Letter from a Spoiled Consumer

Posted on | May 31, 2010 | 5 Comments

May 31, 2010

Author’s Note: It’s Memorial Day Weekend, which is particularly known for its crazy great deals, so I thought it would be fun to publish this letter. Happy Memorial Day!

Dear Retailers and Manufacturers,

            You have spoiled me beyond belief. So much so, in fact, that I can never envision myself going into a store, pulling something off of a shelf, and paying for it. That’s right; no more paying for things for me, and I can thank you for that.

Let me introduce myself: I am Amanda L. Grossman, living in Houston, TX, and I want your products. Here’s the catch: I will never pay full shelf price for your products. On top of a discount, I will only buy them if I am given a further incentive to do so. With all of your coupons, rebates, gift cards with purchases, free product giveaways, free samples, points and rewards, etc., to get my attention, I have now grown to expect this kind of treatment in every transaction that I make.

And we’re not just talking about a rewards credit card that gives me points towards gift cards for each purchase that I make; this is standard. If I am going to slide my point-earning credit card through a machine, it is because I am expecting money from YOU (that’s right!), or a gift card to spend money on other items that I want, or because your merchandise is marked down so low that it is ridiculous for me not to purchase it (don’t come to the negotiating table for anything less than 40% off, and that’s for new merchandise only).  I know you are a wily one, and are sitting in an office right now thinking about all of the sneaky ways you can get me to slide that credit card, such as seasonal items. But you know what? I will just wait until after the season ends, purchase those items at a 75-90% discount, and then use them for next year. I’ve got storage. I’ve got patience.

You’ve taught me well, and my bank account is thankful for it.

Sincerely,

P.S. Don’t believe me? Here are some of the crazy things I have seen in the past two years that have surpassed any of my wildest, frugal decadent expectations:

  • $20 Rebates to buy vacuum cleaners
  • 50% off coupons for Half-Priced Books (though sadly in this case 50% plus half-off does not equal 100% free books)
  • $200 in Visa Gift Cards for no-contract internet/cable, after 30 days of use (AT&T)
  • Gift Card for free VS Undies every few months (such that I now have 10-12 pairs that I only paid upwards of $0.50 each!!)
  • Oil of Olay $15 rebate (I now have free body washes and soaps for the next year)
  • Real Simple one-year magazine subscription for $5
  • Free calculators from Office Depot
  • Free products just for walking through your door, no purchase necessary (flashlight, love scrolls I used at my wedding to write vows on, etc.)
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Comments

5 Responses to “Letter from a Spoiled Consumer”

  1. Amanda
    May 31st, 2010 @ 9:17 am

    You’re my hero. A frugalite after my own heart. Derek just got into law school, so I’ll need your tips!!

    Amanda

    [Reply]

  2. finallygettingtoeven.com
    May 31st, 2010 @ 10:03 am

    Amen Sister!

    [Reply]

  3. Amanda L. Grossman
    May 31st, 2010 @ 10:06 am

    Hey Amanda!!! Tell Derek we say congratulations, and I am MORE than happy to share my frugal tips and tricks with you:). Hope you guys are well!

    [Reply]

  4. Amanda L. Grossman
    May 31st, 2010 @ 10:07 am

    finallygettingtoeven: Thanks!

    [Reply]

  5. Frugal Confessions
    July 19th, 2010 @ 8:07 am

    [...] I ask certain things of my credit card company: I want rewards, I want free items, and I want the credit for a 21 day period until I pay it all back. I don’t ask the company to gather my information, analyze my purchases, dig into my head and anticipate my future needs. I do not want products specifically tailored to what others think I may want to buy. True, any relationship must be two-way— especially when one of us is making out like a bandit (myself)—but hey, I am the spoiled consumer, so what did you expect? [...]

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