DFO South Wharf, Melbourne

Monday, 8 March 2010 Labels: Melbourne, Shopping Posted by Frugal Foo 19:56

DFO in Melbourne city is now harder to find, and bargains even harder.

A DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) conveniently located right in the middle of Melbourne CBD above a major rail and bus terminal was just too good to be true. Late last year DFO in Melbourne CBD moved away from the very central Spencer St address, to a previously unheard of location (unheard of to me) called "South Wharf".
-->

Where is DFO South Wharf Open 7 Days 10am-6pm and until 9pm Fridays www.dfo.com.au/southwharf/
View DFO South Wharf in a larger map
Tram	Catch either the 70, 71 or 35 free city circle tram to the Docklands Park stop. Then walk 10 mins south across the Yarra and follow signs.
Car Park	$4 per hour up to $28 daily. 50% parking discount if you buy from DFO and validate ticket. Frankly there are cheaper options in town if parking on a weekend.

Still within a 20 minute walk from Southern Cross Railway Station, I'm quite sure that fellow die hard bargain hunters will continue to make the extra effort and flock to the South Wharf DFO, just as we do now, travelling epic distances to either of the other two Melbourne DFO's situated in far flung locations around the suburbs.

DFO’s are generally a little more difficult to find compared to major shopping malls. They are the shy cousin of the retailer clan. At family gatherings, the shy cousin can be spotted at a measured distance away from the raucous centre of all the action, serving some useful self-appointed purpose, such as official photographer or plunger coffee operator. Likewise, DFO's around Australia are often found away from the main shopping and town centres, dressed down architecturally, and a little tricky to find.

DFO South Wharf is no exception. It’s not as convenient to a railway station compared to its previous location, and driving will cost you in petrol, tolls and parking. So there is sunk cost before we even begin raking in the savings from factory outlet bargains. Being able bodied, and having an understanding of the city circle tram network, I chose to walk from the nearest free tram stop north of the Yarra River across Webb Bridge. From there it’s 10 minute walk across the river and following the signs to DFO. See the map at the end of this post.

Upon arrival I’m ready to shop. And having completed the epic journey to find the place, I expect some kind of worthwhile pay-off. I'm ready to buy something. Anything. Even if it's an irregular end of season man-purse, sporting a glitzy fashion logo and made by sewing together left over eye-patches from last years Pirate show-bag. DFO’s obscure location seems to be actually working in its favour judging from my must-buy-something frame of mind.

Perhaps it was naive of me to expect that the shelves would be lined with “reduced stock made up of discontinued lines, previous season’s stock, current end-of-season lines and special purchases” as described in DFO literature. Boy those silly clothing labels sure are making a lot of mistakes oversupplying their retail stores at start of season with such regular predictability that an expanding DFO industry can thrive season after season on surplus goods which could not be sold at retail prices mid season. Oh but there are those “special purchases”. I wonder what they are? Could it be that some lines are produced expressly for the purpose of stocking factory outlet shelves?

At this DFO, the shops look just like regular shops. Some of them reassuringly have the word “Outlet” somewhere in their signage above the door, but not all. The stock looks remarkably like that which I would find in any normal shop and the prices didn't seem cheap to me. And I do wonder what would be considered “last season” in camping gear, jewelery or home kitchen shops. Not wanting to expose my fallible credentials as a male here, but does jewelery have seasons?

Still we press on hunting for bargains believing that somehow smiling approval will shine upon us from Livinia Nixon, the face of DFO, who does not seem to have aged one day since first appearing on our screens eating Maltesers 15 years ago. Perhaps I too can halt the aging process by shopping at DFO.

Myth: The amount of money we save is the amount discounted from the original full price.

Truth: Ignore discounts. A bargain means paying the lowest price compared to the price of similar alternatives available in other shops at that time.

At DFO I found a mix of both regular and discontinued lines. Signage at DFO shops boasted massive discounts when compared to a full retail price. I trust that the full comparison prices were once the actual asking price in shops for these items. But was the full price a fair price or wildly over optimistic to begin with? I choose to ignore amazing discount prices and consider only the current price compared with the prices for similar products available at other shops I can easily buy from that day. Disregard history. Prices for fashion items generally head downwards and stay down. If it’s cheaper than the other shops right now, then that’s a bargain.

"Disregard history. Prices for fashion items generally head downwards and stay down. If it’s cheaper than the other shops right now, then that’s a bargain."

But I wanted to be sure I would walk out with a genuine factory outlet bargain. Something I couldn’t get from a regular retail shop to make the extra effort of DFO worthwhile. I picked 3 shops to be the subjects of a little closer scrutiny – Wallace Bishop Jewellers, Colorado and Levis. At each I asked the sales assistant what factory outlet bargains were to be had.

