Smoky Mountain Bargains

Southern Living, Feb 2005 by Cross, Kim

The hills are alive-with the sound of markdowns.

There may not be much gold in the Tennessee Smokies, but there certainly are deals in them thar hills. And February is prime time for a clearance rush to the many outlets in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. With 8 outlet centers and more than 260 factory stores, it's the mother lode of sales. But before you whip out those credit cards, there are a few things you should know. Follow these tips in order to make the most of your shopping experience.

Tip No. 1 : Quality may vary.

Don't assume outlets mean super deals on the same merchandise you'd find in a retail store. Many brands manufacture specifically for their factory outlets. The goods are similar to those in catalogs and retail stores, but of a slightly lesser quality. Hint: Look for clues, and quiz the staff. Banana Republic spells out "Factory Store" on some tags. My new duds are classic J. Crew, but the tailoring isn't quite as crisp as my catalog buys. However, items on the clearance rack may indeed be first-quality goods left over from last season or overproduced this year. Still, it's smart to check for defects and inquire about quality.

Tip No. 2: Check out discounts.

As I waffled over a Coach bag marked down 20%, the salesman offered a better deal. "If you spend $200," he whispered enticingly, "I can give you an additional 15% off." I was thrilled with this just-for-me discount...until I saw a coupon that offered it verbatim. Hint: As the Coach guy's offer suggests, you may be able to get discounts without clipping coupons. So just ask.

Tip No. 3: Hold and comparison shop.

Your favorite brand might have two or more stores in the area. Grab a shopping guide, and scan the list. I counted more than 50 redundancies and found the selection varied slightly between sister stores. Hint: Don't be afraid to hold items and shop around. Some stores have similar merchandise, but the prices may be different. A bamboo cutting board at Le Gourmet Chef was several dollars cheaper than its identical twin at Lenox.

Tip No. 4:Think outside the outlets.

After a big country breakfast at The Old Mill Restaurant, hit the nearby shops. For a sweet treat, stop by The Old Mill Candy Kitchen. Pigeon River Pottery features wheel-thrown planters and stoneware with lovely glazes. The Apple Barn & Cider Mill sells country home accents, gifts, and gourmet foods. You can buy a gallon of cider, a 10-pound bag of squirrel corn (dried on the cob), and a candle that looks like a skillet of cornbread but smells like spiced apples. Try finding all that in the outlets! KIM CROSS

For more information: Contact the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism at 1-800-251-9100. For lists of outlet stores, visit www.outletsonline.com.