March 22, 2008
When is a bargain not a bargain?
Written by Cindy Kirk in Jaunty PostI am a bargain shopper. I like to get a good deal whether it’s a lower price on an airline ticket or hotel room or simply a good price on an item in the grocery store.
But lately I’ve started to be more selective. I don’t care how low a price I can get on an airline ticket, I won’t fly out at 6 am (unless I absolutely positively need to get somewhere early, of course) because I’ve learned it ruins that day for me. I don’t care if X brand fruit cocktail is cheaper than Del Monte…if I’ve tried it before and didn’t like the taste, I’ll pay the difference.
Let’s talk clothes. Have you ever brought something on sale because it was a fabulous deal…and then never worn it? Do you see my hand in the air? Yes, I’ve done that…and that’s when that great deal isn’t one. I now try to ask myself if the only reason I like that shirt, pants, shoes, purse (you fill in the item) is because it’s marked down 75%. If that is the only reason, I walk away.
I’ve also started
Right now I’ve got a summer purse that I got for a steal that now I’m not sure I like all that much. And I’m not sure I want to use it.
Please tell me I’m not alone. And if you have any tips on how to resist a bargain, I’d love to hear ‘em.
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Shana Says:
I agree with you 100%, Cindy. I know someone who likes a bargain just because it is a bragain, which means buying things that aren’t needed. How is it a bargain if you spend money you weren’t going to spend in the first place?
Margo Maguire Says:
I come from a long line of bargain shoppers. It was my husband who re-trained me. His philosophy is that NO price is right for something you don’t really like or need. So, while I bear that in mind when I shop (which is seldom, btw) I still look for the best price I can get.
Shirley Karr Says:
Yup, been there, done that. How to resist? My technique is that we’re still trying to declutter the house, so where would the new bargain go?
One of the decorating shows on HGTV recently did a bedroom for a guy who’d furnished his entire house with thrift store finds — and the shocker is that it looked darned nice. It inspired me, since we need so many things for the baby (okay, I confess I’m addicted to buying him clothes and toys) so I’ve been checking out the local thrift stores more. Best buy so far: a pair of baby leather moccasins that sell for $28 or more new, I got for 99 cents. And they look new!
Fedora Says:
Cindy, you and me, both! I used to bargain shop much more often, especially toys and gifts, but then I realized that it was way too hard to match up presents to receiver and the closet full of unused gifts wasn’t worth any savings. So I mostly pay full price now, but it’s worth it
And my DH is happy to have a bit more closet space 
Virginia H. Says:
We all have done that from time to time. Buy thing you never use. My mother in law has to be the worse bargin shopper you have ever seen.
I have got to where I pay full price for things anymore unless it is something I really will use it.
No matter how you look at it De Monte canned veggies at the best.
Amy Addison Says:
I would rather pay full price for something I know I love than half price for something I might use. About the only time I buy clothes on sale is if I looked at it at full price and for whatever reason, couldn’t buy it that day (most likely I had to be somewhere else and couldn’t spare the ten minutes to stand in line), and when I came back it was on sale.
My mother’s motto was, “Goin’ Broke Saving Money.”
Not for me.
Cindy Kirk Says:
Amy Says: My mother’s motto was, “Goin’ Broke Saving Money.”
Cindy Says: Amen