Outlet stores can be a great way to save on clothing, shoes, household goods, furniture and more with or without using coupons. When the warmer season arrives, many of us flock to the outskirts of towns and cities to do some outlet shopping and save money.
But just like in a regular retail store, you can save a lot or you can spend a lot on your purchases, depending on how you shop. The outlet stores apply some tricks of the trade to get you to make purchases, and if you aren’t careful, that great bargain may not be so great.
Here are some tips on how you can save the next time you go outlet shopping.
1. Stop by the visitor center
Your first stop at an outlet center or outlet mall should be at the visitor center. You can pick up a map as well as any coupons that might be available. A helpful employee may even be able to let you know which stores are having clearance sales on their clearance! Planning out your shopping will make sure that you have enough time to get the best bargains.
2. Do your price research
Today with smart phones that can access the Internet, you can check prices instantly. Make sure you do this or research prices ahead of time. Some outlet stores will inflate the retail price so you think that you are getting a bigger bargain than you are. You will probably still save money on your purchase, but knowing the real retail price will help you make wise decisions or even haggle a bit on the things that you buy.
Sometimes you may find that certain products are not discounted at all from the regular store prices. This is usually true of the core or signature products that the store sells, its best sellers.
3. Check the quality
While many outlet stores carry the same merchandise that is carried in the regular retail stores and get stocked from them, there are some stores that have the shadier practice of creating items just for the outlet store. These items will often be made with less expensive material or shoddier workmanship. They are passed off as if they were the real thing so you think that you are getting a great bargain. Before you buy, hold fabric up to the light, check seams and compare the quality to what you expect for the price.
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