Heading into my last weekend before work, I wanted to buy some new clothes so I could fit in with my "business casual" associates. Sure, I have a some dress pants and nice slacks that I wore to a steady dose of Bar Mitzvahs but I needed to go down a different path this time. I needed to get some nice dockers, beige and/or navy blue. I got the shirts on lock so I'm good there. But let's be honest, I'll be looking fly no matter what. (Ladies, y'all know what I'm talking bout...yeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhh)
I began this glorious Saturday by going to my scheduled photo shoot. I am not kidding. I seriously had a photo shoot this morning. In Walnut Creek, CA. See, prior to getting this job at the Firm (Paul, you're the man), I was desperate. I was on craigslist.com day and night looking for a job. I went into the section where people can participate in surveys or tests and be compensated for it. I saw that this company wanted people to appear in commercials for their product and if chosen, they would be paid. So, I signed up.
My ma had the idea to go looking for pants afterward in the local mall so she came with. I wore your standard blue jeans and a polo shirt. (Had to appear like I wasn't trying to hard but I still had my s*it together) It was in a nice brick building on a corner. I turned in my application to John and let the cameraman do his thing. Bada Boom Bada Bang and we were outta there.
We figured we would go to Macy's and see if we could find some relatively cheap pants there. Little did I know that we would be finding a great bargain. We walked into the men's department at 11:15 and the place was already packed. Seemed as if Contra Costa County's finest had been planning to come here for awhile. The sign that greeted the costumers said it all: "SALE".
Now, I'm not sure about you but from my own experience, both from observing others and acting on my own accord, we, as humans, love to hear this word.
Of course in this instance it happened to work out for us because we came here looking for something in particular. However, for those who don't have anything in mind, it proves to be a bit more damaging.
I got two pairs of pants. One standard beige dockers and one pair of linen pants. I won't inform you on how much we paid for them because I find it tasteless to go posting prices on the internet. If you really want to know, you can ask me. Don't get it wrong though. Both my ma and I are superb shoppers when it comes to price. Not only did we use the hell out of this Father's Day Sale, but my mom also had an additional discount. Don't worry about us, worry about yourselves.
The main thing I noticed or overheard throughout my Macy's journey was how people justified getting their clothes. Sure, some people actually needed an item or had something in mind, but most were just buying something because it was on sale. This is where Mr. King shakes his head.
This tends to also happen at the grocery store where your mom or pops will have bought something you usually don't get or get 5 of something you usually do. "Honey, why did you buy so much mayonnaise?" "Because it was on sale"
When it comes to retail, especially with women, it gets a little absurd. But all people in general will buy items they just don't need but because they saw that beloved "SALE" sign. Folks will buy jackets and equipment not necessary even for Sherpa's in Nepal but because it was on sale, they "had to".
That is the other general phrase I heard a lot of today. When there is a sale people feel they are doing a disservice to themselves, their family & friends, and even their country if they don't buy this sale item. I don't get it. The color or style of the item sometimes doesn't even strike the person as pretty or nice but because its on sale, they got it.
I don't have a wife or girlfriend, (although the application deadline has been extended through the end of July), but I imagine that this is going to become tough for me as I get older. Not necessarily because I will have restrain myself from buying sale items but because my female counterpart might. I could be wrong but I'm probably right. I encourage any and everyone to just try to control themselves when they see the "SALE" sign. Think about it before you buy it.
Just ask yourself this one question: are you getting the item more because you like it or
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2 comments:
Remember when you convinced me to buy a pair of Asics and a pair of tower speakers at a garage sale, just because they were on sale. The price made it hard to say no but now I've got a pair of speakers in my room that would be better at a rave.
People should read this.
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