OUTLETS: Fake RRPs, Poor Quality. The Ultimate Luxury Scam?
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- Опубліковано 2 бер 2024
- One of you sent me a link to a really interesting article about Burberry, and the impact being in outlets is having on the brand.
It's also pretty common knowledge that some brands create 'outlet exclusive' products, that are cheaper because they're generally poorer quality.
What do you think? Have your say in the comments section!
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I knew someone who worked at a well known label and told me that you aren't getting a huge discount on designer products at discount outlets, you are getting exactly what you paid for. Not a $200 shirt for 50% off, you're getting a $100 version of the $200 shirt. It's not that you shouldn't shop there, just as long as you know you aren't saving.
essentially, we are being overcharged at the stores?
I don’t remember when and who but someone tested this in a video. They bought staples like a Lacoste Polo Shirt and asked the cashier several times if there was any difference to the polo sold in normal shops and they were assured there wasn’t, it was just leftover stock. They then went to return it at Lacoste and were refused, the staff recognised immediately that it was an outlet one.
Im not surprised about that. They are lying and prob are not allowed to tell the truth loll
This totally makes sense. Don't pretend an item is discounted if it's *always* been discounted.
I once bought a Prada bag at an outlet and when i tried to sell it at ebay they took my listing down saying that it is a fake! Imagine my shock!
Back in the old days the main Prada outlet in Italy was amazing. It was like finding a secret garden because it wasn’t on any websites you couldn’t google it and Prada store employees wouldn’t even admit that it existed. And the deals there were amazing. Now it’s basically another tourist trap.
The truth is that there are major quality issues with the boutique items too .
Also - a lot of items aren’t being manufactured in Italy etc . They are ‘designed’ there and manufactured elsewhere .
Lastly - the cost of these items reflects moreso the brand name vs the materials being used .
We all know the 2,000 GBP purse only costs about 200GBP to manufacture . The brand name is what we are all paying for .
I say all this to say - if you like it , buy it . Most of them aren’t worth the price tag anyway 😊
Coach outlet sells a few items that are boutique pieces, but 95% is outlet only. But, I appreciate that Coach makes their outlet piece distinct so you know it’s an outlet piece versus boutique.
Coach is cannibalizing their higher end products bc everyone goes to the outlet…. The outlets make more revenue than the full priced stores.
I agree, the sales staff at the outlet will tell you which pieces came from the store and which are made for the outlet.
Also, Coach’s after care is on par with the best luxury brands. I brought in two bags, one that was my own with damage from a pen, and another that was my late grandmother’s, and quiet old and worn. They serviced them both and returned them in immaculate shape!
I agree, the store I got to has a wall of boutique items like75% off. Odds and ends
Yes. I bought my friend a tote from the online outlet and a year later I bought one for myself. Hers was a boutique one that didn’t do well and mine was made for the boutique. The quality was totally different. I remember feeling hers and thinking, is this leather? I went back and looked at the email and it was coated canvas but totally nicer than mine. I paid about the same for both. I still like my roar but man I wished I’d bought one for myself at the same time.
Hi Team,
Sophie Thanks for the Video!
Hey with Gucci a good way to find out if your bag is outlet only is... the tag on the inside of the item will say GUCCI "Made in Italy" and have both the Registered trademark R (in a circle) as well as a G with a circle around it. The regular retail item will just say Gucci Made in Italy with the R.
I recently was in Max Mara in a US outlet. The manager there told me that max Mara, Saint Laurent and Cucinelli all sell boutique product only but Gucci and others sell manufactured for the outlet.
I bought a Coach bag from an outlet over 10 years ago, before I knew that it was totally different stock than the store at the mall. When the handles started to disintegrate, I took it to Coach and asked them to fix it. I was told it was too old, they only fix bags that are less than 2 years out. .. But when I pressed them about it, asking them to fix it and I would pay whatever, the associate let me know that they do not fix outlet bags at all. Sad!!
