I woke up at 5:35 am on a Sunday. Unless I’m flying or about to embark on a cross-border shopping spree, to see this alarm isn’t the most welcome. I pulled on an all-black ensemble, topped with a comfy fleece letterman jacket, made an omelette and out the door we went. We got to Target, Centrepoint Mall just before 6:30 a.m. There were already about 15 people in line. I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe I will be able to snag one of those bags. I waited in line and after chatting with my neighbours, it was clear that everyone wanted one of those bags. I was surprised that a couple of middle-aged men behind me were up so early in hopes of snagging a suit for under $150. At 7:54 a.m. the line crept up to the doors, until they finally swung open around 8 a.m., letting a rush of people in.
I headed straight for the display, to find a group of girls swooping up bags – I’d say 20 in each hand, no exaggeration. I crouched down to find one lonely mini black satchel on the floor (must have fallen off in the chaos) and I swooped it off. I asked one of the girls if she would part with one of her 20(!) grey large satchels and she said “they’re for a friend.” Right. More like her eBay shoppers. My sister managed to sweep up the coveted Boom sweatshirt and matching scarf, then proceeding to the men’s section to grab a tee for my boyfriend. Upstairs, the bags and men’s section was gone in one clean sweep as well.
I overhead dozens of people complain about waiting in line for an hour, only to find no bags. Then I saw that pack of girls (bushels of bags in hand) walking around the store with a trail of people in tow. “We feel uncomfortable with all of you following us.” Well then, maybe you should be sympathetic and not act like such a pig. A salesperson intervened and informed the girls that you are only allowed one bag of each type/colour. Well, luckily they brought friends (and parents, out of nowhere) to distribute the load. A few bags did end up going back to a table by the salesperson, whom, ill-advised, put them back on the table. My sister was there and grabbed a handle of one of the large satchels, but so did another middle-aged lady. My sister didn’t let go (she’s a more extreme shopper than me, I’ve learned), and I tried reasoning with the woman that her daughter ALREADY HAD THE SAME BAG! She replied, “This one is for me! I’m old” Truthfully, I don’t care that you’re old. My sister is barely 18 and woke up at 5:30 a.m. She didn’t walk out with a bag (although I will gladly share), and yet you, a middle-aged person (presumably wiser), couldn’t be a more generous person? I told my sister to let go. “She can keep the Chinese crap.”
I hope those bags make someone happy, likely through eBay.
This morning’s experience, albeit hilarious and completely OTT taught me to relax, it’s just fashion. I guess people just get cranky in the morning.
PS Target should really consider limiting quantities – like max. 3 accessories and 3 clothing pieces per person. I saw people with $1000 check outs full of plastic vinyl bags. Great, you have like eight 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target bags, yet you could have effectively bought one REAL Phillip Lim Pashli satchel. I then realized I was content with my $35 vinyl bag, because Phillip Lim or not, that’s all it’s worth.
Sorry your sister had such a brutal experience, but glad you came out the better persons. I’m still surprised how self-centered supposed grown-ups can be –and over poorly-made pieces churned out of a factory in an Asian country! (Nothing against Asia, except their poor quality workmanship.)
I usually buy pieces from collaborations that I missed out on/didn’t feel like wading through crowds of red-eyed shoppers for, on eBay. This definitely makes me think twice about buying from people who act like that purely for profit. 🙁 So alas, if I miss it, I miss it from now on.
P.S. People who use age as an excuse ought to be ashamed of themselves! It’s not like she needed a seat on the bus!
Author
lol that is so true! Age, race, whatever… it’s down to your behaviour and goodwill in a situation like that. Turns out that the same woman punched a girl upstairs to get a bag for her daughter… this grandma is definitely packing a punch! It was really sad to see, and I almost feel dirty being part of that… and yes! good on you for skipping the ebay resellers… they likely waited in line at ungodly hours to try and turn a profit. Selling a $30 bag for $100 and up isn’t the greatest margin, considering the effort and violence. I can assure you that with a flooded market on eBay, a lot of people will end up returning their bags in store, so keep checking back near the tills!
It is times like this that I am glad to live in a somewhat small town. Most people are clueless about these designers and thus, no chaos!
Author
it was insane. I’ve never witnessed anything like it! You definitely ARE lucky… kind of wish I went up north to the cottage for a better strategy… how did you make out at your store?
The racist comment is un-needed. As disgusting as some of those people acted, your comment brings you down to their level.
Author
The bags and all of the collection are made in China… it wasn’t a reference to anyone’s race but that the products were of inferior quality and made overseas (which is obvious considering the pricepoint).