Let's Play 'Do I need this ______?'

So my new buying plan is...challenging. I've walked into at least 20 stores downtown, asking every salesperson in sight about the origins of their products. Most know very little but are happy to ask their managers. Said managers are often useless. Websites almost NEVER provide details of this sort. Emailing/calling customer service reps seldom never elicits a response.

I could - I want to - dedicate my life to figuring out where my stuff comes from, but I do have like a real job and whatnot. So I've had to rely more heavily on my secondary criteria, being:

Do I need this thing?
Is it EXACTLY the one I want?
Is it classic enough, and quality enough, that I will have it for a long, long time?

I am known in certain retail circles for my keen eye and lightning judgment, but this is a lot of pressure to put on every single garment. Add the fact that we're in the tail end of mega-sale season, and one could (okay, did) loiter in the young designer's section of Neiman Marcus well past closing to weigh the pros and cons of her Last Call finds.

So now, whenever possible, I add the Rene Factor. To whit:

ME: Do I want this wallet? It boasts many attractive features, including the fact that it's 60% off. Plus, I like shiny anaconda. And I've never had a wallet this fancy before.



RENE: I'm going thumbs down. Trendy and not going to wear well. I'm just sayin...

ME: Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to hear. My inner blackbird was transfixed by the shiny leather, but in truth, the hardware isn't doing it for me. Ultimately, it was the cheapness factor that put me in a quandary.


Between Rene and my shopping gene, I have a lot going for me. But I might have to supplement it with a PhD in Environmental and Labor Policy.