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:
Own less. Live more.
Written by joshua becker · 43 Comments
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:
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Ima says
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.
jeannie307 says
Also, I love Etsy but sadly they just boosted their take, which is 30% of sales, for small vendors.
Patricia says
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!
Joanne says
Step by little step.. You have the awareness…thats a great start! Keep at it!☘️
Thomas says
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.
Julie Williams says
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.
tracy coburn says
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!
Carolyn Newsome says
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!]
Niki says
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.
Sharon Herrick says
That comment really sums it up, thank you for sharing.
John says
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.
Lynne says
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.