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Show Shop Smart at Outlet Malls by VEDA EDDY Everyone loves a bargain. And topping at outlets stores in which designers or manufacturers bypass the middleman and sell their goods directly to consumers is a great way to save i very day on brand-name merchandise. About 1 5 percent of merchandise sold at factory stores is irregular or damaged, while the rest gener-allv gener-allv consist of overstocked, slow-selling, or discontinued discon-tinued items. Additionally, more than half of the c impanics that own or operate outlets sell merchandise merchan-dise made exclusively for outlet locations. These goods may be of lesser quality than the companies' hues sold in department stores. About 3(X) outlet malls are scattered across the I inted States. Most are located near intersrates or tmnst destinations, so impromptu shopping sprees have become a popular vacation activity. Indeed, 55 million people visit an outlet mall each year, accord-mi; accord-mi; to the Travel Industry Association of America. Not every item is a bargain," cautions Sheila AJkins, public affairs manager of the Council of Bitter Business Bureaus. "But if you shop wisely, ou can save money." Consumers should inspect each item carefully, try on all apparel, and ask questions, she suggests. To avoid impulse buying, visit only the stores that arc likely to carry items you need, and decide up front what you want color, style, and how much you're willing to i spend." Adkins says. Consider these tips to get a good deal while ' ou rc shopping: Check prices at regular stores in advance to dctcr- ! mine what's a good buy. Remember, those "compare "com-pare at" amounts shown on price tags are high-end ' numbers suggested by the manufacturer. Many tetail stores sell below those prices, too. ; Plan your visit during a mall-wide promotional sale (often coinciding with holidays). Call ahead, '. check mall websites, or sign up for store mailing . lists to get sale schedules. ; At the customer service center, get a store directory direc-tory and ask for a coupon book. These books, which ; give additional percentages off, normally are handed ; 'ut to tour groups but are free to anyone who asks. ' Check labels. A cut or marked-through label t means the apparel is from the company's retail line ; but is irregular in some way. ; Clearance racks, usually located in the rear of the , store, have articles discounted as much as 80 percent. ' Always ask about the store's return and exchange policy. Some are liberal; some haw restrictions. Cicarly reduced purchases may be final sales. Many companies allow outlet merchandise to be returned at any of their other outlet or full-retail locations throughout the country. aL EJJ) is a redanct u Titer from Cdttmbui. Ind jP"r--( Jjsa LnnlB.ni In fn -L I 1 I . ,tf i .s: L kr i ; - umii viimEa. CD CC Matrhing LABELS! WltH rtw CHK OR)ll EASY SIDE TEAR rtnc FREE easy side-tear, vinyl Chedcbook Cow, one-part Deposit Slips, Check Register, ptus Safety and Security Features. ,rr" gg UlcMtelitr' hJ aCTiSEK! 5XS3S;2DS5) iikmUOnkr EASY " T IXTHNET (n vm MagnvCnMvca g. (rasa Iioi (om orvoo One ar mmg and . iwtq m atrg. tttat toot Sto " occort Oiks n Cw Cat w-idM. Dinw ra "nig rfwn rrnrriT- nf tt f , . , - 1 00 13n WI 7Trrv)f rrrjn fkh.cs XT c rjS'0:8 tiCC Un Uana Lima (WHMt jKUH w X 111 00 jXiln 1 boa aJBUa j :x MM j ncsim jarxttHm nr j taJ0 j)Tlu jjOioH -or t ;y crooks : 0gn Lftannj - cod SXifi- ilecff oe"a' Cipchooc Ccw - jl 35 : SOVV -: .nrwdg? j $ rv axt frjn :cpi3roi) - s; X Pnoity Uo - S X flinn I for-Ii3C 2-ocv D - S4 -56 j . Sow n Aj. oaa 4 CC ooa 2J I0TM |
