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Original poster

Is anyone else more of a saleaholic than a shopaholic?

25 replies

maggiethemagpie · 14/01/2017 20:22

I can't bear to pay full price for clothes/makeup/accessories etc so always wait until the sales when I go mad! I lose all sense of reason, can't even leave it a few days as you can with the full price stuff as it may have gone by then!

Those sale signs are like a red rage to a bull for me - I think I get a buzz out of seeing how much of a discount I get.

I probably won't buy any more clothes for a while (she says) as the full prices even in mid range shops seem excessive, but January sales really is danger time for me and i dread to think how much I've spent this month.. £300 at least. I probably did need a few things but it's hard to stop once you get going!

Anyone else like this?

OP posts:

2014newme · 14/01/2017 20:27

No
Stay out the shops. If you don't go there you can't spend.
Although £300 isn't outrageous I thought you were going to say 3k

AteRiri · 14/01/2017 20:39

Yes, that's me.

I rarely pay full price for anything, but when there's a sale, it seems I seem to discover a need/use for items I wouldn't think of buying before.

Original poster

maggiethemagpie · 14/01/2017 20:43

stay out of the shops... aha but there's online shopping these days!

To be fair I did need a few things as my wardrobe was looking a bit shabby and I won't buy any of the new season stuff at full price, so hopefully give my wallet a rest for a couple of months.

I just can't bear to pay, say £60 for a jumper from whitestuff that's mostly acrylic or whatever. Or £200 for a coat.

I think I bought 2 x dresses, 1 x tunic, 2 x cardis, 1 x pair boots, 1 x skirt, 1 x top, some vests/socks/tights and a posh bra/knickers set and I've just ordered a coat that will go back if it doesn't fit. So not crazy crazy.. I don't think! But a lot more than I'd usually spend in a month!

OP posts:

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 14/01/2017 20:48

No.

Sales just suck you in.
I would never buy something just because it's reduced in price. I do buy full price when I need and like something. I might buy a second if I see it reduced later.

Nettletheelf · 14/01/2017 21:01

The sales at this time of year are a good opportunity to pick up quality coats and jackets (winter stuff is always better quality than summer stuff, and more tailored, so good fabric and finish show). I buy more stuff at this time of year than at any other, usually online. I got a Burberry jacket half price and a lovely mac for £120 down from £600.

So I don't think what you are doing is a problem, unless (1) you're in debt, (2) you're buying stuff you don't really like just because it's cheap or (3) you are a shopaholic!

Sparklingbrook · 14/01/2017 21:04

It's only a bargain if you need it.

YY sales are good for winter coats but mainly I CBA. I love walking into the shops late January when all the sales crap has gone, and they look all tidy again with different stuff.

I had a bit of a look at John Lewis online but didn't need any of it.

PacificDogwod · 14/01/2017 21:05

I love a bargain, but am very aware of 'false' discounts/mark downs.

If you have had your eye on a particular item, you know what it's normal going rate is and you actually need said item, go for it if you see it in the sales.
If not, desist.

Wish I could take my own advice

I do avoid actual RL shops like the plague, mind.

BarchesterFlowers · 14/01/2017 21:06

Me, I have spent a lot of money in the sales. I rarely buy anything other than reduced clothing, mostly online.

I have two rules, that I must absolutely love what I buy and that I only buy brands and styles that I would buy if they were full price.

PacificDogwod · 14/01/2017 21:08

Actually, 'sales' in the traditional sense of the word no longer exist IMO.
Things were 'reduced' well before Christmas, online discount sites like Achica and Brandalley offer reduced stuff all of the time, and TKMaxx is always good for some bargaineous purchases if I can be bothered to deal with the hellhole those shops are

Most of my recent bargains (high end high street cashmere, handbags, shoes) have been from eBay actually

MissBeehiving · 14/01/2017 21:21

I try to buy basic things that are better quality than I would usually buy.

mysteryfairy · 14/01/2017 21:36

I love sale shopping and I do believe I get some genuine good deals.

This Xmas I bought a £650 cost with 50% off. It's been carried forward to next season by Harvey Nicks and Harrods so I'm happy it was a good price. Similarly a pair of named boots with 50% off that remain full price in most places.

In the summer I got some Toga Pulla boots with 30% off in a sale preview which I've worn heaps. They reverted to full price and never made the actual sale.

I think typically higher end places can less afford the space to carry old stock and so can be very generous in reductions. I've had many premium jeans from Harvey nics, selfridges etc for around £50 a pair over the last few years.

On the high street DD and I ideally wear 36 inch inside leg jeans so I do check the top shop sale and snap any up that we fancy as they can be had for £10 or £15 a pair rather than the normal £45. That said I am happy to pay full price for top shop jeans if I want them. At this time of year I also tend to look at the likes of Hush, whistles and Me and Em. I only buy from those brands in sales as their full retail price is ridiculous for the quality so I think of sale prices as the default.

