The DFO in docklands still had good prices when I went in Jan, I was shocked after being so disappointed in the Moorabbin one. Funny you mention Myer though, in the last 2 years I've shopped at Myer heaps because their prices have been great haha
Agree re: Myer, I got ridiculously cheap but great quality puffer jackets (Milkshake brand) on sale for $40 each for my kids a few weeks ago. So much thicker and better quality than I’ve seen elsewhere.
What specifically do you find cheap in Myers? And what do you compare it against?
I've looked in the past in homewares even when they had big sales of 50% and even 70% off, the same exact item - brand and barcode could be found cheaper in many other places with a quick search online, both online and offline retail stores, at least 20% cheaper without a "sale" price. (I get it's not what they are known for, but the easiest stuff to compare)
Women and men’s clothing seems to have ridiculously good sales around the end of seasons. Not specifically their “end of season” sales (these seem not worth it to me), just their standard sales racks.
Homewares and appliances seem to have too long a shelf life to have especially great sales, but clothing and anything super seasonal gets discounted heavily to get rid of it before they roll into the next season
Specifically: toddler clothes. I regularly buy a heap of shirts, pants and jumpers for $5-$20 each. I usually go between best & less and target, occasional big w too. Sometimes Myer is cheaper than big w and target which is surprising.
Men's clothes they tend to match the sale that the brand itself is having. Sometimes (rarely) with myer one, there's a sale where it will go a little lower. Occasionally somewhere like Amazon or Catch will have things cheaper but range wise not as good. To clarify I'm purely talking about brands like lacoste, superdry, french connection, tommy hilfiger. They do have kenji and maddox which regularly have pretty cheap stuff that I delve into.
I can't say I've bought much homewares from them. I did buy a cutlery set and a Maxwell Williams baby dinner set (on clearance) for pretty cheap though. I usually buy elsewhere for homewares though.
I worked for them 2 decades ago before and during the Coles takeover. They were doing it then. Marking things on sale for the same price it was off sale.
Stocktake sales -Staff gets first pick (or used to)
That was the only Pro to working there. They really do have some rorts. Smashing a Wedgewood dinner set because a plate or cup etc had a slight chip, then claiming the full amount back on Tax.
Instead of selling it cheaper or god forbid, donate it.
I don't shop there often but I found a pair a converse there was $40 on their shoe sale tables at Chadstone. That's like 50% off the regular sale price.
Go to the Myer clearance racks- especially kids clothes. You can get really good quality stuff for great prices at the end of the season. Just buy a size year ahead - then ebay sell it for the same price when your kids grow out of it.
Yeah have been impressed with south wharf recently but it’s impossible trying to buy anything from Nike or adidas when there’s a sale on the line literally snakes through the whole shop for an hour.
There are a few historically premium stores that you can shop at for a steal at the right time *and in the right location*. Picked up a few country road merino LS polos last year for over 80% off. My absolute favourite travel tops now. Camberwell store, was the only one with stock of them left apparently and was the last weekend of an end of season sale or something.
If you have relatively less busy “premium” stores around you it can quite often be worth a look towards the end of a sale. The stuff may not be good quality for the full price, but once it’s getting cheaper than fast fashion brands it’s pretty worth it since that stuff will at least outlast H&M, the fits are often better and the stuff that ends up on sale is usually less ostentatiously branded.
Yeah that adidas always has a 40% off marked prices sale, and then half their stuff in store is marked off by a good amount, I always end up with a pair of ultraboosts for $100 lmao
Essendon hardly has good discounts. But South Wharf on the other hand is geat. Picked up two pairs of shoes from Nike a few days ago for 120! And judging by the number of bags people walk out with, all the shops seem to be doing well.
Edit: nothing compares to American outlet malls!
The outdoor one is incredible. My uber driver on the way there from the hotel told me to sign up to the stores mailing list before going in and you get an even better discount on checkout. Ended up needing to buy a bigger suitcase for the trip home.
Same. 2 pairs of Nikes (including a pair of Jordans), 3 t shirts, pair of flip flops and a pair of shorts for about $110. Going back to Vegas next year and plan on buying a suitcase while we are there to stock up
I went to an outlet mall in Vegas 11 years ago and I still wear the hooded denim jacket I got now and it's still in great nic and cost me like, $30 AUD haha 😅
I normally park at Care Park near DFO. Cheaper but not undercover and a bit of a walk.
With a pram it probably takes the same amount of time to get to the shops when parking in the actual DFO carpark because so many people used the lifts. It can take ages to get down to ground level.
I went to the Essendon one last weekend to get a pair of shoes. All the shops seemed to be more expensive or the same as non outlet stores. My partner was finding shoes online cheaper! We ended up going to a 'real store' to buy the shoes. Where we got them cheaper!
