When was the last time you went to an outlet store? Did you find any great deals?
We were out and about the other day and decided to check out the outlet stores in Freeport since we were in the area.
Spoiler alter: We came home empty handed.
Call me crazy but I don’t think a $150 children’s coat marked down to $74 is a deal.
Yes, it’s half off, but who the heck is paying that much for a coat a child would outgrow {and likely stain, ruin} in one season?
Mostly when I go out into the world these days and look at prices, I just feel old.
It seems like everything is so expensive these days!!
I’ve never really been someone who likes shopping without a list or a true purpose. There just seems to be so many other productive things to do.
If it’s not something I really love, or truly want/need or have been on the hunt for, I won’t buy it.
Are you a shopper? Do you like to browse?
Do you like shopping at outlet stores? Have you ever scored a really good deal?
~Mavis
Paula says
Not a shopper and hate to browse. I mostly shop online for a specific item. When I travel I may browse a bit. I only buy something if I need it.
Mavis Butterfield says
I will browse the antique and unique stores when I travel too! That’s pretty much the only time I get excited about shopping.
Lana says
I agree percent with all you thoughts on shopping and outlet shopping is not enjoyable. The best deal was stopping at a yard sale where they had stacks of interesting old school books from a relative way back who was a local teacher. Lots of surprising subjects were taught in the past.
Carla says
My sisters and I (and now adult nieces) do a “Ladies’ Shopping Trip” every fall. We go to an outlet mall a few hours away. In years past we’ve scored some really great deals on clothing or household/kitchen goods. But, in the past 5-7 years, it’s been pretty skimpy. I’m not sure what companies are doing with their old, out of stock, or out of season leftovers, but they’re certainly not selling them at low prices in their outlet stores anymore. It seems like the “outlet” store is just another retail store with the same prices and deals.
Mavis Butterfield says
I agree that the “outlet” stores are just another retail store with the same prices and deals.
Brianna says
I hate shopping, shopping for anything drives me crazy and is such a time suck. I do buy my kids expensive shoes and coats and gear and it is something I prioritize. I believe they are better protected in the elements with good quality coats/gear and it also lasts longer. Good quality and well fitting shoes are important because cheap shoes don’t last long and can cause some podiatry issues. When it comes to other clothing items like shirts, pants, undergarments, etc. I generally buy what fits and if it is something they will wear comfortably. I shop ‘as needed,’so when someone needs something or has outgrown something I just go and buy it, I never wait for a sale or do back to school shopping. The prices/sales are really not that much different.
wendy panozzo says
I agree with you about felling old with these prices! I cannot justify spending that kind of money on something that is made out of plastic and not good quality either. I don’t want a shirt that is 100% polyester and costs $50. Buy second hand if you want these brands, quality,and a reasonable price. The older stuff is much better quality.
Mavis Butterfield says
I agree! The older stuff was made much better!! I love cotton and linen shirts. The polyester does not wear as well.
Dianne Labadie says
Mavis,
I agree with you.
Polyester is made from micro plastics. This is why wearing polyester is so much hotter. It’s plastic. 100% Cotton and Linen Only for me as well. Hard to find jeans that are 100% cotton. Spandex is horrible.
Susan says
I’m not much of a shopper (unless I’m at a quilt shop and even then, I’m picky about what I actually buy) and do enjoy browsing from time to time. Usually, I browse when on vacation and somewhere new.
Prices on everything is crazy these days. My husband is always commenting about it and still has 1980’s mentality on how much stuff should cost.
The last time I shopped and bought at an outlet store was probably 5 years ago. I bought a jacket that I wear ALL THE TIME but at the time didn’t necessarily need it. But I’ve gotten more than money’s worth out of it.
Mavis Butterfield says
My husband has sticker shock everywhere we go and pretty much buys all his clothes at Costco when they are on markdown because they are basic and inexpensive.
Linda Sand says
I’m not a shopper nor a browser. I haven’t been to an outlet store in years. The last one was a Corning store when we were replacing Corning bakeware and Corelle dishes we had sold when we moved into a motorhome in 2008. Once back in an apartment we missed those. We now use them every day.
Dianne Labadie says
Linda,
I had to laugh. You took my comment. Last outlet store: Corning. Bought a set of Corelle dishes to replace an older set of Pfaltzgraff. This was somewhere in the early 2000’s maybe 2002. Haven’t been back since. Most of those Outlets have closed.
