Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Green Monday, Pre-Holiday Sales, Boxing Day, Boxing Week Reductions, Post-Holiday Sales . . . it just doesn't stop . . . what is the "real" price of anything?
I never really paid attention to the inundation of targeted sales propaganda but now with my Buy Nothing Day resolution I seem more aware of all these commercial entities telling me that they are offering me the best prices ever. My electronic devices deliver "buy something" messages constantly: Monday - spend $25.00, get 10% off; Tuesday - buy 4, get one free; Wednesday - buy 3 get 3 free (the lowest priced 3 that is); Thursday - if I spend any amount I get a free gift; Friday - buy 1 and get a something or buy 2 and get something bigger; Saturday and Sunday - up to 65% off but only this weekend; and if you didn't take advantage of the sales last week, you can this week with 50% off selected items in the store and so the weeks rotate with some such variety of shallow promises enticing me to buy, buy, buy.
Reclaim control of your consumer life, of your wants and needs. Buy what you need and do not be fooled into the false satisfaction that you got something for nothing.
I have written about buying less before. Check your closets and your pantry before you buy another thing!
I never really paid attention to the inundation of targeted sales propaganda but now with my Buy Nothing Day resolution I seem more aware of all these commercial entities telling me that they are offering me the best prices ever. My electronic devices deliver "buy something" messages constantly: Monday - spend $25.00, get 10% off; Tuesday - buy 4, get one free; Wednesday - buy 3 get 3 free (the lowest priced 3 that is); Thursday - if I spend any amount I get a free gift; Friday - buy 1 and get a something or buy 2 and get something bigger; Saturday and Sunday - up to 65% off but only this weekend; and if you didn't take advantage of the sales last week, you can this week with 50% off selected items in the store and so the weeks rotate with some such variety of shallow promises enticing me to buy, buy, buy.
Reclaim control of your consumer life, of your wants and needs. Buy what you need and do not be fooled into the false satisfaction that you got something for nothing.
I have written about buying less before. Check your closets and your pantry before you buy another thing!
The older I get the more I know this for sure; I have enough! In fact, I have MORE than enough! And so it is that I must REDUCE what I have before I can even consider adding one more thing. The flyers and buying inducements are wasted on me. And for that I am eternally grateful! Give me more experiences and fewer things.
ReplyDeleteSo what will your New Year's resolution be - I'm thinking about your "must reduce" statement. More experience and fewer things - there's a post there!
DeleteAnother great post. I know for sure in Canada and the US, businesses are overloaded with reasons to have a sale. Is there even a month of the year that doesn't have a reason to have a sale? It's corporate greed, it's a way to get the all mighty dollar from your pocket to theirs! Of course all these sale make me think of one thing! Why buy anything full price. If they are willing to sell it for this much on sale, how much are they making at full price. I'm guilty of shopping way to much but I often wait for things to go on sale for that reason. Why pay full price. At the end of the day I work hard for my money so it's my reward to spend it the way I see fit. Obviously food and bills always get payed first and saving for the future is next but you still have to reward yourself for today. I am the cheapest person out there when it comes to buying anything...except shoes. But every time I buy shoes I get two for one, right! A left and a right shoes...two for one. It's a poor way to look at it but shoes are my treat to myself for hard work. It could be jewelry, cars, trips, wine or clothing that make us feel good when we spend our money but it should be done. We must be our own filters when it comes to buying anything. Their are cheap people like me and there are shopaholics and everything in between. There was a point where I signed up for every email promotion I could receive about an online sale or special. I soon realized there was some reason to have a sale everyday. I quickly became my own filter and selected only promotions I wanted receive. 20 years ago how did you know there was a sale? Newspaper, radio or bill board. Times have changed and your phone or computer goes Flickr Flickr with new sales going on. And it seems to be nonstop. I guess my final thoughts are; Why buy anything full price. And these sales will never end, pick the ones that appeal to you for the things you "need".
ReplyDeleteSorry for all the Blah Blah Blah. Happy New Years
I know that when I worked in an upscale women's wear shop, our markup was 100%. It came in at $40. and sold at $80. So when something was sold at 50% off, the store got their $40. back. However, the heat and air conditioning has to be maintained, the staff paid, the inventory kept up to date, the shop cleaned and so what the actual profit margin was I don't know. What is the markup and profit margin now for those with a storefront and for those working online? Is the markup 300% now? These are formulas I do not know - in fear of sounding like my grandmother - things are not as simple as they once were.
DeleteCertainly not 100% markup anymore. Definitely closer to 300% or 400% for designer items. If you shop at the dollar store you likely get your moneys worth or slightly less. If you shop at a designer boutique you likely (hopefully) get you moneys worth in quality and design. It's often an investment. For me personally I know my favorite designer is a billionaire so I know her mark up is great. When I go to the dollar store I get what I expect. A dollar for a dollar or less. When I shop at TB I get what I want with many things I don't need but appreciate. Service of course and a quality product are what most people see. But there's way more that might be over looked and certainly excessive. It's all about feel good right! Take your dollar store receipt and compare it to a TB receipt the paper is thicker on the TB receipt. The bag you carry you good home in is top notch. There's a dust bag with every pair of shoes. There's an entire empire there to "hopefully" make you feel good and become a returning customer. I guess I've drinkin' the TB Koolaid cuz I'm hooked on her brand. She has a big picture with her products abut the litle things are important too. Excessive maybe but feel good for sure.
DeleteSorry Brian, but I've had some issues with blog deletions. I can't explain it but someone else might be able to . . . at any rate, in response . . . Don't get me wrong, I like designer duds as much as the next guy or gal and I have pieces that I paid full price for and I'm not a fan of the dollar stores. I guess I'm just hoping people analyze their situations, as you have and make decisions that allows them to feel in control rather than duped. It's that teacher thing in me . . .
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