A friend of mine recently returned some items to a large online retailer (no need to mention the store specifically—that’s not the point).
After the return, she showed me the receipt.
This is what it said:
“The perfect find is still out there. See you next time.”
In some ways, I can’t think of a better summary of the empty promises of consumerism.
Doesn’t that thought, arbitrarily printed by the retailer, display perfectly both the promise and subtle nature of consumerism promoted by our culture and advertising (even on return receipts)?
*The perfect find is still out there.
The message?
“There is a purchase out there, entirely perfect for you, that will fill the void in your life that you need to fill.
Whatever that need is, there is a purchase that can improve your life. The problem with this purchase isn’t that you are looking for another physical item to fill your needs… it’s that you purchased the wrong one.
Just because this purchase wasn’t perfect for you doesn’t mean the next one won’t be. You just need to keep looking.
So keep looking, keep buying, keep accumulating.”
*See you next time.
“You’ll be back. We know you’ll return. The trappings of consumerism are simply too difficult to overcome.
And even though you spent money on things you didn’t need last time you were here; something tells us you’ll be back soon enough to try it again.”
—
Messages encouraging consumerism surround us every day. Sometimes they are subtle, sometimes they are loud and in your face.
But the more we allow the empty promises of consumerism into our thinking and behaviors, the more common and accepted they become.
At some point, they need to be exposed. At some point, we need to take a stand against them personally and begin a movement of people rejecting those empty promises and looking for life elsewhere.
Let’s start with you and me. Our lives deserve better.
I just went to a common mega store with my daughter last week ( the first time in two years) and smiled at the thought of needing nothing and spending nothing there. Thank you, Josh. You started the path to that experience years Ago and I could not be more grateful.
I worked for customer service for a credit card offered for a high end store. So many parts of them were against my morals, but I remember the most upsetting was during Christmas, their posters they put up to encourage us (and I suppose customers) said “in the end, the only thing I’ll regret is the things I didn’t buy”. It was possibly the most upsetting thing I’ve ever seen to describe a season that is supposed to be about so so so much more than consumerism.
I agree that the sentiment is unsettling to say the least. However, Christmas is nothing more than a lie so it’s no surprise that it is illustrated with such a disgusting slogan. Christmas has nothing to do with the birth of Christ, never did. Do your homework and open your eyes…Your entire “Christmas” is nothing more than a collection of pagan practices done to celebrate a “holiday” instituted by Constantine. I’m Christian and this holiday has nothing to do with Christianity, trust me.
Today everyone (especially in western world) is talking about climate change and finding alternative source of energy to support the same life style which I feel is not going to do any good for environment. Articles like this needs to be taught in schools to get new generation to understand importance of minimalism for their own good. The only point is to fill this gap madness shopping there has to be alternative. I can think of fitness or spirituality can be good substitute
I used to joke about Target, “you do not tell Target what you need; Target tells you what you need.” I used to grab a cart and wander the aisles as Target pointed out what I “needed.” I am certain I am not alone. It is ironic that while our family is frugal in many ways (zero debt), I have noticed that during the Pandemic, I have used shopping to get my dopamine hits. It has to stop.
I had the same experience several months ago (I suspect it was the same store) and I found it deeply repugnant for exactly the reasons you discuss. I see an earlier commenter mentioned Duck Duck Go. I have been wondering about that. Do you happen to know if it is safe and if there is a “catch” to using it? I hate to be a pessimist but do not want to trade one problem for an even worse one!
When the shopping bug hits me, I like to go out and buy something for the community pantry or some socks for the homeless shelter. Might as well let my consumer impulses do some good!
While I think I have made great strides in reducing unnecessary purchases, the fact that I wasted so much money on such trivial things just shows us how powerful those ads are.
This reminds me of a similar experience I had recently. I ordered something online and when it arrived the words “mood boost” were written all over the packaging. Just another attempt to convince us that happiness and joy can be found in our purchases.
