The Thrill of the Hunt

So this weekend, I finally bought this bathing suit that I have been visiting for months. And I got it for dirt cheap. (An extra 40% off to boot!). Ah, yes. There is nothing more satisfying than obtaining the object of your desire...on sale.

Well, you know how I am with "visiting" clothes (remember the "Perpel Dress" saga?). I'll go shopping and find something that I love. But since I refuse to pay regular price for it, I put it on my wishlist and begin "monitoring" it. At the time that I see it, try it on and fall in love with it, I will put a price in my head. A price that I believe the item is worth and am willing to pay. This is what I call "The Magic Price". I always say to myself, "I will buy this if it goes down to so and so" or "I will buy this if it has any kind of percentage off" and then proceed to visit the item at least every week until the Magic Price is achieved.

Occasionally, I will find something that I absolutely must have, regular price or not. In those cases, I will still monitor the item even after I've purchased it. I do this for 2 reasons:

 1) If it goes on sale, I might be able to get a price adjustment (Score!) and/or

 2) If it goes on sale, but my size is no longer available, I can congratulate myself on having the forethought to buy it at regular price.

Sometimes, when the object of my affection does go on sale, I will get greedy and say, "Okay, it's on sale, but I think I can wait until it goes on sale more!" Other times, it will go on sale and it will be The Magic Price, but I won't have the funds available until the next payday. This is when I go hard core on the visiting and monitoring. If I can, I will put it on hold (for as long as possible). Or, I'll hide it. Yes, you read correctly. I will HIDE it. (If you've ever been shopping and come across an item that is in totally the wrong place, it's probably because I've hidden it. However, the place I hide it can't be too obvious. Anyways...) The rare time, I will arrive to purchase my obsession and it is nowhere to be found! This is very upsetting. I have been known to circle the area over and over, desperately combing the racks in the hopes that some misguided salesperson only moved it. Alas, I leave disappointed, torturing myself saying "If only I had bought it when I had the chance" and angry at the unknown poacher. Many times, even if I know it's gone, and I happen to pass that area, I will still look for it, just in case it was returned...(wishful thinking)

But usually, when payday comes...I hold my breath, walk into the store, scan my surroundings, quickly and stealthly creep up to where I've hidden my prey and go in for the kill. Most of the time, I'm successful. I leave the store with a sly smirk, proudly carrying my quarry.