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 14/01/2017 21:39

I would never buy from a place where I think the quality is ridiculous. It's not worth it at any price.

Aderyn2016 · 14/01/2017 22:07

I think it is just sensible not to pay over the odds for acrylic jumpers etc - they are simply not worth what retailers are charging at full price and the sooner consumers stop letting them take the piss with silly pricing, the better.
I hardly ever pay full price for bags and shoes as I know that my favourite shops/brands have good sales. I would feel cheated if I paid full whack for them.
Clothes are a bit different. If I find something that is beautifully cut or that looks lovely on me (which doesn't happrn often), then I will buy it. That would be something like a gorgeous coat.

mumsnit · 14/01/2017 22:49

Rarely ever pay full price for clothes and I usually go overboard in the sales too! Concern about post Brexit price rises has probably fuelled lots of sales spending. I bought lots for the kids in bigger sizes just in case!

I thoughthe sales this year were pretty disappointing on the whole - bought a lot online that I've sent back due to poor quality. Agree with pp that there can be a lot of false bargains and mark downs - more so this year than ever as I fell for a few dud buys!!

PinkSwimGoggles · 14/01/2017 22:54

I hate sales
I never find anything, it seems that my size is always sold out anyway or the items on sale are hidious.

wizzywig · 14/01/2017 22:56

Yes absolutely. Once a year i go cwazy in the sales. Love it

JaceLancs · 14/01/2017 23:10

I very rarely buy anything that is full price
When I go shopping I only look at clearance section and will only buy if enough of a bargain
I also purchase on e bay, from charity shops and outlet stores
I do consider purchases carefully though and will only buy on impulse or if undecided if I can return the item
I keep things with label on, receipt safe in s prominent place until I can make my mind up (my wardrobe door test) if I've not been itching to wear it straight away it usually means I end up returning it!
I bought s dress yesterday which when I got to till to pay had been further reduced and ended up wearing it last night

AteRiri · 14/01/2017 23:20

I keep things with label on, receipt safe in s prominent place until I can make my mind up (my wardrobe door test) if I've not been itching to wear it straight away it usually means I end up returning it!

This is me, too! I actually end up returning most of my purchases.

maggiso · 14/01/2017 23:47

Yes! I can procrastinate at non sale times, ( especially if it is an expensive item like a coat or cashmere jumper, or new curtains) but the buy it now or never effect of sales almost gives me permission to go ahead and buy before it is too late. I usually know what I think we need. it's been a few years since I could go sale shopping and I have gone a bit mad this year!

rockingthelook · 15/01/2017 00:04

I went to the Marks '70%' sale today, lots of stuff, and like a jumble sale, some of it still overpriced, and there's a reason that a lot of it was still there, tops looking no better than Primark but even in the sale 3 x the price, awful shoes, flat double ankle strap monstrosities, and old fashioned trousers and gaudy frilly Per Una tops, long skirts etc... however I did pop into our local charity shop which was packed full , probably people having a new year clear out, got a brand new with labels still on pair of Jasper Conran navy ankle grazers, lush, smart M&S top for work, burgundy suede immaculate chelsea boots and a pack of sealed replacement tooth brush heads for my electric toothbrush £11.50 for the lot!...Happy days :)

hiccupgirl · 15/01/2017 08:07

I do the wardrobe door test too

I have bought quite a bit with at least a 30% discount and some with more recently. I buy very little at full price now as most things just aren't worth what's being charged.

JaceLancs · 15/01/2017 11:23

It has to be a good discount too!
I like a good coat - some I've had quite a few years, the most I would pay would be £70-£80, I've managed to get 3 jaeger coats in sales in past within this budget, one was under £40 down from £395

BarchesterFlowers · 15/01/2017 11:48

Yes, Jaegar outlet here too Jace, I have got a gift card and am waiting for the next Flash Sale which has to be before the end of Jan I reckon. Their knitwear and coats are amazing for the £. I got two cashmere/merino jumpers for £29 a couple of weeks ago in a flash sale and a lovely coat for £60.

I also buy from East (showing my age) and JL (mostly White Stuff tbh) in the sales, plus M&S Autograph where I often like two or three things each season.

I don't do the wardrobe door test though, my decisions are instant!

Softkitty2 · 15/01/2017 12:55

Yes i used to be a sucker for sales. Now for this year i have decided to invest in key classic pieces so trying to avoid the sales crap. Fingers crossed

BarchesterFlowers · 15/01/2017 13:20

I buy mostly classic pieces in the sales Kitty, cashmere jumpers, silk and or cotton shirts, wool skirts and coats, tailored dresses for work and/or Jaegar knitted dresses.

I bought a lovely boiled wool biker jacket at East and a long boiled wool purple cardigan with a couple of their woven wool scarves that were half price.

I thought I was done but found some Timberland sneaker things I liked this morning, checked Amazon and they were only £25 so I bought them.

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