Are You "Cheap"?

I like to think of myself as cheap, maybe more frugal, is there a difference? I have a hard time plunking down $5 for a latte, so I always make my coffee at home “to go.” I will, however, spend more on something that I absolutely LOVE!

For example, I was shopping in a boutique a few months ago, of course mostly looking at the sale racks, and when I went into the dressing room to try on my potential finds, there was a pair of more-than-I-ever-paid-before jeans waiting for me to try on. The gracious sales girl thought I might like them. So, since I’m in the dressing room taking off my clothes anyway, I try them on. I buy them, they’re the favorite thing I purchased that day and I wear the heck out of them (making sure I get my money’s worth).

Some would say I’m not cheap if I purchased a pair of premium denim at full price. I think of it as an investment. I’m a really good shopper and get a lot of great items at ridiculous prices so I feel that I can splurge every once in a while.

Designer items

At The Hanger we receive some awesome high-end designer items that we price just as we would other items in the store (50-75% off), but customers may think that it’s expensive, not realizing how much these items retail for.

Last week a beautiful woman was looking for a dress to wear to a wedding and I held up one of my favorites in the store: Diane von Furstenberg sleeveless dress (see picture), original retail price was $349, our price $83 (more than 75% off). She mentioned that this price was a little high for a consignment store, and I told her that it was worn once and what it retailed for (and it had just arrived at our store). She purchased it with the caveat that she could return the next day if her husband didn’t want it – she didn’t return it.

When deciding what you’re willing to pay, ask yourself:

·         Do you love it?

·         Will you wear it enough to justify spending more/less?

·         Do I have something similar in my closet?

·         Is it flattering?

·         Do you LOVE it?