Shoes
One of my flunked jobs I had when I left the Isle of Wight was to sell shoes as a trainee manageress in a retial chain Portsmouth.

All shoe customers are a pain but this one took the biscuit.

He was a driving instructor. I was polite, pulled out 10 pairs of different shoes so he could try them on - the heel was an important issue. The ones he liked were twice the price of the ones in the sale, but he wasn't prepared to pay that price.

Me : But sir, they suit you and they are exactly what you want, and will last you a long time, whereas this pair that are inferior will last you a quarter of the time, so isnt it best you pay double the price and get 4 times the wear out of the shoe?

DI : Och well no love, I just need something practical and cheap

Me : Yes sir but these aren't that expensive (£40 back in 1985)

DI : Och, I don't have £40

when he bought the cheaper pair he took £100 out of his wallet to pay for them.

I don't have anything against the scots but that was memorable.

I saw him in a pub 2 days later.

DI: Hey, thanks for the shoes, but they are bit tight

Me : Fuck your shoes, you're tight you bastard

Oh well :-)
( Tiggy the diver, Mon 8 Sep 2008, 23:37, 3 replies)

Quantity vs. quality
Slightly OT I suppose, but that has always bothered me when someone can afford to get the better version of a thing, but they spring for the 'I'm a cheap swot' type. Sure, your wallet takes a hit for now, but it's worth it in the long run. Case in point - was ragging on a friend who had bought a cheap mouse/keyboard to replace his failing peripherals. Within one week his mouse has gone stupid, whereas my Logitech set I've had for nigh on three years is still going strong.

Er...sorry. The door's this way?
(Rem Sir, why are you thrashing about on the floor?, Tue 9 Sep 2008, 0:10, closed)

You buy cheap,
you buy twice!
( waffle1 is lurking on, Tue 9 Sep 2008, 5:29, closed)

I treated myself to some expensive shoes.
Three years ago, 'twas (still going strong). They were half price (and still expensive). They have, in fact, ended up costing me more money because I now refuse to buy cheap shoes.
(ThomsonsPier consumes, Tue 9 Sep 2008, 9:34, closed)