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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on May 2, 2016 13:19:19 GMT -5
How do you respond when someone asks you what you paid for something? To me, that is a personal question. I don't care if I paid $4 for a pair of jeans at a garage sale or $100 at the mall. It is none of their business. I am usually caught off guard with questions like that.
It also bothers me when someone tells me something I have is out of their price range. One person in particular won't pay $20 for a necklace but she will buy a rain jacket for $300. The necklace is out of her price range (we were looking at a catalog.) Well honey, the rain jacket you bought is out of my price range but I keep that to myself.
I actually understand this logic. I know that if I pay $300 for a rain jacket (and I have paid nearly that amount for it), the amount I pay per wear will be almost nil. However, for a $20 necklace, I might wear it a couple times.
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kittensaver
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Post by kittensaver on May 2, 2016 13:25:17 GMT -5
When strangers or near-strangers ask me inappropriate questions, I usually just stare hard at them with my mouth shut. Sometimes I even do the Spock one eyebrow lift-thing at them.
In the very few times a stranger has chosen to pursue a conversation even after getting the Spock-eye, I've opened my mouth and said, "I'm sorry, but do I know you?"
People I know well/in my daily life don't seem to ask me how much I've paid for something. Maybe I'm just lucky and don't have nosy family and friends?
A few friends HAVE asked me what my new kitchen cost. But I also know they are homeowners/nesters like me and they are seeking comparison data, not being nosy about my personal finances.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on May 2, 2016 13:55:59 GMT -5
How do you respond when someone asks you what you paid for something? To me, that is a personal question. I don't care if I paid $4 for a pair of jeans at a garage sale or $100 at the mall. It is none of their business. I am usually caught off guard with questions like that.
It also bothers me when someone tells me something I have is out of their price range. One person in particular won't pay $20 for a necklace but she will buy a rain jacket for $300. The necklace is out of her price range (we were looking at a catalog.) Well honey, the rain jacket you bought is out of my price range but I keep that to myself.
I tell them. It's the price of a pair of jeans, not nuclear codes.
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kittensaver
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Post by kittensaver on May 2, 2016 13:58:12 GMT -5
How do you respond when someone asks you what you paid for something? To me, that is a personal question. I don't care if I paid $4 for a pair of jeans at a garage sale or $100 at the mall. It is none of their business. I am usually caught off guard with questions like that.
It also bothers me when someone tells me something I have is out of their price range. One person in particular won't pay $20 for a necklace but she will buy a rain jacket for $300. The necklace is out of her price range (we were looking at a catalog.) Well honey, the rain jacket you bought is out of my price range but I keep that to myself.
I tell them. It's the price of a pair of jeans, not nuclear codes.
Agreed! But I think what some people here are responding to is the agenda *some" people have behind the question, not the question itself.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on May 2, 2016 13:59:07 GMT -5
Their agenda is not my problem.
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kittensaver
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Post by kittensaver on May 2, 2016 14:14:06 GMT -5
Their agenda is not my problem. Oh - agreed again. But some folks here have a history of family members and others using such information against them. I feel for those people - it makes me understand why the question bothers them.
I'd hate it too if I knew someone was going to use the price of things I buy as a gossip weapon against me. Or use it as an excuse to hit me up for money (because I MUST be rich, right?) and then get mad at me when I say no.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2016 14:25:56 GMT -5
I will ask sometimes what something cost, but I always preface it with "If you don't mind me asking . . . " They can tell me or not although most people will. I don't ask a lot, but it is usually for a service. Like someone recommends their hair stylist or lawn guy. Recommendations are great, but I'd like to ballpark their prices before I call. Or someone talks about replacing all their windows, and I've been thinking about it. I don't care what your jewelry or clothes cost. I pretty much know what things cost if you pay retail. If you didn't, that's your business and not mine.
