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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2011 9:23:42 GMT -5
Didn't want to hijack cawiau's thread when he mentioned his wife's visit to Woodbury Commons, but I wanted to ask what others think about outlet malls.
DH and I visit one in Myrtle Beach when we visit my parents to stock up on jeans and underwear, but for the most part we've been unimpressed with the rest of the stuff. Either the prices aren't that good, or they look good but the merchandise isn't the manufacturer's standard quality. I went into a Waterford outlet and asked if they had my pattern (Kildare) and she gave me a blank stare. The crystal glasses they had weren't the same quality and they didn't have the ones you'd find in a department store. Last December I saw a camel coat in the Brooks Brothers outlet. It cost half as much as the one in the catalogue and it was flimsy compared to the one I bought in their store years ago. I'm guessing that if I went into a regular Brooks Brothers, the better-quality version would be in there. I'd read once that manufacturers actually make some things just for the outlet stores- they look like a bargain but the quality is lower than their regular merchandise. I've learned not to get excited about "regular" prices and just decide if the item is worth the current, posted price.
As for Woodbury Commons, which cawiau mentioned, I once went there when I lived in NJ and couldn't find a parking place. Period. I'm perfectly willing to park on the outskirts and walk to the stores, but I will not cruise around and follow people to their cars to get a space. Not worth my time.
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Post by Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ on Feb 26, 2011 9:41:11 GMT -5
I've been to the outlets at Flemington, NJ a couple of times. A cute little village. Prices were not impressive. It is a nice location to go to on a sunny early spring day, like today to walk around the village, grab a coffee...lunch, browse. That is about it. Also nice to go around the holidays(ie: TG thru Christmas).
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2011 10:39:52 GMT -5
I'm in love with my local outlet mall. It's pretty obvious which stores create an outlet line and which stores just move their overstock - the tags and quality are different. All the athletic gear stores are originals and so are the kids stuff which is mostly what I shop for. DS has super wide feet and only fits in Stride Rites. I'd be in trouble without their outlet store. I don't find the prices at outlet stores for adult clothing as good as I can get at a regular mall. I think people go nuts assuming everything is a good deal when a lot of the time it isn't.
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Frugal Nurse
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Post by Frugal Nurse on Feb 26, 2011 10:46:06 GMT -5
About once or twice a year, I drive down to Gatlinburg, TN and shop the Tanger outlets. I love it there, especially the Calvin Klein outlet and the Nine West. Also, I usually visit the Carter's outlet to get gifts for friends' children. DH loves the Nike and Reebok outlets for athletic apparel. some of the outlet stores are crappy, but most are pretty good. I've been happy with the quality and styles of the products I've been able to find. It is always a fun outing.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Feb 26, 2011 11:33:47 GMT -5
I've been to both outlets in Myrtle Beach. I can't remember which was which but there was one I liked way better than the other. I go to the one in Hagerstown now and then. I like the kids stores for my 2 yr old niece, Nine West for shoes, Calvin Klein for work pants (and a friend sends me coupons) they carry my exact inseam no hemming necessary, Under Armour, Nike, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Tommy Hifiger, Gap and Hanes. Most of them either have better deals than I find elsewhere or products I can't find in mall stores. Maybe now that I have Nordstroms and Macys locally I could find Calvin Klein and Tommy but I haven't really checked. I drive past it everytime I go home so if I need something I stop. Sometimes in nice weather I'll stop and just walk around to break up the monotony of the trip. I've also been up to the ones in Washington, PA. When I lived in Morgantown it was closer than running all the way to Pittsburgh when I needed dress clothes. I went to the Samsonite store when I needed luggage and of course the kid stores for my niece. I went to the ones in Gatlinburg last summer, was able to exchange some stuff for my niece at Carters. The prices tend to be a bit lower than the mall versions and I've been happy with everythng I've bought so far. Not dirt cheap on everything but a bit lower.
