# I'm sorry...you can't use that on previous purchases. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 8, 2003, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764 "2003-12-08T21:00:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DaddyTimesTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/41 "2003-12-09T19:15:00Z")
**alice\_in\_wonderland** , Target doesn’t sell any clothing item for $124. Shop there and your problem is solved. Well, not _problem_, but um, well, you know. $750 boots? I twisted my wife’s arm a few years ago to get her to buy boots for $125. She likes them adn wears them often, but she’s _still_ not sure it was the right thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/42 "2003-12-09T20:18:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DaddyTimesTwo \* > **alice\_in\_wonderland, Target doesn’t sell any clothing item for $124. Shop there and your problem is solved.** We have no Target up here. I usually do pretty well making shopping trips under 100$, but that’s cause I usually shop for casual clothes. If I were going dressier, I’d expect to pay more. That just the way things are! ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/43 "2003-12-09T20:24:51Z")
$750 on BOOTS?! If I spent $750 on boots, they better be huge Gene Simmons boots with platinum shoelaces and gold trim. And fucking RIMS. The kind that keep spinning when you stop. And they better do the walking for me. I don’t think I’ve spent that much on clothes in my lifetime. Per request, the third movie is Sauron going out to a sports bar, drinking beer and bitching to his buddies about how his woman is keeping him down… ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/44 "2003-12-09T20:36:35Z")
Hey, I’m single, have no dependants (except puppy and bunny) and I make a decent living. I happen to like boots. I really, really like boots. A whole heck of a lot. Some people have hundreds of CDs or DVDs. I have boots. Lots and lots of boots. And while my $750 boots aren’t quite as you describe **GMRyujin** , they’re still pretty fantastic. (Pair one - Via Spiga, knee high, hand tooled suede, 3 inch heel; Pair two - Via Spiga, knee high, black punched leather, pointy toe, 3 inch heel) _Ummmmmmm, booooooots._ ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/45 "2003-12-09T20:45:52Z")
Ummm, boooots. If it makes you feel any better, they’re fabulous. ---
**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/46 "2003-12-09T20:59:31Z")
wait a sec…this was _one_ pair of boots? Doesn’t matter how fabulous they are…even if there’s a hooker in 'em, they ain’t worth $750. ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/47 "2003-12-09T22:08:22Z")
Geez, not to take a big shit in the middle of this thread or anything, but why do some of you folks absolutely revel in being poor? You wear your inability to afford things like a badge of honor, fer chrissakes! I’m not saying you have to be all embarrassed or anything if you can’t afford something, but why do you gloat about it? You think it’s cool to be poor or something? (Also, the pair of pants I’m wearing right now cost right around $124. Add in the boxers and socks and we’re at $150. So nyah. 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/48 "2003-12-09T22:58:04Z")
Just out of curiousity is this $750 Canadian or $750 US? I’m of the belief that sometimes it is cheaper to spend money and not have to replace the item. I have a winter that cost about $200 new that I’ve been able to get about 10 years usage out of and it’s still in good shape. My dad likes to buy burberry suits because he can get at least 7 years use out of them. Chances are those $750 boots will last a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/49 "2003-12-10T01:11:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AntaresJB \* > \*\*Hell, I am a female, and the thought of spending $124 on a shirt, pants and jeans boggles my mind. And they were on _clearance_?! You’ve broken my brain. > > But… um… good on you for the coupon thingy. 🙂 \*\* I could easily see myself spending that\* if they weren’t on sale… but on sale? No way!! When I buy jeans and pants I generally spend about $50 per pair and the top usually around $20… I think the most I spent myself on a shirt was $30 and that was because it looked so great on me and was already on sale at Mariposa… it was regular $90… Of course in general I’m a cheapskate _shrugs_ [sub]\*This is before GST of course… glad I don’t have to pay PST as well[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/50 "2003-12-10T01:19:27Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by TaxGuy_ > > \*\*Geez, not to take a big shit in the middle of this thread or anything, but why do some of you folks absolutely revel in being poor? You wear your inability to afford things like a badge of honor, fer chrissakes! > > I’m not saying you have to be all embarrassed or anything if you can’t afford something, but why do you gloat about it? You think it’s cool to be poor or something? > > (Also, the pair of pants I’m wearing right now cost right around $124. Add in the boxers and socks and we’re at $150. So nyah. 🙂 )\*\* Here’s one person who is definitely proud of themselves for never paying retail and if I were ever in a position to do so, probably wouldn’t. However, I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with the people who do who can afford to. More power to 'em. Different strokes and all that. We all have our various talents. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/51 "2003-12-10T02:17:28Z")
