Consumer Watch: Buyers guide for outlet shoppers

photo Ellen Phillips

Now that school's started and you took advantage of last month's Tax-Free Weekend (you did, didn't you?), perhaps you're looking at more "restful" shopping than the local malls. Outlet malls can be a bargain-hunter's paradise for savvy consumers.

It used to be that factory outlets were packed to the brim with wonderful bargains. Overstocks, samples and factory seconds with very minor defects were there for the asking, looking and taking. Buses full of shoppers dropped off passengers several times daily, depending upon the location, and parking lots remained full. Unfortunately, many manufacturers nowadays prefer to unload merchandise at discount chains, such as Marshalls, T.J. Maxx and the like, rather than gambling they'll sell well in factory outlets.

It's still possible, however, to get great bargains at outlet malls by carefully shopping. Try to:

• Focus on nonclothing items. While many folks tend to think "Clothes!" when thoughts turn to outlet shopping, the true focus these days should be items like furniture, housewares, and luggage. Stores with this type of merchandise are less likely to be filled with lower-quality merchandise or overstocks and, for the most part, damage is minor, such as an insignificant scratch that can be easily repaired or hidden. Examples of cookware and luggage with the best deals are Samsonite and Le Creuset. Furniture outlet stores are particularly good places for discount as outlets don't want these bulky items taking up floor space for very long. Examples of the best deals include Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, and Ralph Lauren Home.

Shoes and purses are often a super deal in outlet stores. Shoes are less likely to be lower- quality but are often there because of small scuffs or other barely noticeable concerns. Check Adidas and Puma outlets for tennis shoes and Kenneth Cole and Cole Haan outlets for shoes and boots. However, be aware that the more elite brands, such as Chanel, Gucci, and Dolce and Gabanna, can yield the best savings. Designers never want to "sully" their brands/images with lower-quality or outlet-only merchandise so these particular outlet stores tend to be stocked with actual, top-quality, discounted overstock. One exception, however, is handbag maker Coach, which, according to research, can and does feature straight-to-outlet purses and, in fact, has its own stores.

Now that we know what we should outlet shop for other than clothing, let's see how to get the best deals.

• Hunt down coupons. Visit the website and Facebook page of the outlet mall you plan to visit, as well as the sites of the designers whose stores you're likely to go to. You may find coupons of at least 15-20 percent off the outlet prices and sometimes even more. One place to start is www.PremiumOutlets.com and sign up for the VIP Club to receive a free coupon book. (This works for "local" outlet malls in Calhoun, GA, Lebanon, TN, and, also, in Gulfport, MS and Destin and Orlando, FL for you vacationers. And keep travelin' as sixty-two Premium outlet malls are found in 23 states.)

Join AARP if you're the right age. Along with lots of other perks, AARP members qualify for free coupon books that feature savings of up to 20 percent off at Tanger outlet malls. These fantastic shopping havens are located close to us in Calhoun, GA and Pigeon Forge, TN, along with over 400 factory outlet stores in 26 states. In fact, Tanger offers a "Best Price Guarantee," that states if a customer purchases "...merchandise from any Tanger store and find it advertised for less elsewhere within 30 days, WE'LL GLADLY REFUND THE DIFFERENCE TO YOU IN CASH." Now, that's a bargain!

• Shop outlet malls when retail stores have their own sales. Typically, outlet stores have their biggest sales at the same time: Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, Black Friday, the week after Christmas, and so forth.

Ellen Phillips is a retired English teacher who has written two consumer-oriented books. Her Consumer Watch column appears every Sunday. You may contact her at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com

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