Shopping, Consumers, the Economy, and Rational Explanations

FIRST:  A PINK FLAMINGO I TOLD YOU SO!

Have I not been saying that once fuel prices go down people will start spending money on other things?

What if there is a limit to consumerism and we have reached that limit?

What do you do when everyone who basically wants an iPod has one?  (Just an example).  It seems to me if you don’t create the next big hula-hoop then those people making hula-hoops are going to go unemployed.

We live in a consumer based society.

Something like two-thirds of our economy is based on consumerism.

If this is the case, why do certain Democratic politicians and different members of the media talk down our economy and consumerism?

They are killing us – destroying the economy.

Maybe they are doing so intentionally.  As an aside, I can’t wait to see the numbers that start coming out after The One (elect) is anointed and crowned. I have this feeling the sky will be blue, the oceans pure, and Michael Jackson will have that lung transplant.

There were some interesting things I’ve noted.

The sale of women’s clothing is down about 27%.

Have you noticed women’s clothing this year?

This past year or so in fashion has been deplorable.  I don’t know anyone who actually now-days goes out and purchases “New Clothes” because of fashion.  Shopping for a new skirt and blouse is now as traumatic as once was shopping for a bathing suit. The sizes are not consistant.  Nothing fits right.  Nothing looks right.  The styles are terrible. If you find something, they were designed for people ages 13 – 25.  Anyone over that age need not apply.

I’m one of the few women I know who has a constant supply of new clothes, simply because I design my own things and have them made.  I’ve been doing this for about 20 years.  The past couple of years I’ve noticed a serious change in fabric.  Good looking fabric is getting to be very difficult to find.

Currently fasions have taken a terrible turn toward the 1960s, when all good things came to an end. The current styles don’t look good on anyone over thirty.  Fashion has become a young person’s venue.  If a woman wants something more mature and sophisticated she must pay a fortune for it.

When you go shopping, the clerks are rude and insulting and prices are outlandishly high.

I’m surprised the sale of women’s clothing is down only 27%.

It is also something you never see discussed by economists, but then again most of them don’t exactly take part in the reality of life.

We’re told the sale of upscale jewelry was way off this year.  No woman with half a brain is going to even suggest the purchase of jewelry when the price of gold and silver is so high.  Trust me, we follow market prices.

You may find that the sale of handbags has gone up, quite a bit – for good reason.  It is my theory that we are living in the golden age of handbags.  What is lacking in the design of clothing is being made up for in the quality, quantity, and availability of exquisite bags.

AMAZON SALES ARE UP

There is a reason that Amazon’s sales are up, way up.  It’s easy. Amazon Prime is a fantastic deal.  You get your product in a few days, and it costs less.  I did a tremendous amount of my shopping off Amazon even without Amazon Prime.  You know the product is going to get there, be honored, and if not, you know why.

There is one other thing about Amazon.  Their APO shipping is quick.  If you have Amazon Prime, there is no charge for priority shipping.  I’ve sent several hundred dollars worth of books and DVD’s to Baghdad to my brother using that method.  It is terribly easy – the only way to go!

Amazon may also be a sign of things to come.  From what I gather sales of their amazing e-book reader, Kindle are so back-ordered forget even buying one for awhile.

Of all the “new” inventions since the notebook computer, I think the most indispensable is the Kindle.

Getting back to Amazon, the online giant is offering something very important – service.  As our economy allegedly weakens, one of the things I am hoping to see is a return to service and the old “customer is always right”.

BUSINESS FAILURES

Have you ever wondered why some “retail giants” survive while others go under?

What if it isn’t about bottom line but about customer service?

Do you shop in stores that insult you, offer cheap products, and don’t follow up on alleged service? (Yea, we can’t get away from Wallyworld, but other than that…?)

When was the last time you stepped inside a Linens and Things?

I’ve not bought anything from Circuit City in a good 15 years after they refused to provide their warranty service on a piece of junk computer.

I wonder how many ex-customers have contributed to their pending doom?

One of the things that just might come out of all this mess is good old-fashioned customer service.  As a customer it would be nice to be “right” once again.

Trackposted to Is It Just Me?, Blog @ MoreWhat.com, Rosemary’s Thoughts, Allie is Wired, Woman Honor Thyself, The World According to Carl, DragonLady’s World, The Amboy Times, Democrat=Socialist, L.O.M.A., Right Voices, and Gone Hollywood, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.