Outlet why cheaper

Check the quality, and check the label to see what materials are used and where the product is made. Also check prices at retail stores or online. If you know what you are buying, you may be able to find some good deals. Also, be sure to check the store's return policy.

You usually are not allowed to return outlet store items at the chain's regular store. Consumer Reports details: The inside dope on outlet malls. You may file a complaint about deceptive practices by outlet stores with our office using our online complaint form.

The products are of good quality, but retailers lack the room to stock these items. However, some name brands that franchise outlet stores may use the lower-quality material in the products sold at those outlets than the material they use for items they sell at retail locations.

And some outlet stores sell damaged, gently used or new merchandise that has some type of blemish or irregularity. An important consideration in the outlet vs. Outlets are typically built in inconvenient locations that require prospective customers to travel outside of their local area.

The reason outlets are located in far-flung places is because real estate and rent are cheaper further away from populated areas.

But now, many retailers are manufacturing specific lines of clothing for their outlet shops which may not be the quality consumers expect from higher-end brands. Depending on the outlet store, a certain percentage of the inventory may be clearance merchandise from the regular retail store. But the problem for outlet stores is this type of inventory doesn't have a dependable supply, says retail analyst Maureen Atkinson.

Marketplace found items in outlet stores made with less durable leathers and different fabrics than the comparable products sold at the retail stores. Remember, this stuff was largely made just to be sold cheaply. So they're going to cut corners," says Ellwood. Marketplace found that, when asked, staff in Canadian outlet stores could often identify which products were made specifically for outlet sales and which ones were discontinued items from the retail store.

Crew — the majority of products were made for the outlets. Crew—one from an outlet and one from a regular location. While the footwear looked almost identical, the outlet shoes were made in China using a synthetic material and the retail shoes were made in Italy using real leather. Pro: Remember the days when you had to drive out to the boondocks in search of an outlet mall? Times are changing. More and more outlet stores are moving closer to major metropolitan areas and catering to their urban clientele.

Distance shopping can also become an issue if you need to return an unwanted or defective product, as many retailers will not accept items purchased from their outlet locations.

And while consumers can usually score some good deals, impulse buys and overspending are just as dangerous at outlet locations as traditional malls. So make a plan for your dollars, set a spending limit, and pay with cash.