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upstatemom
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Post by upstatemom on Feb 26, 2011 11:34:17 GMT -5
I have always found outlets hit or miss. The last time I went I got some great deals on under armor for my boys and scored on shoes for me at Cl arks. Other times I have gone and bought nothing. I agree that some stores do make lower quality products for the outlets.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Feb 26, 2011 11:40:48 GMT -5
I've got a "village" outlet near me too. I have found great deals on bras/undies at the Maidenform store - same labels as department stores - as well as half (retail) price kitchen stuff in the Corelle store. oh, and excellent deals on shoes. my go-to brands - Nine West and Aerosoles - both have stores there, and both do a lot of BOGO deals.
I don't go there for clothes much, there's a lot of teen/club clothes. the stores that I would go to for myself generally have checkout lines that are steadily wrapped around the store.
other than the overnight for Black Friday (this place opens at midnight) when I'm goofing on the crowds with my sis, I avoid this place completely from Thanksgiving to about a week into January.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2011 11:45:15 GMT -5
We live about 15-20 minutes from the Woodburry Commons Outlet Mall. My wife likes it because for some of the stores she finds what she wants and they are usually good quality.
As for me, I usually just pick up sneakers, under armors, work out clothes when I go with her.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Feb 26, 2011 11:45:33 GMT -5
The deal with outlet shopping is that you need to be willing to walk out without buying anything if there are no deals.
I've been to the outlets in Gatlinburg, Myrtle Beach, between Cincinnati and Columbus and the ones south of Indianapolis. I've also been to the ones N of Seattle.
There have been times where I've gotten some very good deals. Last Chirstmas, I managed to score a Le Creuset dutch oven for my sister for her present. I managed to get one that was about 70% off the list price for a 9 qt. Not the perfect color, but it was ok. Other places I've done well have been at Clarks, Eddie Bauer, Coach and Brooks Brothers (where I managed to find a HEAVY pea coat). IME, there are some stores that just don't have good deals and after a couple runs through the stores, I really don't bother anymore.
In my experience, you have to be very aware of what you're buying. You need to pay more attention to the quality than you'd normally do. For instance, in the pea coat that I bought, all the buttons were loose. Not a big deal, especially when I turned it inside out to look at how the coat was built. Buttons are easy enough to fix, especially for 50% off.
I've walked out with a trunk full of bags.....or nothing.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Feb 26, 2011 12:18:56 GMT -5
This is true I have walked out with a whole lot of nothing. Of course the same is also true when I go to regular stores. I swear if I need something specific for my work wardrobe or something no one will have it. I spent forever looking for brown boots this fall/winter.
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Feb 26, 2011 12:34:08 GMT -5
I think, these days, that most "outlet" stores are just a big marketing gimmick. Now, 20 years ago when I was in college near Reading, PA, they had REAL outlet stores!
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Post by gsbrq on Feb 26, 2011 12:51:19 GMT -5
I have found a few great deals, but I have also gone and bought nothing because the deals weren't very good. And sometimes the prices are higher at the outlets than what you'd pay just shopping the clearance racks at the regular stores.
My best buys have been Le Creuset stuff on clearance, Victoria's Secret bras for $4.99, a Pottery Barn couch for about 70% off, tanks & t-shirts & sweaters at Banana Republic, and a nice big rug at Crate & Barrel for $80. I never seem to find good deals on shoes at outlets...I have better luck at the local Rack Room.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2011 13:31:31 GMT -5
I work for a clothing company that owns some stores in outlet malls so I shop there and use my employee discount. There are two times a year where the discount is nearly 50% - that when we do most of our clothes buying. So yes, outlets work for me.
