Tuesday 28 August 2012

Impulse Buys


Are they really value for money?


I was shopping for some jeans and T.shirts for my 9 year old and as I knew that these primarily were going to be worn around the village playing football I didn't want to spend too much. So, I headed to the local Peacocks store that always has a bargain or two on their shelves. I usually have the same approach to the kids clothes as I do to mine - I'm happy to splurge on a few good quality items that will last or are for special occasions, but tend to supplement these with easily replaceable cheaper items on a regular basis. I learnt this the hard way by buying the children lovely quality expensive jeans that still got ripped at the knees after a week or two of football in the local park! They are now kept for going out!

Anyway, I digress. On walking through the store - very clever marketing as you have to walk right through all the women's section to get to the kids section - I saw a lovely pair of tan sandals for £10. 



Now , I rarely buy shoes that aren't leather and branded as I am fussy over the 'boots and bags' section of my wardrobe ( we all have our weaknesses) , but for £10 I could not resist. They are comfy, easily worn for a whole day and will see out the rest of the summer - what more could you ask for £10? Sometimes I think it is easy to spend just too much on some items . I had a lovely pair of Russell and Bromley slingbacks last summer that wore out really quickly and beautiful though they were, value for money they were not!  ( Good job they were a gift from my husband and not bought by yours truly!) If I measure whether items are value for money by the amount I spend and the wear I will get out of them , then only time will tell with this purchase. If they break within a week I will not be happy with my £10 impulse purchase, no, not at all!



I even picked up a little clutch bag that matches them for a mere £8 - useful for those quick dashes to the shop and down the road when I don't want to take my daily handbag that is so heavy even my car  registers it as a person when placed in the passenger seat. 




Are you susceptible to the odd impulse buy or do you plan, plan, plan?

11 comments:

  1. No - totally, totally susceptible and Susceptible with a capital S. The sandals are a good buy - I don't worry about sandals not being leather too much as I feel your feet get to breathe anyway. Tan sandals are the perfect foil for just about any outfit - you should get loads of wear out of these - providing they don't fall apart first but they may surprise you and outlive their £10 supposed life span. I've lived in my Primark £15 and my KG Carvela £75 (but with discount) most of the summer, weather permitting. They do wonders for your legs!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Me too, if I see something that is a total bargain and I love it regardless of whether it will go with other things I own, I buy it! A couple of fab bargains here x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Excellent bargains! Love the shoes in particular. My experience has taught me that even though brand names are supposed to be of better quality they have some times failed miserably in comfort, endurance and overall quality. So it's not a rule! I will definitely buy no-brand items if I love the way they look and feel and judge that they' ll last. And if they don't last, oh well! at least I won't be crying about the tons of money I gave for them. Impulse shopping? Oh,Yeah!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I find it very difficult to resist a bargain ... and that bag looks like an excellent one. Will be interested to hear if the sandals last well

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great bargins there! I can't resist a bargin either (you may know this by now!). If something looks and feels right (on the eye and the purse) my belief is you should just go for it! xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. who doesn't love a bargin....well done!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think all us ladies are bargain hunters at heart! Sandals are great so far :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I do love a bargain and sometimes I have been luckier with cheaper items over more expensive ones! great clutch:)
    ~Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Those are great shoes and the purse is a perfect companion! Don't you just feel so manipulated sometimes with how the stores are set up, almost attempting to trip you into stopping and looking. I try to resist and usually go to a store with a plan, but if I get a good deal on what I'm looking for I'll go ahead and let myself be tempted outside my usual box.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Both the bag and shoes are very pretty. I especially love the bag.

    I am very susceptible to impulse purchases and I make sure to keep tags and receipts. There are times when I've regretted the purchase as soon as I took it out of the bag upon arriving home. Sigh. I try to be good...but in the end, those things that are very useable stay with me and those that are not all that useable go bag.

    I'm picky about my bags and shoes too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I never impulse shop and that is because I can't never afford it, but if I could I would really love some new sweater and autumn coats.
    And those sandals are really chic.

    ReplyDelete