The closest outlet mall from my home is about 40 minutes away and whenever I’ve gone, the mall is packed. Not the basic crowding of a mall, but the kind where you can barely walk and forget trying to turn around – especially with a stroller. The lines are long, the cafe has no seats left, but yet everyone looks so – happy. Is it the great deals that everyone is snagging and I’m happening to miss?

Dealing with outlet malls is not always easy, but the main question is if they really offer the great deals that they say they do. What I’ve found is that many outlet malls have name-brand stores, such as Nike, Adidas, Coach, and Gymboree, so prices are going to be a bit higher from the get-go. So yes, outlet malls can offer great deals off this higher end merchandise, but you can still catch the same prices, if not lower, if you head to a department store sale or clearance event.

What I have found about outlet malls is that people who shop there know how to shop there! Many of the stores carry overstock or older merchandise that they’re itching to get rid of, so these clothes can be purchased for a fraction of the price. Plus, outlet malls carry plenty of goodies that have never been featured in stores, as well as merchandise that have minor, almost invisible imperfections. These are the best products to look for, some that can be purchased for a few dollars.

Even better, you never have to wait for a sale at an outlet mall, since everything is always on sale. And if you happen to hit an additional sale or clearance event, there’s more money to be saved. So next time I hit the outlet mall, I’ll know how to shop a little smarter. While not everything is necessarily a spectacular deal, if you look between the featured racks, you’ll see there’s some awesome prices waiting to be found.

References: Image from freeshipping.org