Wow, I coulda paid my rent with those boots. I think the most extravagant peice of clothing I’ve bought was a dress for about $200. But that was because I was in Vegas and needed a dress to wear to a show that night, stat. (We were driving across country and silly me forgot to pack an evening gown). It was all very _Pretty Woman_. I figure if you’ve got the $, more power to ya. I think it’s more disbelief, then reveling in poorness, **taxguy**. I mean, when I read **Alice** ’s post, my first thought was _sweet christ, those boots could have paid my rent!_. And by the way, there’s no shame in being poor. If you’re proud that you’ve managed to hang onto a sweater until it was on it’s last thread, then good on you. People who gloat about it are no more annoying than people who gloat about how _much_ they spend on certain items of clothing. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Wonko\_The\_Sane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/258eb7/32.png) [@Wonko\_The\_Sane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wonko_The_Sane)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/52 "2003-12-10T02:31:42Z")
Aries28- Excellent response to a silly situation. Go You!!! ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/53 "2003-12-10T04:02:04Z")
Wow, I coulda made my house payment with 3.4 pairs of those boots! 🙂 Bring me your finest meats and cheeses. > [@](#): > > People who gloat about it are no more annoying than people who gloat about how much they spend on certain items of clothing. Thank you, my point exactly (although I think you mean “no less annoying”). I hope we have all learned something today. My posts in this thread have been sponsored by the number 12 and the letters Z and R. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/54 "2003-12-10T04:25:14Z")
No, I meant what I said. Nice attempt at being a condescending ass, though. ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/55 "2003-12-10T16:34:44Z")
What?!? I thought we agreed: it’s annoying both to (i) gloat about having money and (ii) gloat about being thrifty. I was drinkin’ a bit last night, so I got a little silly. Sorry if I offended you. ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/56 "2003-12-10T22:13:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tansu \* > \*\*What with the current £/$ exchange rate, and the cheap cheap prices of clothes in the US, I ought to hop across the pond for clothes shopping. \*\* Actually, I have a friend who’s done this. Rather than spending A$1,400 on two new suits off-the-rack, he spent $1,000 on airfares and $200 to get two tailored suits made up for him in Bangkok. And from what I can tell, the quality’s better, too. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/57 "2003-12-10T22:31:40Z")
I will admit, as I was swiping my debit card, the thought that the boots were more than my monthly mortgage payment did cross my mind. And then I admired their lovely, suedey goodness and the thought dissappeared. Ummm, boots… ---
**Author:** ![spinningplates](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7c8e57/32.png) [@spinningplates](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinningplates)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/58 "2003-12-10T23:53:38Z")
I don’t mind paying a bit more for quality, it makes more sense in the long run. What gets me is how much I adore finding really great clothes on sale or the outlet. Makes me love that blouse or shoe a little more than the others, knowing it cost 500 bucks originally and I snagged it for fifty. Whee! ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/59 "2003-12-11T03:06:07Z")
Didn’t think I was gloating about being thrifty…I can see how it would come across as that though. If I regularly had the money to afford clothing that much I might buy it… I might not… it just always surprises me how much some people spend on things that they don’t need to spend that much money on is all. _shrugs_ ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764/60 "2003-12-11T03:31:30Z")
## quote: Originally posted by TaxGuy Geez, not to take a big shit in the middle of this thread or anything, but why do some of you folks absolutely revel in being poor? You wear your inability to afford things like a badge of honor, fer chrissakes! I’m not saying you have to be all embarrassed or anything if you can’t afford something, but why do you gloat about it? You think it’s cool to be poor or something? [/quote] It IS fun to scout garage sales and thrift stores and finding that $200 designer dress that not only has the tags still on, but that FITS and is the right color and makes you look hot for just $25? Hell, it’s like the thrill of the hunt. Very fun, VERY cool, makes you feel competent, okay about your “poorness” or perceived poorness. All sorts of good stuff. It’s great to be proud of that kind of thrift and shopping ability. However, at some point, you finally manage to become somewhat “okay” financially, okay NOT “it’s good to be…” but Okay enough to where you’re paying your bills and you CAN take care of yourself too. I went through a long “poor as dirt” phase. After awhile, I got TRULY sick of cutting my own hair, and only buying clothes at K-mart, thrift stores, or having my taller teenage daughter give me hand me UPs that she got too big for. It’s called “rank has it’s privileges”. This is why you WENT through that starving student phase. This is why you struggled for 5 years after your divorce getting back up on your feet. It’s a reward for all that you did do (sheesh I sound like either an advertisement for the Army, or for Millertime :D). And believe me, not a day goes by that I don’t thank GOD that I don’t have to waitress, and every time I get my hair cut, or buy a new pair of $40 dollar jeans, I have NOT forgotten what it took to get me there. So though I greatly enjoy these privileges, I don’t feel smug about them or take them for granted. Anyway, just because some of us spend what seems like astronomical amounts on clothing etc, doesn’t mean we don’t know what it was like, nor does it mean that we don’t empathize or understand. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-you-cant-use-that-on-previous-purchases/217764.md?page=4)