While outlet stores generally fail to live up to their hype, this Cole Haan location is a stud! The…read moreselection of shoes is generally fantastic and plentiful, with very reasonable pricing to boot.
The problem I usually have with outlet/factory stores is the fact their merchandise is made specifically for this purpose - which translates into huge sacrifices in quality and design, for comparatively little in savings. You will seldom, if ever, find Banana Republic, J. Crew, or Coach's "regular" merchandise at their outlets. Nearly all of what's at their outlet, was made for their outlet. While I cannot claim with certainty that Cole Haan does not engage in this practice, I find my purchases from this outlet store to be great quality for the price. They have, thus far (fingers crossed...), stood the test of time. The fact that styles in this store can actually be found on Cole Haan's official website, eases my nerves just a little more... but, I digress.
Customer service at this location can range from absolutely fantastic, to just average. I was served by a very enthusiastic sales representative on my first visit, who made sure everything went right. And it was a busy day too, so kudos to him. His name eludes me at this point, which is unfortunate. But he left a little post-it note on my shoe box that said "Xenos --- Cool Guy", and I love associates who show a personal touch. I swear my bias doesn't originate from being complimented...
I now buy the vast majority of my shoes from this Cole Haan outlet, simply because it offers the most bang for my buck. Cole Haan is a huge step up from most mass-market shoe stores - both design and quality wise. Sure you're not getting Alden or Allen Edmonds quality, but that's to be expected. As a university student on a budget, this is a fantastic compromise. Their leathers are nice, and the welts surely aren't coming apart after just two seasons. Perhaps most importantly, Cole Haans are comfy to my feet! Many of the shoes at this location can be had for between $80 and $150, and are well worth the investment!