I want to shop - YouLookFab Forum

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I want to shop

Debbie

Veteran

Butterflylady's post got me thinking. I really want to shop not just online. I want to brick and mortar shop. I want to touch and try on and actually see what I am buying as I I buy.
My goal this weekend is to spend 2 hours shopping. I do have a list but mostly I want the experience of shopping. Does anyone else feel this way?
I apologize for lack of participation lately and hope that I am going to have more time in the next couple of weeks.

General

21 replies

Latest reply was from rute

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Oh yeah. I have been online exclusively since not having a car about a month and a half ago. Even if I don't buy, I like to go and see what's out there, and yes, touch it!!

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I do a combination of online and in store, but if you have the time, in store is more enjoyable. Particularly at this time of year, when the new season's clothing is coming in, and there are new textures to feel, and to see the way the stores display everything.

Happy shopping this weekend!

Sona

Veteran

I tend to be very quick to hit the buy button online. I am also really bad about returning items that I know don't fit just perfect. So I end up cutting tags and then find I thrift a lot. My counselor told me to only brick and mortar shop so I can feel, touch and try before I buy. But I still pull the online buy trigger all too often and then for some reason feel compelled to keep the item. Strangely enough I feel less pressure to 'buy' in brick and mortar stores. I also tend to not come out of the dressing room for an SA's opinion. I am going to buy an iphone soon so I can get a realtime YLF yay/nay but I don't want someone with a vested interest like an SA's opinion on a garment for example to sway me.

Anonymous

I often feel that way, but then when I take some time to make the rounds at the stores, I'm disappointed in the experience and realize that online shopping has way more selection in both merchandise AND prices. For me, online shopping (and lots of returns) is more convenient and enjoyable.

Anonymous

I know how you feel Debbie. Last weekend I spent quite a bit of time shopping at brick and mortar stores but just got discouraged. I was looking especially for items to fill wardrobe holes but also noticing what was new and what was on sale. I came home with a new belt. period.
Lots of things were ok, but nothing felt fabulous. I hope that you have better luck.

Lenni A

I absolutely know what you mean! With two young kids, it's easy for me to browse online after they go to bed and virtually impossible for me to shop in stores. This fall they will both be in school a couple of days a week and I am looking forward to trying things on that I haven't bought yet and getting to feel and really see things. And also to getting my teeth cleaned, eyes examined, hair cut, and moles screened on a proper basis.

Debora

Veteran

Debbie, I wish I still lived in San Antonio - I would go shopping with you in a heartbeat!!!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I'm finding this discussion very interesting - and completely relevant. I've recently returned to actual stores to shop after doing a fair bit online. And the biggest advantage I found to shopping in the store is that I tried on items that didn't necessarily jump out at me on the hanger, but ended up looking great in person. When I shop online, I end up choosing what I guess you could consider "safe" items because I can't see them, touch them, see how they move. But in the store, I'm already there so it's not alot of extra effort to try on things outside my comfort zone. And if you have a helpful sales assistant (like I recently did) she can make suggestions for things her trained eye can see might work for you. You don't get that online. Plus, I really hate the whole returning of items I've purchased online. And financially, because there's a wee bit more effort on my part to get dressed and drive to the store and spend time there, there's a lot less "spur of the moment" purchases. So based on my last excursion, I think I'm back to shopping in person.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

There are 3 stores 25 miles from where I live: Wal-Mart, Kohls and TJ Maxx. The only store where I actually shop is TJ Maxx, it is a really nice one compared to others. However, it is limited especially if you are looking for better quality. So I end of doing a lot of on-line shopping. I do not like the hassle of returning (I need to drive to another town just to post things). But YLF has improved my standards and now am returning more and more. I really wish there were better local shopping options.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Denise, I feel your pain. No matter if I'm here in FL or back in Tahoe, the nearest stores are Ross, TJ Maxx or Target and none are right down the street. 'Real' stores are an hour and 20 minutes. Online is just second nature to me at this point. Luckily, my measurements are pretty in line with standard fitting charts, so I don't run into too many fit issues. Returning is both a hassle and expensive with the shipping both ways!

Debbie

Veteran

Debora I wish you were here too. It would be a lot of fun.
Sometimes I love on line shopping but for some reason right now I want to experience the store side of shopping. My options here are very good but are very spread out in terms of location. I'm just going to see what I come up with tomorrow. I have several things I want to look at.

Has anyone seen this top:
http://www.express.com/dolman-.....pro#jsLink

I want to see it in person before I take a chance on it.
I'll let you know what I find!

Queen Mum

Veteran

Warning... unorganized, rambling thoughts ahead...

I was just thinking about this today as I made a quick trip to Target for some things. I've been doing more and more on-line shopping lately and was wondering if I am robbing myself of the enjoyment of a day of shopping. I can't say though that I've missed it.

Online shopping does have it's disadvantages.. can't touch the fabric or examine the quality, and I won't buy if I have to pay return shipping,... but I honestly think I've done just as well if not better shopping on-line. Perhaps in part due to the absence of the evil skinny mirrors?

I get overwhelmed in B&M stores too.... especially at the mall. I"m definitely on team "stimulus overload drives me crazy". hmm, maybe I'll stick to B&M shopping on haircut days in the little shops near my salon.

hmmm, lots to think about....

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, I tend to do the same as you - buy basics and things I know will work/fit online, but end up being a bit more adventurous with my B&M purchases because I can try on things outside my wheelhouse and see if they work or not. I am not anti-return but I don't like to buy tons that I'll have to send back.

AJ

Veteran

Debbie - not this Labor Day weekend, but you let me know when I can meet you at the outlets in San Marcos! : P

Debbie

Veteran

That would be great AJ I will pm you next week!

Aziraphale

Veteran

See, this is why I live in a city. Lots of brick and mortar shops.

OK, that's not the real reason I live in a city, but it's one of the many perks. I enjoy shopping in actual shops (if the shopping involves actually buying something), and I avoid online shopping because of all the drawbacks mentioned above. I'm picky, and I have to try lots of things on to get the right fit, so online shopping would be a nightmare. Plus I have a weird but violent aversion to having to return-ship something, even if I don't have to pay return shipping costs.

However, I think online shopping is a marvelous development of modern society, because otherwise what are all those people who live far from urban centers supposed to do? Obviously not everybody wants to (or can) live in a city, but it's awesome that they still have shopping access without having to make a journey of hundreds of kilometers.

Scarlet

Veteran

I am planning on going out today just to see what is hitting the stores for fall. I love it. I don't really care for online shopping unless I have no time to get out.

nancylee

Veteran

I know how you feel. Since I live in a small town without much local shopping I buy almost exclusively online. It's convenient but I often crave the stimulation of physical shopping. At least two or three times a year I make a trip to a local city to immerse myself in the shopping experience and touch and see things for myself.

It can be exhausting to shop when you're out of practice, however. I often feel overwhelmed and a little like the country mouse in the big city! Bring water and be sure to eat something.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome to Team Store

I love the ambiance in the shops and streets - I am not nearly as invigorated online. It's as simple as that!

For the record, I really don't like malls.I try to avoid them as much as possible.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Oh Angie, I am so glad to hear someone else say this! My blood sugar drops the second I step into a mall. Although the people-watching can be amazing.

rute

Veteran

I never shop online! For me it's the experience of going to a shop that I love, love to touch the fabrics, to see if it's a well made piece, to see all the other pieces, even if I don't intend to buy, but I like to be well informed