Excuses....

Laycee · Post by **Laycee** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:35 pm

OK so I'm kindof in the rebuilding of the wardrobe mode. When the decision to purchase is made, I find myself creating an excuse or reason for the purchase and quite often asking the cashier something like "I hope she likes this..etc").

This got me wondering what, if any, reasons/excuses other girls had at the ready should they be needed???

BTW, I've yet to have a negative reaction.

Kimberly Kael · Post by **Kimberly Kael** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:23 pm

I did exactly the same thing for twenty years. There's the special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary, which is pretty much what everyone at retail assumes to begin with. It doesn't exactly hold up for repeated visits, though. If you're going to be doing a lot of shopping you can always point out that you enjoy shopping more than she does (which may even have the advantage of being true.)

I've finally decided that it's just simpler to say it's for me if anyone inquires. Honestly, nobody cares much and the occasional knowing smile can be priceless. I find the trip more relaxing as a result, and of course it frees me up to try things on which in turn reduces the number of dud purchases in my closet.

Laycee · Post by **Laycee** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:53 pm

I'm getting better at knowing I don't need an excuse. My last purchase was a pajama set and matching slippers. The clerk remarked about the slippers that they looked really comfortable. I so wanted to say "I'll let you know" but kinda just smiled instead. I believe she new.

Post by **KimberlyS** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:47 pm

Excuses? Me???

Let me see:
For the girl friend.
For my wife.
For her.
For a friend.
For her Birthday.
This is what she put on the lists. As I showed it to the SA.
I believe she said a size _____.
...... and I am sure many more.

A bit hard to continue to say those things when I began holding things up to me to see if they fit. Or if I asked to try them on. Any more in most cases it is for me. Makes it more comfortable to shop and in my experience makes the SA's much more helpful.

An exception would be around home running into someone we knew.

KimberlyS

Post by **DonnaT** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:13 am

Nope, no excuses at the ready here. Hardly any SA has ever made comments needing a contrived reply. Some who have, learned more than they may have wanted to know

Absaroka · Post by **Absaroka** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:07 am

More and more often I bring the clothes to the mens fitting room and try them on. If asked I say that my wife and I are the same size. Which for some very wierd reason (I'm 230 lbs and 6'-3" and she is 5'-9" and 150 lbs) is true.

Other times I just let people think what they want to, or say that it's for my wife.

Around the holidays I buy clothes for everyone. So there I am with clothes for two daughters, wife and me, all of different sizes. That made me realize what it feels like to actually really be buying for someone else, and I try to tune in that feeling when shopping for myself.

I also have a friend who is a theatrical director. He now and then prowls Goodwill for costume materials. Sometimes he likes to wear his costumes.....While on our honey moon a long time ago he took great delight in wearing my wifes wedding gown as a way of remembering how joyous the occaision had been for him. (They are very close)

Absaroka

JoAnnDallas · Post by **JoAnnDallas** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:11 pm

I quit telling SA's and/or checkout people that I'm buying for someone else. Now I usually don't Volunteer the info but if asked I will tell them they are for me. The worst I so far all I have gotton is a puzzeled look. Many times it is a look then a smile and then comments like, "Hope they fit OK", or "If they don't fit, we do exchanges".

Curly(SO) · Post by **Curly(SO)** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 4:56 pm

I used to work in a shop and to be honest, if a man bought female clothes or makeup I would just assume it would be for a partner...unless of course, they made a big story up about it being for a 'wife' or 'girlfriend'! Probably best not say anything if you don't want the SA thinking it might be for yourself

Love,
Curly.

Ms. Jill · Post by **Ms. Jill** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:34 pm

I used to give excuses all the time but once I started taking items into the fitting rooms to try on, I don't need an excuse. If anybody asks why i'm buying women's clothes I just say they're for me. Luv and Hugs, Jill

Stephanie W · Post by **Stephanie W** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:09 pm

I also think most sales persons will assume the item is for a partner unless there is something about you that makes them think twice. One sales gal simply said the sweater I was buying one time was definitely my colour. Maybe my earrings had something to do with that but her knowing smile was priceless.

Stephanie

CJ · Post by CJ » Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:34 am

Hi all,

If a salesperson makes a comment about my choice of underwear, I ask her to show me hers so that we can be on an even footing in the criticism department.

No. Not really. Just kidding, folks. But think of how much fun that could be!

My little brother and his GF are both "commissionaires" where they live. That is, they're part of the crew in charge of handing out parking violation tickets. Now, his GF says that a sure sign someone is begging for a ticket is that his car's hazard lights are flashing and blinking. Essentially, she says, those lights are saying, "Ticket me. Ticket me. Ticket me." And she obliges.

When you go up to the cash register with an armload of frillies and silks and you tell the salesperson, "Um, these are for X" or "I hope she'll like these" or some such drivel, you're going, "Ticket me. Ticket me. Ticket me." People oblige, even though they may not do so out loud.

Best to leave the flashers off, like Curly suggests, and just not say anything. Your money talks, anyway, so you don't need to.

Having said this, yes, in the past I've come up with the whole gamut of excuses mentioned here. My favorite was: "I'm trying to come up with a kooky Halloween costume." This was in some late June, if I recall. Oh well! For me, people's reactions are, at the very least, easily one good third of the fun of being a crossdresser.

Will that be cash or charge?

Love,
CJ

Lucy Michelle · Post by **Lucy Michelle** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:08 am

Did it once when exchanging an item, after which I decided not to do it again. I wouldnt volunteer the info but if asked a direct question then id say something along the lines that they are for me.

Amelie-Laveau · Post by **Amelie-Laveau** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:54 am

I tell the people in the store that the women's clothes are for my boyfriend, he's a crossdresser.

Kay · Post by **Kay** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:01 am

Amelie-Laveau wrote:I tell the people in the store that the women's clothes are for my boyfriend, he's a crossdresser.

I want to use this 'excuse'. Looks like I'll just have to go shopping again.

Kay

Janet Bern · Post by **Janet Bern** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:31 pm

You will feel so good when you just say "It's for me". You will be surprised how many SA's take it one step further to help you. Sometimes you get the response. "Would you like to look at anything else?" or Would you like to try it on?". Dont forget 20% of us are CDs in one way or another, so you have to assume they have all met many of us. Next time say "Its for me!" You may be surprised.
Janet