Bizzare shopping question ... same dress, 4 different prices...

Dear YLF,

I have a weird question for you: I was shopping at little boutiques with my sister and tried on a darling little dress - it was quite expensive in the store ($124); and I decided not to buy it based on this. I saw the same dress at a different boutique for $99, but decided to pass on it as well.

I was browsing later online, and found it for $74 at an online retailer; and applied a coupon to get it down to $50; which was great! I was super excited and ordered it ...

Is this just being thrifty or taking advantage of the boutiques? I initially did find and try on the dress in their store - I'd feel kinda bad being the kind of person that stalks out dresses in person, tries them on, and then buys them online.

Then again, the first place was making a >$70 profit (assuming that the online retailer who was selling it for $50 was still making some money).

PS: I didn't get any compliments at all on the dress (I should take a pic next time I wear it to show you all; I've already worn it all over! I love it) - just comments that it came from a very expensive store (the first place). Am I obligated to disclose it was only $50?

PPS: One girl told me that she saw the same thing at F21 for cheaper, or something similar to it. I told one girl, "Well, the dresses at Forever 21 are too short for me!" I shouldn't have to defend my purchase, right?

:S Sorry for the novel.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I have found that the internet has allowed for better price-comparison. And the fast-fashion companies have allowed for faster knock-offs. In the end, it does tend to pull prices down over-all. I don't think you need to defend a purchase if what you got makes you happy. A lot of the knock-offs have quality and fit issues that would not bring you the same clothing-joy you are currently experiencing.

Jilly

Active Member

I think it's fine to try things on first at a boutique; I might not do that deliberately on a regular basis. I think boutiques in general are more expensive as they have more overhead or something. An online retailer can probably spread their costs over a larger number of people than a boutique. That's just my take on it.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I don't always understand pricing differences either. I saw the blue Halogen seamed skirt on the web for 30-something dollars, went into the store and it was 60 something. I'm not sure what that's about.

Laurinda

I'm no expert on the clothing trade, but my guess is that identical items coming off a factory floor might get different brand name or generic labels sewn into them. I had a shirt with a certain US brand name on it, and a friend had the same shirt bought for $2 from a rack in Hong Kong, sans label.

IMHO, a fair price is whatever a particular buyer and seller agree on. I don't know why a person would have to feel obligated to tell anyone what they paid for something, sounds like a nosy Nelly to me.

lyn*

Ah; I guess I should clarify - it's the same dress with labels and all... and the online shop is ModCloth. :p

I wouldn't buy the "same thing" off ebay ... I hope ModCloth stocks the real thing; I guess I'll let you know when it comes! I haven't had any quality issues with any of my purchases there

Diana

I wouldn't feel bad about it ... it's just called being a smart shopper! Once in a while I might buy something at a higher price from a boutique, but that's a conscious decision to support a particular store that I like. If it's just any random boutique that I happen to wander into, I don't feel badly.

I must say that I am impressed that you found a cheaper price at Modcloth! Usually I find that they jack up the prices on a lot of brands... and they don't state the brand in the description, which is annoying. I am sure they are authentic, though, so I don't think you have to worry about that.

Diana - that tells you how much this particular boutique must have been marking up stuff They are a very cute store and have very nice customer events; I may go there and buy something in the future ... I sort of have to ... they only gave me store credit >__>

Sara L.

I've do a similar thing with running shoes. I go to the specialty running shop to get fit for shoes and I buy a pair from them. But then I also buy another pair or two online later. I don't feel bad since I did buy the first pair from them, but subsequent pairs I can usually find far cheaper online. I wouldn't feel bad if I were you - your money is valuable and it's smart to be thrifty and shop around.

cheryle (Dianthus)

I've done that with running shoes as well. I buy from the Running Room but then buy a second pair at less than half the price. I think I buy enough from them to justify it.

DonnaF

A small shop can't buy in the same quantity as an online retailer, so it probably pays more for an item in the first place. It also has higher overhead due to labor costs and rent on a building in a nicer location than a warehouse (which it may also rent). A boutique's niche is unique merchandise and top service. If it only has one or neither, then it will face challenges IMHO.

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