How high street shops sell leftover stock on eBay and the discounts can be up to 80%
Big names, including Argos, Debenhams and Tesco have outlet shops on eBay - but are the discounts really that good?
SHOPS are quietly flogging leftover stock on eBay and bargain hunters claim that the discounts can be as good as 80 per cent off high street prices.
Over 50 big names, including Argos, Debenhams, Lakeland, Tesco and Superdrug, have official shops on eBay.
Instead of taking part in an auction and bidding on an item, shoppers must instead pay the price set by the retailer.
The products are mostly new and never-been-used end of line stock or leftover sales items. Some shops may sell “refurbished” items which are usually products which have been returned by customers.
Many are in perfect working order, whereas others may have been repaired before they are repackaged for resale.
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Outlet shops such as those in Bicester Village retail park in Oxfordshire and TX Maxx are famous for discounting designer goods but they earned a bad reputation over the last few years.
An investigation by Dispatches in 2013 revealed that shoppers may over-egg discounts and even substitute products for those of a lower quality. The eBay outlet stores are not without their catches too.
HOW TO GET A GOOD OUTLET DEAL
BARGAIN hunters claim the discounts can be as good as 80%, here’s our top tips:
- Buy what you need. Never, ever buy something just because it’s a good deal. Only spend money if it’s something you were already going to buy.
- Is it a good discount? Check the item isn’t being sold on the retailer's website - and elsewhere - for the same amount or less. Shops aren’t trying to deceive you but mistakes happen.
- Is it new? Check the “condition” part of the eBay listing. It should say “new with tags”, if it doesn’t it may have been used before. This is fine but you should pay even less.
- Know your rights. Each shop will have a different returns, delivery and rights policy. Check before you buy.
Shoppers on say they have spotted discounts of up to 80 per cent but the best The Sun Online found was around 20 per cent off the high street price.
For example, Argos sells a mixture of technology, kitchen appliances, baby items, toys and furniture on it's outlet page.
The best deal that the Sun Online spotted was a Morphy Richards power steamer in Black.
It is on sale on Argos’ website for £149.99 but you can buy it on the official Argos eBay outlet store for £119.99 - a discount of 20 percent.
Whereas Debenhams had a mix of sale and end of line stock and Lakeland’s store included it’s clearance items.
Money saving blogger Emma Mumford, founder of , told The Sun Online it is possible to find extraordinary discounts.
She said: “I often shop at the Argos outlet store on eBay as there are so many bargains to be found, which actually aren't the same price as the Argos website.
“I have had some incredible savings through these outlet stores and I do feel it's possible to save 80 per cent, but you won't get that every time.
“The things to look out for are when the outlet stores have extra discount or sales on. I posted an amazing Dyson outlet store deal a few months back for a refurbished cordless V6 vacuum for only £129 when they retail for £299 brand new.
SHOPS WITH OUTLET STORE ON EBAY
- Argos
- Ann Summers
- AO.com
- Babies R Us / Toys R Us
- Boden
- Boohoo.com
- Claires
- Clarks
- Co-op
- Currys / PC World
- Debenhams
- Dune London
- Dyson
- ee UK Shop (Official EE)
- Figleaves
- Halfords
- The Hut
- Joules
- Lakeland
- Laura Ashley
- Links Of London
- Littlewoods
- Maplin
- Mothercare
- O2 Shop
- Office Shoes
- Panasonic
- Puma
- Quiksilver
- Ryman
- Savile Row Company
- Sports Direct
- Superdrug
- Superdry
- Tesco
- Very Clearance
- Vodafone
- Zavvi
“This was because the outlet store had a sale on and an extra discount code for that day.”
Ricky Willis, founder of , told The Sun Online: “Shopping in an outlet store on the high street is all well and good if you can get to one, but an eBay outlet is far easier.
“You can get a discount of up to 80 per cent off products, from clothing and shoes to technology and home wares.
“The items being sold are from genuine high street stores, but they are either end of line stock, last season’s products, excess stock they can’t keep in store or ex-display models (but they’ve been refurbished and have new warranties).
“Because of this, some items may have been handled or used before but they say in the description if they is anything to be aware of.
“As an added bonus, you can collect Nectar points on stuff you buy from eBay so you’ll be getting even more for your money!”.
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