How to dodge the "how much did that purse cost" question?

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#153
Serina said:
Sort of off topic, but Igot to thinking of this girl once who gave me a huge rant at a houseparty about my shoes... "look at your fancy shoes ms. fancy. How much were they, huh??? My shoes were only 20$ and theyre as nice as yours!!! blahblahblah:lecture:" I didnt answer but I must admit I choked a giggle when her heel snapped clean off 20 minutes later on her way down the stairs.:lolots: (she didnt get hurt, but pretty drenched in beer)
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LOVE this story!
 
#154
I just recently bought my first luxury bag (a PS1). In the last few weeks, since I bought it, I've been asked a few times where? who? and how much? I tell them Proenza Schouler PS1 - google it. And then change the subject. ;)
 
#155
Just a thought... Perhaps one could say, "Not quite sure, it was a gift." I only let people know I they've commented that they're looking for it, something similar, or to a person I know the number means nothing to.
 
#156
My mother-in-law (may she rest in peace) taught me this the hard way. You ask her a question that she didn't want to answer.. she would just change the subject, and ask you a different question.

How much did you pay for those boots? How long have you guys had that cat?
 
#157
cph706 said:
I've read in advice columns that the best answer to any rude question e.g."How much is that bag" "How old are you" "How much do you make" is to reply "Why do you ask?". Puts the ball back in their court!
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Caro9ine said:
Excuse me, I guess I didn't hear you. I thought you asked me how much my bag cost.
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Great comebacks!

I've had total strangers as well as friends and relatives ask me how much I spent on something. I usually say I can't remember or tell them my DH got it for me. One time when DH and I were at a restaurant our server picked up my Chanel glasses from the table, tried them on and said something like, "Wow, these are Chanel! They're really expensive, right?"
 
#160
HermesNewbie said:
One time when DH and I were at a restaurant our server picked up my Chanel glasses from the table, tried them on and said something like, "Wow, these are Chanel! They're really expensive, right?"
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:wtf: That's SO rude! I'd have adjusted the tip accordingly.

I don't understand people who think that commenting on any item's expense is a compliment. I see it done all the time, but I still don't get it. It sounds like that was what the server was going for, but someone needs to sit all these people down and teach them that "that's so nice", "that's really pretty", "how lovely", "that's amazing" etc. are compliments. The big wad of cash - or lack thereof - dropped on something is not a compliment.

That's probably a bigger peeve for me than someone asking how much something cost. A question I can ignore or deflect and I can usually sense one coming, but the random enthusiasm for an assumed price tag always throws me off guard.

If the price question is coming from a sincere, non-nosy/judgmental place (and I can usually tell) I don't mind sharing. Otherwise, that question is answered with the standard "Why do you ask?"

I had a friend who, when she learned of what I paid for an item, began bugging me on a shopping excursion to buy one cheap item after another, and then saying "what's the matter, isn't it good enough for you?" when I didn't want to buy something. I attempted to explain that if I frittered away $20 here and there, then that would quickly add up and I'd rather have one Really Nice Thing I Loved than a bunch of things I was just "eh" about. She couldn't grasp that concept and it's one of the reasons we're no longer friends.

I do have a good smartypants comeback for when someone who is obviously trying to be an obnoxious beeyotch asks how much your bag (or shoes, or watch, etc.) cost: "I'm not really sure. You'd have to ask your husband / boyfriend because he bought it for me."
 
#161
stardustgirl said:
If the price question is coming from a sincere, non-nosy/judgmental place (and I can usually tell) I don't mind sharing. Otherwise, that question is answered with the standard "Why do you ask?"
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I agree. Once a friend asked how much my Hermes Garden Party was because she really wanted one and wanted to know if it was something she could afford.


stardustgirl said:
I do have a good smartypants comeback for when someone who is obviously trying to be an obnoxious beeyotch asks how much your bag (or shoes, or watch, etc.) cost: "I'm not really sure. You'd have to ask your husband / boyfriend because he bought it for me."
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:giggles:
 
#164
Hi, new member first post...:shame:

One thing I've noticed is a lot of non-purse lovers I know here in London will happily spend between £15 - £40 on a bag, or indeed shoes, that last for a few weeks and then look ruined, and then they go buy some more - instead of investing in quality. Heck I used to be like that myself until the bag-bug hit, I probably spent more each year on stuff like Liz Claibourne, John Lewis own-label bags, and totally non-label bags than I have since on Chanel, Miu Miu & LV etc.

So when they hear you say a high three- or four-figure sum, they're subconsciously hearing it as "and I buy a new one every few weeks, just like you!" instead of (this is true for me anyway) a good bag being a once or twice yearly purchase, if that - because I am self-employed, studying, and skint!:cool:

So I think when people judge it's partly because they have no consciousness of the whole cost-per-wear thing, which for bags like LV and so on is taking them down into less than a penny a day on some things...

'S my theory anyway!:tup:

Iwantaspybag said:
Telling the truth presumes the other person is capable of respecting your choices and that there is something of value to be gained by examining your differences.
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I love this short concise statement of a really BIG truth so much I copied it into my diary as a reminder, where I keep all the good stuff I learn from life - THANKS! :ty:
 
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#165
How about 'I'm not going to tell you!' Lol I will actually say that for real. Or I will point blank tell whoever it's rude to ask, or I I will just ignore and talk about something else :D

I really liked how someone said ' it's more than what you will spend in your wildest dreams lol
 
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