Shut up and take my money.

I wear Maui Jim's, have since a pair of Ray Bans disappeared a couple years ago. I used to wear $20-30 shades all the time and someone bought me a pair of higher end glasses as a gift. I found the higher end brands better constructed and when I had a problem with the Ray Bans I could get them factory repaired, in that case for free. Maui Jim's come with a 2 year warranty after which they'll repair a minimal cost- $15-20 I think plus postage... for the original owner for life. When I used to buy cheap shades I'd often go through 2-3 pairs a year. I think paid $250 for my latest pair of shades, if they last me 4-5 years they've paid for themselves.

Tools, dive gear, camping/hunting/fishing gear, weapons, cameras, foot wear and sunglasses are all things I'm willing to pony up extra cash, depending on the item, because often I find I get what I've paid for and the quality matters. If I have a break down in the middle of the jungle I don't want to see "Taiwan" stamped on the only 9/16th box wrench that will get me back on the road. Same thing if I'm diving alone, something I do often, I don't want to be at 80-100ft and have a 1st stage complete failure because I saved $150.

 

I'm not sure if the topic is sunglasses or pushy salesman.

I'm incredibly picky about my vision and sunglasses in particular. I've wear prescription Vuarnet, ordered from Paris and imported to the US. I prefer extra dark, non-polarized, glass lenses. They probably cost twice as much as a pair of Oakleys and I'm fine with that. They'll last longer than my prescription. (4-5 years)

 

Hah. She was extremely hot, though. Early 20s, massive cleavage, supertight dress. When you're 17/18/19 (honestly can't remember my exact age) and a chick like that is putting all her moves on you to sell that overpriced crap-in-a-bottle for $150, it's quite tempting to offer $200 for 10 minutes of bendover action (1 min undressing, 3 mins "foreplay", 2 mins finding the right position, 2 mins figuring out the right hole, 2 mins awkward pelvic thrusts).

Yeah, not really into sunglasses myself. I used to be... bought these awesome Porsche sunglasses for A$250 when I was 16 or 17 and felt like the biggest alpha numbnut ever.

I do consider it pretty stupid to spend that kinda money on sunglasses in Afghanistan (a particular friend of mine here did that not too long ago). Superluxurious cars, guns, drugs, mini-castles? No problemo.

Same here. I've long ago stopped caring on what particular arrangement of letters was embedded in my shirts/pants.

 

This man get's it. Or more succinctly put:

Has no-one ever purchased something so frivolous they have no justification for?

Mixedmedia: Have you never walked into a shop before for a reason unrelated to buying whatever the shop sells and walked out the poorer for it?

In my case, I was waiting for my sister to come over so we could watch a movie. I had toured the entire mall and was bored witless. I had never once thought I would purchase a pair of $150 sunglasses but was very impressed by them. It's not the first time that's happenned though, come to think of it.

 

I impulse buy a lot of stupid stuff. Not really expensive things, just junk and knick knacks.

 

People like you are a literal goldmine to competent marketing experts.

 

Not to the tune of more than $20-40 dollars. I just don't do that.

 

I rarely go shopping unless there's something I need to shop for and I never let a salesperson sell me what I'm not looking for. But that's these days. I used to be the type of person who felt I was being rude if I brushed off a kiosk worker or flatly answered "no, thank you," to the salesgirl looking to be "helpful." I saw where that ended up. Me poorer, in possession of an item I didn't need or even want. Occasionally I will buy something small and inexpensive that catches my eye, something not on my "list" but never as a result of the coercion of a salesperson. They don't make them pushy enough to affect me anymore.

What freedom!

 

My friend bought Okaleys once and they broke within 2 days. Now I use Wal-Mart for my eye care needs.

 

Once you go polarized, you never go back.

 

If they're real Oakleys then your friend should contact the company and get them repaired-

Warranty Policy | Us

 

We're all human and so are designed normally to react to others' enthusiasm, body language, pheromones, looks, even schpiel. It sounds like you got caught up in the perfect storm of a pitch - probably heightened by your initial resolve not to buy.
I used to sell sometimes, the trick was to get them saying yes, easy stuff first, then more and more yesses eventually building up to the 'shut up and take my money' bit. Makes me smile when it's done to me although I just say 'no thanks' instead of yes.
Quality sunglasses are not a bad thing, quality anything is not bad either, if you're going to have something, save up for the best and while you have it you have the best - it's a nice feeling. I really enjoy researching the best - while saving up for it.

 

You wanna rub more salt in?

Anyway ... I did in fact recognize the significance and quality of the Oakleys over all the other sunglasses I got at the thrift store for $5.00 that I sat on and broke. Say in an online fashion, I would never click the "buy this item now" button. So yes, I do know the difference between being sold on something and actually buying something.

I too was a salesperson. I've had three sales jobs. One of which was a door to door gig. I lasted exactly a week in all three. I could never sell things that I myself thought were ... fucking useless.

Guess I never learned!

 

Yes. I never buy anything valuable on impulse. I used to use $50 and then went to $75 but the longer I live in Mexico I find the number going down. I'm down around $40 now. Seriously I have sticker shock every time I go north... $15 for a salad and a drink? Seriously? But yes, if I want it I'll still want it tomorrow. Plus it gives me time to check out other purchasing options. Often I can find to on line cheaper and have it shipped to my daughter house then simply pick it up on my next visit.