Factory Outlet Malls
 

So, what's your experience with them? I've been to three different ones, and have had varying savings from them. I just found out that the one closest to me has two new stores that I love, and am toying with the drive.

What's your verdict? Did you ever get something really a bargain? Or have you found something that you liked from another season? Or is it mostly older styles?

Give up your Factory Outlet stories!!

It depends. I have been to some stores that make the claim that they have "outlet prices", but in fact their prices are no better than a sale at the store. I hate that! After driving (wasting gas) to get there, I hate to find out that I could have just looked on the clearance rack at my local mall to find the same thing and price.

I can only recall a few outlet places that I've been to where it was truly oulet prices - and that was the Gap distribution center in Erlanger (Northern KY) and the Coach outlet in Pigeon Forge, TN. I do have to say that on the 2 occassion that I have been to the JC Penney outlet store in Kansas City that I have scored some deals there so I'll include it for now. :)

The only one I've truly been thrilled with is the Lenox outlet. I broke a salad plate to my china and was able to just buy one replacement plate there, which is helpful.

I really like the Gap Outlet in Lebanon, TN. It is really nice with some good deals.

I LOVE Opry Mills. It is all outlet stores. I have gotten Halston shoes for $60 bucks before at Off Saks. And, Charlotte Russe is nice. Some things from there suck, though.

Like the above poster, Pigeon Forge has some awesome outlet shopping. Whenever we go to our vacation house in Gatlinburg, we hit the outlets:)

Usually, I have found that I can always find wardrobe staples from outlets. If I want something really trendy, I know better than to look at outlets. But, if you are looking for things you can wear from year to year it is AWESOME. (By wardrobe staples, I mean jeans, shoes, t-shirts, nice blouses, jackets, skirts, little black dresses, etc.)

I am a big fan of outlet malls. I've gotten quite a few really good deals there. Many of the places have last season's styles, but some have current styles...it all depends. Some places also make lines of clothing expressly for the outlet stores. Of course, some places have better deals than others. For example, the L'eggs Hanes Bali Playtex, which has good deals on some stuff, sells other things (like Just My Size bras etc.) for the same price you can get them at Target. I've seen Levi's jeans on sale at Kohl's for the same price or less than they are at the outlet. On the other hand, I've consistently gotten great deals at the J.C. Penney outlet, Eddie Bauer outlet, the VF Factory Outlet (sells Lee, Wrangler, Vanity Fair and some other brands), and Nordstrom Rack.

My big score today: I went to the Chicago Premium Outlets, which is a fairly new outlet center in Aurora (west of Chicago). I decided to go into the Kate Spade outlet store, just to see what was there. I snagged a really cute red tote bag with a dog on it (the Darling Dog Jaidyn I think it's called), originally priced at $175, for $59 including tax!

I posted about my Vera Bradley buys in that thread. (A small cosmetic bag - with some body lotion thrown in - for $7 with an extra 10% off at the Crabtree & Evelyn outlet, for instance!)

I luuuuuuuurve the Premium Outlet Mall here. I don't go too often because it's somewhat of a "drive", but when I go, I usually find great stuff at Guess?, Saks Off 5th, BCBG/Max Azria, Kenneth Cole, and Coach without spending a fortune!

The only bitch part about the experience? The parking. The parking's like hell on earth, especially on the weekends.

Went to one today. LOVE IT!!!

I found great deals. So happy!

You definitely have to know the general prices of the "regular" store before assuming it's cheap just because it's an "outlet" store. That being said I HAVE found some GREAT deals, mainly at the same stores OTW mentioned, Guess?, BCBG, one of my coach purses is from the outlet. I go into Gap and such, but the prices weren't THAT great and it was the same stuff I passed over in the mall at the beginning of the season. I usually go around x mas and when I'm driving that far away anyway.

I love the Outlet Malls up here.. and we have a TON because of No Sales Tax in NH.

But they can be VERY hit or miss. Sometimes you find AMAZING deals (especially when they have sales) - other times it is just as expensive as the regular stores.

I ALWAYS have good luck at the GAP outlet though - Ralph Lauren is usually good too!

Factory 'outlet' malls - combat shopping at its finest! :D

There are fabulous deals on kids' clothes at the nearby Gap and Old Navy outlets. All the other stores are a ripoff, though.

We used to have a Spiegel outlet near us that was wonderful. Sometimes you had to dig but you could usually find some really great stuff there. Unfortunately when they went bankrupt they closed the outlet store. They also had an Eddie Bauer and a Gap outlet right next door which were wonderful as well. I've bought several winter coats at the Eddie Bauer outlet for under $50.

We used to have a Spiegel Outlet in Naperville. I loooooved that place. It was a good source for jeans and shoes. I miss it.

I love shopping at outlet malls! Sometimes you can find a good bargain, and some chains (like the Bombay Co.) have items that are only offered at outlet stores.

Arundel Mills is only about 10 miles from me and I used to frequent the Carters outlet there when the girls were younger. Great prices, there. The other stores aren't all that impressive except for Saks Off Fifth and H&M.

Honey, you always have a place to stay if you'd like to check out Arundel Mills! The only downside is that we have tax on clothing in Maryland so the prices are automatically 5% higher than in Pennsylvania :(