![]() This makes perfect sense, on account that by and large, any seconds’ very existence is not planned by the manufacturers. Often times, whenever factory seconds are put on sale, there are only a few sizes to choose from. With many newly-emerging retailers nowadays operating on strict direct-to-consumer basis, with no physical retail locations for you to step into and see/try items on, this is a big factor to consider when contemplating spending couple hundreds of dollars. But with other larger retailers, it might be harder to do so. As mentioned above, prominent players in the GYW arena, such as Allen Edmonds, Grant Stone, and Parkhurst, sell factory seconds on their sites, but pictures used are often the same stock images which are used on their prime product categories, so it is not easy to discern what dubs a pair you’re contemplating as B grade.īased on personal experience, in case of Grant Stone and Parkhurst, I was able to email the company directly and ask for more specifics on their inventory. This is something that applies almost exclusively to online retailers. Here are a few tips you should be mindful when embarking on this adventure. What to Remember When Purchasing Factory Seconds If you enjoy revered, highly sought-after name brand items, but cringe at the idea (or cant even fathom it) of shelling out a the amount of money associated therewith, then factory second route might be a welcome compromise in your book! After all, a BMW 500-series with a wonky paint job is still… well, a BMW! Many companies do not even offer B-grades/ seconds, as they view it as direct violation of their business philosophy: if it’s not prime condition, it is not worthy of bearing their name/ logo. A well-reputed company will only assign “A-Grade” status to those items which meet their aesthetic, quality, brand image, status, and other specific criteria. The retail markup is usually equal to the perceived value of their brand name. Some flaws interfere with functionality of a boot, therefore causing its designation as seconds, but with these situations, pairs are usually discounted deeper, or in the most extreme cases removed from selling consideration altogether. There’s no hard and fast rule that prescribes a criterion that a boot must meet in order to be considered factory second, and examples tend to range from minor, like lack of original packaging to a loose thread or a surface scratch or two, to more profound material inconsistencies such as discoloration, extreme marbling, or loose grain. Some are discarded due to profound flaws, but each instance is determined by manufacturer’s merchandising team, in order to safeguard brand image and reputation.Īdditionally, some items end up in merchants’ seconds designation after they are returned by their retailers or customers, after being displayed on sales floor, and perhaps tried on a few times. Antique stores, thrift stores, and pawn shopsįirst of all, What Are “Factory Seconds”?įactory seconds, which are often referred to as f actory rejects, B-grades, irregulars, or just seconds, are merchandise which - for cosmetic, functional or a combination of these reasons - do not qualify for the prime spot on retailers’ shelves, to be sold at full retail price.Īs such, they are often sold to consumers at discount, either directly by the manufacturer (as the case with Allen Edmonds, Grant Stone, Parkhurst, and a few others), or through retail channel partners.Auction sites (such as eBay and Grailed).What to Remember When Purchasing Factory Seconds.First of all, What Are “Factory Seconds”?.
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