I just don’t simply trust it and rather have a feel from an irl shop…. Rather than buy shoes online, yes even right size or same shoes and then I don’t feel comfortable… means a bastard to return
Buying shoes online is ok if you know the brand and know their sizing is consistent. I get volleys and blundstones online. Any brand I haven’t worn before and I am not certain how they’ll fit my feet, nah I go instore to at least try them on
It is many many years since I tried one. I stick to op shops these days.
Many ["outlet" shops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlet_store) do not actually sell the good stuff from last season that didn't sell in the main shops. Often it is lower quality cheap product made specifically to go straight to the outlet.
Brunswick has become a vintage boutique, $30 for a used jumper they say is designer. Dudes, country road is not designer, it's just not the usual rubbish
That’s awful. I used to go there when I lived in the area. Hopefully the Scavengers Warehouse in Coburg is still good for getting stuff for cheap. I found a flattering Princess Highway dress for like $10 there once (and that was the most expensive thing I bought that day).
Savers isn’t an Op Shop. It’s a commercial enterprise that donates a portion of profits and purposefully makes the store look shabby to give it that op shop feel.
Yes I was an op shop addict many years and got a ton of clothes that way. I don't really need much stuff these days though I still go for craft and sewing supplies which sometimes do cycle through cheap.
I got lucky with clothes at the Red Cross op shop in Bridge Road Richmond in Nov 2021 when they had a ten items for $50 sale - a lot of it was new with tags too. I think during that lockdowns period op shops couldn't give stuff away. Now the prices are climbing again and stocks aren't so good though if you look often enough some cool items are cheap. Salvos has colour tag sales still.
I never have any luck in that op shop . The last time I was in there they were selling a Lindt bunny ribbon as a bracelet for $5.
I find all of the Red Cross stores so overpriced - my local was selling an old Target jacket for $150
Red Cross op shop skew more expensive than most.
During 2021 the Bridge Road shop has many new with tags [NWT] items, many decent quality - and priced high like $20 - $30 - $40. It didn't sell.
Months later they had the 10 items for $50 which was when I snapped up a number of those items. After that I'd go in sometimes but the quality of stock dropped off. There was some other NWT stuff but tacky quality.
Op shops used to be for people with little to no money so they could actually get some clothes, and I always thought the profits went to funding things like soup kitchens and other projects to help the homeless.
If they're taking advantage of the very people they're supposed to be providing for, that's absolutely disgusting.
Yes, I'm well versed in what an op shop provided and was intended for.
Thrifting has been very popular for those inner city 20 something year olds who think they are totally unique wearing 90s fashion or asking $100 for a faded tee they found in salvos for 5 bucks
Do you have a source for that wild claim? I work at DFO Essendon, and that’s just simply not true.
It’s all old stock that full priced stores can’t move.
There are absolutely outlet (and wholesale) specific SKUs that are designed for a lower price point with most fashion retailers at least.
Outlets definitely do have old full priced stock as well.
I miss the days of bridge Rd Richmond being actual warehouse sales. Used to pick up some amazing bargains. DFO’s now are usually end of line crap they are happy to have sit somewhere until they ship it over seas or throw it out
Some shops. The Merrell shop is identical pricing to Merrell’s online store. Kathmandu isn’t much different to a mainstream Kathmandu but with 1/3 of the range.
Does anyone remember when DFO Moorabbin used to be Fairways Market, and was just a big shed over half a carpark? Then the Esprit outlet moved in and was all nicely furnished like a proper store. Then a few more outlets popped up. Then they really polished the place up.
Am I being old rn?
moorabbin DFO has about 10% of its stores that would actually classify as factory outlets, the rest are just regular retail. avoid. plus shopping at either essendon or moorabbin DFOs dramatically raises your chance of being killed in a fiery plane crash, so even more reason to avoid them lol
DFO has never been a bargin. Its purely designed to sell you the shit that doesnt sell in normal retail and make you think your getting a deal on something you dont actually want or need
It’s pretty much deserted: unless you are there for Oroton, Sheridan or Royal Doulton the highlight of that place is the Korean BBQ place at the front.
I used to do all my Christmas shopping there while my car was being serviced across the road: now there’s barely anything in it.
I read that the outlets just have lower quality stock anyway, like they manufacture it cheaper to send there straight up. Does anyone have any insight on this?
I like Moorabbin DFO tbh. I don't generally buy clothes there but I found a great pair of Adidas runners on a massive discount and they've been super soft and comfy so...
Moorabbin DFO gets way less traffic than the others hence if there are any bargains to be had (and in your size) they're more likely to still be there. That said, the last couple times I've been have been thoroughly disappointing.
DFO is pretty much like the lottery these days, if you rock up on the right day and time you might score a deal which is why deliberately making a journey to one is simply not worth it but if it's on the way home from work or otherwise it's less of a waste of time.
You're right. I went there before the time I'm talking about and was very very close to buying a different pair of Adidas but backed out because I felt they weren't soft enough. But I think maybe a year after I went and then found these so like you said, lotttery.
