Guide
Comparing prices at Atlanta bargain outlets
Comparing outlet prices means looking past the price tag to the landed cost. For Canadian buyers, that includes getting the furniture home and through customs. This guide gives you a worksheet and a method.
Part of the guide to Atlanta bargain outlets vs a Canadian trade account.
Price comparison worksheet
| Line | Outlet piece | Trade account piece |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Exchange to CAD | n/a | |
| Freight to Canada | Free to residential addresses (Artisan) | |
| Duty (if any) | n/a | |
| GST/HST on import | Charged as normal; claimable if registered | |
| Brokerage | n/a | |
| Landed cost |
How do you judge an outlet discount?
Compare against the original price and a comparable new piece, and check condition and returns. A deep discount on a damaged floor model may be worth less than a smaller discount on new stock.
How does trade pricing compare?
Trade pricing is steady and repeatable: 25% off MSRP at Artisan, up to 50% for bulk wholesale, with no minimum order and free delivery to residential addresses in all 10 provinces.
Which factors change the comparison?
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Exchange rate | Can add or remove the saving |
| Country of origin | Decides whether duty applies |
| Freight method | Shared freight is cheaper than courier |
| Quantity | One piece rarely justifies a trip |
| Condition | Repairs add cost |
Tips for finding real deals
Visit at month-end and season changes, ask about multi-piece discounts, read reviews and check floor models carefully.
Worked example: how the comparison plays out
Imagine a sideboard reduced at an outlet. Start with the outlet price, convert it at the day's exchange rate, add freight to your city, add GST or HST charged on import, add any duty that applies to the country where it was made, and add the brokerage fee. Then compare that landed cost with a trade price for a comparable new piece from a Canadian supplier, delivered free. In many cases the outlet saving shrinks a lot once these costs are added, and it can disappear altogether on a single piece. The outlet route usually only wins when the discount is large, the freight is shared and duty doesn't apply.
How do you keep track of comparisons?
Keep a simple spreadsheet with one row per piece and a column for every cost line. Over a few trips you'll learn which outlet deals really pay off and which only look good on the tag.
When does a Canadian trade account win?
When you need repeat supply, matching pieces, reliable delivery or product information. A trade account also gives predictable pricing, which outlet buying can't.
Furniture Today and the National Retail Federation track US retail pricing. See the outlet buying checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How do you compare prices at Atlanta bargain outlets?+
Note the outlet price, the original retail price and a comparable new piece, then add delivery, tax and cross-border costs before comparing with a trade price.
How do you find deals on furniture?+
Outlets, clearance events and floor-model sales for one-offs; trade accounts and bulk wholesale for repeat buying.
Are Atlanta bargain outlets worth visiting?+
For one-off bargains and inspiration, perhaps; for repeat stock, Canadian buyers usually do better with a domestic trade account once cross-border costs are counted.
What is landed cost?+
The full cost of getting an item to your door: price, exchange, freight, tax, any duty and brokerage.
When do outlet prices beat trade prices?+
When the discount is large, the piece is a one-off, you can transport it cheaply and duty doesn't apply.