This afternoon I walked into the craft store clutching my two 50% off coupons. I wanted to purchase yarn. I had a plan, a pattern, and a purpose for buying some non-wool yarn. Noticing the large increase in bins of all weights, fibers and colors, I quickly zeroed in on one of my favorites--a bamboo blend. Even better, it was on sale! Then I looked at my coupons.
Stated in large print, both coupons said, "Any One REGULAR Price Item". Huh. Nearly every skein of yarn on both sides of the aisle was on sale. My coupons were useless.
I actually walked around the corner to the next aisle and perused the needles. What could I buy with my coupons? I couldn't waste those 50% discounts! Then I stopped in my tracks. What was I thinking? Blindly grasping at the idea of a 'bargain', I was ready to grab a product I didn't even need just for the thrill of using the 50% coupons. Fortunately I caught myself in time. I turned around and purposefully walked out of the store.
How many times do I (and you) spend $$$ in order to save $$$? The consumer mentality is strong, and it's hard to break. Often, we buy something without really consdering whether we need it, want it or just like the idea of getting a bargain. Spending in order to save isn't. Fortunately, today I didn't.
12 comments:
Oh well done you. It is such clever marketing, so easy to succumb. I notice it in the grocery store a lot too, apparent offer after offer promising to save us money but really encouraging us to keep spending.
So true, so true, Willow! Good for you for resisting.
That is exactly the trap I'd fall in to over and over again for many years. Duh, indeed. Sooooo glad you caught sight of the trap in time. The last time it caught me, I realized it after I got home, and promptly went back and returned the item before I opened it up. Whew!
I agree with Rebecca... I used to always have my grocery coupons with me, but then realized that most of the food I really wanted was not the processed stuff they are always pushing! Coupons are totally a marketing tool and that's about it.
My husband is someone who will spend full price to get what he wants when he wants it. I'm more likely to buy things I don't need or want just because they are such a good deal. Put a 50% off tag on something and I am like a trout with the hook in my jaw.
So the bamboo yarn that you wanted was on sale and you decided not to buy it because the coupons led you into temptation? What are you going to do about that project now?
Guilty as charged! :0) And I know exactly what store you were in!
Good for you, Willow. This is one reason I don't do coupons. Yes, I probably could save some money, but usually not.
Yes, that even happens when I try to give up a magazine subscription and then relent and reorder because the publisher will offer a last minute "can't go lower" fee.
That's a trap that I'm wary of. When I become aware of being enticed that way I also make the decision to not purchase. Good for you ~ but sorry you didn't come home with some yarn to play with!
Good for you! I once had a friend who admitted that she knew the "sale" instinct had gone too far when she almost bought a case of cigarettes because the price break was SO amazing - and only stopped herself because she remembered in time that she doesn't smoke and never has!!
Good for you! I run into that same issue with coupons sometimes. Frustrating!
Coupons to spend! Always fun.
Post a Comment