[eddie2003]

When you shop at discount stores or purchase a knockoff, you:

1) Brag about your find
2) Hide the shame of buying cheap
3) You don't shop at discount stores

[SilverMiniCooperS]

I don't think I've ever bought a knock-off as name brands such as Dior and the such have never impressed me. To pay hundreds of dollars for a pair of trainers just doesn't enter my mind.

I do shop at discount stores, but found buying really cheap doesn't always pay as the things don't last very long. One thing I have done for years, and still do, is buy some clothes at a resale shop. We have one here in Conroe called Second Debut and they have some really nice things and very reasonable prices. They don't accept any old tat, and everything is in excellent condition...and many of the items are big names.

[JuanaLaLoca]

I brag to my mother, because she's - ummm - 'thrifty', and it impresses the heck out of her, which amuses me. Some years back, I happened to find a lovely turquoise paisley turtleneck at Walmart's for $5, and she's never gotten over it. She still talks about it frequently! I usually don't look for clothes at Walmart, but I have to pass through that department to get to the rest of the store, and I've gotten some nice decorative sweatshirts there, too (White Stag). Last year I found a rosebud-print long-sleeved scoopneck for $5, and couldn't wait to tell my mother!!!

[bll]

I despise shopping and only buy when everything is just about threadbare. I tend to buy 'classic' clothes, good quality and on sale or clearance. I haven't bought an item of clothing in probably 3 years. I'm going to have break down and buy a new pair of shoes as my flats still look okay, but the innersoles are worn. I've been wearing them about 4 years so I guess I'll replace them soon.

[mr dragon]

I despise shopping and only buy when everything is just about threadbare. I tend to buy 'classic' clothes, good quality and on sale or clearance. I haven't bought an item of clothing in probably 3 years. I'm going to have break down and buy a new pair of shoes as my flats still look okay, but the innersoles are worn. I've been wearing them about 4 years so I guess I'll replace them soon.

Lol. Me too. That's me to a tee!

[wakeyboy]

I like shopping if Im buying things that I like and I know what im getting, but I cant stand shopping just for the sake of it. I dont understand how women can spend hours looking at things and then not buy them.

If I'm stood still in a shop while a female friend or relative spends more than 2 minutes looking at something I start getting faint and the whole shop starts spinning around me.

[JuanaLaLoca]

I like shopping if Im buying things that I like and I know what im getting, but I cant stand shopping just for the sake of it. I dont understand how women can spend hours looking at things and then not buy them.

If I'm stood still in a shop while a female friend or relative spends more than 2 minutes looking at something I start getting faint and the whole shop starts spinning around me.

Have you seen a doctor for that??? If you can't stand up for more than two minutes without feeling faint...

And, it only happens when you're with a female? What would happen if you were at, say, an electronics store with a male and they spent more than two minutes looking at the latest gadgets, which seems likely to me?

[tonyrockyhorror]

When men have to shop they've already zeroed in on what they're looking for, no dilly dalying, straight to it, get it done, and get out.

[ukus]

When men have to shop they've already zeroed in on what they're looking for, no dilly dalying, straight to it, get it done, and get out.

Yes I know cos I have a husband and dad just like that .... which is why I prefer to shop with my mum and my debit card.

[wakeyboy]

I like shopping if Im buying things that I like and I know what im getting, but I cant stand shopping just for the sake of it. I dont understand how women can spend hours looking at things and then not buy them.

If I'm stood still in a shop while a female friend or relative spends more than 2 minutes looking at something I start getting faint and the whole shop starts spinning around me.

Have you seen a doctor for that??? If you can't stand up for more than two minutes without feeling faint...

And, it only happens when you're with a female? What would happen if you were at, say, an electronics store with a male and they spent more than two minutes looking at the latest gadgets, which seems likely to me?

I can stand still for a long time in other situations. Its something to do with women's clothes shops I think, and sometimes cosmetics/toiletries shops.

Maybe its the intense heat or the gallons of perfume they pump into the ventilation systems.

Maybe its the utter bewilderment of why one clothes rack takes two hours to look at, or maybe its my brain giving up because neither fight nor flight seem an appropriate response.

[SilverMiniCooperS]

I like shopping if Im buying things that I like and I know what im getting, but I cant stand shopping just for the sake of it. I dont understand how women can spend hours looking at things and then not buy them.

If I'm stood still in a shop while a female friend or relative spends more than 2 minutes looking at something I start getting faint and the whole shop starts spinning around me.

That trait is not peculiar to women only. I hate shopping, as I've stated in the past, and I hated to go shopping with Klaus. He could wonder around for hours, looking at every blasted thing in the shop, and read every bloody label!! He would buy sometimes, but more often than not, he would leave with nothing.

I on the other hand know what I want, buy it and get the hell out of there.

