Buyers Guilt

[theworldneedscolor]

I went to the mall with a friend today, and I spent about $90. At the time, I was happy with my purchases. But now I feel so guilty and want to return everything. Does this happen to anyone else?

 

[LJSquishy]

I used to feel guilty every time I purchased something for myself. Now I hardly ever buy anything for "me"...just things for the house.

I try to just go window shopping most of the time now, and if an item is still on my mind a couple of weeks later I might go and get it. I never impulse buy.

My husband still makes fun of me when I do buy something saying that I better not return it. lol

 

[PrincessMommy05]

Haha all the time. I am pretty good though and unless it's something I really need I generally am good about returning it.

 

[Fjobe]

I have very bad buyers guilt. Before we started our budget (4 years ago), I even felt guilty after buying groceries. I still don't like spending money, but it is more comfortable knowing it's already in the budget.

 

[HomeiswhereMickeyis]

My favorite pastime is finding tons of stuff in a store that I want/need then walking towards the register, stopping, thinking, and putting it all back! Hubby thinks it's hilarious but just takes note of it and tries to get me those things for Christmas, Birthday, etc.

 

[jgreco]

My favorite pastime is finding tons of stuff in a store that I want/need then walking towards the register, stopping, thinking, and putting it all back! Hubby thinks it's hilarious but just takes note of it and tries to get me those things for Christmas, Birthday, etc.

I do the same thing. LOL
I also try not to go shopping with anyone. I find I spend way more.

 

[LuLuO]

I feel guilty every time I spend on clothes or decor at a place other than a thrift shop. Spending $10 for a kids shirt vs $1 or $2 for a kids shirt bothers me. But if I need something specific, then I have to get over it.

 

[usnuzuloose]

It has been almost a year since I was at the mall. I rarely go shopping, unless it is grocery's or things I need other than the grocery store. I haven't even bought clothes in long time.

 

[Pumbaa_]

nope, not a bit

 

[pfalcioni]

I worked retail for many years, and we had plenty of customers who would do what we called "recreational shopping". These are ladies who come in every week, spend tons of time trying on clothes and usually purchasing quite a bit. The following week they'd be back and return everything, usually going to a different part of the store for the returns so they didn't have to face their original clerk.

It was sometimes frustrating, as we worked on commission, and some salespeople felt these customers were time wasters. I never felt that way, and was happy to help. Keep in mind these women would come in every week, and spend at least an hour with a salesperson.

The most prevalent "over-buyers" occur when there's a "ladies night out" and we'd have 3 or 4 gals together who'd be shopping after a nice dinner together. I know they'd all probably buy a bit more than they wanted to, and I was always happy when they'd come back a few days later and return the items because then I felt they had the fun of shopping without breaking the bank. None of the other salespeople I worked with EVER had negative things to say about this kind of shopper.

Sounds like you're in this last category - if these are items that you won't use, or they're not in your budget, return them without worry - no one will judge you!

 

[jgreco]

I worked retail for many years, and we had plenty of customers who would do what we called "recreational shopping". These are ladies who come in every week, spend tons of time trying on clothes and usually purchasing quite a bit. The following week they'd be back and return everything, usually going to a different part of the store for the returns so they didn't have to face their original clerk.

It was sometimes frustrating, as we worked on commission, and some salespeople felt these customers were time wasters. I never felt that way, and was happy to help. Keep in mind these women would come in every week, and spend at least an hour with a salesperson.

The most prevalent "over-buyers" occur when there's a "ladies night out" and we'd have 3 or 4 gals together who'd be shopping after a nice dinner together. I know they'd all probably buy a bit more than they wanted to, and I was always happy when they'd come back a few days later and return the items because then I felt they had the fun of shopping without breaking the bank. None of the other salespeople I worked with EVER had negative things to say about this kind of shopper.

Sounds like you're in this last category - if these are items that you won't use, or they're not in your budget, return them without worry - no one will judge you!

My cousin works for a high-end department store based on commission and her feelings are contrary to yours. Nice to hear someone on the other side.

 

[njmom47]

Sometimes I feel guilty when I spend money, because I usually feel it's not something that was needed (although I don't shop for myself very often). I feel guilty when I think I overspend on groceries. It seems I have a hate-hate relationship with money.

 

[aaarcher86]

All the time! I always end up with anxiety thinking something terrible will happen and I'll need the money for something else

 

[la79al]

I feel guilty every time I spend on clothes or decor at a place other than a thrift shop. Spending $10 for a kids shirt vs $1 or $2 for a kids shirt bothers me. But if I need something specific, then I have to get over it.

I was seriously just wondering if I was the only person like this. I am not sure that I have ever bought clothing for my girls that wasn't on clearance or from a thrift shop. Everytime I try, I remind myself that I can probably buy 3 outfits at the thrift shop for what I would pay for 1 at the store (and my kids don't even really need clothes). DD2 does need some black shoes for Sunday though and I have a feeling I am heading to Target. I know Payless has the b1g1 1/2 off sale going on and she really wants light up sneakers but the sneakers she wears now are less than a month old and still perfectly fine .

 

[Firefly09]

If its just a splurge purchase I usually leave everything in the shopping bags and dig out what I want to use. If after about 1 or 2 weeks I haven't touched what's in the shopping bag, I return it with the feeling of satisfaction that I brought it home but really didn't need it. That is unless I bought something at a really good deal off season, i.e. my tall boots bought in spring for this winter

 

[annsteere]

I hang onto my money very tightly. But, once I buy an item I never think about it again. I usually pinch pennies for months and then spend it all at once when something I really want comes along. I never look back.

If you are going to return something, please do it quickly. Several posters here seem to be unaware that it is a real disservice to a store to have their inventory sitting at your house.

Our family has a small business. We are very flexible about returns. But, it DOES make a difference if you take and return our inventory as a form of entertainment. We bought it and we can't sell it if it is at your house.

 

[StuckInKS]

I have horrible buyers guilt, even after the grocery store (did we really need those snacks?) I used to be a big impulse buyer before we started going to Disney, but saving for annual trips as really curbed that for me. I love clothes shopping and feel more guilty buying clothes for myself than the kids, but I recently went from a size 14 to a size 6 and had to suck it up and get new clothes a month ago. Now those 6s are getting too big and I really need some 4s, but feel bad about the $$$ I already spent.

 

[pigletto]

I try not to buy anything I didn't plan to buy ahead of time. So I only hit the mall and stores with lists and a purpose. It doesn't always work out that way, but usually that keeps me from any impulse purchases.

 

[jgreco]

I have horrible buyers guilt, even after the grocery store (did we really need those snacks?) I used to be a big impulse buyer before we started going to Disney, but saving for annual trips as really curbed that for me. I love clothes shopping and feel more guilty buying clothes for myself than the kids, but I recently went from a size 14 to a size 6 and had to suck it up and get new clothes a month ago. Now those 6s are getting too big and I really need some 4s, but feel bad about the $$$ I already spent.

That's awesome and congratulations on your success! You deserve the new clothes to celebrate, keep you feeling good and keeping the weight off.