Outlet malls are overrated

[nile455]

I'm specifically referring to Orlando Premium Outlets.

- They're hot and muggy (I'll take the regular indoor mall and the A/C thank you)

- They're packed beyond belief. Like NO parking, AT ALL. Yes regular malls can get like this too, but nothing is worse than Orlando Premium Outlets.

- "Outlet pricing" is often no better than a regular mall sale price. And sometimes it's even more expensive.

- Much of the clothing looks like it's been sitting in a truck for a year.

- Some outlet stores don't take rewards points.

- Their food courts are often filthy and filled with flies.

I used to be an outlet mall fan, but when I started to notice the pricing not being any better than a regular mall, I decided it was no longer worth the hassle.

 

[jonesy445]

I'm specifically referring to Orlando Premium Outlets.

- They're hot and muggy (I'll take the regular indoor mall and the A/C thank you)

- They're packed beyond belief. Like NO parking, AT ALL. Yes regular malls can get like this too, but nothing is worse than Orlando Premium Outlets.

- "Outlet pricing" is often no better than a regular mall sale price. And sometimes it's even more expensive.

- Much of the clothing looks like it's been sitting in a truck for a year.

- Some outlet stores don't take rewards points.

- Their food courts are often filthy and filled with flies.

I used to be an outlet mall fan, but when I started to notice the pricing not being any better than a regular mall, I decided it was no longer worth the hassle.

when i worked over there fellow cm's and i called it the Scuzz mall. lol. still have some good memories tho. it was better before they closed the kitchen shop.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I'm specifically referring to Orlando Premium Outlets.

- They're hot and muggy (I'll take the regular indoor mall and the A/C thank you)

- They're packed beyond belief. Like NO parking, AT ALL. Yes regular malls can get like this too, but nothing is worse than Orlando Premium Outlets.

- "Outlet pricing" is often no better than a regular mall sale price. And sometimes it's even more expensive.

- Much of the clothing looks like it's been sitting in a truck for a year.

- Some outlet stores don't take rewards points.

- Their food courts are often filthy and filled with flies.

I used to be an outlet mall fan, but when I started to notice the pricing not being any better than a regular mall, I decided it was no longer worth the hassle.

I think it depends on the store. There are some that have things made just for outlets too. Some stores have great deals and it is worth it to go to outlet mall but there are some stores where the prices don't seem much different from a regular store (Crocs outlet I'm talking about you.)

 

[Julia M]

Not sure which Orlando outlet had the Victorias Secret store, but I found that to have great prices. A true outlet. I paid $3 for undies, $20 for bras that were originally $58 and $15 for a pair of yoga pants.

 

[kirstenb1]

I love our Williamsburg outlets, but the Orlando ones, ugh, I have to agree with the OP. Lack of parking + crowds=I'll skip. I've gone several times in the past to find very specific items, but it was so jam packed when I went on a weeknight during our June trip. When it's that busy, my brain just goes into overload, and I can't even concentrate on what I'm looking for.

The Williamsburg ones actually have a very similar mix of stores. But it's much less crowded, which lets me linger, and spend more money, LOL!!

MY dh probably loves the Orlando ones, and hates the Williamsburg, just due to the above mentioned spending differences!!

 

[avgeek81]

Once a month or so I will go to the Orlando outlets to see if the Disney store has any good deals. I can usually get t shirts for around $10 instead of the $30 they charge at the parks. I try to go to the one with the parking garage because I agree that the parking is horrible. I don't go to any other stores and I'm in and out in like 20 min. One day I stopped by before going to the parks and I was going to get some food. The prices were the same as the parks and the lines were so long. I decided to get something later.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Never shopped the outlets in Orlando.

Long Island has two outlet malls, one in Riverhead (which is enormous and always crowded) and a smaller one in Deer Park. My daughter works in one of the outlet stores in Deer Park. Her store is wonderful -- great clothes at bargain prices. And with her employee discount ... you know where her entire paycheck has been going.

