More about Outlet Shopping

The Consumer Reports National Research Center surveyed more than 6,000 readers about 11,000 outlet outings, rating the value, quality, selection, and service at 33 top stores. They compared outlet- and regular-store prices, and examined $1,500 worth of merchandise to assess its quality.

Their major findings:

* The goods are good. Seventy-seven percent of outlet shoppers said the merchandise was of the quality of what they bought at full-price stores.

*57 percent said the selection was as good or better than at regular stores.

* Only one-third of survey respondents said outlet prices were substantially below sale prices at regular stores.

* Chains that sell kitchen goods were among the top-rated overall.

* VF Outlets (apparel), Coach (handbags and accessories), Lenox and Pfaltzgraff (dinnerware), and Saks Off 5th (clothing) offered exceptional discounts over the prices charged at regular stores for those brands, survey respondents said.

* Outlets seldom carry the same merchandise as full-price stores, catalogs, and Web sites.

A big secret here is that at the Gap family the outlet stores feature items made solely for those stores .
* In general, outlets carry goods appropriate for the season, but they may be a year behind current styles and colors.

* Thirty-five percent of respondents encountered at least one problem, such as crowds, long lines, unattractive stores, or a shortage of fitting rooms.

Don't expect a perfect shopping experience. But then again, it is usually worth the hunt.

consumer reports