Gap outlet vs Reg Gap

[Mac4life30]

Is the clothes the same? I bought a pair of pants today for $29 at Gap outlet. For $10 more I could of gotten the same style of pants at Reg Gap. The crazy thing is I dont feel I got a good deal. I feel the outlet pants are different then the reg gap pants. Even though is suppose to be the same style of pants one is made in Cambodia the other Vietnam. Both are 100% cotton yet they feel different. The outlet ones are tough and the reg gap are soft. Anyone have any knowledge on this subject?

 

[KimmyAnne]

Most, if not all, of the clothes at Gap Outlet are made especially for the Outlet. So they could very well be different.

 

[Mac4life30]

of wow this i did not know. Im starting to think less and less of the outlet concept.

 

[Janepod]

Very different. It's not like 20 years ago when the outlets would have leftovers from the actual retail stores. Now everything is made for the outlet stores. The clothes at Gap outlet (and BR outlet) are much more cheaply made. Lesser quality fabric, cutting corners on the stitching, buttons, linings, etc. I don't buy anything at either place; too many disappointments over the years.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

As others have mentioned, most outlets are no longer last season lines or items with slight defects. Most brands now actually make lines specifically for the outlets they operate.

 

[Katy Belle]

Funny you posted this today! While doing laundry today I noticed that the t shirts I got for DS from GAP Outlet are a lot thinner material than the ones from GAP. I had not noticed it before, but there is a significant difference.

 

[tikistitch]

Clothes at Gap outlets are often specifically made for the outlet, but the other week we were at ours and there were tanks and tees and jeans with Old Navy tags on them! We know they're part of the same company but were still surprised to see Old Navy tags in a Gap outlet. We have seen some of the kids gap selections at both the outlet and regular stores be the same, though. Not much of the adult lines are.

 

[Christine]

As others have said, these days "outlet" stores mainly sell a lesser line of clothing. I'm okay with that--but it's important to know that going in.

There are some "outlets" that do have clearance merchandise from either their main stores or their catalogs.

For instance, we have a Talbots Outlet in our mall. Totally different line of clothing than the main stores. About 30 minutes from where I live there is a Talbot's Clearance Center. This store has stuff from the main stores and the catalogs that is either discontinued, excess, or damaged.

 

[Mac4life30]

Is a store not required to disclose something like this? I feel they are cheating the consumer on some level.

 

[Janepod]

Is a store not required to disclose something like this? I feel they are cheating the consumer on some level.

What is it you think they need to disclose? The store sign says Gap Factory Store, not Gap.

 

[MrsDuck]

I've never noticed...

That said, I mostly buy from the Outlet and not the actual store. Ditto a PP who said it's okay as long as you know what you're buying.

 

[Janepod]

BTW I hope people realize the bags sold in Coach factory stores are not the same quality as the ones you buy at a retail store.

http://www.brandculture.com/when-is...ch-bag-when-its-from-the-coach-factory-store/

 

[HeatherFeather]

Yes...the thing about the lesser quality is 100% true! I think this goes for most outlet stores including Ann Taylor and Loft which are a couple of my favorites.

When I was growing up near San Francisco my mom would take us to the outlet stores for back to school shopping and they were often in kind of sketchy industrial areas. Each store had its own outlet in a different area of the city and they weren't all in a mall. I remember the really popular ones were Gunne Sax (now Jessica McClintock I think) and esprit. I am so dating myself!

 

[Mac4life30]

What is it you think they need to disclose? The store sign says Gap Factory Store, not Gap.

That even though the names are similar and you would think is the same clothes from Gap that is not. The clothes is made of a lesser quality then the one from Gap. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that but they should make it clear. Here is a crazy example.

A lot of people shop at Walmart because the prices are less then at the regular store. Similar to the same reason people might shop at the outlet store. When I go to Walmart I am getting the same TV I would get at Best Buy only cheaper. If Walmart was selling a product of lesser quality (and I am not talking their everyday value brand) in order to provide you with a low cost wouldnt you want to know?

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Outlets make the same style of clothing as the original store, only at a lesser quality. Think of it this way: The quality of Banana Republic Factory apparel is similar to a regular Gap store and the quality of Gap Outlet apparel is similar to that found in a regular Old Navy store. Now Old Navy Outlet apparel... I'd probably wouldn't buy, but there's not one around here so I'm not totally sure the quality. The margins are going to be nearly the same for any type of apparel store, outlet or not.

 

[Janepod]

That even though the names are similar and you would think is the same clothes from Gap that is not. The clothes is made of a lesser quality then the one from Gap. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that but they should make it clear.

I understand what you're saying, but I think the fact that the sign in front says "Gap Factory Store," not "Gap" or "Gap Outlet" implies that it's different merchandise. How much more clear do you suggest they be?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

A lot of people shop at Walmart because the prices are less then at the regular store. Similar to the same reason people might shop at the outlet store. When I go to Walmart I am getting the same TV I would get at Best Buy only cheaper. If Walmart was selling a product of lesser quality (and I am not talking their everyday value brand) in order to provide you with a low cost wouldnt you want to know?

Most often TVs sold at Walmart are actually a lower quality, well, maybe better stated, have less features. Very rarely will you be able to find the exact model at Walmart (model number) at another store. This is different then stores like BestBuy, HRGregg, etc; where models are often exactly the same.

 

[palmbeachmom]

My former career was in merchandising and I worked for Talbots in the late 80's and early 90's, and I can tell you then the merchandise sent to the outlet stores was overstock and leftovers after they had been marked down to 80% off at the semi-annual sale. If anyone remembers what I call the "year of southwest" in 1990 for Talbots, I can tell you that awful merchandise hung around for about 4 years boxed up in their distribution center and parceled out to the clearance centers!

By the late 90's, I worked as a Buyer for Izod brand at Van Heusen, and even back then what you would find in most outlet stores was purchased specifically for the outlets. My advice for outlet shopping is never approach the price tag and look at the "original price", but think more about what you would pay for a like type of item at a mall store. The "original price" is a total crock of hooey!

 

[ten6mom]

When I was growing up near San Francisco my mom would take us to the outlet stores for back to school shopping and they were often in kind of sketchy industrial areas. Each store had its own outlet in a different area of the city and they weren't all in a mall. I remember the really popular ones were Gunne Sax (now Jessica McClintock I think) and esprit. I am so dating myself!

I remember those as well!

 

[Callie]

Gap and Banana republic have stuff made especially for the outlet, and every now and then get actual stuff from regular stores.

Old Navy outlets on the other hand most of it is the exact same stuff you get at a regular old navy. That is why you can return it wherever. Only a few factory specials.