Factory Outlet Malls

[Lady Pi Phi]

I've never had a good experience with an outlet mall.

The Cookstown Outlet Mall in Cookstown, ON. (which is near me) is a waste of an hours drive and gas. They have a Nike outlet store, but the prices are exactly the same as the Nike Store in downtown Toronto.

[AChiOAlumna]

I think it's a hit and miss...I'll go into outlet malls (and we have lots of them within a 1-hour drive from us!) and sometimes I'll find great deals...other times, the deals aren't really "deals" but the price represents what you're paying for...

I like to compare them to the buying process to Ebay...if you know what you want and you know the quality/price of what it's worth, then you can determine if you're getting a good deal..you need to go in with your eyes open...

[Munchkin03]

I'm a big fan of outlet malls. Some are hit-and-miss, but if there's something you want, and you know it's less than what it would cost retail, then it's a good deal.

There's a premium outlet, Silver Sands Factory Stores, near my hometown. Some of the stores, like J.Crew, Nike, and Reebok, are picked over and you'll never really find a great deal. The GAP, Banana Republic, and Off Fifth Stores are really good. If you are an uncommon shoe, bra, or dress size, you'll find excellent deals in premium outlets. Many of the home fashion stores are excellent---I found 1,000 thread count sheet sets for $39.99.

I'm planning to make a pilgrimage to Woodbury Commons (NYC-area outlet) in the near future.

[33girl]

Grove City's the bestest. The prices are comparable to a coupon sale at Kaufmann's and I can find stuff there I can't in the regular stores - especially Gap & Banana Republic.

I was at one of the outlet malls in Lancaster (this is many years ago) and I was apalled - yes the merchandise was cheap, but everything was really shoddily made and kind of dirty. that's when people would buy anyhting that said "outlet" on it and thought it was TEH BARGAIN.

[Xylochick216]

We registered for our china and everyday dishes from the Mikasa & Pfaltzgraff outlets. Prices are at least 10% cheaper (if not more) and they have a better selection than most stores.

A lot of the other stores in the same outlet center don't really have good deals, though. I've seen some shoe outlets where prices are cheaper in the regular stores

The JCrew outlet is in my town since the distribution center is here. I get good deals there a lot.

[valkyrie]

I do almost all of my shopping online, but if I do go to a store, I want to have a really nice experience, so I don't go to outlet malls. I'd rather go to, say, Anthropologie or some other cute little store, or Field's, when I still lived where they have them.

Unfortunately, I am not a bargain shopper.

[AWJDZ]

there is a large outlet mall about 20 min. from where I live. I go to the Banana Republic and Gap outlet often. The BR carries their own line of outlet clothes, top quality but not in the stores. Its nothing for me to run down there one friday after I get off work to find something to wear out if I am having one of those "i have nothing to wear" days. I get a lot of my PE teaching clothes from the Nike outlet there. Bombay and Co. has a good outlet store also. Mom does a lot of shopping in the Liz Calborne outlet and we both get deals at the Yankee Candle outlet. Shirts and shirt dresses from the Polo outlet are another staple that I pick up. I have visited some good outlets in SC. In the older outlets on 501 I have founds some deals on the Off 5th Ave. outlet and Coach outlet. Ann Taylor has a store further down the road at the new outlet center. I made a deal with the ex bf who lived there...if you are going to Bass Pro Shops, I get to go to the outlets across the street!

[RedRoseSAI]

Originally posted by Sister Havana
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!

Hey, I was in that store today, too. I got something cute for my cousin's high school graduation gift. I also scored a really nice tube top/skirt outfit at BCBG and a swing pack at Coach. I had high hopes for the Le Crueset store, but couldn't find the pot in the color I wanted.

[honeychile]

Thanks, everyone!!

I'm going to Grove City tomorrow (33girl, I think the Lancaster one is shoddy, too!), mostly because I LOVE Coldwater Creek's clothes, and they have an outlet there. I will duly report any savings, etc. Did I mention that CC was silly enough to send me a $25 gift card (if I spend $100 - VERY easy to do!)? I tried to copy & paste a copy of the dresses I'm interested in for a wedding I'm attending, but CC wouldn't let me.

The best action I've had at an outlet mall was when I had won $100 in gift cards - talk about bargains!! Like valkyrie, I rather do my shopping online or via catalog, so I have to be inspired to go. I got my china at Grove City's Mikasa outlet, and basically got 2 place settings free.

Since I take an odd bra size, I always check Vanity Fair, but have only come up with one prize there; same with Reebok. I'm psyched that there's a Bombay Store there now - I could easily live in a completely Bombay-style house!

