How much of the savings are real at an outlet mall? The lure of big sales all the time is what draws shoppers, but can you do just as well online or at a regular mall?
Outlet malls are located near every beach, lake, and tourist destination in the U.S. Stopping by an outlet mall on your family vacation is about as common as shopping for sunscreen at the local drugstore. The signs are enticing: "Factory outlet savings! Sale prices everyday!" So you think you’re in for some real values. But are the deals on cutlery, china and the latest fashions any better than at the mall down the street? Well, yes and no.
- Just like any mall, you need to hit the big sales. Outlet malls attract tourists with coupon deals. So before you even enter the stores, stop by the customer service office. Ask for a coupon book. And if you have Triple A, all the better. You’ll receive another coupon book just for AAA members chock full of great savings. Then peruse through the book and look for the best deals before you decide on what to buy. Often you can combine the coupon savings with sale prices for even better deals.
- Check the Internet first. Before you hit the road on your vacation, check out the web site of the outlet mall you’ll be visiting. Locate the stores you’re interested in and find out if there are any upcoming sales. That will determine which day you should allocate for shopping. If there’s more than one mall in the area, figure out which has the best stores and the most deals. Many sites will offer a map. Print it out and navigate the mall space so you can manage your time more efficiently. Who wants to spend valuable vacation time searching for parking, and walking endlessly only to find out the store you want to visit is on the other side of the shopping center.
- Plan vacations around big sales. If you have the entire summer vacation to plan a trip, why not book it for the week before school starts? Not only will the crowds be lower, the bargains will be better. Tax-free weekend occurs in mid-August and many outlet malls plan sales around this event. So you can have a family vacation and get great deals on back-to-school clothes all at the same time!
- Sign up for the mailing list. If you generally travel to the same vacation destination every year, get on that mall’s mailing list. Then, you’ll be notified of special events and sales before you head out on your next trip.
Related articles:
What is the real deal at rent-to-own stores?
Getting out of holiday debt.
Save money with credit cards that offer cash back.
Find the best deals at Sam’s Club.
The copyright of the article Outlet Mall Savings? in Consumer Education is owned by L. Marie Dubuque. Permission to republish Outlet Mall Savings? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
 |
