https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:08:57 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long/page/2#post-2323870 Sun, 21 May 2023 19:20:37 +0000 Lurker! 2323870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for this post! I know it's over 5 years old, but it was very helpful for me today. I called Fossil customer service to inquire regarding the poor quality of my new Sydney Satchel compared to my older one. They had no idea what I was talking about, and the first associate even stated that he "thinks" there are not retail and outlet versions of this bag. The second associate didn't seem to understand what I was asking either, and was not able to transfer me to ANYONE who could be of help. Very frustrating, as I can see there are many videos and blog posts about this very issue!&nbsp;</p> <p>I have emailed Fossil Customer Care to see what they have to say. I just want to know how to make sure I am buying the retail version! Is there not a special SKU for each, or something similar?</p> <p>4 years ago, commenter&nbsp;@corrinacorrina5766&nbsp;on YouTube said: "So I did some research on the “new” Sydney. Turns out that one was made for the fossil outlets. It took a lot if digging to see what was going on. Fossil discontinued the Sydney in their main store. And brought in the Rachel, the Fiona. And made the Sydney more affordable for the outlets." I found this to be very informative as well. I guess I am SOL for buying a new retail version of this beloved bag. What a disappointment! Thank you again for your detailed post about this issue. It is the reason I signed up for an account here! x</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long/page/2#post-2126667 Wed, 10 Jun 2020 19:46:42 +0000 MCHC 2126667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just found site&nbsp; like to fossil review.&nbsp;<br />I am looking at buying a fossil bag&nbsp; bought one a couple of years ago not sure if it is outlet though&nbsp;</p> <p>so might do a new post to get answers hopefully&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long/page/2#post-1891319 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 21:35:49 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1891319@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a leopard print tote that I bought at a Coach outlet a few years ago. I was looking at two different bags. The sales associate told me which one was outlet only, and which was retail. They were about the same price. &nbsp;She pointed out things like lining and a zipper closure and non-loose stitching on the handles to convince me to get the retail version (which I did.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long/page/2#post-1891257 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 18:21:32 +0000 Aurore 1891257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much for the review! I would not have envisioned such important differences betweeen the retail and the outlet versions. Especially given their prices! Your review is really instructive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long/page/2#post-1891244 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 17:36:46 +0000 LaPed 1891244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, so informative -- striking differences, even just from a glance at the side-by-side photos. I'm surprised/impressed at the sales associate's transparency; that's not something I would have expected her to disclose to a shopper. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long/page/2#post-1891201 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 15:24:02 +0000 Carla 1891201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an interesting and informative read. Good tips on what to look for in any bag and especially great tip about the shoulder strap buckle vs slide. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1891197 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 15:01:13 +0000 Shirley 1891197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much. I. Always wondered the prices at outlets and quality of product. Now I know what to look for and compare. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1891196 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 14:56:52 +0000 Anonymous 1891196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I swung by to read more of the comments. &nbsp;I wanted to say one more time what a great and informative post this was. &nbsp;I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1891184 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 13:53:34 +0000 gryffin 1891184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gigi - that was incredibly interesting so thank you so much for posting.&nbsp; I buy almost exclusively online secondary to time constraints.&nbsp; I don't typically shop outlets, even when they have online, because I need to hedge my bets on quality.&nbsp; Since I keep things a long time I am willing to pay more for something well made.&nbsp; I was struck but the differences you mentioned and that's both sad and hilarious that the "retail" price is higher at the outlet.&nbsp; It makes me feel more justified in staying away and favoring brands for the regular stores, yes if you can find an awesome buy great, otherwise pony up and buy the better piece!!&nbsp; Thanks so much for sharing!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1891172 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 13:26:27 +0000 Janet 1891172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing this analysis! Very enlightening. </p> <p>I’ve never been a big outlet shopper, but I think this kind of thing is really important for consumers. People are catching on. Outlet malls are not booming quite as much as they were a few years back (with some exceptions). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1891159 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 11:16:54 +0000 Mainelady 1891159@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for this post. It is very informative and I like the side by side comparison. Your post illustrates some of the differences in the quality and manufacturing of retail vs made for outletpieces. Buyer beware comes to mind. That said, not all outlet choices are shabbily made, but often the grade of materials differs. It is important to be aware of that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1891152 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 10:24:33 +0000 Gigi 1891152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad to know that people found the comparison useful. I know I did!