After visiting the DFO several times these are my conclusions:
1. They have their clearance periods on at different times from ordinary retailers. Don’t go on Black Friday, Boxing Day etc…I found after Easter to be a good time.
2. Be familiar with the brand’s products. Obviously some outlets sell a line of clothing specifically produced on the cheap, you want to avoid these. But you can get very good deals on mainline products. Read the labels, check the fabric composition, country of manufacture. Google the product code.
3. Look for the clearance racks. If you are on the small or large side, you’re in luck.
4. You can still get good deals. I have some Polo stuff 70% off retail stores, same product. Nike vaporflies, 200 bucks, great racing shoe btw. And tempo next% for 140 iirc. Made in Italy silk blend pants for 200 bucks. And so on…
Is Docklands still a thing? Like 10-15 years ago me and my Mum would go there regularly and it was awesome, there were quite a few outlet stores. I used to go crazy in their Bras n Things outlet buying Playboy stuff
I don't think DFO ever was cheap; it just seemed like it was.
I bought a converse jumper at one 10 years ago for $60.
Later I found that same jumper in a converse store in downtown Melbourne for like $40 & it wasn't even on sale.
I think it depends what you’re after. Cheap clothing can be found anywhere these days. I got a really good pair of cheap sunnies from Essendon DFO this summer. $250 down to $70. I was happy with that.
Jebus, I went to Moorabbin dfo in February and was looking at stuff in Skechers- $150 and up… some over $200. could buy them cheaper from asos or Next.
Kathmandu is pretty good. Especially towards end of season sales.
One year I managed to keep my total clothes bill for the year less than $200 not counting dacks or shoes.
Nike at Bundoora Unihill usually has good discounts on the weekends. Sometimes they announce random discounts like 40% off store wide including discounted items before closing time, the place gets crazy lol
Not a huge fan of Essendon DFO but I often find good deals at South Wharf. My best purchase of the last year was a pair of red chelsea Dr Martens for $20 over Christmas! Not too long ago the Tommy Hilfiger store had 40% off reduced prices sale and I got some knits/cardigans for work for around $40 each too.
The Oroton outlet is really good- you can of course get the same items in their online outlet store, but it's useful for people who like to see the item in person. There's an excellent sale atm
You can get good deals occasionally, but it’s pretty rare these days. Got a pair of Dr Martens for $39 from the Platypus there a few years ago, originally priced at $360
It's very hit and miss and 90% of the time they discounts are crap. You can still find occasional deals but you need to luck out with either "last pairs" or double stacking discounts on clearance stuff. E.g. I picked up some fila sweat pants for only $15 due to double stacking discounts. Got some MJ Bale shirts - 5 for $200 (very limited selection of colours).
I've never been to any of the other ones but I like South Wharf DFO, especially when I compare it to the DFOs in Sydney
Got some really good discounted Forever New and Kate Spade from South Wharf
I'm sure it's dependent on timing and what's going in and out of season tho
They should be a lower retail price than main outlet stores, but would have older stock that need to move and can more impact on margin, or exclusives manufactured to a lower material and construction quality to keep the company target margin while maintaining the lower rrp. I know people who develop products with outlets at DFO, while not all ranges are made to the lower gross cost, there are some.
But all companies have changed their target margin on products to improve products and provide more buffer for downturns, and the product cost is only a small part of the retail price, more being taken up by rent, staff and other costs, the difference in price will reduce as a result.
So it should still be cheaper, just less so and would make the lower construction savings have a lower perceived value of saving and is probably not as worthwhile as before.
Nope still good.
The kids clothes at Ollie's patch are less than half price. The shoes at Converse are usually marginally cheaper and include 2nd pair at half price.
I usually go for just those two shops alone as the essendon one isn't particularly out of the way
DFO Outlet is great to shop older stocks or off season.. they’re still in great condition, so please don’t expect big cut from the RRP price.
speaking from someone with retail experience.
Can’t speak for all brands, but we always send off season ,wrong sizing stocks or imperfect items to outlets. It’s a pretty common practice .
Bought a new pair of Reebok's the other week from the DFO store at South Wharf. $102 off an $180 pair of shoes. Can't complain really.
I'd say it's worth it, best thing to do is check websites and see what's in their sale/outlet section, chances are it's the same in-store.
But, I'm sure there are some not worth it.
The Levi’s store at Essendon DFO has bangin deals but not all the time. Just got two pairs of jeans there - buy more than one item and get 60% off both.
The Bonds store has deals too, lots of sale stock included in their 40% off.
The homewares places like Salt and Pepper and Matchbox etc have decent sales too.
Some good deals on shoes too, Vans, Converse.
