What kind of Shopper are You?
So, okay, this can be the one millionth blog today talking about shopping, but for me, it's a rather unique topic, because I am not much of a shopper. I am generally the kind of person who gets mall crawl within an hour, and I like to know what I want, where the best price is, and I get in and out like a black ops commando when it comes to buying. I waste no time or effort on the actual shopping, with tunnel vision that gets to me to my target and out the moment I hit the door. What kind of shopper are you?
My mother was a committed shopper though, the kind of woman who should have had a job as a professional shopper for others (in many ways she did this already -- she would sometimes get her entire grocery bill almost for free from coupons and sales, and she always had "overstock" of things in her house in case we needed them). My oldest sister and my nieces are also shoppers. They can just wander stores looking at things, even if they don't buy stuff. The only time I can do that is on vacation -- when I am in a different location, I can wander little shops and different places, and I love to sort through kitchy souvenir shops.
I know there are a lot of people who head out at 4am or so on Black Friday, and I was trying to think of the item that could get me out of bed that early. There isn't much. Hey, I'm human, I love sales -- getting something on a good sale is the best shopping can get for me, but it would have to be the sale of all sales, like maybe getting a 52" flatscreen for 50% or more off. Good luck seeing that. :) I may go out later or tomorrow, but because I have 2 B&N coupons that with my membership will give me 65-75% off of two books, and I also have a 40% off one item at Joann Fabrics.
I do like researching things I want to buy. I am an avid researcher for the best product for the price, just this week putting two hours of research into finding the best burr coffee grinder, and I finally settled on the Capresso, which has turned out to be wonderful so far. But I bought it online, which is where I probably do 80% of my shopping during the year. I buy shoes, books, clothes, household items, and basically almost everything but large appliances and food online (well, actually I do buy our meat online from a certified humane supplier).
If I could buy everything online, I would -- they have online grocery shopping, but not here. I would like to try it, just put in a list, and they deliver everything to you. I hate grocery shopping, so this would be a dream, and it would eliminate impulse buying. I would have to be convinced, though, that they would make perfect choices of produce, etc which I fuss over.
Anyway, so do you have immunity to mall crawl? Do you like to shop, or only under certain circumstances? If you were out shopping today, did you find any amazing deals? Share. :)
Sam
Well...
I'm so-so on shopping but hugely anti-crowds, so I'm sitting at home in comfy clothes rather than looking for deals. I'll probably do some internet shopping later, and try to finish cleaning the living room so we can put up the tree ;) I love good deals, but somehow the thought of fighting tons of other shoppers for them just fills me with dread. I'd much rather pay more (*gasp*!)
Okay
I've morphed from a crowd loving bargain hunting person into a just let's get it over with shopper. I don't know where that other shopper went to but she's long gone. I don't really miss her. LOL.
Cyber Monday
I try to go shopping only when there's a sale so I won't be tempted to buy something at full price. I've been trying to get most of my presents online. I am eagerly awaiting Cyber Monday when all the great online deals arrive.
Shopping online
Shopping online is my friend. I hate fighting with mall traffic and standing in lines. I love the fun of looking online and clicking my order.
Hate It
I hate shopping and crowds. There is NO WAY I'm heading for the mall or any other store (except maybe the grocery store) today. I did have to go to the post office to pick up the mail and traffic in that area was light. I am a get in, buy it, get out person. Unless I am on vacation. Like Sam I love browsing the souvenir shops even if I don't buy anything, but otherwise I do not like to browse.
I am a get in and get it
I am a get in and get it done, and get out shopper.
woo
We did go out, and it wasn't all that busy, which I guess is not necessarily a good thing for the economy. But, I did use my coupons, and got a Sewing for Dummies (it has a lot of good little tips) for $10 after coupons and member discount, and two other books, a Sue Grafton and a JA Jance for a few dollars off each. Then, the big savings of the day was at Joanns -- I got 5 yards of material for $15 -- 2 yards of olive duck cloth (to make shopping bags) and 3 yards of a very nice plaid flannel that would have cost me $18 by itself without the sale. I also got two more 40% and 50% off coupons for Joanns I can use before the end of the week. So, while I tend to go to quilt shops for my quilting material, I want to do some experiments with clothes, making a shirt, etc., and cheaper cloth that I don't mind messing up will be perfect.