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WholeLottaNothin
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Post by WholeLottaNothin on May 2, 2016 15:16:30 GMT -5
This kind of stuff doesn't bother me. I may ask where someone got something, like a sweater for example, because I like it and want one for myself. I don't mean it in a mean or backhanded way, I sincerely like the sweater. Even if i don't ask the cost, sometimes people say it anyway. And when people ask me, I don't care either. We are in the process of buying a house, and we had a home inspection last Friday. At the end, the home inspector asked me how much we were paying for the house, and prefaced it with "If you don't mind me asking...". And I didn't mind. I knew him from a previous job, and knowing how often and how long he has been in this business, I figured he could tell me if we were getting a nice deal or we were being hosed. But even if it were, say, my cousing who was asking the price of the house, I would tell her. She can judge away, if she is so inclined. People who want to judge you on something will find a way, no matter what you do.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on May 2, 2016 17:29:30 GMT -5
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I don't find asking about price offensive.
If I ask about price, that means I'm interested in purchasing that item, and want to know.
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on May 2, 2016 22:16:37 GMT -5
Early 70s we bought a house in Detroit and had an elderly lady neighbor who always ask "how much you pay?" When she asked about the house I told her I don't know my husband bought it. I knew she would believe a wife wouldn't know what a husband paid for a house. That was the sort of thing you didn't ask back then now we can look up what people paid so people are free to tell you want houses cost. My nephew found one for me today that cost 399,950 I don't think I want it but if I did I would tell him what I paid especially if I talked them down pretty well. He wants me to pay cash for a house from my retirement money then invest what I get for selling the old house. I hate moving and selling houses so might just stay here.
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msventoux
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Post by msventoux on May 2, 2016 22:33:08 GMT -5
Depends on who it is. Generally I tell them. Usually it's because I shared that I bought an item that the other person had expressed interest in previously and vice versa.
Usually it's larger ticket items relating to home projects and it helps to share the price so the other person has some sort of a benchmark to go off of when they get around to doing a project. I have a coworker who I know thoroughly researches everything and comparison shops, so if she's purchased something I'm interested in I know she's probably already done all of the legwork that I would have done if I'd purchased the item first.
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stillmovingforward
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Post by stillmovingforward on May 2, 2016 23:35:39 GMT -5
Sigh - I'm that person asking. I don't get out much so I will see someone with an item (nice coat I like, new babble electronic, etc.) and I'll ask them. That way, I'll know if I really want to pursue getting one myself (coats, I have a thing for coats..........) After admiring it. But I would NEVER dream of commenting on what they paid! That's just mean and tacky. I'm sure I pay money for things others think are foolish so I have no right to comment on their choices (since they don't owe me money ). I do have an office mate who is selling his house, I'm fascinated by this as we are in a hot market and asked if he found it offensive if I pepper him with questions about what is currently happening, costs, etc. He isn't offended and we now discuss it frequently. I openly admit that I'm fascinated. We've even discussed the options in the new house they want. But again, I would NEVER tell him that his family's choices are wrong. Because its not me buying/selling the house. I'm just along for the virtual fun. And if he had minded, I wouldn't have mentioned it again unless he brought it up.
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stillmovingforward
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Post by stillmovingforward on May 2, 2016 23:37:00 GMT -5
If people ask me about something, I'll tell them. I really don't care what they think. The item was worth it to me and the hours I work so, I'm happy.
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tloonya
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Post by tloonya on May 3, 2016 17:43:36 GMT -5
I don't see how is it even a question. Let alone an issue. We have donation stores opening up all over the place and I bought pair of designer with tag slacks for $7.99. Dining room set that I paid for $1100 was $170 looked like brand new. I don't know.
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on May 4, 2016 6:11:33 GMT -5
I don't think I have ever faced this question either but possible responses might be
Had a GREAT coupon for BIG NAME STORE (that I know carries that brand) w/ NO mention of $ amount. Tripped over it on the clearance rack w/no mention of the $ amount
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on May 4, 2016 6:22:33 GMT -5
It's a very nosey question. And, you will get one of the following responses:
1. Wow. You paid THAT much. I would never pay that much for that!
2. I could have gotten you a better deal from so and so!
3. Must be nice to have extra cash for stuff like that!
4. I can't afford to spend that much on that!
It kind of depends on the situation if i tell them what i paid. SOmetimes someone else is truly shopping around for the same thing. Like a dress for the school dance for their daughter or something. On the other hand ,there are people who are just nosy nebnoses so for them, i might tell them or I might not. Or maybe i make up a price that is grossly inflated or low just for the fun of it!
