1. Our merchandise is made for outlet malls. Many brand-name goods sold at outlets were never destined for high-end shops. Often these items—including some Coach purses, for example—are made exclusively for outlet stores using lower-grade materials. “The coming together of these brand names with the lower price makes us lower our guard,” says Ellen Ruppel Shell, journalist and author of Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture.
2. A lot of the merchandise is full price. Don’t assume everything at an outlet mall is discounted. Some outlets are so jam-packed with stuff that it’s next to impossible to tell what is really on sale. Feeling overwhelmed can skew our judgment. “We often purchase things we wouldn’t purchase at the full-price store,” says Ruppel Shell.
3. Our reference prices are bogus. The regular prices used to calculate the percentage discounts offered at outlet malls are “very suspect,” according to Ruppel Shell. In fact, research has shown outlet reference prices are an average of 6% higher than what the item originally sold for.
4. Read the fine print on coupons. Coupon books advertising hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in savings are often available for free or for a small fee at mall information kiosks. But be warned: many of these coupons require large minimum purchases and can’t be combined with in-store promotions. You also need to check the stores’ return policies before you buy, because items tend to be final sale. Store credit isn’t great either if it requires another drive to the outskirts.
5. You’ll spend more than at a regular mall. Most outlet malls are located on the periphery of big cities. You’d think it’s because land is cheaper out there, but there’s more to it than that. “A side benefit to the mall owners is that you’ve invested your money and time in getting to the mall,” says Ruppel Shell. As a result, customers spend more than they do at traditional stores.
Regarding #1, some people only looks for the brand name...Material? Do they really care a lot?
#4: don't ever pay for the coupon book, I got one as BCAA (same as AAA) member.
#5: doesn't concern us Vancouver ppl going down the States for outlet shopping. It's actually more conviniant for us to go to outlet mall than actual stores within the cities.
I am cheap, but I shop smart. There is something called the Internet and there are apps out there to compare prices.
I have not go to Outlet for a while, even if I go, I only buy when something that is HOT; such as a North Face Fleece Jacket for $75! For Coach shoppers, you can always look at the standard retail, then after maybe 2 seasons, they will show up at the outlet.
And the smart ones don't shop?
chobit 發表於 2012/7/26 21:11
There are two ways to see this.
If you are smart and your opportunity cost is very high, you would rather pay full price at the store right next to you and the spend your time making five times as much money.
Or, if time is not crucial to you, there are plenty of ways to shop with little money, assuming that you are willing to invest the time to figure them out.
how much does it cost you per hour? in usd
librazhy 發表於 2012/7/26 22:18
me?
i have no idea
depends on what I need to do?
I don't really think about cost that much
Saving money itself can be fun and sometimes that's the real objective.
But now I don't shop at all. I hate the idea of owning things. It's a relief to not own anything.
how much does it cost you per hour? in usd
librazhy 發表於 2012/7/26 22:18
I know some of my ex-coworkers simply didn't care
at the rate they were earning
any discount is a waste of time to them.
but for me personally
i simply enjoyed buying things for no cost (flying on airmiles, racking up reward points to shop for free, etc)
it's not that I couldn't afford it
but i like the feel of not paying
發表於 2012-7-25 12:52
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