• An expensive lesson to learn...

    As mentioned before, I am not one to go to counters in department stores and buy things.  I have only just ventured into that world and am still quite nervous and jumpy each time I go...I know it sounds silly but I always get very nervous when spending a lot of money.  I am quite ashamed of what happened...I went to Bobbi Brown and saw their new palette system.  

    I was very taken with it and asked the lady how much the 3 palette system costs.  She told me R390 and I assumed it meant for all three (that is where I should have known better).  I thought to myself I should go for the 6 palette because R390 such a great price considering the size of the eyeshadows.  I didn't pay attention when the products were rung up as there was no screen to show me the total.  So I just handed over my credit card and only once I left the store I saw it was R390 each and the palette to put the products in was not included in the cost.  

    So now I am sitting with a palette that cost me over R2000!  Yes it is a beautiful palette...but it is not something that is going to keep you warm at night.  I keep trying to tell myself that this will last me a good few years but my expensive lesson stings!  Now I have learned to be far more aware of what I am getting, what the costs are and more importantly, not to be scared to ask LOTS of questions.

    After the knot in my stomach has settled, I know I will start enjoying this palette.  But at the moment I want to cry when I look at it.

    I am writing this post to help other people who might be like me.  I hope by not being embarrassed to share my (very expensive and stupid) mishap I can help someone out there, even if it is just one person.  Needless to say, I will be on a spending ban for a while now!

    Big Hugs,
    Charlene XXX

    32 comments:

    1. Shame Charlene but you do deserve it and I'm sure you are going to love it when you eventually use it!
      What is life without spoils? Also, a big spoil like this might feel all kinds of wrong now BUT at the end of the day you work hard for your money and deserve the finer things in life :)

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Thanks Kerry and you are right, I do work hard and I should allow some spoils. I just feel bad because I have spoiled myself already and this is just far too excessive. But it is done now, I will calm down about it. You are always so sweet! XXX

        Delete
    2. Oh no!!! I hardly buy make up at counters and only recently did so at Inglot. Hardly Bobbi Brown. Thanks for sharing ... It sounds like something that would happen to me :-(

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Glad this post could help. Inglot was also my first venture into makeup counters! XXX

        Delete
    3. Been there done that...more than once!!!!!

      But now you know better so won't make yourself sick with money worries again. Sending you big hugs, its a horrible feeling but thankfully does pass xxxxx

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. I am not going to go without food this month so it is ok at the end of the day. I just get hurt palpatations when I spend large amounts, even when it is on necessiies. Thanks for the hugs :D XXX

        Delete
    4. I know exactly what you mean. I am even too scared to and how much things cost, so if I don't know beforehand I just won't go there. And if I get a shock at the till I am too embarassed to say anything. I happened to my dad once, he bought a jacket and turned out it was R6000 and he was too proud to say no thanks at the till! It does take the joy out of it a bit, but that will wear off eventually.
      On the plus side...I don't even have R2000 left on my credit card so it would have been declined if it were me. Hehe.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. I never carry over any debt on my credit card so there is always a healthy balance available...that is why I got myself into trouble. I also get embarrassed but now I will know with palettes that you make up on your own...each item is priced individually! I should have known better, I think I am more embarassed about my pure and utter stupidity more than anything else...ha ha!

        Delete
    5. Well, R2k aside, that's a seriously beautiful palette. I went to Edgars to buy the Dior Hydralife BB cream... And left with Dior Snow BB cream. Love it. But the price tag frightened me a little. My first high-end purchase! Eep.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. I don't get use to the prices of things even when I know it will last me ages. My first expensive buy was a perfume when I first started working and I cried after I got it...but 5 years later I am still using it. It will be the same with this palette, a few months down the line I will laugh at myself. I am already laughing :P

        Delete
    6. Oh my GOD. I feel knots for you. That is terrible it has happened to me before but not quite on this scale. However the case is definitely an investment and believe me the eye shadows will last a minimum of two years. So, divide your cost by that and it will sound a WHOLE lot better :) xx

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Thanks Fay! XXX It is an investment, I just need to keep reminding myself of that!

        Delete
    7. I SO would have returned it. Dignity is (sometimes)overrated :P

      ReplyDelete
    8. I'm sorry to hear about this horrible experience... :( I'm the same as Chantelle, I would have returned it immediately. The sales assistant probably wouldn't even have remembered you the next day.

      Don't get the wrong, the palette is gorgeous! Love the sparkles!

