Playa Impulse Buys

[theCryptofishist]

I found myself buying a six pack of lager (or what it pilsner?) because of the name, Churchkey, and the little bit of schwag--a "churchkey" (beer can opener--I love the term) with Churchkey written on it.
I always buy the weirdest stuff pre-burningman. Often with the shrug-I-can-give-it-away attitude. well, I guess that along with everything else, the event shows us at our most ourselves...
What lures you into spending money that you might not otherwise spend?

[junglesmacks]

What.. you mean besides the furry panties, whippets, leather whips, boots & spurs, lasers and MORE LEDs?


Gee. I dunno.

[Savannah]

I do this too as the event approaches. I go into a store looking for a specific thing, like a string of lights, and go into a weird fugue state and emerge an hour later with no string lights . . . but 2 pairs of fingerless gloves, several noisemakers, and 8 bags of weird craft stuff the cashier had to tally via witchcraft. Or, go in somewhere seeking a specific kind of canned beer (which I ultimately cannot find) and leave with an extra back-up bag of Chex Mix, more milk boxes than is strictly necessary, and a small tin of lobster paté I will be afraid to eat when the time comes.

[AntiM]

Today I went after fresh sinblock in the commissary, and came away with two bags of puffed rice crackers in new flavors (and Mio energy and tasty bites for Genius). In the package store I picked up a dozen Underground mini-bottles. Underground is an herbal liquor made here in Ogden (same folks who do Five Wives) and you can only get mini-bottles on base. I figured they would be a good gift. And I found a WindWhistle in the uniform shop, it will even blow underwater. Also a gift.

[MacGlenver]

I think I'm having the opposite reaction. Since I'm flying in from ATL, the reality of how much shit I impulse bought a month ago is starting to dawn on me. I gotta carry this crap on the plane! Purchases have ceased. Packing is primary concern.

[mudpuppy000]

I was in a home furnishing store yesterday and saw a 4 foot long shiny metal fork, spoon and knife... If they weren't $40 apiece, I probably would have bought them.

[otakup0pe]

For me (first burn) the big impulse buys were probably a yard of orange faux fur (I think I'll be using about half of it this year) and literally every fraking battery. The rope (for hexayurt bondage) with a 1200lb working limit was possibly overkill too.

I don't consider the hundred feet of EL wire and assorted drivers to be an impulse purchase.

I consider it an investment.

[Bexx]

Oh man... I live this way nearly the whole year. I see shit and think, oh man.. Perfect for BM!

[mamasharon]

OMG There is just no more room. If I can get the rest of the dragon in the motor home it will be completely full. If I get over the mountains with the weight it will be a miracle. Food will be the only items I can be impulsive about. Bacon, bacon, and more bacon. I fear the inspectors will not even be able to get in the motor home let alone inspect it!!! Can't wait to get dusty! Mama

[vargaso]

I'm so unprepared this year, I normally do the same, go into a trance while in a store and walk about with a bunch of random shit that I somehow put together to form a coherent...something for the playa. This year? I haven't bought a goddamned thing yet. I'm sure I'll stock up on last-minute baubles and bangles this weekend.

[tahiti_treat]

2 cans of dolmades. I do not think I will regret this purchase.

[yurtgirl]

i impulsively bought 4 very colorful underwire bras today even tho i never wear underwires much less colorful in the default world. too self conscious for pasties so this is as close as i can get to letting it all hang out (with a bit of a lift that is).

[CrispyDave]

Chocolate filled Twinkies.... I found them today I got 4 boxes to share...

[skippy3k]

My impulse this year is batteries. I keep buying batteries. Yes, they are useful, but when I finally began to pack, I found I have 3 times as many as I need. I look like a battery hoarder.

I only wish I had the same impulse with my beer purchases. I lined up my beer selection and it looked pitiful.

[DrYes]

An ankle length faux long-haired cheetah coat with leopard print interior! Fuck yeah!

[BoyScoutGirl]

Child-size unicorn jacket with sparkly wings and rainbow mane. Justified it to myself by saying it'll decorate the bike nicely.

[CrispyDave]

4 more lbs of Bacon today, up to 8lbs of bacon now...

[Elorrum]

I almost bought another tent, because it was on sale, and it looked cool. I stopped myself, but did purchase a caribiner water bottle hanger. I seem to buy batteries whenever I see them too. I cleaned my car out and found 3 forgotten packages of batteries. Last year, I bought some swim goggles on sale. because... I dont' know, they are clear, small, and it's the dollar deals, the dollar deals. I still need to go get sodas and snacks, and toy snacks. The toy snacks are things generally from Trader Joes, that will be fun to bring out since I've never tried them, and they seem interesting.

[daft]

Bought at goodwill a pair of zip up high black boots in size too small for me, but someone I meet will like them

[Turtleburp]

Hello Kitty tape

[Elorrum]

yesterday I bought a luggage handle, and latch, for a stereo I do not have time to build.

[Finneganistan]

Weird. Every time I try to impulse buy something on the playa, people just look at me funny. "Nice coat! How about ten bucks?"

crickets

[wasp]

I do this too as the event approaches. I go into a store looking for a specific thing, like a string of lights, and go into a weird fugue state and emerge an hour later with no string lights . . . but 2 pairs of fingerless gloves, several noisemakers, and 8 bags of weird craft stuff the cashier had to tally via witchcraft.

I do this in the real world. Went into a shop to buy my daughter's second grade piano book and walked out instead with a mandolin and a banjo.

BM buying even worse... Thankfully limited by coming from a far distant land, and having to restrict my luggage loads...

[lucky420]

mudpuppy000
I was in a home furnishing store yesterday and saw a 4 foot long shiny metal fork, spoon and knife... If they weren't $40 apiece, I probably would have bought them.

this I understand...totally

[CornMan]

I bought a big ol' camo net and didn't use it. I'd like to have that $100 back.