https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:57:30 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose/page/2#post-1160840 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 02:36:38 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1160840@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Donna F - I'm not a huge amazon shopper but there are definitely plenty of things I could buy on there. If it were a more specialized card of something that I would have a hard time using before it expired, I might use the card. But with the significant savings I would buy from the other site and save the card for something else in the future. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose/page/2#post-1160831 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 02:20:48 +0000 DonnaF 1160831@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If this were a Macy's, Nordstrom, or other limited use gift card or a card from a place where you don't shop much, I might say to use the gift card.&nbsp; Amazon, however, is another matter.&nbsp; Our family received an Amazon card as a Christmas gift, and I told DD she could use it to buy SENSIBLE (vs. fashion) winter boots.&nbsp; Had the zipper on her old boots not broken, I might have said she could buy/rent her college texts.&nbsp; Of course, I could find a million uses, like BB cream from Korea, shoes, etc.</p> <p>P.S.&nbsp; Just learned DD bought Sorels for less than 1/2 price.&nbsp; More like mid-calf boots, but they pass my sensible test!&nbsp; Hooray! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose/page/2#post-1160826 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 02:16:01 +0000 Deborah 1160826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>80.00 is a significant saving so I would keep the gift card for something else x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose/page/2#post-1160823 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 02:13:22 +0000 Isabel 1160823@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me it would depend on whether or not I want something at the site/store for the gift card. &nbsp;If there is nothing else there that I really like, I would get the bag. If there is something that I like and couldn't find anywhere else either, I would buy the bag.</p> <p>But I also believe that one someone gives a gift card, it is free money already so why not get what you want &nbsp;? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose/page/2#post-1160801 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 01:33:40 +0000 Joyce B 1160801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I would get the cheaper one as long as the return policy is good and I would use the gift card for something else. Of course you could argue that you can use the gift card and save your money and you will be right too...<br /> Or you could do what you did, save the card and not buy anything. That may be the smartest option. I should keep it in mind so that I spend less. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose/page/2#post-1160789 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 01:24:39 +0000 Gaylene 1160789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, more questions. I'd say it is the "windfall" nature represented by such cards (or refunds, "found" money, gifts, and the like) that makes us want to use the money for something special or significant, especially if we have sufficient funds to take care of our day-to-day needs. </p> <p>Which raises another interesting question: what could you do with the Amazon card that would give you the most pleasure? Buy an item for yourself? Buy an item for your family? Gift the card to someone who would spend it on essentials like shampoo and toilet paper?</p> <p>To me, girl math seems specifically designed to rationalize my decisions to spend money on my acquisitions. But, oddly enough, the result doesn't always end up giving me the most pleasure. It's like the general who wins the battle but loses the war. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose/page/2#post-1160775 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 01:07:03 +0000 Mo 1160775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To me, the girl math is what is the bottom line on my credit card bill I have to show the SO to pay. &nbsp;Maybe I'm reading it wrong. &nbsp;If I can use Paypal balances and/or fold return credits in towards a 'big' purchase so that the final outcome appears less than it is - that is girl math. &nbsp;In my opinion anyway. &nbsp;Hence, I said no out of pocket expenses would be preferable, should the discount not be over 25%. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose/page/2#post-1160760 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 00:43:26 +0000 catgirl 1160760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating. I've never really understood what was meant by girl math here - that was one reason I asked. I guess the comparison assumes the money and the card WILL be spent eventually. But if I wouldn't buy the item at cheaper price using "real" money, does the card make it different? Is the card value more negligible? </p> <p>This is why I ended up not buying anything! Which is a good outcome too. Sometimes I agonize MORE over using found money or gift cards than I do my own cash. What is the psychology of that?! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose/page/2#post-1160715 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:56:51 +0000 Gaylene 1160715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry, Diana, if the card can be exchanged for the item without any money leaving my pocket that constitutes "free" to me. </p> <p>Say Una's item costs $160. Assuming the card is worth $160, using the card means she pays nothing. If she buys the item at Site B, after the discount, the item costs her $80. Granted, she still has the possibility of finding something else in the future at Amazon, but there is nothing to guarantee that a future purchase would give her as much pleasure as knowing that she has the item she wants without any money leaving her pocket. </p> <p>But, as I said, I've always been a bit dubious of the logic that seems to imply that spending more money now will guarantee I'll come out ahead at some future date. Sometimes it works out just fine, but life has a funny way of throwing curveballs at us, despite our best plans and intentions. I'm sticking with my vote for using the card now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160706 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:51:44 +0000 MsMary 1160706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also cringe at the term "girl math," and I don't think the consensus to save the gift card (which is a cash equivalent) and spend less cash elsewhere is "girl math" at all -- I think it's just plain math.&nbsp; I think treating the gift card (which, again, is a cash equivalent given that you can get almost anything at Amazon and could certainly find a good non-frivolous use for it) as "found money" or a "freebie" or anything other than, you know, <i>money</i> would be the worst kind of "girl math." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160700 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:45:24 +0000 gryffin 1160700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Girl math = how much did you spend this month....you were good, go with the lower price if reputable site.&nbsp; You were bad, but want it, need it, gotta have it....then amazon....the price you pay it's a gift to you but you didn't put more on the credit card.&nbsp; That's my scenario! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160695 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:41:16 +0000 Gracie 1160695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would choose to pay less for the item and save the card. I treat gift cards and bonus cash-back cards as income. if I buy clothing with them, the amount still gets deducted from my clothes budget. