A recent trip to the Print Outlets in a small town in Illinois showed me two things. There were a lot of empty stores even at the outlet mall and outlet pricing isn’t always such a great deal. In one store I overheard a lady saying to a coworker – why are they sending these thing s here if they have been discontinued? The reply from her co-worker – they have no place else to send them.
In another store there were three different prices for a bag in the same style. One was on sale because of the color, another was the regular price and yet another was discounted even further. The salesman in the store was asked about the prices on the bags and he said corporate sets the prices and makes it difficult for him. Because the black bag was the most expensive, the ivory one was at a clearance price and the dark brown bag was still another price… he and the store lost the sale.
Both scenarios show that outlet stores aren’t always high end merchandise. A few stores still use their outlet or factory stores for imperfect or discontinued merchandise though it is possible to get a great deal at different stores checking for imperfections and prices. It might be possible for an employee to offer you a discount at an outlet store but not very likely that you will get the deal that you want.
The discount may be elusive at an outlet mall and may not offer discounts like you may find at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s or A.J. Wright. Since most outlet malls are on the periphery of large cities, making the trip to one might be a nice outing but don’t always expect to find such great deals.
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