Materialism

[goodtime]

If you have shopped there, you would know they can basically get what they don't have ( and as long as they can get it )

Order it in...just like the old Consumer Distributing or Sears catalog order desk.

People pay the bucks for the shopping experience. Sales Associates in their Mandarin outfits wait hand & foot serving you. So you get to play and try... Ah, you had be there.

It's like spa retreat for women. Like the saying, when the going gets tough, women goes shopping. Can be therapeutic for some.

If T.O. can sustain Tiffany & Trump tower, no problem for another moderate size high-end brand store.

Mesiter, I learn a long time ago, not to judge a book by its cover, as you'll always be wrong. How do you know she hasn't be been? In 1 Euro tour, we had lunch with couples who are owners of conv. store, restaurant, bakery & gas stations. It was not their 1st visit either. Few with kids in ivy league schools. Recent survey of U.S. millionaries found most don't drive flashy cars but drive or own practical domestics or imports.

Pricey accessories are just like expensive sport cars, high-end electronics. People wants to own, or at least fantasize of owing it. Live like the rich & famous or at least dream about it during that ever brief moment. Perhaps bragging rights to say I made it. Sometimes it may be a goal/reward or fancy toy.

In terms of made by same factory or country as lower end goods, same logic as GM with their Caddy & Aveo or Toyota & Lexus. It's all a matter of marketing, brand differentiation & perceived value.

 

[Berlin]

Order it in...just like the old Consumer Distributing or Sears catalog order desk.

Hmm.. you obviously have limited shopping experience at lux stores.

Flagships or bigger ones at major city centres in general do carry more lines , but my dear friend, hot items come and go e.g. the LV hair cube in 2001 , and that does not discrminate. And it's quite common to have your sales " rep" , for example , at the Bloor LV shop ( not HR , mind you ) to call and search for the ones that they ran out eg. different models in same colour, same models in differnt leather, different colour, and for LV , different manufacturing countries of origin ( Not all LV leather goods are made in France, mind you )


Bottom line, when an item is out, and if they can't get it within the country, be it USA or Canada or Japan, anyone with money will still have to wait. Now if you want to call that catalog order desk experience, fine. I guess technically you can call that LOL.

BTW all LV stores, flagships or small, have catalogues.

Shopping experience vastly differs from head stores to in-store retail sections a la HR, but again , that would go without saying, no ?

If T.O. can sustain Tiffany & Trump tower, no problem for another moderate size high-end brand store.

I am not sure if one should use Tiffany and Trump Tower as a good reference, but nonethless , moderate size , as you said... sure ,generally speaking. Not that I am belittling Toronto's economy, bear in mind we did have a few failed
up scale label retail ventures in the past.

 

[Berlin]

What's the point? They think they are buying exclusivity, but they are really just suckers. If you want to show off fly to Zermatt over Christmas and New Years.

I see what you are trying to get at, but afterall, to each it's own. The premium ticket price does bring you better quality but does the premium price justify that ? Depends on whom you ask.

 

[LancsLad]

Hey, lets not get too carried away with status that seems to come from the labels on the things we wear or carry. It is all a matter of taste and perception of value for money. I drive Range Rovers and Jaguars because I can afford them, I like them and they perform. On the other hand the thought of paying a crazy price for a LV bag makes me shake my head. I also am a dedicated WalMart customer for everyday things.

We all have different price points and motivations for our choices, thats why its called a free market.

That is all, you may now return to your regularly scheduled discussion.

.

 

[RTRD]

I thought...

Hey, lets not get too carried away with status that seems to come from the labels on the things we wear or carry. It is all a matter of taste and perception of value for money. I drive Range Rovers and Jaguars because I can afford them, I like them and they perform. On the other hand the thought of paying a crazy price for a LV bag makes me shake my head. I also am a dedicated WalMart customer for everyday things.

We all have different price points and motivations for our choices, thats why its called a free market.

That is all, you may now return to your regularly scheduled discussion.

.

..it was Range Rovers and Corvettes?

 

[LancsLad]

..it was Range Rovers and Corvettes?