Ashley B says
I dont find outlets have better prices over regular stores and because of this dont seek them out. There are some near the beach in my town and I believe them to just be a tourist trap. Yes the prices are too high on everything now a days, but someone has to buy first hand for there to be a second hand. Such is thrifting.
Jean C says
I agree that most outlets are a waste of time and often substandard quality. I would rather be more selective or buy quality (if you can find it) secondhand.
Teri says
I would rather shop online. Btw I love your boots! What brand? They look good!
Mavis Butterfield says
Duck Feet. They are great if you have a wide toe box and they last a really, really long time. Plus you can get them re-soled.
They go on sale every November.
Lynda Rees Kling says
Just got a like new Eddie Bauer fleece top for $6.99 at the thrift store….
Rosemary says
I have been to outlet stores a couple of times and the prices always seemed high to me. I prefer to check the clearance section of stores or wait until the end of season sales. I tend to stay away from the “high end” type of clothes, etc. My body prefers the “low end” type . . . LOL
Mavis Butterfield says
Sometimes you can get lucky in the clearance section. I still have a classic black Calvin Klein dress I bought for $20 on clearance 18 years ago. Best dress purchase ever!
Zadu says
We liked the Freeport Outlets when we were there several years ago but only a couple of stores appealed to us. And for the record, I thought the L.L. Bean store was over-rated.
Mavis Butterfield says
I think paying $80 off the rack for a flannel shirt is bananas. Luckily the local thrift shops have a ton of LL Bean stuff here.
Stacey says
I love the quality of LLBean products, but the prices are just so high, and I found the pants and shoes don’t fit me. I brought a friend who moved to Vermont from a warm country to the store to get some boots and ended up walking out with an LLBean Mastercard. The rewards I get from using it pay for Christmas presents for my family members who love their shirts and jammies. They would never pay so much for clothing for themselves, so I’m able to give them something they wouldn’t have otherwise.
Alecia Loveless says
Outlets are not what they once were. In the past 5 years and perhaps more years back the companies realized that folks love to shop at outlets and started manufacturing stuff exclusively for the outlets. Gone are the days when outlets were supplied with products that were sourced from a company’s regular production runs and now they are manufacturing products for outlets that are cheaper and of lesser quality.
I have found in particular this to be the case with shoes in most places. Especially at Nike outlets where the last 3 pairs I purchased were much less comfortable than other shoes and fell apart fairly quickly.
I have mostly just stopped shopping such places because the quality is no longer there.
SueD says
When my sons were young, my friend and I would go to factory outlets where there were bins on the factory floor to go through. We got some excellent deals that way. When an outlet center opened about 45 minutes from where we now live, I found it to be hit or miss. The last couple of times I went, about 20 years ago, it was all miss. When the identical item is on clearance at the local department store for less than in the outlet, something is wrong.
Pamela Sheppard says
I love shopping and browsing. The sad thing is that over the last 7 years most of the stores I loved going to have closed. Many of them are just online now but I am picky most of the time. I need to see things in person to see what they are REALLY like and not just read a description and guess if I will like it. Seeing prices today doesn’t make me feel old it makes me feel broke.
CP Mass says
I went to outlet stores over the years thinking they ought to be bargains- and was always disappointed in the prices! I ended up buying the bulk of my children’s clothes at Burlington Coat Factory, consignment & thrift stores.
I kept an updated list of their sizes in my pocketbook. I looked for name brands – not my preference, but my kids wanted some as they got older. I found a lot of “almost new” name brand clothes in used stores, because kids tend to outgrow an item faster than it wears out.
maureen detmer says
honestly, the only shopping i do anymore is for groceries, everything else i do online, saves me time and money. since covid and the fact that my husband is immunocompromised. i prefer it, no more crowds, no more searching for a parking spot, no more lugging heavy items, no more impulse buying’, my life is much easier and more enjoyable.
Dianne Labadie says
1. No
2. No
3. No
4. No
I hate browsing as well. My closets are empty LOL
Dawn says
I used to go to the Kittery outlets all the time and was usually able to find deals but I stopped going ages ago. The prices are the same as every other mall store. The only place I browse now are antique and thrift stores.