Factory shops

[Edlyu]

Factory shops are great and there are often fantastic bargains to be had.Proper end of line and discontinued stuff or slight seconds for much reduced prices. We used to have fantastic local on-site factory shops that sold crisps and biscuits for pennies and a shoe factory that had wonderful kids shoes for under £5 -all gone now sadly.

Does anyone know if there is a good -and importantly up to date -list of good factory shops. Ive found a website but it lists the shops by retailer name and not by location. Plus lots of them are just outlets which may be cheaper but not the bargainy type of places I want. Im thinking of places such as Giftree which used to do all the weird and wonderful things you find for sale in those card catalogues .There used to be one in a town near me and I always found unusual things for stocking fillers etc but it closed ages ago and theres no other shop like it close by.

Last weekend I drove to a recommended factory shop and found that the 'bargains ' were few and far between -bought in tat and really damaged items sold at 1/3 less for example -so the trip was a waste of time and fuel.

Am I on a hiding to nothing here?

[snowmummy]

Sorry I can't help but I'm marking my place in case someone else can.

[Whydobabiescry]

We used to have several great clothing factory shops, but unfortunately there aren't any factories left. Since they moved making everything to China. I used to love a day out scouring for bargains.

[Edlyu]

I cant believe there is only one response to my heartfelt plight < gets violin out >

My favourite cheap place to shop is not a factory shop per se -its Argos Clearance in Stanley,Co Durham .Its in a backwater off the main road so you have to know its there. Thats the sort of thing I need want to know.

[Whydobabiescry]

We have a jojo Maman discount shop in s Wales that has super clearance days every couple of months, but not much use if you're based up north.

[serin]

Think you might be on a hiding to nothing!

Most shops have online outlet shops. Many on ebay.

[Helenagrace]

Not a factory shop but if you're near a Boundary Mill they can be worth investigating. I've had Jaegar trousers reduced from £95 to £8 and Jane Shilton bags reduced from £120 to £20. I once got an Alexon dress reduced from £150 to £39.

The home stuff is not so bargain ours but is always very good brands. I had a Waterford crystal jug reduced from £170 to £25 and a Royal Worcester bowl reduced from £40 to £7. Both were seconds but the flaws were barely visible.

[BikeRunSki]

There did used to be a guidebook to factory shops published, i'm pretty sure it was split up by region. I used to see it in WHSmith. Haven't seen it for years, but then haven't been in WHS for years. With TKMaxx, outlet villages and the www, the demand might not be there. Anyway, if you are ever passing my way (Barnsley/Huddersfield/Wakefield ) I can point you in the direction of factory shops actually attached to factories for rugs/carpets and all sorts of garden pots.

[BikeRunSki]

Factory Shop Guide to Great Britain

[Fluffycloudland77]

Thanks bike. I've put that on my wish list.

[nannyl]

we have the mamas and papas one in huddersfield....

worth it if the buggy you want has been returned by someone else, and also for maternity clothes.... its next to their factory!

fatface also does an amazing sale in hampshire every couple of years (though i think its invite only, i have a friend who works there so can get an invite!)
I got an entire mail sack of clothes (RRP well over £1000) for £50 when it was fill your bag for £50!

[BikeRunSki]

Ooh, nanny, didn't realise you were another H'fielder. Tbh, I have never found the factory shop that much cop. Discounts never that good, and I am not that keen on M&P clothes.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

Hi I actually run a chain of Outlet stores and you are correct, there aren't so many factory seconds and overproduction places in the UK.

Sample sales are still quite popular though, and generally the prices are set per type of garment. Trying registering with a few secret sample sale websites.

Outlet stock tends to be end of season clearance and store overstock. They are challenged to make a profit, driven on the model of US outlet success so you don't tend to get huge huge discounts,more likely 70% off the retail price max.

TKMaxx and similar "jobbers" such as Sports direct have also jumped onto this phenomenon and are also squeezing in a slice of profit instead of it going directly to the shopper in the old factory shopping style.

[purples]

I haven't been to a proper factory outlet for years, not by choice, just they all seem to have closed. The nearest I've got to is TKMax, M&S outlet and online shopping, but its just not the same as the bargains from factory shops.

Plan to check out BikeRunSki factory shop guide,[busmile] I just hope there are some within reasonable driving distance.

[nannyl]

Hello BikeRunSki

Im not a fan of mamas and papas either and dont own anything from there, as i dont rate their products (or customer service)..... but i have seen things (that i dont want and wouldnt buy at RRP, ever) massively reduced.... especially their own brand buggies and travel cots.

[BikeRunSki]

fair enough nannyl, i've just never seen or found anything I have wanted or needed there, maybe I have just been unlucky.

[BerryBlast]

There used to be something called the "Good Deal Directory" BUT I've just checked their website and it is quite out of date - showed a curtain shop in local High St which has been closed now for around 3 years! I don't know if the actual directory (book) would be more up to date, you could see if a local library stocks it.

[catsmother]

We've got one of these in our town .... s'okay for cheap toiletries, crockery, bed linen, small household items like storage boxes, lamps, pet beds and so on. Its clothes are pretty dire usually but if, say, you want something like a plain fleece you can normally find one there for a reasonable price and it's good for basics like socks. Their stock changes quite often so you usually find something different each time you go. Doesn't do much food - just sweets and chocs really.

Supposed to have 180 branches. It's a bit like Woollies I guess ... a fair bit of tat but some bargain useful stuff amongst it all.

The Original Factory Shop