All 3 outlet shops had some stock which was also available at regular shops. Colorado and Levis also showed me discontinued lines which are what I came to DFO to find. If not for asking, it was not possible for me to easily determine which stock was that which would be found at a regular shop, and that which was factory outlet discontinued or outgoing seasons stock. But they are upfront about it when asked.

Wallace Bishop at DFO explained that their range of watches were the same as the retail Wallace Bishop, but at lower prices just because it was a factory outlet. I’m sure the retailers would not be happy to be undercut by the factory outlet channel. To be fair, my inquiries at this jewellery shop were limited to my sphere of knowledge in such a shop, which is watches. There may well have been a discontinued diamond ring or last seasons gold-plated clock under glass dome somewhere in the shop, but I didn’t see any glaring “discontinued” signage or labeling in this shop.

Colorado showed me a range of end-of-season men’s slip-on shoes no longer available in regular shops. Of course the price tags were a patchwork of markdowns on top of markdowns, but discounted comparison prices are to be firmly ignored.

The Levis at DFO seemed to be the most genuine factory outlet of the 3 shops in this experiment. It sold clearly labeled samples and seconds at cheap prices.

After my weekend visit to DFO, I followed up with a little tour to the retail counterparts in central Melbourne. At Wallace Bishop retail shop, I found their range of Seiko watches to have the same 40% discount as the outlet. At the retail Colorado, I did not find the slip on shoes I was shown in the outlet, so direct comparison is not possible. I felt that the prices were in the same ball park for similar lines seen in the outlet, plus the retail store offered 50% off a second pair of shoes.

In the end I thought the bargains were few and far between at DFO in South Wharf. Sure, eternal youth might be possible if you eat enough Maltesers at a young age, but at this DFO I found bargains to be unlikely. I remain unconvinced that DFO shopping centres are all that much different from regular shops. Bargains can be found if you know the going price of an item, just as they can at any shop.

What’s your experience with factory outlets? Please comment.

View DFO South Wharf in a larger map

Related Melbourne Posts
Where to Eat in Melbourne from under $30 per day
Melbourne's Food Court Underbelly

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, I found that the DIANA FERRAI outlet in Fairfield sold last summers leather thongs for more than the discounted price in its regullar stores.

4 April 2010 at 19:02

Foo said...

Hi Anonymous. How annoying it must have been to find you didn't need to go to Fairfield for a better deal. Especially if you had already purchased the thongs at that outlet.

5 April 2010 at 15:30

Foo said...

"Where is DFO South Wharf" box updated with opening times.

12 May 2010 at 09:08

cheap bus hire said...

Thanks for sharing this. Great article.
I'll visit your blog again :)

12 May 2010 at 17:02

Anonymous said...

All bullshit to me! Marketing giants being dooshbags

2 January 2011 at 10:15

katy_em said...

these are great places for students like myself to go to.

4 July 2011 at 13:07

Anonymous said...

Anyone tried Pepe Jeans of FCUK at this DFO??? massive discounts. I have bought almost all different denims and shirts from Pepe and FCUK on sale. Over 80% off.

20 July 2011 at 18:16

Anonymous said...

Great blog!!

I have been to DFO SW once, and despite being a seasoned 'bargain hunter' (my motto is "Never EVER pay full price for ANYTHING!" was also unable to find any real 'bargains'

Unfortunately, half the stores in the DFO are high end label stores to begin with, and so have 'high end' prices to match. So a top discounted by 50% from say $200 is still $100, which I see as not a bargain even if it DOES have 50% off!

On a better note, I still shop at DFO Southern Cross, and recently found the Chelsea outlet store to be a bargain hunters haven (not to be mistaken with the second 'Chelsea' store in there which is NOT an outlet store - I purchased good quality skirts for $20 each, and good quality casual trousers for $40.

Both had original prices much higher, but the true comparison for quality and price vs another store now, meant that they were true bargain buys! :-)

Signed Bargain Hunter

19 August 2011 at 14:10

Foo said...

Hi Bargain Hunter. Finding a true bargain is so satisfying. I agree with your approach of hunting around so you know the price you paid is actually less than similar alternatives in other shops on the day. We can only put so much trust in original prices listed on price tags.

21 August 2011 at 11:59

Anonymous said...

Dear Bargain Hunter, clearly you have not shopped enough! Spencer STreet Fashion Station is the pitts- there are no stores left (18 closed last time i was there)DFO South Wharf has a gazillian bargains- i bought levis for 23.40! and Windsor Smith shoes (boots) for $15. I pride myself on the hunt and will never pay full price -like you- but you need to hunt some more...The quality and range cannot be beaten at DFO SW...signed Hunter and Gatherer

12 October 2011 at 10:26

Anonymous said...

