Yesterday a friend of mine on Facebook lamented:
“Why can I never get out of Target without spending $200??”
One comment suggested that the store casts a spell over shoppers, rendering them powerless.
I disagree.
It’s as simple as the strategy you adopt when you shop the store.
Are you hunter…or a gatherer?
Do you hunt — bring a list and ‘target’ the items you want to buy…and then head directly to the register and check out? Or do you gather — roam the aisles, letting the items that catch your eye inspire your ultimate shopping decision?
I’m a gatherer when I shop at Target. And I was never more aware of this fact than when I lived in Boston.
I sold my car when I moved there, so I usually made trips to Target with a friend who had transportation.
She was a hunter…that is, until we started shopping together at Target. With me along for the ride, she adopted my gatherer method and saw her totals increase astronomically.
I couldn’t disagree. The gatherer method does help you spot items that aren’t on your list…or maybe never should be. But it can also be a lot more fun.
Roaming the aisles for me was part of the total Target experience…which included eating dinner at Taco Bell in the food court.
I think she came to truly enjoy the dark side. (I bet my friend on Facebook does, too.)
