Maybe this is a good problem to have, but shopping is more of a chore for me than something fun to do. I’m also a pretty frugal person. For those reasons, it’s pretty hard for me to make big purchases, like furniture or even nicer clothing.
I go to the store, I look at the options and none of them seem exactly perfect, I think about how I could just keep the money for something else, I go home without buying anything. Then it takes a long time before I get up the energy to try again. But once I actually buy the thing, I’m happy and wish I had gotten it sooner.
As an example, I moved about nine months ago and need a couple of arm chairs for my new place. I’ve gone to a few stores, but every time the same pattern repeats itself, and I don’t buy anything. It’s been months! I’m sure I’ll be happy once I have the chairs though.
I don’t have trouble spending money at restaurants or on experiences – those things are fun to me, so I don’t mind spending the money. So, how do I get myself to make big purchases when I don’t find shopping fun?
If you know what you want in an item, go somewhere that there are actual salespeople that work on commission. I sell cars for a living, but I also very much struggle with big purchases. I’ll go and stare at what I want. Then go read reviews. Then go back and stare but not do anything.
My girlfriend and I needed a new mattress and went shopping. Ran into a salesperson and she had me sold in an hour. She was nice, informative but most of all great at selling. I left feeling good because I met a person who knew how to sell (which in my line of business is always appreciated) and also because I got to be done buying.