Have a Vette as well but I was on a UK product theme so I just went with that. Didn't want to make it look like a brag session I was only trying to point out the extremes to peoples buying motivators. Jag is an XJR so the Vette is my two seater toy.

 

[RTRD]

Nice...

Have a Vette as well but I was on a UK product theme so I just went with that. Didn't want to make it look like a brag session I was only trying to point out the extremes to peoples buying motivators. Jag is an XJR so the Vette is my two seater toy.

...the XJR that is.

Now that my other car (wifes primary wheels) is wrecked (thanks to the fucking hit and run - anybody know if a I can find someone based on a partial license plate and a vehicle make / model / color?), the wife asked me about a Range Rover yesterday. Can we just borrow yours so she can get that out of her system?

 

[LancsLad]

A friend was looking to get one awhile ago, after trying mine, but was dismayed by the long delivery lead time on new custom orders. May be better soon heading into the new 07 models. You could tell the SO that you would love to get her one but can't stand the thought of her having to wait that long so maybe she should think of something else

I'm sure any good Priv. Invest. could get that info for you, but if the hit and run was on a public roadway thats the cops job.

 

[RTRD]

You'd think...

... but if the hit and run was on a public roadway thats the cops job.

...but they flat out told me they have better things to do.

Actaully, I don't blame them. I am more pissed at the insurance company that won't pay until the other driver is identified.

I'm also pissed that some kid could think he got ram a car with my wife and kid in it and not even have the decency to verify they are ok.

Frankly, I'm looking to pay him a visit and have a "conversation" with him about being responsible and accountable for his actions, and how it would be the right thing for him to turn himself into the police. I'm hoping the urge will pass as my anger subsides, but every time I think of my kid peeing himself because he was so frighted and shocked my hands get an urge to rap themselves around a neck while changing someone's facial landscape...

 

[RTRD]

Not always...and in fact, I think once you past a certain price point...

The premium ticket price does bring you better quality...

...this is DEFINATELY no longer the case.

 

[LancsLad]

...but they flat out told me they have better things to do.

Actaully, I don't blame them. I am more pissed at the insurance company that won't pay until the other driver is identified.

I'm also pissed that some kid could think he got ram a car with my wife and kid in it and not even have the decency to verify they are ok.

Frankly, I'm looking to pay him a visit and have a "conversation" with him about being responsible and accountable for his actions, and how it would be the right thing for him to turn himself into the police. I'm hoping the urge will pass as my anger subsides, but every time I think of my kid peeing himself because he was so frighted and shocked my hands get an urge to rap themselves around a neck while changing someone facial lanscape...

A PI who works below the radar would be your best bet. The problem is that while cop buddies were able to easily do a trace for you in the past without a problem the system now tracks who accessed what plate. There was a thing a few years ago where a cop in the Hamilton area was being paid by "family" friends to get traces on other people they were interested in "meeting". Takes away from the good old days where you could get a cute girls name from her plate for just a few drinks with your buddies.

I share your sentiment on "talking" to the little SOB, he really does need an attitude adjustment. I would ask around , some ex-cop or PI has to be able to do it and still stay covert. By now they must have figured out a way around the audit trail.

Good hunting . Monty to the men going ashore 6/6/44

 

[Meister]

Mesiter, I learn a long time ago, not to judge a book by its cover, as you'll always be wrong. How do you know she hasn't be been? In 1 Euro tour, we had lunch with couples who are owners of conv. store, restaurant, bakery & gas stations. It was not their 1st visit either. Few with kids in ivy league schools. Recent survey of U.S. millionaries found most don't drive flashy cars but drive or own practical domestics or imports.

Like they say "Act poor, retire rich. Act rich, retire poor."

Buying an LV bag in my opinion is just utterly stupid unless it's pocket change for you. You will never be part of high society unless you are the real deal. btw, I'm not the real deal, lol.

 

[goodtime]

Bottom line, when an item is out, and if they can't get it within the country, be it USA or Canada or Japan, anyone with money will still have to wait. Now if you want to call that catalog order desk experience, fine. I guess technically you can call that LOL.

BTW all LV stores, flagships or small, have catalogues.

In many case, they stock many items.

