So I happened to be driving up I-40 when I saw the billboard for the Lodge Factory Outlet store in Sevierville, TN.
Well, I loves me some cast iron so I couldn't resist a visit.
The short version is - don't go out of your way to visit a Lodge Factory Outlet store.
95% of what they sell is first quality stuff, at a price you can pay anywhere.
The remaining 5% is "factory seconds". I looked at a few, and the problems were obvious, but not detrimental to use of the cookware. Yet the prices are only 15-20% off full MSRP on new, first-quality items.
Just so all you cast-iron junkies know...
-eggsalad