If you are someone who is inordinately attracted by large red coloured signs flashing the world, Sale! followed by words such as ‘discount’ or ‘up to ‘X% off’ then you're obviously in grave danger these days. With every online and offline store offering Republic Day Sales that promise lowest prices, widest range of products it is easy to be beguiled. But here are a few reasons to be strong; to be impervious to the lure of the blandishments of these Republic Day Sales:
There is a lot of tempting stuff on offer: gadgets, clothing, books, cosmetics, utensils, groceries anything that you desire. Not only is there a huge range of items available, there are other added attractions. Here are attractive EMI schemes, cash back offers, bigger discounts for higher purchase values, ease of shopping online and the comfort of doorstep deliveries.
Right now you want to buy a new gas stove, but the model you want is not discounted. You may really need orthopedic shoes for your mother, but they are only available on full price. What you actually, really want is usually either out of stock or not on sale!
You probably (grudgingly) buy the full priced items that you need. Along with that, you will likely pick up a host of other stuff that you do not need. You will buy it because it may be useful sometime in the future, because you fell for the novelty value or because it was too good an offer to pass up. Impulse purchases just seem like a good idea at the time.
Buyers’ remorse may start as soon as you see the bill for your purchases or it may occur when you get home and find what a lot of rubbish you ended up buying. It will then intensify further when it breaks or stops working or when you find that Made-in-China tag. When you find that there isn’t enough space at home for all the stuff you’ve been shortsighted enough to buy you will really curse yourself!
Many items bought on discount on during a ‘Sale’ are not returnable. In other words, you're stuck with it even if you no longer want it, find that you have something identical at home or realise that your dog doesn’t even want it!
Buyers’ remorse really escalates when you find that you paid too much for the thing you didn’t need in the first place. Your friend tells you about a store where they found it cheaper or you yourself encounter the product cheaper elsewhere!
Everyone and their cousins are out shopping: It’s crowded, people are pushing, and there are long lines at the checkout counter! Even the online sales are so busy that pages won’t load quickly and the payment gateway misbehaves! If you were tempted, clearly so were crores of other Indians!
“Biggest ever sale” – this makes you curious enough to check. “2 for the price of one” tempts you to buy more when you need less. “Clearance” or “Last Chance” lends s sense of urgency, making you think that you should buy something which is priced so low and which is likely to run out soon. So resist the lure of the Republic Day sales – you will thank yourself for this later. You will also feel quite superior to those who went shopping and returned exhausted, peeved, dishevelled and stuck with a bunch of useless stuff!
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