Bargains? Get real.

rediguana

I have a (ahem) retail-related job.

Anyway, it never fails to amaze me how Johnny B. Consumer goes crazy for the slenderest of discounts. Or, the corollary, goes puce with rage when last week's promo isn't good anymore, or when his meagre purchase still doesn't fall within the parameters of the current bulk-based promo.

What's the story? The people I witness aren't the type who need to squabble over two-to-three euros, but they still do. They take it as a personal affront if the promotion isn't the way their beedy eyes misread it.

Is it worth it? Occasionally I'll throw the gypsies two quid at the Red Cow red lights just to get the fu*k away from my windscreen, but that's forced on me. I would never engage in a debate with a lowly retail clerk and try to bludgeon an improper and miniscule discount from him / her.

Life's short etc. Meteorologists can make rain fall from clouds when it hadn't planned to, doctors can put pigs' hearts in people, crazy Russians are planting pointless flags beneath the Arctic ice.

Why does anyone give a balls about small-fry bargains? Save three quid here, lose it when your rent goes up by fifty quid a month.

Meh.

AlmightyCushion

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=346

MooseJam

you're talkin about coupon clipping wimmin right

rediguana

Not just women, blokes too.

As for the people on Bargain Alerts, it's rare that I see a bona fide bargain. Somebody needs to tell those BA baffoons what time it is.

Tha Gopher

You are a disgraceful grandson to have (im judging that by the assumption you have never had the decency to take your grandmother out for her shopping)

If you had yid know its a satanically sent 90 minutes of buying 20 cans of 20 cent special offer peas and beans, and the rest of the time is spent arguing with the manager because the coupons she had are 12 hours over their use by date/dont promise everything your granny was lead to believe.

Even on my own i hate supermarkets. Did my first big shopping in a while today (off sick from work), it took years to get out of the pplace what with all the slow movers in the shopping aisles. All these people are only free to shop on a friday afternoon because their movements are so slow and lethargic that they are totally incapable of being employed in any job.

rediguana

Tha Gopher wrote:

You are a disgraceful grandson to have (im judging that by the assumption you have never had the decency to take your grandmother out for her shopping)

If you had yid know its a satanically sent 90 minutes of buying 20 cans of 20 cent special offer peas and beans, and the rest of the time is spent arguing with the manager because the coupons she had are 12 hours over their use by date/dont promise everything your granny was lead to believe.

Even on my own i hate supermarkets. Did my first big shopping in a while today (off sick from work), it took years to get out of the pplace what with all the slow movers in the shopping aisles. All these people are only free to shop on a friday afternoon because their movements are so slow and lethargic that they are totally incapable of being employed in any job.

Yes, you're right. I haven't been shopping with my grandmother in many years. She's been stubbornly dead since the early Nineties.

Nonetheless, I feel your pain, Goper. I'm not sure it's the same brand of pain I'm feeling myself but it's retail based so we can run with it.

Black Swan

rediguana wrote:

Is it worth it?

Saved 30 USD on two 1-gig USB 2.0 hi-speed flash drives purchased today. It was a come-on to lure me to buy other things not on sale by the dodgy retailer. Walked in, bought only them, and walked out.

rediguana

Blue_Lagoon wrote:

Saved 30 USD on two 1-gig USB 2.0 hi-speed flash drives purchased today. It was a come-on to lure me to buy other things not on sale by the dodgy retailer. Walked in, bought only them, and walked out.

Okay, weak as the US Dollar is relative to my mighty Euro, yours seems like a reasonable saving - good for you.

But I'm literally talking about dullards who will walk away from an otherwise sound purchase for the sake of a solitary euro.

Are they morons?

Voodu Child

Blue_Lagoon wrote:

Saved 30 USD on two 1-gig USB 2.0 hi-speed flash drives purchased today. It was a come-on to lure me to buy other things not on sale by the dodgy retailer. Walked in, bought only them, and walked out.

Can't you buy two 1GB USB sticks for under 30USD these days anyway...?

Black Swan

voodoo_child wrote:

Can't you buy two 1GB USB sticks for under 30USD these days anyway...?

Yes. These were 2.0 hi-speed and retail listed at 20 USD each and I picked them up for 5 USD each.

rediguana

Blue Lagoon and Voodoo Bloke banned for one week for off-topic posting.

Black Swan

rediguana wrote:

Blue Lagoon and Voodoo Bloke banned for one week for off-topic posting.

Bring your rubber bands over to TCN!

Oh... I'm supposed to be on topic? You would be surprised how much you can save in year's time at the market buying everyday things (stocking up when on sale).

Plus I know where all the "happy hours" are at the bars around town. I can buy one cheap drink and eat for free! Hey! I'm a starving student!

ejmaztec

I'm no fool - I'd drive 5000 miles to save a Euro, rather than get robbed in a local shop by someone who should be in prison for mass-theft!:D

rediguana

Blue_Lagoon wrote:

Bring your rubber bands over to TCN!

Oh... I'm supposed to be on topic? You would be surprised how much you can save in year's time at the market buying everyday things (stocking up when on sale).

Hey - I thought I banned your ass?

Anyway, I thought this was supposed to be about the dull Sex and Sexuality Forum.

Get back on topic, serfs!

rediguana

Okay, that's a different forum.

This one is about plebian consumers. Get with the programme, people.

AlmightyCushion

rediguana wrote:

Anyway, I thought this was supposed to be about the dull Sex and Sexuality Forum.

Get back on topic, serfs!

You have the attention span of a goldfish.

rediguana

ejmaztec wrote:

I'm no fool - I'd drive 5000 miles to save a Euro, rather than get robbed in a local shop by someone who should be in prison for mass-theft!:D

O contraire; only a fool would travel that distance for less than the price of a litre of milk.

rediguana

AlmightyCushion wrote:

You have the attention span of a goldfish.