That's so interesting to hear! My outlet bag came explicitly with a card and QR code detailing how I could get my item serviced if anything happened to it. I just brought in an outlet backpack from Coach circa 2019 and they redid the lining and conditioned the leather. Maybe their policies have changed for the better regarding care?
Coach definitely has outlet only items. The quality is good but not as nice as their boutique stores. I have 1 boutique purse and the rest are from the outlet. There is a huge difference in quality but they are still really nice and I don't mind the price I've paid. They are affordable and usually have similar styles to Louis Vuitton and other higher end luxury brands. I've never had issues with the quality of any of my items. I don't baby my items and they still look good.
I know plenty of luxury designers that do “lower end” or “cheaper” designs for high street sale. Things like Versace Jeans, or Calvin Klein Jeans, or Costco Levi’s jeans, etc.
I have really been enjoying Coach lately. I’ve just bought two different leather shoulder bags from them that are really nice for men. And they were both 50% off which was fantastic!
Loved the video ❤
The way to tell factory Coach from boutique Coach is the number on the creed inside. If it starts with an "F", then it was designed for factory only. At least that's how it was a few years ago here in the US, anyway. It was very interesting sometimes, what was factory and what wasn't. For instance, you might like a certian style bag, and find it in a color that was not made for boutiques, but otherwise seemingly the same, at the factory outlet. And if course the nunber on the creed started with an "F". It was as though they didnt think anyone would pay more for a bag that color.
Though I went off Coach for years because of the factory outlet cheapness, and just generally not liking their boutique bags either, I changed my mind about 4 years ago when I felt like the boutique bags were improving. I have bought a couple of Coach boutique bags in the past couple of years. I usually find the boutique bag I like online, then I wait until the season is changing because they tend to mark down items like crazy when they are expecting more in. Then I have found the bag I want is marked down, usually over 70% by that time, in the boutique.
They also have certain tall tail signs besides the quality of the leather and metal on the bag. A sales associate at an outlet told me the big C on the front of certain bags was boutique only while the coach horse and carriage was most likely factory she told me because I was returning a boutique crossbody at an outlet store and they said they would accept my return. She asked me several times are you sure you want to trade a boutique bag for an outlet one?
😅😂🥰
Early days of Bicester Village 20 years ago was much more of the overstock and end of season. I moved away from the area, and went back to Bicester Village when it became fashionable and realise that it had changed and there was a huge proportion that was outlet only and there were very few real bargains. You are better off waiting for a sale at the proper shop or buying duty free when travelling.
Spot on with your comments. I think outlets are great but they USED to be better...until several of the stores that you mentioned started making "made for factory only" bags and the quality went downhill. THAT's a scam....especially for those who do not know the difference and think they're getting this amazing bargain. It's really false advertising. You can occasionally get a lovely "made for factory" only bag, though. I wish that the quality of those "MFF" bags wasn't so inconsistent, however.
Good points.
I've lost interest in going to outlets a while ago. When I pass one, I might go in but I do no longer plan a day trip/journey around going to an outlet.
I went to New York in 2022 and looking back the day spent at the outlet was a lost day.
I love shopping at outlets. Usually, I am looking for discounted items from regular stores. Coach and Tory Burch outlets lost theirs appeal to me. It feels like 100% of the stock is for outlet only.
I do NOT mind getting an outlet only item! But I DO always google first! I also font get a sense of urgency with outlets. It’s a planned fun day visit when I go. A rare treat and maybe I’ll find something?! And maybe I won’t? But it’s a fun day!
Thanks so much for valuable info, Sophie. Most outlet pricing, in my opinion, is a scam. To me, companies like Coach are not to be trusted. I haven't bought any of their bags for many years. It's good to know Dior & Fendi sell first quality bags in the outlets. So does Dooney & Bourke. Because Peter Dooney didn't go public, he has control & does not offer any 'made for outlet' bags. It's good to know at least some players have integrity. 😇🌻
Coach Outlet definitely has lower quality items or less expensive pieces made for the outlet, but in the States they usually have some reserve or retail items on discount in a small section. People can ask. 💕
I lived near real outlets when they still were real in the 1980s. Like the Ralph Lauren outlet had seconds and last season's stuff. Friends would give me money to get them polo and rugby shirts there because they didn't care about a little snag. We had a sweater outlet that was literally from a knit wear factory in NY. There were outlets that were only in our location and they included very nice Italian shoes, cashmere and outlets like Dansk. There was no downgrade of reputation because they were avoiding waste be selling seconds or past seasons.
