# Stores you go to often, but never buy anything from **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 5, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086 "2011-12-05T03:18:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/41 "2011-12-06T22:22:23Z")
My wife and I had our first ever fight as newlyweds at a Williams-Sonoma. Someone had given us a gift certificate as a wedding present, and we were trying to spend it. But my wife was the incredibly… thrifty… type, and refused to buy anything I liked because it was “too expensive.” Even though it was less than the amount on our gift certificate. Obviously whatever we got had to be under $50, but that limited us to gadgets and things and she kept saying “I could get something like that at Target for half the price!” or “We don’t need that!” Finally we had spent all but $7 so I just picked up a bottle of peach nectar or something, just to get us up to $50. She got all angry because she thought we should just take the $7 in cash. That was before we even went out to buy our first TV together, which was the _second_ fight in our marriage. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/42 "2011-12-06T22:57:29Z")
Hudson Trail Outfitters - nice looking camping gear and such but I rarely can justify the price for my needs. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/43 "2011-12-07T01:18:51Z")
Well, just about any store in the mall, I browse and browse but seldom end up buying anything. Once in a blue moon, a coat or shoes. I’m just too damned cheap. (Sometimes I’m dragged to Lord & Taylor, to look over the sale racks, where one can find designer clothing 70% off. Even so, nothing seems to fit right, and I take that as a sign that they don’t want my type in there. Too short, squat, and old, I guess.) ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/44 "2011-12-07T15:17:42Z")
Another vote for Anthropologie. Love their clothes, but I’d have to be both much richer and much thinner (and much more stylish) to wear any of them. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/45 "2011-12-07T15:43:53Z")
> [@h.sapiens](#): > > Another vote for Anthropologie. Love their clothes, but I’d have to be both much richer and much thinner (and much more stylish) to wear any of them. My friend, that’s why you wait for their sales! I’ve never bought anything there full price. [ul] [li]So-so top, but wearable with the right outfit [$30](http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22965214&catId=SHOPSALE-FRESHCUTS&pushId=SHOPSALE-FRESHCUTS&popId=SHOPSALE&navCount=0&color=080&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=D).[/li][li]Very fun dress that I’m pretty sure I need now that I’m looking at it for [$100](http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=23451958&catId=SHOPSALE-FRESHCUTS&pushId=SHOPSALE-FRESHCUTS&popId=SHOPSALE&navCount=0&color=063&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=D).[/li][li]A lot less fun dress, but [$40](http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=23138134&catId=SHOPSALE-DRESSES2&pushId=SHOPSALE-DRESSES2&popId=SHOPSALE&navCount=54&color=024&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=D).[/li][li]Cute white top for [$40](http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22948012&catId=SHOPSALE-FRESHCUTS&pushId=SHOPSALE-FRESHCUTS&popId=SHOPSALE&navCount=0&color=011&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=D). [/li][li]Tank that you won’t be able to wear for six months for [$20](http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22833453&catId=SHOPSALE-TOPS&pushId=SHOPSALE-TOPS&popId=SHOPSALE&navCount=12&color=040&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=D).[/li][li]Ridiculously fun yellow corset yellow top for [$50](http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22786537&catId=SHOPSALE-TOPS&pushId=SHOPSALE-TOPS&popId=SHOPSALE&navCount=12&color=070&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=D) here![/li][/ul] Sorry for the hijack! I often find myself walking into Sears without buying anything, only because they never seem to have what I need. How does Sears _never_ have what I’m looking for?! Last two visits were for a good bike lock and some grey sweater tights, and nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/46 "2011-12-07T16:43:57Z")
I love Williams Sonoma but rarely buy anything from them. Resoration Hardware I always visit when I’m somewhere they have one, but it’s way too expensive (overpriced, IMHO). I love the look, though. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/47 "2011-12-07T16:51:24Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > Suncoast is long gone and for the exact reason you mentioned. You did it, I did it and apparently we were part of a larger club than we realized at the time. There is a Suncoast at my local mall. It has changed its emphasis from videos to TV/Movie-related merchandise. They appear to be doing fairly well. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/48 "2011-12-07T17:17:13Z")
