Our outlet store shopping trip

[disneysteve]

We spent the weekend in Hanover, MD. Our hotel was across the street from Arundel Mill, a large outlet mall. As I posted in my blog, I picked up 3 identical items to resell on ebay. Actually, I'll probably sell 2 and keep 1 for myself. Original price was $24.50. They were marked down to $5.99 and then on sale for another 40% off, making the final price just $3.81 with tax. I checked ebay and one sold on Saturday for $26.96. Several others have sold recently, all over $20 each. I'll be perfectly satisfied if I get $20 each for 2 of mine, having spent less than $12 for all 3.

Today, we stopped at the Perryville outlets. I knew Van Heusen was having a sale because I get their e-mail newsletter. I bought 3 dress shirts. DW bought 2 skirts and a blouse. That all came to about $92.00. At checkout, we got a coupon good for $10 off any purchase in April. We got another coupon good for $5 off any purchase today only at the Bass outlet (a few stores away).

We left Van Heusen and went to Bass. We browsed around and neither of us found anything we wanted. Men's dress socks were $5/pair. I wouldn't normally spend that much for socks but I saw no reason to pass up a free pair with my coupon, so I picked up a pair and paid with the coupon. Free socks.

Van Heusen also recently started a rewards program. For every $100 you spend, you get a $10 gift card. I signed up last week online and got 50 points for doing so. Add the 92 points we earned today and we're at 142 points, meaning a $10 gift card should be on it's way to us shortly.

[nanamom]

I never thought of doing outlet for ebay. I may take that idea! We are heading for Mall of America this weekend. I will watch sales and see if I can get anything worth reselling. Thanks for the idea!

[Hot dog]

I almost went to Arrundel Mills this weekend but didn't. I wanna go to Medieval Times Restaurant and I have a coupon for BOGO. Usually it is 50 a person but 50 for two is a good deal. May go this weekend just missed ya

[disneysteve]

Arundel Mills was PACKED this weekend. No signs of a recession there. The parking lot Saturday night and Sunday night was a zoo. Cars in every space. Cars parked on the medians and islands. Cars parked illegally. It was nuts. Lines to get into all of the restaurants. A crowd at the theater. We weren't down by Medieval Times so I don't know how busy they were, but I bet they were packed, too.

[Goldy1]

There are outlet malls about an hour and a half from me. I have not been in years. IT was half and half a few years ago. There were some great deals at some stores, but many were comparable to regular mall sale prices.

I heard outlets did very well for the holidays here.

I just hate how if I need to retrun an item, the place is far. There is a mall near me that is kind of considered an outlet mall, but it is an inside mall.s
There are those certain brands people love to buy on e bay.

[Kelli-Saving Money]

Outlet Mall Shopping

Shopping in outlet malls can result in big savings, but they also may provide you with lower quality items. Some stores make cheaper products to be sold only at outlet malls.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

What blog? What did you resell?

[nick__45]

Most outlet clothes are lower quality than department stores. This is even truer for places with dedicated outlet stores such as Gap, Kelvin, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. I don't know if this applies for shoes and other items though. I know Levi from Costco are junk as mine torn right along the pelvis from climbing on the truck after 3rd washing and 2 weeks of wear. I never had jeans ripping like that, even my 10 dollars Wrangler from JR outlet store in NC last more than 4 years of rough use before showing signs.

[bjl584]

There is an outlet fairly close to where I live, but there really aren't many deals to be had. It's sort of a yuppy thing. Like, "look at me, I shop at the outlet. Then I go to the Market District and pay twice as much for my groceries."

[adpiterp]

Most outlet clothes are lower quality than department stores. This is even truer for places with dedicated outlet stores such as Gap, Kelvin, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. I don't know if this applies for shoes and other items though. I know Levi from Costco are junk as mine torn right along the pelvis from climbing on the truck after 3rd washing and 2 weeks of wear. I never had jeans ripping like that, even my 10 dollars Wrangler from JR outlet store in NC last more than 4 years of rough use before showing signs.

I have definitely noticed this as well, unless you get something from say, a past season that was delivered from the non-outlet store. A lot of stores now have items they make JUST for the outlets and sometimes the deals are not as good as you would think just because of the quality.

[JoeP]

Are outlet stores good places to find a leather jacket? My jaw dropped when I saw the going rate in local malls and retailers...the prices have gone up a lot since I bought my first (and last) one probably 20 years ago. We have an outlet mall about 30 miles away, but want to know before I make the trip.