Nothing wrong with an outlet as long as it is sincere. If I love the brand I'll go for it.
Cheaply made products for US outlets has been well known for 20+ years. There have been lots of marketplace news pieces about it. There are some exceptions, like Dior at Bicester. I could tell immediately from your VLOG footage of Dior that the items were legit, because I've looked at them in store. The Toronto Premium Outlet is a mix....I've bought some beautiful Burberry & YSL items, including 2 Burberry coats, one which was a runway piece. On Burberry, they seem to be pricing themselves out of their own market, so I'll be interested to see how much of the product ends up in the Outlet.
I can’t wait to watch this, I love your videos related to outlets. I remember going to that giant outlet mall in southern Switzerland once and they were upfront about what’s outlet and what’s not but you did have to ask. If you ever go to northern Italy or Switzerland, check it out
Great discussion. I like outlets for a limited number of items. Lingerie, activewear, and one bag company for less expensive bags. I love Kate Spade for fun bags. While most fashion manufacturers produce multiple lines at different price levels, some people don’t realize that a Ralph Lauren purple label is significantly different than a Lauren at your local mall. And it has little relationship to the outlet version.
I'm in the US, and I used to be into Coach when I was in high school. There used to be a way to tell which items at Coach were outlet based on the inside tag.
I know the same is true for other companies like True Religion Jeans. Some are specifically made for the outlets.
I’m totally with you! I feel like outlets tend to hurt the brands perception. To me, Prada is an outlet brand to me at this point. I’m also hesitant about buying Ferragamo for full price - not because of brand perception though (still light years away from where I position Prada in my mind), but because a bag I purchased for full price, I came across at Bicester for 40%+30% off🥲 The fact that Gucci sells full price items and refers to them as “special price” is so annoying. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Sophie! xx
Craftmanship of Ferragamo is still great though. Sucks for you. But be glad you can still get bags for normal prices
@@tuttuttut7758 Absolutely agree on the craftsmanship aspect!
Hi, I'm at New York.
At the outlets. At Woodbury cummons.!! Are not the same Quality, it's you find, At stores like, Bergdorf and goodman. I THINK YOU ARE!! ABSOLUTELY RIGHT👍👌👏💯
I’ve never found a good bargain at Woodbury Commons I most stores have outlet only stuff or strange stuff from boutiques that nobody would buy at full,price
To be fair to Coach, Outlet and Retail items are completely different. Very few of their Retail items end up in their Outlets, under "Coach Reserve", but the vast majority of their Outlet stuff is lower quality and the RRPs are nonsense. I would love to see a video where you go into one of their Retail shops. I never buy Outlet... only their Retail and Reserve. Much better quality.
I completely agree with you. There is no comparison between Coach Outlet and Coach Retail. Coach retail is superior in every way....and the price reflects that. Especially the feel of the leather.
Happy Sunday Sophie❣️💕 from California!
Coach has distincts brands - Coach Outlet and then Coach (premium) - the designs are different as well as the prices. No mistake about it.
Coach Outlet bags (at least in the US) have an F in the serial number.
They all have boutique bags that didn't sell in a separate section of the store.
Coach mimics their boutique items and creates outlet versions of them. The average person doesn’t know there is a difference between Coach and Coach Outlet. My outlet pieces never stay in my closet long term so I’ve learned to stop buying them.