With many years of shopping excursions, under the belt. To tell them to wait, when she wants it. Some make their pilgram to 'the source' for this reason. Whether it's NYC, L.A., Tokyo, HK, Paris, Milan, London,... Price vary greatly in different countries. How can H.R. compare? Not belittle them, know few H.R. gals. I've a 2004 catalog, btw. Hooray for EU sales tax refund.

A salesgal in her broke english gave the whole LV history speech, workmanship, certificate ie: birth cert., undestructible LV truck, lifetime replacement if defects.

For some, it's an investment. The bonus, you get enjoyment out of it. Like well-made time piece, pens, collector auto, art, wine, may appreciate in value.

 

[goodtime]

These bags...some of them are not even leather!! You look at the construction...it is at best acceptable - not even close to being on par with my Tumi or Hartman bags.

My wife tends to go for Furla and Coach...mostly Furla. Fortuately, she doesn't waste her money (because spending my money on this shit isn't even a conversation that is going to happen) on any thing more than $500 or so for a purse. I get the sense that is the approimate price point where the bags quit being "better" and instead are just more expensive. All the same, she defends the practice of purchasing these things - it has led to more than one little snippy (albeit brief) "discussion", as I mocked both the bags and the women who buy them whenver I here her sigh "nice bag" as a woman walks by.

Really - women will do WHATEVER some by tells them when it comes to fashion - from fur boots in the winter, to shoes that literally harm their feet, to those ugly fuckign "crocs", and purses that cost 10 times what they are even REMOTELY worth, simply because someone told them to pay that much.

I mean REALLY...$5000 for a purse that came from the exact same fucking factory as a $500 one...as sold by the same fucking company...with no NO actual hard value of ultilitarin content (no jewels, gold, etc.) which justifies the price difference...nothing more than "we say you pay this much for this bag"....all just so you can say you have one and your GF doesn't??

I guess it is the way the universe balances the stupidity men show for beautiful women...by having them show stupidity for the things men make and sell.

Oh please! There's Coach bags that are in thousands. I know because I watch my LA cuz brought 1 from their Manhattan store without blinking an eye. There's legit handbags that are in hundreds. Not saying they're all worth their pricetag but well made goods are worth their $$$.

Just like suits or shoes, you can't have just one & it depends on the occasion, whether formal, casual, evening, etc.

There're many stupid guys with knock-off or want-to-be watches, belts, shoes & suits, cars, computer, electronics, just to be 'in-style'. Same obsession, didn't toys.

 

[goodtime]

Like they say "Act poor, retire rich. Act rich, retire poor."

True, may be that's why they drive a cheap car.

 

[booboobear]

...totally.

It isn't that I don't like / have "nice" things. As I have posted before, my "festishes" tend to run toward watches (not super high end, but better than what most people have), a few bags (Hartman and Tumi) and suits (though I am not in designer labels there...and truth be told haven't dropped any REAL coin on a suit in awhile as I wear them like once every couple months now).

This is the thing - when I pay MORE for something I am getting BETTER....higher quality, better customer service / support.

These bags...some of them are not even leather!! You look at the construction...it is at best acceptable - not even close to being on par with my Tumi or Hartman bags.

My wife tends to go for Furla and Coach...mostly Furla. Fortuately, she doesn't waste her money (because spending my money on this shit isn't even a conversation that is going to happen) on any thing more than $500 or so for a purse. I get the sense that is the approimate price point where the bags quit being "better" and instead are just more expensive. All the same, she defends the practice of purchasing these things - it has led to more than one little snippy (albeit brief) "discussion", as I mocked both the bags and the women who buy them whenver I here her sigh "nice bag" as a woman walks by.

Really - women will do WHATEVER some by tells them when it comes to fashion - from fur boots in the winter, to shoes that literally harm their feet, to those ugly fuckign "crocs", and purses that cost 10 times what they are even REMOTELY worth, simply because someone told them to pay that much.

l.

Really who cares what bags you buy or your wife , talk about shallow , you sure have a lot of free time to talk about nothing . I love your comment about women though in another thread you defended other people's stereotypes about women now you do the same thing MLAM MLAM make up your mind. I see right through you .