Share your strategies, tactics, stories of how to avoid Ban Island

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#61
catsinthebag said:
I was raised by and economist (my dad) ... that kind of knowledge may help with your head, but it's a useless defense against your heart, which just wants more H!

I have gotten to the point where every time I see something I "have" to have, I start comparing it with some of the other items in my closet. Do I love this red bag as much as I love my red Kelly? Do I love this silk scarf as much as I love my Jungle Love 90? Usually the answer is no, which puts it in perspective, a bit. Not that I don't still want the item, but it takes away some of the gotta-have-it-right-now urgency.

With bags, I sometimes will intentionally inundate myself with images of it. A lot of the time, I will manage to wear myself out on an item, or something else will catch my eye.

My SA said something once that really put it in perspective. She pointed out that H is a master at putting out new colors, but a lot of the time, the new colors are just a fraction of a shade off the old ones. There will always be something new to fall for. That's the flip side of the "gotta get it before it's discontinued" coin. There will always be new stuff to fall in love with, so if you miss this one thing now, all is not lost! :smile1:
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catsinthebag, I totally get your logic. I just haven't been able to practice it. I somehow find 'reasons' and 'logics' to justify the next acquisition. I think it could be the thrill of the chase, the fun in researching, the excitement when I hold the item in my hands...and sadly to put it neatly away in a box and tucked into the closet.

I need to learn how to say No to myself and DH is not helping. He loves things that are well made and he appreciates H and the craftsmanship. He pretty much knows how much things cost and he often asks: do you really need it? is it a really good deal? He also knows I can resell it but he even said "you'll never sell it." Well, may be one day I will. But then now I have 2 little DDs and I hope like heck that they'll like H when they grow up. :p
 
#62
QuelleFromage said:
I find what helps me most is to slow down and calm down, and assess what I 'need" with as objective an eye as I can. I like the concept of deciding at the front of the year how many items you're going to add to your wardrobe, and sticking to that so each choice is well-considered.

That said, the "pounce" factor and the eBay factor are rough (that Web Finds thread!!!). I also have "issues" in Paris because I rationalize that it's cheaper and I should take the bag/whatever now rather than pay extra later.
I also have problems because my DH is an undisciplined spender on clothes and accessories and is completely immune to sticker shock p: Does anyone else have this problem?

Something else that helps me: when I put something on my CC (I only use an Amex that I pay off at end of month), I take the money out of the bank and pay it into the CC account that day. That way I see the real cost, and don't amass debt.

I also sell ruthlessly. There is not much left in my closet that I don't wear, and what there is is earmarked to go out next time I have time to put it up for sale :D
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QuelleFromage, I need to learn how to let go of my stuff. For some reasons I can give away my clothes and shoes but just not bags (H and non-H) and H scarves.
 
#63
purselover888 said:
The one good thing about collecting is that the more you collect, the harder it is to find something that is "better" than what you already have.

Thus, if you don't have too many financial limitations, the act of comparing what you already have against something new is probably the easiest way to appreciate something without having to own it.
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So true. I think I need to do more of this and also as Nolia said to sleep on it (just as long as it doesn't keep me up at night). :p
 
#64
6310254 said:
I really shouldn't have opened this thread and that Fall 2014 scarves thread at the same time :smile1: They were right next to each other at certain point last night.

Back to topic... I (try my best to) avoid banisland by buying H only when there are special moments to celebrate or to reward myself for personal or work achievements. So every H item i own carries a meaning/story and I will be motivated to improve myself in order to acquire more H. I just bought a 90 silk at the beginning of the week to celebrate that I survived the past insane month at work (with the bonus money I received from my company as their recognition of my work). But I guess the shawl I ordered last night was mostly because of all the beautiful reveals from the scarf thread :p now I need to come up with a new goal for this month.
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This used to be my old H purchasing habit--buying to mark a special occasion or when we were on vacation and found something special. Now I bought and rationalize that it's a present (or presents) for my upcoming birthday, Christmas, anniversary... I think I'm just about working on Christmas 2015 now. Oivay!
 
#65
My way of avoiding Ban Island is very different than most as I am physically located way too far from that island haha.


1. I live in a city with no Hermes stores. And my country's Hermes online store seldom carry anything spectacular.
2. So, I usually only purchase when I travel (with my son being 3, I usually only travel once per year), so, the chance of getting H products would depend on what is in store in the city I'm visiting whether it's in Europe or in Asia.
3. I do have 'connections' to get H products locally, which I was able to get 2 exotic (gator) H items in the past year but it does not happen often.


so, my chances of being on ban island is slim. I do wish I have more chances of getting more H items though, I just double checked, in the past 13 months, I bought 14 H product haha (bags, bracelets, scarfs, belts), not once per month of course, just a recent trip I got 6 items, and last year's trip 4 items, and 3 items from my 'connection' in town haha.