Great Way to start The weekend..Welcome Spring/ Daylight Savings time and share the message Of “ Things That Matter” sooo looking forward to your next book. This is a “ Spot on Article, Thanks for Sharing! Happy St. Patricks Day!☘️
Excellent article. We are always being pressured to buy more and to be more!
I am going to flip the script on this. I remember a routine from a comic (can’t remember who though) and he was talking about how great the feeling of being next in line was, so he joked he would often let be go ahead of him when the “next” was called, that way he was always next. Knowing that the perfect find is still out there is like being next. I don’t have to feel compelled to buy this thing now, as an even better thing is always out there waiting for me to find it if I need it. It’s like always being next.
*he would often let ‘people’ go ahead of him…*
Excellent article. We are always being pressured to buy more and to be more!
Everyone should go through the experience of emptying another’s houses for estate settlement. We’ve found unopened appliances from QVC, unopened Tupperware, new powertools, etc. with price tags still attached. If you’re not replacing broken or unusable, don’t buy it. Look at “stuff” and ask when you last used it. Can’t remember? Say goodbye.
Agreed! After reading, ‘The Gentle Art of Death Cleaning’, I had better talking points and ideas when discussing this with my own parents.
What I’ve *personally* been drawn to is second-hand items – be it from someone I know or the thrift store. ‘Saving’ them – whether from the landfill or other fate – took me years and years to come to terms with; that it’s just another kind of consumerism.
So as I prepare my house to sell and downsize, I’ve been very intentional about only moving what I truly love or need, while making a conscious decision to no longer keep duplicate items ‘just in case’. Since I’m moving from a single family home to an apartment, I’ve had the luxury to intentionally slowly move into the apartment while I prepare my home for sale. It’s been much easier to melt things go that not only no longer fit my life or preferences, but my new home.
I’m doing my best to track down charities who need the specific items I have, like schools and refugee skill building programs, consigning some, but a merely rant to offer the items for free to individuals – I don’t want to empower someone else to ‘find a place’ for something ‘good’ like I have done.
Brilliant brevity.
The irony is that the statement is also a slap in the face about what you JUST bought?! Like, it wasn’t ‘the perfect thing’ – you failed. It’s pretty rude actually! I don’t think I’d ever shop there again.
I mentioned to my wife this morning I remembered as a kid growing up thinking that commercials on radio and tv did not tell the whole truth. That if you buy their product, you will be happier. Now I enjoyed many of the things I bought, but I can’t say it increased my happiness. I remember the saying that “the love of money is the root of all evil”. I believe that “lying to ones soul is the root of all evil”.
Craig Christenson
Recently I purchased two very specific items on Etsy, things that I was having trouble finding elsewhere to meet my needs. I am disappointed to be getting emails now every few days “alerting” me that there are *new* creations from these same two vendors (aka “shops” on Etsy) for me to come back to & buy more, more, MORE!
I bought my two carefully researched items that met my needs and I was then finished shopping, I’m annoyed that the Etsy emails that keep coming suggest that just because there are new items, this in itself would keep me coming back to buy, buy, BUY….. I frankly was finished shopping and buying when I received the two items that I needed. Game over.
Looks like my only recourse is to unsubscribe to Etsy (or report them as spam) to stop their marketing onslaught subsequent to purchase. I don’t need to be updated on what’s new or worse what they have curated for me to look at / buy based on my previous two purchases. It’s awfully presumptuous that their marketing machine could know what my needs are. I was done buying once I got the two very specific items that I needed.
Thanks for letting me rant. I hope this helps someone else to recognize that they will need to STOP the barrage of marketing that comes after a purchase by reporting them as spam. Too bad we’re even forced into this position. But I’ll buy when I’m ready to buy, and for me that’s when it meets an occasional need here & there.
Also, I love Etsy but sadly they just boosted their take, which is 30% of sales, for small vendors.
Oh my goodness! This just hit me like a ton of bricks.
I made a promise to myself at the first of the year, that I would only be buying essentials this year. Somehow, everything I’ve gotten so far, has seemed “essential”. I have the big void filled, I am a Jesus loving Christian.