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tloonya
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What status?
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Post by tloonya on May 4, 2016 11:48:56 GMT -5
It's a very nosey question. And, you will get one of the following responses: 1. Wow. You paid THAT much. I would never pay that much for that! 2. I could have gotten you a better deal from so and so! 3. Must be nice to have extra cash for stuff like that! them what i paid. SOmetimes someone else is truly shopping around for the same thing. Like a 4. I can't afford to spend that much on that! It kind of depends on the situation if i tell dress for the school dance for their daughter or something. On the other hand ,there are people who are just nosy nebnoses so for them, i might tell them or I might not. Or maybe i make up a price that is grossly inflated or low just for the fun of it! Don't socialize with people like that!!!
Possible responses:
1. Wow. You paid THAT much. I would never pay that much for that! - How much would you pay? or - Good stuff doesn't come cheap and I love quality things! or - I know you are a dollar store queen! not that is anything wrong with that!
2. I could have gotten you a better deal from so and so! - Well, I still have receipt, lets do it! Should I return crap now? or - I know so and so sells knock offs and I like originals. Sorry, I have a good taste. Not that I say you aren't...
3. Must be nice to have extra cash for stuff like that! - Extra cash nice even if you don't need any stuff period. Don't you think? or - I just got a raise and FINALLY I can afford anything I want. I am pretty sure you would splurge on something naughty if you have gotten extra $xxxxxxx. or - Yeahh...I am so lucky I don't have to worry about prices, I just pay and enjoy it! 4. I can't afford to spend that much on that!
- My relative oversees died and left me whole bunch of real estate. If you get euros and convert them in dollars - it cost me nearly nothing. or - You need to get a second (third, forth) job so you can stop depriving yourself, poor thing you are! or - Some people can, some people cant. It sucks huh? Ive been there until my relatives overseas died and left me all this real estate (read first response for #1)
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motherto2
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Post by motherto2 on May 5, 2016 21:14:30 GMT -5
So, you've met my ex husband, huh?
He asks everyone what they paid for something. And believe me, it's because he's nosy. VERY annoying. Worst was when I was in the hospital in labor with DD. Ready to push and he's worried about asking how much some piece of equipment costs. Embarrassing.
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on May 6, 2016 0:06:59 GMT -5
9 times out of 10, I probably don't remember the price.
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on May 7, 2016 17:51:42 GMT -5
I don't recall any instance in which I was particularly offended by the question, but I suppose it would depend on what it is. I probably would ask in some contexts if I was genuinely doing market research.
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Peace77
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Post by Peace77 on May 8, 2016 8:49:50 GMT -5
I was taught not to discuss money or politics. I was once very surprised that a man I had just met asked me how much I paid for my car. I told him that I didn't remember. I didn't remember the exact amount and even I did I didn't think it was any of his business.
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2016 10:26:10 GMT -5
Last year I had a coworker ask a bunch of questions about my car, including how much I paid for it. A few months later he had the latest model of the same car, but of course he paid more than I did because I bought mine new a long time ago. I didn't mind all the questions because I figured he was thinking about buying one.
I don't care about people asking me how much I paid for something unless I think they have some kind of agenda. Then I don't give a straight answer. I had someone ask me about some jeans I have and her response was that she'd never pay that much for some jeans. She's a Kobe Bryant fanatic and I told her I wouldn't pay $10 to see Kobe play basketball let alone the kind of money she's spent and that we all have our "thing" that we're willing to spend more money on than the next person. She agreed since I "put it like that". Lol.
A lot of times people ask that because they like whatever they're asking about and are interested in something similar. Or they're just curious. It doesn't matter to me as long as they keep any negative comments about my answer to themselves.
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on May 8, 2016 18:18:10 GMT -5
I just reply. Waaaayyyy to much. They don't have a comeback to that. I did have an acquaintance who would ask how I could afford this and that after I retired. I just told her each time that my son paid for it. She said she had a daughter and was he married. Guess she wanted to hook him up. She figured he was loaded.
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