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TD2K
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Post by TD2K on Feb 26, 2011 14:32:15 GMT -5
I find the deals at the outlet malls here aren't that great. Now, over in KY, I got some great deals at the Eddie Bauer outlet malls. Mich used to be envious that I could walk out with shirts for less than $10 and Eddie Bauer shirts last for ages.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2011 14:35:56 GMT -5
Stride rite, I know after a year sends their extras to the outlets. I think that outlets work depends on the store.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Feb 26, 2011 17:12:55 GMT -5
I think, these days, that most "outlet" stores are just a big marketing gimmick. Now, 20 years ago when I was in college near Reading, PA, they had REAL outlet stores! Oh god yes! I used to go to the Reading outlets with friends in junior high. They sure weren't as nice and pretty as the outlets centers are now! The big outlet mall near BF's mom has a Nine West, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor outlet. That is all I need. ;D
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Feb 26, 2011 17:36:27 GMT -5
There's one at Ellenton, Florida that is pretty hit or miss. There's one in Lincoln City, Oregon that's always a hit!!!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2011 18:21:06 GMT -5
When outlets first started appearing...maybe 25+ years ago?...the bargains were great. Now not so much. We used to go to Boaz, AL, and spend an entire day and very little money and go home with the car cram packed with deals from glassware to clothing to linens. Birch Run near Flint, MI, was another good one. I haven't been to either in many years.
The ones that have sprung up near trendy/pricey areas usually have nice merchandise, but their prices certainly aren't *outlet* prices IMO.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2011 18:48:04 GMT -5
What I liked about outlets were that I could find stuff that wasn't available in my local store. I have a china fetish so I was mostly interested in housewares. I could find stuff at the Corelle store and the Pfaltzgraff store cheap. It wasn't really available in stores. It was online but with horrendous shipping charges. But they closed the nearby Corelle outlet, and I sold my Gatlinburg timeshare. I am sure I am saving $$$ because of it.
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Feb 26, 2011 18:48:18 GMT -5
There is a great book about outlet malls and how they've tricked most people. Pretty much every no-no for a regular mall is a yes-yes for an outlet (located in the middle of nowhere, minimal food choices...) It tricks people into thinking that they are making a day of it, and can't leave empty handed.
It also says the same thing about "made for outlet" stuff. You are supposed to think you are getting the same item for a fraction of the price, but you probably aren't. The Ralph Lauren outlet was charging the same price as the regular store, but the quality felt worse.
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sapphire12
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Post by sapphire12 on Feb 26, 2011 19:54:23 GMT -5
Generally speaking I would agree that outlet malls are more a marketing gimmick than a destination for great buys. There appeal for me is they have a lot of stores in one place. I have my list of stores, which I like to hit. When the weather is pleasant, it's good exercise to walk around and if by myself I can walk around 2 or 3 times and deem that successful, especially when traveling. There are two nice outlet centers on International Drive in Orlando; good times when I went to Disney last year. Since I only pack a carry on when traveling, I'm limited by how much I can buy. He He.
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lurkyloo
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Post by lurkyloo on Feb 26, 2011 21:25:14 GMT -5
I used to love driving up to the outlet mall in Kittery ME--it was a great feeling to get out of the city, and I scored some really good stuff at the Eddie Bauer Home outlet (mentioned this on EE already, but I'm still kicking myself for buying just one set of black watch plaid flannel sheets at 75% off!) Also enjoyed the Cosmetics Company store, where you could buy directly the Estee Lauder and Clinique "free gift" sets--I wear minimal makeup, so those trial sizes are about right for me. Brooks Bros, J Crew, Harry and David and the Pepperidge farm outlet were other favorites with the odd good deal. Oh, and Dansk. I have a stoneware set from Dansk that I absolutely adore, and it keeps getting savaged by houseguest and husband alike Can't find replacement pieces anywhere. These days, I'm thoroughly unimpressed with outlet malls. They just seem like gimmicky regular stores, and quality in general seems to have gone down the tubes. I'll go occasionally, but finding a real deal is the exception, not the norm. For kicks, we went to an outlet Black Friday sale (to us it's relatively easy to stay up till midnight, compared to getting up at 4 a.m.) and the gimmicks were horrific. Bass was advertising a buy-one-pair-get-two-pairs-free on shoes...except the shoes started at $120. I got a nice cashmere-blend sweater at Jones NY for $25...but on the whole, if I'd driven more than 5 min to get there, I'd've been pissed.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Feb 26, 2011 21:37:42 GMT -5
Oh, and Dansk. I have a stoneware set from Dansk that I absolutely adore, and it keeps getting savaged by houseguest and husband alike Can't find replacement pieces anywhere. check out Replacements, Ltd. for extra pieces. other than the filler Corelle, my everyday-ware is a discontinued set from Mikasa that I picked up - open stock - at a Building 19. $80 for full service for 9. I had figured on needing a replacement eventually...then I found that site. it looked like they had quite a selection, maybe they have your pattern?