Hello Sophie dear 🎀💕 this is a lovely way to start my Sunday morning
I always think that Outlet stores are shops that sells their past collections & stocks that didn’t pass quality to sell for boutique. But only later I have found that shops also makes specific items for their outlet shops like Coach as you’ve mentioned. The bag that I bought from Gucci, has an extra mark on the leather tag inside the handbag which specify that it’s from the outlet. But will it stop me from purchasing again from the outlets? No. I think it’s still nice to get something from the brands in a lower price even though it is actually what it’s worth.
This is really interesting ❤ thank you Sophie
Thanks for the info, Sophie. Love you pink jacket😍😍
Hi Sophie! I think this topic is always on point. I wanted to ask you, what do you think of Flannels outlet. They have an online outlet as well. Do you think they sell current stuff or outlet only?
I don't like outlets. I usually wait for sale and buy directly from the boutiques. Although I was thinking about going to YSL at Bicester Village as they stopped doing sales few years ago.
Thanks...Burberry lost its glow. I am became ambivalent when the logo changed, TB all over the place made it look like" Tory Burch ". It's quality seemed to go down, it appeared to become trendy.
We will never get the Christopher Bailey era back, I'm afraid. With interesting designs, good colours and interesting fashion shows.
That's one of the reasons I've decided not to sell my Burberry bag, which was still the classic one before all that.
Nothing wrong with Tory Burch though, just different brands and different style
You are right. Tory B is fine but not my cup of tea.. a little too tred driven IMHO@@KarinaSwan
I wish they started the modern burberry as a diffusion line. So they could have the modern for the fun tiktok influencers and the traditional line for those who want old school.
Exactly! I like the classic burberry - no gimmicks. @@deebee192
I do shop from outlets. Mainly clothing or shoes. Very rarely I’ll buy an accessory. I always stop myself with bags at Burberry because of the outlet thing. I did know there are store vs outlet products. I’ve purchased a Gucci bag from the outlet that was in stores some years back. I’ve since sold that bag. Did well on the resell but I do have to be mindful when shopping luxury at outlets.
I do enjoy a trip to the outlets but over the years have become aware of how brands like Coach, Michael Kors, Kate Spade etc sell their bags in these stores. I would say that in more recent years I still look at these bags shops but don’t tend to buy from them, you honestly get better value for your money in the regular stores, especially if you are happy to wait on the seasonal sales!
I definitely think it cheapens a brand to have "outlets" that sell items made specifically for outlets. In the US we have woodbury commons which seems fairly similar to bicester in that there are brands like Loewe and BV that sell unpopular seasonal bags/colors for a reduced rate. This makes sense me! Not everything is going to sell out! But making clothing and accessories of poor quality blurs the image for the whole brand. I certainly do not think of quality craftsmanship for burberry, coach, or gucci
❤❤❤Thanks Sophie! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😁Great tips. 👌🏻💕
I thought it was illegal to put fake RRP on products? So if it was never the higher price and your claiming it’s discounted is honestly conning the buyer.
is in uk, trades description act?
I just like to say that you are correct in saying that outlets have outlet only merchandise but that does not mean that they are bad quality it just means there lower than the retail quality but still pretty good or sometimes very good even if there made for outlet
I think everyone knows this already. Coach outlet has special made for outlet only. I never pay attention to so called original price. The Dior that didn't sell...it was for a reason. I would not buy anything just because it has the name Dior on it. I would have to love it.
Hi Sophie, I wish you and David a good Sunday evening 😘
Thanks for the video Sophie! Honestly, I’ve gotten great deals at the outlet, but haven’t for a while back in 2016-2018, I got a wine red Burberry quilted jacket from Portugal, I knew it was boutique because I tried it on my country at full price. I think the gucci scarves I got were outlet prices but to be honest, I was happy with the price and quality. My Prada jacket must have been boutique as it was in the 80 % sale rack and to get a Jacket for 80 % off I believe it must have been real. Most recently I purchased a coat and jacket from Burberry, I think the coat was def boutique because it was full cashmere, the staple quilted jacket might have become an outlet model, since they don’t have the big label inside anymore. Mostly I purchase from long champ, Birkenstock and maybe something for my dad or brother now. Reached a stage where I appreciate designer, but I know it doesn’t suit my active and moving lifestyle.