</p> <p><b>Unfrumped,&nbsp;</b>I too have started to wonder whether TJ Maxx gets some of its merchandise from outlets. I think the only thing you could do is look at the style of the bag (Fossil has the bag style noted on the tag, e.g., Jori, Rachel) and then e-mail the manufacturer to find out whether the bag style was for retail or outlet.&nbsp;</p> <p>I was in the Cole Haan outlet store several months back and noticed a pair of OTK boots very similar to a pair that I had just purchased from CH. I had just been boot shopping and so was familiar with many of the style names for CH but did not recognize this one. I tried the boots on and found them not very comfortable and kind of cheap feeling compared to the more expensive ones I had bought direct from CH. I think I was dealing once again with an oulet-only style. But the point is that the outlet boots had their own style name, which wasn't found at retail. So I think that would be the only way to tell: contact the retailer.</p> <p><b>krishnidoux,&nbsp;</b>you are right that the whole point of outlets is to capitalize on people's propensity to want a good bargain. But it turns out not to be a bargain at all. No, you're not paying as much, but you're also not getting as much, as&nbsp;<b>Suz&nbsp;</b>pointed out. Sometimes that won't matter, like in my case with my little Fossil outlet wallet, which is fine for my purposes. I don't need a lot of bells and whistles for my little wallet. No one sees it, and the color makes my heart sing. But for a purse that's visible and structured and that I plan to keep for years...well, that's a different ball game. I want quality there. It is, as you point out, manipulative. I wouldn't mind as much if the "suggested retail price" were actually honest, but it's artificially inflated to make it look like you're getting a good value once the "sale discount" is applied. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890992 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 22:28:44 +0000 Colette 1890992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for sharing this, very interesting indeed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890991 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 22:23:39 +0000 Bonnie 1890991@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting. I enjoyed reading your post. I always thought that the outlets had items that were similar but not a fine and here is the proof. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890951 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 19:24:06 +0000 Suz 1890951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Gigi,</b> what a fantastic post. Thank you so much for that careful comparison. You make excellent observations. I'm actually heartened a little to know that -- at least to an extent -- we get what we pay for. It would be frustrating indeed to find there were no differences between the two. I agree completely with your reasoning here -- a structured bag should hold its structure or what is the point? Meanwhile, for some items at other times we might be willing to make compromises.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890925 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 17:18:14 +0000 unfrumped 1890925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great shopper critique!<br /> I also worry that name- brand items at TJMAXX are specially made. I mean, I know many ARE, but st times I’ll find Fossil or Hobo and wonder, is this their #1 grade product, or different? And I am not savvy enough with all the details to see right off the bat. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890905 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 16:45:56 +0000 cindysmith 1890905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has actually been interesting! It's a detailed comparison, and it's pretty much apples to apples. I, too, am boggled by the suggested retail value of the outlet bag; it actually kind of makes me angry at the shadiness </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890855 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 15:29:15 +0000 SarahD8 1890855@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, fantastic post Gigi. Even this non-Bag Person was riveted. Thank you for writing this! APPLAUSE. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890854 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 15:28:57 +0000 Angie 1890854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>VERY INTERESTING. Thanks,<b> Gigi</b>.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890796 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 13:53:17 +0000 krishnidoux 1890796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Gigi</b>, thank you for this. So very instructive indeed. My beau and I were in an outlet just last night commenting how "50% off" prices were actually asking prices, because the merchandise certainly wasn't worth the original price, both in design and quality (I mean, would you pay 56$ for a short sleeves simple cotton see-through J-Crew white tee?). But whereas we may compare from memory, your invaluable visual and description shows it in an irrefutable way.&nbsp;<br />My beau and I we have this theory that if a business wants to sell in Canada, especially in Eastern Canada where we are, they have to first and foremost offer "deals", and so we attributed the outlet stores' strategy to the fact that they were catering to a Canadian crowd. You see, we are strangulated by the taxes on good. (Not that this would be a comment against taxes).