Brookstone Outlet

I have been shopping at Brookstone for several years. At first, the business had a better quality of merchandise, It had a wide selection and was fairly well organized. The store carried both first quality and returned merchandise, and most importantly, each was clearly labelled. Well, somewhere along the line the store started getting more and more second quality and out-​dated merchandise. Examples are covers for phones that were out of date and chargers for the same. Every once in a while you will find a gem… a relevant piece of merchandise at a great price. This is increasingly rare. My greatest concern here is that one cannot tell if an item is being sold as first quality or as a defect. It really doesn’t matter because the item often doesn;t work. I would only buy first quality comforters, clothing, furniture, and other items that can’t be screwed up. If you time it right you can get a discount from one of the major discounters and combine for really good savings. The only electronic items I have purchased there that work are flashlights and some small radios – but again, those were first quality. Get an assurance you can return it if it doesn;t work (a real problem if you are a tourist). In short, it is not worth the risk of buying electronics unless you iive locally. Stock turnover ranges from incredibly slow to lightning fast. They do hire seasonal employees so you would get to see all of the merchandise coming out first and get a discount. There are some high end electronics, especially stereos and massage chairs. (Brookstone addicts only need apply lol).
Brookstore is like a high end Big Lots. You can get a representative sample of what might be there if you go to the website print some pages, and get some darts. Good luck, it is definitely hit or miss.

Wish I could give them 0 stars.
Opened a paperless LCD writing tablet to find it doesn’t work at all. Doesn’t anyone check the merchandise before they put it on the floor? No exchanges no returns. $ 24.00 wasted.
Thanks Brookstone… NOT !!!

Not like the outlet in North Conway, NH. This is more like a regular Brookstone store. The prices are higher overall on returned/​closeout items and they carry mainline store first-​quality merchandise which North Conway does not.

Be very careful with what you buy here. Try to stick to things that couldn’t possibly have anything wrong with them, especially electronics and the like. All to often the products they sell do not work. They will tell you they work but often you will drive home to find out that its faulty. Most people live a significant distance from the store and cannot easily bring it back. The other problem is they give you a lot of grief when your returning something that is broken, almost as if its YOUR fault not theirs. And they act like they are doing you a big favor by letting you exchange the item, never money back. I’ve purchased brand new items from them that do not work and they still give me grief on it. Stop selling defective merchandise! Make sure it actually WORKS before selling it. Get some good customer service too.

I’ve bought a stereo o play my iPod. Went back tice to get a working unit. Just bought travel alarm, again I’ve been back twice and it’s still busted. They don’t check to make sure the products they sell are working and no refunds. Do not shop here.

The last reviewer had some valid points regarding Brookstone. My review is based on my experience with Brookstone. They have some really cool products. Their products aren’t the high end quality but I don’t believe they pretend to be so. They balanace their products between quality and variety (things you can’t necessarily find elsewhere).
I learned my lesson the first time I went to the outlet. That lesson is — if it has a plug or a battery check it before you buy it. I once purchased a mirror from there without checking it and the base was broken. Since then, all the sales peopel have been more than happy to plug in or put a battery into something I want to buy. I’ve bought some pretty nice stuff for up to 75% off, like iPod video glasses, Crown 2 head massager, etc. I tested them first, and they have not broken since I’ve brought them home.
The Brookstone outlet is clearly overstock/​B-​stock/​damaged items. Just check the item first.