I never said I was Johnny Mnemonic. Take your "Judgement Hat" off.

ejmaztec

rediguana wrote:

O contraire; only a fool would travel that distance for less than the price of a litre of milk.

Anyone who would rather gouge his eyes out than lose a Euro in a haggle-match is a man of principle.

Is it bargain milk you're talking about? Make that 10000 miles. Well worth it to see a local retailer sobbing over his empty till!

Jesus Wept

rediguana wrote:

I have a (ahem) retail-related job.

Anyway, it never fails to amaze me how Johnny B. Consumer goes crazy for the slenderest of discounts. Or, the corollary, goes puce with rage when last week's promo isn't good anymore, or when his meagre purchase still doesn't fall within the parameters of the current bulk-based promo.

What's the story? The people I witness aren't the type who need to squabble over two-to-three euros, but they still do. They take it as a personal affront if the promotion isn't the way their beedy eyes misread it.

Is it worth it? Occasionally I'll throw the gypsies two quid at the Red Cow red lights just to get the fu*k away from my windscreen, but that's forced on me. I would never engage in a debate with a lowly retail clerk and try to bludgeon an improper and miniscule discount from him / her.

Life's short etc. Meteorologists can make rain fall from clouds when it hadn't planned to, doctors can put pigs' hearts in people, crazy Russians are planting pointless flags beneath the Arctic ice.

Why does anyone give a balls about small-fry bargains? Save three quid here, lose it when your rent goes up by fifty quid a month.

Meh.

3 euro saved a week is €156 or 3 months of this hypothetical rent increase.

I guess you are one of those people that don't seem to realise that money you don't spend has the same value as money you earn.

---

With that said, I do roll my eyes at people who buy something in a shop because it is '10%/20% off' and think they are getting a great deal, when
they could source the item/s online (if they need it in the first place too) for half the price.

AlmightyCushion

rediguana wrote:

I never said I was Johnny Mnemonic. Take your "Judgement Hat" off.

Chill out man, I was only kidding.

rediguana

The-Rigger wrote:

3 euro saved a week is €156 or 3 months of this hypothetical rent increase.

I guess you are one of those people that don't seem to realise that money you don't spend has the same value as money you earn.

Fair point. It's one I often mull over.

But, equally, every minute I don't agonise over a haggling situation is one I can spend earning / eating / having sex. Financial savings aren't without their costs.

On a personal level, it can often set up a negative dynamic between seller and buyer.

rediguana

AlmightyCushion wrote:

Chill out man, I was only kidding.

Me too. I never say "Judgement Hat" in serious conversation.

JIZZLORD

what i really hate is when a customer spews "i know my rights" every time a customer says that i feel like slapping them, the price on an item doesn't mean that it has to be sold at that price. i cant remember the name of this principle but everyone who has studied business in school will have covered it, EVERYONE.

these things work both ways, if i or a co-worker marks something too expensive i dont have to charge them the marked price and if it's too low a price i dont have to sell it at this price.

Now to me marking down the price is no prob, it's not my shop and i'm a lowly sales assistant, but if they get all flustered and decide that it's my fault i'll argue with them out of boredom. when such a situation arises i go off and check the rest of the stock and see if all items are wrongly priced, if so i'll change the price and tell them about the mistake then. if their item was the only wrongly priced item i explain to them the mistake. I'm not out to shaft anyone, as the money doesn't go into my pocket, but i absolutely hate rude penny pinching customers who hav no respect towards me.

rediguana

Jizzlord knows what I'm talking about.

AlmightyCushion

rediguana wrote:

Me too. I never say "Judgement Hat" in serious conversation.

You should, it sounds hilarious. Say it repeatedly to piss the person off. Man I can't wait to get to work on monday and try this out on my boss.

rediguana

AlmightyCushion wrote:

You should, it sounds hilarious. Say it repeatedly to piss the person off. Man I can't wait to get to work on monday and try this out on my boss.

Tell him it's one of Edward de Bono's less well-known hats. Maybe you'll get a promotion.

AlmightyCushion

rediguana wrote:

Jizzlord knows what I'm talking about.

Ditto here. I worked three years in tesco and I'll probably be back there in October. Personally I think every one should have to work in a job like this even for a few weeks just so that people know what it's like when you get a prick of a customer.

Jesus Wept

rediguana wrote:

Fair point. It's one I often mull over.

But, equally, every minute I don't agonise over a haggling situation is one I can spend earning / eating / having sex. Financial savings aren't without their costs.

I think that only applies to a select group, example, Heff

rediguana wrote:

On a personal level, it can often set up a negative dynamic between seller and buyer.

Possibly so, I never haggle in shops, I dunno if it even works in this country?

But I always try to price things online.


I was a bit disturbed when my dad mentioned to me he pays €45 for a colour cartridge and €27 for a black ink cartridge for his printer. :eek:

He barely uses the internet, just learning to use email a bit, so he was amazed that you can buy anything on it, same quality, much better price.

Straight on to the internet for me, bit of searching, and I was able to get him cartridges (colour or black)for 12e each including delivery.

Then I saw a thread on here where you can get them refilled even cheaper, maybe half that price again.

No one likes to be ripped off, or see their parent ripped off by huge mark ups on already overpriced items.

rediguana

Rigger, you're talking sense.

I should've been clearer in my OP. My gripe is a narrow, petty version of thriftiness, whereby an already affluent person will spend a disproportionate amount of time engaging in an unseemly debate over an insignificant saving.

For shame, Bourgeoisie! Innocent Tanzanian rhinos are being callously dehorned on a weekly basis to make deluded Chinamen more virile - know your priorities!