So, I hope to see an H store in town sometime soon, so, I can potentially be on ban island hee hee. I am obsessed, helppppppppppppp


p.s. I do stick to my list, so, something has to be extremely spectacular for me to go off the list like a Red Gator CDC ghw (I never thought I would get any red item as I seldom wear red but somehow, I took out my card and said 'yes please', I notice my mouth moving but I have no idea who was controlling it LOL)


good luck dear :-)
have a great weekend.
 
#66
Fabfashion said:
ThingumyPoppy, I have to hand it to you, you have great discipline. :worthy:I definitely need to approach my H purchases more strategically. Funny how my line of work is in strategy and I'm the one who runs the household finances. However, when it comes to my shopping I'm usually a spontaneous kind of person. I may have a general idea like I want something bright and then see what's available. With everything just a few clicks away, I could be seeing multitude of bright pretty things and then I just want them all! I used to wait to go to the boutique but now I do most of my shopping online. I need more discipline!!! Or, may be I just need to move somewhere where there's no internet access.

Thank you for sharing your approach. I can see making a plan for the season but not sure how not to get distracted when I see something else not on the list or saying no to the SA or to a good deal.
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I second what papertiger wrote;

10. Love and use what you've got already. It's surprising how many things we love too much to use or even forget what we have.

I think it's the best way not to get too distracted by new things. Focus on what you already have and enjoy those things! :) (If you always hunt for new items there's no time to enjoy what you already have...)
 
#67
1. Be focused on what you want. Write them down in a journal with the exact specs.

2. Don't be afraid or shy to say NO to items you do not want or items that are not in the exact specs. Always keep tabs on items in point number 1. Do NOT waver!

3. If SA offers anything different from point number 1, then point number 2 applies.

Just my two cents. It's a strict regime that I follow and it's worked well for me. :police:
 
#68
Fabfashion said:
This used to be my old H purchasing habit--buying to mark a special occasion or when we were on vacation and found something special. Now I bought and rationalize that it's a present (or presents) for my upcoming birthday, Christmas, anniversary... I think I'm just about working on Christmas 2015 now. Oivay!
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I totally identify. Arbor Day 2018, baybee!
 
#71
Miss Al said:
2. Don't be afraid or shy to say NO to items you do not want or items that are not in the exact specs. Always keep tabs on items in point number 1. Do NOT waver!

3. If SA offers anything different from point number 1, then point number 2 applies.
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These are my biggest problem. I am fairly new to all things H. So, most new shiny things from H make me want to have it.

Lately I have been avoiding H store so that I won't be tempted with the Fall items. Luckly, I don't shop online for luxury items. So, H.com is my way to let my eyes shop without actually buying anything.
 
#73
Fabfashion said:
I always pay off my CC too but I'm feeling like I'm reaching that place where it's getting to be too much H and nothing else but I don't know how to wean off (or do cold turkey--oh no!). Funny how I major in economics and always preach to my DH about opportunity cost but when it comes to H I can't seem to do the trade off.
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That's b/c H is an emotional decision not a logical cost-benefit one. If something has the potential to make a person feel wonderful, it's really pretty darn hard to even consider making a trade-off for anything else.
 
#74
Ruedubac said:
My way of avoiding Ban Island is very different than most as I am physically located way too far from that island haha.


1. I live in a city with no Hermes stores. And my country's Hermes online store seldom carry anything spectacular.
2. So, I usually only purchase when I travel (with my son being 3, I usually only travel once per year), so, the chance of getting H products would depend on what is in store in the city I'm visiting whether it's in Europe or in Asia.
3. I do have 'connections' to get H products locally, which I was able to get 2 exotic (gator) H items in the past year but it does not happen often.


so, my chances of being on ban island is slim. I do wish I have more chances of getting more H items though, I just double checked, in the past 13 months, I bought 14 H product haha (bags, bracelets, scarfs, belts), not once per month of course, just a recent trip I got 6 items, and last year's trip 4 items, and 3 items from my 'connection' in town haha.

So, I hope to see an H store in town sometime soon, so, I can potentially be on ban island hee hee. I am obsessed, helppppppppppppp

p.s. I do stick to my list, so, something has to be extremely spectacular for me to go off the list like a Red Gator CDC ghw (I never thought I would get any red item as I seldom wear red but somehow, I took out my card and said 'yes please', I notice my mouth moving but I have no idea who was controlling it LOL)

good luck dear :-)
have a great weekend.
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Ruedubac, I'm in Canada too! I used to be like you in #1 and #2 until...I discovered that H.com Canada has lovely items so you may be closer to ban island than you think. :graucho: For example, the Canadian price for 90 silk scarves is less than the US, we got most of the F/W 2014 scarves and shawls before most other countries, I was also able to find a rodeo charm when I couldn't find it anywhere else, we have a myriad of colors of Evie, Victoria and Jypsiere bags, and Kelly long wallets come up almost every 1-2 weeks.

As for your #3, I'd love to know your connections too (or may be that's not such a good idea as it'll probably get me to ban island a lot sooner). :p
 
#75
An SA from years and years ago, from a NM boutique, mumbled something about "they all look alike."


That's as good a rationale as any to cool on things H. B/C there is a distinctive style about H things, just as there is with LV, Gucci, Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren.
 
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