Why do stores like TJ Max, Marshall’s and Ross have cheap designer items?
I was wondering if there’s anything wrong with the designer sold by th max, Marshall’s and Ross. I was recently at TJ Maxx and found a Versace cologne for super cheap, about $30. Now I plan on going there and seeing if I can find some designer like that for cheap to gift my boyfriend for his birthday, such as a cologne or belt. Is there anything wrong with the products that makes it so cheap??
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Overstock, last season, seconds (slight defect, or damage package), etc. Ross, TJ Max, etc, buy stuff at auctions when stores close, or rotate inventory. They get a mix of stuff. About 2/3 if brand name and/or "designer". They get new stuff in every week. Sometimes the same items are still in the retail stores. It is all about buying leftovers in bulk.
My friend worked at TJ Max. She told me they had a truckload of Nikes show up one time. They were brand new, but the boxes got wet. The boxes were ruined, but 90% of the shoes were perfect. The just pulled them out of the boxes, and sold them. Those that got wet, or looked dirty were donated to Goodwill.
Many young people believe that "designer" stuff goes up in value. Actually at the end of the season, when the new designs come out, they goes DOWN in value. The low cost retails buy out the leftovers in large lots. They pay only $5-$10, or so, per item, and then sell them for half retail and make a pretty good margin.
You did know that all "designer" fragrances are designed and made by one of four manufactures. They license the name. The alleged "designer", at most, designed the logo on the bottle. All "designer" glasses are designed and made by only ONE manufacture. Alleged "Designer" stuff is a lie.
Because they buy up end of stocks from other retailers and wholesalers who take in new ranges. They are NOT seconds.
Often stores like the ones you list sell "seconds." These are designer things that have slight, almost imperceptible, flaws...like a seam that's not quite straight.
If you can handle knowing there is something wrong with what you buy (even though you can't see it), seconds are great buys. Well worth the price.
IN addition to last season's leftovers and slight irregulars many are over-runs: when a comapony over-produces certain items. Manufacturers are working several seasons ahead and they can't always predict what people will buy and what they won't buy. If a line thinks everyone is going to want white shirts and black pants they produce what they think they will sell. If stores don't buy up all the white shirts and black pants that they made a place like Marshall's comes in and buys the ones they didn't sell to regular retail stores. Many things are made for Marshalls only without the details and finishes found in the high end piece. A suit jacket wil have patch pockets instead of welt pockets, the lining will be cheap polyester instead of rayon or china silk, there will be fewer darts and seams and more. It will look like the high end piece found in Nordstroms -but it will be much more cheaply made. As for irregulars: sometimes the flaw can be a simple and a bit of a wiggly seam inside or a bit of off-line topstitching -nothing that affects the fit or appearance, just stuff that isn't quite 100% perfect.
They don't have truly high end brands, just mid range ones and not very well known cheap brands mixed in with them. Their mid range brands cost less because they get the leftovers at the end of the season to sell for less.