Lately I’ve particularly peeved by upselling. I honestly cannot think of any one thing that elucidates the American shopping experience any better. Along with having everything branded (Welcome to GE Bowl! This film brought to you Coke! Toilet paper donated by Charmin!)* everywhere we go, it is assumed that we are no longer able to purchase the right size drink/muffin/latte. We need assistance.
If I had wanted the larger size I would have asked for it, it really doesn’t matter if it saves me $.03 if I mega-size. I have weighed my options, and I’d like what I ordered and not be pestered for my zip code or phone number and if I would like to join your email list, I’ll go online and sign up.
Each time I buy something and get upsold, it’s like capitalism is smacking me on the head reminding me *why* I often feel infantilized when I step out of the mall. In the name of customer service, I no longer have to open doors, grab for my own basket or worry about having more than 1 item per bag. I probably could send my neighbors dog into the store with a note and a $5 bill on his tag, therefore allowing me to use my time more wisely and catch up on Tetris on my phone.
One of the most refreshing things about buying indie is that I am treated like a customer with a brain *and* adult decision making skills. Ladies like Dayna and Linda and Susan don’t ask me if I want matching earrings with my necklace. In fact, they may even add an extra pair of earrings or a few cool stickers just because they are greatful for my business. Shocker! Because they are happy you are choosing to not spend your hard-earned cash under creepy fluorescent lights and on tile floors (And watch out! the floors that have been mopped in the past 48 hours will have a sign noting this so you don’t fall and sue. Sadly, there is no sign to warn you of the sign that’s warning you, so be careful!).
Don’t get me wrong, I love this country and I sure as hell love to shop. But what I don’t love is going to store and being asked a billion times if I want to save 20% on all my purchases today or told when I reach for my coffee, “Now this is hot.” I just want to shop in peace and be allowed to well, shop.
Remember when you used to buy batteries at Radio Shack at everyone thought it was weird that they asked for your phone number? I pine for those days when such actions were the anomaly. But those Radio Shack guys were onto something my friend, if they could have found a way to trademark that idea they would be richer than the Google guys.
Thankfully, there is a way to drown out the advertisement of the future, the selling of modernity. By exercising your choice in which shops/boutiques you patronize and purchasing products from buy and sell online sites like Shoppok, you are making a bit of headway against being upsold. While sometimes I feel awfully curmudgeony when I complain about such aspects of modern times, I remember all my friends and neighbors who are creating and making so many amazing products and pieces of art/craft and fighting against the dumbing down of America and know that there is a better way forward that being asked if I want fries with that.
There is a new Friday correspondent starting either tomorrow or next week, so keep your eyes peeled! I’m already excited!
All the talk of the farm has been confirmed today- I head back to the UK to start some ethnographic field research (ie, living on a farm and learning traditional textile techniques) October 16 – December 13th. I still can’t believe the dates have been confirmed, and I just keep reminding myself of the power of the Zen saying, “leap and the net will appear.”
*Yes, I’m making these up. Although if Tampax makes special-themed Post-Its for the next breast cancer walk or something, I’d be the first to sign up.