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The short answer is: It really depends on what you’re looking for. There I was, highly prepared and highly caffeinated, I got to Gilroy just after noon on the Saturday of President’s weekend. I set myself a budget, and researched the stores in the complex, planning out the most efficient route, in order to maximize my time there. I was confident that I would come out of the excursion with a number of amazing finds.
It’s true, I did find a few gems, and was not disappointed but, on the whole, the outlets were not quite the treasure trove I had envisioned. Here’s why:
It’s true, I did find a few gems, and was not disappointed but, on the whole, the outlets were not quite the treasure trove I had envisioned. Here’s why:
A Few Unspoken Rules of Outlet Shopping:
- Thou shalt not be average in size. (Or otherwise, be very patient in your search.) The REAL winners at the outlets, especially on a super sale weekend are those who reside at either end of the size chart. Most of the available selections are from last season. Totally fine, if you ask me (Carrie Bradshaw, I am NOT.) I do suggest that, when you go, be prepared. Know what you like and how things fit on your frame, and in with the rest of your wardrobe. The outlets are not necessarily the best way to explore new styles, but you may find some unique pieces here and there. I suggest you check out the retailers’ websites or main stores in advance, and make a list of the things you are looking for.
- There really is no “quick trip” to the outlets. In Gilroy, CA, where I went, there are over 145 stores from Ann Taylor to Calphalon, to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. I remember when I was a kid, outlet shopping was a family activity every year when we visited my grandparents. It took all day then, and it takes almost that long now. Often the culprits stealing our time are crowds, (although this trip was surprisingly light traffic-wise), lack of shop organization, and distractions (ooooh look, a kiosk of wind chimes!). When I look at an item, I ask myself: Do I need this? Will I wear it on more than two occasions? “Does it go with more than one thing I already have? The last two criteria are imperative to preventing a waste of your time and more importantly, a waste of your hard-earned money.
- Bring your calculator and pay attention to the signs on each rack. Many times, the actual price you’ll pay is not written anywhere on the tag itself. For example, I purchased a pair of pants at Ann Taylor that would normally retail at the mall for $88.00, the tag read “$59.99”, but a sale on certain styles meant another 40% discount. So in the end, I paid $41.99. If I had not paid attention to the sale indicators, I may not have gotten the full discount available. The same kinds of savings were available throughout the complex.
- Brand loyalty just might pay off. I am not personally loyal to any one label. If you are, however, there are additional savings opportunities available for holders of brand loyalty cards. The new frequent flyer miles are frequent shopper points. I noticed applications in several of the shops, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, each loyalty card offered the chance for information on “secret” sales, and additional discounts once you built up points with them. Not really good for vacationers, but, if you live near an outlet it could save you a bunch in the long run. (Also, if you’re like me and protect your online info, sign up for a new Gmail account for just that purpose: marketing and contests. Then, you can check it when you feel like and don’t have to worry too much about spam.)
- Did you know some outlets can special order? I went into two different shoe stores and both offered to special order the style and size I needed when they were out of stock. One even offered free shipping to my home! The outlet stores’ biggest competition is online shopping. If they don’t have what you need, chances are they will go the extra mile to keep your business.
