Insulted by a sale!
By bounce58
@bounce58 (17387)
Canada
September 14, 2011 1:32pm CST
Yesterday I went to buy a pair of shoes, because the pair I always wear is a bit ragged already. So I went to the mall, and immediately went to the sport shops to pick one up.
I was disappointed when I saw the prices of the shoes that I really liked. They were around $80-$120. It was not that I couldn't afford it, but I would rather spend that kind of money for my kids. I was just hoping to get one for less than $50. Dejected, I went to Payless to find a pair. I saw one that was $29.99. I thought to myself, I guess this would do. It wasn't as beautiful as the ones I would have liked, but it was still at a decent price of $30. It wasn't expensive, but it wasn't cheap-cheap.
So when I went to the till to pay for it, I was surprised as the register only showed $14! It was on sale. So now I realize, I don't belong to the level of people wearing $120-80 shoes, nor was I in the level of $50-30 shoe people. I officially belong to the $15 and below level. It was a bit humbling.
Anyway, I don't expect a lot of people to understand this feeling/discussion because I know I should just be happy that I got a new pair.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Now, I would like to ask you if you understand the feeling? Have you been in a similar situation?
Should I just be happy with the sale?
Anyway, I don't expect a lot of people to understand this feeling/discussion because I know I should just be happy that I got a new pair.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Now, I would like to ask you if you understand the feeling? Have you been in a similar situation?
Should I just be happy with the sale?4 people like this
22 responses
@NoWayRo (1061)
• Romania
14 Sep 11
I think I know how you feel, sometimes, when I purchase something that's really cheap, I stop and ask myself: is this really what I'm worth? After all the work I do, shouldn't I get something more expensive, even if it's just to get a good feeling out of it?
But: the shoes were on sale. That doesn't mean you're in the $15 or lower group. It just means you found a good deal. If you buy a Gucci dress with a 50% discount, you're still in the group of people who wear Gucci. So yes, just be happy with the purchase, hope your new shoes will be comfortable and resistant.
2 people like this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
16 Sep 11
This is exactly how I felt!
I think that I work hard enough that I deserve some great looking shoes too! Something that would be almost equivalent to how hard I work.
But I guess there are other priorities, so I should just take it for what its worth - a good sale.
Thanks.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
15 Sep 11
I guess us girls have the sale-shopping gene.Not only would I be overjoyed to get what I wanted for less than 20.00 but I would tell a few friends about the sale. Not top boast but to inform. " Girl you better go to Payless . They are having a sale!" It reminds me of that joke Tim Allen told. women hunt when they shop. " A woman stands on mountain top and says Shoe Sale! Women come riding elephants with spears and meet up at the shop! Once they buy the shoes They put them on a poles and start chanting as they walk home." He is right, to find what you want at a cheaper price is such a rush.
Bounce, this has Nothing to do with your worth! You are priceless. It Is Not You! It is the shoe makers making the same shoe for a too much high of a price! 20 years ago I wuld spend about 50.00 for my shoes. They were just plain walker shoes. Now I get the same shoe, with better support for 24.99! Does this mean my status has lowered? No! I just found a better shoe that happens to be cheaper!
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
21 Sep 11
New shoes And pizza, that's a good day!
Yes I heard . Soon there will be hockey!Y
ea!
ea!@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
20 Sep 11
Thanks Sarah.
Actually, I felt really better once I got home and found that I still have the extra money for a pizza night with the kids. That's what I would call a good buy! I had my pair, plus me and the kids had something we enjoyed that night!
...pssst! pre-season just started!
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
16 Sep 11
I'd say you should be just happy with the sale. The measure of a man is not in the price of the shoes he wears. I believe you are a wise spender and I admire you for that. Shoes no matter how expensive undergo wear and tear so why buy the most expensive when you can't even have them forever? For me I also don't buy very expensive items. Sometimes it's only in the brand why it is very expensive. I've seen how some branded and expensive items performed poorly so the branded and highly priced items do not really entice me at all.
