The Thrill of the Hunt

I have a favorite, although rather obscure, Monty Python sketch. An older housewife type (a "pepperpot") sits on a park bench. Another approaches dragging a car engine on a cart, saying she’s been shopping.

"Did you buy anything?" asks the first.

"A piston engine!"

"What d’you buy that for?"

"Oooh! It was a bargain."

It’s not their most memorable bit. But it deftly sums up a way in which we can short circuit our own thinking when we shop.

As I’ve written here several times, when we shop we are not creatures of cold calculation. We can’t be. There are just too many choices at the mall and not enough time to find the one optimal allocation of our money over everything we could buy. Instead, we operate on a set of learned behaviors that approximate the optimal outcome. One of those is bargain hunting.

Bargain hunting not only saves money, but for most of us it is satisfying fun. Which is what makes it dangerous. There is something uniquely delightful about scoring an item for less than it should cost, that is, for less than it is worth.

If you didn’t know better, you might think that the greatest achievement in bargain hunting would be to find exactly what you were looking for at a great price. That’s certainly a good thing, but as shopping thrills go it is inferior to spotting a great deal on something you weren’t intending to buy. Discovering that the sweater you went to the store to buy is 50% off is passive. It is merely found money, like receiving a gift. But noticing that the gloves are 80% off and snagging the last pair is an active achievement. You are better off because you are a wily and decisive consumer. And that’s a rush.

I was reminded of this phenomenon by a recent New York Times Magazine article on on-line off-price retailers of luxury goods. That discounters of high-end apparel and accessories are doing well just now shouldn’t be much of a story. Recessions, particularly the first year of them, are usually the best of times for outfits that clear out the inventory of other retailers.

It’s not that folks are that much more interested in a bargain in recessions. (There’s no shortage of people interested in the thrill of buying good stuff cheap even in the best of times.) What makes the early days of recessions great for these companies is the generous supply of stuff to sell. Retailers and manufacturers of high-end merchandise start recessions stuck with a lot of stuff they ordered the year before when times were better.

But that’s not what the Times story is about. The three e-tailers discussed use a lot of theatre in how they sell their goods. They induce a sense of artificial scarcity with "time limits and unpredictable and quickly rotating supplies". And they build up a sense of "exclusivity" by being "invitation-only" and not allowing the sites to be indexed by search engines. You gotta know somebody.

Of course, exclusivity is all relative. The sites have about 1.5 million members each. Getting in without an invitation requires spending an arduous day or two on a waiting list. But the theatrics apparently work. There’s only two Dolce & Gabbana shorts at $278 left and you’re lucky to even know about it and you better hurry up and buy them right now!

What makes these sites effective, and dangerous to the consumer, is that they artificially create the feeling of scoring a great bargain without (necessarily) offering any great bargains. That’s not exactly a first in the world of salesmanship, but the new format may be enough to throw the normally sage shopper off his or her game. So proceed with caution. This is where piston engines come from.

Frugality, Media | Frank Curmudgeon | October 13, 2009 11:59 am

29 Comments

By Evan, October 13, 2009 @ 2:48 pm

The limited availability to join was one of Madoff’s KEY selling tools!
By Dasha, October 13, 2009 @ 5:40 pm

That skit summarizes why I hate bargain shopping. Since I live in NYC, I can do all my “window shopping” while walking around on the street and taking the subway. When I decide on a look I want (a fitted wool peacoat or jeans, for example), I check all my usual stores for it, and pick the one that is the best combination of price and what I am looking for. Shopping done. And I never look like a slob or out of style, and don’t have a closet full of stuff I never wear.
By Rob Bennett, October 14, 2009 @ 9:21 am

This is why the solution to overspending has to be emotional in nature. The people trying to sell us stuff use psychology against us all the time. We spend most of our money management energies reading “tips” for saving money, which presume a rationality on our part that does not exist.

Once you become excited about saving, you are on your way. You can balance your excitement over spending (which you should feel) with your excitement over saving.

Rob
By TH, October 14, 2009 @ 12:34 pm

The one that gets me is the 2 for 1, buy now! When I’m shopping for non-staple items, I have to walk around the store and write down all those really nifty looking bargains, then go out and look at the list again to decide if there’s stuff on it that I *really* want and/or need. Just walking in with a cart results in *all* of it going home with me. Sigh.
By Rick Francis, October 15, 2009 @ 5:03 pm

There are always enough bargins that purchasing them all will make you broke!

