Stemming the online shopping tsumani
Do you go shopping every day? I do.I begin the day by opening my e-mail, café au lait at hand. Before 9 am., I have virtual-window shopped, if not purchased. My in-box delivers sale offers and announcements of new arrivals; blogs increasingly link to vendors.
(Why have so many blogs become Trojan horses for retailers? Maybe because earning commissions beats writing for free. )
By 9 am., I am pondering things I had not even thought of the day before: a seersucker skirt! That opal pendant! All pretty things, some even bargains, but usually unnecessary, even as the sites cry, Treat Yourself! Up to 70% Off!
The ready excuse: I need to see what's out there, for the Passage. But numbed by a glut of commerce, I've said goodbye to "by invitation" shopping sites and unsubscribed from most retailers. I'll keep reading a handful of style-oriented bloggers who provide thoughtful commentary, and who seek that rare intersection of beauty and value.
Barb, a friend of forty years, and I recently reminisced about the days when going shopping was a focused, time-bound activity. We carved out at least a half-day, which always included lunch. And we did not go that often; first, we couldn't afford it, and second, once you saw the season's sportswear at, say, Hudson's, nothing else would come in for at least two and a half months.
Shopping was paradoxically more fun and more serious, more significant. When you counted out cash, you were truly parting with your money. We learned about debt and the folly of "paying for it next month".
Then came the online world, with its constantly-updated stock, daily flash sales, and seductive one-click "payment systems". Women, including me, suddenly found their discipline eroding if, fanning a hot flash and feeling blue, they discovered a deliciously discounted bag on eBay, never mind all those in the closet.
The blog world jumped in, gasoline on the flame of desire. Somebody shows her new Stella McCartney
Elyse shoes (well over $1,000) so why not buy the $60
Vans I'm liking? I'm somehow saving money, and therefore have more to spend, an effect known as Princess Dollars. The flood of consumption promoted online is not doing me any good—even though I seldom buy—nor are the hours spent inert at a computer. If you live on a flood plain, it seems the wise strategy is to clear off.
As I prepare to head off-line for the Passage's usual July-August break, I'm considering what I will write, should I return in September. Perhaps you'll have requests; I'd appreciate that.
Not sure what to do, but to paraphrase Robert Evans, the pearls stay in the picture.
Comments
have a wonderful break,
and don't EVER let go of the pearls (clutch them!),
big hug,
Janice
Have a wonderful summer.
But pearls, pearls are good. And so is your writing, and I do hope you decide to keep writing here.
Considering a buy, a friend always asks himself: "Does it change my life?".
Often you can leave it at this;-).
It's sad that most blogs go for commercial and loose credibility, although one wrote "she gets very little" money for it.
You will be missed during your summer break and I'm looking forward to a great mix of topics (including Pearls) which are Fressange-Rodin-andsoonfree.
Unsubscribing is a source of joy.
I have ads on my blog but I am not getting rich.
As a retiree I do not feel the need to constantly be buying more clothes but the temptation does arise from time to time.
I rarely shop online as I like the more personal and tactile approach to shopping of boutiques and thrift shops.
Hang onto those pearls and I do hope that you come back in September...so many have left and it feels rather lonely some days when the women bloggers of a certain age are silent.
Enjoy your vacation.
Write about whatever you want – it's always interesting. RIP childhood friend – that was so insightful and touching.
Vancouver Barbara
I read your blog, Duchesse, for your thoughts, musings, social commentary, wit, and insights, not for reviews of skirts and scarves. Write about skirts and scarves, not to induce me to purchase said items, but because they are a part of YOUR world.
I can't say it made me cry, as I was already crying when I read it, as it was the day I woke up to those innocent people murdered when at prayer in Charleston SC. A bit of a trigger as that was so similar to the secular immersion in thought at Polytechnique, and I was at a neighbouring Université de Montréal building that evening, writing a graduate history exam, as an adult student. In both cases, the killers were taking advantage of their prey being so deeply immersed in thought that they wouldn't even see the weapon until too late.
You are under no obligation whatsover to continue your blog, though many people appreciate it greatly. I'm actually reading the Papal Encyclical on the environment - something I NEVER thought I'd do, and no, I'm not about to return to the fold, but I think it is an important statement on what Marx or Freud might have viewed as commodity fetishism, and the Pope, of course, as sin.
I hope you return after your break - I am a faithful reader each Tuesday and Thursday and yours is one of my favourite blogs. However, I do realize that it must take a lot of time and effort and you may wish to spend that elsewhere. I love your passion about pearls and your wisdom and experience about life. You are willing to explore some of the difficult questions/subjects and that's one of the things that makes your blog so enjoyable.
Hope you enjoy your summer :).
Barb
Cathy Wong
karen
Karen
I also miss the days when it was fun to go to the grocery store, to see what was in season......
Please do keep the pearls, though. I learn so much from you, though I must admit I did a little pearl shopping after reading your tips.....
AdBlock is my friend - blocks most (not all) of the ads on the blogs I read. I have also stopped reading many bloggers who have decided to write sponsored posts on a regular basis and/or write regular posts with merchandise links. They have a choice and I have choice. I do not understand why there need to be a monetary reward for pursuing something that brings pleasure.