I worked at Coach customers would always wait till the sale. Some would even be genuinely surprised if they got to the register and there was no discount! But most sales happen in the store 50% max the leftover goes to the outlet mixed in with the outlet brand with is not the same as regular coach items. The outlet tag usually says comparable value.
Your jacket is pretty and the color looks great on you!
Thanks for the video. Just to share, I buy regularly from outlets. I would like to give a shout out for excellent shops I have purchased over the years. Lacoste, Polo RL, Holland Cooper, Dior, Self-portrait, Karl Lagerfeld, Kate Spade, Christian Louboutin, Barbour, Carvella, Alexander McQueen are all excellent in both service and quality at outlets. Absolutely no different comparing to buying from Harrods or Selfridges except not current season. I don’t buy from Prada or Coach.
I’ve got a Mulberry bag from Bicester and it’s in a colour made only for outlet. It is one of their classic styles and I think it was in the full price stores years ago but now it’s only outlet. I think they do with quite a few colours.
Hi Sophie!!! Second? I've only ever bought from the New York outlet, think it's called Woodbury? I got a Dior bag, which I still have and Kenny got loads of Ralph Lauren stuff. Back then the £to$ exchange rate was excellent so everything we bought, outlet or otherwise was a total bargain!! Never been to any others. Hugs xx
How was the Dior outlet at Woodbury in terms of ladies' handbag selection, if you don't mind me asking? And when did you go?
@@kristinpenta Dior outlet was great. It was a long time ago now, about 15 years or so.
When I go to Bicester village, I go without anything in mind, ready to enjoy the day and give myself a treat. When I see something I like, if the price is good for me, I buy it. I don't mind if it was made for the outlet or if it is a discontinued item. However, I do make sure that it is in perfect condition, that it is well done, and that it is manufactured with quality fabrics/leather...etc
When I was in New York at Woodbury Common outlet village, it was pretty soon clear to me that most of the Coach items were outlet only. There was, for example, one really cute woc in lilac color, but the quality wasn't good 🙁 Had to left it there. In the Mulberry store, I remember there was past season handbags. All in all really good stuff in many of the high-end stores. It's definitely worth a visit if you travel to NY.
Dear, kindly share the link for your coat please? Soo lovely❤❤❤
loving the pink jacket. We have outlets in Australia but there isn't high end designer brands ive seen like Dior?
Great topic! I agree it’s a bit of a scam. I know Jimmy choo also has outlet only products and made in different factories of much lower quality. Sad that they don’t disclose this
I love my "local" coach outlet (2 hours away) are fabulous quality honesty. It does make it seem less luxury than it should. However I've loved and collect coach forever so for me it's not a problem. Every other brand???? Awful. I've bought 2 bags, one Marshalls and one tj (tk) Maxx. The quality is ridiculous. I could not imagine paying the full price for how terribly things are stitched. It's really insane how different they truly are.
What about Bottega? May you likewise discuss some insights about it? Thanks
So true! I would love going to coach outlets. Same thing happened with michael kors …
I agree with you on doing your research first before deciding to make a purchase at an outlet. In the Netherlands we have designer outlet Roermond which is probably a smaller less branded version of Bicester Village. The Prada store there always gives a great discount and I was happy to score a wallet for just €155 during a Christmas sale. However for Burberry, Off White, Boss, Calvin Klein and others I would rather shop at de Bijenkorf during their sale seasons as they give a bigger sale on a newer in-store items with cheaper prices compared to those products in their outlet stores!
So now I would go to the outlets just to shop mostly accessories like wallets or phone pouches at a branded store and maybe a hat. For shoes, clothing, sneakers and bags, you got much better deal and quality from the Bijenkorf during their sale seasons.
I do not buy from outlets. It is a different product. I am a big Coach fan and only buy from the boutique. I have a wonderful SA and they clean all my bags for free as needed. Plus I like their new recycled line - every bag is unique.
