4 Of The Biggest Shopping Mistakes To Avoid
Sunday, May 26, 2019
* - This is a partnered post
The value of retail therapy is clear. It lifts your mood, provides entertainment and interest, and you get something you can eat, wear or use.
On the other hand, finding you’ve wasted your cash, or bought something shoddy, useless or woefully wrong has the opposite effect.
Here are four ways to avoid shopping mistakes.
Impulse buying
Whether you’re browsing for something you need or want – online or on the high street – forward thinking matters. Impulse spending is the best way to make a colossal mistake. Making a plan for your shopping expedition can be part of the fun.
For example, check your wardrobe to see what items and colour combinations you have missing. You may get new outfit ideas. Make a list of ‘must haves’ in your toolbox, makeup drawer or kitchen cabinets, to build excitement before you spend wisely and well.
Falling for the sales patter
Marketing helps us to know what’s available, where to buy it, and the benefits of each purchase. However, marketing professionals are creative and can sometimes lead us to make shopping purchases we later regret.
All wording needs to be studied – no matter how much that slows our shopping down.
Look at offers closely, and don’t let words like “free”, “discount” and “reduced” lead you to impulse buys.
Also, just because the item is high priced doesn’t mean it's high quality, and the best bargains are not necessarily the cheapest goods. Consider how well made it is, how long it will last, and whether you love it enough to get lots of use out of it.
Not caring about retailers' supply chain
Choosing goods wisely is sometimes about supporting companies who show social responsibility, right through their supply chain.
For example, you might want to research which brands invest most on the health and safety of the workers who produce their goods.
Following the awful tragedy in 2013, when the Rana Plaza garment factory collapsed killing 1,135 textile workers, many retailers signed The Bangladesh Accord.
Another ethical consideration is the testing of products on animals. Some companies say they don’t test products on animals but are less clear in whether that extends to product ingredients tested on animals.
If you want to shop with an ethical retailer, dig deeper into their policies. For example, Debenhams' ethical retail stance is that they don't stock products tested on animals or clothing made using fur or feathers.
Buying from retailers who put profits before the planet
In our race to buy cheaply, it's too easy to accidentally overlook environmental concerns.
Many retailers are working to make their businesses more sustainable, to help shoppers make wise purchases. In January 2019, a Government Environmental Audit Committeeshowed that there was still room for improvement, including both shops and shoppers steering away “throw away” fashions, with the waste they bring. Instead, shops should stock quality items that last.
Sustainability is also important in other ways, including retailers buying some of their goods from British farmers, small business ventures and artisan producers.
This boosts the local economy and reduces the distance goods have to travel. You get fresher produce, more regional specialities and you've helped to reduce carbon footprint.
It all comes down thinking before you shop, to be sure your retail therapy keeps you feeling good for a long time.
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