What's the Opposite of Buyer's Remorse?

Day 15

Long ago (2002) and far away (Manhattan), there was a young woman who desperately needed to spruce up her wardrobe. She set out for a day of shopping and scored some really great pieces that would add a much-needed fresh look to her closet.

There was one $35 coral skirt that she really, really wanted, but she'd already spent too much that day so she held back, despite the fact that not having the skirt in her bags interrupted her thoughts all the way home. No big deal, she thought. If this continues and I'm meant to have it, I'll go back in a few days and it will still be there.

And did it ever continue! For the next couple days, as she got dressed for work, the only thing she wanted to wear was that coral skirt. So she headed back to the store, but after searching and searching, came up empty-handed. Defeated, she went home and looked at her pitiful closet, knowing the only thing that would make it better was something she would never have.

Fast forward to this past weekend when the (slightly older) young woman was perusing the local boutiques during a weekend away. When she walked into one store, her eyes were immediately drawn to an adorable dress made of the softest cotton in the most beautiful color of silver gray with a white and sand stripe across one shoulder. Only $42? She had to try it on! After wavering back and forth for a few minutes (which, I'm sure felt like about an hour to her husband), she decided it might be a little short and it was certainly something she could live without.

Not three hours later, as she was packing up to head home, she realized there was one thing missing from her bag - the dress! She convinced her husband to drive her back to the boutique. After a quick walk around the store, she asked the sales girl about the dress. When the girl-behind-the-counter's eyes nearly bugged out of her head, I - ah-em... I mean, she - knew this wasn't going to have a happy ending. Someone had bought the dress just two minutes before our fair maiden had gone back for it!

The moral of the story: If you see something and you like it, confirm the store's return policy. While you can't always go back to buy a must-have skirt or dress should you change your mind, chances are you can take it back if you decide you don't need it.