If you have LeCreuset, where do you typically buy. (1,640 views)

See if there's a Le Creuset outlet near you. Or not so near you; they often have free-ship thresholds. Outlets carry first-quality goods plus seconds (your own outlet may vary); many LC seconds are just as good as firsts. For example, I got a 5-quart Signature pot that was supposedly a second; it has an insignificant air-bubble pop on the underside of one handle. Big deal. But it was marked as a second, plus it's a Signature so super-cool! (bigger handles), plus I got it in Flame, which at that time was on a color-of-the-month special. So what a deal! Most of my LC came from outlets; I'm at the point now where I ignore most outlet sales b/c I have what I need--but I still am aware that they offer color specials, free-ship specials, & others, frequently.

If an outlet is too far or not on your driving path somewhere, you can call and talk to a manager. Ask him/her to carefully inspect the piece you want, & describe any "second" issues. I've found that LC staff are usually pretty excited about the mdse & happy to help; if you don't call at a super-busy time, they'll be happy to select a piece for you if you can't be there to do it yourself. They might even have your discontinued green (which green is it?).

I also bought one pan on eBay once, from a seller who carefully inspected it & described it. It's one of my favorite pieces (a braiser in bright yellow Dijon). I have most of the colors; ask away!

ETA: Looks as if wallycat & I posted at the same time. Yay for outlets! But also, if you have a bigger W-S near you, they sometimes put LC pieces on their sale table when they're clearing stuff out as a new season begins. I was sorely tempted by a hunter-green pot once, but resisted (price was still not as good as an outlet, but it was sooooo pretty . . .). Sur La Table puts LC on sale occasionally also.

Thanks for the great info and tips! And, thanks so much for the reminder about their outlet stores. I'll be sure to check out WS and SLT when out shopping etc.

Maybe I was just trying to block it out! Ha. But yes there is an outlet less than an hr away, right on the city train line. And shocking, I have only been there once! How is that for willpower! I called to get myself back on their mailing/email promo list since I haven't gotten anything from them in a long time. And the salesperson gave me the rundown..... coastal blue getting discontinued (I think she said it was 35%, I'm not familiar with that color), sale around halloween on the flame color, carry both first quality, some seconds, some discontinued colors etc.

I forgot that I ordered from outlets years back, mainly over the phone, and like you said they were super helpful. One item was a second (and like you said looked great), and the others were first quality. So if my local outlet doesn't have it ......

I tossed a few of my old nonstick and/or worn pans and looking to get a new pan or two. LC might be one of my picks.

Testkitchen, I have the green color (fennel). I still love the color, which is a good thing, since my dutch oven stays on my stove top. Hmm, now to decide what color to get (assuming a great price doesn't "influence" me) if I decide to buy something.

joanieb - I guess we were replying at same time. We've all been there -- you see something you like at a great price at a store, and then shockingly not there when you go back. Been there, done that.

Wallycat, I've never been on a motorcycle, but I've certainly carried my share of stuff home on buses, planes and trains.

You know, I have a few Le Creuset pieces that I was planning to sell:

6-quart doufeu in Cactus green, which is very similar to Sonoma Green (and maybe Fennel?)
2-quart eggplant-shaped cast iron casserole, in purple Eggplant color
1.5- or 2-quart Cherry red cast iron pate terrine (it's about 13" long; need to check capacity)

It slipped my mind b/c once I washed & stored these three, I had all sorts of other distractions over the last few months (dishwasher leak & resulting remodeling; parental illness; lots of other things to do & think about).

Yes, I am selling for sure. No question about that. And thanks! Life has settled down a bit! Still busy, but in a good way.

I'm surprised to hear a larger LC oven wasn't used when you were growing up. I have a 9-quart in Cherry, & actually use it frequently for soups, roasts, & such--I may not need all 9 quarts (unless a big roast is sticking up), but I love the combination of plenty of surface area plus tall sides so you can stir. So for me, it's not just for a doubled recipe to feed a crowd; it's pretty useful. The 13-quart is the one that boggles my mind; how do people lift that when it's full? My outlet gal told me that she sells 13-quart ones to men, mostly, for use in a fireplace while camping.

Outlet had a "goose pot" at one time: a ginormous oval that weighed as much as a Volkswagen. I wasn't surprised when it was d/c'd.

Skillets? Nope. I'm not a big fan of long handles; I like short loop handles. So I have their braisers (also called buffet pans--two loop handles on a skillet-style pan). LOVE them. They come in 3-quart and 5-quart sizes & make gorgeous one-dish items & casseroles, plus they'll stay hotter on a buffet than will stainless steel (even my All-Clad).