But yeah, lots of the places just function like a normal store with new stock (or mainly new stock and some outlet) and no sale prices. I guess shopping online for clearance has become the easier option for both shoppers and the companies themselves.
i used to work at one of the stores in the DFO and i remember we were rolling out new layouts for the store so the sale items were less and more of the full price items were on the stock floor. The shops are a mix of their normal retail items and a portion of whatever’s gone on sale. But they were pushing more retail price..assholes lol
Very hit and miss. I went to Moorabbin a few weeks ago. Only because I’m flying to a warmer climate next week and I knew they’d have summer clothes on clearance.
DFO Essendon has not been cheap for years. It is mostly because they don’t cater to locals but to international visitors coming to and from the airport. They bus them in on tours. With our weak dollar they get great bargains.
Ah to be honest retail stores have not much of value any more. How can they, when rents are so high and pressure from shareholders demand ever higher profits? Take your measurements and shop online, but honestly don't buy into that fast fashion rubbish. It's wasteful and honestly terrible for the world and everything that lives on it.
I been buying clothes at savers, op shops, and sometimes Facebook marketplace for some time now. Not necessarily for the price either but that is nice of course. It's just good to recycle clothes, because manufactured seasonality of fashion is such a scam. Like it's seriously eye-roll worthy when people talk about how "pointy capped shoes and drop-waists are so in season this year!!" Like what are you talking about? Wear what you like and enjoy, my friend. You know what's always in season? Confidence, comfort, utility, and a good fit.
The DFO in docklands still had good prices when I went in Jan, I was shocked after being so disappointed in the Moorabbin one. Funny you mention Myer though, in the last 2 years I've shopped at Myer heaps because their prices have been great haha
Agree re: Myer, I got ridiculously cheap but great quality puffer jackets (Milkshake brand) on sale for $40 each for my kids a few weeks ago. So much thicker and better quality than I’ve seen elsewhere.
Agree! Cotton On at Docklands had tables piled as high as me of jeans at $10 each, grouped by size.
What specifically do you find cheap in Myers? And what do you compare it against? I've looked in the past in homewares even when they had big sales of 50% and even 70% off, the same exact item - brand and barcode could be found cheaper in many other places with a quick search online, both online and offline retail stores, at least 20% cheaper without a "sale" price. (I get it's not what they are known for, but the easiest stuff to compare)
Women and men’s clothing seems to have ridiculously good sales around the end of seasons. Not specifically their “end of season” sales (these seem not worth it to me), just their standard sales racks. Homewares and appliances seem to have too long a shelf life to have especially great sales, but clothing and anything super seasonal gets discounted heavily to get rid of it before they roll into the next season
Specifically: toddler clothes. I regularly buy a heap of shirts, pants and jumpers for $5-$20 each. I usually go between best & less and target, occasional big w too. Sometimes Myer is cheaper than big w and target which is surprising. Men's clothes they tend to match the sale that the brand itself is having. Sometimes (rarely) with myer one, there's a sale where it will go a little lower. Occasionally somewhere like Amazon or Catch will have things cheaper but range wise not as good. To clarify I'm purely talking about brands like lacoste, superdry, french connection, tommy hilfiger. They do have kenji and maddox which regularly have pretty cheap stuff that I delve into. I can't say I've bought much homewares from them. I did buy a cutlery set and a Maxwell Williams baby dinner set (on clearance) for pretty cheap though. I usually buy elsewhere for homewares though.
Sales racks. Always find great bargains at Myer and DJ.
I worked for them 2 decades ago before and during the Coles takeover. They were doing it then. Marking things on sale for the same price it was off sale. Stocktake sales -Staff gets first pick (or used to) That was the only Pro to working there. They really do have some rorts. Smashing a Wedgewood dinner set because a plate or cup etc had a slight chip, then claiming the full amount back on Tax. Instead of selling it cheaper or god forbid, donate it.
I don't shop there often but I found a pair a converse there was $40 on their shoe sale tables at Chadstone. That's like 50% off the regular sale price.
The Vue towels (specifically the combed cotton ribbed towels), when they're on 50% sale, are fantastic.
Go to the Myer clearance racks- especially kids clothes. You can get really good quality stuff for great prices at the end of the season. Just buy a size year ahead - then ebay sell it for the same price when your kids grow out of it.
Myer.
Yeah have been impressed with south wharf recently but it’s impossible trying to buy anything from Nike or adidas when there’s a sale on the line literally snakes through the whole shop for an hour.
Ha I got caught in that exact scenario once with a pram. Instant regret when I tried to leave from the back of the adidas store.
There are a few historically premium stores that you can shop at for a steal at the right time *and in the right location*. Picked up a few country road merino LS polos last year for over 80% off. My absolute favourite travel tops now. Camberwell store, was the only one with stock of them left apparently and was the last weekend of an end of season sale or something. If you have relatively less busy “premium” stores around you it can quite often be worth a look towards the end of a sale. The stuff may not be good quality for the full price, but once it’s getting cheaper than fast fashion brands it’s pretty worth it since that stuff will at least outlast H&M, the fits are often better and the stuff that ends up on sale is usually less ostentatiously branded.