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
16 Sep 11
So dear don't be humbled if the price of yours shoes is too cheap. Just consider you are blessed because you were able to spot this sale. Besides it is not the price of the shoes but how you carry the shoes actually. Isn't it? Have you seen those wearing signature items but can't exude elegance just the same? 
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
15 Sep 11
I would be happy with your sale.. In a time where we are pinching pennies and doing what we can to earn extra money... I am thrilled with finding something for 1/2 price.
I would and never have paid more than $30 for a pair of shoes.. I can't understand the point of it. I have a perfectly good pair of boots I am think about saying good-bye to after 3 years of service.. because last winter they started not being so water proof.. But I figure I got my money's worth out of them.. so I am going to start looking again soon.
I personally would have been so stoked about the sale I would have turned around and got a second pair of $15 shoes... LOL
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
15 Sep 11
my thoughts exactly minx267.
the idea of getting two pairs of shoes (in different colors, of course) for $30 is indeed a good idea.
now you got me thinking, i might get two exact pairs of shoes but it'll be in different colors. i'm thinking of getting one in black and the other in gray.
lol!
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
21 Sep 11
I thought about getting a second pair of shoes.
But instead, I went home and bought some pizza for the kids at home. That Tuesday night, became a pizza night.
It was good as I had my new pair, and we made a night out of it.
Thanks minx267.
So, have you bought your two pairs already allen0187?
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
14 Sep 11
I don't think you are unhappy with your savings on the new pair of shoes. Personally I can understand what you are saying. As a person who use to make $150K a year up to last year, down to absolutely nothing. Although I was not the type to spend $100 on shoes, I still did not think too much about a pair that cost anywhere between $30 - $50 dollars. The children and the bills were always my priority and if anything, then I would get what I needed within reason.
Now I find that although not unhappy, buying things so very cheap makes me think much more now then I did when I paid a little more. It is the feeling like hmm, how come these sales were not around when I paid a little more and still the same shoes?
At any rate it is not that you are upset just amazed that although we are not upset and do enjoy our priorities, it just seems like we are spending less and less for our selves no matter what and how we do things.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
17 Sep 11
How come the children always get the priority? And it's always less and less for us, even if we worked harder and harder?
I'm not complaining. It's just that it is indeed amazing that as parents, we always make do, just so we get the little extra to give to our kids.
Must be a parent thing!
@zionsphere (673)
• United States
19 Sep 11
I'm totally going to contradict myself here... ready?
Sometimes we need to show our kids that we get a little more because we work so hard. When it comes to electronics for example, I know my 13 year old wont take care of her phone like I do, so I get the better phone, because I earned the money to buy it.
I explained to her that when she can help pay for her own phone, I will help her make sure that she has a better one. But for now.. The golden rule applies. The one that says: "He who has the gold, makes the rules."
That kinda blows that whole... "See the smile on your child's face for lasting happiness" thing right out of the water doesn't it? Eh... There's a circumstance for everything. ;)
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
19 Sep 11
Hey zionsphere, I think that should be the case!
Because we're the ones working, we should get the finer things.
But I can't really help it when I feel guilty when I buy things for myself.
Except electronics I guess. I don't think the kids should get anything more high tech than what I get. 
@zionsphere (673)
• United States
14 Sep 11
I think you had your sights set on pleasure based happiness. This can be dangerous, because that kind of happiness will leave you feeling empty inside.
Take your kids shopping for shoes. The smiles on their faces when they get new shoes will outweigh any feeling you have about cost or social status. This is called value based happiness, and has been proven to actually increase your health!
ok.. done with my science/humanity lesson for the day... lol
1 person likes this
@zionsphere (673)
• United States
19 Sep 11
fair enough... not trying to diminish your need for shoes.. just saying that happiness based on price of the shoes will leave you feeling empty in the end.
