Comments on: Bargain Basement Tourettes

By: Peter Varvel

Peter Varvel — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:04:35 +0000

I am that proud, gay man who will shamelessly reveal that his brightly colored sneakers were found in the women’s section, on clearance, for an unbelievable bargain!

“I like your Tweety-Bird-yellow Ralph Lauren Polo sneakers.”

“THANKS! ONLY TEN DOLLARS AT T.J. MAXX, IN THE WOMEN’S SECTION!”

By: Leah

Leah — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:49:30 +0000

I call it “compulsive disclosure syndrome.” My favorite pair of shoes–the ones that every compliments me on–were $3. Three dollars! At Mervyns! Eight years ago!

And the pants I’m wearing right now? $11! At Ross!

I always figured I would be less ashamed of my bargain hunting if I were shopping at non-crappy stores, but now that I see so many well-dressed ladies do the exact same thing, I’m not afraid anymore.

By: Shana

Shana — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:00:57 +0000

I once did the exact same thing during an interview. One of the interviewers said she liked my suit and my response was (to my horror afterward), “Thanks! I got it at JcPenny!” I spent the whole plane ride home whispering to myself, “I got it at JcPenny?”

By: velocibadgergirl

velocibadgergirl — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 05:12:48 +0000

I am the SAME WAY. When someone compliments something I’m wearing, it’s really hard not to say, “I GOT IT AT TARGET. IT WAS TWO DOLLARS. TWO DOLLARS OMG!”

My mother would have a fit if she knew I spent $30 on a pair of shoes just Friday

By: Moose

Moose — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:48:42 +0000

NBB: I think we need to keep proclaiming our shopping genius as loudly as possible. NO FALSE MODESTY.

Good Girl Lit: You have a pair of Louboutins? ON SALE? I concede my Bargain Queen title.

Amanda: I’m always showing off ripped seams that I’ve cleverly re-attached with duct tape and safety pins. Never had any good stains though.

C & C: My boobs were such a bargain because they’re so small. (Ba dum bum!)

By: Camels & Chocolate

Camels & Chocolate — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:31:28 +0000

You got your boobs in Thailand, too???

And isn’t it great how you always need to point out that you got something on sale – like even if it was an Anthropolgie dress marked down from $350 to $218, you still feel compelled to say, “OMG, it was SUCH a steal!” As if anything over $30 is ever really a bargain. Unless it’s like vintage Chanel, in which case, sure, brag away.

Hi from Brazil!

By: Amanda Brown

Amanda Brown — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:26:08 +0000

I fully relate. I like to think of myself as a discount shopping maven as well and I always blab on about how cheap something was. Someone will say, “I like your dress.” And then I yell, “I got it at the thrift store! The THRIFT STORE! For two bucks. It had a little poo stain on it but it washed right out.” *insert awkward silence here*
Yeah.

By: Good Girl Lit

Good Girl Lit — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 19:47:47 +0000

Once I was shopping at a Barney’s basement sale (ILL ADVISED) and I found a pair of GORGEOUS Louboutins. Oh yes I did. And I was just trying them on and sort of clomping around, realizing they were about a size too big when a woman said, “Are you going to get those? If not, I want them.”

In that moment I knew I WAS GOING TO BUY THEM.

The only thing that makes bargain shopping more fun is getting a bargain that someone almost jumped you in a back alley for.

They’re still too big, but at least they’re mine! ha!

By: Nothing But Bonfires

Nothing But Bonfires — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:26:33 +0000

I do EXACTLY the same thing. Except I can’t stop at the price, oh no no no. I have to shout out the name of the store where I FOUND the marvelous deal as well, and it’s always TJ Maxx or Marshalls or somewhere else that’s … uh … not exactly Saks Fifth Avenue. So in return for “I like your shoes,” the recipient gets not “THANKS! TEN BUCKS!” but “THANKS! TEN BUCKS AT TJ MAXX! MARKED DOWN TWICE FROM SEVENTY FIVE! AM I THE BEST BARGAIN SHOPPER EVER OR WHAT?”

I plan to answer every compliment from this day forth with a hushed “Thanks.” And then maybe I’ll add discreetly “Just from Barney’s.”

By: Moose

Moose — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:10:45 +0000

Over-Thinker: I know that look. My eyes expand and I push my glasses more firmly into my nose (the better to see you with, my dear.) And sale rack pouncing commences.

Angella: I would love to own something that, when someone complimented me on it, I could stroke my chin and say “one MEELLION dollars” a la Dr. Evil.

Tracy: I’ve been doing it for years and always just thought it was conversation. But I’ve started wondering lately. I really do hope it’s just conversation, and not obnoxious. BECAUSE I DON’T THINK I CAN STOP.

Kirida: I am totally the type to print coupons off the computer and drag them into stores with me. Perhaps I’ll start looking for some good Thai deals.