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160686 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:30:23 +0000 MsMary 1160686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes.&nbsp; The card may not have cost anything to acquire, but it's still worth money, and if you can get the skirt for less money you should do it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160681 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:24:45 +0000 rae 1160681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since it's Amazon, I'd go for the bargain price on the other site. Something will always turn up on Amazon, either a want or need... it's not a GC that will languish unused. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160676 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:18:32 +0000 Classically Casual 1160676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another aspect to take into consideration is hackability, or lack thereof, of the site you 'd be using a personal credit card to purchase the item. Color me gun shy... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160674 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:18:22 +0000 Diana 1160674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene: but it's not free.&nbsp; Amazon gift card is basically money as there's almost nothing they don't sell.&nbsp; I think that's the salient point here.&nbsp; </p> <p>Now if it was "do I use the gift card from store that only sells X to buy X, or do I buy X from another site" it would be different.</p> <p>I don't know.&nbsp; I have never considered my credit card rewards to be "fun money," as I pretty much don't differentiate between fun money and regular money anyway.&nbsp; It's all gotta come from somewhere, and you pay your bills, add to your savings first, and whatever is left is what you have for fun things.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160670 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:12:38 +0000 Gaylene 1160670@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question. I'm going to throw a spanner in because I'd use the card. </p> <p>I can't help but wonder if you'd posed the question as "Should I get this item for free or should I pay xx dollars for it?" would the responses be the same? But, then again, "girl math" always makes me roll my eyes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160667 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:07:22 +0000 carter 1160667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd definitely buy from the less expensive site and save the gift card </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160664 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:02:52 +0000 rachylou 1160664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ja, I'd buy for $80 cheaper, use the gift card on something else. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160656 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 22:54:02 +0000 Sheila 1160656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>$ 80 is $ 80... </p> <p>as long as you do not throw it away at Amazon. They have some great deals on boots now... or you can save the giftcard until you REALLY need something. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160655 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 22:49:59 +0000 JayS 1160655@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, that's easy. Keep the gift card and buy from the cheaper site. You're saving $80!</p> <p>Of course, girl math is my specialty.&nbsp; I just got some new shoes from Amazon today because I didn't have a box to return some other ones that came the other day. I had ordered 2 pairs of shoes earlier and the box they came in was way too big to use to send back just one pair. So this way, if these new ones don't work, I just send them and the other pair back in the bigger box. They did work, yeah!, so I'm just gonna send back the one pair in the smaller box. Makes perfect sense to me... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160651 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 22:48:15 +0000 catgirl 1160651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow consensus! Looks like nearly everyone is in the spend to save boat. </p> <p>For me the danger of freebies is feeling I have the chance to buy stuff I wouldn't usually buy and don't need, on a whim. Such is this item so I'm passing altogether. But good to know how girl math would apply! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160646 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 22:41:13 +0000 trix 1160646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd buy from the cheaper site. But that's because I buy enough at Amazon that I would find some way to use the gift card pretty soon&nbsp;(so really, it's like cash) ,and I presume I&nbsp;have enough cash to buy the item at the other retailer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160604 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 21:58:22 +0000 Thistle 1160604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First, I would decide if the site I have the giftcard for is a place I am likely to purchase from anyway. If so, I would save the giftcard and buy from Amazon.</p> <p>If it is a place&nbsp;I am struggling to use the giftcard, I would buy somethign I think I would use even if it was a little more. </p> <p>At $80 more, it would be really hard for me not to buy from the cheaper site. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160600 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 21:56:32 +0000 Glory 1160600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would buy the cheaper version and save the gc. That is a serious price difference. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160548 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 20:36:05 +0000 Mo 1160548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it depends on total cost of the item. &nbsp;If the savings is more than 25% I'd do the savings. &nbsp;If not, I'd go for using the gift card and having no out of pocket expense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160542 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 20:34:11 +0000 Gigi 1160542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Sara L. I would use the gift card in this situation only if you didn't have enough money in the bank account to cover the $80-less version. Otherwise, since Amazon carries so many things and it's extremely likely that you'll be able to use the gift card on something else there, I would save the gift card for later. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160541 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 20:33:29 +0000 Suz 1160541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I'd buy the item at the cheaper price and save the gift card for sure! :)&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160538 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 20:30:18 +0000 rabbit 1160538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Having faced similar decisions, I personally tend to default to thinking of gift cards as equivalent to&nbsp;money, including the ones you get from bank points or as a present. I still shop sales and try to get the best bargain for an item. &nbsp;For example with prime I do a lot of everyday shopping off Amazon, toilet paper, razors, batteries, salad spinners,&nbsp;etc. &nbsp;so for me it really is the same as cash. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-but-free-or-bargain-price-which-would-you-choose#post-1160537 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 20:29:58 +0000 Emily 1160537@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, I'm with Diana on this one. </p>