Outlets vs retail, and Winners prices: Sale fail? (CBC Marketplace)
CBC News・18 minutes read
Outlet malls offer discounted big-name brands, but products may be of lower quality and made specifically for outlets, leading to confusion for customers like Jennifer Johnston, who discovered discrepancies in pricing and raised concerns about deceptive pricing practices at Winners, prompting a reevaluation of compare at prices and changes in labeling on outlet products.
Insights
- Outlet products from popular brands may have quality differences compared to retail items, often made specifically for outlets, potentially compromising on quality to offer lower prices.
- Winners' compare at pricing, while intended to showcase savings, can sometimes mislead customers, prompting scrutiny from consumers like Jennifer Johnston and legal action against parent company TJX, leading to a reassessment and adjustment of these pricing practices.
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Recent questions
Are outlet products of lower quality?
Yes
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Summary
00:00
Outlet Mall Bargains: Quality Differences Revealed
- Outlet malls are popular for bargain hunting, offering big-name brands at lower prices.
- Products at outlets may not be the same quality as retail items, with some made specifically for outlets.
- Coach products from outlets may have differences in quality compared to retail items.
- J.Crew's outlet products are exclusively made for outlets, with slight differences in quality.
- Outlet products are often made to be sold cheaply, cutting corners on quality.
- Kate Spade outlet products may have differences in quality compared to retail items.
- Banana Republic outlet products may have differences in quality, with distinct features like zippers and buttons.
- Outlet products from popular brands may have differences in quality compared to retail items.
- Some outlet products may have labels indicating they were made specifically for outlets.
- Winners' compare at pricing may not always reflect actual savings, leading to customer dissatisfaction and feeling misled.
17:24
Questionable Compare At Prices at Winners
- Found cologne at Sears Canada for $60, same as the price at Winners; discovered Risk board game at FG Bradley's for $74.99, cheaper than Winners' $49.99 with a compare at price of $100.
- Bally Total Fitness ball found at Walmart.ca for $19.97, lower than Winners' $19.99 with a compare at price of $30 over; team finds similar products cheaper at other retailers, questioning the reliability of compare at prices.
- Winners' compare at prices questioned by customers like Jennifer Johnston, who found discrepancies in pricing; Winners' parent company TJX faces lawsuits in the U.S. for deceptive pricing practices, prompting Winners to reevaluate their compare at prices and remove some.
