Disappointed in the "outlet" malls

[tvguy]

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:

20/20 did an uncover piece on pirated Nike shoes made in China a few years ago. They came from the same plant as the Official Nikes, made of the exact same materials by the same workers, just weren't imported by Nike.

 

[DOOM1001]

Sometimes you find great deals and sometimes there's nothing worthwhile or everything you see is just not a good deal,it's a hit or miss.Just bought a SuperDry leather jacket for a gift original price $425,got it for $80.Another thing to note is that especially in Florida with so many people visiting from other countries they visit these outlets and feel like the clothes are almost being given away since in their country the prices are just much higher for the brand names.The Orlando outlets(Vineland and I-Drive) and Sawgrass Mills in Broward county probably sell to like 60% tourists so the incentive for prices to come down more are not needed since to these tourists it already feels super cheap.

 

[mhf]

I usually go to the Talbots CLEARANCE stores which are different than the outlet stores. I think the Clearance stores sell returns and leftovers from stores. They're typically in a strip mall, not an outlet mall. Addresses are on the Talbots site and you can sign up to get postcards which will announce % off sales ahead of time. The two I know of are in Springfield VA and Hunt Valley MD but maybe there are others.

The Pendleton outlet store in Gettysburg PA had some great wool skirts.

Melissa

 

[manning]

Way back in the stone age a factory outlet store was located next to the factory and the prices were truly cheaper.

The only outlet store that I can find with really reduced prices (because the products are perishable) is Pepperidge Farm.

 

[POOHsie]

Sometimes you find great deals and sometimes there's nothing worthwhile or everything you see is just not a good deal,it's a hit or miss.Just bought a SuperDry leather jacket for a gift original price $425,got it for $80.Another thing to note is that especially in Florida with so many people visiting from other countries they visit these outlets and feel like the clothes are almost being given away since in their country the prices are just much higher for the brand names.The Orlando outlets(Vineland and I-Drive) and Sawgrass Mills in Broward county probably sell to like 60% tourists so the incentive for prices to come down more are not needed since to these tourists it already feels super cheap.

We lived a couple of miles from Sawgrass Mills and it was a huge place full of junk, seconds, and made-for-outlet items. You are right that it makes its money from foreign tourists. The same is the cornerstone of the new "Disney Springs." It's set up for South American tourists to buy goods that are much less expensive than in their countries -- it's not making big money from US souvenir shoppers.

 

[texasroni75]

We have an outlet mall in town (about a 5 minute drive from our house). We treat it like any other mall. We are lucky that we can browse regularly to find the best deals.

Many of the stores here are not truly "outlets", but have the same merchandise and prices as their non-outlet locations. BUT, typically their clearance sections are larger, because other stores send their excess clearance items there.

Also, DD and I went shopping Black Friday weekend, and several of the stores that usually have their clearance section at 60% off, changed it to 40% off (yes, LESS of a discount) for the Black Friday crowds. I'm sure they know that people were driving in from different locations and would think that it was a great deal, not knowing it was actually less of a deal than any other time of year.

 

[missnic]

I've found really good deals at Victoria's Secret and the Disney Store outlets. Both of those have actual retail product, not just the 'made for outlet' crap. Coach used to have some good deals, even if they weren't always 'real' products. But the last time I was there, I was shocked at the decline in quality. Everything looked and felt cheap.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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.

We just went to one today because that we where Dress Barn happened to be. It wasn't outlet prices, but that was okay as I didn't expect them to be. I was suprised they were in an Outlet mall, though.

We hopped into Tommy Hilfger Outlet and had a good experience. Bought some needed shirts.

Ann Taylor Loft outlet was a depressing waste land. Went to a better one at Potomac Mills--but maybe it was just a Loft. The outlet looked like the land of the cast offs.

Gap outlet wasn't much better.

For the most part, the outlet malls always seemed like a racket to me. But TH impressed me.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Only thing I've seen was a larger variety of certain brands. Otherwise, you're pretty much paying retail at most of them here. There's a few exceptions, but it's definitely not a bargain in every store.

 

[LSchrow]

some outlet stores carry outlet versions (e.g., Gap), some carry mostly outlet versions with some full price, aka "brand", discontinued thrown in (e.g., Coach, Kate Spade), some carry most of the same items as online/full-price (mostly shoe stores, TNF). interestingly, the last group of outlets mentioned will not unfrequently have some current O/L & "brand" styles clearance much earlier than their full-priced counterparts.
Ugg is unusual, as they carry the identical items as their brand stores/OL - at the same price they usually just have a few clearance items, but no further discounts.
many retail companies have closed most of their full-price, leaving their flagship stores, and a few in more profitable malls - they make some money, and have evolved to also be a great advertisement to the more profitable, lower rent outlet versions.
since lower prices equals higher volume (more people, more product, more mess) & lower payroll - outlet stores tend to get messy much more quickly than full priced.

obviously I find the changing face of retail America interesting.
(& btw, like PPs, we've found our "best buys" at VS (mostly discontinued lines), Pepperidge farm, as well as at TNF (The North Face)).

 

[tar heel]

I live near one of the "Mills" outlets. Most of the stores are not true outlets, but there are a few exceptions. The Vera Bradley store, for example. I don't know if it's because it opened recently, but they have a huge selection of styles and patterns and everything is either 60 or 70% off what is marked on the tag.

 

[Northernlites]

This spring I went to the Cole Haan outlet in Orlando. There was this large tote bag for $425.00. The store cs stated the bag was on sale for $99.00. I said I would buy it and look around. When I got to the cash the $425 bag rang in at $210. I said I can't pay $210. The cs said since he had quoted me the price at $99 he would sell it at $99. Yeepppppeee ... the best deal and service .. I have seen the same bag online for $250....

 

[DisneyNutMary]

This year I had no luck at all at the outlets malls near me. It seems like everything was the same price as the regular mall, or jacked up and then sold as a buy one get one "deal". I came out way over budget and getting less than I did the last few years in the same places. I buy the same types of items at outlets every year; underarmor base layer for the boys sports, underwear, sock, jeans and sneakers.
I think next year it will be the regular mall and coupons/sales for me.