Shopping Mistakes

On Sunday I had a shopping experience. And when you shop, it is an experience. Most of the experience is contributed to by marketing and advertising. I love shopping in Pier One. The lighting, the colors, the feel... everything carefully arranged to say "This could be your home.. see how much you like it?"

Some places are so amazing that shopping becomes more of an encounter. Those times and places are rare.

Sometimes there are places that have not done much, if anything, along the lines of creating a positive experience. Sometimes we ourselves contribute negatively to a shopping experience based on choices.

And Sunday, I was both in a place that did NOT contribute and made bad choices along the way.

It all started out so simply. I walked in a store needing to buy a last minute baby shower gift. I know me doing stuff last minute shocks you, that I would be unprepared. Believe me, it takes me by surprise too when I realize I forgot yet again to be organized ;-)

First of all, there is no order to the store I chose. There is no rational explanation for how it is laid out. Not to mention, I don't think anyone was working there. So I couldn't stop to ask for some assistance. So I wandered aimlessly for a bit. My first mistake was that I did not grab a cart upon entering. Then there was the second mistake. Sunglasses on sale. Hmmm..

So I try a few pairs on and find some. I eventually stumble across the baby section. Since I was late getting a gift, and not at the store the mom registered at, I was the girl that brought the necessities for a gift. Some people like that, some people don't. I hope she did. Next thing I know I'm carrying a pack of diapers, a box of wipes, a set of baby towels, a bottle of baby wash, and sunglasses. I need to still get a card and a gift bag at this point, and have no idea where that is either.

The longer I wander through the store the more the mistake of not getting a shopping cart is becoming clear. If you ever wondered how coordinated I am, well - you should know I was expecting disaster with every footstep carrying so many items. I finally decided I was going to do it - I was going to steal someone else's shopping cart. As I continue to look for the cards, I also keep an eye out for an abandoned cart. Please know I have never taken an innocent bystander's cart before. I don't make a habit of this.

So there I saw it, no one was around, and I sort of circled around the area first to look for someone it may belong to. I hope it was sincerely abandoned because I dumped my stuff in it and ran. I half expected that as soon as I took it an angry person would be there demanding how dare I take their cart? It became even more crucial to find the cards and gift wrap ASAP.

FYI - cart stealing while shopping completely ruins the experience. I had to get out of there quickly!

As I approached the checkout it was clear that there was at least one employee working there. I waited in a long long long long line to purchase the items. I thought, where do I live that there would be only 1 employee responsible for 20 customers waiting in line, in the middle of no where?? This is not the case. Clearly security was watching and creating a situation in which I was trapped waiting and scolded for unfair shopping techniques.

All in all, it wasn't the best experience, I may have ruined someone else's experience by taking their cart, but I did get some sunglasses out of it. I think I need to get out for a shopping encounter to make up for that one.