When is a Bargain not a Bargain?

The bargain is something of a national identity. Cheap things thrive in this country far better than in other cultures. Wetherspoons, Iceland, the charity shop, the car boot sale, what else do we have? However, it is easy to get carried away. We all know cheap doesn’t equal great, but we easily forget a hefty discount doesn’t always mean great either.

You Don’t Like it

Obvious? Think again! There’s nothing like knowing that you can own something that used to be expensive, only for you to forget how it actually looks.

You might just think it’s a little bold but you could pull it off. And of course you could, when you wear it twice a year!

The same applies to food- why eat something you don’t like just because it’s cheap? A real bargain is something you actually wanted, preferably before you found it cheap.

It Doesn’t Fit

Factory second or shop clearance, if it’s the only size they have and it’s wrong- just forget about it. This applies to the majority of clothing as well as shoes. Shoes that don’t fit are annoying, painful and can damage your feet long term. As for clothing, you are better off with a full price item that fits than a half price item that’s ill fitting.

A big one here is home decor. Just because you found an antique item that looks great on it’s own doesn’t mean it’s going to look the same in a pristine white modern home.

It’s Knackered

Slight damage is a common reason for finding a bargain wherever it is. Small cosmetic things like imperfect shoes are fair game. However, missing stones on jewellery are more troubling. Obviously items need to be fit for purpose, but even these can seem incomplete. You want an upgrade almost immediately and see what you had as just a stepping stone. And yes, clearance flowers aren’t going to impress anyone.

Buying for eBay

Something from TK Maxx…  in the clearance section? Surely such high quality products can’t get any lower. Unfortunately, being the outcasts of the outcasts, you probably won’t like it. But you might think there’s something of the RRP preserved in an item that you might be able to gain by reselling it. Unfortunately, check and you are likely to find the same for considerably cheaper. Also consider the time and effort in doing this and wonder if the profit after fees is actually vaguely worthwhile.

As for charity shops and carboot sales, the same logic applies. If it is reduced that much, more often than not the RRP wasn’t getting it anywhere. There certainly are second hand gems available as many stories attest to, but some discipline is needed to avoid hoarding random crap ‘because it was cheap.’

It Wasn’t Worth Much in the First Place

Many brands thrive on a system of having a high RRP but having an almost permanent reduction. This is especially noticeable in markets where labels can have sheer fantasy numbers before the trader tells you warmly that you can have it for a mere fraction. This is also when you can be swayed into buying something that you don’t know you don’t want.

 

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