How do I turn off the call to consumerism? For good!
Step by little step.. You have the awareness…thats a great start! Keep at it!☘️
Short and to the point! There is no better way to put it that the traders and corporations always want only our best: our attention and our money.
Money equals qour lifetime invested in work (for the most of us).
Don’t invest your time given on earth in junk and useless obligations! Time is already the most precious thing you have.
Much like the dreaded CVS mile long receipt they hand to you every single time! Enticing you to come back in for more. I do use CVS coupons but load them digitally and they are never left at home.
I told myself when I retired, no more frivolous spending. Well it hasn’t gone so well. Still buying. Feel I’m looking at a revolving shopping merry go round! Now I have more time and need to fill it. I need help! I I needed to hear this message today! Thank you!
Isn’t this the truth. I just thought you might enjoy the summarization of consumerism and bringing stuff into our homes that eventually becomes clutter. I laughed and enjoyed it thoroughly. Better we collect empty boxes; no charge! [Comment sent to my children who often have trouble with clutter.]
This is juxtaposed to the cartoon ‘Between Friends’ sent this morning in which the wife asks the husband why all the empty boxes were in the closet. He replies that they might be needed in case she wants to clean out, er, the closets. [I never met a box I did not like!]
Very true! Good article Joshua. I’m starting to get more intentional about shopping. Buy only what we need versus what we want……especially in a moment of weakness, that message on the receipt plays on and prays on our weaknesses.
That comment really sums it up, thank you for sharing.
I’ve been using Duck Duck Go as my search engine to look up books, research, etc. Because unlike Google, it doesn’t track my searches and then target me with ads later. Nothing wrong with a free market economy, but mindless consumerism blinds us to deeper joys, like precious time with family, memorable experiences, and pursuit of our creative passions.
Wow! Now that’s manipulation at its finest! I can see the cycle if the consumer reads the receipt. In this case, it was read. Thanks for sharing and pointing that out! Makes me think how deep society (and myself at times) are caught up in finding “that one thing” to bring temporary happiness. (That doesn’t exist) once it (and the buyer) exit the store.
My friend complained her baby carrots got slimy. I said I buy the big ones and peel them myself. She said that’s too much work.
People eat Ramen noodles in Styrofoam cups because rinsing out a bowl is too much work.
Perfection is not moving at all.
Those baby carrots are soaked in chemicals to keep them orange. Nasty!
When did we get to be so afraid of work?! I find a deeper satisfaction when I do my own dishes, fold my laundry, and keep my house clean. There is something to be said for pride in menial tasks well done!
This ethos seems to transcend consumerism, to pervade the national consciousness.
The better thing/ job/ partner/ house/ locality/ pet/ …. is out there.
I have been volunteering at my social services agencies for some few years now. Our mission for our clients is not only to survive especially in times like this. We help them to strive and grow. Those are really good advise i think.
My friend complained her baby carrots got slimy. I said I buy the big ones and peel them myself. She said that’s too much work.
People eat Ramen noodles in Styrofoam cups because rinsing out a bowl is too much work.
This was an excellent point! I’m learning so much from you.
And Joshua –
fyi, of course 1 million readers can be wrong. Is this a joke? It is a classic, illogical consumerism tactic called appeal to the masses. Kindly rethink your slogan.
Thank you, Josh. We need constant (underline) reminders, because the lure is soooo insidious.
We are so conditioned in American culture to equate shopping with recreation, therapy, thrills, happiness, even love (“when you care enough to send the very best”) – without ever addressing the true needs within us. I wonder how people would spend their money if there were no advertising? Thanks for your wise voice of sanity waking us up, Joshua.
What was even more shocking to me: When I notified the Large Online Retailer Who Shall Remain Nameless that I needed to return an item, I was told it would be replaced and I should not even bother to send the original item back. Think about that for a moment …
So true. It’s kinda perverse when you think about it.
With all the horrible things going on in the world right now, I can’t even think about shopping, other than true necessities. It’s the last thing on my mind.