If it’s sold at an outlet imo it definitely devalues the brand.
I don't think its just luxury thats playing the outlet game. Outlets used to be plaves where w ery store was leftover, overstock and the like. But brands through they were loosing money and they knew many people didn't really care as long as there was a label and they were getting a deal (supposedly). Pretty sure that Michael Kors had oulet only stuff and I also remembering that this ended up hurting the brand in the end.
CK has shops (up north) and I’m sure half their stuff is made specifically as Outlet only. I bought a cute silver bag, even though it looked ‘tacky’. But I was looking for a scruffy/casual effect. My God, was it poorly made - never would you see it in John Lewis or similar ….
Nice pink jacket
I like your jacket.
I just buy what I like and I don’t care where it comes from. At an outlet mall one must take the compare at or “original” price with a grain of salt. All that matters is if you love an item and think the price is worth it to you.
I bought a Burberry jacket for kids that was made in China. I returned it.
Bicester Village is not how it used to be anymore. Many brands put full price item on sale there. I question myself what is the meaning of an outlet when there is full price merchandise over there? If I want to buy something full price, I’d rather go to Harrods or Selfridges for a more personalise service in my opinion.
I like Coach bags, here lately the quality of a Chanel makes me cringe. I'd rather pay $500-1500 for a bag that I know won't be ripped off my shoulder vs one of the big 5 brands that can get me hurt for a logo. A logo, not even quality leather or construction anymore. Honestly though, I have bags made to order with a leather I've picked out and a local artisan constructs. Support independent artists, that's my motto.
We don’t have any luxury brand outlets in Melbourne. We have plenty of high street brand outlets and they are fantastic but the only luxury brand outlet I know of is Wedgwood, which is one of my favourite places, but no luxury fashion outlets.
Wow! What brand bags 5:29, so nice!
I always thought that outlet merchandise was stock that didnt pass the quality control of the main stores (crooked stitching, etc) and rather than trashing the entire thing they sent it to outlet, or other places like TJ Max, Ross or those stores.
Tj Maxx and Ross devinay3ly have seconds, left over stock etc. But they also have items made for them specifically.
In America SA's are required to tell if asked if product is Outlet or from Boutique
During the Alessandro Michele Gucci era I preferred the outlet pieces. They are the classic designs with the original Gucci aesthetic, rather than the garish style the house was producing at the time. The quality is definitely a bit inferior to the mainline products but it is decent and still well constructed. I can spot designer outlet items but I don’t mind them from other brands also.
I had an SA in Houston at the Coach retail store confirm that outlet products are specifically produced for the outlet only. Yes you see the occasional retail product on sale but vast majority of the product is outlet only. There is an outlet store in neighboring Katy. I wonder if it’s the same for Kate Spade, I stopped shopping at the outlet store because it was too trendy, cheap looking and especially after I’ve learned it’s not the same product or quality. Mind you I have a Kate Spade outlet purse that I love, and several coach purses from the outlet that I also still enjoy. But I haven’t bought from them in a long time now. I really dislike that lack of transparency. I think it’s even worse if it’s a higher end luxury brand.
I find that contemporary brands have pretty good outlet pieces.I have a ton of purses and change them out frequently though.
I buy outlet items,especially clothing, in general with an eye to their quality but I also have items from fast fashion brands that I've had for over a decade.
I'm curious, how is it if you buy a discounted purse online from their site e.g. from coach. Can you end up with an outlet product of poorer quality?
