Children's Place ~ Outlet vs TCP Retail Store

[ShoppingCartDiva]

It's been my experience that I can get a much better deal at TCP in the mall than I can at the TCP Outlet. I rarely walk away from the Outlet feeling like I got a "great deal". The store in the mall just has better clearance/sales, IMO.

Although I will say, at least when I used to regularly go in one (there's not an outlet terribly close by since we moved), that quality was good at either store.

[bluedaisy]

I voted that I like the outlet, although I've only ever been able to make it one ONCE, we walked away feeling like we'd hit the motherload. We spent $100 and got 4 large bags of stuff. I had to stop myself from buying more but most things were dirt cheap. My fav was jeans for the kids for $3

[heyaheather]

I got belts reg. retail @ $12.99 for $.99...cords of all sizes for $.99...boys pants for $2.99...and more. I think if you hit the store @ the right time, you can get awesome deals. I usually try to go to the outlet "mall" when they do the big cleanout for each season. I usually don't get the best deals for fall...too much summer time fun I guess! I think I find better deals @ the outlets. I am always selective though. I don't want to pay more than a certain amt. for certain items, kwim?

[mmandjsmom]

I can't vote since I work for one in the mall. I can say (as a partial insider) that the outlets do have some REALLY good deals at times. All of a district's stores wills send/ transfer all of their sale stuff to an outlet, then the outlet marks it down further on certain days. There are weekends at the outlet nearest me (an hour away) that all the "older" end of season/ sale merchandise is $.99/ piece. Call the outlet before you go & ask if they have any special sales.

[ShoppingCartDiva]

That's a good idea to call. :)

I lived near a very high-traffic area outlet mall, so I'm sure that's why I didn't get quite the deals. Though the mall stores were closer and not so heavily trafficked. Hrmm, may have to see how far one is away from me down here. :D

[jesuisprecieux]

I live a few miles from both. My gym happens to be in a mall with a TCP outlet so I check it out at least twice a week. I find such good deals there that I buy almost all of my kids clothes there. There's always a HUGE .99 rack for the girls ... not as much for boys but I find some great deals. I do frequently find shoes for under $5. I will say though - I only find super cheap jeans twice a year at the outlet BUT quite a few times I've found big racks of $2 - $5 jeans at a local retail store.
If you saw the HUGE boxes of clothes I have stores away for DD you'd know that I'm an outlet junkie

[kimmymommie]

Big fan of the outlet, but I still shop at the stores. I make out like a bandit at the outlet stores though! I'll usually get a ton of stuff for $40..

[DallasMom2]

The closest outlet store in over two hours away, I'd spend my savings on gas!! I have found some pretty good deals at the stores when they're having a sale. I love the store in Grapevine Mills, they always have lots of sale racks.

[1stuser]

I agree - Grapevine Mills! When I was pregnant with my dd, I found onesies there for .69! I bought 2 years worth..Great deals...

[WifeofBath]

I used to go to the outlet all the time when it was 25 minutes away. But the whole outlet mall closed, now the nearest to me is a good one hour drive. Like PP, I would use up any savings on gas. Now I just make do with the mall store in my town which is 5 minutes away. Plus, I'll shop online-love those discount codes!