The bargain demon had us all in its grip (From Asian Image)

The bargain demon had us all in its grip

9:21am Wednesday 17th January 2007 in News features By Sarvat Jabeen Khan

Trainers on - check, credit cards in pocket - check, brain left at home - check.

That time was upon us again when the stores took full advantage of the insanity fondly known in the business as "clear out the rubbish by putting a sale ticket on it".

'Back home' in the old days (all the first and second generations will be aware), when mother nature called at five in the morning you would try your best to ignore it; walking out to the fields for ten minutes isn't appealing.

These same individuals don't even need an alarm clock to wake up on December 27 for the NEXT SALE!!

This is the only time a size fourteen lady will pick up a size six luminous green and purple crimplene boob tube and convince herself she 'needs' it.

Notice the word want' is not used. The items otherwise not touched with an instrument to aid the steering of a barge are at this time of year sifted through by manic shoppers who appear to be possessed by the demon of "bargain hunting".

Ladies who responsibly tackle the financial decisions of the house, have tremendous organisational skills.

They would impress any CEO and they can simultaneously dress, change and bath her three children will take complete leave of her senses for a couple of days.

It's a time when all reasoning and accountability flew out the window. The only defence these women have is "it's a bargain". Well, as I was once told by my husband 'even a bargain costs money!' I was quite pleased with myself, thought I had it sussed.

If you don't go to the sales you're not going to exercise the credit card - right?

Wrong, the marketing gremlins that work behind the scenes had me by the proverbials.

It was all coming back to me, thinking I was a smarty-pants checking the availability of stock but darn it they got me.

I was e-mailed by Next who invited me to take the opportunity as a privileged VIP customer to book a slot to shop on line two days before the "average" person.

Me VIP? I may be a Very Impatient Person but important, I am not. Their clever use of flattery works wonders when one wants to entice the purse strings to open.

So I think we know each other quite well now. A degree of honesty is required.

Did you really need another pair of jeans or did you just buy them because of the big red 'sale' sticker?

Are you ever going to wear that red, size twenty tracksuit? Just how many pairs of sunglasses can you wear on the one head?

I see you smiling, but hey why break with tradition after all everyone needs to leave the brain at home sometime. Just push the newly acquired twaddle to the back of the wardrobe and look forward to doing it all again - same time next year!