      I paid R 350 a couple of months ago for a Mineralize Eyeshadow from MAC. When I got home and saw that, I got back in my car and returned it. I even told the sales lady R 350 for an eyeshadow is cray! I appreciate everyone has different limits for the price of an eyeshadow but that was way over mine. That was my lesson... :) Now I ALWAYS ask the prices of things!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. It is crazy expensive for things, I need to harden up more and not care about upsetting people or caring what they think of me :P

        Delete
    9. I'm the same! I won't even go and have a look at certain cosmetic counters even if I am so curious to see the products in real life! I get all uncomfortable and intimidated, mainly because of the sales staff,either they have very hoity toity attitudes (the bigger brands mostly) or they are pretty good at being very vague and pushing the good points and telling you what you want to hear or making me feel bad for not buying and only browsing ( see this is why I love "window" shopping online)

      I understand the feeling that goes hand in hand with making an unplanned big purchase, but don't le that steel your joy! Enjoy your beautiful pallet, take loads of photos of different looks so us blog readers can enjoy it with you and then you have no need to feel guilty :)

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Thanks Chantal, really appreciate your kind words. I do feel a bit better already after everyones comments and words of encouragement. Sometimes sharing your stupidity is a good thing else I would be brewing in this for AGES.

        Delete
    10. I would definitely have returned it the second I saw the price! But I'm different though. I wouldn't be able to eat or do anything for the next month if I had spent that much. Yikes! They are very pretty though, and now that you have them at least enjoy them :)

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. I was going to but I am very shy and get so easily embarrassed and I know most stores do not accept returns of cosmetics....I think...maybe it is something I just assumed. But what is done is done. I used my palette this morning and will try to enjoy it. I will not be having my one indulgence of morning coffees this month but that is ok. The knot in my stomach is mostly gone. I transferred the money into my credit card already so that I don't have to face the shock again. Oh well, you live and you learn XXX

        Delete
    11. haha OMW no! That sucks! Shame hope you had a good glass of wine to ease that knot in your stomach!
      http://johced-ourjourneytoeverywhere.blogspot.com/
      xxx

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. When I am over my tummy bug then I will chance something :P

        Delete
    12. Oh my word!Im so sorry about your experience! I'm a champion shopper and this does come with experience(and a few mistakes ) I always double check the price.Ive had times when I didn't check the price and when I came up to the til in was way more then I was willing to pay.Luckily I don't have pride with these things since I don't have a credit card and rarely have that much money in my account lol;) So I just say no thanks and return it!
      On the upside that pallet is absolutely stunning and you won't need another one for a loong while!:)

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. True Irina, one only learns from experience and making mistakes. At least this one does leave me with something I'll have for years and in future if I choose, I can fill it up when they run out....will have to see. XXX

        Delete
    13. Totally would have returned it :P (claimed it was an unwanted gift... at another store) :)

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Ha ha! True! But how do they credit the credit card back? It is too late to change what happened so I am passed the worrying about it. As I've been responding to each comment I am accepting my mistake and learning so much. Expensive lesson but it has added a lot of value in many ways already.

        Delete
      2. They can definitely credit the credit card back - promise. I've done it quite a few times.. :) If you lived in Gauteng, I would go and return it for you... :)

        Delete
    14. Gosh! I'm so sorry... if it makes you feel better I spent like R500 for a lip palette from Inglot =(

      ReplyDelete
    15. Oh no - what a disaster! But as you said, a lesson well learned! And at least you know that you will use it and over time get your moneys worth! I have never even bought make up before, I just collect the freebies that come with magazines haha! I think I would have palpitations if I went up to a counter... so good for you for breaking out of your comfort zone and trying it!

      ReplyDelete
    16. Eeeek! I can totally relate to being nervous around cosmetics counters. Something similar happened to me at Mac, so I've also learnt to make sure of product prices before going to the till. I'm sorry this happened to you Charlene, it is a gorgeous palette though!

      ReplyDelete
    17. Yikes! I would have also returned it with "Hell no, are you crazy?" But I don't think "skaam-wees" is one of my traits, so I understand why you didn't. I do think that the lady could have at least confirmed the total, isn't that her job? At least it will look pretty on you Charlene! And don't worry, retail regret happens to everyone. I don't have a credit card, but a debit card which acts as a credit card when shopping online, and I just had a refund yesterday for something I bought in the moment and then regretted afterwards! These marketing people make everything so flippen shiny and beautiful! LOL

      ReplyDelete
    18. I actually have a knot in my stomach for you. On the upside, the palette is a beauty and Bobbi's eye shadows are among my absolute favourites. You can also add single glosses & blushers to the palette at a later stage. Still, awful that it happened the way it did. X

      ReplyDelete

    Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment ♡

© Gee Whiskers!
Design:Maira Gall.