Designer retail outlets – are they worth the schlep?

Hermia

Pollycat wrote: »

Jeez! Nearly 700 quid on 2 handbags?
I don't care what the RRP is - I thought this was a money- saving website. :eek:

And I'm still not convinced that 'schlep' is the appropriate word in this instance.

It is a money saving website not a frugal living website. I think discussing how to get luxury goods cheaper is just as valid as discussing how to eat on £10 a week. I suspect most people on here have bought things that are luxury items or aren't the cheapest items available.

Whilst some designer stuff is just rubbish with a fancy label attached, that is not true of all of it. Actually one of the good things about those discount villages is that they are so busy you can have a good look at how the clothes are made and what the material is without the shop assistants thinking you are shoplifting! I have a bag I bought 20 years ago for £100 and it still looks amazing. I have never had a cheap bag that has looked good that long!

pollypenny

Too many sportswear shops in Cheshire Oaks. I wouldn't go there specially, but it's worth a look if in the area.

Best bargains are out of season stuff.

Kynthia

I know the word schlep. However I no longer bother with these shopping villages. Unless you already shop in the brands based there they aren't worth going to. I've gone and barely come back with anything and they are too far for me to waste my time. Going to my local shopping centre in the sales is more productive.

Pollycat

Hermia wrote: »

It is a money saving website not a frugal living website. I think discussing how to get luxury goods cheaper is just as valid as discussing how to eat on £10 a week. I suspect most people on here have bought things that are luxury items or aren't the cheapest items available.

Whilst some designer stuff is just rubbish with a fancy label attached, that is not true of all of it. Actually one of the good things about those discount villages is that they are so busy you can have a good look at how the clothes are made and what the material is without the shop assistants thinking you are shoplifting! I have a bag I bought 20 years ago for £100 and it still looks amazing. I have never had a cheap bag that has looked good that long!

TBH, I think just over a 50% saving on a luxury bag isn't really that money-saving at all.

Izadora

Pollycat wrote: »

TBH, I think just over a 50% saving on a luxury bag isn't really that money-saving at all.

It's only not money-saving if it's something you wouldn't otherwise have bought though. If you were going to buy it anyway then getting it for that much lower a price is incredibly money-saving.

missbiggles1

Ames wrote: »

I can't believe how many people don't know the word schlep, is it a regional thing then?

Yiddish, I think, but well known in London and SE.

Pollycat

Izadora wrote: »

It's only not money-saving if it's something you wouldn't otherwise have bought though. If you were going to buy it anyway then getting it for that much lower a price is incredibly money-saving.

Sorry, I have a problem with understanding anyone spending £700 on 2 bags. But I guess that's just me.

greyfox

Pollycat wrote: »

Sorry, I have a problem with understanding anyone spending £700 on 2 bags. But I guess that's just me.

I'm with you. To be honest, the whole "designer" thing leaves me cold, so my answer to the question in the original post is a resounding "no". I've been to a few of these places & it's not only a schlep getting to them, it's also a schlep going round them. (Can you tell I'm not keen?!)

BTW, does anyone have any idea why this thread is in the "Marriage, Relationships & Families" forum?

Timpu

greyfox wrote: »

BTW, does anyone have any idea why this thread is in the "Marriage, Relationships & Families" forum?

Quite. More suited to the one of the shopping area.

To answer the OP, no. I've only been to a few and the heaving masses aren't for me. I'd rather pay full price, leave intact and forgo something else instead.

As for expensive handbags, I bought a Radley bag over 10yrs ago for something like £83 in a sale which was a lot of money for me. I didn't realise it was 'designer' and have always hidden the dog thingy in one of the pockets. It's my only work bag and it's still going strong, though looking utterly battered. £700 for two bags? No, I'd be scared to pick them up and scratch them.

getmore4less

The other thing you have to do is go when it is quieter no good the busy sale weekends the decent stuff will have gone with the early shoppers and they know they can get more money.

A USA example,

there is a premium outlet mall near Boston that we use when there.
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/wrentham-village

Went the Sat before the big labor day sale weekend, quite busy and most stores had some decent prices on the clearance stuff.
Stocked up on stuff we like and is stupid money in the UK

The Levis outlets store(where the normal discount prices are the same as places like Sears) had a large clearance rail.
cheap stuff 50% off marked prices so some stuff down 75%+ on retail 501 $15-$20 trucker jackets $25 and then some rails with specials like shorts $10.

went back the following weekend when the big sale was on, prices had gone up, some clearance stuff had new higher prices and were now only 40% off

The place was heaving with people and the car park full within 2hrs of opening.