Using My Power For Good
March 7, 2008 | Filed under Money, Style
I like to shop. This should come as no secret to many of you – I have proved many times in the past that I love to shop, and more importantly, I love a good bargain. Not at least 50% off? Don’t even bother, you’re wasting your money!
However, though I love shopping, I’m not always keen on shopping with others. Call me a solitary wolf, but I tend to shop marathon hours, and I find that many can’t keep up with me. Rather than tailoring my shopping habits to suit others, and having to dally longer, or shorter, in particular stores, I simply turn them away with lame excuses.
However! Last night I decided to put away my hatred of shopping a deux, and took my friend shopping. She’d recently finished university and was searching for corporate-appropriate clothing, as well as a nice dress for her graduation ceremony next week. To say that she hated shopping would be untrue – however, to say that she found no particular thrill in flicking through racks of clothes would certainly be true. Simply speaking, she was in dire need of my particular brand of retail therapy/wardrobe makeover!
Due to the excellent invention of Thursday late night shopping at Chadstone, I took her on the patented “Amanda’s Hit And Run” style of shopping, whereby:
- One enters each store and does a five-second scan for red sale racks
- If none are sighted, one immediately leaves the store.
- If some are sighted, one flicks through the rack in fifteen seconds, looking for discounts of more than fifty percent.
- Only when such discounts are found, does one look at the style of the garment.
- Only when the style pleases your taste, does one look at the size of the garment.
- Only when the size is correct, does one hook the item over their arm and continue rifling through the racks.
- Only when all the racks are rifled through, does one take one’s pickings to the change rooms.
- Only when all the items have been tried on and confirmed a good fit does one tally the item against others in their existing wardrobe.
- Only when it is confirmed that there is no similar item existing in one’s current wardrobe, does one decide to make the purchase.
This method is tried and true. I never contemplate even messing with the formula – to do so is insanity and will result in deep holes in one’s wallet! I have released the details of this to you, the public, with good faith. Use them well.
To get back on topic, under my guidance, my friend ended up buying:
- One shirt ($25AUD from $60AUD)
- Two cardigans ($50AUD from $120AUD)
- One dress ($50AUD from $150AUD)
I am quite obviously the most awesome person ever. I’m tempted to start charging for my services – for every dollar that you save off the original price, I receive 20 cents. If I’d implemented this scheme last night, I would have earnt $41AUD. Not bad for two hours worth of work/shopping.
14 Responses to Using My Power For Good
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Okay. The next time I go shopping for clothes, I’m going to try your method, step by step verbatim. I’m extraordinarily picky and impatient, so if it works for me – I’ll love you forever. I hope that I can make it to step 6. If I get there I’m safe, but stuff on sale is never in my size (I never go through the entire sales’ area either…).
Chantelle on March 7, 2008 #
I hate shopping with a passion! I don’t like going through racks of clothes, and stuff never seems to fit me.. :(
Your method might suit me though :D
Emsz on March 7, 2008 #
I would suggest you become a personal shopper, but most people who would hire a personal shopper would freak out if you bought anything for less than full price… or anything that doesn’t have a label.
Nellie on March 7, 2008 #
*stares* Well here, discounts are only right after Christmas, or when the season for those clothes has ended (e.g. end of summer for flimsy tops).
I tend to look at the style, size and the price. With the price I really should make the threshold lower… if I want to save up money, that is =p
*sighs* That’s why shopping at the Mall is unhealthy. Their prices are rarely low enough.
Vera on March 7, 2008 #
I’ll have to try your method soon, as I am in dire need of boots and jeans. Fortunately for me, saving on boots shouldn’t be very hard as winter is coming to an end.
Julie on March 7, 2008 #
My method is like that too… uh… sort of. Think less steps, and more ogling at pretty colours.
This is making me itching to get out to a mall soon.
Crystal on March 8, 2008 #
*stamps feet* But I want the full priced stuff now! This is why I am constantly out of money – being impulsive has proven to be both a blessing and a curse.
Lil on March 8, 2008 #
It’s hard for me to find things that I really want, so when I do, I tend to neglect thinking over the price right away. I’ll usually try it on and then decide if the price is worth it.
Kaylee on March 8, 2008 #
You ought to take me shopping. =)
Use your method, I shall.
Erin on March 8, 2008 #
I should print that method out and stick it in my purse. Especially after seeing how effective it is in action. Out of curiousity (and since Nellie also brought it up), have you ever considered becoming a personal shopper?
Also, Madame Dariaux would approve of you shopping alone. It’s nice that you spread the shopping love around though!
Emily on March 8, 2008 #
Wow, this is great! I should force my little sister to follow it. :)
Kycoo on March 8, 2008 #
I love your method, if I actually had enough energy to shop I would use it. I used to (back when I loved shopping) look for the sale rack and if there wasn’t one I would leave. This usually resulted in me not getting anything (not much choice in Perth) so I am always envious of your great bargain snaps.
Bobbi-lee on March 8, 2008 #
You should come over here and help me with my shopping, I always ‘need’ new clothes that are appropriate to wear to work, especially when they are on sale!
Chans on March 9, 2008 #
You could save so much time by avoiding the changing rooms. :p
Maren on March 9, 2008 #