Point blank... I hate it, unless I am shopping for school supplies, which is the one addendum to my distaste. I despise every aspect of the shopping experience from finding a parking spot, to the broken-record music, to cheery sales people asking me if I want to save 10%, to being stalked as I return to my glory-holding parking spot. I don't think its fun, a way to spend time with others, pleasant or relaxing. I will admit that at times, I will have a moment of insanity in which I think I feel the urge to shop. I have come to realize that this feeling lasts about an hour and if I choose to partake in the activity, I will need a two hour nap to recover. Over the years, I have learned to compensate for my disdain by befriending (and marrying) people who love to shop and then forcing them to come with me. Many have fallen victim to my persuasion and have later learned to not shop with me unless I am well fed, well rested and have some sort of "reward" to look forward to at the end of the excursion.
I would like to announce, however, that I have found a way to overcome my hatred, move beyond that which has forced me to impulse buy for the sake to getting out of a store and now enjoy purchasing... ONLINE SHOPPING!
While many have been using their mouse to browse for years, it is only since I have come to terms with my long standing hatred, that I have enjoyed the speed, annoyance free process of online shopping! The process makes sense: select store or distributer, select large category in which desired item may be found, narrow search down by choosing between various detailed items, peruse items, select one, check out, insert credit card number WITHOUT HAVING TO DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO SAVE 10% and expect your purchase within a week! Incredible the amount of steps one can go through while experiencing of the comfort of their couch, the refreshing taste of a diet coke and whatever music he/she wants to listen to.
As an expression of my new found freedom and love for online shopping, I have listed my most favorite, frequently visited places to shop:
- Overstock.com-- LOTS to look at, some good, some bad. You can't beat their $2.95 for shipping!
- Target.com--Classic, easy and I spend less online than I do standing in line deciding if I need a bottle of Purel for my keychain. Watch the shipping costs, though, as they can be a bit much. I have found stuff I like and then just gone to a store to pick it up (this saved me $60 on our new TV stand)!
- Ikea.com-- Interesting choice, I know, but this helps me decide if Craigslist purchases are worth it. Only problem, not all items are available online. It also saves us city people at trek out to the middle of no where!
- Crate and Barrel Outlet-- Some really good finds. Easy to look at.
- Amazon.com--I think their prices for used books are great, especially for their used children's books. They often have books that are out of print as well!
- Etsy.com ---For those that claim online shopping misses out on good finds and individualized purchases!
Happy Shopping!
1 comment:
renee,
it's nice to know that there are other girls out there who feel the same way...especially at...ughh---malls. that is the worst shopping experience. it is utter exhaustion and nauseating to go to malls. i literally feel nauseated after intense shopping. it's too much. i'll prod around this online shopping that you write about...thanks for the suggestion.
jen=)
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