All in all, not bad. Got a coffee at B&N and browsed some writing magazines, and now back home.
I never heard of Cyber Monday -- must check that out. I was about to buy a few online things tonight -- should I wait?
Sam
Hmm
I think I'm more like you, Sam. I like to pretend I like shopping - and even convince myself of this. Because... honestly? I go shopping maybe twice a year. Honest. (Which is probably why I have no clothes...) After about 30 minutes I get itchy and antsy.
I will, however, say I'm a bargain shopper. Being a student does that to you. (Well, that and I'm completely irresponsible otherwise. In college -and yes, even now- sometimes my grocery bill is $30 for the week. $10 in ice cream, and $10 in juice. Oops.) But I'll walk around a plaza - hitting Target, Kohl's, Bed Bath & Beyond and whatever other likely stores comparing say, the price of a springform pan. (Target had the cheapest one.)
I also like checking site reviews, and boards - I don't trust sites with their own reviews :P. Cnet and a bunch of other places are great for electronics - and I'll ask friends too.
I do however, like shopping online. It's terrible. I don't have to deal with crowds, people, kamikaze drivers... and there's free shipping and oftentimes a lot of online deals.
I think I'd like grocery shopping more if we had better/more exciting/specialty shops. But then, I love browsing food. And cooking it - just not the clean up.
I like to shop over the internet
Though I don't do that with groceries--yet ;-) You can usually get free or low-cost shipping and I buy less than if I went to the mall with my DD saying "Oh mom, look at that cute (insert cute item here)"
I'm totally not a sale shopper. I don't even use coupons as they're rarely for anything I'd buy if I didn't have a coupon. Most "sales" are trying to trick you into spending more than you otherwise would have. Guess I'm bad for the economy! But I've been buying a lot of stuff on Etsy lately--beautiful handmade things for the same price or less than mass produced junk--I love it!!!
Jen
http://www.jenlewis.com
etsy
I just found them, on You Tube, I was watching a tutorial for making sewn grocery bags. I have a pattern, and material, but it's true, you can end up spending more if you buy something just because you have a coupon. I rarely use them for groceries, since most are for processed foods, etc anyway. However, things like the fabric coupons and book coupons help me make my addictions more affordable. ;)
Sam
onl y shop when i fee l like
onl y shop when i fee l like it . did not go out today
hate shopping
I hate shopping because half the time I can't find what I want. With clothes I feel like freaking Goldilock, this ones too small, this ones too big, this is just right. The last time I went pant shopping I tried on 12 pant only 2 fit just right(and they were all the same size) A lot of the time I'll go in get what I need and get out. grocercies I follow a list. I hate crowds. I'd rather go shopping during the week than on weekend cause then there will be crowds. For like Christmas shopping I have a list of who to buy for and what to get(so I don't have to wander around just in and out
I'm with you
Of all things hateful, trying on clothes is the worst. I do that as little as possible. I find things that work, and just reorder them online. ;) Though I have been losing weight, which wreaks havoc. ;) Next year, I am going to try making some of my own clothes, so we'll see how long that works out. ;)
I've done most of the Christmas shopping online, or I'm making things as well. Still, some visits to the store will be necessary. I'm not done with dh's b'day yet, and the last few things will require store visits...
Drives me crazy, as you say, though, when things are all the same size and don't fit. Ugh
Sam
Shopping
Hail to the Redskins!
Used to love shopping but have come to hate it. Have all the knicknacks I want in the house, just do the nice souviener thing when we go on vacation. Grocery shopping is fine, love the coupons and do save money. Love shopping for books and scrapbooking stuff, but am picky about what I get anymore since I pretty much have everything I need. Since I've gained weight, hate clothes shopping and do it when absolutely necessary. Have a few outfits I wear. Just don't have the time or inclination anymore. Would rather be doing other things. (like reading or playing on the computer). Been away since my computers been down and have limited time with sharing with dh and dd. Came back from visiting my parents in Arizona on black friday, but usually avoid the malls then. Tend to do my shopping during the year when I see something for someone. Since none of my neices and nephews appreciated the gifts I got them last year, this year, they're getting gift cards. I tend to do that anymore so the person can get what they want. Don't have to deal with duplicates, etc.
I hate shopping in crowds,
I hate shopping in crowds, so I never go on Black Friday. The stores actually had some pretty good sales in the days before Thanksgiving, so I shopped then.