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Buy Nothing Day

buynothingday.co.uk

21–30 of 88 posts

Re: Buy Nothing Day

#21

I actually found Black Friday to help me be less focused on consumerism during the rest of the year. When I want to buy something, I typically jot it down on my "thoughts for BF" list. Then, when everyone is having sales, I can dedicate time and through the yearly purchases. Also helps prevent impulse purchases as well.

That assumes that Black Friday deals are actual deals and there was no sneaky price increase two days earlier.

If you're using Amazon, always use camelcamelcamel.com to check first.

Re: Buy Nothing Day

#22

I actually found Black Friday to help me be less focused on consumerism during the rest of the year. When I want to buy something, I typically jot it down on my "thoughts for BF" list. Then, when everyone is having sales, I can dedicate time and through the yearly purchases. Also helps prevent impulse purchases as well.

That assumes that Black Friday deals are actual deals and there was no sneaky price increase two days earlier.

Add the current price to that list too, and compare it before buying.

If the discount is fake, delay buying into March or something like that. Prices tend to fall in January/February.

I personally don't do that. But I see people doing it with a good amount of success.

Re: Buy Nothing Day

#23
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. Plus you get all the discounts scavenging on excess inventory.

excessive inventory of items you don't really need but buy anyway

Well some of us buy exactly what we planned to buy, only at cheaper prices, and after verifying with price comparison sites.

Beeing unrich[1] for years have given me this skill. I don't frivolously spend money.

[1]: wouldn't say poor as I have had a car most of my adult life, but definitely not rich, maybe "not always knowing in advance how to pay for food towards the end of the month" and "being very happy hand me downs" is a good explanation?

Re: Buy Nothing Day

#24

I actually found Black Friday to help me be less focused on consumerism during the rest of the year. When I want to buy something, I typically jot it down on my "thoughts for BF" list. Then, when everyone is having sales, I can dedicate time and through the yearly purchases. Also helps prevent impulse purchases as well.

That assumes that Black Friday deals are actual deals and there was no sneaky price increase two days earlier.

True, although if you're in the EU, there should be a 30 days reference period.

"In all EU countries traders are obliged, when offering a discount, to indicate the lowest price applied to the item at least 30 days before the announcement of the price reduction."

Of course, enforcement of such rules is the problem here. But if you notice such discrepancies, you are more than encouraged to file a complaint to the shop and then to your national agency responsible for the protection of consumers if the seller doesn't act in good faith. I was fairly surprised to see how well the latter has worked against a large company in my Balkan country.

Source: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/unfair-treat...

Re: Buy Nothing Day

#25
Related. Others?

Buy Nothing Day - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38398548 - Nov 2023 (2 comments)

Buy Nothing Day - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29347827 - Nov 2021 (3 comments)

Adbusters: 25 Nov. Buy Nothing Day - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13037015 - Nov 2016 (2 comments)

Buy Nothing Day - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13036942 - Nov 2016 (2 comments)

Buy Nothing Day - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4822951 - Nov 2012 (77 comments)

Re: Buy Nothing Day

#26

I actually found Black Friday to help me be less focused on consumerism during the rest of the year. When I want to buy something, I typically jot it down on my "thoughts for BF" list. Then, when everyone is having sales, I can dedicate time and through the yearly purchases. Also helps prevent impulse purchases as well.

A better trick is to do the same but not actually jot it down on the list. Then you’re more likely to completely do without it.

Re: Buy Nothing Day

#27
Lately, I’ve found it more satisfying to discover a reason not to buy something than to actually go through with a purchase. Now if I get an amazing deal on something that I really need, that's also nice, but most of the time it's just more rewarding to avoid buying unnecessary crap.

Re: Buy Nothing Day

#29
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That assumes that Black Friday deals are actual deals and there was no sneaky price increase two days earlier.

True, although if you're in the EU, there should be a 30 days reference period. "In all EU countries traders are obliged, when offering a discount, to indicate the lowest price applied to the item at least 30 days before the announcement of the price reduction." Of course, enforcement of such rules is the problem here. But if you notice such discrepancies, you are more than encouraged to file a complaint to the shop…

Yeah, some just increase the price 30 days before black Friday though, and then offer a huge "discount"
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