Has anyone noticed that the language of sales is twisted?

You see signs in stores that say: Save 50%

However, if you buy anything you were not planning to buy anyway then you aren’t saving a dime. You are really spending more! These signs really should read: Spend 50% less than usual!

-Rick Francis
By subliminal mp3s, September 1, 2013 @ 9:44 pm

Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished
to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
By quit drinking alcohol, September 1, 2013 @ 9:49 pm

Right now it appears like BlogEngine is the preferred blogging platform available right now.

(from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
By chicken coops, September 2, 2013 @ 1:36 am

Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon
your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your
blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
By suba, April 29, 2023 @ 6:04 pm

Hi there, I enjoy reading through your article. I wanted to writea little comment to support you.
By Doups, May 17, 2023 @ 4:28 pm

Rest assured that we’re committed to making all of our slot games FUNtastic! They are all unique in their own way so picking the best one for you can be tricky. To better understand each slot machine, click on the “Pay Table” option inside the menu in each slot. Once you’ve found the slot machine you like best, get to spinning and winning! This game’s retention rates put it into the bracket with the top 25% of casino games (GameAnalytics). In comparison, the top 2% of games in the genre manage to keep as much as 60% of players on day 1. That’s almost twice as much as Slotomania. Now comes the new Slot Card 2018 collection which is even more fun to play with the free slot machines. With this there are now 4 seasonal albums of premium casino slot cards. This allows you to win even more amazing prizes all the while playing live casino Games.
https://angelodwky986531.activablog.com/12090666/crypto-poker-sites
Account Change Information 13.5-gram 500-piece Stripe Suited V2 Clay Poker Chips Set – Multi Account Change Information Kelley L. Jul 21, 2020 500 Valentino Ceramic Poker Chips Bulk An excellent ceramic poker set of the best home poker chips are known for their brilliant colors and sharp detail. These are the best poker chips to buy. They are not metal filled and don’t make the metal clanging sound when they bump together. Players rave about them. 6 Stripe Poker Chip – Our second most popular chip with a full color logo in a 1″ print. If you need it slightly larger, choose our 6 stripe deluxe which has a 1.1″ print area. 11.5 G Weight Subtotal: $} }) We provide a large selection of different poker chip styles that includes a wide range of blank and denominated poker chips that you can select from in rolls of 25 so you can custom build your poker chip set. We also provide each denomination color of any style in rolls of 25 so that you can purchase in bulk whether you’re building a new set or adding to an existing one. Depending on the individual style, denominations can range from 25 cent to $25,000 in order to accommodate cash games and tournaments.
By Cib, May 25, 2023 @ 11:50 pm

