DISQUS

FFB · 2 months ago

I've definitely had the feeling of needing to buy something because I was there and didn't want to leave empty handed. But I think if you go with a purpose then you can save lots of money. I've been able to get dress clothes for work at significant discounts.

One thing is if you go with the family you should pack drinks, snacks, and food before you go this way you don't get sucked into buying junk while you are there and you keep your energy levels up. When you start getting hungry and the kids complain it gets tougher to make good buying decisions.

Craig · 2 months ago

Outlet malls are usually do all my clothes shopping. I go about once a year to get a few shirts from a brand I like. I save a few bucks and get new clothes. For me it's totally worth it but I can see how it can be stretched if not done properly, like anything else of course. You could end up spending hundreds you really didn't want to.

KC · 2 months ago

I hate outlet malls. They seem like they are full of junk and the prices aren't that great. I only visit outlet stores I know I'll use. And I'm focused on the one thing I need.

BillyOceansEleven · 2 months ago

Get on the mailing lists for outlet stores you regularly shop at. We get email and postal mail coupons from Carter's, Osh Kosh, and Children's Place Outlet pretty regularly. I'm also on Haggar's list, which led to tons of awesome deals last Black Friday when they sent me a 40% entire purchase coupon that could be combined with all but a few of their Black Friday specials and other clearance deals. I was able to buy a new suit for less than $70, slacks and jeans for less than $10 a pair. Combining an outlet's coupons with clearanced items can lead to some real steals.

Definitely beware of the percent off promotions and know what you could buy a similar item for elsewhere. Van Huesen has gotten bad about this recently where they advertise 70% off lowest marked price (which is some obscene suggested retail) and the price after discounts ends up being about what you'd pay for the item at JC Penney almost any day of the week. I haven't bought anything there in years because their "deals" aren't really deals.

thisisbeth · 2 months ago

My mom compared prices once. Something she wanted was cheaper on sale in a regular store than it was at the outlet store. Needless to say, we've all been wary since. There's one close enough to my parents', so when I'm visiting them, I'll try the outlet mall if I need something (and have left without buying anything), but mostly I just depend on regular stores.

Monika · 2 months ago

We have found the outlet prices exhorbitant compared to regular stores nearby and each time gone to an outlet, returned with hardly any purchase. Another thing we noticed was they rarely carried a full range, but, only select items and we did not want to be forced to pick up from a minor variety of selection

Peter Luke · 2 months ago

I too found outlet malls selling more expensive items than regular stores. And if they have cheap ones, you can be sure that these are items of low quality. Plus, it would have been better if they carried much of the items on my list which they don't. So better hit the regular stores instead.