Is dfo open on 1st January 2012?

28 December 2011 at 18:21

Foo said...

DFO South Wharf is not open on Sunday 1st Jan 2012 according to their facebook page. You have to wait til Monday. I found their Christmas trading hours here.

29 December 2011 at 14:51

Joel said...

To be 100% honest, I am not surprised by your findings at all.

I believe that there is little if any true factory outlet stores around anymore. Due to the craze of people wanting to find a bargain, and the overwhelming response to this by companies like DFO, the brand labels you find in these centres are forced to spread their seconds and other heavily discounted stock around to many stores.

At the end of the day these brands are being forced to compete in this arena and put stores in these centres because people expect it. Not because they truly have great deals to offer on a never ending amount of seconds or cheap end of season clearance stock.

This just does not make any sense to me.

9 January 2012 at 12:04

Foo said...

Hi Joel. Agreed. There can only be so much oversupply of stock and seconds to go around. What do the outlets fill their shelves with when the "factories" don't make any mistakes?

As an aside, I was in DFO South Wharf during my lunch break yesterday. Plenty of "Up to X% off" signage. What an empty value proposition that is. Why would I go into any store promising nothing more than a cap on the amount I could possibly save?

10 January 2012 at 09:01

Brenda said...

Thanks so much, came across your article as i was doing research on places to visit, as im off to melbourne south wharf in march.

Seems like accessible if i stayed at hilton south whaf, but then again, maybe its not worth visiting after reading your advice. Also agree with bargain hunter on how expensive items on 50% off are still expensive...

I have a question, does dfo south wharf carries witchery? I am not sure if its luxury brand in austalia, but where i am from- Asia, it sure is selling at the price of calvin klein and Dkny when it comes to leather goods. About 300 austalian dollars for a little handbag smaller than a4 size.

Anyhow, i love witchery bags a lot, my aunt bought her witchery bag from aus 12 years ago, she passed it down to me 10 years ago, it is still in good condition today despite my frequent use. She told me its a lot cheaper in Australia though.

26 January 2012 at 04:31

Foo said...

Hi Brenda. Hilton South Wharf is a very new hotel and close to DFO South Wharf. If you love shopping then I recommend you visit DFO South Wharf. It's still one of Melbourne's great shopping centers, even if bargains are scarce.

According to the DFO website they have a Witchery, but I haven't visited this shop so I don't know if they have handbags.
http://www.dfo.com.au/South-Wharf/Stores/Witchery/

From your hotel in South Wharf, you have access to the rest of Melbourne's shops and cafes if you follow my directions in reverse (see map at top of post) by crossing the river, finding the tram stop for the free tram, and away you go!

26 January 2012 at 12:47

Trev said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

22 April 2012 at 21:39

Guo Guo said...

abercrombie store
louis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton outlet
concords 11
nike free run
hollister
ray ban sunglass
ugg boots
michael kors
burberry sale
michael kors handbags
michael kors handbags
timberland canada
louis vuitton outlet
ugg boots
canada goose jackets
tory burch outlet
louis vuitton
tory burch outlet
louis vuitton handbags
canada goose jackets
oakley sunglasses cheap
imitation watches
kors outlet
michael kors outlet
burberry outlet
polo outlet
jordans 11
abercrombie and fitch
michael kors handbags
ray ban canada
lululemon sale
louis vuitton outlet
hollister clothing store
michael kors outlet
fitflop footwear
burberry bags
mont blanc pens
ralph lauren sale
oakley sunglasses

12 February 2015 at 13:41

Lala Nirmala said...

Saya juga baca artikel kakak mengenai :
obat herbal hernia
jual obat pemutih gigi
obat asam urat herbal
cara cepat menurunkan berat badan setelah melahirkan
obat ambeien mujarab
tips menyembuhkan ambeien dari ustad danu
menyembuhkan ambeien secara alami
masalah seksual yang sering dialami pria
cara membesarkan mr p
obat herbal kosmetik
obat pelangsing badan
jual obat vimax original
game pc murah

13 May 2015 at 09:27

Hua Cai said...