I also start wondering if there isn't some hypocrisy involved. "I'm a retiree and the small amount I earn helps pay for the time I spend on my blog." If the returns for monetizing are truly so small - why bother? If the blogger truly needs some extra cash, why not find a part time job?
Yes, I'm signing as anonymous because I don't have a blog and I usually lurk.
I find myself reading fewer blogs each week. My bookmarked blogs consist of two and I subscribe to four. The fashion blogs feel so limited, say, compared to my recent subscription of the Wall Street Journal.
Theresa
Isn't this relevant? We continually reach for the ideal wardrobe, but maybe it is just too much focus on energy which could be spent otherwise.
I'll admit to spending too much time"window shopping" online. I consider it research in a way.
I rarely purchase,since I'm not an impulse shopper.
I would love to see you write about blog etiquette. In some ways we are a self selected readership
yet we are diverse. Feelings can be bruised on both sides of this equation.
The world is way too commercial for my taste. I don't like being hounded by ads all the time.
Some blogs are an extension of a business and that's fine if you know it up front.
Others are more personal. Very hard to switch it up midstream.
Thank you for writing and being honest and open minded.
http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/ItemGrid.aspx?mcat=148214&cid=288156&lppromo=LPC0337&utm_campaign=062315_US_Blue_Book_USF_Email&utm_medium=email_marketing&utm_source=email_marketing&utm_content=Creative&utm_term=&omcid=EML2263
(I'm only on their list as a customer of crystal items, purchased for my employer)
dana: Wow, much of this is jaw-dropping and its is SO good to see the Tiffany stones and techniques that made them great instead of that stupid, aspirational Return to Tiffany s--t.
All: Thanks for the encouragement; I shall be back in Sept.; I do need a break.
I thought this NYT article might be worth pondering - no shortage of appealing unprocessed foodstuffs as Jean-Talon Market! http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/upshot/simple-rules-for-healthy-eating.html?CID=4QXR6&abt=0002&abg=1
For some of us, the money from blogging is so little that we wouldn't make any substantial changes in what we write about to earn it. I have often said to myself, when considering a sponsorship or a post, "If I wanted to earn serious money but had to do something that wasn't authentic and fun, I'd go to back to a corporate job." (Of course, the corporate job was fun sometimes too, but I'm making a point.)
Perhaps you considered that already. But did you know that the various monetization platforms offer bloggers points of value beyond $? One, they provide data on who clicks what, and who buys what, thereby giving the blogger ideas about what readers enjoy. Two, they introduce you to new products and retailers, which I enjoy. Three, to me at least, the dollars earned feel like comments, like signs of engagement. Blogging can be lonely. Four, yeah, OK, the dollars earned to allow for an occasional "Whee!" purchase.
That said, I understand from these comments that there's only a slim chance I'll change anyone's mind. Some people resent the affiliate links, and sponsored posts. Sorry to lose you as readers.
Duchesse, have a nice vacation.
I like your point about discovering new sources; it's a major reason why I began blogging. Friends were always saying, "Where did you get that? I can't find anything."
When I see •any• blogger "featuring" products which seem very far from her usual taste or price point, and have been provided by a vendor, I sense there is a profit motive operating. That's her choice.
Rita: I would request that you remove few words that call other commenters less than civil names, before I publish your comment.
It was really good to hear all the good things that can come from accepting some advertising.
I like to know where items can be purchased, that's true. I just don't like to be exposed to advertising all the time.
It does turn me off. I don't find you to be that way. You are always tasteful, calm and considerate. You are more like a good friend sharing.
(I hope this isn't hijacking a link). Sorry if it is.
I'm pretty sure we go to places to hear what we want to hear.
Anon@ 5:58- above
I suppose my own mixed feelings on the various related issues is part of why that I am not blogging about style or things at the moment. Therefore I need to thank you for reminding me to attempt to resolve my own mixed feelings.
And I love your posts on pearls and jewelry.
Underlying this debate is the notion of paid work vs. a hobby, or voluntary work. II have noticed in other discussions on the topic, a tone of disdain for bloggers willing to offer their writing for free basis. One person said, "Why not make a buck?" It's a reflection of our values, when we only respect what earns money.
If bloggers would like to be paid, there is another option: the donation approach, such as blogs like "Brainpickings"use.
Bloggers who monetize have an interest in earning money, as well as attending to the creative aspect of their writing. Even though each individual commission may be pennies to a few dollars, those add up when you have enough readers who buy following their link, or will click through to ads.
The blogger therefore has a primary or secondary purpose: earning. I don't see that as right or wrong, but it •is• a decision, and once that decision is taken, some bloggers are better at maintaining objectivity than others.
My own route has been to not embrace that model, for several reasons:
1. There is enough of it out there; I'm not into driving the engine of consumption more than I already do, and
2. Sooner or later I'd be swayed to see how much I could earn, which would change what I write- I know myself.
Rather than having a "sense of being entitled", my perception of readers in the Passage is that they are appreciative, even when they disagree strongly with my post or another reader's point of view.
I am in my late 60s and felt you were a kindred spirit(I know.I read Anne of Green Gables too!)when you wrote about the Vietnam war.
I hope you decide to continue your blog, but if not, thank you for the pleasure you have given to your readers.
Sue