Outlet malls promise great deals and big bargains on quality, name brand merchandise. Is it hype or can you really save money at these stores? It really depends on where you shop.
A true outlet store saves you money because they sell merchandise in discontinued colors or last year’s styles. Or, they sell merchandise with slight imperfections often invisible to the naked eye. Factory stores offer similar savings, with one extra perk. Some factory store merchandise is made just for the factory store and can’t be found elsewhere. Factory stores eliminate the middle man and pass the savings on to the customer.
The Nike Factory store at Tanger Outlet in Terrell, Texas offers truly great bargains on shoes for all sizes. Shoes selling for over $100 in a retail stores are as low as $40 in the factory store. Most kids shoes at the Nike factory start at $29.99, which is a great deal. However, you can often get a better deal when you purchase kids’ Nikes at a department store and stack coupons on top of already reduced prices.
Osh Kosh B’gosh at Tanger Outlet recently had an amazing sale on kids jeans for $9. That was a 70 percent savings off the original price of $30 a pair. That sale was available at all Osh Kosh stores, which are only located in Outlet Centers. The deal was also available online, with a $6 flat shipping rate. That was a true bargain. Osh Kosh merchandise sold in department stores rarely, if ever, gets that low.
Old Navy at Tanger Outlet Center also had a sale on jeans for kids and adults. The price was $10 for basic jeans – a savings of nearly 50 percent. However, the same deal was available online and at all Old Navy stores. It’s still a good deal, but not if you’re driving past several Old Navy retail stores just to shop at the outlet.
The key to shopping outlet malls is to know your prices before you shop. Do your research on sales, too. Find out which stores are at the mall you plan to shop, and look up those retailers online for their sales and regular prices on the items you need. A little extra effort is worth it to save big bucks.
Here is a list of Outlet malls in the DFW area:
Allen Premium Outlets
820 West Stacy Rd., Suite 428
Allen,TX 75013
972-678-0558
Tanger Outlets
301 Tanger Dr., Suite 103
Terrell,TX 75160
972-551-3007
Grapevine Mills
3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Suite 252
Grapevine,TX 76051
972-724-2558
Gainesville Outlet Shops
4321 N. I-35
Gainesville, TX 76240
940.668.1888
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