There are some common shopping mistakes that can take the gloss off a good retail therapy session. While nothing can quite beat a brand new purchase or an almost magical discounted find, a shopping high can quickly turn into a case of shopper’s remorse. One minute you’re happily handing over your cash and the next you’re walking out of the shop realising that the purchase was unaffordable, impractical, or not really your style. There follows just some common shopping mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.
The lure of a sale can turn any level-headed person into a manic shopper. One of the most common shopping mistakes is to buy something just because it’s on sale. You often just end up buying a bunch of stuff you don’t really need. Instead, head into sales with a clear idea of what you want or need to buy. Also remember that it’s okay to walk away from a sale without buying anything at all!
Going shopping with your friends can be a double edged sword. On one hand, they can provide you with clear and honest feedback when making tough decisions. On the other hand, there’s also the possibility of being peer pressured into purchases. Take on board what your friends say but know that you don’t always have to follow their lead.
Most of us have been guilty of buying something a size too small in the hope that we’ll fit into it someday. In most cases the clothing just ends up sitting in our closets and drawers, unworn, until the next wardrobe de-clutter. It goes without saying that a simple solution is to buy items that fit you well. If you’re intending on losing weight, either purchase items that will accommodate your weight loss or hold off on any special purchases until a later date.
It’s the age old dilemma of quality vs. quantity. A cheap $10 chain store purchase allows you to buy more for your money but might only last a few wears. However, spending a little extra for a better quality item might end up being a more cost-effective choice in the long run. For clothing, check things like stitching and buttons, and learn to recognise the signs of a well made item.
On pay day, once that money hits your bank account there’s always the lure of spending big. But there are still bills to pay, remember? If you are going to buy something expensive, try and set aside a little bit of money each pay day and then make your purchase once you’ve saved up enough.
While the majority of shop assistants are super helpful, sometimes you come across an over eager shop assistant who will do almost anything to make a sale, including selling you something that is just plain unflattering. If you know what works for your style, you’ll be better able to notice when someone is giving you advice that isn’t in your best interest.
While you might be tempted to rip off the tags and throw away the receipts the minute you get home, make sure you hold onto them. Sometimes we don’t notice things in store, so when you get home and find a fault with your purchase, receipts and tags are your get out of jail free card. Always try on clothes with the tags still attached and carefully inspect new purchases for faults.
Avoid a case of shopper’s remorse by keeping these common shopping mistakes in mind. Can you think of any other common shopping traps? What are your best shopping tips?