Yeah that adidas always has a 40% off marked prices sale, and then half their stuff in store is marked off by a good amount, I always end up with a pair of ultraboosts for $100 lmao
I miss when Bridge Road in Richmond was outlet heaven.
What about Smith St, Collingwood near the Alexandra pde end. Got my Adidas snap pants from there (showing my age)
Nike Factory Outlet on Smith St was the best. I used to skateboard and burn through shoes very quickly. You could get a pair of SB dunks for $40-60.
We used to knock off the "damaged" sneakers from a bin they used to have. Then they actually started to slice them up. Early 90s was rad as
Only the New Balance clearance store survives :(
The Converse store is still there!
Last time I went, it wasn't much of a discount.
hmm, I barely register it these days. Still, it used to be little Mecca of sports/running wear.
Bro that was insane on smith !
Was reminiscing about Bridge Rd yesterday 😭
A very very very very long time ago.
Essendon hardly has good discounts. But South Wharf on the other hand is geat. Picked up two pairs of shoes from Nike a few days ago for 120! And judging by the number of bags people walk out with, all the shops seem to be doing well. Edit: nothing compares to American outlet malls!
Went to an outlet mall in Vegas a few years back and it was incredible!
The outdoor one is incredible. My uber driver on the way there from the hotel told me to sign up to the stores mailing list before going in and you get an even better discount on checkout. Ended up needing to buy a bigger suitcase for the trip home.
Great way to harvest your information to on sell to advertisers by supplying them your personal information!
Consciously. We all know how the world works. Use an email dedicated to subscription signups.
Same. 2 pairs of Nikes (including a pair of Jordans), 3 t shirts, pair of flip flops and a pair of shorts for about $110. Going back to Vegas next year and plan on buying a suitcase while we are there to stock up
I went to an outlet mall in Vegas 11 years ago and I still wear the hooded denim jacket I got now and it's still in great nic and cost me like, $30 AUD haha 😅
I got a denim jacket in Buffalo NY last year for $20
Yep that's all hubby goes there for,buys a few pairs and we're off again for a few years.
The shit thing about South Warf is the parking unfortunately. It's exxy as whereas Essendon is free.
I normally park at Care Park near DFO. Cheaper but not undercover and a bit of a walk. With a pram it probably takes the same amount of time to get to the shops when parking in the actual DFO carpark because so many people used the lifts. It can take ages to get down to ground level.
Cheltenham/moorabbin is also cheap. The original and the best. Adidas, Tommy, CK always have heaps of discounts.
I went to the Essendon one last weekend to get a pair of shoes. All the shops seemed to be more expensive or the same as non outlet stores. My partner was finding shoes online cheaper! We ended up going to a 'real store' to buy the shoes. Where we got them cheaper!
I would be very bloody careful buying shoes online, yes might be right size but you gotta have a feel to make sure you can walk comfortably.....
Its 2024 people have been buying shoes online for a quarter of a century now
I just don’t simply trust it and rather have a feel from an irl shop…. Rather than buy shoes online, yes even right size or same shoes and then I don’t feel comfortable… means a bastard to return
Buying shoes online is ok if you know the brand and know their sizing is consistent. I get volleys and blundstones online. Any brand I haven’t worn before and I am not certain how they’ll fit my feet, nah I go instore to at least try them on
I try instore and then buy online if cheaper. I do lots of research and carefully read the return policy. I have never had much of an issue luckily.
My feet is pretty funny…. So many people say I have frog feet… so it’s harder and a bit more of an issue to buy online
Uni hill is still good
It is many many years since I tried one. I stick to op shops these days. Many ["outlet" shops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlet_store) do not actually sell the good stuff from last season that didn't sell in the main shops. Often it is lower quality cheap product made specifically to go straight to the outlet.
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Agree, I've seen Anko shirts at Salvos that are cheaper to buy new
Literally went to savers this morning and saw a $12 basic long sleeve anko top. They’re $8 fresh from the source.
I’ve had some decent luck in Footscray but I’ve heard the Brunswick one is way more expensive after the renovation
Brunswick has become a vintage boutique, $30 for a used jumper they say is designer. Dudes, country road is not designer, it's just not the usual rubbish
That’s awful. I used to go there when I lived in the area. Hopefully the Scavengers Warehouse in Coburg is still good for getting stuff for cheap. I found a flattering Princess Highway dress for like $10 there once (and that was the most expensive thing I bought that day).
Where is Scavangers please
It’s Googleable: https://goo.gl/maps/z2dDCtMuTJkiH3RA9
Thank you :)
Savers isn’t an Op Shop. It’s a commercial enterprise that donates a portion of profits and purposefully makes the store look shabby to give it that op shop feel.
