Impulse buying; I’ve perfected it to a fine art and the Big Box Stores know just how to play on my weaknesses. How else would they know just what I’m in the mood for when I walk in? The really weird thing is I didn’t even know I wanted/needed the particular item that was prominently displayed right as I walked in. I’ve also heard tell that the powers-that-be have figured out what music to play and smells to pipe throughout the store that gets shoppers ‘in the mood’ to throw down their hard-earned dollars.
Is it just me or does anyone else have a problem with impulse buying? I think I just might take the prize. I will buy anything, and I do mean just about anything if the price is right. I’ve been known to purchase a power tool with all the attachments just because it was marked down from $99.99 to $19.99. I may have no use for it, a clue how to use it or what it even is but, by golly, it was a BARGAIN. I have found myself buying small hammers, screwdrivers, flashlights, etc., just because I thought they were cute. David just shakes his head.
One of my particular weaknesses is purses. I will buy purses as cheap as $20 or as expensive as $200, depending on my mood. I like the cheaper purses since I can buy them, carry them a short while, discard them without feeling guilty and then buy a new one. The higher priced ones I feel compelled to carry a little
Besides being an impulsive shopper, I’m also a very impatient shopper. Get in, Get out. That’s my motto. You should see me on Black Friday. I will buy anyone on my list anything, no matter how ridiculous, just to know I have something for them under the tree come Christmas morning. Everyone can use an electric potato peeler, can’t they?
I could accuse my husband of impulse buying cars. We’ve never ordered one just the way we want it. He will take any car on the lot if it’s close to his idea of the perfect car then spend HOURS haggling over the price. He’ll also take hours picking out tires and rims then ask my opinion. My opinion is: they’re round, they’re the right size, buy ‘em. I DON’T CARE which tires or rims he buys. Sheesh!
Another fault of mine, besides impulse buying, is I simply cannot haggle. I have no patience for it. (Do I detect a pattern here?) I did try it once when we lived in Venezuela, in Spanish I might add. It was an item that had a very small imperfection so I got the proprietor to knock off a few Bolivars. I’m sure it was overpriced in the first place so we both went away happy.
I admire people with this particular skill. Talking about money makes me uncomfortable, and I will pay whatever they ask to get out of there. I do enjoy picking out a car, but that’s it. If only he’d let me stay home while he argues over the price, extras, etc. Then he could tag-team me to finish the paperwork (although I’d prefer he did this himself too).
Stores I need to avoid, impulse shopping-wise, are hobby stores, fabric stores, and home improvement stores. Anytime I am in any one of these stores, I will get the urge to make, sew, or build something. In other words, I get overcome with ‘Delusions of Competence’. I will buy basket loads of supplies, get home, and stuff most of it into my craft closet. It is so full I can barely get in it, which is why I will buy more rather than trying to tackle the monumental task of moving everything out to fmd the piece of fabric or tool I need. It’s so much easier to buy more.
I am the queen of UFOs (unfinished objects). My craft closet reminds me of the old “Fibber McGee and Molly” radio programs I listen to on my satellite radio. (And yes, they were before my time. I’m old but not THAT old.)
Every week, Fibber would open the hall closet to fmd some particular object he just had to have, and everything would fall out with a bang. Mine would not be so much of a bang but more of a whisper since most of it is fabric, but you get the idea.
And speaking of impulse buying, I know I’m bad, but I had a friend when I lived in South America who was way worse. She made me look like an amateur. I mean, I’ve bought a lot of crazy, useless things in my day but NEVER have I impulsed bought an Ocelot!