ugg boots
lululemon outlet
babyliss
baltimore ravens jerseys
tods shoes
marc jacobs outlet
adidas outlet
coach factory outlet
links of london
cartier love bracelet
cheap ray ban sunglasses
babyliss pro
san antonio spurs jerseys
tods shoes
bottega veneta outlet
chanel outlet
juicy couture outlet
pittsburgh steelers jersey
puma sneakers
discount oakley sunglasses
ray ban
lululemon
tiffany and co jewelry
michael kors outlet online
the north face jackets
adidas wings
pandora charms
stuart weitzman boots
tommy hilfiger outlet
los angeles clippers jerseys
new york jets jerseys
christian louboutin sale
replica watches
nike free uk
lebron james shoes
coach outlet store
cheap oakley sunglasses
burberry outlet online
roshe run men
philadelphia eagles jerseys
2015720caihuali

20 July 2015 at 17:53

mao qiuyun said...

louis vuitton
ugg boots, http://www.cheapuggboots.net.co
kate spade uk
louis vuitton outlet
oakland raiders jerseys
polo lacoste pas cher
iphone 6 cases
lululemon outlet
prada shoes
foamposite shoes
soccer jerseys
cartier bracelet
michael kors outlet online, http://www.michaelkorsoutletonlinstore.us.com
polo ralph lauren outlet
new york giants jerseys
insanity
ugg boots, http://www.uggboot.com.co
pandora jewelry
louis vuitton
mulberry outlet
abercrombie and fitch
denver broncos jerseys
louboutin shoes
air jordan shoes
swarovski jewelry
oakley,occhiali oakley,oakley italia,oakley occhiali,oakley sunglasses
kate spade outlet
oakley canada, http://www.oakleysunglassescanada.com
cheap nfl jerseys
true religion outlet, http://www.truereligionoutletstore.us.com
air jordan shoes
true religion jeans, http://www.truereligionjean.in.net
michael kors uk
toms shoes
mac cosmetics
christian louboutin outlet
stuart weitzman boots
0828maoqiuyun

28 August 2015 at 17:18

chenlina said...

2 September 2015 at 14:51

Wenhao Guo said...

ddddd0928baltimore ravens, http://www.baltimoreravensjerseys.us/
coach outlet online, http://www.coach-outlet-store.us.com/
valentino sale, http://www.valentinooutlet.us.com/
cheap oakley sunglasses, http://www.cheapoakleysunglassess.us.com/
wedding dresses, http://www.weddingdressesoutlet.co.uk/
links of london uk, http://www.linksoflondons.co.uk/
lebron 12, http://www.lebronjamesshoes.in.net/
fred perry polo, http://www.fredperrypoloshirts.com/
nike huarache, http://www.nike-airhuarache.co.uk/
louboutin uk, http://www.christianlouboutinoutlet.org.uk/
christian louboutin, http://www.scarpelouboutin.it/
north face jackets, http://www.northface-outlet.cc/
hermes bags, http://www.hermesbags.co.uk/
san antonio spurs, http://www.sanantoniospursjersey.com/
the north face jacketshttp://www.thenorthfaces.org.uk
prada outlet online, http://www.pradaoutlet.us/
nhl jerseys wholesale, http://www.nhljerseys.us.com/
new york giants, http://www.newyorkgiants.us/
nike air max, http://www.airmax2015.in.net/
bottega veneta outlet store, http://www.bottegaveneta-outlet.net/

28 September 2015 at 16:20

Wenhao Guo said...

cheng1006
football shirts, http://www.cheapfootballshirt.org.uk/
hermes bags, http://www.hermesbags.co.uk/
nike huarache, http://www.nike-airhuarache.co.uk/
nike free uk, http://www.nikefreerunning.org.uk/
kobe shoes, http://www.kobeshoes.us/
nba jerseys, http://www.nbajerseys.us.com/
louis vuitton handbags, http://www.louisvuittonhandbags.org.uk/
ray ban sunglasses, http://www.raybansunglass.com.au/
cheap michael kors handbags, http://www.cheapmichaelkorshandbag.in.net/
nike free, http://www.nikefreerunning.org/
juicy couture outlet, http://www.juicycoutureoutlet.net/
coach outlet, http://www.coachoutletstores.com.co/
tory burch shoes, http://www.toryburchshoesoutlet.com/
chanel handbags, http://www.chanelhandbags-outlet.us.com/
christian louboutin uk, http://www.christianlouboutinoutlet.org.uk/
lululemon outlet, http://www.lululemonoutletstore.in.net/
cheap nike shoes, http://www.cheap-nikeshoes.cc/
the north face outlet, http://www.northface-outlet.cc/
cheap ugg boots, http://www.cheapuggboots.net.co/
air jordan 13, http://www.airjordan13s.com/
nike free 5, http://www.nikefree5.us/
oakley sunglasses, http://www.oakley.in.net/
michael kors factory outlet, http://www.michaelkorsfactoryoutletonline.com/
oakley sunglasses, http://www.oakleysunglasseswholesale.in.net/