How to Shop Smart and Save Money at Outlet Stores

If you shop smart and do your homework, outlet stores can be a great place to save money.

But the allure of outlet malls can also get you to overspend.

There Are Different Types of “Outlet Stores”

Outlet stores come in the three major varieties.

Here’s how it breaks down.

Actual Outlet Stores:True outlet locations provide the largest potential for savings.

They carry products that were originally stocked in regular retail stores.

Items may be damaged or have irregularities, or may be phased out seasonal products and are priced accordingly.

REI, Lands' End, JCPenney, and Nordstrom Rack all have “true” outlet stores.

Also, ifyou’re comfortable haggling, true outlet locations offer a chance to hone your skills.

Damaged items may already be marked down, but there is typically wiggle room in the price.

This is especially true at furniture outlets where floor space is limited and inventory needs to be moved quickly.

Factory Stores:These locations carry merchandise made specifically for them, not items that were originally stocked elsewhere.

In other words, stuff is cheaper for a reason.

Often the price tag or label will have “Factory” printed on it.

Gap, J.Crew, Eddie Bauer, Under Armour, and Express all have popular factory stores.

Screaming deals are hard to find as the merchandise and pricing is typically identical to regular stores.

Most outlet stores won’t accept regular issue in-store coupons.

They typically have to be labeled as “outlet” coupons and can often be hard to find.

you might search Google until you’re blue in the face and not find a single useable one.

Instead, turn to Facebook.

Search for the business page of the specific outlet location you’ll be visiting.

For example, “Gap Outlet Shasta Factory Outlet Mall”.

They carry a mixture of last season’s styles along with items made specifically for the outlet.

Because of this mixture, it can be hard to determine where in the store the deals are located.

It’s where they stock all last of inventory shoes, as well as B-grade shoes.

This is because both weekends correspond to the end of a fashion season.

It’s a great time to stock up on the cheap for the following year.

Finally,be aware of the return policyat outlet stores.

They can vary wildly.

Some items are final sale and others require you to return items only to the outlet location.

Never assume that just because you walk into an outlet location you’re going to find a steal.