DAILY FINANCE: According to a recent study by Consumer Reports, 60-85 percent of the goods in many major retailer outlets are specifically made only for the outlet itself. These products are made with cheaper materials so that they can sell for less than their sturdier retail counterparts.
If you’re looking for the same brand quality, you’ll have to inspect things a little more closely. For instance, Banana Republic and The Gap both have three dots on the price tags of its outlet-store merchandise, while Brooks Brothers tags will have a “346” on them. Items from Coach will also be marked with an “F” in the style number.
This means if the majority of the items you’re browsing are specifically made to be cheaper, then you’re not really saving on the “original price.” You’ll see these sales a lot in outlets, so don’t be fooled… (more)
EDITOR: The consumer is receiving comparable style, but not quality. There is nothing in itself the matter with that. An inexpensive Brooks Bros suit sends much the same message to a prospective employer as does an expensive one and, for a middle management or less position, a better one.
Incidentally, soon out of college, we applied for credit at the orignal Brook Bros on Madison Avenue, NYC. It was promptly and graciously approved despite our having no credit rating. We also bought a fairly new Mercedes Benz with 36 monthly coupons.
Our job brought us into contacts with top executives. The suit served as an entry card while we learned the trade. Brooks Bros waited for payment and didn’t seem to mind. But that was over fifty years ago.