Try to count your blessings. Some people are happy to get FREE shoes. What I find interesting, is that I have a friend who is pretty well off, but still refuses to pay full price for anything. Her happiness is based on just the opposite. If she would have gotten your $14 shoes, she would have been doing the happy dance in them, and bragging to everyone that they were on sale.
She's one of those extreme couponers too. She once left the store with $200 worth of groceries in her basket, and the cashier ended up oweing HER $9! Once again though.. it left her feeling empty, because she's been trying ever since to top that, and hasn't been able too.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
19 Sep 11
Personally it is a little surprising sometimes the price that places tend to charge for things. And many times they make people think it is a Bargain at some of the more expensive places never having people STOP and think about what if they were to consider buying that product somewhere else? And then you have people around you saying that the shoes, etc. are not NIKE etc. and leave you feeling offended, and upset. And kids complaining. But in today's world anything you save is a help for something else later on.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
15 Sep 11
I am delighted when I find a bargain like that. I love getting new things for a really great price. Although I must admit I've been bad lately. I've been letting my bit of extra money that I make get to my head, and I'm now shopping in places like Hollister and Aeropostale for my kids.. where as I used to only shop at Salvation Army and Walmart.. Target would be a treat for us!
Although, I must warn you.. I do not believe Payless has quality stuff. They say you get what you pay for, and with Payless they mean it! I used to generally buy shoes from either Payless or Walmart, depending on who had what I was looking for, and I noticed that although Walmart shoes wear out rather quickly.. Payless shoes wear out even faster!
This year my kids all got shoes from Marshall's (Nike, Puma, and UnderArmour). I'm expecting them to last a bit. The best part is, I only paid like $30 each for those brands! The only one who got Walmart shoes this year was the kindergartener.. because he doesn't wear his out as quickly and he'd prefer Spiderman shoes over Nike's.
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
15 Sep 11
hi bounce.
those are a nice new pair of kicks!
funny you should mention about sales, for the longest time, i've been looking for a new pair of shoes. i've been eyeing either a pair of adidas superstar or adidas stan smith but i was having second thoughts of buying either because of the price. like you, i'd rather spend money on my daughter than on myself. i've looked for other possible shoes to purchase as well. i've found another one which is less priced than the adidas sneakers that i initially wanted. i haven't purchased it yet though as i was still looking for a more affordable pair of shoes. lo and behold! i found a better pair and it was the cheapest from all the four shoes that i had intended to buy!!! i haven't bought the shoes yet as the color that i wanted isn't available in my size but i'm planning to check a different store over the weekend to see if the pair is available.
anyway, you should be happy with the sale. the extra money that you saved will be put into good use, that i am sure.
cheers!!!
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
15 Sep 11
just noticed that you mentioned the name of the store as payless. there is a similar store here in our country. it also carries shoes and one of the shoes it has caught my fancy. it is a black and white shoe, similar to the dance shoes in the early 60s and 70s. for a while, i had wanted to buy that pair instead but i talked myself out of it.
lol!!!
@tess_quinain (1149)
• Philippines
15 Sep 11
I understand. Having so many expenses in the household sometimes we sacrifice ourselves for not buying the things that we really like no matter how expensive it is. I am 26 and I don't buy expensive things because I have a baby niece to feed since the mother could not afford to give a good living.
But sometimes i envy those single ladies who buy stuff that they like most especially the expensive ones. I want to have those too but I have to say no since there's some more important than that.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
21 Sep 11
Bless your heart tess_quinain!
I think it's admirable that you provide for your niece. That even if it's not your own daughter you still find a way to take care of the expenses.
I'm sure that your kindness will be given back to you some day.
Thanks for the response.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
17 Sep 11
I think it's great that you are thinking about the children. I have found that they seem to look better in the more expensive shoes than I do...lol. I do, however, think that as the adult breadwinners that we do deserve a little something from time to time too and if it is an expensive pair of shoes...well..so be it.
