Michael Kors MIchael Kors Outlet bags - what to expect?

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#31
Went to an early dinner, then hit the outlet. The SAs weren't too bad, there were enough people in the store, that they milled around, and didn't attach themselves to you unless you approached them. Got my EW Hamilton in Iris. The price was 299.00 ($100 less than the same bag in the Canada Kors outlet) plus, I called last night and asked about any discounts, and was told yes, 20% off anything over 250. So my bag was 239 + tax. The leather is gorgeous, and it's just what I wanted. They were helpful, and honestly for the first time, I actually didn't mind the outlet experience. I saw the matching wallet, but had already rung up, and DH was impatient, so I might go back next week and get it. But I'm loving my Iris.

And huge thanks to MKBagLover. She helped with the info, explanations between the differences of the bags and all around niceness. :flowers::drinkup:
 
#32
What to expect from an MK outlet?

You can expect:
-NOT such a great markdown

- "unique" styles (that is code for "styles NOT found in any retail store, but made expressly for MK outlets, YET with a full retail price tag minus maybe $30 bucks!)

-NO returns, other than "in store credit" (not sure if you can use that credit at retail MK stores)

THAT is what you can expect to find at MK outlets. :rant:
____

Yup, I am a bit peeved. I usually love my Kos handbags, but lately the quality seems a bit lower (I'm speaking of the $350-500 range line). The styles have been OK, but the leather is not as thick as it used to be, yet the prices keep hiking up. So, for my B Day, I urged hubby to go to the MK outlet vs a retail store to find me a new bag (yes, we've been married long enough that I am comfortable with telling him what to get me -- saves him from doing returns. LOL). I researched the bag online (retail) and asked the sales girl, via phone, if they had it. She replied "oh yes!". Ok, so I had her put it on hold for hubby to pick up.

Well, he returns with a totally different bag than I had seen online.
I had wanted the Fulton Large Chain Tote, and though the ticket did have that name on it, the bag's detailing was very different. And the price? A JOKE. :pout: The bag retailed for $355, and the "great outlet SALE price"? A wopping $30 less! :wondering OH! and he also bought me (bless his misguided and unsavy buying heart! lol) an MK wallet. This wallet is a nothing. I mean....nadda! And it was $195, and "on sale" for .....hold your breath!...$165. ?? It says "leather", but it doesn't feel like it. And it's so thin. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it. And it has a HUGE MK logo on the flap. The logo is almost 1/3 the size of the wallet -- ok, maybe 1/4 the size. I mean it's HUMONGOUS. :(

I called the outlet and they confirmed that yes, that was the right Fulton. They explained that the outlet bags are not going to be the same as what you find in the stores (most of the time). She said many bags are made expressly for the outlets. ?? She said they on occasion do have retail last season bags. Then she tells me that MY particular bag is a full retail bag, yet she had NO explanation for the different placement of the MK gold logo, and other style differences, She had NO explanation for the nominal outlet discount % either. She did say I could return the bag if I was not happy, but that I would only receive a store credit.

Seriously?

If it weren't for the fact that I do like the bag (except for the front and center logo placement), I'd be writing a letter to corporate. :rtr: But, the bag is beautiful (though the leather is a bit thin, as with all of my more recent Kors purchases). It does hold a ton (which is my main criteria for all of my handbags other than evening bags, lol).

But, I do feel ripped-off.
I doubt I'll be repurchasing from a Kors outlet any time soon, as most dept stores have better sales.

*steps off soap box*
 
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#33
See I agree with you, I think the stores and boutique have better prices and bags then the outlets. I hope you enjoy your gifts though, your hubby sounds very thoughtful.
 
#35
I know most of the ladies aren't fond of the outlets, but I must have a fairly decent one near me. Not that the prices are that good, but they seem to carry the most colors & silver HW (my holy grail).

Anyway, was just there today, & they have 3 Hamiltons with ROSE GOLD HW for you ladies who want that. Vanilla, pearl gray, & black - they are the outlet version, so maybe there are the fp version somewhere too.
 
