WhitneySecrets of Outlet Malls
September 5th 2011 16:24
We all love getting great products and top brands for a discounted price. This is where outlet malls come into play, as here you can purchase your $400 Coach bag for $250, or your $60 Polo shirt for $40.
The concern about outlet malls is that you're not always getting the brand that you're thinking, and you're not always getting top quality. You want to watch what you're buying from an outlet store, just so that you aren't getting ripped off.
First off, keep in mind that the original idea behind an outlet store is to sell overstocked, discontinued, and imperfect items. But, now, outlet stores fill their shelves with merchandise specifically manufactured for outlet stores, which include items made with lower quality materials and a cheaper construction. In some cases, there may be knockoff brands with the same label.
You also want to keep in mind that no matter what the store tells you the average retail cost is, their sale price is whatever they feel like selling at.
Before you make your next purchase, you'll want to consider the following tips.
1. Check the tags. You'll find that irregular or imperfect merchandise will have tags that are sliced or market on to indicate that the item is not fit for sale at a regular retail store. Gap outlet stores may use white tags with blue letters, which is the reverse of the real Gap tag.
2. Know what your prices are at regular retail stores.
3. Consider the seasons, as in-season merchandise isn't going to hit the outlet store until after the season has passed. If it's winter, expect spring and summer clothes at an outlet.
4. If the retail name has many stores, then the outlet more than likely is getting merchandise manufactured for outlets. If the Brand name only has a few stores, then you're probably getting discontinued items, last season merchandise, etc.
Always shop during sale times. When the name brand store is having a big sale, the outlet should also be having a sale.
Keep in mind that you're probably not going to leave empty handed, as outlet stores are generally placed out-of-the way and off the interstate. By driving the extra 15 minutes to the outlet mall, you're more likely to come home with at least one or two bags.
The concern about outlet malls is that you're not always getting the brand that you're thinking, and you're not always getting top quality. You want to watch what you're buying from an outlet store, just so that you aren't getting ripped off.
First off, keep in mind that the original idea behind an outlet store is to sell overstocked, discontinued, and imperfect items. But, now, outlet stores fill their shelves with merchandise specifically manufactured for outlet stores, which include items made with lower quality materials and a cheaper construction. In some cases, there may be knockoff brands with the same label.
You also want to keep in mind that no matter what the store tells you the average retail cost is, their sale price is whatever they feel like selling at.
1. Check the tags. You'll find that irregular or imperfect merchandise will have tags that are sliced or market on to indicate that the item is not fit for sale at a regular retail store. Gap outlet stores may use white tags with blue letters, which is the reverse of the real Gap tag.
2. Know what your prices are at regular retail stores.
3. Consider the seasons, as in-season merchandise isn't going to hit the outlet store until after the season has passed. If it's winter, expect spring and summer clothes at an outlet.
4. If the retail name has many stores, then the outlet more than likely is getting merchandise manufactured for outlets. If the Brand name only has a few stores, then you're probably getting discontinued items, last season merchandise, etc.
Always shop during sale times. When the name brand store is having a big sale, the outlet should also be having a sale.
Keep in mind that you're probably not going to leave empty handed, as outlet stores are generally placed out-of-the way and off the interstate. By driving the extra 15 minutes to the outlet mall, you're more likely to come home with at least one or two bags.
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