Great Lakes - PI Outlet Store Visit

Finally took a drive to the Pearl Izumi outlet store in Aurora, Illinois. They had a decent selection but I was kind of surprised by the lack of "outlet" store deals. There were a few, but not many. It's not worth a specific trip IMO.

Also visited Bicycle Heaven in Saint Charles, IL at Psimet's insistence. Nice small store, good guys. Gave me a great deal on Podium water bottles 25% off and have huge sale pricing on some Assos stuff. Just ask.

I love bicycle Heaven!

I love bicycle Heaven!

Shill.

CC - you should have stopped by for lunch. I am along the highway in (North) Aurora. Right in between the PI outlet and BH.

PI doesn't have many deals, but when the seasons change they can have some barn burners. I got an Optik vest - sales demo model - for $25 last spring. I can usually get jerseys for $40 or so. Not bad for a jersey.

Their seasonal stuff like toe covers, hats, gloves, booties, etc...never go on sale.

Also...when do you think they'll change the name to the "Shimano" outlet?

Shill.

CC - you should have stopped by for lunch. I am along the highway in (North) Aurora. Right in between the PI outlet and BH.

PI doesn't have many deals, but when the seasons change they can have some barn burners. I got an Optik vest - sales demo model - for $25 last spring. I can usually get jerseys for $40 or so. Not bad for a jersey.

Their seasonal stuff like toe covers, hats, gloves, booties, etc...never go on sale.

Also...when do you think they'll change the name to the "Shimano" outlet?

Shill? Me? I do resemble that remark.

When I was there (PI) last, they still wanted $100 for the old Slipstream/Chipotle jersey. I thought that was a bit odd... even if it is a better looking jersey than the new one.

When I was there (PI) last, they still wanted $100 for the old Slipstream/Chipotle jersey. I thought that was a bit odd... even it is a better looking jersey than the new one.
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PI has agreements with its retailers that they will not discount in its outlet current yr merchandise
(they might get an exception for salesperson samples ) for sure slipstream / chipotle jersey would be part of that agreement hence no discount

that outlet mall is a gimmick. it just means the manufacture have store fronts charging regular prices. i think the true concept of an outlet store no longer really exist. later.

that outlet mall is a gimmick. it just means the manufacture have store fronts charging regular prices. i think the true concept of an outlet store no longer really exist. later.

"outlet" means owned by mfg not that it is a deal
that said previous yr inventory at PI can be a deal at times

You were just a couple miles from my house and Psimet's work. You should have let us know!

Living so close, I bop in the outlet often. The sale stuff is where the deals are and you have to be lucky enough to hit it just right. One day I went in and all the sale stuff was an additional 50% off for that day only which made for really good prices. They had just got in a lot of sample stuff from their retail stores.

Gotta check out Bicycle Heaven.

Guys, please keep us updated on big sales. Next time I head down there I'll let you guys know and we can do lunch. ;)

Guys, please keep us updated on big sales. Next time I head down there I'll let you guys know and we can do lunch. ;)

let me know too. i am 7 minutes from there. later.

Very unusual to find that many North Aurora people on the same website!

Nah...I just work in North Aurora, and aham works close to the outlet...more like Naperville. What amazing is that 80% of the regional forum (statistics provided by PAS - Psimet Actuarial Services) is from the Chicago area specifically and mostly from along the Fox River Corridor.

I like to check in there pretty regularly as i live in those apartment houses on the NE corner of Kirk & Butterfield (across from the new sonic), i got a pretty good deal on a pair of PI gloves, but otherwise it was standard sale stuff.

I had no idea there were so many people so close to me. Anyone ride the batavia spur near fermilab around 7:30-7:50am? I take that to the rt. 59 train station on the days i don't feel like dealing with traffic.

On a side note, nothing in that outlet mall is what i've been brought up to believe an "outlet" store is. You know... where the manufacturers send their excess stock and semi perfect goods to sell at a discounted rate.

Nah...I just work in North Aurora, and aham works close to the outlet...more like Naperville. What amazing is that 80% of the regional forum (statistics provided by PAS - Psimet Actuarial Services) is from the Chicago area specifically and mostly from along the Fox River Corridor.

Probably because it's got to be the best cycling in NE Illinois for the state's largest population center.

(that and because I live here)