#36
I was just down at the Niagara Falls Fashion Outlets today, and here's what I found (sorry it was so busy I couldn't take many photos sneaky photos!):

Michael Kors Outlet
All purchases at the Michael Kors over $250 were 20% off with the Green Savings card
- Large Zip wallets were $99
- Tech/iPhone wristlets were $89 (i think)
- Fulton / Signature Crossybody bags were $150 | Similar to this
- Jet Set top zip totes were $199
- Saffiano Large totes were $199 | Similar in size to this
- Larger Hamilton's (minus the locks) were $299
- These saffiano dome crossbody bags were also $299
2sayra1.jpg


At Marshalls
These were the only two bags I found (i checked the inside and they looked like outlet bags based on the lining):

- large fulton crossbody was $150
2v8onbq.jpg


- and this tote was $140
2yv1f14.jpg


At Off Saks Outlet
I saw some jet zet top zip totes and some fulton crossbody satchels, but I don't remember the prices. They were 30% off though so the prices weren't too bad.

As most people have pointed out the outlet was a bit of a disappointment in terms of a MK bag. I ended up getting a Marc Jacobs Classic Q crossbody for $200 at Saks instead. So if you're in Niagara Falls state side, check Saks first since they seem to have better promotions! Hope this helps!
 
#37
I don't know about you all on here, but I'm really disappointed at the fact that the outlets don't have a sign up somewhere or issue a disclaimer when purchasing handbags from here. If I had known that I would be paying the same price as a retail store for my Hamilton handbag without it having the same features as a retail bag, I would never have bought it from the outlet. Here are the things that I've noticed that my MFF bag doesn't have:

1. It has a face plate instead of the original lock/key
2. When the bag is open, It has a zipper in the middle for more organization space (I actually like this feature).
3. The bag is an in-between size when compared to the retail bag size (it's a bit smaller).
4. The lining has "Michael Kors" spelled out instead of the "MK" logo that's sold in retail bags.
5. It doesn't come with a dust bag (I actually think this is essential when preserving the life of a luxury bag).
6. Gold studs- There aren't any gold studs at the bottom of the bag to protect the bottom of it when it's placed somewhere.

The quality is the same from what an employee at the retail store said. He said that they make it in the same factory but it's styled specifically for the outlet. Note to self: Check out the retail stores first before buying at an outlet, especially if there is no major price difference. I looked online and saw newer designed Hamilton bags for the same price that my outlet bag cost. Oh well. Knowledge is power, and it won't happen again if I ever get another designer purse.
 
#38
Sweetheart99 said:
I don't know about you all on here, but I'm really disappointed at the fact that the outlets don't have a sign up somewhere or issue a disclaimer when purchasing handbags from here. If I had known that I would be paying the same price as a retail store for my Hamilton handbag without it having the same features as a retail bag, I would never have bought it from the outlet. Here are the things that I've noticed that my MFF bag doesn't have:

1. It has a face plate instead of the original lock/key
2. When the bag is open, It has a zipper in the middle for more organization space (I actually like this feature).
3. The bag is an in-between size when compared to the retail bag size (it's a bit smaller).
4. The lining has "Michael Kors" spelled out instead of the "MK" logo that's sold in retail bags.
5. It doesn't come with a dust bag (I actually think this is essential when preserving the life of a luxury bag).
6. Gold studs- There aren't any gold studs at the bottom of the bag to protect the bottom of it when it's placed somewhere.

The quality is the same from what an employee at the retail store said. He said that they make it in the same factory but it's styled specifically for the outlet. Note to self: Check out the retail stores first before buying at an outlet, especially if there is no major price difference. I looked online and saw newer designed Hamilton bags for the same price that my outlet bag cost. Oh well. Knowledge is power, and it won't happen again if I ever get another designer purse.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what an outlet (of any brand) wants- the uneducated buyer. I too won't buy outlet bags unless it is something I specifically want because they are almost as much as full price bags. I can find better deals at Dept stores or online for FP bags!

Coach is even worse. They make MFF bags and then put an outrageous MSRP on them and "discount" them to more than half that price. The majority of the public does not know the difference between MFF and FP so they think they are getting a great deal.
 
#39
ImageUploadedByPurseForum1387318816.983029.jpg Does anybody know the name of this bag? I saw it at Bicester outlet (UK) today and believe its outlet only- I wish they had it in black! Now torn between this and the black and silver selma....
 
#42
lucyjessicaa said:
View attachment 2434163 Does anybody know the name of this bag? I saw it at Bicester outlet (UK) today and believe its outlet only- I wish they had it in black! Now torn between this and the black and silver selma....
Click to expand...

The red bag behind it, was that the same bag? I went to Bicester last month and the only Bedford Dressy they had was the brown snake print. I really want it in the shiny Cinnabar.
 
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