Sales get a lot of hype, but make no mistake about it: sales are not your friend.
They mess with your mind. They waste your money. They add clutter to your home. And that’s not all!
Here are 5 reasons you should step away from the bargain bin.
1. You Waste Money
This is the great irony of sales.
Occasionally you get something you actually wanted – and now it’s at a great price. A gorgeous set of bed sheets. A perfect little dress.
But more often than not, you spend money you wouldn’t have spent otherwise. You buy a 30%-off kitchen appliance, even though you use your oven to store boots. You get three-for-the-price-of-two ponchos, when one is one more than you will ever, ever wear.
It’s false economy.
As you realize later, at home, sadly reading the ‘no-returns’ policy on your receipt.
2. You Waste Time
Sale shopping is rarely efficient shopping.
Sales attract crowds – so you have to wait for customer service, wait to try things on, wait to pay for your purchase, wait to get out of the car park.
If you add in the value of your time, your ‘bargains’ end up costing much more than you think.
Avoid the sales and you’ll save time and money.
3. You Buy Things You Don’t Need
The other thing about sale crowds is the sense of competition and urgency they create.
You’d better buy this tartan bustier because that lady over there is checking* it out – and she looks keen. [*see what I did there?]
It’s human nature to be a smidge possessive when other people want things we’re even mildly interested in. People have gotten married for less.
So it’s no surprise we race to the sales counter with items we’d happily have surrendered, were it not for the pressure of other people’s apparent desire.
But then, in the sober light of home, with no one looking over your shoulder, you see the ‘bargain’ for what it is.
And it’s, um, a tartan bustier.
4. You Buy The Wrong One
The stuff that goes on sale is often the stuff that didn’t sell so well. The less popular color. The slightly weird design.
So instead of buying the gorgeous purse you’ve had your eye on in that perfect shade of plum, you figure you should get the one in ochre, because, well, it’s 50% off.
And every time you look at it, you think to yourself, There was a reason for that.
5. You Create Recurring-Guilt Clutter
What happens when you get your bargain home? When the thrill of the (pur)chase gives way to post-purchase dissonance – that slow-dawning awareness that you’ve made a dumb decision?
Do you say to yourself, D’oh, I’ve duped myself – this is crap/this color is wrong for me/ohmygod it’s a tartan bustier, and immediately return (if possible), discard, or donate the offending item?
Nope. You keep it. You shove it in a closet or stuff it in a drawer. As well as wasting money, you now also waste space.
And this is the worst type of clutter – recurring-guilt clutter. Because every time you see it, you feel bad all over again that you bought it, or that you haven’t used it.
Which you’ll never do because, let’s face it, it’s crap that you got on sale.
The Sale-Shopping Solution
So what’s the solution? Must you never shop at a sale?
Personally I avoid sales unless I’m after something very specific.
But if you’re determined to brave the sales, then here’s my best advice:
If You Don’t Need It Or Love It – Don’t Buy It
If you find something you need or something you love on sale, then huzzah!
Otherwise, to avoid all the costs of sale-shopping, make this your shopping mantra:
If You Don’t Need It Or Love It – Don’t Buy It
Regardless of price. Even if it’s 70% off. No matter how lustily someone else is eyeing it off.
If You Don’t Need It Or Love It – Don’t Buy It
Only buy what you need or what you love. Follow my advice and you’ll never find yourself in possession of a three-poncho set. Or a tartan bustier.
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All of these points are excellent. Thank you, Michelle! I have been in each of these situations. Most recently, I almost bought a bag in a color I did not want, because it was 60% . After thinking about it, I realized it would be quite dumb to buy something I did not love. I will definitely continue to be more observant of my shopping. Thanks again!
I only buy what is on sale. The original price is usually just an enticement to make you think it was special. I also don’t buy if I don’t need or want. I think paying the original price is foolish.
This is me. So so me. I will go just to ‘shop for next year’!! I tell myself you will save a heap. It’s dreadful to think that the shops only want to, in effect, de clutter their own space to make room for all the new and great things they have that are exactly the same just a different colour or a different function. I wish I knew how to turn that button off. I wish I knew how to warn my kids before that button is created. It frightens me that, with out sounding weird, they have a portion of control over what I think. With the help of my organiser I have come a long way. But I will be talking to her on Thursday about this, I’m guessing she is already got something up her sleeve to address it, she is organised after all lol. But thanks for the article, it has made me think. I thinks it rude of them to have these motives and ideas with the intent to drag you in. I think I will just mute adds and cancel junk mail! I’m nearly sure my organiser had already said it.
I have certainly experienced post-purchase dissonance. This is despite my experience working in retail and setting up sales to be enticing for customers. One thing that I find is essential when I am shopping is to get an idea of what I consider to be a “good” price. What does this item typically cost? Which brands are going to fall apart quickly, and which ones will remain in good condition for years? I do a lot of shopping around prior to buying anything, particularly if it is a big ticket item, but I like to know that I’m getting a good deal on even smaller items. It helps to know that sales are cyclical, and certain types of items go on very good sales only at certain times of the year. Get onto mailing lists for the stores that you shop at most often only if you know that you can be disciplined about your purchases. It can be worth it for the coupons, depending on the establishment, but if you end up spending more because they send you pretty pictures of all the stuff they’re selling on sale, then you’re really no better off. Also, be aware that many sales and coupons do not apply to clearance items, so try to know what you are holding before you get to the checkout. If you’re a smart consumer, sales can be your friend, but impulse buys often lead to regret. Happy shopping!
Great advice! I love sales, but you are absolutely correct: If you don’t need it or love it, don’t buy it! I might even go a step further and say, “If you love it, but don’t need it, don’t buy it!” 🙂
I love sales and I love shopping!! So, this was an eye-opening article for me to read. It advise you NOT to shop during sales …
I plan my shopping trips, which are very rare, by sales and buy only what is needed. For example, my husband’s work pants are fraying. I wait until I have a great coupon from Macy’s, like $10 off of $30 or more. Then, when they have a sale, I can go buy what is needed and save a good amount of money. I don’t enjoy shopping much so I just get what’s needed. I also shop online sales when things are needed. I knew my son had outgrown the pants he wore last year so when there was a 40% off everything sale last week, I bought his winter pants and spring shorts that should last us two years. That works for me. Definitely don’t buy buy buy just because it’s on sale. “The more you buy the more you save” is most definitely NOT true!
I agree sales can be misleading and a waste of money. When you see a sale item that attracts your attention make sure you read the fine print. Example: desktop computer on sale for $300 however the fine print says there no monitor: this is a bad deal — don’t buy. What happens if you purchase a sale item: all sales are final and cannot be returned. MAJORITY OF SALES ARE A BAD DEAL.
Ok I’m reading this as I’m going through the sales for today’s Vogue Online Shopping Night and trying to remember ALL these quotes.. I hope I’ll be good! 🙂