I do understand the feeling though...but I really only feel that way when I am around someone that presents a certain attitude about brands. I am usually pretty savvy about buying things that look expensive but aren't..lol. I think I would be happy about the sale.
Savvy! That's what I want to be.
Thanks Jen! @ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
15 Sep 11
For me yes sometimes they sale it but it's the old price ever that also the price they sale it.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
21 Sep 11
I know what you mean!
I used to work in a retail store. And out tags were color coded. White was regular price, yellow was on sale, and red was for clearance. Part of my job then was to change the tags weekly. I knew then that we would have items that changed tag colors, from regular to sale to clearance, yet the it was the same price all along!
@way2vision (613)
• Canada
15 Sep 11
That is an excellent buy. Buying 80$ pair of shoes are usually unnecessary, and some are built for design and not for comfort. Unless the shoes are highly recommended by a doctor for certain foot problems i.e. twisting ankles, where a certain pair will be more solid, then it might be worth it.
But most cases, it is definitely unnecessary. If you can always save money, especially on something that will serve the same purpose as the other expensive thing, you are a smart shopper, and should have your head held higher than someone who spent more money on the same thing.
We all know most shoe companies outsource anyways. So some companies make way more profit than they should. I.e. this company makes shoes for 1 dollar, sells for 20$, and other country makes shoes for 1$ sells for 100. We're the ones being fooled.. I actually have resorted to buying from e-bay stores, some are very credible, items might be knocked off but they come from the same place, usually china, so is it really a knock off?
. I actually have resorted to buying from e-bay stores, some are very credible, items might be knocked off but they come from the same place, usually china, so is it really a knock off?@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
20 Sep 11
I would agree that most of the things that make shoes expensive are unnecessary costs built in to it. Like outsourcing, and marketing, and hype. And I've come to realize that after a couple of weeks, a pair of shoes would be about equal regardless if it was bought at $80 or $14.
So, I've accepted it, and happy with my purchase.
Thanks.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
14 Sep 11
Hi, bounce58. I have went to Payless Shoe Store and I have bought shoes that was very cheap. When you think that you are going to pay a higher price for them, they end up being so much more cheaper. I have went through this so many of times and I have loved the reduced price each and every time. I am sorry that you don't feel the same way too. I can say that as for my walking shoes, I prefer to pay a more expensive price because I need the proper walking shoes to walk in. The more expensive the tennis shoe is for me, the better off my feet will be. I know that they have cheaper walking shoes, but I prefer to spend a higher amount on my walking shoes.
I can say that as for my walking shoes, I prefer to pay a more expensive price because I need the proper walking shoes to walk in. The more expensive the tennis shoe is for me, the better off my feet will be. I know that they have cheaper walking shoes, but I prefer to spend a higher amount on my walking shoes.
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
14 Sep 11
Hello bounce!
Yes i can honestly say that i am a sale hunter (if such a term exists).
I regularly buy coupons to pay less for what other people pay more. For example i got skating entry with 1 tenth of the real price.
I think you should be happy to have saved the money as you would have spent 30$ on them anyway, so you now have (if not already spent) an extra 15$ either for you or for the kids.
Cheers !
@Amanda81587 (3042)
• United States
14 Sep 11
Depending on what store you go to you can find a pair of shoes you like that are originally 80-100$ and you can get them for about $50. Like tj max or Burlington coat factory. I buy shoes that are 15$ all the time and if they are on sale any lower I feel I stole them and I am even happier.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
19 Sep 11
I know about those stores that sell mall items at even lower prices. Unfortunately, they are about 35miles away from where I live. Sometimes, it's just easier, and more economical to go to the mall if you compare the gas expense.
I guess I should be happy that I 'stole' it for $14!
Thanks.
@tiina05 (2317)
• Philippines
15 Sep 11
hello,
You know this is alright. I buy shoes expensive or cheap one but I also love sale though I know the real price is expensive. ha ha This is not an issue at all because you just accidentally pay as low as what you prepared. right? If I were you I will be happy because I can have 2 pairs if I like.