I worked for Ralph Lauren about 7 years ago, and the woman who sat next to me did Outlet products (Polo Ralph Lauren outlet only sells product specifically made for outlet). The RRP (or MSRP in the US) is based on what that product would cost if you bought it in an actual boutique (an RL polo shirt would be ex. ~$100 retail), but the outlet products use lower qualities of materials and factories with lower labor costs which bring the cost down to the "discounted" price (an outlet RL polo would be ex. ~$30 retail). The discounted price is simply the retail price for the lower quality product. The goal is to create a product that won't be perceivably different to the consumer at POS but 10 or 20 washes down the road won't have the longevity of the full price retail garment. You can assume that a retailer is making the same profit margin (and often times an even greater profit margin) on outlet only products as they would on full price retail items. For example, I worked for Brooks Brothers following RL, and a mainline Brooks Bros suit had a profit margin of 70-75%, whereas an outlet only suit had a profit margin of 80% or more.
so oulets are just fast fashion?
Here you can ask the staff in outlet villages. They always give me an answer, which range from outlet only, new not discounted, straight from the boutique on sale or also recreation of items from previous seasons for outlets.
I stopped buying there, as the quality left much to be desired, buttons, zips were so poor. It was waste of time and money for me.
Went to mulberry their outlet bags are made specifically for outlet and miss things like the feet on bottom of bag and felt the difference right away
I definitely have gotten items from both the Coach boutique stores and outlets and they're are definitely quality differences!
Hi Sophie! What do you think about Alaias Le Coeur bag? :)
Fake recommended retail price has been an issue for a long time. Also many of the luxury brands make for especially for the bargain outlet market. My Aunt was doing this in the 40’s.
the 1940s? how?
I have bought from Outlets. The Australian outlets are not nearly as good as the UK, as far as I can tell from UA-cam. Nevertheless, there are still bargains out there. I bought a bag from Coach at an outlet knowing that it was not, perhaps, first class. But it was price appropriate (I forget the actual amount) and I use it for rainy days! Thank you for the video!
Happy Sunday everyone 👋💖
I’ve never seen Saint Laureant on discount. In south Florida we have like a vista village outlet that has ysl, Gucci, Prada…same concept. I don’t think they are the same bags
Anyone else think that Coach and Kate Spade basically all look the same now that they are under the same corporate umbrella? I'd rather go on a reseller website and find vintage Coach, even from the outlets, as opposed to what they are selling now. It's so BORING.
You have to know what you are looking for. Sometimes I do see a lot of stuff thats been in the boutiques before. You can also tell by the stitching, fabrics etc.
😂calm down!🤣 so I’ve not been in LA outlet stores. Can you tell just by looking at the bags they are of lesser quality?
😀 Hi, Sophie!
For outlet I worry about how the Hardwear on the bags is going to wear, will the zips run as smoothly or are they going to jam? Will the metal on the handle and strap connectors be as well attached?
As they draw the eye and are they going to tarnish or scratch ?
Same with the edging seal to leather- will it crack or peel faster?
I want longevity because I buy pieces that are timeless and will be useable 10 or 15 years from now. So I'm that weirdo inspecting bags like a detective 😂
Yes, the correct term is actually "made for outlet only." I know Michael Kors does that. They actually make items only for the outlets. Dooney & Bourke does not. They have the same items in their physical store that they sell online and at QVC. Coach and MK make bags for boutiques and then they make items specifically for their outlet stores. I remember feeling so deceived when I bought my first Coach bag and wallet at outlet store. Finding out years later it wasn't an item for boutique that went discounted to the outlet. I think that the deceit comes when you think you are paying for a bargain thinking it's a legitimate brand item, and then find out, "no, no it was always an item made for the outlet store," so its quality is not the same as boutique.
From what I know in Canada, Coach just has a C on their bags and Coach outlet has the word Coach. The bags are completly different collections. Having said that I find the Coach Outlet bags very nice quality, just not as luxurious as Coach but fantastic quality for the price.
We can all get crazy about this situation. All I can say is if you like it buy it
I bought my Gucci Marmont in a unique color combo at the outlet and YsL Loulou in a discontinued color. I know there is a quality difference but yeah i wanna save some 😂 but i try to get items that the design is somehow still at the main boutique.
I have been today at YSL in Bicester Village and oh boy, there was so much crap there. Faux shaggy coat, sooo plasticky with over £6000 price down from insane original price of £11,500. Madness.