[Caer Ibormeith]

I'm not really much of a shopper. The mall makes me batty, so I only go a couple of times a year and then with a list. I start zoning out after a few hours and have to reward myself with a mocha latte or hot fudge Sunday. Amazon.com is where I find most of my bargains these days.

[tonyrockyhorror]

I use Amazon all the time, never had a problem, everything comes on time or sooner, free shipping with a $25 purchase and over, and until NYS got it's tenticles in my pocket, tax free. You save a lot on the tax alone.

Prices are always low too.

[JuanaLaLoca]

I do most of my shopping by browsing through catalogs and then ordering online. I usually go to the mall after a medical appointment, since it's down the street. Sometimes I might check out stores on impulse, but most of the stores I liked (for example, the ones that carried Lladro and Nao) are long gone, and the last time I was there it seemed to be mostly clothing stores now. Usually I have specific stores I want to visit, like Bath and Body Works, and I will spend some time browsing to see if they have any new scents I want to try, or to check out the jewelry counters at Macy's (I preferred Filene's, but they're gone, too). I don't like jewelry stores because the salespeople are positively predatory and make me very uncomfortable. After having lunch at Uno's and going to the stores I planned, then I go over to Barnes & Noble - now, I could spend the whole day wandering around that store!!! Once in a great while I go to a more local store - I was in Home Goods the other day, buying hangers. I probably hit WalMart once to three times a year, and mostly go to specific departments each time - bargain DVDs, scrapbook supplies, and pet toys, unless I have something specific I want, like a file folder or whatever.

[SilverMiniCooperS]

...I start zoning out after a few hours ...

That long?? I cannot even remember the last time I went to a mall!!

[Caer Ibormeith]

...I start zoning out after a few hours ...

That long?? I cannot even remember the last time I went to a mall!!

I try to do all my shopping at once so I don't have to go back for anything for another 8 months or so. It's sort of like taking an exam. I just focus on getting through the 2 hours. It helps to have hot fudge waiting at the end of it all.

[bll]

Barnes & Noble, Williams Sonoma and hardware stores are ones in which I can browse, but really nothing else. My daughter can spend hours at the mall, and I haven't been to one since she graduated high school (She's 34).

[ukus]

Love looking around Barnes and Noble. I even like the smell in that bookstore and could spend a couple of hours quite happily.

I also like Williams and Sonoma Barbara but I hear they are in trouble ... I hope that is not another store which will bite the dust.

[bll]

Oh I hope not; they don't carry rubbish like so many of the other chains. I've totally hooked my daughter on their cookery books...is that a bad thing??

[mr dragon]

When men have to shop they've already zeroed in on what they're looking for, no dilly dalying, straight to it, get it done, and get out.

Lol. So true. I'm the same. I prefer shopping on my own, party because I just went to get the thing done, and get out. Mission accomplished! Though I have to say, I do like browsing just around bookshops (particularly second hand bookshops) and music stores. I can quite happily do that and loose track of time.

[kitchenwitch]

Bookstores, hardware stores and fabric stores are where I lose time. I hate clothes shopping, but it takes me forever to do that because I will go through the clearance rack with a fine tooth comb. I hate paying full price for anything and love a bargain. But if I can go in, get what I want and leave in record time, I am all for that.

[LollyB]

I don't do much shopping in discount stores, although I like the bath linens and kitchen tchotchkes at TJ Maxx, so I will buy gifts there. I usually buy clothes at Macy's on sale, 'cos I just like their stuff -- I've learned to go at the end of the season and literally buy armloads of stuff for myself and my mom, since the Dallas stores have good merch. I bought about a dozen pairs of linen crop pants for $3 each (reg. $40) for us last year. I buy books used online for half price or less, so even with the shipping, it's less than I'd pay at B&N -- so I go there first and read some of what I like to find out if I really want it. My favorite bargains of all time have been found at garage sales and estate sales. The high-end neighborhoods here are great for that. People often either don't know or don't care what stuff is worth. I've bought $50 playsets and toys for my nephew that are nearly new for $5-10. The same goes for clothes. I can find never-worn Baby Gap, Calvin Klein, Baby Dior and Gymboree stuff for a buck or two. Yeah, I've been known to brag a bit when I find an especially good deal. It just makes good sense to do this kind of stuff, so I've always done it. Estate sales on the last day usually have 50% off most stuff, too, and it's cheap entertainment.

I couldn't give a fig about knock-offs for myself, but when I find something neat at a resale shop, I'll get it if the design is good for me. Never just for the name. I don't really shop that much, or shop just for the heck of it, unless I'm going to a sale where I know I'll find stuff I like. It's part of paring down and simplifying my life. I don't like feeling owned by my possessions. If I haven't worn something in a year, I'm likely to donate it or throw it into a friend's garage sale.

[Druid 2156]

I love going to the thrift stores. Most of the candle holders, decorations, and statuary for our sacred space came from there. That's where I buy my candles too. Bags with half a dozen long tapered candles usually run only about $3.