder and Lancome, and our Williamsburg outlets have both their products there at the CCO outlet and I forget the name of the Lancome one. Usually comes out to 15 or 20 percent off retail, plus I stock up on travel size moisturizers etc.

I go to the outlets 2 or 3 times a year, always with a list, and I try to limit my impulse purchases.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I live on the Central Coast in California and closest outlet is in Gilroy which is about 45 minutes away. For the most part, I don't find their prices all that great. I've just about stopped going to the Nike store and many others. Recently they've added a Disney Store outlet but I was surprised to see that prices were pretty much the same on line and in their regular store. The only stores I go to anymore are Osh for kids, Gymboree and Stride Rite. I can usually find a good sale. But that's it.

 

[3boymthr]

I live in the same town as an outlet mall. Have to say I go once in a blue moon. I went in late November because I needed a winter coat for my middle son (super fussy kid about his clothes) and I needed that day and they have a Columbia Outlet. I did well because they had what I needed in a color and style he liked but if I'd had time I'm sure I could have found a better price on the same coat somewhere else. I find everything to be overpriced for what it is.

 

[North of Mouse]

This is the second year in a row but I'm starting to think the bloom is off the "outlet mall" rose.

Truthfully, I did not find the prices to be all that spectacular.

Anyhoo, we have three supposedly outlet malls around the PA area. Yesterday I went with some friends to the Premium outlet mall in Limerick PA.
The selection of stores is great but the prices and quality was not so great.

I love Banana republic but wow the outlet stuff was bad plus the store looked like a cyclone went through it. That didn't bother me as it is the holidays so I'm sure a cyclone of people have been through but the quality was really different this year.

same thing at a number of other stores.

The only one I thought was a good buy was kate Spade but I wasn't in the market for pocket books.

***sighs*** I'm thinking I do better at the regular mall with sales and coupons.

Has anyone had great luck at outlet malls lately?? I went last Christmas and had the same experience but figured maybe it was because of the crazy economy.

Very seldom find any great deals at so called Outlet Malls - is a very well known fact that lots of things are inferior quality as things from clothing to small appliances (think even Kitchenaid mixers ) are made 'expressly' for outlet stores!! (This is also true about some appliances at stores like Kohls, Walmart, Kmart, Target, etc.)

There used to be true bargains when the outlets were 'true' outlets and items came either from their regular stores or the factories themselves.

There do seem to be a few 'true' outlet stores (Bath & Body Works being one).

 

[willowsnn3]

I've never really found any bargains at outlet malls.
I used to do all my 'outlet' shopping at a JC Penney outlet store about 5 miles from my home. Sadly after 40+ years they closed that store last year. Everything on my JCP credit card is from there, lol.

 

[havaneselover]

Yeah, I realized a while back that I do better shopping online using coupon codes and going through ebates when possible. Like other posters have mentioned, Nike sometimes has good deals. My mom occasionally gets great deals at the Vera Bradley outlet. I used to get some really amazing deals at Off 5th when they carried Lilly Pulitzer ($60 for $200 dresses). Other than that, it just seems like a mall to me.

 

[tvguy]

You do know that stores actually make items specifically for their outlet mall spaces. They are never the same quality as the original store.....Coach, Talbots, Chicos, Gap, Banana Republic etc. all manufacture specific items for their stores. People love an outlet mall as,they think they are buying brand names at a discount when really they are buying something that never would be sold in the original store. There is nothing wrong with what they do, but too many consumers don't realize it is second tier goods.

Yup. I haven't been to one in about 10 years because of this. I knew someone who worked at the Levi's outlet and we expected they would carry the entire product line, since my life likes a model of Levi's jeans that not many stores carry. Nope, they had a smaller selection. She seemed shocked that people actually thought the prices would be lower. They carried a few of the most popular model jeans, but most of the inventory was Outlet store exclusive, lighter weight, higher price. As my friend noted, the employees with their discount can still find Levi's at other stores for less.

 

[pigletto]

We found some great deals at the Orlando Premium outlets. We weren't looking for much, but the Forever 21 outlet, UnderArmour and Disney outlet stores were great. But we're in Canada so the prices there were better than anything we ever see. Our "outlets" here are good for things you wouldn't see in other stores, but not so great for prices.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

What you have to remember is if the word "outlet" appears in the stores name it is just that an outlet store with outlet prices. So if it says Hanes Outlet store you will find discounted prices. If the Outlet is missing from the store sign you are getting reg. price items.

 

[dgthree]

Has anyone had great luck at outlet malls lately?? I went last Christmas and had the same experience but figured maybe it was because of the crazy economy.

About the only outlet I go to is the Vera Bradley one, and I do get decent deals. Around Labor Day, I got 2 hipsters, three wallets, and a reusable tote bag for under $100. I could probably do as well online, but I like being able to pick the pattern I want, and see the placement before buying.

 

[pigletliz]

Generally, I prefer Kate Spade (especially clothing and accessories), J. Crew, Coach, BCBG, Theory, Lauren and St. John. I look for the retail merchandise vs the outlet merchandise. If it is not obvious, I ask. The selection is a lot smaller, but the quality is better. It is definitely hit or miss because it could be a color that didn't sell in the retail store. For kids, I like Osh Kosh. The prices are reasonable and they always have a sale.

 

[powellrj]

We lost all of our local outlet stores years ago so I only go to them when we are on vacation. Last WDW trip DD and I made 3 trips to the Vera Bradley store and did really well. We also did well at the Nike Store in Kissimmee. I use to do well at the Disney Store, but I haven't the last few trips. I miss the Corning Stores. They use to have lots of them and I would get great buys, but they are hard to come by anymore.

 

[Josh Hendy]

You do know that stores actually make items specifically for their outlet mall spaces. They are never the same quality as the original store.....Coach, Talbots, Chicos, Gap, Banana Republic etc. all manufacture specific items for their stores. People love an outlet mall as,they think they are buying brand names at a discount when really they are buying something that never would be sold in the original store. There is nothing wrong with what they do, but too many consumers don't realize it is second tier goods.

This is how big companies fight pirates who sell cheap knock-offs of their gear - they pirate the gear themselves and sell their own knock-offs. That'll teach 'em!

The next time you see a spokesperson for a major brand on the TV whining about pirates selling unauthorized, shoddy knock-offs of their product line, if the company also sells knock-offs in its outlet stores, then do this:

 

[NewRVLady]

Only have bargains for DH and only-
Polo -shirts
Tommy Hilfiger-pants

I VERY seldom find something I want