Bargains! Shopping Factory Outlets
Posted on July 31, 2015 by bob in Features
By Claire Yezbak Fadden
“Head to the back of the store. Often the best deals are found on the racks at the back of the store.”
Does the word bargain get your blood pumping? Do you like buying designer brands, but don’t want to pay retail? If half the fun of choosing the right gift is knowing that you didn’t pay full price, then you were made for shopping the factory outlets. And there are a lot of them.
The first factory stores offered manufacturers overstocked merchandise directly to the public at a discount a couple times a year. Today, that concept has become a popular shopping alternative, with sales of more than $10 billion last year in the more than 300 outlet malls nationwide.
Some people believe factory outlet stores are limited to selling irregular or slightly damaged merchandise.
However, this I not necessarily the case. At many of the manufacturers’ outlet stores you can expect to find the same merchandise as soon as six to eight weeks after it first appears in department stores. Because the manufacturer can sell their wares directly to the consumer, they are able to charge about the same per item as they would charge a department store.
Don’t be confused between factory outlets that are owned by the manufacturer and off-price stores that may represent a variety of name brands.
Although the discounts are similar, some 25 to 60 percent below retail, the main difference is in the selection. Factory stores rely on their brand-name recognition and customer loyalty.
Off-price stores rely on the wide range of products from various manufacturers.
Because of the variety of suppliers, shoppers may never know just what to expect at an off-price store.
And that may be part of their appeal to you. If, however, you don’t like surprises, stick to the names you know. For example, if Vans shoes are the only kind your kids will wear, then odds are you’re going to find something you’re happy with at the Vans outlet store. You won’t have taken up your time at an off-price store only to find that they didn’t carry what you wanted.
If the outlet bug has bitten you, then consider getting on the mailing list of some of your favorite stores. You can also visit OutletBound.com and MallSeeker.com for a listing of outlet stores and malls across the country. This site lets you search by brand name as well as well as category.
Recently, the trend has been to attract brand-conscious shopping to an outlet center that has some 20 to 30 top name manufacturers.
But if you keep your eyes open, you can scout out solo factory stores and outlets that keep springing up throughout the county but aren’t part of a center.
You’ll find everything from shoes to chocolate, and bread to blue jeans at factory outlet prices. Take a few minutes to map out your route. You’ll be able to stretch your shopping budget and maybe have something left over to indulge yourself with a treat. Happy bargain hunting.
Tips for Savvy Shoppers
— Ask about special sales. Before you head out, call your favorite stores and ask when they hold their sales. Ask to be added to their mailing list. Many centers work with tour groups and offer special incentives such as coupon booklets.
— Call the center’s marketing department to see if you can receive any special coupons or promotions the center offers.
— Talk to the sales people. In most outlet stores, the sales staff knows a lot about their product. Ask them to share information with you about the quality of the item, or how long it’s been in their store.
— Consider items marked irregular. A defect in the fabric, too many of the same color, embroidery stitching that wasn’t perfect – there are lots of reasons why items may be marked “irregular.” Often the defect is barely noticeable and doesn’t affect the item’s wear.
— Head to the back of the store. Often the best deals are found on the racks at the back of the store.
— Take a few extra steps, you might save a bundle on last seasons’ most popular clothing.
— Consider going with a friend. Some stores offer specials that give discounts for buying more than one item. If you and a friend team up, you both can split those savings.
— Keep your sales receipt. If you decide you’re unhappy with your purchase once you get home, it’s much easier to get a refund for the full amount you paid. Otherwise, you might be faced with a refund or store credit reflecting the most recent price reductions.
