Is there a secret to shopping at Bicester village?

[PaintingOwls]

I've been a couple of times now and not really seen anything I like or can afford very much. But people I know or people on vlogs I watch seem to come away with "oh I picked up this Gucci dress for £30"

I'm wondering if I am just shopping wrong? I don't think I'm very good at shopping in general, maybe that's a factor.

Are there any experts on here that can offer me tips, or is it just pure dumb luck?

You go early- before opening, and plot your stores
You have no plan of what to buy because you will be disappointed
Mid week only, weekends are hell
Sign up for offers on their website
Know which pop up shops are in town
Avoid Gucci, it’s FULL of overseas tourists spending about £3k each/ its on the tour plan!! The staff will not help you when there is a more lucrative customer available...

Stay away until March at least. Bicester Village is unpleasantly crowded at the best of times. It's hell at Christmas and sale time.

Which brands are you interested in OP? It depends what you're looking for. Personally I'd avoid Bicester and shop at flannels/Selfridge's in their after Christmas sales- much better products and prices

It’s sub standard stock in most retailers anyway. It’s purpose fully made for Bicester. In the early days it was what was left from the sales, which is the crap no one wants anyway.

Get there before the shops open and have breakfast . Leave before the crowds arrive .

Avoid!

I just wouldn't bother. Agree Selfridges is a much better bet.

I live 10 minutes away and totally agree with the above. Get there early. Don’t expect to find anything or have anything in mind you want. I find the best deals are in the lower end shops. I get my childrens’ school shoes from Clarks there-saves is a small fortune! The White Company has great discounts. Be sure to ask in shops if stock is old stock or made just for Bicester village. For example some of the mulberry handbags are made exclusively for outlets out of lesser quality leather. But they do have old stock “real” products too. So be careful.

If you work for the NHS or forces then you can go to the information shop with your ID and get a 10% discount code which most shops accept. (Including food outlets).

L.K. Bennett have some great markdowns on shoes and boots and bags. Karen Millen too is one of my favourites.

Boxing Day is worst day of the year there to visit!

I think if you are shopping for high end brands then it is better to buy them elsewhere full price or in the sales. But for the less pricey shops you can get some good bargains as long as you don’t go with anything particular in mind.

Have fun!!

Thanks everyone, some really good tips here. I'll stay away until March and bring DP as he's NHS

Will definitely brave the January Selfridges sales next year as well!

You can go in January and you will be fine! Go for late night. The coaches have gone and it’s fine. You must not go with pre conceived ideas.

Not everything by any means is made for BV. You must know your brands and what was current last season. I have a Gucci Bamboo bag from there. It’s a classic. If you could get a Jackie bag, that would be great. You will need the money though. It’s not a cheap outlet village. There can be huge discounts but you need to get lucky and possibly be very small. DD got a size 6 Burberry dress for £288 reduced from £2800. So reductions can be good. Many shops have the real thing. You have to be a sassy shopper though! And get lucky!

I went once, I was excited and thought I'd find bargains - I hated it! Still very expensive, and very weird atmosphere like a dream where you don't quite know what you're meant to be doing.