Folks are focusing on Mall and/or big-name-brand stores - if that is the exclusive focus of the thread, then this post won’t apply. I like checking out high-end stores that I really can’t buy from for stuff I am interested in, like first edition books and guitars. [Bauman Rare Books](http://www.baumanrarebooks.com/) - they have great inventory, but they are a top-shelf dealer and their prices are high. I love to stop by their store on Madison Ave in NYC to see what’s in stock, but couldn’t see myself buying from them when I was active… [Fretted Americana](http://www.frettedamericana.com/home.php) - a high-end guitar dealer who has had huge success on [Youtube](http://www.youtube.com/user/frettedamericana)demo’ing rare, very pricey vintage guitars using a studio guitar player Phil X, who is currently subbing for Richie Sambora in Bon Jovi while RS is in rehab. Again - great inventory, but pricey. Fun to browse… ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/49 "2011-12-07T17:22:30Z")
There is a coin shop in my local mall that I haven’t bought anything from in years. I always think I’ll see something cool that I’ll want to frame, but even the Byzantine coins they have lack a certain _je ne sais quoi_. I also look around this huge guitar store from time to time. I don’t “really” play guitar, just know a few chords and can play a little slide using Keith Richards’ tuning, but it’s fun. I do buy harmonicas there, and accessories as gifts, but that’s a case of go-in-and-get-it; I’ve never bought the stuff I browse. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/50 "2011-12-07T18:26:52Z")
I frequently check out the men’s shop at Bloomingdales-I like to see what neat stuff they have. Although I could never afford it- a RL Polo down jacket at $450.00. It is amazing just how rich many people are! ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/51 "2011-12-07T18:27:01Z")
Spencer’s for a long time, until last year. I had to wait until the very last second to buy my mom’s birthday present, and they had a really nice selection of heavy silver New Agey necklaces for reasonable prices (she’s into all that astrology shit). ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/52 "2011-12-07T19:21:40Z")
My local mall has an “As Seen on TV” store, filled with those pasta-strainer pots, “all-edge” brownie pans, pedi-eggs, and other things you probably don’t need but fast-talking TV pitchmen can make you briefly want anyway. Fun to go through, and I guess it’s nice to know that if I ever really need a sham-wow or Chia Pet right now, I won’t have to wait for mail-order, but not a place I’ve ever purchased from. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086/53 "2011-12-07T20:19:28Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > I was thinking about this when I was at the mall today and went into\*\* Spencer’s\*\*. At first when I read the thread title I couldn’t think of any but wanted to see what others would say, but then I read the OP and thought “oh hey, me too!” except that I don’t go in them much anymore because I don’t know where one is. Then I thought some more: **Victoria’s Secret** - if I go to the mall, I usually go through there, but generally everything is really expensive and not really as sexy as you’d expect. **Yankee Candle** - I go in for the smells. The candles are too expensive for me so I never buy anything. **Various Dollar Stores** - usually they just have cheap crap I don’t want, but every once in a while I’ll find something great, so I’ll go look around anyway. Others already mentioned in the thread: **Sharper Image** - can’t afford their stuff, but it’s fun to look **Brookstone** - for the same reason as Sharper Image If catalogs count: **Archie McPhee** - so many silly things, but can’t justify actually paying for them **Penzey’s Spices** - it fires up my imagination for cooking, but I really only order from them when we run out of something that I get from them anyway. I never order something just because I saw it in the catalog. > [@Dogzilla](#): > > And then, I don’t know if this happened at all Kohl’s or just the one I shop at, but I noticed one day that everything in the petite section was complete crap. I used to be able to find stylish separates and dresses that were totally work appropriate and in my size. Now, it’s nothing but granny pants (high, elastic waist) and really hideous print blouses. What happened to the nice button-down oxford shirts? What happened to the lower waisted, stylish dress pants? What happened to all the jeans for Og’s sake? I think it’s the store you shop at. I’ve found good stuff at Kohl’s as recently as a few months ago, and I’m a petite size 6. Write a letter to the manager (more likely to get noticed than just asking to speak with them) explaining the situation–who knows, they may listen? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stores-you-go-to-often-but-never-buy-anything-from/605086.md?page=2)