Shopaholics Anonymous
What used to be an end-of-season phenomenon once upon a time, has become an enduring feature in the consumerist calendar, thanks to the global meltdown. The “up to 50%” discounts and “clearance sales” have been extended indefinitely, much to the shopaholics’ delight.
A reliable barometer of the genuineness of a sale is the percentages of lady customers inside the shop. The worthiness of sale is directly proportional to the female buyers in the shop.
If the sale is at local shop selling non-branded stuff, the chances are that it won’t be genuine. Go if you absolutely must, but remember to drive a hard bargain over and above the regular discount on offer. If the shop has a ‘fixed price’ board hanging from one of the walls, just ignore it. Haggling is your birthright and you shall have it at all costs!
In spite of all the shopping savvy that you adopt, there are chances that you’ll end up with a defective piece, a broken button or zip on a trouser or a top or worse… a fake label or over sized dress. So even if you have the invoice that says “No exchange, no refund” go bellicose in asserting your rights as a consumer. Consumer is a king or a queen, and shall be treated like royalty!
The ‘Buy one, get one free’ offer is also good. It ensures that even if you don’t need the second dress, your wardrobe remains well-stocked throughout the year!
Finally, after you come back home after a hard day’s work, completely dizzy from the whirligig, spread out your shopping in front of you, call over your pals from the neighbourhood and gloat over their misery as they eye the purchases with envy.
