Outlet shopping for porcelain in Germany
Tucked deep in the Bavarian forest, not far from the Czech border, is a shopper’s paradise. Instead of damsels in distress and knights in shining armor, this paradise boasts the Porzellanstraße (Porcelain Road). At the heart of the Porzellanstraße is Selb, a small city dominated by factory outlets, including Villeroy & Boch, Rosenthal and Hutschenreuther. The city is a mere two hours’ drive from Munich, making it a good place for a weekend shopping excursion. The three major porcelain companies are only open Monday through Saturday. Don’t restrict yourself to the larger outlets, though. Selb offers a vast number of smaller outlets as well, where the selection is smaller but the bargains are just as big. Normally, products from Villeroy & Boch, Rosenthal and Hutschenreuther are often priced like gold. Four plates from Hutschenreuther in the Medley design would cost over DM 200 at a retail store. Along the Porzellanstraße though, many of the same dishes and glasses can be found at a fraction of the price, sometimes at a reduction of 20-40 percent. The porcelain and crystal found in factory outlets are often “seconds,” products which the companies have discarded due to slight imperfections. Though the flaws are usually just small bubbles in the glaze or discoloration, shoppers need to pick their purchases with care since items can’t be returned or exchanged. Keep an eye out for porcelain and crystal outlet stores on the way to Selb as well. Smoke stacks usually mark a factory’s location, making it easy to spot them from the road. For more information, call the Selb tourist office at (0 92 87) 833 0. If you get the urge to hunt for crystal bargains on a Sunday, the renowned Joska outlet in Bodenmais awaits.