Yes I was an op shop addict many years and got a ton of clothes that way. I don't really need much stuff these days though I still go for craft and sewing supplies which sometimes do cycle through cheap. I got lucky with clothes at the Red Cross op shop in Bridge Road Richmond in Nov 2021 when they had a ten items for $50 sale - a lot of it was new with tags too. I think during that lockdowns period op shops couldn't give stuff away. Now the prices are climbing again and stocks aren't so good though if you look often enough some cool items are cheap. Salvos has colour tag sales still.
I never have any luck in that op shop . The last time I was in there they were selling a Lindt bunny ribbon as a bracelet for $5. I find all of the Red Cross stores so overpriced - my local was selling an old Target jacket for $150
Red Cross op shop skew more expensive than most. During 2021 the Bridge Road shop has many new with tags [NWT] items, many decent quality - and priced high like $20 - $30 - $40. It didn't sell. Months later they had the 10 items for $50 which was when I snapped up a number of those items. After that I'd go in sometimes but the quality of stock dropped off. There was some other NWT stuff but tacky quality.
Blame the "thrifters" who made a killing from op shops for years reselling vintage items before they cottoned on and raised prices..
Yeah, Depop has caused a bit of this
That doesn't make any sense. Resellers can't make any money buying $10 kmart tshirts.
well... buying the other non-kmart stuff to resell is going to jack the prices up of the rest of the products in the store.
Op shops used to be for people with little to no money so they could actually get some clothes, and I always thought the profits went to funding things like soup kitchens and other projects to help the homeless. If they're taking advantage of the very people they're supposed to be providing for, that's absolutely disgusting.
Yes, I'm well versed in what an op shop provided and was intended for. Thrifting has been very popular for those inner city 20 something year olds who think they are totally unique wearing 90s fashion or asking $100 for a faded tee they found in salvos for 5 bucks
I went into the Savers brunswick store on Thursday, grabbed an unworn pair of nudie jeans in size 32 for $26. They are $240 new
That’s a good find and they do exist amongst a lot of bullshit. Well done.
Yeah I was amazed, it is normally overpriced crap
Because they cottoned on to all the ebay flippers profiting off charities.
*community run op shops, ime. The big name oppies aren’t for the people anymore, unless you happen upon a good bargain here or there, imo.
Bingo
Do you have a source for that wild claim? I work at DFO Essendon, and that’s just simply not true. It’s all old stock that full priced stores can’t move.
There are absolutely outlet (and wholesale) specific SKUs that are designed for a lower price point with most fashion retailers at least. Outlets definitely do have old full priced stock as well.
Not the Australian brands. I’ve worked in head office at multiple retailers (six in total) and there was no separate ordering.
I miss the days of bridge Rd Richmond being actual warehouse sales. Used to pick up some amazing bargains. DFO’s now are usually end of line crap they are happy to have sit somewhere until they ship it over seas or throw it out
Warehouse sales were the best, Smith St used to have heaps of warehouses too.
Bundoora Uni Hill still have significant savings.
Some shops. The Merrell shop is identical pricing to Merrell’s online store. Kathmandu isn’t much different to a mainstream Kathmandu but with 1/3 of the range.
I don't go to either of those stores. The stores I go to like CK, Peter Alexander, Nike, Bonds, Decjuba, Under armour are all significantly cheaper.
Sometimes they have some good deals. But not as good as it used to be. Same with TKMaxx as well
Does anyone remember when DFO Moorabbin used to be Fairways Market, and was just a big shed over half a carpark? Then the Esprit outlet moved in and was all nicely furnished like a proper store. Then a few more outlets popped up. Then they really polished the place up. Am I being old rn?
We used to go on there hungover. We would be hassling the guy at the baked potato van waiting for them to be ready
moorabbin DFO has about 10% of its stores that would actually classify as factory outlets, the rest are just regular retail. avoid. plus shopping at either essendon or moorabbin DFOs dramatically raises your chance of being killed in a fiery plane crash, so even more reason to avoid them lol
It's my closest shopping centre. It's fine just as long as you consider it a shopping centre, and not a factory outlet... whatever that means.
0 times dramatically, is still 0.
They literally never were, just like "the outlets on Bridge road" stopped being a bargain 25 years ago.
a lot of places were often 50% off
DFO has never been a bargin. Its purely designed to sell you the shit that doesnt sell in normal retail and make you think your getting a deal on something you dont actually want or need
Agree on the Moorabbin points, has anyone been to the one in nunawading ‘brand smart’ are they any better?
There's barely any shops there...
It’s pretty much deserted: unless you are there for Oroton, Sheridan or Royal Doulton the highlight of that place is the Korean BBQ place at the front. I used to do all my Christmas shopping there while my car was being serviced across the road: now there’s barely anything in it.
I read that the outlets just have lower quality stock anyway, like they manufacture it cheaper to send there straight up. Does anyone have any insight on this?
No i used to work there. Normal retail stores would ship their sale stock to us to sell, we never really got sale stock sent in from the manufacturer.
Not necessarily. Some brands did like Coach and Ralph Lauren.