a Illustration: Thomas Plaßmann DerWesten.de a Illustration: Thomas Plaßmann Das wichtigste ist natürlich die Sicherheit und Seriosität des jeweiligen Anbieters. Leider gibt es zahlreiche schwarze Schafe, die Sie unbedingt meiden sollten. Als nächstes lohnt es sich, auf die Auszahlungsquote des Casinos und der einzelnen Spiele zu achten. Der Wert verrät Ihnen, welcher Prozentsatz aller Einsätze wieder zurück an die Spieler geht. Besonders als Echtgeld-Spieler sollten Sie darüber Bescheid wissen, denn eine höhere Auszahlungsquote bedeutet auch häufigere oder höhere Gewinne. Eine Seite der FUNKE Mediengruppe – powered by FUNKE Digital DerWesten.de Das wichtigste ist natürlich die Sicherheit und Seriosität des jeweiligen Anbieters. Leider gibt es zahlreiche schwarze Schafe, die Sie unbedingt meiden sollten. Als nächstes lohnt es sich, auf die Auszahlungsquote des Casinos und der einzelnen Spiele zu achten. Der Wert verrät Ihnen, welcher Prozentsatz aller Einsätze wieder zurück an die Spieler geht. Besonders als Echtgeld-Spieler sollten Sie darüber Bescheid wissen, denn eine höhere Auszahlungsquote bedeutet auch häufigere oder höhere Gewinne.
https://future-wiki.win/index.php?title=Roulette_tisch_original
Kostenlose Bargeldboni sind eine Art Casino-Boni, bei denen Sie keine Einzahlung vornehmen müssen, um in den Genuss dieses Bonus zu kommen. Nachdem ein Spieler diese vom Casino ein verlangt hat, wird der betreffende Bonusbetrag als Bonusgeld dem Spielerkundenkonto gutgeschrieben. Der Spieler kann dann praktisch alle Casinospiele spielen, mit Ausnahme der sogenannten „eingeschränkten Spielen\”, die aber in den Nutzungsbedingungen jedes einzelnen Bonus angegeben sein sollten. Wir empfehlen Ihnen daher immer, die AGBs bereits vor dem Spielen aufmerksam zu lesen. Bevor Sie sich endgültig für einen Casino Bonus mit 10 Euro Einzahlung entscheiden, sollten Sie sich mit den Umsatzbedingungen des jeweiligen Anbieters auseinandersetzen. Dort befinden sich Informationen, wie oft Sie den Bonusbetrag umsetzen müssen, bevor Sie eine Auszahlung der Gewinne tätigen können, die Sie durch das Bonusgeld erzielt haben. Spieler wünschen sich, wenn sie in einem Casino 10 Euro einzahlen, ein faires Spiel und so sollte man sich auch gegenüber des Anbieters verhalten. Manche Spieler versuchen das System zu überlisten, um sich mehr Bonusgeld zu sichern. Nicht nur dem Spieler selbst bringt das jede Menge Ärger, sondern auch dem Betreiber des 10€ Casinos selbst.
By spravki-kupit.ru, June 27, 2023 @ 5:49 am

медицинская справка
By купить диплом вуза высшее, June 28, 2023 @ 3:17 am

You can definitely see your expertise in the article you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. All the time go after your heart.
By накрутить просмотры яппи, July 30, 2023 @ 7:56 am

Thank you, I have recently been searching for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have came upon so far. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you positive about the source?
By smartremstroy.ru, August 1, 2023 @ 1:32 am

The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
By daachnik.ru, August 2, 2023 @ 8:03 am

Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your article. I like to write a little comment to support you.
By химчистка дивана на дому жодино, September 2, 2023 @ 6:44 am

You ought to take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the net. I am going to recommend this site!
By химчистка диана цены на услуги в жодино, September 2, 2023 @ 8:46 am

It’s actually very complex in this full of activity life to listen news on TV, so I simply use world wide web for that purpose, and get the latest news.
By sadovoe-tut.ru, September 6, 2023 @ 9:17 pm

Superb blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally confused .. Any suggestions? Cheers!
By agrosadovnik.ru, September 6, 2023 @ 9:41 pm

Hi would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a honest price? Many thanks, I appreciate it!
By payday loan near me, October 7, 2023 @ 8:09 am

Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website? My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Thank you!
By online television, October 10, 2023 @ 7:40 am

Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!
By online television, October 10, 2023 @ 10:42 pm

Hello there I am so happy I found your blog page, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Aol for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a remarkable post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don
By чеки на гостиницу в москве, October 13, 2023 @ 8:28 am

Hey! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
By online television, October 17, 2023 @ 11:42 pm

Thanks for your marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will come back later in life. I want to encourage you to continue your great job, have a nice weekend!
By online television, October 18, 2023 @ 1:50 pm

Hi mates, how is everything, and what you desire to say about this piece of writing, in my view its actually remarkable in favor of me.
By стяжка пола москва, October 24, 2023 @ 5:54 am

Нужна стяжка пола в Москве, но вы не знаете, как выбрать подрядчика? Обратитесь к нам на сайт styazhka-pola24.ru! Мы предлагаем услуги по устройству стяжки пола любой площади и сложности, а также гарантируем доступные цены и высокое качество работ.
By snabzhenie-obektov.ru, October 24, 2023 @ 2:00 pm

снабжение строительных объектов
By машинная штукатурка, October 26, 2023 @ 5:33 pm

Улучшайте интерьер дома с mehanizirovannaya-shtukaturka-moscow.ru. Машинная штукатурка поможет перемены быстро и без лишних усилий.