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November 5, 2009 by: Niconail

Pink shoes and coupon desensitization

sale_tag_jaunty angleI bought the shoes! The shoe guy stretched out my pink sole mates in the right foot so they fit much better. Still need a little wearing in, but I think they’ll be just fine.

And yes, I asked for 50 percent off and he couldn’t help me out. Believe me I made my case – gently – more than once. In the end I decided paying $111 (orig $170) for the pair – that’s 40 percent off – was worth it.

However, the entire experience brought up a major spending issue. Here’s what happened.

When the salesman rung me up it was well after noon.

“This is my first sale of the day,” he said.

“You’re kidding,” I said.

“Nope, and it’s like this at the other stores, too.”

“But the entire store is 30 percent off,” I said, pointing to a newly-posted sign.

“I know.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if shoppers have gotten so used to getting 20 or 30 percent off that nothing seems like a deal until the price is at least half off. I mean, even 40 percent off on a pair of shoes I loved wasn’t enough to push me to purchase them on the spot!

Are all the sales and coupons making us desensitized to discounts?

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Comments

  1. says

    November 5, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    I know when I see signs for “sales” at 20-25% I usually keeping moving. Usually has to be 50% off to get my attention. But I was that way even BEFORE the recession… 😉

    No
  2. Secondhand Shopaholic says

    November 5, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    I hate to say it, but although it was a bargain, $111 for a pair of shoes is still way out of my league. I absolutely loved reading your story, though, and I can’t guarantee I wouldn’t succumb to love at first site.

    No
  3. J says

    November 5, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    I’m the same way. I really look for the 50% off deals and I was also like this before the recession. I think maybe it was all the Mervyns shopping for my kids. It was the norm for them to have 40-60% off.

    On a side note, when are we going to get a pic of your marvelous pink pumps?!

    No
    • bargainbabe says

      November 5, 2009 at 2:00 pm

      I hope to get a pic very soon! I’m surrounded my tech-y people so I’ll have to ask one of them to snap a pic and email it to me so I can post. Fingers crossed I’ll have it for tomorrow!

      No
  4. Aicha says

    November 5, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    For me it’s the final price that gets me-regardless of the percent markdown, if the take home is too much, I don’t commit.
    PS. when do we get to see a picture?
    xoxo

    No
  5. frugaldad says

    November 5, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    I agree with Aicha – it’s the actual price, compared to what I think the item’s actual value is to me and how much I want or need it. Percents off attract my attention, but I don’t buy for a discount alone.

    No
  6. Ellen says

    November 5, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    I guess the money saved by buying all those “Lincoln Lunches” paid for the shoes…

    No
  7. says

    November 5, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    I think 50 percent off should be the starting point. Anything less than that and I’m not terribly interested.

    No
  8. bn says

    November 6, 2009 at 12:27 am

    I think a lot of stores raise prices, then advertise “30-40% off” to stimulate sales. This seems especially true at grocery stores, where I also notice that prices go up and down on items depending on when they have coupons available…

    No

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Welcome to Niconail! I’m Niko, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. MORE…

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