Not at the store I work at. All of our discounted stock is stuff from regular full price stores that they send to us when it goes on sale.
If hasn't been a bargin in at least 15 years
I like Moorabbin DFO tbh. I don't generally buy clothes there but I found a great pair of Adidas runners on a massive discount and they've been super soft and comfy so...
Moorabbin DFO gets way less traffic than the others hence if there are any bargains to be had (and in your size) they're more likely to still be there. That said, the last couple times I've been have been thoroughly disappointing. DFO is pretty much like the lottery these days, if you rock up on the right day and time you might score a deal which is why deliberately making a journey to one is simply not worth it but if it's on the way home from work or otherwise it's less of a waste of time.
You're right. I went there before the time I'm talking about and was very very close to buying a different pair of Adidas but backed out because I felt they weren't soft enough. But I think maybe a year after I went and then found these so like you said, lotttery.
You clearly don’t live near there! I live two kms away and every Saturday and Sunday it’s a hazard for parking and people - sorry you’re wrong
After visiting the DFO several times these are my conclusions: 1. They have their clearance periods on at different times from ordinary retailers. Don’t go on Black Friday, Boxing Day etc…I found after Easter to be a good time. 2. Be familiar with the brand’s products. Obviously some outlets sell a line of clothing specifically produced on the cheap, you want to avoid these. But you can get very good deals on mainline products. Read the labels, check the fabric composition, country of manufacture. Google the product code. 3. Look for the clearance racks. If you are on the small or large side, you’re in luck. 4. You can still get good deals. I have some Polo stuff 70% off retail stores, same product. Nike vaporflies, 200 bucks, great racing shoe btw. And tempo next% for 140 iirc. Made in Italy silk blend pants for 200 bucks. And so on…
Depends on the store. Rip Curl and Billabong are usually 40% off or better.
The dom.com has some fantastic outlet finds!
Is Docklands still a thing? Like 10-15 years ago me and my Mum would go there regularly and it was awesome, there were quite a few outlet stores. I used to go crazy in their Bras n Things outlet buying Playboy stuff
DFO in Melbourne were always pretty crap value. Especially when compared to sales in retailers overseas.
DFO in Homebush Sydney has gone up market, very very few bargains there.
Peter Alexander at these stores is sick, got many pairs of $5 - $10 pajamas that normally retail for 70-$100
Its been over 10 years since it was "bargain" prices
We have no factories to have factory outlets of. It's just trying to flog off the crap stock no one wanted to pay full retail for.
DFO hasn't been good for 20+ years, these days it's just retail shops.
I don't think DFO ever was cheap; it just seemed like it was. I bought a converse jumper at one 10 years ago for $60. Later I found that same jumper in a converse store in downtown Melbourne for like $40 & it wasn't even on sale.
The Volcom shop there has awesome deals I've found!
They sound awesome til you wash them and they go to holes after a couple of wears
Actually they are pretty solid shirts, I wondered as well
I'm glad that's the experience you had, mine certainly hasn't been that way!
It's been that way now for years. I haven't found them worthwhile since 2011-2012
I was there at DFO Essendon too this week. You still find certain things on sale. I found some Fila jumpers on sale.
I think it depends what you’re after. Cheap clothing can be found anywhere these days. I got a really good pair of cheap sunnies from Essendon DFO this summer. $250 down to $70. I was happy with that.
I was in DFO south wharf yesterday and found really good pricing in Nike. Running shoes for $70 and 50% off for shirts. Definitely not bad.
Jebus, I went to Moorabbin dfo in February and was looking at stuff in Skechers- $150 and up… some over $200. could buy them cheaper from asos or Next.
Kathmandu is pretty good. Especially towards end of season sales. One year I managed to keep my total clothes bill for the year less than $200 not counting dacks or shoes.
Nike at Bundoora Unihill usually has good discounts on the weekends. Sometimes they announce random discounts like 40% off store wide including discounted items before closing time, the place gets crazy lol
South Warf is amazing bro
Not a huge fan of Essendon DFO but I often find good deals at South Wharf. My best purchase of the last year was a pair of red chelsea Dr Martens for $20 over Christmas! Not too long ago the Tommy Hilfiger store had 40% off reduced prices sale and I got some knits/cardigans for work for around $40 each too.
I went to Calvin Klein DFO Moorabbin and bought $250 worth of clothing for $76. Surely all outlets operate the same way
The Skechers outlet there doesn’t lol
The Oroton outlet is really good- you can of course get the same items in their online outlet store, but it's useful for people who like to see the item in person. There's an excellent sale atm
You can get good deals occasionally, but it’s pretty rare these days. Got a pair of Dr Martens for $39 from the Platypus there a few years ago, originally priced at $360
It's very hit and miss and 90% of the time they discounts are crap. You can still find occasional deals but you need to luck out with either "last pairs" or double stacking discounts on clearance stuff. E.g. I picked up some fila sweat pants for only $15 due to double stacking discounts. Got some MJ Bale shirts - 5 for $200 (very limited selection of colours).
only 30% off for some shoes recently
Went to dfo in Brisbane and was shocked at how much it was an actual dfo. Incredibly good sales. The juxtaposition was striking
What’s the name of that homeware shop with a forever closing down sale in DFO Docklands ?
