Rating: NNNNN
Foot FETISH
Ever notice that it's harder to find a really good deal on high-end men's shoes than fashion-forward women's footwear? We found a bonanza of booty at Dack's factory store (595 Trethewey, 241-5170, and others), where overstock, ends of lines and seconds with minor cosmetic imperfections -- as if shoes don't get kicked around! -- are being cleared at deep discounts. And there's a full range of sizes.
"Even on our top-of-the-line, you save a hundred bucks," explains one supremely helpful staffer.
"It gets even better from there."
GIN MILL
Looking for blistering steals on basic cotton pieces? The outlet stores of popular chain Cotton Ginny -- home of our favourite affordable stretch denim jeans -- are selling off spring and summer stock at 50 per cent off the lowest ticketed price. Meaning that if a dress has been marked down to $11.99, you'll pay six bucks. The biggest bargains lurk in the back of the store, and 99-cent bins are not unknown. Lawrence Plaza, 528 Lawrence West, 784-1389, and others.
DISHING DEALS
The recent death of a much-loved dishwasher sent us on a frenzied two-week mission to track down Toronto's best deals on major appliances. A sign boasting "lowest prices in Canada" lured us into County Appliances (6166 Yonge, 225-2367). You won't find it in the yellow pages, but "Thornhill's oldest appliance dealer" -- with signage that looks alarmingly like a car dealership -- has regular prices on Maytag models that are lower than sale prices posted by Sears and the Bay. Keep this one in mind -- it's definitely worth the trek to just-south-of-Steeles.
