If you are looking to quench your shopping addiction without spending an arm and a leg, outlet shopping is a great option. Not only are prices less than in the retail store, there are additional ways to save more outlet shopping. DailyFinance brings some great tips on ways you can save more.
Purchase discounted gift cards. By using discounted gift card sites you can save up to 35% on the additional savings that you find at the outlet stores. Websites such as GiftCardRescue.com offer gift cards to over 450 popular merchants, so finding the discounted gift cards you are looking for is easy.
Figure out the outlet ‘brand.’ There are a couple of management companies that own quite a few outlet malls in the United States, including Premium Outlets and Tanger Factory Outlet Centers. Before heading out, be sure to check the website for the entire outlet mall for any possible deals or coupons. Premium and Tanger Outlets also have Facebook pages where they will occasionally post coupons that you can print from home.
Look for an outlet discount card or VIP program. Many outlet malls have VIP savings programs that can save you big bucks throughout the year and also give you special access to new promotions and sales.
The Fashion Outlets of Chicago opened last year and offer a Green Savings Card that costs $5 for a yearly membership. Those with a Green Savings Card receive extra discounts at a huge number of stores and restaurants in the mall, which is on top of the already low prices.
‘Like’ the outlet store on Facebook.If there is an outlet store that you frequent, go ahead and like its Facebook page so that you will be one of the first to know about sales and promotions. The Kate Spade Outlet will frequently post promotions to Facebook before emailing subscribers. The J. Crew Factory Store has offered special promotions that are valid only to their Facebook fans.
Register for store emails. Not all outlet stores have their own web page, but if they do, be sure to register for emails. The Gap Outlet is one of my favorite stores because the prices are usually low and they frequently email out coupons for additional savings. Late last year I received a coupon for an extra 50 percent off my entire Gap Outlet purchase. The Banana Republic Factory Store and Coach Factory Store also frequently send out high value coupons over email.
Use in-store coupons. Sometimes one of the easiest ways to save is to look for in-store coupons right when you walk into a store. Almost every time I walk into a Last Call by Neiman Marcus outlet store I am handed a coupon that will save me an extra 10 to 20 percent off my entire purchase. These coupons aren’t always available, but it is great when they are, especially when they can be combined with other in-store promotions.