At the factory gate
If the idea of wandering around a mock village puts you off, then you can still pick up some huge discounts by visiting factory outlets – shops associated with specific manufacturers that tend to stock end-of-lines, cancelled orders etc. More importantly factory shops may be the only genuine outlet for selling off almost perfect yet ridiculously cheap goods - especially clothes.

Indeed factory shops for some clothes manufacturers may actually sell off new fashion items, samples or one-off garments in the latest colours. And if you make your own clothes or knit, you can find surplus rolls of fabric or yarns in the latest colours and textures at a fraction of new prices.
These shops are often located close to the main factory, so you find specific shops associated with the region where the goods are made – factory shops selling pottery in Staffordshire, for example, and knitwear in parts of Wales and Scotland.

In recent years, many of these factory shops have moved into shopping outlets, but if you do your homework, you can still find some impressive bargains. If you're after a specific make, try calling the manufacturer to find out where it gets rid of its stock. For instance, Gossard the underwear manufacturer, has a tiny factory shop offering impressive discounts tucked away in Leighton Buzzard!

Safe sales
Just because you're buying goods cheaply doesn't mean you shouldn't expect to be able to return goods if they fail or fall apart. Consumer rights are not affected by buying goods in outlet centres and shoppers are entitled to their money back if something is faulty. But if you're unsure, ask in the shop, and make sure you know exactly what you're buying.