Shaun,

Are you near an outlet store? If so, check out their site (linked below) for coupons and specials first. Also, sign up at the store for their mailing lists-they'll send you coupons right away!

The outlets have a back room where pieces with small imperfections are marked down - good buys to be found if you're not picky about color.

I've also seen them at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.

Here is a link that might be useful: store finder...

Check out TJ Maxx, MArshall's, and eBay.

There's a gorgeous yellow one on eBay for $210 incl shipping on buy it now

Ummmmm I never even knew they had an outlet! I'll check to see how far one is from me.

I do have TJ Maxx and Marshalls, and Ross. I'll check there too. Thanks! (I actually forgot all about the maxx, ross and marshalls)They probably have the best prices!

Shaun, my issue with buying at TJMaxx, Marshall's, etc. is that the LC they'll have on the shelf is catch-as-catch-can. You stated you want a specific size/style, and you'll have to be lucky to find it at one of those stores. Furthermore, my experience at those stores is that the inventory is handled carelessly, and the LC I've seen there is frequently damaged and chipped. A much better place is an outlet store as Paulines already mentioned. I'm linking below a list of outlet stores, cause I think that the LC website that Paulines linked above just lists stores selling LC at full retail prices.

I bought my LC 5.5 qt. round oven at an outlet store (Pleasant Prairie, WI), and found an enormous selection, both in sizes and colors, as good as Bloomingdale's. I'm not sure about the "back room" reference above. The outlet store I went to had everything out on the floor, and the saleswoman was incredibly helpful. I wanted the Dijon color specifically (so sunny!). She went to the trouble to open about 5 different boxes of the Dijon pot I wanted to find the best one, though they were all good--the "flaw" in mine is only visible to me when I wear my glasses; it's a tiny dot on the lid.

Also, do sign up for their mailing list to get postcards notifying you of sales. One just ended (Dec. 31) that gave 35% off already discounted prices. I bought mine when there was a sale for 25% off.

The LC outlet near me is selling the 5 qt. oval for $190, though there are no additional sales going on right now, since a big one just ended Dec. 31. But likely in a cuple months they'll run another.

Here is a link that might be useful: Le Creuset Outlet Stores

Well thank you shannonplus2! I appreciate your input on this and the link to the outlets, going to go check that out.

I went to the Maxx and didnt see any Le Creusets but I did find a cast iron skillet! See? When you aren't looking for it, it's right there. I found it in their clearance aisle but it was all deeply pitted and rusted and they were asking $10. Some lady there told me not to waste my money on it, that it was ruined beyond fixing. So I left it there. THEN I found another one not in clearance, it was $20. Snagged that bad boy.

Now I have to go find that thread where it told me how to season it before using it.

The instructions on this skillet says no soap? Really?

Years ago, I purchased two LC French (Dutch?) ovens from Caplanduval.com from Montreal. Even with shipping, it was less than half of the retail price. Try them.

Gee Shaun, looks like you will have to come over to the west coast so I can take you to the LeCreuset outlet.

Tuesday Morning had a number of LeCreuset pieces last week.

elisamcs wrote "Years ago, I purchased two LC French (Dutch?) ovens from Caplanduval.com from Montreal. Even with shipping, it was less than half of the retail price. Try them."

I bought several pieces of LC from them too. The last time I looked at their web site they were no longer selling LC. And today neither of the URL's I have for them works. Oh well...

--Doug

Cathy I'll check Tuesday Morning here too! I never think to go there.

I'll check out that Caplanduval.com - hope the link works. Thanks everyone.

Marshalls or Home Goods thats where mine were bought by hubby!

Another place is Craigslist! On my local CL, there are three ads for LC pieces -- all new in the box. Person would rather have $$$ than cookware.

Oooooooooh craigslist! Going to check. THanks!

Craigslist has one item and its a grill pan.

While at TJ Maxx today they had this one pot can't rmember the name, started with a T; like Taravona or something like that. Is that as good as Le Creuset? It was red, heavy, had a lid and was $90.

Ok Shaun, now go to Ikea for their version. I have had my red oval 5.5 qt for several years now and I love it.

Shaun, was it Tramontina? It it is it's the Brazilian made equivalent to All Clad. I have a lot of Tramontina and it's very good.

Shaun, if the red pot you saw at TJ Maxx was Tramontina, I wanted to let you know that Walmart sells the Tramontina round 6.5 qt. red cast iron oven, brand new in the box, for $55. I think Tramontina enamelled cast iron was highly rated by Cook's Illustrated, second in their test only to LC. It may not last a lifetime the way that LC does, but it'll last a good long time, and the price can't be beat.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tramontina 6.5 qt. Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Tramontina. Yep that was it. Thanks!

I've been hinting to my husband that I really needed the 7 1/4 french oven from Williams Sonoma, finally he got sick of hearing about it and told me to go get it already but when I did, they were not having any sale, I had no coupons and just could not do it. (I'm sure he was aware this would happen!)
Thanks to this thread I searched for an outlet store and discovered a store not twenty minutes from me. I called and asked if they were having any kind of sale and they are having a 'scratch off' sale until March, my card was good for 30% off. I easily justified this purchase, lol, and got a beautiful red one for $160. The saleslady tried to sell me a bottle of special cleaner for $12. I have never heard anyone mention a special cleaner, should I go back and get it? My pot is so pretty, I've made chili, chicken soup, beef stew and next up is a Throwdown recipe for Arroz Con Pollo, which is sofrito, chicken and rice.

I shopped around before buying a white LC 5.5 dutch oven and ended up getting mine at Ace Hardware of all places! I had a 20% off coupon and couldn't be happier with my purchase. I have a large Chassuer oval roaster which is also made in France and love it. I bought it on smartbargains.com at a great price.
Robin

Sowngrow - Le Creuset at Ace Hardware? Wow! I have several Ace Hardware stores near me, even an "Ace Superstore", and none carries Le Creuset. The only enamelled cast iron I've seen at Ace is the Lodge. I am really surprised.

I know akchicago-who'd think to find LC at Ace Hardware? Not me. This Ace near my house does carry non-hardware realted items. At first I thought it was quite odd, then when I took advantage of the coupon and got my LC there, I felt differently!

I have purchased most of my Le Creuset from their outlet stores. Get on their mailing list for coupons...then call them with your request. They are very helpful over the phone and best of all, they will ship FREE with purchases over $100! Which isn't hard to do. That "free" statemen is usually posted on the sale coupon, so check it out.

Love these kettles.I just bought the big oval in red.
I have quite a few pieces..love them.Hubby bought me 2 sets,at christmas the chef catalog has some good buys.

This post enabled me to get back to coveting the 10" square grill pan. I went to the outlet locator site and saw that you can get a scratch-off coupon at the store for 25-35% off all LC and Screwpull branded items through Feb. 28. Now I'm REALLY coveting that pan again! I have a glass cooktop and the LC grill pan is supposedly OK to use on that surface. I see a trip to the outlet in my future!

Here is a link that might be useful: 25-35% off LC at LC outlets