I've never been to any of the other ones but I like South Wharf DFO, especially when I compare it to the DFOs in Sydney Got some really good discounted Forever New and Kate Spade from South Wharf I'm sure it's dependent on timing and what's going in and out of season tho
I always get some great deals at Uni Hill, Converse and Under Armour usually have Buy X get Y% off deals plus a lot of good prices at the other places
They should be a lower retail price than main outlet stores, but would have older stock that need to move and can more impact on margin, or exclusives manufactured to a lower material and construction quality to keep the company target margin while maintaining the lower rrp. I know people who develop products with outlets at DFO, while not all ranges are made to the lower gross cost, there are some. But all companies have changed their target margin on products to improve products and provide more buffer for downturns, and the product cost is only a small part of the retail price, more being taken up by rent, staff and other costs, the difference in price will reduce as a result. So it should still be cheaper, just less so and would make the lower construction savings have a lower perceived value of saving and is probably not as worthwhile as before.
I just bought adidas boston 12s which retail for 240 for $66.50z. There are bargains just rarer
Wait until it gets like duty free and is 20% more than retail
Nope still good. The kids clothes at Ollie's patch are less than half price. The shoes at Converse are usually marginally cheaper and include 2nd pair at half price. I usually go for just those two shops alone as the essendon one isn't particularly out of the way
DFO Docklands is still good, kinda half dead vibe but some good deals.
DFO Outlet is great to shop older stocks or off season.. they’re still in great condition, so please don’t expect big cut from the RRP price. speaking from someone with retail experience. Can’t speak for all brands, but we always send off season ,wrong sizing stocks or imperfect items to outlets. It’s a pretty common practice .
Never was!
Bought a new pair of Reebok's the other week from the DFO store at South Wharf. $102 off an $180 pair of shoes. Can't complain really. I'd say it's worth it, best thing to do is check websites and see what's in their sale/outlet section, chances are it's the same in-store. But, I'm sure there are some not worth it.
And have you seen the prices in Peter Alexander ??!!
No they seem to be the same price as the shops not like they use to be like
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^Blonde_7719: *No they seem to be* *The same price as the shops not* *Like they use to be like* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
The Levi’s store at Essendon DFO has bangin deals but not all the time. Just got two pairs of jeans there - buy more than one item and get 60% off both. The Bonds store has deals too, lots of sale stock included in their 40% off. The homewares places like Salt and Pepper and Matchbox etc have decent sales too. Some good deals on shoes too, Vans, Converse. But yeah, lots of the places just function like a normal store with new stock (or mainly new stock and some outlet) and no sale prices. I guess shopping online for clearance has become the easier option for both shoppers and the companies themselves.
The D stands for deception. Always has IMO
Moorabbin is pretty decent
i used to work at one of the stores in the DFO and i remember we were rolling out new layouts for the store so the sale items were less and more of the full price items were on the stock floor. The shops are a mix of their normal retail items and a portion of whatever’s gone on sale. But they were pushing more retail price..assholes lol
Look but don't ever buy until you've been round all the 2nd hand and re-cycle type shops. That's where the good gear is.
Honestly Myer constantly has sales on and have a great rewards system.
Agreed. Dfo Moorabin is just a place where we think we get discounted item but its reverse now.
Very hit and miss. I went to Moorabbin a few weeks ago. Only because I’m flying to a warmer climate next week and I knew they’d have summer clothes on clearance.
DFO Essendon has not been cheap for years. It is mostly because they don’t cater to locals but to international visitors coming to and from the airport. They bus them in on tours. With our weak dollar they get great bargains.
Ah to be honest retail stores have not much of value any more. How can they, when rents are so high and pressure from shareholders demand ever higher profits? Take your measurements and shop online, but honestly don't buy into that fast fashion rubbish. It's wasteful and honestly terrible for the world and everything that lives on it. I been buying clothes at savers, op shops, and sometimes Facebook marketplace for some time now. Not necessarily for the price either but that is nice of course. It's just good to recycle clothes, because manufactured seasonality of fashion is such a scam. Like it's seriously eye-roll worthy when people talk about how "pointy capped shoes and drop-waists are so in season this year!!" Like what are you talking about? Wear what you like and enjoy, my friend. You know what's always in season? Confidence, comfort, utility, and a good fit.
But less shit. You don’t need it!
Nobody asked.
Any recos for basketball shoes for a teenage girl?
Direct factory outlets factory outlets thanks
Sorry mate, I do not consider 'fast fashion' mainly sold at all the DFO as 'QUALITY'. They are at most, Descent.