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Post by backontrack on Feb 26, 2011 22:22:06 GMT -5
I think, these days, that most "outlet" stores are just a big marketing gimmick. Now, 20 years ago when I was in college near Reading, PA, they had REAL outlet stores! I'd agree with this! We live within walking distance of a big outlet. About the only time I go over there is to Stride Rite. It's impossible to even park on 3 day weekends, around Christmas, and half of the summer. Occasionally there are some deals, but most of the time I find much cheaper prices elsewhere.
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Poppet
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Post by Poppet on Feb 26, 2011 22:27:52 GMT -5
I'd rather go to thrift stores than an outlet mall.
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Post by dancinmama on Feb 26, 2011 22:41:35 GMT -5
I live very close to one of the largest outlet malls in the country and, for the most part, the really good deals are very limited. They literally bring people in by the busload although I have no idea where the buses are coming from.
I was able to get some stoneware from the Mikasa store at that outlet mall when we first moved here a few years ago and got an awesome deal, but the Mikasa store closed over a couple of years ago.
I will agree that the quality is hit and miss and so are the great deals. The better deals can be had when they have a huge sidewalk sale which is a couple of times a year, but I rarely even bother with those any more.
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lurkyloo
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Post by lurkyloo on Feb 27, 2011 2:02:28 GMT -5
Thanks, chiver, but I wasn't able to find it (I've looked on a couple of similar sites). Doesn't help that there's not a pattern name on the back (I think it's called scottish thistle or something like that), or that it's stoneware rather than china. Oh well; it goes nicely with the Corelle shadow iris pattern, and you can abuse Corelle any way you like
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Feb 27, 2011 15:22:58 GMT -5
We have an outlet mall in Williamsburg, VA but I find most of the stores have lesser quality items than the lines you find in a regular store. I do buy my Le Cruset when it's on sale a couple of times a year. I do find Clark's shoes at the outlets, but they don't always have my size and I do better at Zappo's.
Our outlets used to have Mikasa and Dansk outlets, but those have closed up so I don't often go there any more. I can usually find better deals locally or on-line.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Feb 27, 2011 21:46:25 GMT -5
Thanks, chiver, but I wasn't able to find it (I've looked on a couple of similar sites). Doesn't help that there's not a pattern name on the back (I think it's called scottish thistle or something like that), or that it's stoneware rather than china. Oh well; it goes nicely with the Corelle shadow iris pattern, and you can abuse Corelle any way you like bummer, sorry it didn't help. I'm 100% with you on abusing Corelle though. lol... my Mikasa pattern is a wide brim pattern with white for the food-contact surfaces. interior of the coffee cups is completely white. I've filled in quite well with Corelle's 'winter frost white' and nobody has ever given it a second thought. well, except the nosy ones that have flipped pieces over.
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Peace77
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Post by Peace77 on Feb 28, 2011 15:21:41 GMT -5
You can buy Dansk on Ebay and Amazon and MyTableware.com. There are still Dansk outlet stores: www.factoryoutletsusa.com/dansk.htm However, if your pattern has been discontinued like mine was, Ebay or Replacements.com are your best bets.
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