 

[Micca]

Once a month or so I will go to the Orlando outlets to see if the Disney store has any good deals. I can usually get t shirts for around $10 instead of the $30 they charge at the parks. I try to go to the one with the parking garage because I agree that the parking is horrible. I don't go to any other stores and I'm in and out in like 20 min. One day I stopped by before going to the parks and I was going to get some food. The prices were the same as the parks and the lines were so long. I decided to get something later.

We hit the Disney store at the outlet mall nearly every trip. We've bought plenty of cool things there at a fraction of the price on property. When DD was a CM they'd even add the discount on top of that. Dirt cheap. We still buy merch at the parks too, but you start to think twice about $30 t-shirts when you just bought one for $8.

 

[Christine]

Yeah, the Orlando outlet is BRUTAL. Constantly crowded, outdoors, and it always looks like a mess because it's so busy.

I live near Potomac Mills in VA and it can look like that on a Saturday/Sunday but it's wonderful during the week and I get better deals there than at any of the "regular" malls (which I go to often). But the Orlando one is busy ALL of the time.

 

[Angelhalo]

Yep, we live in Kissimmee, DH works at Disney and we only ever went to the Outlet once. It just isn't worth it.

 

[Art 1]

I'm specifically referring to Orlando Premium Outlets.

- They're hot and muggy (I'll take the regular indoor mall and the A/C thank you)

- They're packed beyond belief. Like NO parking, AT ALL. Yes regular malls can get like this too, but nothing is worse than Orlando Premium Outlets.

- "Outlet pricing" is often no better than a regular mall sale price. And sometimes it's even more expensive.

- Much of the clothing looks like it's been sitting in a truck for a year.

- Some outlet stores don't take rewards points.

- Their food courts are often filthy and filled with flies.

I used to be an outlet mall fan, but when I started to notice the pricing not being any better than a regular mall, I decided it was no longer worth the hassle.

I've known that for years, a waste of time. It surprised me reading the dis how many people want to be bothered going.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not sure which Orlando outlet had the Victorias Secret store, but I found that to have great prices. A true outlet. I paid $3 for undies, $20 for bras that were originally $58 and $15 for a pair of yoga pants.

Heck, I would tear that up!

Speaking of outlet malls we just had a new one open up on Friday here. With another one opening in 2 weeks (near this one).

They had an American Eagle Outlet which was great since that is what my dd wears.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Yes, i think that is a general rule about outlet malls. I have been to a few of them, and was impressed by none of them. It seems like nowadays the ones I have been to are desolate and abandoned.

 

[hlg22]

I've never been to that particular outlet mall, and definitely agree that they're not always a bargain just because they're outlets, but in my experience you can still get some good deals...

The one nearest to me has a coupon book with additional savings at the various stores that you can get for free if you have an AAA card. For some stores, the additional discount is up to an extra 20% off your entire purchase, including on sale items. That mall has a Restoration Hardware outlet, and I've gotten current furniture for around 75% off the catalog price. If there's a particular piece you're looking for, they'll even take your info and call you if it comes in.

There's also a Theory outlet that is not inexpensive, but they also sell current season clothes and I can get the same suits I'd buy at Nordstrom for a few hundred dollars less. And the Banana Republic outlet has some dirt cheap clothes, though it's hit or miss if I find anything I like there, and a lot of their clothes are a special "Factory" line, vs. the same as you'd find in the regular stores. I've gotten good deals on Le Crueset and All-Clad pans as well.

When I go, I definitely get out there first thing when they open to get in and out before they get too crowded, otherwise parking and crowds do become a problem.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Honestly, I think that if my nearest "Outlet" mall stores put up a sales sign, our people will buy it, thinking they are getting a bargain.

You have to be savvy. You have to know what you are buying and know the prices. Over Memorial Day weekend, my outlet bra shop had my favorite bras on "sale." Buy two, get one half-off. Yet my nearest Macy's has the same bras at buy two, get two free. Where would you rather make your purchase?

Although I'm finding that our outlet mall is good for off-season shopping, which I gladly do considering we really don't have seasons here.