&nbsp;</p> <p>In Canada, in the province where I live, your retail satchel would come to $150.29 with taxes. The outlet one: $92.02 - still under $100, a big psychological incentive. Therefore, I think we would be a good market for the outlet knock offs. To the point that in some regions, it would be the only in-store option available. Which is sad, because indeed, your retail one is much superior in my mind. You were right to return the red one. I agree with you 100%: a satchel should hold up straight by itself. So what a Canadian like me would do? Maybe simply not buy satchels... :(&nbsp;<br />(I do, however, have many totes, and yes, some do slouch lol). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890784 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 13:42:21 +0000 Cardiff girl 1890784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that this is a very informative post.I know that in the U.K retailers make things specifically for the outlets but this is reasonably well known.It s a different matter if you are led to believe that you are getting like for like particularly when the price differential really isn’t that big.Well done you for highlighting this issue. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890782 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 13:36:26 +0000 kkards 1890782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>fabulous&nbsp;write up!&nbsp;<br />thank you for doing this </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890767 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 12:59:57 +0000 Anonymous 1890767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>THANK YOU, Gigi. &nbsp;I have often felt this to be true and tried in vein to explain it to my friends. &nbsp;But they never agreed with me because I couldn't be specific and definitely never had two bags side-by-side for comparison. &nbsp;Your post is <u>so well written</u> and full of useful information. &nbsp;</p> <p>On a side note, I love Fossil bags. &nbsp;Just by luck, I have always purchased them from retail stores. &nbsp;I have always been satisfied with them. &nbsp;I suspect I might have been less satisfied if I had purchased from an outlet. &nbsp;All this little itty bitty things matter to me on an unconscious level. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890745 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 11:03:06 +0000 Style Fan 1890745@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for your detailed review, Gigi.&nbsp; I love Fossil bags and I looked at the Fossil outlet store near me.&nbsp; I noticed the slight differences in the quality too. &nbsp;<br />I love the black bag with natural handles that you picked out. &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890740 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 09:07:00 +0000 Gigi 1890740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was very happy to write this post because I thought it would be of use to most of us here. It's my little way of giving something back for all the wisdom I have received from everyone on the forum. :)</p> <p><b>JAileen,&nbsp;</b>if your bag has a shoulder strap, I would check to see if it has the buckle with a prong and holes, or just the buckle. I think that might be a standard place to cut corners.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Tina,&nbsp;</b>I admired the SA's honesty also. When I brought my purchases to the front, I asked her whether the stock in the store had been at regular retail stores, and she told me no, most was made for outlet. She then pointed to two shelves of handbags that she said came from the retail stores. She told me that the outlet bags were not of lesser quality but had fewer features. I would humbly disagree about the quality. I don't think that the quality of the outlet bag is poor by any means, but it's not&nbsp;<i>as good&nbsp;</i>as the quality of the retail bag.</p> <p><b>Barbara Diane,&nbsp;</b>your comment about sales prices at Talbot's being better than outlet brings me to something I learned today: shopping sale-priced designer handbags at Nordstrom or a similar department store, or at TJMaxx or Nordstrom Rack, will get you more bang for your buck as far as quality and features.</p> <p>I want to reiterate that I don't think that the outlet bag is a bad bag; it still appears to be very well made. And if you're looking for a particular color that you can't find at a retail store, outlet may be your answer. But I would definitely look for a sale-priced bag at the above stores that I mentioned before trying outlet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890739 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 08:35:17 +0000 Bijou 1890739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really enjoyed reading your analysis - so interesting to see where they cut costs in making outlet items. I am really glad you are keeping the higher quality bag. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890733 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 06:54:30 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1890733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, that's really interesting. The two bags are quite different. I appreciated reading your review and seeing the photos. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890720 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 06:08:52 +0000 Kate 1890720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Super instructive. Thanks so much for taking the time to do such a detailed comparison. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890717 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 05:51:36 +0000 Barbara Diane 1890717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the detailed information. As a bonus, I know more of what to look for in a bag.<br /> And sometimes the sale prices at Talbots beat the outlet prices. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outlet-vs-retail-my-experience-with-a-fossil-handbag-long#post-1890714 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 05:21:46 +0000 Tina 1890714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much, Gigi. You did a great job of comparing the 2 bags, so interesting. I’m encouraged that the sales lady was forthright about the origin and purpose of the bag for retail purposes (made for outlet as opposed to old stock from their regular store).<br /> I have often admired Fossil bags and wallets. I love the black bag! That is the style I carry most often. Glad you are keeping! </p>