Can you go to a store without purchasing something?

@megamatt (14292)
United States
February 9, 2011 12:56pm CST
I tend to really make a token purchase at least. It just seems like I wasted a trip just to look around. I mean, really, if I wanted to look around, I could do that just as easily on the Internet. So I really buy something to justify the trip. Its not a huge purchase though. So can you go to a store without purchasing something?
8 people like this
34 responses
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I don't like to shop so I have no problem not buying anything. My friend and I would go shopping and she would buy all kinds of things. I would just get what I went for, or nothing at all. She would have to go up every aisle and look at everything, I just go where I need to and that's it. Now I am disabled, so the only shopping I do is grocery shopping. I buy gifts on-line, and I don't buy clothes. Sometimes I even buy the groceries on-line.
1 person likes this
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Hi, cerebellum...Groceries on-line is a good idea. I am getting to where I have difficulty getting out and I think I'd like to look into on-line groceries. I know that Amazon sells food. Have you found other places to get them? Does it compare to Amazon's selections?
2 people like this
• United States
10 Feb 11
I get them from Alice.com. It is named after the maid in an old TV show. The prices aren't too bad and there is no shipping charge. I can only get them in the summer though, because if we have snow nobody can get down my driveway to deliver things. I have never gotten them from Amazon so I don't know how the selection compares. I didn't even realize Amazon sold stuff like that. I think there are regular grocery stores that will deliver also.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Groceries is one of the few things that I don't really buy online. It just seems like one of those things that I have to be there in person to buy. Of course, my mind could have changed by that. Still it does seem useful. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
2 people like this
@dreamnishu (1247)
• China
10 Feb 11
yes i like to visit any store without any purchasing something.i love to visit stores with my friend and love to do more shopping.sometimes we go to many store only for visit not for buy anything.i love to do shopping for me and my family. thanks a lot.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
There seem to be many people on both ends of the spectrum. It does seem to be about fifty-fifty based on this topic so far. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
1 person likes this
• China
11 Feb 11
I don't like visit store but I like shopping,it's like conflict,once I enter the supermarket,I buy a lot of things,I can't resist the temparetion of barging,actually,I buy somthing I need to use several months later.In the other hand,I hate to out during the weekend,I enjoy staying home.
1 person likes this
@offlimits (596)
• Philippines
10 Feb 11
Yes, that's what I mostly do actually.. going to a store just to look at the items. Haha. It pains me though, because sometimes I'd really like to buy something, but I got no money. Other times when I really have something I want I try to return to it when I already have money. But then again I forget all about it so, yeah. Haha. Good day!
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
See with me, I never go somewhere unless I intend to buy anything. And even then, I really do have some money on me. Therefore sometimes we get from Point A to Point B and I make a small token purchase. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
1 person likes this
• China
10 Feb 11
Yes i can go a store without purchasing anything. I love to visit very big store and some time i go with my friends and don't buy anything but enjoy the visiting of the store. So i can go there for nothing buy but for enjoying myself.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I really see how some people can do it. How some people can really enjoy the experience like you can. Again as I've mentioned, it is not really my cup of tea. However, I see where people could do it. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
1 person likes this
• China
11 Feb 11
for me if i'm not goin to buy i would rather not shopping.i won't waste my time just seeing aroud.backing from store with nothing in hand really suck,right?well,for the short of money i cann't purchase anytime i want.so before i shop i'll ask myself what i really want to buy.if i have no goal hanging in the store will be boring.i think purchasing can make me happy when i was down.so if the things ar not way too expensive i will purchase when shopping. PS:i'm Chinese and a english love.would u please help me with the word "token purchasing".what does it mean? and what u mean when u said "u have give the store credit"? thank u very much.and hope my response will help.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
11 Feb 11
Token purchasing is just making a purchase to justify a trip. Not to consider it wasted. Basically a small purchase that is really of no value, but really not all too expensive. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Feb 11
I find it really hard not to buy something. I used to work at Victoria's Secret & sometimes I couldn't leave work without buying something! For me it's the need to feel updated! Also when you buy new things, you get compliments, and who doesn't want those?
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
9 Feb 11
Yeah new things do get noticed a lot. Because they are new and thus, not something that people are really used to. So that is something that tend to lead to people to buying things. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Feb 11
I never window shop or go into a store unless I specifically want to buy something. However if I do not find what I came to buy I will buy some inexpensive item to justify my trip.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
That does seem to be the best thing to do really. Don't go anywhere unless you intend to get something or make several purchases. That way you are likely to find something. At least that is going to be what works for me. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
1 person likes this
@sukumar794 (5040)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
11 Feb 11
oh! yes anyone can choose to leave a department store without buying anything for want of liking for any item displayed.After all why end up buying something which you do not really in need? It is unwise to shop for unnecessary items.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
11 Feb 11
I would go step beyond what you are saying and say it is unwise to go somewhere without a solid list. A trap I have fallen into a couple more times then I would have liked, but things happen. That just underlines the importance of making a list. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I pretty much just dont go to the store unless I really need something. If I go shopping though and I dont need anything say at the mall I do not buy anything unless I find something really inexpensive that my family or I could use. I am not tempted to buy things if they cost a lot.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
That is really the smart thing to do. Not to even go out of the house. Unless of course you really need something. Otherwise, it just seems like a wasted trip. Therefore it is more trouble then it is really worth. Therefore, no going to store, for the sake of going to the store or the mall or anywhere. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
11 Feb 11
When my sister and I were in school my parents would take us shopping every week just for something to do. No matter what my sister had to come home with something. I was not like that. My sister would throw a fit until she got something. I hardly ever asked for anything so when I really wanted something I got it. She is still that way if she sees something really inexpensive she has to buy it. It doesnt matter if she will never wear it or if its hideous if it doesnt cost much she cant pass it up. Most the time she buys things that are full price. I wont do that unless its a gift or a very special occassion.
