Many of the bargains at outlet malls, outlet stores, and factory stores aren’t what they seem. You might be surprised to learn that outlets mostly sell a separate line of made-for-outlet products. Modern-day outlet stores rarely sell the same brand-name products you see at retail stores, instead opting for lower-quality merchandise. For example, clothing may be made of less-expensive material, manufactured in different countries with less-expensive labor costs, and have lower quality buttons and zippers to bring the manufacturing costs down. Price tags also might mislead you into thinking that you’re getting a better bargain than you really are. Tags often have "compare at" prices, telling customers what the item would cost at "full price.” Signs may say “25% off” or “50% off”, while the items may never have actually been sold at the ticketed price. In other words, the markdowns are fake. If you're looking for top-quality name-brand products on clearance, do some research to see if the product is the same as at the regular retail store. Check the quality, and check the label to see what materials are used and where the product is made. If you know what you're buying, you may be able to find some good deals.
