You know how people have a ‘to-do’ list
Well, something drastic happened that had me starting a ‘things-not-to-do’ list.
I’m not sure what will be on this list, but what I know for sure is number 1 – Fashion Night Out a.k.a. FNO. This fiasco has been going on for a few years now in the month of September, right after back to school (how ironic). We see parents complaining religiously EVERY year about the lengthy book list and the high price associated with it, school fee, admin fee, uniform and stationery… all these puts a giganimous hole in the pockets of consumers who have to send their children to school. Now, these retail chains see/hear the plight of these people, and they’ve come up with a unique way for them to save money …. FNO.
Whoopee, now you can buy that top you’ve always wanted when you were passing their windows on your way to the book store – hopefully they will have your size and it will be on sale. On top of it, you will get real bargains on things that you never wanted in the first place.
FNO is the place to be.
There are some stores that start their FNO from in the day. So if you are lucky and can sneak a few hours from work in the day, just run down to Classic Circle in the Springs, Baron’s Plaza or HWT Road (beside National Bakery) of you can pop into Collectibles in the Mall Plaza (Constant Spring Rd), they had some good steals.
My reason for not doing FNO are easily classified as ‘frustrated shopper’. The stores I wanted to visit started their FNO at 5:00 p.m., and this is the time when most business places close or they would’ve closed from 4:30.
By the time I reached the mall, there was absolutely no parking. I luckily found one in a plaza which was approximately ¾ miles (in both directions) from where I really wanted to go but I dared not try to even find parking close to each store that I wanted to patronize.
The first store I went to – Brit Bran (Beside Chin Yees) was to the left of my van. I, somewhat, found a few essential tops and the cutest long earring ever made. Here, I got some 1-on-1 assistance from this trainee (I could still see the freshness on her, which I’m sure would’ve rubbed off by around 7:00 p.m. when the shoppers start ransacking) and she was pretty helpful in choosing enough tops that went above my budgeted first-stop-shop for the evening.
By the time I was cashing from this location, the anxious shoppers were beginning to file in and you could see the agitation on the cashier’s face as she tried to get some assistance with overseeing her register plus monitoring the smaller (quick-to-drop-in-handbag) items.
I left with the intention of going to Carby’s, which is now in the opposite direction of both Brit Bran and my van. I don’t know why I looked to the left and ended up in Ammar’s… ; here, I found the sexiest beach hat ever, ever, ever. I just know I’m going to find the perfect shades soon to go with it. I bought the hat, even though I don’t wear hats to the beach or anywhere for that matter.
Finally, I decided to brave my way, walking through customers and traffic to get to Carby’s, which was my original destination pre-Ammar’s.
At this store, it dawned on me quickly that this wouldn’t be an easy transaction from entry to exit. I stood patiently while an estimated thirty-three persons exited the store, and as it is one way in, one way out, I didn’t have much choice. When I eventually reached upstairs to the women’s sections, because we all know that in a rush like this to get great deals the only way I’m picking up a male piece for my other half is if it is in the women’s section under the tops that I’m rummaging through, I quickly calculated the distance to the work-clothes section vs the casual clothes and evaluated that it was a matter of choosing ONE.
Twenty minutes, two pants, three vests and three tops later, I was standing at the back of a line that had me second guessing why I even came out to FNO in the first place. I stood in that line for one hour and fifteen minutes to cash these items and the only reason I did not leave the stuff and call it quits was because of the hassle it took to actually get to that point.
A few concerns about that night popped up while shopping:
1. Store owners push to partake in FNO but the manpower to get persons in and out of the stores in a timely manner is not there
2. Proprietors should plan better for this night, which happens once every year, and aim to please customers so they will come out every year to their one night sale
3. The sale should take place at a different time. There are so many persons who would like to patronize the stores, but the money is all tied up in back to school.
4. The stores should offer something extra to these customers who do brave coming out in this crowded time, for eg: a drink, a pen, a token… something to say thank you. A discount is just not enough.
Overall, although I’ve enjoyed my purchases, I know for a fact that I will never do this night again. I’d rather spend a few extra dollars and shop in comfort than be uncomfortable wasting time just to scrimmage on a bit of savings.
Time is money; the time I stood there in that line trying to save couple hundreds, I could’ve been with friends or family which is priceless or trying to make thousands.
I am,
The original DivaKnockoff
Xoxo