Honeykiss, you mentioned an outlet store in Kansas - is it near Kansas City? I think I went to one in Olanthe? (?) There was an awesome quilt store there that I still kick myself for not taking seriously! I'm going to a convention there in August, so if you know if that mall still exists, please let me know if there's a quilt store there. If there is, I'm bringing an empty suitcase!!

Anyone near DC, is the outlet mall just south of the Beltway, somewhat near Quantico any good? Are all Spiegel Outlets bankrupt?

[KillarneyRose]

Originally posted by honeychile
Anyone near DC, is the outlet mall just south of the Beltway, somewhat near Quantico any good?

You're thinking of Potomac Mills, which is part of a chain of outlet malls (The Mills Corporation), and it's a pretty good mall but is always overrun by busloads of people on shopping pilgrimages.

[midwesterngirl]

Originally posted by honeychile
Thanks, everyone!!


Honeykiss, you mentioned an outlet store in Kansas - is it near Kansas City? I think I went to one in Olanthe? (?) There was an awesome quilt store there that I still kick myself for not taking seriously! I'm going to a convention there in August, so if you know if that mall still exists, please let me know if there's a quilt store there. If there is, I'm bringing an empty suitcase!!

I'm not Honeykiss but I live near this outlet mall. Unfortunately,there isn't much there anymore. All the big stores like Old Navy and Dillards are long gone. They advertised it as an outlet mall but the prices are comparable to the regular mall. Since the regular mall has better stores and is just much nicer all around,that is where people go.

I would suggest instead of outlet shopping,maybe hitting some of the antique shops in Greenwood or the Branson area. I know some of the little Ozark towns thrive on the tourist industry and it is only a few hours drive.. You may also find some interesting things at the City Market. Its always a fun place to go. It has all sorts of unique homemade items and its a great place to people watch.

[honeychile]

Well, due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn't able to spend as much time at the outlet as I would have liked, but here's the scoop on Coldwater Creek: mostly winter clothing, all the dresses were 50% off, but many of the "sale" prices of items I've seen in the catalog were actually the same price as in the catalog. The purses & belts were $14.98/$9.98, but as I don't plan on attending a country western party in the near future, they weren't for me. The 25 pairs (yes, I counted) of shoes I saw were only $15 each, but in odd sizes. If you wear an eight or ten, you're in fine shape - otherwise, it was catch as catch can.

I ended up with four multi-season sweaters (two of which I had lusted after, and were originally $69.98 each) for $101.

The Reebok outlet had some great sales, but not the shoes I wanted, and Jones New York was SOO packed, I didn't even get in the door!

I remain convinced that outlets are wonderful for housewares and similar things (about which you know the price), but not to count on the clothing stores for your dream dress!

midwesterngirl, thank you SOO much for the info on that KS mall! I was trying to figure out a way to get a quilt back home, but I think I'll just wait until my next trip to Grove City and hit Volante Mills (a lot of Amish/Mennonite items) for a quilt!

[honeychile]

Originally posted by KillarneyRose
You're thinking of Potomac Mills, which is part of a chain of outlet malls (The Mills Corporation), and it's a pretty good mall but is always overrun by busloads of people on shopping pilgrimages.

Now, that's just depressing! I just may take you up on Arundel Mills, though, now that I've given up on finding "the" dress at an outlet! Watch, you just KNOW I'll find it in a state with sales tax on clothing!!

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by midwesterngirl
I'm not Honeykiss but I live near this outlet mall. Unfortunately,there isn't much there anymore. All the big stores like Old Navy and Dillards are long gone. They advertised it as an outlet mall but the prices are comparable to the regular mall. Since the regular mall has better stores and is just much nicer all around,that is where people go.

I would suggest instead of outlet shopping,maybe hitting some of the antique shops in Greenwood or the Branson area. I know some of the little Ozark towns thrive on the tourist industry and it is only a few hours drive.. You may also find some interesting things at the City Market. Its always a fun place to go. It has all sorts of unique homemade items and its a great place to people watch.

Thanks midwesterngirl. At first, I thought honeychile was talking about The Great Plains mall and I was going to cry! Its been a while since been to it, but I loved going to Off Fifth and DSW there.

The Dillards outlet closed? *le sigh*

Originally posted by Xylochick216

The JCrew outlet is in my town since the distribution center is here. I get good deals there a lot.

Oh, I bet that is an awesome place to shop. One day....

[tri-d]

I like outlet malls--I have been to a bunch all over the country and have found that sometimes you can get a great deal, other times not--it's basically hit or miss. The one place I always stop is Harry & David's--their prices are much better than the store and I am addicted to their pepper and onion relish--such a great dip. I always stop in the Nike outlets as well as they usually have decent deals on sports bras and running gear.