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?
November 5th, 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…
November 5th, 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.
November 5th, 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?!
November 5th, 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
November 5th, 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.
November 5th, 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!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I guess the money saved by buying all those “Lincoln Lunches” paid for the shoes…
November 5th, 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.
November 6th, 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…