I think that you’ll agree with me that even financially smart people can make bad financial decisions. What I am about to share is a bit embarrassing, but in this blog post I will give you the 5 signs that you’re about to get ripped off.
Here are the 5 signs of trouble that will prevent you from a ripoff.
5 Signs You’re about to get ripped off:
1. Procrastinate until something becomes a mini crisis.
I didn’t want to get glasses. Because eyeglasses are for old people and needing glasses would mean I am getting older.
So, I procrastinated doing the sensible thing. I have some inexpensive cheap glasses, but have known for a few months I needed real prescription eyeglasses. I waited until it was a mini crisis.
So, instead of researching glasses online or asking around, I scheduled a last minute appointment with a local optometrist and an eye exam. I wanted to see a reputable doctor to check out my eyes. And I was planning to buy glasses via Costco later on.
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2. Don’t research before you head out. It was a mini crisis, so I made an appointment for the same day. The appointment went well and I wanted to support the Doctor by purchasing glasses from her boutique. I knew nothing about the pricing. I was a sitting duck because I hadn’t researched the online costs.
3. Listen to a sales person. I’ve never worn glasses, so I was astonished at how much they charged for the frames. And I kept asking the guy,
Are eyeglasses really this expensive? Don’t you have anything less expensive?
When you go to the upscale boutique, you’re gonna pay more. I was in a hurry and my goal was to check this off my list. “Got glasses.”
4. Go to an upscale boutique. Disaster. I was lazy and in a hurry. So, I got sold 2 pairs of eyeglasses that could pay a month’s rent in most of the country. They were much more expensive had I bought them online. More stupid tax. And lazy tax.
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5. Stop thinking. I’m not sure where my brain went during this fiasco. It was at the end of a long day and I really wanted to cross “get glasses” off my list. After heading home and feeling like I had purchased two versions of the Brooklyn Bridge of glasses, I started regretting this disaster Big Time.
Trying to Minimize the damage:
I went online and did some research, which I should have done before making the purchase. I quickly called the boutique and told them I was willing to pay a little more than Costco, but not their ridiculous markup. They said they would get back to me.
What happened? I spoke to the manager and I basically said I appreciated the optometrist appointment, but couldn’t justify paying so much more than Costco.
She managed to find room in their pricing and reduced the bill by about 60%. This was acceptable to me because I liked the frames I purchased and I didn’t want to go to Costco and spend 2 more hours shopping for new glasses.
Tips to Negotiating here.
I reduced the damage, but I still got ripped off because I ignored these 5 signs.
Conclusion: I was really mad about this. I texted my cousin to check how much he paid for his glasses at Costco. I should have done this before being in the situation to make a purchase. I was dumb and in a hurry.
I made this happen.
- I procrastinated.
- Then, I was in such a hurry that I did no research.
- I listened to a sales person.
- I went to an upscale boutique when I didn’t need to.
- And I simply stopped thinking.
Luckily, my brain came back and I fixed this disaster. But, I created the disaster.
Learn from my mistake.
Very insightful about retail purchases. The fact that you called back and negotiated is an important point too. A lesson learned and shared. Now that you have your prescription try Warby Parker which has an interesting business model.