Buyer's Remorse?

Some of you are probably looking at your purchases from yesterday, and wondering what the heck you are were thinking, and if you have someone you can gift whatever item is making you feel guilty. I meet so many clients who have purchased an item, on sale, and then found it didn't work with their wardrobe the way they thought. Common sense tells us to return it or gift it, but because it was such a great deal, we have a hard time letting go. It's almost like a badge of honor to have gotten an item of clothing on sale when it's a great price. So there it sits, in their closet, taking up space (with the tags still on) and waiting for someone like me to come along and say things like 'why do you still have this' and 'if you've never worn it, was it really that great of a deal?'. Either way, that item of clothing likely reminds you that you made a bad purchase, and it makes you feel guilty.

For some shoppers, it's a reason not to shop - that worry that about making another bad purchase. For others, it's a simple nuisance, and although they feel a little guilty, it won't stop them from making another impulse purchase in the future. Black Friday is the day that the guilt of buyer's remorse will make or break you. Different than Cyber Monday, you can actually see and feel the energy of shoppers around you, who are competing to get the best deals before the stores run out of whatever you need.

Buyer's remorse takes on another form, and it's the 'one for you, one for me' mentality. With so many good deals in front of you, it's hard not to get some shopping in for yourself, too. It's easy to use Christmas shopping, a time when you're looking for a great deal on the Christmas presents on your list, to find great deals for yourself. And the reasoning sounds something like this 'wow, what a great scarf. And so soft. That's a great gift for (insert name of friend or relative here). But it's such a great deal, and if I get one for myself in another color, no one will notice, right?'. Sound familiar?

Buyer's remorse typically sets in when you look at your closet and think to yourself, did I really need that? The answer for most is no, you didn't. But you wanted it, so you bought it. I'm here to tell you there's nothing wrong with that. Over the years I have told clients to go shopping with a plan. It really does cut down on those errant purchases, and it reduces the buyer's remorse.

My advice: if you know shopping causes you to buy impulsively and feel guilty after, take a list of the things you are looking to add to your wardrobe. And stick to it! It's not a good deal if you can't wear it or gift it...