Essex Retail Outlet (home, purchasing, university)

[Madmom2000]

I wondered if anyone had shopped at the Essex Retail Outlet Store that's on University near Sparkman? It's in the same shopping center as Hibbitts where Goody's used to be. Not sure if there is a Big Lots there too or if it took over where Big Lots was? If you have I wondered what you thought of it? Good deals and variety? Thanks!

[hey teach]

I have been in several times and I have bought a few items. It is mostly close outs. Some junk, some good stuff. Mostly depends on what you are looking for. A friend bought a television there for a good price.

[BMW Dave]

I had a friend also get a TV there years ago.

I have never personally been.

[drummonn]

You'll not see anything posted in the store, but Essex is a return merchandise outlet primarily for Amazon.com items being returned, unsold, outdated left-over stock, or other clearance/ surplus items. - hence the seeming lack of any consistency to their inventory.

Things purchased there may or may not be complete- if purchasing something that has several parts, make sure everything is included.

[juliet108]

The nice thing is that they allow returns, so if you get home and figure out something doesn't work or is missing parts you can take it back. You need to watch the prices and do your own research while you're there (if you can). Some of the toy prices were about the same as or just a few dollars less than new on Amazon. Other things were good deals. It just depends on when you go and what's there I guess.

The strangest thing I saw one time was a bunch of thermos water bottle things that had kid's names written on them with permanent marker. It was obvious some sports team had used them. They still had dirt on them. Why would these be allowed to be returned and resold?