• United States
9 Feb 11
I know that is a hard thing to do but when I know I don't have a lot of money but want to get out I will go window shopping, I might have like a few dollars with me but I hate when I see something that I really want like a nice new shirt or just something for around the house and I don't have the money for it!! I might usually end up buying something for a dollar or 2-3 dollars. I have to admit that is a hard thing to do!! Have a good day!!
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
9 Feb 11
I think really it is a nice thing to have at least a few dollars on you at all times. You know, really for emergency purposes and all that. You just never know when you might need it. And if you do see something that is needed, you might be glad to have the money. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
1 person likes this
@monkeylong (3139)
• Guangzhou, China
10 Feb 11
As far as I am concerned, if I am just hanging in a store, I think I may have the power without buying anything from it. The best way for me is just bring so little money in my pocket there.If I am still want to purchase something there, that is easy. I will check my pocket,tehn I will find there is so little money,So the result can be nothing to buy in a store.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Always bring money in case of an emergencies. That much for sure. There might always be a use for it. Therefore, you may need something, so you'll be glad that you have the money on hand. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
• Slovenia
10 Feb 11
Well I'd usually not even go to a store if I don't have an intention of buying anything, specially if it's not really very near me. But yeah I also buy at least some token, cause I feel kind os strange not buying anything lol
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Yeah I am much of the same way. I really don't like many trips that do not have a purpose. It does feel strange and I really do like to justify it in my mind. Nothing large or over the top but still something. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
1 person likes this
• Slovenia
11 Feb 11
no problem. :]
9 Feb 11
I can, quite easily. I am very sensible when it comes to money. I do like to go out often and i do often window shop. Unless i see something that is an amazing bargain, or seen something that is new that i would like then other than that i don't need to purchase. I would be happy enough just browsing through things to see what stores have. The exercise and looking at what is or isn't new justifies my trip. Money doesn't always have to be used.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
9 Feb 11
Yeah I think for the most part, I don't spend all that much. I think that a couple of purchases, with things you really need, but have not thought for, might be good. However, there are some people who make these insane purchases on a whim and that is not just good times. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
1 person likes this
• Bulgaria
9 Feb 11
No.I will tell you why.So there are too many shopping tricks witch the big supermarkets use.For exmaple"Promotion 50% discount.Or-at christmas time everywhere there is a "Marry Christmas,snow and you become good mood to shop.What do you think?
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
9 Feb 11
I'll give stores a lot of credit. They do know how to entice you. Some of the better stores really can make you think that you are benefiting yourself by buying things. Which really does give a case for trying to avoid stores, unless you really want to buy something. Otherwise you might find yourself making many purchases that you might not otherwise. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10874)
10 Feb 11
Yes, I have done this several times, usually in electrical stores or gadget stores. I like to look at what the latest in gadgetry etc. Then if I decide I want something, I will come back and search on the Interent, looking for the best deal. _Derek
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
The Internet is something that I would be more likely used if I want to look up something. Stores to me are for more solid purchases. Then again that could be because I am very Internet savvy. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I can, do and have. If I've forgotten my grocery list, I'll come back to the house to get it. If I enter the store and do not find what I'm looking for, I turn right around with eyes straight forward and leave the store. I used to be an impulse purchaser but our messed-up economy has put that to a stop.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I think that really when you think about it, the shattered state of the economy has really stopped impulse buying for a lot of people. Just a wretched state that we live in a lot of the time. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
• Philippines
10 Feb 11
Definitely. I am such a picky shopper, and it takes a lot before I buy something from a store, sometimes, I would go back 2 or more times before I buy the piece. My basis is if I can't stop thinking about it after a week, then I should probably buy it. LOL. But I can't say the same when I'm in a bookstore / supplies store. I tend to over-shop office and art supplies for myself. I just love them.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Yeah normally I really tend to plan to buy something for some time. Therefore, I have a plan. Most likely a plan of several things. Often times, I really do make a list and head out to get what I need to get purchased, purchased and only then. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@veronizm (907)
• Philippines
10 Feb 11
Me too. That's kind of like my weakness. Especially if I'm in the beauty section. Or just pass by a donut/snack stand, LOL. But I do make sure that I don't buy that much and that I really need the thing that I bought (or that I haven't had too much carb that day :D). There are times though that I left a store/mall without buying anything and just did a strolling or window shopping but when I get home I always feel kinda sad that I don't have something to unpack. I always like it when I get home from shopping and then open all the things that I bought. It makes me happy ^^
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
That is a great victory when you don't spend a lot of money. Or even really when you only spend under ten dollars or whatever. There are certain sections where it is just smart that I really stay away from them. I have my weaknesses. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@yspmyl (3435)
• Malaysia
10 Feb 11
I like window shopping, and I can go and come back empty handed. I just like to see new things.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I really do think a lot of people just like seeing new things. The wasted trips are not something that I like but like I said, I can see where some people would enjoy doing something like that. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
• Philippines
10 Feb 11
Yes I can. Especially when the item I want to purchase isn't sold at that store. Also during weekend wife always go to a department store just to walk around and have fun and bonding time.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Yeah it can be fun to have bonding time. I can really see why people would do that. Not for me, but I can see it. Still good job at being able to go out without purchasing one thing. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.