I 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?
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.
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… 😉
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.
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?!
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!
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
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.
I guess the money saved by buying all those “Lincoln Lunches” paid for the shoes…
I think 50 percent off should be the starting point. Anything less than that and I’m not terribly interested.
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…