Eddie Bauer Outlet---Top Notch Items at Bargain Basement Prices!
Written: Dec 03 '01 (Updated Apr 23 '02)
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The Bottom Line
Don't hesitate to order from Eddie Bauer outlet especially at these low prices. Their merchandise is first rate, as is their customer service.
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| Full Review |
I am not sure what took me so long to browse the Eddie Bauer outlet, being as I am frequently at the regular Eddie Bauer website, but the trip on over to the outlet is most worth your time. Go. Enjoy, and don't forget to bring your wallet.
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My Experience-
Dear hubby is a snob, a jeans snob that is, and he will wear no other than Eddie Bauer. Since he's not too picky about most things, I indulge this jeans fetish of his. Since they must be Eddie Bauer only, and he is particularly hard on pants for some reason, I have become a frequent visitor to Eddie Bauer and the Eddie Bauer outlet as well.
I have placed two orders from the outlet, both arrived exactly as ordered, shipped on time and billed correctly to my credit card. Eddie Bauer outlet (EBO from here on out in the review) will certainly have my business in the future, especially if I can save on jeans from time to time.
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Products Offered-
The EBO offers marked down versions of clothing, home products, gear (luggage) and shoes from it's regular stores and websites. Not to worry, these are not imperfect items or factory seconds, but rather overstocks and some out of season items. Their quality is top-notch and Eddie Bauer will stand behind it's items, always a plus. (See Return Policy below).
EBO groups it's main page selections in easy to see groupings:
Men's
Women's
Gear
Home Store
Just Arrived
Great Deals
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Navigation--So Easy-
This is one site that is very user friendly and laid out with a common sense approach. Under any of the above categories, a pull down menu will list all of the sub-categories available. I.E. pants, shirts, etc. If this option doesn't suit you, just plug in what your looking for into the handy search box located on the home page and go on your way.
Once you've narrowed into a sub-category such as Men's---Shorts all of the available items will come up for your perusal as thumbnail views (small pictures) with a description of the item, and price (the original and the new outlet price). As soon as you see a pair of pants that look promising a single click to the image will bring up more detailed product information to make decision making that much easier.
The product is displayed prominently with available color swatches displayed below. EBO has a few very notable things you can do at this point that not every website offers.
-Switch colors and see the color you like on the bigger photo.
-Switch views from the standard plain product view and put your shorts (or whatever) on a person so you can gauge how they look, length, etc. *This feature is not quite the same as the offering on the main Eddie Bauer site where you can see your product on a model of the actual size you want.* Although it's not quite up to par with the parent sites offering, it's quite a bit better than almost any other offerings out there.
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Customer Service-
EBO has several tools online to assist the shopper in their quest.
-Online size charts are available and Eddie Bauer is consistent in their sizing, once you know your size you can rest assured another item in the same size will fit.
-A constant customer service icon to click on for instant help. The icon will bring up an assistance page with 3 options.
-E-mail for help
-Search archives of F.A.Q.'s (frequently asked questions)-
-Call 24 hours a day at 1-888-533-9250
-A comprehensive search feature that allows you to search by price, size, color, type of item, or any combination of those features.
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Payment-
EBO accepts the following credit cards for payment:
Eddie Bauer Charge, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Optima, NOVUS (Discover), Spiegel Charge, Newport News Charge and Clifford & Wills Charge
The site also offers the option to accept gift certificates as well. One of my favorite features in an online store, and a feature that few offer for some reason.
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Shipping-
Shipping is calculated on a per dollar scale rather than weight (with the exception of furniture).
Up to $50.00 $4.95
$50.0-$80.00 $6.95
$80.01-$110.00 $8.95
$110.01-$140.00 $10.95
$140.01-$170.00 $12.95
$170.01 and up $14.95
Standard shipping should have your order delivered within 1 week barring monogramming, hemming or gift wrapping.
Express services are available for an additional charge:
3 day express rates run an additional $10.95-$20.95 depending on amount.
2 day rates run an additional $16.95-$26.95 depending on purchase amount.
International shipping is available as well.
All of my Eddie Bauer packages have come via UPS ground.
*Note-a $3.00 handling fee will be added to every order. Condense your orders if you can to cut down on this expense.
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Return Policy-
In this area I think EBO could do better. They make several options available should you need to make a return, however unless you are returning an item to a store, you will pay a fee.
Options-
1). Use the pre-paid return label and repackage your merchandise. Drop off package at post office. $6.00 fee will be deducted from your refund.
2). Return item at a local store for an exchange if possible, or refund if item is not available.
3). Package your item(s) and take to a post office or UPS and ship INSURED back to Eddie Bauer at your own cost.
If you are returning an item you will receive credit for the price you paid if you have an invoice or the last marked price if you do not. You will not get the $3.00 handling fee refunded under any circumstances.
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Checkout-
The EBO is pretty standard in it's checkout process. At each time you've placed an itme into your cart, you are given the option to check out or return to shopping. When it's checkout time, return shoppers simply log in. New shoppers will need to take a moment to set up an account with name, address, phone, billing info, and a password. *Note- If you've shopped at the regular Eddie Bauer site, your log-in information is the same.
EBO instantly pops up your order receipt for printing if you like, and also sends a copy to your e-mail virtually instantaneously as well. Why more companies don't do this is a mystery, but it's one of my favorite conveniences when shopping online.
Your order will have a number assigned to it, and you can begin tracking your package the next day by logging into your account at either Eddie Bauer or EBO.
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Final Thoughts-
The EBO site is really very simple to navigate, and the search functions are commendable. Other sites could certainly take a lesson from them. The prices are right, although your must have item might not be available in your size. That's the risk you take in shopping outlets.
New merchandise constantly rotates in so if you don't see something you like right away, just check back soon.
**Thanks to Epinions member bonniesayers for letting me know that they no longer carry kids wear so that I could update my review. =)
Thanks so much for reading. Comments and suggestions welcome. :)
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Location: Washington State
Reviews written: 212
Trusted by: 204 members
About Me: Working on school! Hoping to finish soon.
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